Welcome to our review of the Star Wars Black Series action figure The Death Star Trooper. This review covers the wave 16 release of the figure in 2018, however the first appearance of the figure was in the 2017 40th Anniversary Vintage Carded figures. The 2018 update see's the figure get the new face print technology making it a distinct variant release.
Packaging 4/5
While I enjoyed the 40th Anniversary line of Vintage carded 6 inch figures, it is nice to finally see this trooper in the Black Series packaging. He looks "right" with his sleek black uniform against the red backdrop in the black box.
The 40th Anniversary release was called the Death Squad Commander, as per the original 1978 original. In this release the name has been updated to Death Star Trooper - which then leads to a longer than usual translation underneath in French.
The Gregory Titus artwork illustrates a generic Trooper looking slightly pensive and to the right spine of the box. The figure is number 60 in the line and the numbering is planted atop the red spine and again in red on the back of the box.
The artwork is repeated on the reverse and overwritten with what looks to be a longer than usual bio text. This reads as follows, with the extra wording being more in the three translations than the original English text.
"Death Star Troopers were the elite of the Imperial Navy who were stationed aboard the first and second Death Star. They were responsible for piloting the super-structure to its destinations and firing the superlaser on the orders of those in command of the station. They wore black uniforms and flared, reflective helmets."
As usual your Trooper comes out via top or bottom flaps. He is clipped into the inner clear tray, there are no ties or bands. His blaster sits to the side of his head.
Sculpt & Paint 4/5
While the figure is badged as a Death Star Trooper, in actual fact this is an Imperial Navy Trooper and has appeared in the original three movies as well as being seen in the Corellia Spaceport scene in Solo and of course on the Death Star in Rogue One.
The original figure has been updated with face print technology for this release and it looks fantastic. I can't put the face to a specific Navy Trooper, but that is OK as very few of them are seen for more than a few seconds.
The uniform is sleek and black but with the relevant creases and folds you would expect from a cloth uniform. The belt adds a break with its large silver buckle and compartments. We also get an Imperial symbol on the Troopers left shoulder, this is a decal rather than painted. There is a final touch of silver on the buckles on the two gloves.
The helmet is cast in hard glossy plastic and can be removed if you wish. The fit is very good with the chin strap being flexible enough to pop under the chin and hold itself in place.
The face print technology is layered over the original sculpt. You can see the difference when you put the two figures side by side. Other than the head printing there are no other significant differences.
Articulation 4/5
aOur Navy Trooper has the basic 16 points of articulation, and that is plenty for a figure that pretty much is always seen operating a computer bank of some kind in the movie. The head is ball jointed, but we lose the torso ball joint in favour of one in the waist which only really allows rotation.
Arms are ball jointed shoulders, single rotating elbows and wrist pivot pegs. This allows for the obligatory Imperial hands behind back pose. The legs are ball jointed hips and a thigh swivel, both hidden under the bottom of the upper tunic. The knees are double jointed and there are tight ankle rockers with a satisfying click as they are ratcheted. This means the Trooper stands perfectly well in a variety of poses.
Accessories 4/5
Like the first release, the Trooper is armed with a DH-17 blaster. This is accurate to the weapons the Troopers draw in the Detention Block scene in A New Hope. The blaster is cast in a dark grey plastic with painted silver barrel.
The blaster fits into the right hand snugly with a trigger finger that slots in place. When not in use the blaster also fits securely in the holster provided on the belt.
Summary
Hasbro always promised to deliver the Death Squad Commander in the basic range, and it is good to see them deliver on their promise as well as update the face with the new print technology. As an army-build figure it is good to see a couple of differing looks.
As a basic human in a black uniform the opportunity to make this figure special is difficult, but when you see the level of detail in the helmet and the touches like the silver buckles on the gloves you know that Hasbro have delivered the best they could with this figure aside from alternative heads (army builder heaven) or an MSE droid?
I scored the 40th Anniversary release of this figure a 4 out of 5, and with the updated face sculpt and aligned packaging to the rest of Phase 3 I see no reason why I could not give the newly titled Death Star Trooper a 5 out of 5 rating.
