The first of the Bad Batch figures for Season 2 were released in late July 2023. The wave was a US Walmart Exclusive, while it was sold via the Fan Channel retailers here in the UK. Hunter, in his Season 2 Mercenary Gear, is number 15 in the Bad Batch Galaxy series and arrives in a deep red accented black windowless box with the artwork following on from Wrecker and leading into the Tech release from the same wave.
Like the majority of the figures in this Fan Channel Wave, Hunter has a level of re-use from the Season 1 release in 2021 but is probably the most enhanced figure of the set with new parts. While Hunter retains the chest armour, upper arms and lower legs from the first release - this Mercenary Gear release comes with new shoulder armour, updated forearms with wrist wrapping, new torso and waist, new upper legs and armour, a new twin holster belt, and a new scarf piece around his neck. Hunter is also the figure with the most decor applications of the wave with the grey of the first figure only found on the chest section. We then have varying shades of brown and white, blue accent colours, orange striping and even some weathering scratches on the chest segment. These new parts hugely improve the proportions of Hunter who did look too slim and ‘animated’ the first time around, this Season 2 figure bulks out the waist and legs and looks much more grounded in the real-life conversion that Hasbro have committed to when translating an animated stylised character into the Black Series.
The head remains the same as the first release but does look crisper, especially around the facial markings which are darker and more defined in shape. The red headband remains in place complete with skull icon to one side. The helmet is also the same modified Clone Trooper Phase II helmet as before, but now cast in grey and carrying orange markings, lighter grey panels and some more of those blue-grey weathering marks. The helmet fit over the head is snug to say the least, bordering on tight and I would be extremely cautious of paint rub if you are swapping this on and off regularly.
The figure’s look is finished off with the Clone Commando backpack that slots into place via a socket on the figure's rear. This is cast in grey, has no function in terms of holding weapons or accessories, and is finished off solely in some bright orange markings.
Hunter has 19 points of pinless articulation and this opens up a wide range of posing options, although kneeling and crouching are restricted by the belt and holsters. All the joints are secure and work as they should and you won't be short of posing options for Hunter and his included accessories. These accessories include his knife, slotted away in the left wrist holster - this can fit into either hand. We also have a pair of DC-17 blaster pistols, cast in dark grey plastic and with no added paint apps. These hold nicely in Hunter’s new twin holsters or can be held. Once again though we have a Clone figure with twin blasters, but only a right hand with a trigger finger - leaving the left-hand grip awkward and unsecure. Why we haven’t seen a left-hand trigger for the Clones yet I don't know.
Out of the full wave, Hunter is the most changed from the Season 1 release and is arguably the most visually impressive with the Mercenary look adding the required bulk to his proportions this time round, as well as carrying plenty of colour and interest. The articulation is also good, as are the accessories, although he is crying out for the left-hand trigger finger. With the Season 1 Hunter a relatively scarce item nowadays, this improved Season 2 release is potentially going to be highly sought after.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...