Review: Star Wars Black Series SDCC 2017 Grand Admiral Thrawn Exclusive
- Mephitsu
- 5 days ago
- 9 min read
“To defeat an enemy, you must know them. Not simply their battle tactics, but their history, philosophy, art.”
It was Star Wars Celebration 2016 when Grand Admiral Thrawn was unveiled as coming to the new Star Wars Canon in the 3rd Season of Star Wars: Rebels. I was at Celebration when the news broke, and the buzz was notable. It wasn't until 2017, after the first Thrawn episodes of Rebels had aired, that the first Star Wars Black Series figure of Thrawn was revealed. As was common in these early years of the Star Wars Black Series, figures like Thrawn with surrounding hype were often released both in the standard line, but also in larger exclusive convention packs as we’d seen in previous years with Boba Fett, Jabba the Hutt, Jynn Erso, and Kylo Ren. Thrawn was no exception, and he was released first in a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive box set ahead of his single figure release in Wave 12 of the Phase 3 Black Series ‘red line’ packaging.
As is standard, then and still now, the exclusives at shows like SDCC were available either on the convention floor in limited numbers or could be pre-ordered at the show or via a code picked up from the Hasbro booth. After the convention, it was then usual for the remaining stocks to be made available. 2017 was pre-Hasbro Pulse, and convention exclusives outside the US were usually sourced and sold by what we now call the Fan Channel retailers. In Thrawn’s case, while some import stock reached the UK, it was limited, and since 2017, the SDCC Thrawn box set has been steadily rising in price, while a lot of other convention exclusives saw their value dip through oversaturation. I originally passed on the first UK stocks, assuming prices would stabilise, and have regretted that ever since, until I finally managed to source a set in Spring 2026. This set was unboxed, which worked for me, taking away the difficult decision of whether to unpack such a relatively rare set for display.
The packaging (shown here in promo shots) was very much an early adopter of the posed diorama exclusive sets with foiled luxury packaging we still see today on exclusives like the most recent Mustafar set featuring Anakin and Obi-Wan. The outer packaging features an image of Thrawn from Rebels and a side panel in Chiss blue. It then folds out through two opening panels, revealing inside a replication of Thrawn’s office in Rebels aboard the Chimera, with Thrawn in the doorway and his collection of relics to the side and above him. These are not behind any plastic or blisters, and were held in place by small ties.
The Thrawn figure is exactly the same as the one that would be released singularly after SDCC. The majority of the uniform is cast in white plastic with a skirt piece around the waist in softer plastic and incorporating a black painted belt and holster with a gunmetal Imperial buckle. The Grand Admiral uniform also features painted gold epaulets on the shoulders, further gold markings on the collar, the usual Imperial code cylinders in the pockets beneath the shoulders, and the coloured rank panel, which is painted blue, yellow and red as per the Grand Admiral status. The uniform concludes with the gloss knee-high boots.
The likeness was not based on any actor and extrapolated from the animated look for Thrawn as it was in the run-up to the formation of the Rebellion and the events of Rogue One. This translation at the time was well received, but some 9-years later, you can see the limitations of the facial decor, which is hand-painted and includes very thick black eyebrows, a pinkish lip tone and jet black hair. The red eyes of the Chiss are well done and give the figure the intensity we see on Rebels.
Thrawn comes with a blaster like the standard release, a holdout weapon in gun metal silver that can be holstered in the working belt holster or held in the right hand, where we have a separated trigger finger that slots into the trigger, while the remaining group of three fingers and thumb hold the grip of the blaster.
Articulation is 16 points in total, and uses the configuration of the time, including pinned double-jointed knees, a double-edged sword, considering they provide a wider range of movement, but the pins can look quite ugly. The waist joint has limited movement, and the neck, too is the older pivot peg with ball joint, meaning Thrawn can’t quite emphasize his expressions with the tilt of the head or a downward stare that we can now get on the newer solution. The arms lack butterfly shoulders, but this aside can do most things you would want from Thrawn’s gestures, including his arm behind back stance.
Up to now, everything in the set is exactly as included in the standard release. The exclusivity was very much driven by the packaging for those with the space to display it, and the included artifacts, which are all based on elements we see in Thrawn’s office on screen through its various appearances on Rebels. Many of these seen in the show are Easter Eggs to other stories, both inside the Star Wars Universe and beyond.
We start with the smallest and the lightsaber hilt, which has never been attributed directly to any Jedi. While this looks like it could be a standard Black Series piece that could accommodate a blade, the socket is not ridged so any blade peg inserted does not go far enough into the hilt and doesn't lock in place. The emitter hole appears to be purely decorative. It is relatively well decorated with a grey base colour, gunmetal emitter, pommel and central collar, which also features gold trim. There is more gold on the central switch. This can fit in either of Thrawn’s hands if he wants to examine it further.
The next piece is an easter egg, seen in the show, and nods to the Indiana Jones franchise with the Holy Grail as seen in 3rd Indy outing. The Last Crusade. This is scaled to the 6-inch figures, cast in a plain gold colour with sculpted scratches and surface damage. It is finished in a subtle bronze metallic finish. Despite this being in existence at Hasbro, it is not the same Grail used in the Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade figures from 2023. Like the saber, the grail can be held by Thrawn.
The next two pieces are helmets, starting with a Clone Trooper helmet with green trim that is that of Commander Gree, who fell on Kashyyk during the execution of Order 66/ This is proportionally accurate, and is cast in an off-white with green trim and metallic green visors. Weathering is added to add a buildup of dirt and grime. It is hollow and wearable, and it can be placed over Thrawn’s head and will also fit most Clone figures, but it is very loose. On comparison with the existing helmeted Clone Phase II helmets, it is larger and seems to be made solely for inclusion in the Thrawn box set.
The second helmet is that of the Jedi Temple Guards, possibly that of the Grand Inquisitor before he left the order. At the time of release, this was a tantalizing hint at a future release, but it ended up taking another 8 years until the release of the Temple Guard in 2025. This mask is not the one used on the eventual Black Series release, and like the Gree tje helmet is larger and lacks the sculpted detail of the new figure release. The piece is smooth and cast in white with the gold painted design up and around the cut-out eye holes. It can be worn by Thrawn, although the fit is tighter, or by any other figures with similar or smaller-sized heads.
The next two pieces move more into the realms of a diorama and feature two Imperial display plinths cast in a hard and hollow grey plastic, assembled from two halves, and with some painted red indicators at their base. Both plinths are identical, but are supplied with different contents.
The first is the stone obelisk we see in Thrawn’s office, an easter egg to the Dark Crystal. It is cast in grey stone texture plastic with sculpted cracks and crevices and a slight wash to enhance these recessed details. It sits on a mounting post that itself plugs into the plinth, and this allows the piece to be rotated as needed.
The second plinth includes Hera Syndulla’s clan Kalikori, a family totem that forms the basis of the episode “Hera’s Heroes”, where Thrawn takes the artifact and goes on to display it in his office. The Kalikori is cast in brown with scuploted symbols and ridges and then painted with darker wash over the recessed symbols, and plain colours of grey and beige towards the base section. Again, it plugs into the display plinth and can be rotated.
With the Kalikori being removable, it is possible to have a display where Thrawn is holding this to inspect it. And by the nature of both this and the stone being removable, you can repurpose the plinths to house other items from this collection, like the helmets or the grail, or any other suitable accessory.
The set concludes with the largest piece, the sculpture we see above Thrawn’s desk, featuring two green reptilian creatures, a reference to the Ysalmir creatures that formed such a large part of his first Expanded Universe (Legends) storylines. The lizards are cast in a hard light green plastic, sculpted with the Ysalmir's four eyes, four clawed limbs, and curving tail, but are stylized as artwork with angular teeth and spines down the back. Markings are added in a deeper green, and the two are identical, facing each other across a central ball. This ball, likely representing a planet, is the same base green and has the same darker markings.
The three pieces are then connected by a stand or frame in grey plastic that angles up symmetrically from both sides, providing a platform for the creatures with triangular sections back and front for their legs. These then connect to a central plate to hold the glove, and the entire piece sits off the ground on two curved legs.
While the other pieces could be held or displayed on the plinths, the Ysalmir sculpture is relatively large and the same width as Thrawn would be lying down. In the box, they sit in the upper alcove, while any loose display will either see them sitting on the floor or placed onto a platform of sorts. The latter is the preference. For a broader display, there are aftermarket solutions up to and including the entirety of Thrawn’s office as a 3D print. To minimize space, I’ve opted for a simplistic doll's house scaled version of an Ikea cabinet, which gives a platformed space for the sculpture and alcoves for the other pieces and any other random accessories I’d like to give Thrawn in the future.
At the point of release, the SDCC Grand Admiral Thrawn set from Rebels had a US retail price of $49.99, dobule that of a standard figure with the added value solely in the box and the included accessories all of which still remain exclusive to the set and while there have been versions of some of them made like the Gree and Temple Guard helmets, and of course the Grail in the Indiana Jones line, none of them are the same pieces. Since release, and particularly in the UK where the set was scarce, the price is no well over three times the initial value and continues to rise even when most other SDCC sets have been easily accessible and at lower prices. It seems 2017 was the year Hasbro made sure exclusive was exclusive to the show.
Having now bought the set, at much less than the current aftermarket price because it wasn't packaged, I can see the appeal of the set overall, considering Thrawn’s unique approach to strategy and his appreciation of art. But sadly, the box is perhaps the critical piece allowing the office to be replicated, with the figure and parts slotted in neatly. Out of the box, this is a collection of accessories, and it isn’t quite the same when displaying them outside of the office environment. That being said, there are options out there up to and including a full 3D print of the office and desk, and with a bit of work, a reasonable display can be obtained.
Diorama pieces displayed with the 2024 live-action Thrawn figure
Thrawn himself has since gone on to make his live-action debut in Ahsoka, and it will be interesting in the future storylines if this office still exists on the Chimera. For now, I can confirm the new live-action Thrawn displays nicely with the pieces.
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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...
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