“We've spilled that blood into the dirt of every planet in the galaxy. Because we are the Empire's fist. We are stormtroopers. And you can never kill us all."
Sergeant Kreel was introduced into the Star Wars Canon through the 2015 Star Wars comics. He started as an undercover Imperial Stormtrooper and then went on to be given command of SCAR Trooper Task Force 99 under the direct control of Darth Vader. Kreel is unusual in that he wields a lightsaber as a weapon. He was brought into the Star Wars Black Series in 2022 as part of Wave 2 of the Publishing Series of figures.
Kreel is packed into the book-inspired closed packaging with the front artwork taken from the cover of Star Wars issue 60 with Kreel battling Luke Skywalker in a lightsaber duel. More artwork is included on the side panels of the ‘book’ and inside the cover along with some background text on Sergeant Kreel. The release fell just before Hasbo’s move to plastic-free packaging so the figure and accessories are visible via the window beneath the front cover.
Sergeant Kreel is built on the second edition (pinless) Stormtrooper body as released first in 2020 at the start of the Galaxy Collection series. The figure features new pieces to mirror Kreel’s look in the comics with a new re-shaped smoother chest piece and a companion rear torso piece with an incorporated jet pack. There is also a tweak to the belt adding an extra slung pouch to the right-hand side and a working holster to the left. Kreel wears an orange Pauldron with black trim and the Imperial symbol that connects around the neck and sits over the right shoulder. This has come from the First Order Stormtrooper and is missing the under-arm strap we see on Sandtroopers.
The final additions are smaller components added over the Stormtrooper armour with a holo-comms device on the left wrist made up of a blue screen and black case and straps that secure it over the wrist armour, and more commando black pouches around the left elbow - further bulking out the left arm - and the left thigh.
The second edition Stormtroopers feature a full pinless assembly with armoured parts cast in bright white over joints cast in black plastic that replicate the Trooper’s undersuit. Kreel follows the same principles giving him a crisp finish. Kreel does feature black detailing on his stomach section - a piece that is usually white on standard Stormtroopers. The helmet is standard with a pretty standard paint job with the black rim, black visor, and black/silver/grey panels around the breathing apparatus.
Kreel is equipped with a standard E–11 blater in cast black that fits into his right or left hands with trigger fingers fitted at both. The weapon can also be holstered via the included holster on the belt. We also get Kreel’s lightsaber, a relatively simple design of a black central section and silver-painted emitter. The saber is not new and is a repaint of one of the sabers included with the original General Grievous release from 2019. The hilt has no obvious way of being holstered - there is no incorporated pin or hook. You can wedge it between the sections of the belt for a reasonably secure hold. A green translucent blade is included that clips into place for a lit lightsaber effect.
Kreel comes with all the articulation benefits of the second edition Trooper - all pinless and with an articulation count of 19 points in total. Kreel is supremely articulated despite the armoured body with full movement in the arms for wielding either his blaster or saber, and with legs that can crouch, kneel or get into a walking pose - and more dynamic options if you utilise a stand.
The Publishing Series Sergeant Kreel is a great-looking variant on the standard Stormtrooper while also giving fans of Task Force 99 and the Star Wars Comic Series the start of an offshoot collection alongside Leia from the same wave and the complimentary release of SCAR Trooper Mic in the next wave. Kreel is well designed, with additional parts that enhance his commando look, and articulates really well. Accessories are standard, with the lightsaber working well enough in the Stormtrooper hands although a defined holster option on the belt would have been a nice final touch.
Keep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive
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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...