Review: Star Wars Black Series Tech, The Bad Batch
- Mephitsu
- Dec 7, 2021
- 4 min read
The Bad Batch, the latest Star Wars property on Disney+, has brought us a number of new Black Series figures through 2021 including a number of the new Bad Batch Clones. The latest addition is Tech, who was released in Autumn 2021 as part of the 5th general release wave for the Galaxy Collection.
The Bad Batch figures have been a little disjointed in their releases in 2021 with later figures like the Clone Shock Trooper and Admiral Rampart arriving well ahead of the lower numbered figures. Tech is #04 in the Bad Batch series, and he follows on from The Elite Squad Trooper and precedes Wrecker. The artwork on the box shows Tech in his helmet checking out some data on his forearm data screen and the same image is used again on the box reverse with Tech's short background bio.
"Tech is the computer and weapons specialist, the most talkative of the group. His genetically advanced brain can puzzle through technical issues at speeds even faster than some droids"
Tech features a brand new head sculpt that takes the animated Tech from the show and recreates him in a real-world setting. Of all The Bad Batch released so far, Tech is the best likeness that not only captures Tech's look on screen but also has elements of Temura Morrisons Jango Fett template - something that doesn't quite translate in Crosshair and Hunter.
There is however an issue in that Tech does not feature the goggles that he wears for 90% of the time. I appreciate the engineering of having these disconnects from his helmet is not easy at this scale, Tech needs this look and the figure really needs an alternative head with the goggles or a set of goggles that can be worn such as those included with Hoth Leia or the Hoth Rebel Trooper.
The body for Tech is all new as far as I can tell and is more aligned to Scout Trooper armour than the bulkier Clone Commando suits worn by the other members of Bad Batch. The armour is cast in a light grey with painted dark grey, red and brown panels. These panels are not crisp and angular, but rather slightly ragged to show how Tech likely pained the armour himself. The undersuit is black - like a standard Clone Trooper - and this is painted over the grey and done so neatly,
Tech features a removable helmet that does feature his goggles as the eyepieces. Like the armour it is cast in grey with painted dark grey and red panels. There are skull decals added to the sides and above these, there are two aerials in a dark gunmetal grey. The visor is articulated so it can be lowered over the visors.
Tech's backpack is another new piece, being quite different from the packs used by Hunter and Crosshair. It is cast in off white with red painted details and two further aerials. It slots into a shaped socket on Tech's back, and while it does hold in place the fit is not overly tight and it does have a habit of being knocked off a bit too easily.
Tech's sole weapon is his DC-17 blaster pistol, a piece that has come with most Clone Trooper characters to date. It is cast in black with no paint details. It fits into Tech's right hand where a trigger finger slots in place. Despite a substantial belt, there is no holster for the weapon.
What we do get around the belt are a number of Tech's tools. These do remove from the belt for posing - each cast in silver plastic and the tongs with a painted black handle. We are missing Tech's tablet which we see him use in multiple episodes, and that would have been a nice touch.
Tech is really well articulated with the new configuration of 19 points of articulation and inclusive of the dual joint neck and butterfly shoulders. Tech is really expressive with plenty of posing options either wielding his blaster or making some adjustments with tools from his tool belt.
Tech is by far the best of The Bad Batch figures to date with a full new sculpt across the head and armour and an impressive paint job. Articulation is also really good and the accessories are a good choice for his character. The only gripe is the googles which were really needed on the unmasked head to finish Tech's look from the show. That aside, this is a must-have purchase for Bad Batch and Clone Trooper fans.
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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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