AT-AT Driver [The Empire Strikes Back 40] - TBS [AC] - Six Inch Figures

AT-AT Driver is the misfit selection for the first wave of The Black Series [Anniversary Collection] line. So many other characters deserved a slot in this collection before AT-AT Driver, and we don’t feel that Hasbro did their due diligence in character selection. Why not update the Episode V-specific version of Darth Vader? Where is an Episode V-specific version of Boba Fett? And where the heck are bounty hunters Bossk and IG-88 (all of which were the first characters that got released in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back line. No, we have an AT-AT Driver, a figure that isn’t necessarily perfect and needs at least an AT-AT Commander to help solidify its purpose in the line. That said, The Black Series [Anniversary Collection] AT-AT Driver [The Empire Strikes Back 40] figure enters the line once again with little to no changes from its original release. A decent interpretation of the on-screen character: the figure isn’t perfect, especially its “lanky” legs. While this character’s vehicle is likely 100% off-limits to produce in the 6-inch scale, getting fans of the line eagerly welcome the pilot and other Imperials from the Galactic Empire.

JTA broke the original news of the AT-AT Driver [The Empire Strikes Back 40] coming into the 6-inch line. That was a while ago now. Like most other 6” figures, Hasbro doesn’t break too much ground, but the AT-AT Driver [The Empire Strikes Back 40] is a nice release despite its simplicity. Think back to 2015’s R AT-AT Driver (SL18) Saga Legends figure. This figure was one of the most accurate sculpts of the AT-AT Driver costume the Star Wars line had ever received. Sure, it lacked terribly with its shoddy and missing paint operations and lack of articulation, but there had never been a more accurate sculpt than this figure. You don’t have to spend much time at all comparing this 5POA figure to the new The Black Series [Phase III] 6-inch figure to see how they are nearly derived from the same digital blueprints. As a result, the 6-inch AT-AT Driver is the AT-AT Driver figure we never received in a 3.75-inch scale. And as much as that may not make much sense to you, this is the figure we should have received in a 3.75-inch super-articulated scale, not the ones released in the Legacy Collection era. Some of its standout points include a non-removable helmet, a beautiful paint job, and articulation that would make any Star Wars collector who loves articulation weep with joy.

AT-AT Driver has a nice range of movement. Even with the helmet's hoses, you can still turn his head left and right, up and down, and all around. But that’s not the only benefit of this figure. With 28 points of articulation, the AT-AT Driver [The Empire Strikes Back 40] can be posed in an amazing array of options. The figure only comes with an E-11 blaster. We were so hoping to see the AT-AT Driver come with a strapped blaster rifle, especially in vintage Kenner-inspired packaging, to pay homage to 1981’s ESB AT-AT Driver figure. AT-AT Driver may have a helmet sculpt that is too small. And the legs perhaps could be a bit bulkier and not so lanky, but everything is in place as far as our opinion is concerned. From Hasbro paying attention very carefully and coloring his armor pieces light gray to the expert paint applications added to his chest box, the AT-AT Driver has turned out quite beautifully. This version of the AT-AT Driver [The Empire Strikes Back 40] comes without the red stripe on the back of his helmet (like the vintage Kenner release did), so we hope Hasbro finds another opportunity to rerelease this figure and be sure to add that red stripe to his helmet. Hasbro also did a fantastic job with the vintage Kenner artwork here.