Clone Trooper Sergeant - TBS [P1] - Basic (#02)

Distinguished from the other troopers by his green markings, this Clone Sergeant fought for the Republic in the Battle of Geonosis.

As soon as collectors found out Hasbro was designing the all-new phase I Clone Trooper (VC45) in The Vintage Collection, the questions starting pouring out about when we could expect the Clone Trooper officers as well. The first, Clone Trooper Lieutenant (VC109) was released in the second to the last final waves of The Vintage Collection lineup. Now that a screen accurate Clone Trooper was available, most collectors were elated about the first “colored” clone making an appearance in the basic figure line. As The Vintage Collection began winding down and come to a close, some collectors became a little antsy because there were still three other Clone Trooper officers that needed to be released in the new sculpt. Thankfully, The Black Series’ inaugural wave brings collectors the Clone Trooper Sergeant, the green color-flashed phase I clone and one that barely could be seen in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones. The final figure looks fantastic however and it’s one more off the clone officer list. Now that we have three out of the five clones from Episode II, will we have to wait much longer for the captain and the commander?

Simply stated, Clone Trooper Sergeant is a repaint of Clone Trooper Lieutenant (VC109) figure. Since we’re all more than familiar with the new phase I clone trooper sculpt, you shouldn’t expect anything new being brought to the table here other than the color green. You’ll be happy to know that Hasbro was carefully to pick the correct “olive green” color to decorate the Clone Trooper Sergeant. Previous versions including 2006’s TSC Clone Trooper (Sergeant) (SAGA 060) and 2007’s TAC Clone Trooper Officer [Sergeant] from the Saga Legends line have always been too bright. So on top of a perfectly designed sculpt, it’s nice to also have the deco properly added too. Clone Trooper Sergeant missed some of the details specific to 2011’s TVC Clone Trooper (VC45) as well as 2012’s TVC Clone Trooper Lieutenant (VC109). If you look carefully, you’ll notice that the plain white TVC Clone Trooper (VC45) has gray colored soles. The Clone Trooper Sergeant does not. The Clone Trooper Lieutenant (VC109) has black paint to show signs of the body glove at the ankles. The Clone Trooper Sergeant does not. As you can see, it seems that there are going to remain some inconsistencies amongst the clones from Episode II.

Clone Trooper Sergeant comes with 27 points of ball-jointed articulation. (Technically the head is a ball-socket joint.) That is a great deal of premium articulation and it’s the reason why this clone is the superior sculpt. As you know, he can attain pretty much any pose that you desire, and he’ll look completely natural while in that pose. And he comes with a removable helmet and two guns to outfit him. Some collectors are absolutely disheartened by the fact that there is an all-new definitive Clone Trooper sculpt. There are other who are resistant to accept that The Vintage Collection version is the definitive sculpt. But the fact of the matter is that the Clone Trooper Sergeant, along with the Clone Trooper (VC45) figure and the Clone Trooper Lieutenant (VC109) figure, is definitive. We have been army-building the 2003 CW Clone Trooper (’03 #50) sculpt for years, so this is change that brings more angst than pleasure. We understand that. But to forfeit this figure in your collection is a big mistake. When you compare the Clone Trooper Sergeant against all previous versions you are going to see exactly why it’s absolutely necessary to concede to the new sculpt. It will be OK. We promise. Just give this sculpt a chance.