Battle Of Geonosis: Jedi Knights [Version 1] - SW [DV/ROTS] - Exclusives

The Jedi launch a rescue mission to Geonosis that ends in a battle between the Jedi and Separatist forces. The Jedi fly to the planet to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala from the Separatists. Battle Droids and Geonosian warriors fight the Jedi in what becomes the first battle of the Clone Wars.

The TARGET exclusive Geonosis Arena Showdown sets have sadly been put to rest. If you know anything about the staff at Jedi Temple Archives, you know just how much we adore these two-packs. After two successful series under the Legacy Collection line look, Hasbro had decided to carry the sub-series along no more, and you better believe that we kept questioning them when they would return to a format that would continually get out the 200+ Jedi that were part of the Battle of Geonosis in Episode II. That answer for the time being can be found in the all-new Battle Of Geonosis: Jedi Knights multipacks. Now picked up by Toys R Us, most likely to accompany the 2013 TVC Republic Gunship (also an exclusive of theirs), Hasbro releases unto collectors six never-before-released Jedi plus two clones (that we have indeed seen a hundred times before) in two new nicely arranged sets. Telling them apart will be slightly difficult. Hasbro neglected to refer to them as sets 1of 2 and 2 of 2 so the only way to reference them uniquely is by the characters contained within them. This review focuses on the set with Clone Commander Ponds. This set also contains Sephjet Josall, Sarrissa Jeng and Roan Shryne. None of the figures in this set are completely all-new, but Sarrissa Jeng comes closest to that status. For these types of characters, we really don't need all-new sculpts, however nice that would be. So we ask that Hasbro continues to plug away and cleverly making retooled figures into all-new characters. We eat this stuff up!

Three Jedi and one phase I clone make up this set and in all honesty we would have loved to see a fourth Jedi included instead of another clone trooper, at least the one using this sculpt. Why Hasbro didn’t just buck-up and give us the much-needed Clone Trooper Commander utilizing the 2011 TVC Clone Trooper (VC45) sculpt is beyond us. It would have worked out very nicely since we already have 2012’s TVC Clone Trooper Lieutenant (VC109) and 2013’s TBS Clone Trooper Sergeant (#02). Sadly, Hasbro dusted off the original 2003 CW Clone Trooper (Army Of The Republic ) (’03 #50) sculpt instead and while it sports and all-new paint job that most closely mirrors 2007's TAC Clone Trooper Officer [Commander], it still pales in comparison to the screen-accurate sculpt of the VC45 figure. By the way, does anyone else find it odd that this has been packaged in the kid-friendly Star Wars [Darth Vader/Revenge Of The Sith] packaging? You would think that an exclusive of this caliber (which includes four super-articulated action figures) would have been assembled in The Black Series line look, or heck even The Vintage Collection line look. This is where movie-specific packaging creates confusion and muddles the line. We have two four-packs of figures that surround events in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones in an Episode III-inspired line look. Call us fussy, it just doesn’t look right to us. But if you're an opener, you probably could care less about how they arrive to you. Sets let's talk about the stuff inside of the box.

That being said, if you’re a fan of Jedi, you’re going to fall in love with this set. Sephjet Josall is a kit-bashed figure that utilizes the body of Luke Skywalker (New Jedi Order) from 2008’s TAC The Jedi Legacy Evolutions set. This time he has a new head sculpt and lower skirt portion. The figure is one of our favorites from both sets. He is simple and cool at the same time. Sarrissa Jeng, the closest to an all-new figure in this set only utilizes the legs from 2010’s LC Jaina Solo (BD60) (which originally came from 2008's TLC Stass Allie (BD 23) figure) figure. The rest of her is all new and is very movie accurate, high hair line and all. Roan Shryne is the oldest Jedi sculpt in this box as he utilizes most of 2007’s TAC Mace Windu (30 06) but comes with an all-new head sculpt and lower legs as well. All of the Jedi have received all-new paint operations as well, but that makes complete sense and is probably something you already assumed. Some of the paint operations are a little sloppy in spots. These sets ship six to case and there are three of each inside. If you come upon a fresh case, you should be able to find one set that appears relatively flawless. While we’re not thrilled with the inclusion of clones in these sets, we have to admit that it is refreshing to have allies of the Jedi packed together, whereas the Geonosis Arena Showdown sets focused on “good versus bad”. Plus, the Battle Of Geonosis: Jedi Knights sets accompany each other and The Vintage Collection Republic Gunship quite nicely. This set in particular is a no-brainer. Get one!