Clone Trooper - TBS [P1] - Six Inch Figures (#14)

Clone Troopers are genetically engineered super soldiers who are deployed into combat for the first time on Geonosis, where they battle the Separatists' Droid Army.

"The Droid Army is in full retreat."

It’s weird that the Clone Trooper is the #14 release in The Black Series [Phase I] 6” line when only 13 figures were released in it. We jest of course. The temporary cancellation of Chewbacca made the numbering sequence go awry, and Hasbro apparently didn’t have enough time to resolve the issue. But that’s also about the last thing you should concern yourself with because it’s actually a brilliant figure. With one collector opinion varying from the next, there remains strong feelings on the thickness of the clones and how they actually appeared in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones. The Clone Trooper (’03 #50) figure from the original Clone Wars line left many collectors feeling that the design was too chunky. While conversely, other collectors felt that 2011’s TVC Clone Trooper (VC45) figure was way too light and thin. Perhaps the true and correct answer lies somewhere within the middle and we feel that Clone Trooper (#14) perfectly hits that nail right on the head. With a nice amount of articulation and a design that perfectly captures both the essence and silhouette of the character, The Black Series [Phase I] Clone Trooper will likely clone itself in your collection over time.

As with so many other phase I Clone Trooper action figures that Hasbro has released throughout the years, this Clone Trooper once again receives a sterling white and clean paint job. This means that this clone is based on the one we saw on Kamino in Episode II, and not the ones witnessed during the Battle of Geonosis. This green (as in novice) soldier is still an asset to the 6” line regardless, although it is definitely far from perfect. Hasbro included clever articulation systems that give this figure an edge over many of the other figures in the line. The double hinge-jointed elbows, which we saw on both the Sandtrooper (#03) and the Stormtrooper (#09) have been carried forward with the Clone Trooper and works just as well as it did in the past. You’re able to bend the arms in ways that ball-jointed articulation just doesn’t allow. And you can really attain some amazing poses. With the precise matching of the pins, we couldn’t be happier with their execution here. Add to that plenty of extra mobility courtesy of ball-jointed shoulders and wrists, the Clone Trooper can be posed in so many ways that all previous 3.75” versions of this character couldn’t come close to capturing. We’re elated about this and it keeps us assured that Hasbro has great intentions for this line.

If Hasbro can just lock down tighter paint operations, there would be a much warmer reception for this line. They got to get this crap together stat. The included accessories are nothing more or less than you would expect. You get a DC-15 blaster and a DC-15 blaster rifle, both of which complement the figure beautifully. We extremely thankful that Hasbro decided to forgo a removable helmet for this figure. With the controversial inability by Hasbro to fix the bucket on the phase II clone in the 3.75” and the “on the fence” assessment of the phase I bucket, Hasbro doesn’t need one more controversial issue to cloud what is overall a very satisfying action figure. The exceptional articulation in this emerging line still seems like it has a learning curve to conquer, but for the most part we believe it will satiate the most stringent of collectors. And aside from seeing some samples with sloppy paint operations, we really don’t have much more to comment on when it comes to this figure. Expect plenty of repaints now that Hasbro has tooled a template for essentially endless clones. And out gut feeling is that we’re literally months away from an announcement of the first phase II clone (whether it be a 41st Elite Corps, Shock Trooper, 501st Legion or 212th Attack Battalion clone). And with the announcement that a Clone Trooper Sergeant is already scheduled, we’re probably just months away from the rest of the Clone Trooper officers from Attack Of The Clones as well. Again. this isn't a perfect figure but it isn't terrible either.