Clone Roundup!

Gallery: 30 images.

Author: RAC

In this feature, we take a look at the Clone Trooper variations currently on the market. As opposed to doing reviews for each figure, which would end up being horribly boring to both the readers and the reviewer, I'm going to review the Clone mob all at once, using a single reference point to help avoid needless repetition.

That reference point is The Quick-Draw Clone Trooper (#6), which is the first in the line- all the subsequent Clones share at least some features with that figure, making it handy for comparison. (Except the Clone Pilot which, being substantially different from the standard Clone Trooper design, is not included in this Roundup.)

Each mini-review will feature sections on Similarities, Differences, and a full breakdown of that figure's Accessories. Note that none of the other figures feature the Quick Draw gimmick- that's unique to #6. And all but one, the AT-TE Tank Gunner, lack the removeable shoulder armor.

#33- Clone Commander

This figure is made to resemble the ARC Trooper seen in the Clone Wars animated series, and both the "realistic" and animated figure lines. It's also the most unique figure in the Roundup in terms of appearance, thanks to the additional costume pieces and red trim. He also has a fair number of unique accessories.

Similarities- All of the articulation is virtually identical to #6, as is the rifle.

Differences- The look of the figure is drastically altered thanks to the red trim and ARC Trooper-style gear, which includes a removeable waistcoat and shoulder pauldron. The waistcoat features holsters for the Commander's twin Blaster Pistols, which work fairly well- they seem to hold better than those of the Royal Guards, at least.

Also attached is a visor, which presumably functions as a pair of binoculars. It can be raised and lowered, and is on a sliding track to help with positioning. They're possibly removeable, though I haven't tried, and doing so would still leave two ugly pegs on the sides of the head anyway.

Accessories-

Blaster Pistols x2: larger than those used by the Royal Guards, and a bit more back heavy. They fit in both hand and holster well, and I think I prefer having him use these to the Rifle.

Blaster Rifle: Identical to #6's, save that the stock is unpainted.

Grappling Hook and Zipline: At least, I think that's what these are supposed to be. A small U-shaped piece fits in the Commander's hand, which would hook neatly over the zipline- except that the zipline is only about 6 inches long with a claw on each end. It's kind of a neat idea, but in execution there's not a lot to be done with it.

Rating- Very Good. While the last two accessories do nothing for me, it's still technically equal to the Quick-Draw Clone and more interesting to look at. If you're not a completist or an army-builder (or just fond of the Clones, like myself), it's still different enough from the rest of the herd to be a satisfying purchase.

#38- AT-TE Tank Gunner

Also not quite your average Clone Trooper, though it can be stripped down to one if you're so inclined. While it's designated as an AT-TE Tank Gunner, there's no matching AT-TE for him to man the guns for. I guess that's no great loss, as a toy AT-TE would be massive, and terribly expensive.

Similarities- Very few- the Tank Gunner is probably the most different in terms of articulation. It does have the same knees and ankles, still has swiveling wrists, and the left shoulder armor plate can be removed to reveal an Imperial logo beneath.

Differences- First and foremost is a removeable helmet, which means this Clone actually has a face. The helmet fits pretty well- there's not as much range to the neck joint, though it's still ball-jointed. The Tanker attachment for the helmet is a separate piece, as is the shoulder pad, so if you pop off a head and arm, you can strip him down to a standard Clone if you like. There's also some light, smudgy-looking weathering. The arms now use swivel joints instead of the universal joints favored by the previous Clones. Which is a pity- this would probably be my favorite of the Clones in terms of articulation if it had the proper arms.

The reason for that is that the universal joints have been used on the Tank Gunner's hips, giving it a range of leg movement that the other Clones cannot match. The hips are slightly looser than I'd like, but they hold him up, and that's about all that you can ask.

Accessories-

Tanker Accessories: As outlined above, an added layer of protection for the helmet, and a Sand/ARC trooper-esque shoulder guard.

Blaster: Identical to the Quick Draw Clone's Blaster.

Blaster Pistol: Identical to the Royal Guards' Pistol.

Stand: Finally, a new stand! This one is made to resemble a jungle area- I'm going to guess the Wookiee home planet of Kashyyk. I like this better than the other stand, mainly because it doesn't represent part of a floor plan that can never be completed. Like that previous stand, though, it's made to interlock in a number of different ways, which with a more organic-looking surface, will never really look disjointed.

Rating- Good. I like the removeable helmet, the hip joints, and the new stand, but the arms are too much of a downgrade for me.

#41- Clone Trooper with Super Articulation

This is the one all the kids want- the one that has a universal-jointed waist. It's kind of light on accessories, though. The hip joints are also a bit tighter than the other figures', and they're still swivels, sadly.

Similarities- The Blaster and basic construction are identical to good old #6, except for...

Differences- ...that waist joint, which makes the already good articulation worlds more dynamic. To further distinguish the Super-Clone, some light weathering that I'd liken to scuffing has been applied to the figure, and an optional communications antenna has been added.

Accessories-

Blaster: Same as the one included with #s 6 and 38.

Antenna: A small black antenna which fits into a slot on the top of the Clone's backpack. I'm of mixed feelings about it- mainly, I think it makes him look like a remote-control toy. Though somehow he reminds me of a GM from Mobile Suit Gundam at the same time. It's an odd little accessory, but worst of all it falls off too easily. I think an extra Blaster of some sort might have been better for the figure here.

Rating- Excellent. Though more accessories would be nice, it's a $6 figure, and $5.50 of that clearly went to articulation. If you buy only one Clone, it's either this or the Commander, far as I'm concerned.

Deluxe Clone Trooper with Jetpack

I'm finding the Deluxe Revenge of the Sith figures to be extremely uneven- the two I have that based on Anakin Skywalker are really sort of neat, though both have their quirks. General Grievous and this figure seem like they didn't need to be $10 figures at all.

Similarities- Head and leg jointing are identical to those of #6. The hip swivels are set a bit further apart, though.

Differences- The arms are swivel arms with inarticulate wrists. The left arm doesn't even rate an elbow joint- the worst arms of the lot. Though it does have a swivel waist, and both its accessories are brand new, for what that's worth.

Accessories-

Blaster Rifle: looks more like a modern rifle than most of the Clone Trooper weapons. In fact, the barrel puts me in mind of Gundam's Beam Rifles more than a little. Unfortunately, it's pretty flimsy-looking, too- the stock is thin, and worse yet a millimeter too long for the Clone to hold it the way his arms seem to have been designed for. The barrel is also extremely thin, and there's a thin molded-in sling just to complete the air of fragility.

Jetpack with firing missiles: It's not bad-looking, I'll give it that- the black-and-white design fits in nicely with the Clone Trooper. It attaches to the back by a single peg which doesn't hold very well. The wings lock down, and can snap open when the red button is pressed.

Two missiles are also included, but they're made out of the same flimsy plastic as the Rifle, and so they don't work correctly on my figure. They're presumably supposed to lock into place and then fire when you touch the back end of the missile, which sticks out of the backpack. Mine just plain doesn't work, but I'm not going to deduct for that because, as always, it could be a fluke.

Rating- Not Worth Owning. The worst arms, plus all of two generally shoddy accessories, plus $4 more expensive than any other figure here, equals a bad figure in my opinion. Overall dollar value is a factor in my rating here- if you see it on clearance for a less-awful price, consider the rating Could Have Been Better. Either way, it's the least essential of the Clones.

Continued in Part 2!