Cad Bane - TCW [R] - Basic (CW22)

Cad Bane is hired by Darth Sidious to break into the Jedi Temple and steal a holocron containing the secret names of future Jedi. The resourceful and cunning bounty hunter carefully puts his plan in place using schematics of the temple, a techno-service droid and an unscrupulous shapeshifter.

Before we were given the chance to digest and say a proper goodbye to everything in "blue" packaging, Hasbro knocked out two Saga Legends and three The Clone Wars waves of figures in addition to multiple exclusives and vehicles in a refreshed red line look. Not that we are complaining or anything, but it was an abrupt transition and most were not necessarily ready for it. Amongst the glut of product was Cad Bane, a new villain in the popular Clone Wars lore and a relentless bounty hunter. How could we go wrong with this purchase? Well, we really cannot. Cad Bane is a refreshing change in a clone-focused line and an amazingly manufactured action figure. And since he is of a species we have seen before in the films as well as having a threatening and ominous role in the television show, he is causing a buzz amongst the collective whole. In fact, when he was first released, he quickly became one of the hardest action figures to find and is still bit of a chore to locate at retail. Perhaps his popularity in the states is due in part to his clearly western American cowboy look. And we tend to like foes in Star Wars and "bad guy" is written all over his face. His pupil-less eyes, a trademark of the Duros species are baneful (no pun intended) and disturbing and you better reckon that he is indeed not one with whom you should mess. The frown on his brow attitudinizes that he possesses an imposing outlook on things and successfully drives home the point that he will be successful at hitting and capturing his target.

One of Cad Bane's most stellar characteristics is his thin frame. Hasbro expertly crafted a beautiful build. It is then only enhanced by the silhouette created by his trench coat. The trench has a nice flow and drape and although it can inhibit his movement a bit at the waist, there isn't a better way Hasbro could have tackled this. He has two silver gauntlets that have tubing and it drives home the term "space cowboy" quite well! He has two functioning holsters on his person that are not the least bit bulky and the two pistols that come in the package fit in there perfectly. His outfit is decorated with silver plates that serve as accents to his very rustic threads. His blue skin contrasts beautifully against his primarily brown clothing. His removable cowboy hat is a very nice touch and although it doesn't stay on his head as well as we had hoped, it serves its purpose. It too is colored in brown and detailed with some silver accents. Besides his two pistols, he also comes outfitted with a large rifle. The rifle is nicely designed and is also slim line and can be placed in his hands very well. Overall, there is not much to complain about with Cad Bane. He delivers little to no disappointment and we are more than thoroughly impressed with the final results.

Cad Bane may come with less articulation than most would have hoped, but his ten points make him perfect in our books. Super-articulation is great for clone troopers, but if Cad Bane were to have this many points, it would be a distraction more than a benefit. Because of his limited movement, Cad Bane has an excellent stance and he can be posed and situated with great ease. He looks the best in a 'showdown' stance and his arms have the extra articulation needed for a 'quick draw' position or whatever look you wish for him to have. Expect Cad Bane to be a staple in The Clone Wars action figure line. Additionally, expect to see a plethora of bounty hunters continue to be introduced into the line as well. Star Wars can never go wrong with the inclusion of the obligatory bounty hunter and for the most part are universally adored by all. Cad Bane is another example of an original trilogy species reinvented into something new. Fans and collectors have a security blanket when it comes to characters like Cad Bane. Familiarity aids in opening up possible consideration for EU action figures into a collection that is focused on the films. But whatever your stance on The Clone Wars, we bet that you will undoubtedly like Cad Bane (and the apparent dark direction the that the television series has been said to go). Cad Bane obviously adds another shade of darkness to the storyline as well as your collection.