As the Geonosis arena explodes into a battle that will launch the Clone Wars, get ready to lead your droids into combat with the Sideshow Collectibles Geonosis Battle Droid Commander Sixth Scale Figure Set. Hand-crafted with the rust-colored paint scheme unique to Geonosis, yellow markings designate the droid Commander’s elevated status and purportedly advanced programming. Included in the set is a light-up communication podium with swap out displays, where Count Dooku can send orders to the Separatists via holographic transmission.
We rarely take issue with how Sideshow Collectibles conducts business, but one thing that is sticking in our craw a little too frequently now is the incessant reuse of existing sculpts. Before anyone jumps down our throats, we totally understand the need to reuse sculpts. In fact, we understand why existing sculpts need to be reused as many times as possible. But between the clones and now the battle droids in the 1:6 Scale Figures line, we have to admit that we’re losing a bit of patience now. Sure, great new products have been announced and we look forward to them arriving, but the deluge of clones and droids (B1 battle droids to be specific) are drowning out our “on fire” interest in the line. We hope that this is the last one for quite some time. Sideshow Collectibles released two beautiful Geonosis Infantry Battle Droids first so it was inevitable that Sideshow make a corresponding Geonosis Battle Droid Commander. But instead of getting two, Sideshow cleverly produced a Count Dooku Hologram podium to accompany the B1 battle droid. The good news is that we have a great new environmental accessory for this scale. Admittedly, we’re not sure where Sideshow got the inspiration from to create the Count Dooku Hologram as it’s not seen in the films and the exact model, from what we can tell, is not really in The Clone Wars either. (This doesn’t mean we’re absolutely correct about that either.)
Sideshow once again brings a relatively flawless interpretation of the B1 battle droids to market. Although we’re tiring of them, you should probably expect them to keep reusing this sculpt over and over again until they’ve made them all. It’s a wondrous design and despite us getting tired of seeing them, we are thankful to see them produce the droids in the different colors that they appeared in the films. We just hope that Sideshow Collectibles doesn’t go into hyperdrive and overproduce them like they’ve done with the various clones. If you think about it, they still have to make the Battle Droid drivers, as well as the many varieties seen in The Clone Wars and other Expanded Universe sources. But it’s likely we’ll see more sooner than later. The Geonosis Battle Droid Commander & Count Dooku Hologram set looks great and nicely rounds out the Geonosis Infantry Battle Droids released earlier. It’s say to say you have a full army of them now in 1:6 scale. The sculpt is very functional of course and can be posed in basically any position you desire. From action stances to the distilled crouched position, this figure (and its accessory) brings diversity to Sideshow’s 1:6 Scale Figures lineup.This sculpt definitely possesses a little too much fragility for our liking. But keep in mind that they have been designed with the intention to be posed and played with by the collector. Parts will indeed snap if pushed too far (as we have sadly learned), but in general these sculpts have a lot more give than most give them credit for having. Besides, posing them is something you’re definitely going to want to do with them.
The Count Dooku Hologram is worth discussing in extra detail as well. It sits atop a very simple cylindrical podium and comes with an interchangeable head. Both light up, but choose between the Count Dooku Hologram (blue light) or no Count Dooku Hologram (yellow light). The paint operations on this accessory are gorgeous and we honestly couldn’t be happier with how they’ve been done. The only other issue we have is the MSRP. The Geonosis Infantry Battle Droids retailed for $129.99. Now we get one Geonosis Battle Droid Commander and a fancy accessory for $139.99. Something just doesn’t add up for us. In our opinion, this should have retailed for around $99.99 because $129.99 is just too much money for what is included in this box. But there is no denying the artfulness included in this packaging. For this can be posed with wide stances thanks to superbly designed ball-socket hips and ball-jointed feet. And the hinge-jointed knees and swivel ankles really aid in allowing you to achieve some pretty cool aggressive poses. And Sideshow Collectibles ensured that this figure is an exact replica of the characters we saw in Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (which were just 3D images and not real existing props). Plus, all of the movements captured in the film can pretty much be imitated with these 1:6 Scale Figures as well. That is not an easy fit for a collectible maker. We don’t take it for granted. These are gorgeous pieces.
Collector Notes
Geonosis Battle Droid Commander & Count Dooku Hologram
Announcement Date: February 20, 2014
Pre-order Date: February 20, 2014
Status: Geonosis Battle Droid Commander utilizes the B1 Battle Droid body type.
Articulation Count: 30 points
Articulation Details: ball-jointed head, sliding neck, hinge-jointed neck, 2 swivel shoulder armor, 2 lateral swivel shoulders, 2 swivel biceps, 2 hinge-jointed elbows, 2 swivel forearms, 2 ball-jointed wrists, 2 double-jointed "fingers", 2 ball-socket "thumbs", "swivel" midsection (very inhibited movement – barely articulated), 2 ball-jointed hips, 2 hinge-jointed knees, 2 swivel ankles, 2 ball-jointed feet
Accessory Count: 25
Accessory Details: backpack (with two extending antennas), E-5 blaster rifle, light-up communications podium (featuring a swap out top with Count Dooku Hologram)
Sideshow Exclusive: N/A
Retail: $129.99 USD
UPC: 747720230750
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.