Shock Trooper - Mini Busts

Collectors of Gentle Giant Ltd.’s prolific Mini Bust line were treated to the very first phase II clone trooper character from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith with the awesome Shock trooper Mini Bust. A 2006 San Diego Comic Con exclusive, the Shock Trooper arrived almost a month to the day before the general release Clone Trooper Mini Busts were released to very eager collectors. The Shock Trooper Mini Bust was unique for a couple of reasons however. It doesn’t come with all of the modular parts as the general release Clone Troopers, but it includes a spectacular paint job, very accurate to the Imperial Shock Trooper seen throughout Episode III. What’s more, it also comes with a bonus Shock Trooper Bust-Ups Micro Bust. This extra add on was a way for Gentle Giant to get out the Shock Trooper in this format since it wasn’t part of the regular lineup. Collectors were able to kill two birds with one stone with the Shock Trooper Mini Bust. This all-encompassing Mini Bust also came packaged in a Deluxe box advertising the inclusion of the Micro Bust. Together they were the perfect Convention Exclusives and ultimately made most collectors proud owners.

Gentle Giant Ltd. has for the most part always been good at reserving some Mini Bust exclusive pieces for non-attendees of the corresponding conventions for which they’re designed. They did follow through and reserved the Shock Trooper Mini Busts too, but they sold out quicker than any other Mini Busts in recent memory. As a result, many collectors had to resort to eBay and other aftermarket sources to secure this premier Mini Bust collectible. It goes without questioning why this piece was in such high demand. It’s simply a beautifully made collectible. The Shock Trooper Mini Bust carries forward the modular interchangeability first scene with their phase I Clone Trooper Mini Busts, but perhaps it appears that they are trying to include a bit more versatility for more engaging, striking and dynamic poses. While there is indeed quite a few configurations this approach brings, we should note that the arms can slide out of place very easily, fall out and perhaps break. Be extra careful when switching this piece’s parts. Other than that, there is a great deal to appreciate with the Shock Trooper Mini Bust.

It will be very interesting to see how far Gentle Giant Ltd. will take the phase II clone. There are plenty of characters that they can bring into this format and it goes without saying that collectors of this line want to see every last one made. The Shock Trooper should encourage you that Gentle Giant Ltd. is on the right track for the phase II clone. The white armored is a little too yellowed for our complete satisfaction, but it’s hard to discount the piece when the paint job on the rest of it is done splendidly well. If you love the Bust-Ups line, this is the only place where you’ll be able to secure the Shock Trooper Bust-Ups piece. It breaks down into eight (8) total pieces. The Shock Trooper Micro Bust doesn’t have any interchangeability, but Gentle Giant has chosen an excellent permanent pose that is both authentic and it is screen accurate. Its paint job is excellent, but not perfect. The type of plastic used to cast the piece is a bit too shiny, but it isn’t meant to be a high-end collectible, so it’s good for what it’s meant to be. Together, they truly bring collectors a fan favorite clone type while making a highly sought after exclusive.