Shadow Stormtrooper - TVC - Basic (VC194)

Shadow Stormtroopers and Blackhole Stormtrooper have become mainstays in the Star Wars action figure since 2007. And it seems that Hasbro never gets tired of adding them into the toy line here and there. As technology improves the action figure design, why not update previously released characters utilizing the improved tooling? Hasbro decided to update the Shadow Stormtrooper in The Vintage Collection and include it into their new Gaming Greats sub-line. The Black Series 6-inch line has had Gaming Greats for a while now, but 2021 is the year that Hasbro decided to incorporate it into The Vintage Collection line. What makes this particular Shadow Stormtrooper action figure unique is that it’s in a transitioning mode to become “invisible.” If you recall, Hasbro produced the first 3.75” “transitioning” Shadow Stormtrooper in the 2010 Legacy Collection Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Figure Pack (they placed one Shadow Stormtrooper in each of the two sets produced). These two action figures are unique because they’re mostly clear and in a more significant transitional state than 2021’s TVC Shadow Stormtrooper (VC194) figure. But, once again, thanks to technology, Hasbro designed the new Shadow Stormtrooper excellently, and it now makes the past versions obsolete.

Hasbro took 2019’s TVC Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) figure and cast it in translucent plastic. Then they decorated the plastic with subtle gray and teal colors to give it depth and volume. Some parts of the Shadow Stormtrooper are more translucent than others. For instance, you’ll notice that the helmet and chest are much more solid than the limbs. Hasbro added a shimmery paint that reflects light beautifully in the cases where the plastic isn’t as translucent. No matter where you look on the Shadow Stormtrooper, you’ll find it shines and glistens. It’s a beautifully done action figure. The Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) figure is excellent, so you know Hasbro treated us to a fully functioning action figure here with an articulation system that will provide an exciting array of movement that the past version couldn’t. The Shadow Stormtrooper comes with two different weapons, including the standard E-11 blaster issued by the Galactic Empire. The second weapon is the long rifle we always see IG-88 handling: the DLT-2OA blaster rifle. The Shadow Stormtrooper holds and handles both guns exceptionally well. Whether you choose to use one hand or both hands, you’ll find that this action figure possesses the ability to hold onto its accessories in various ways.

We still love the ball-socket head with the reverse ball-socket neck joint, also called a barbell joint. It never gets old because it gives the figure a superb range of movement in the head, creating an eerily human-like movement. The figure has a lean frame, and the armor barely inhibits the figure’s full range of motion in most areas. The Shadow Stormtrooper is excellent in most ways, but we’re still hopeful Hasbro will improve some of its parts for improvement. We’d love to see Hasbro include “rocker” ankles here. They consistently use this style of articulation for all of The Black Series figures as many previously released 3.75” action figures. So what changed? Despite some of the negatives here, the Shadow Stormtrooper is a fine-looking action figure for The Vintage Collection. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, and Hasbro isn’t thinking outside of the box, but this is a good-looking Stormtrooper. There are so many other Gaming Greats Stormtrooper action figures Hasbro can make utilizing this mold. And we hope they get to work on a Stormtrooper Commander immediately. We need to update the old sculpt that’s been in our collections for over a decade now. When placed side by side, you’ll discover that the Shadow Stormtrooper looks a lot like The Black Series Gaming Greats Shadow Stormtrooper. And it will undoubtedly become a fixture in your collection and welcomed addition.