Dewback/Sandtrooper - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Vehicles (04)

Dewback: Rugged reptiles with thick hides, dewbacks are plodding but reliable mounts. When prodded by their riders, they are capable of brief bursts of surprising speed.

Sandtrooper: Stormtroopers dispatched to desert worlds wear specialized gear and are nicknamed sandtroopers. Sandtroopers wear standard stormtrooper armor augmented with cooling units, a helmet sand filter, and a survival backpack with extra rations and water. While huting for the Death Star plans on Tatooine, sandtroopers used native dewbacks as mounts.

Hasbro is, of course, continuing the 6” vehicles line, but they’ve decided to focus on more practical and smaller-sized vehicles instead. As you know, their first effort, the First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter/First Order TIE Fighter Pilot (01) set didn’t receive the reception it needed to be a successful release. Now Hasbro takes the line in different directions and added beasts to the vehicles line (under the same continuing number convention). The boxes are marked as the vehicle assortment as well. We suppose the Dewback is a vehicle of sorts for the Galactic Empire, but it feels a bit strange referring to the Dewback as such. Collectors of the 6” range have been waiting for Hasbro to continue beasts ever since The Black Series [Phase II] line brought us the Deluxe assortment which included 2014’s TBS [P2] Jabba The Hutt, 2014’s TBS [P2] Luke Skywalker And Wampa, and 2014’s TBS [P2] Han Solo And Tauntaun sets. The Deluxe assortment also didn’t perform that well (in comparison to the basic figures) and was put into hibernation after four releases. A year later, Hasbro determined that pairing figures with larger items would be a way to go and rebirthed the format with 2015’s TBS [P3] First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter/First Order TIE Fighter Pilot (01) release. It was the inaugural launch of The Black Series [Phase III]. As we’ve explained, it too didn’t do as well as expected and became clearance fodder at every major retailer. Hasbro revisited their approach and determined that smaller-scaled vehicles and beasts would make the most sense for this format. They’re right. And here we are, up to number 04, with the Dewback/Sandtrooper set. It isn’t going to take collectors long to figure out that the old Deluxe sets had an MSRP of $39.99. The new “figure and vehicle” assortments are priced at $59.99. But we’re happy to report that the shortcuts taken on earlier releases haven’t been carried forward with this relaunch (or reinvention rather) of the old Deluxe sub-line. The new items in this line are of significantly higher quality. And the Dewback/Sandtrooper set is glorious, albeit imperfect.

It’s a bit difficult to believe that the long-awaited Dewback/Sandtrooper set from The Black Series [Phase III] line is finally available to collectors. It’s going to be a set that 6” collectors will universally love. That is a given, and no doubts should exist about that in the slightest. It’s a big and bulky creature with tons of overwhelming articulation, and we get another Sandtrooper that is unique to the line which is perfect for army-building. Despite the happiness, we feel that the Dewback in this set is not entirely screen-accurate to any single Star Wars film. In fact, it may not be accurate to any! That may sound strange, but while we love this toy, it’s a different take on what we recall seeing in any of the Star Wars films that featured it. Perhaps the reference materials relied upon didn’t present an accurate shape of the beast when it was designed. The issue we have with it all surrounds the shape (length) of the body. The head and legs of the beast look pretty perfect to us. Those areas are all good. However, the shape of the Dewback’s body is too smooshed and stout. These beasts have more elongated bodies and a long tail. If you look at the original puppet from the 1977 version of Star Wars, the 1997 computer generated model from the A New Hope Special Edition and the 1999 The Phantom Menace creature, you’ll discover that each beast has unique features and characteristics of each other. Despite this, they all share a similar frame, and that frame is much longer than what has been brought to the 6” figure. The toy is beautifully done and has exquisite detailing, but we don’t think it properly represents the true length of the Dewback. Please don’t misunderstand us. The Dewback in this two-pack is a beauty. And you cannot help but think of the creature from Star Wars. We’re curious to know why Hasbro didn’t give him the proper sizing he needs. He looks ever so small for the included Sandtrooper. With a lance, survival gear and a blaster rifle, the included Sanstrooper can steer and accomplish his mission thanks to this desert creature.

The Dewback is complete with an amazing 36 points of articulation. This represents the most articulation the Dewback beast has ever received in the toy line in any scale. The inclusion of ball-jointed shoulders and elbows give the creature an amazing amount of movement. A ball-jointed head and tail move with impressive precision and so realistically that it’s hard to believe. In the past, Hasbro has been inclined to give these areas of creatures with swivel articulation or no articulation at all. It’s nice to see premium articulation added here. But Hasbro didn’t stop there. They also added an articulated lower jaw and tongue which gives the Dewback and amazing lifelike look and feel. The inclusion of hinge-jointed digits also adds incredible realism to the Dewback as well. The saddle is the only separate piece and snaps into place in a slot on the Dewback’s back. The bridle and reins are permanent fixtures. The fact that they aren’t removable bothers us a little bit, but it doesn’t interfere with the aesthetics of the creature in any way. Again, 6” collectors are going to love the Dewback. But as time moves on, 6" collectors may notice that something is ever so slightly off with the Dewback's shape. The included Sandtrooper is just a repaint of the past figure Hasbro has produced in the line multiple times already. The paint job is a little too weak for our tastes, but at least it is a unique version that collectors can army-build effectively. (It’s great when the same character looks different from the last.) He sits atop the Dewback beautifully. His ball-socket hips allow him to straddle the Dewback perfectly. Hasbro gave him a gray pauldron which makes him screen-inaccurate. As we all know well now, only squad leaders (orange), corporals (black) and sergeants (white) exist. Perhaps this is a sergeant who got his pauldron a little too dirty. The Dewback/Sandtrooper set will be a hit for collectors of this line. Don’t wait for clearance. Do the right thing and buy it as soon as possible so the 6” line can stay healthy.