Anakin Skywalker/ARC Trooper - TAC - Order 66 (Series 2) (2 of 6)

One of the better sets in the Order 66 (Series 2) TARGET exclusives is the Anakin Skywalker/ARC Trooper two-pack. Just the Obi-Wan Kenobi/ARC Trooper Commander (1 of 6) set, this one is also based on the characters seen in Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars micro-series, but in realistic style of course. When a company like Hasbro produces a toy line for so long, the acquire a magnificent parts catalog and it only makes sense to refer to the list of said parts to bring updated a new other figures into the line. In the 30 (77-07) line, Hasbro made a version of Anakin Skywalker with bruise-leech crawler markings on him. They used the same exact figure (but with a lean torso and left arm) in this set. They did repaint the figure completely and added two layers of new soft-goods to him and the final result is very impressive. (The soft-goods and belt are movable, but we suggest not doing this to your figure as it will be very difficult to get him in the exact same manner he was right out of the package. Hasbro only brought forward the gold cybernetic gold and lightsaber, but the revisited look of Anakin is awesome.

The ARC Trooper is another great figure in this set. Reinvented to look like a generic ARC Trooper, Hasbro used previously existing parts and made it new with another fabulous paint job. They took the ARC Trooper figure from the 2007 TAC Obi-Wan Kenobi/ARC Trooper (No. 07) Comic Packs set and perhaps in the spirit of the original 2003 Clone Wars line, they borrowed the kama from 2003's CW ARC Trooper (Grand Army Of The Republic) ('03 #43) figure. You may be surprised how well these parts fit together, but they work together well. This figure can be considered a definitive version of the blue ARC Trooper characters we came to adore in the original Clone Wars television show. The blue color used for the color flashing is for the most part expertly applied, but is has a darker (like more violet) blue color than pretty much all other ARC Trooper action figures we have seen to date. The helmet is sized nicely and the “old” 2003 kama looks more current than ever. Overall, this is a figure that you’ll definitely become fond of quickly. And he pairs extremely well with the included Anakin Skywalker.

We’re again surprised by the fact that Hasbro has decided to included phase I clone trooper types in the Order 66 exclusive program. Obviously Order 66 serves more as a medium to get us out one clone and one “other character” in an easy and cost-effective way instead of being sourced from the actual events that transpired in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. But while we ponder that maybe more than we should, we will never mind when Hasbro is able to consistently sneak in characters based from Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars whenever possible. Besides, we think the coolest part of this set is that we get Anakin Skywalker before the Nelvaans placed the bruise-leech crawlers on him to leave those distinguishing geometric markings they formed on his skin. The tubular packaging, the look of the figures and the variety of the characters all strongly and equally work together to make the Order 66 TARGET exclusives excellent pieces for your collection. This set (2 of 6) may be the finest of all 12 released, but there are still many others that should grab your attention as well.