Posted by Paul | March 06, 2009 at 06:44 AM ET
The Sideshow Collectibles 12" Imperial Stormtrooper has arrived! To say that this extraordinarily exciting 12" figure is the best figure Sideshow has done would be an understatement. Click through to see tons of photos and a thoroughly detailed review and see if it persuades you to add this incredible figure to your collection!
2009 is the perfect release year for Sideshow Collectibles’ 12” Imperial Stormtrooper from the Militaries Of Star Wars collection. This particular Stormtrooper was designed after the costume seen in A New Hope. This marks the 30th anniversary since the original vintage Stormtrooper Large Size Action figure was released in 1979. Whether this was coincidental or intentional, the spirit behind it makes for a very exciting and powerful release! The continual evolution of high technology has reinvented the ways this character has been considered and produced since its first inception. Sideshow clearly spent lots of time ensuring that every detail was not missed on this fantastic figure. Probably the most popular soldier of the Galactic Empire, this 12” Imperial Stormtrooper has given collectors the absolute and definitive version of this character and aside from including some additional accessories, there is nothing more that could be done to improve it. And the buzz surrounding this figure is invigorating new interest in the 12” Sideshow Collectibles line.
The body of this figure utilizes the Prometheus mold with over 30 points of articulation which is the new body type created for the likes of these armored figures. Of particular note, the armor is unbelievably shiny and looks exactly like the material used for the costumes in the film. This is first Stormtrooper to capture this authenticity with flawless detail. The RAH Medicom Stormtrooper comes close, but the soft PVC plastic definitely deters from a truly authentic look of the figure. The small circular markings on the abdomen are perfectly painted and also match the costume props exactly. The armor hangs beautifully on the figure and although there is a small issue with the tightness of the joints, you would really have to be crazy to fault the figure for this. Also, there are holes in the nose area.
The figure doesn’t come with many accessories, but you will get an extra set of interchangeable hands, thermal detonator with metal belt clip, and Stormtrooer blaster. The exclusive edition comes with a Stormtrooper blaster pistol. This pistol was taken from the archive sources and was not seen in the film.
The head is attached with a ball joint, so it has a full range of motion. The lenses look great, but they miss the very hard to see green tint. Gentle Giant did not miss this detail on their Stormtrooper mini bust, but the GG version was too green. I think it was wise for Sideshow to stick with the black color for the lenses. I would have like to see some sign of green lenses, but it honestly does not detract from the figure at all! The armor on the figure’s legs is perfectly recreated. Each knee cap is unique like it should be and it covers the body of the figure just like a real Stormtrooper. You will be hard pressed to find criticisms with this figure!
Both the exclusive and regular editions at SC are sold out, but Wait List options are available. Don’t expect this figure to hang around for long. This version supersedes the $149.99 RAH Medicom version by light years and it is a little more than half the price at $89.99. You won’t be able to find a better 12” Stormtrooper figure for less, so we encourage you to get on the Wait list reservations a soon as possible.
During Toy Fair, Sideshow Collectibles responded to a question in their “Ask Sideshow” segment. More information about this can be found here. One reader wrote in who was worried over the low edition size of this figure, and Sideshow referred to this figure as a “first-run” figure. This means that a retooled version may see the light of day to represent the differences made to the stormtroopers seen in The Empire Strikes Back or Return Of The Jedi. So, you may have another chance to pick this figure up in the future, but be warned, it will not be the same – it will definitely be altered in some fashion or another.
Sideshow also expressed that 2009 is the year that will focus on armored figures. So let’s hope that a Snowtrooper, AT-AT Driver, TIE Fighter Pilot, Clone Trooper (Coruscant Landing Platform) and Shock Trooper are all in the works for this year! And it would be extra nice to get a SDCC exclusive like Luke or Han in Stormtrooper Disguise. Sideshow has opened the floodgates for the armored military figures, so bring it on and let’s get wet with these glorious figures!
Click the images below for comparisons of previously released 12" Stormtrooper incarnations: Left to right are 1979's Vintage, 1996's POTF Action Collection, 2004's VOTC, and 2007's RAH Medicom. Look how far we have come!
And lastly, a little short for a Stormtrooper? This comparison shot of 2007's Medicom Stormtrooper and 2009's Sideshow Collectibles Stormtrooper clearly shows the differences in scale for their respective 12" lines of fine figures.
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