Review of Yoda, TIE Pilot, Clonetrooper Sergeant
Star Wars Black action figures

Introduction

Just in time for the holiday season, the first official wave of 2015 Star Wars Black 6" figures has already begun to hit. This series includes the all important Yoda, as well as a new Clonetrooper (a Sergeant, complete with green highlights) and a TIE Pilot.  To round out the wave of four, they've re-released the Obi-Wan Kenobi.

These guys will run you around $20 each, and yes they are really out - I picked mine up at Target last week.  I'm assuming both Toys R Us and Walmart will get in on it soon as well, and don't forget about Walgreens! Of course, there's always plenty of online options, including sponsors of the site. Check the Where to Buy section for more info.

Packaging - ****
The black boxes are classy and stylish, have a huge window to show off the figures right on the peg, and are nicely personalized to each specific character. To top it off, it's completely collector friendly as well, with no twisties or other damage required.

Sculpting - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***
The scale is 1/12th, making the normal adult males about 6" tall. Both troopers are just a hair over that, and Yoda comes in at just a bit over 3".

The Clonetrooper looks great, just like the earlier version. However, this time around the plastic armor seems much harder, making for a better figure.  The joints and pegs seem to be using a tougher plastic as well, all a big positive. He still has a slightly small head, but it's a minor issue on an otherwise terrific figure.

The TIE Pilot goes the opposite way with his helmet - it's huge.  It's supposed to be large, no doubt about it, but this one seems slightly too big to me. Again, it's a minor issue, and the overall work on the uniform and small detailing on the switches and buttons makes up for it quite nicely.

Then there's Yoda. There's something weird about this ESB head sculpt, something that's just not quite right. Maybe it's a little undersized...maybe the expression is too bland. Whatever the case, I'm not feeling the likeness here, although the small detail work on the creases, wrinkles and hair is quite good.

Paint - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***
Normally, there's not a lot of paint to a Clonetrooper. Get the white armor all the same shade, and manage a few black highlights and you're good. But this time there's that green trim, designating his rank and station. It's extremely clean, and it makes this guy pop nicely amongst the rest of the line.

Then there's the TIE Pilot. He's the same situation, only in reverse.  Rather than white, you just have to get that all black uniform consistent, with a few small details here and there.  While the work is solid, it's not quite as clean as the Trooper, with some minor issues on the buttons of the box on his chest, as well as the tricky silver buckle.

Yoda brings up the rear, due in large part to the slightly weird, glossy green of his skin. The color is a little too frog-like for me, and there's even a minor manufacturing defect on his chin, where it looks like the paint was touched while it was still wet.

I will give them big props for the iris' on the eyes however - I'm quite surprised that they got the green color in there, considering the scale.

Articulation - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***
One of the selling points of this scale is the improved articulation that's possible. These do a nice job showing that off.

The Clonetrooper is the top dog, with a decent ball jointed neck, pin/post ball shoulders, ball hips, a rocker waist, pin/post wrists and ankles, double pin knees and elbows, and even a great rocker joint on the foot. The joints are tight, and the harder plastic I mentioned in the Sculpting section means they are less likely to be damaged during normal play/posing.

The TIE Pilot comes in a close second, but he does have some slightly more restricted or less mobile joints.  For example, the large helmet and hoses makes the neck a bit less useful, the waist is pretty much just a cut joint, and the elbows are pin/post style, rather than double pin. Still, you should be able to get some very solid poses out of him, with little worry of damage or loose joints.

Then there's Yoda, the poor little guy. From the waist up, he has many of the same joints - ball neck, pin/post shoulders and wrists, double pin elbows, rocker waist - but the legs are a bit less articulated due to their short nature. There's only the ball hips, cut thighs, and cut ankles. There might be a better joint than a simple cut joint up under that sculpted pant leg, but it's so restricted that it will only turn, effectively making it a cut joint.

The leg articulation is a little frustrating, but considering the 3" height, I'm not too surprised. He does sit great, however, which is a key pose for this particular character. Now you just need someplace for him to sit!

Accessories - Yoda ****; Clonetrooper ***1/2; TIE Pilot ***
This hasn't been a line known for its accessories - yet. But these three do what they can to turn that around.

The TIE Pilot is pretty much the usual - one extra accessory. He has a small blaster, and it fits nicely in the holster on his hip. Oddly enough, the holster is on his right, but the trigger hand is on the left.

The Clonetrooper has not one but two blasters: the long rifle, and the shorter pistol version. These fit nicely in his hands, and are both good sculpts. They also all seem to be a bit stronger plastic over previous releases.

Finally, there's Yoda, and this is his category to shine. He has three true accessories, plus two pieces of a removable outfit that can count here as well.

He has a light saber of course, and the bright green blade is removable. The hilt is a bit large for his hands, but it will work. It looks like they scaled it to a normal 6" figure, not someone half that size.

He also has his snake, which wraps around his neck and arms neatly.

Speaking of his neck, he also has flute necklace, with a reasonable sculpt (considering the scale), but I think they could have done a better job at least trying to get it in a color close to the original.

Since this is an ESB version, he also has his small cane, which he can also hold properly in either hand.

Those are the three true accessories - he also has a removable cloth cloak, and a nifty belt. The belt includes a pouch (which is actually the buckle), as well as the rope draped off the side.

Fun Factor - ****
I've said it before, I'll say it again - these are the best true action figures (not mini-figures, etc.) on the mass market pegs right now from a play perspective. Terrific articulation, generally solid sculpts and paint, a perfect scale, and one of the greatest all time licenses in the history of licensing. You have to work hard not to have fun!

Value - **1/2
While it might seem that $20 is a lot to pay for an action figure...it is. I can't argue. But with most 'collector' action figures in this style and size going for this same price, I'd say it's a pretty average value.  And Hasbro was good enough to add in lots of extras with the smaller Yoda, making up for any size discrepancy.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing.

Overall - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***
Let's face it - Yoda is a must have. He's never been one of my favorite characters in any collectible format, but he's still a necessary part of the display.  I suspect we'll get another version in this series before it's done, but this one will do just fine until til then.

The Clonetrooper and TIE Pilot are both excellent, filling out the military ranks quite nicely. The articulation, sculpt and paint are all top quality, and show off how good this series can be, when they do it right.

Bossk is coming up soon as well, along with a Wampa and a Taun Taun. I have my fingers crossed that at least one of those is on the Poppies ballot for 2015.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***
Paint - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***
Articulation - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***
Accessories - Yoda ****; Clonetrooper ***1/2; TIE Pilot ***
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **1/2
Overall - Clonetrooper ****; TIE Pilot ***1/2; Yoda ***

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth has the set of 4 for $80.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I just finished up the previous wave of figures, including Luke and Vader, and Chewbacca and Sandtrooper. I've also covered the Biker Scout and Speederbike, the Clonetrooper and Anakin Skywalker. Before that there was Bespin Luke, the Stormtrooper and Obi-Wan, Slave Leia and Boba Fett, Han Solo and Greedo, and Darth Maul and the Sandtrooper, as well as X-Wing Pilot Luke and R2-D2.

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