Shadow Troopers - TAC - Exclusives

Added: September 11th 2012
Category: 30 (77-07)
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Shadow Troopers
Collection: 30 (77-07)
Number: N/A
Source: Expanded Universe (Hasbro Concept)
Availability: March 2008
License: Hasbro

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These specialized troopers pose as bounty hunters or mercenaries to slip in and out of locations, quietly gathering vital information for the Republic.

Shadow “anything” became the focal point for many collectors in the 2005-2008 collecting era. The rage of any “black” trooper was key and collections like The Saga Collection and the 30 (77-07) lines were consistently delivering to collectors in one form or another, an action figure wearing black armor. We all of course ate it up as if there was no tomorrow and many of us probably have more of these action figure than we care to admit. The “shadow” concept was conceived all the way back to the seventies, right after Episode IV was released to theaters, so characters like the Blackhole Stormtrooper have been around for years and outdate characters from Episode V and Episode VI – just to give you an idea of how old this concept is. Hasbro seemingly took a cue from these characters and applied it to the clone troopers. And in 2005 we received our first Utapau Shadow Trooper (even a year before the regular 212th Attack Battalion Clone Trooper (SAGA 026) figure would hit shelves in The Saga Collection). We really didn’t know much about this stealth clone, but in the Expanded Universe played a huge part in tracking General Grievous to Utapau. This in turn made their role in the Star Wars universe poignant and they quickly became a favorite amongst collectors. And some Star Wars fans want to see them included in a “Special Edition” of Episode III at some point. We’ll be frank with you and say that we’re indifferent about seeing them in a revised version of Revenge Of The Sith, but we are extremely fanatical about the action figure.

The 2005 ROTS Utapau Shadow Trooper was an excellent figure at the time. It was based on the 2003 CW Clone Trooper (’03 #50) sculpt it was super-articulated and although its paint job wasn’t perfect, it was still good enough to make most collectors happy. Back in 2005 all collectors cared about was super-articulation on all of the various militaries of Star Wars. It almost didn’t matter how functional the articulation was, it just mattered that they had 14 points (or even more). We still can’t see the forest through the trees when it comes to articulation. Some people are so hung up on this they don’t even care if the articulation is useful or not. Despite the Utapau Shadow Trooper’s super-articulation, it wasn’t entirely perfect. It was bulky in spots and loose in others, and it had a tilt that made it aesthetically displeasing to the eye. (This same figure was also rereleased with a slightly different paint job as 2008’s TAC Utapau Shadow Trooper Saga Legends figure with a special black collectors’ coin.) Despite its issues, the figure sold through incredibly well. Hasbro decided that a revisit to this character was necessary so they planned an exclusive release in the very popular tubular/cylindrical Order 66 packaging. Not officially an Order 66 themed set, it still fit in well with the rest of the line and perhaps was the greatest of them all (if it’s possible to compare them against each other). But what made this set extra special were the figure inside of it.

Hasbro took their insanely popular 2005 ROTS Clone Trooper (III 41) sculpt and painted it in the colors of the Utapau Shadow Trooper. The final result is absolutely astounding! The Utapau Shadow Trooper (simply called a Shadow Trooper for this release) is the best version of the Utapau Shadow Trooper money can buy. Forget the Revenge Of The Sith TARGET exclusive and forget about the 30 (77-07) Saga Legends rerelease You should focus your attention to this exclusive two-pack instead. From the expertly applied paint operations to the added battl0damage that looks incredibly realistic, this is the Utapau Shadow Trooper needed for your collection. And the goodness doesn’t stop their. Hasbro also developed a clone commander to accompany the general clone trooper. Also called a Shadow Trooper here, Hasbro took the very popular Clone Trooper (Fall Of The Republic) figure from the 2005 ROTS Clone Trooper To Stormtrooper Evolutions sets and painted it in the stealth color scheme of the 212th Attack Battalion. While the figure has its fair share of issues like an ill-fitted helmet (especially while wearing the pauldron) and a loose waist that makes posing the figure difficult, it’s hard to complain when clone and commander look this great together in the tributary 30 (77-07) line look. Specially held for 2008’s Jedi Con, this two-pack eventually found its way to StarWarsShop.com. We hope you wear able to secure yours.

Collector Notes

Shadow Troopers

Assortment Number: 87879

UPC: 653569327837

Retail: $16.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.

Shadow Trooper [A]

Status: Shadow Trooper [A] is technically a Shadow Trooper Commander and is a rework of the Clone Trooper (Fall Of The Republic) figure from 2005's ROTS Clone Trooper To Stormtrooper Evolutions sets. It has now been repainted in the stealth colors of a 212th Attack Battalion clone.

Articulation Count: 14 points

Articulation Details: ball-socket head, 2 ball-jointed shoulders, 2 ball-jointed elbows, 2 swivel wrists, swivel waist, 2 swivel hips, 2 ball-jointed knees, 2 ball-jointed ankles

Accessory Count: 5

Accessory Details: removable clone trooper phase II helmet, DC-15 blaster rifle, 2 scout trooper blaster pistols, removable pauldron

Date Stamp: 2005

Shadow Trooper [B]

Status: Shadow Trooper [B] is a rework of 2005's ROTS Clone Trooper (III 41) figure. This time it has been repainted in the stealth colors of a 212th Attack Battalion clone which is the same color scheme as 2005's ROTS Utapau Shadow Trooper exclusive figure.

Articulation Count: 14 points

Articulation Details: ball-socket head, 2 ball-jointed shoulders, 2 ball-jointed elbows, 2 swivel wrists, ball-jointed torso, 2 swivel hips, 2 ball-jointed knees, 2 ball-jointed ankles

Accessory Count: 2

Accessory Details: DC-15 blaster, removable antenna

Date Stamp: 2005

 

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