Starkiller: Ultimate Good And Ultimate Evil Apprentice (The Force Unleashed) - Mini Busts

Added: April 4th 2010
Category: Mini Busts
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Starkiller: Ultimate Good And Ultimate Evil Apprentice (The Force Unleashed)
Type: Mini Busts
Number: Item No. 11337
Edition Size: 1000 (Action Figure Xpress Exclusive)
Source: The Force Unleashed
Availability: March 2010
License: Gentle Giant Ltd.

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Starkiller was the code name for Darth Vader's secret apprentice. Trained in the ways of the Sith, Starkiller was assigned by his Master to kill all Jedi who survived Palpatine's Jedi purge. By order of his own Master, Darth Sidious, Vader killed the young apprentice. Secretly retrieving Starkiller's body, Vader saves him so that he may continue his bidding.

The Force Unleashed multimedia event was a very welcomed piece of Expanded Universe that was embraced by a multitude of fans. It also was an awesome opportunity for all of Lucasfilm, Ltd.'s licenses to cash in big time with various collectibles based on the video game. Hasbro was the first to get a nice collection of action figures out to the public, but soon the high-end licenses began releases great pieces like Sideshow's 1:6 Scale Stormtrooper Commander or Gentle Giant Ltd..'s Stormtrooper Commander mini bust. Gentle Giant takes another stab at The Force Unleashed at releases a two-pack of the video game's central character, Starkiller. Is he a good Sith or a bad Sith? You decide! Both mini busts in the set are very well done, but we don't think that the Ultimate Good Apprentice will be exciting to many fans. So, the reason to buy this set is for the Ultimate Evil Apprentice. You may recognize him better by his common name, Galen Marek. He is the yin-yang of Star Wars and can turn on a dime. Thankfully, Gentle Giant has give us two options on how to display him and no matter what decision you make, you will be guaranteed a very artful and cool collectible in your mini bust collection.

Multipack mini busts are quite a rarity. But we have to say that it is perfect for an exclusive offering. Not too many pieces will be made and it allows the hardest core collectors to kill two birds with one stone. And it works particularly well for this set, even if one mini bust is significantly more intriguing than the other. The Ultimate Good Apprentice is probably one of the simplest mini busts we have received in quite some time. While only his face is showing, the likeness is fair enough to be recognizable. There is wonderful shadowing to show off the texture of how the robe drapes over his head and body. And his lightsaber hilt is beautifully sculpted and very accurate to what was seen in the video game. The browns contrast with the light tans and make for a very unique Jedi outfit. The length arm fabric strips have been included in the artist's rendering and they are tie down to the figure's base with some adhesive. The mini bust can be displayed both with or without the lightsaber blade and we think the piece looks much better without. The blue blade looks nice, but we always tale exception with clear lightsaber blades. We don't think they work well at all. While the "good" mini bust is very nice, the shining star of this duo is the "bad" mini bust. And we are sure you think this is a big surprise, right?

The winner of this set is obviously the Ultimate Evil Apprentice. He is designed beautifully and looks like he jumped right out of the video game. He has hands with blades that come out from them so he of course looks like Wolverine in this aspect. But it works quite well for a Star Wars character too. His outfit is spot on perfect and there are a trillion details that you can only see once you inspect him in your hands. He is a fine masterpiece and it is truly amazing how far Gentle Giant has come with making very delicate details work successfully on their mini busts. We expect this set to sell through quickly and while the set isn't a steal, you do get two right under $100. (We assume it could be worse.) His role in Star Wars was served essentially as a pawn because he was only being used by Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine to be a fancy spy and report those who were secretly rebelling against the Empire. This deception ended up backfiring and Marek soon became the Empire's enemy and all that they tried to establish with him had been sacrificed. It just goes to show that good always triumphs evil. Marek also has the distinction of being the one who killed the revered Shakk Ti on Felucia (even though movie purists say she died at the hands of Grievous in the Episode III deleted scenes). Whatever you take, this mini bust two-pack exclusive is only available at Action Figure Xpress and is limited to only 1000 pieces. We don't suggest waiting too long to make up your mind about it.

Collector Notes

Starkiller: Ultimate Good And Ultimate Evil Apprentice (The Force Unleashed)

UPC: 871810006670

Retail: $99.99 USD

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

Starkiller: Ultimate Good Apprentice (The Force Unleashed)

Status: This highly-detailed mini bust, based on the original Lucasfilm costumes and props, was sculpted and painted by Gentle Giant Ltd. We hope you enjoy it.

Exclusivity: Action Figure Xpress Exclusive

Assembly: Attach lightsaber blade to hilt.

Date Stamp: 2009

Starkiller: Ultimate Evil Apprentice (The Force Unleashed)

Status: This highly-detailed mini bust, based on the original Lucasfilm costumes and props, was sculpted and painted by Gentle Giant Ltd. We hope you enjoy it.

Exclusivity: Action Figure Xpress Exclusive

Assembly: Attach lightsaber blade to hilt.

Date Stamp: 2009



Starkiller: Ultimate Good And Ultimate Evil Apprentice (The Force Unleashed)

Gentle Giant Ltd.
All Mini Busts



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