Clone Trooper (Attack Of The Clones) - TAC - Saga Legends

The clone troopers make their first appearance on the planet Geonosis. All the genetic engineering and training have led up to this moment, when the clones will prove their value as an effective and relentless fighting force against the Separatists and their droid armies.

Until Star Wars goes away (which will never happen by the way), collectors can expect to receive an inordinate amount clones released for the basic figure lines. Clone troopers are staples so that means that each product year, Hasbro will issue one form of them or another to keep the demand fulfilled. But ironically that is something that won’t happen either. Collectors and kids will be buying clones forever. Every generation of collectors wants them so Hasbro will give them to us. It’s just the way it’s going to be. This is a wonderful thing. We never have to worry about running out of clones. Thankfully, Hasbro has some great sculpts of them under their belt so at least we’ll be getting quality figures for the foreseeable future. In Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones, there were only five “visible” clone types. The plain white infantry clones and then the four clone officers made their debut in the film and frankly made it quite easy for Hasbro to bang them out with regularity. By comparison, the clones from Episode II weren’t so cut and dry and it does require Hasbro to get them into the line in intervals. So it made sense when Hasbro announced that all five clones from Episode II would be included in the 2007 TAC Saga Legends line. Fans were thrilled.

By the time the 2007 TAC Saga Legends line came around, intense and crazed demand formed by the collecting community for these clones and Hasbro knew that they needed to get these action figures out again. They quickly became confirmed for rerelease. But in all honesty, they should have acted sooner. Entertainment Earth’s slam dunk Clone Trooper (Troop Builder 4-pack) sets broke records and sold out in record time. From this, Hasbro knew that had proverbial “gold” in their hands and decided to include all of the figures in the newly dubbed Saga Legends line. They were smart. Not only did they clean up the paint operations on them, the joints were tightened up a bit more and best of all they were all cast in a super-white plastic which shows no signs of yellowing. (Check your 2005 figures because ours are yellowing terribly.) The four 2007 TAC Clone Trooper Officer figures were part of the Fans’ Choice section of the line, while the plain white 2007 TAC Clone Trooper (Attack Of The Clones) figure was always intended to become part of the Saga Legends line. You should buy a whole bunch of them because these are fantastic sculpts. We do find it a bit disappointing however that Hasbro has neglected to include the long DC-15 blaster rifle. That weapon seems like a necessity for this character.

It’s important to note that Hasbro actually used the same sculpt of the figures from the 2005 OTC Clone Trooper (Troop Builder 4-pack) sets and not the 2003 CW Clone Trooper (Grand Army Of The Republic) (’03 #50) figure instead. This is easily proven by the inclusion of foot pegs at the bottom of the figure’s feet. We also have noticed a slight repositioning of the legs, but that may just be incidental to production at another time. Interestingly, the Clone Trooper (Attack Of The Clones) still sports a 2003 copyright date. Despite the subtle retool (by the inclusion of the foot peg holes), it seems that Hasbro is still considering this figure a straight repack. Other things make this figure superior to its predecessors as well and both things we mentioned earlier. The plastic is bright and very white. This is the bets your Episode II clones have looked to date. Also, the black and gray colors used to accent the primarily white body are tighter and crisper and lines haven’t been more perfect. Still lightly criticized for being a bit too clunky and chunky, we still have great fondness for this figure. And so should you.