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Name: Clone Commander Cody
Collection: The Vintage Collection
Number: VC19
Source: Revenge Of The Sith
Availability: September 2010
License: Hasbro
If Hasbro bothers to improve a figure by making changes to it, why don't they go the full distance and fix all of its issues? That's exactly what we want to know about The Vintage Collection's Clone Commander Cody, a figure that was originally released in November 2009 as Clone Commander Cody (BD44) in the red phase of the Legacy Collection. Hasbro has made strides forward to get this figure more authentic, but they dropped the ball in a few areas as well. It's sad, but this proves that we are just never entirely satisfied as collectors. If they take the initiative to tweak errors and enhance the figure, we just want to know why all points aren't addressed to perfect it, especially in a nostalgia bearing line as this. Clone Commander Cody in The Vintage Collection is definitely upgraded from the Legacy Collection version, but Hasbro has still declined to add the dirt to his legs, something that was beautifully displayed on the prototype figure shown at San Diego Comic Con 2009 (see our coverage here). If Hasbro could just find it in their hearts to add this detail, Clone Commander Cody would indeed become the definitive action figure of this favorite Star Wars character. As one of the few clones that should absolutely have a removable helmet, Hasbro paid careful attention to his role in Episode III and faithfully replicated every detail of him flawlessly (except for that darn battle-damage). He comes with the same accessories as the 2009 figure but this time Hasbro has fixed some of the paint operations to make him more screen accurate. For example, the tip of his antenna has been painted silver and his belt has finally been affixed upright and it does a world of good for him. For this we are extremely thankful.
Clone Commander Cody looks absolutely stunning on a vintage-styled card back. He is a perfect example of why Prequel Trilogy characters should unequivocally be on vintage card backs. And Cody in this packaging is so much more engaging than how he looked in the Legacy Collection. Hasbro chose the best still possible of Clone Commander Cody which shows him communicating with Darth Sidious during the enaction of Order 66. The scene of him looking downward at the holographic image of Darth Sidious has been inroduced in many other collectibles as well and it just looks fantastic all around. What a great scene from Episode III, no? And with the tweaks Hasbro made to him he looks better than ever before. Hasbro correctly designated this figure's original debut in the modern line. Clone Commander Cody first entered collections in 2006 in The Saga Collection and the figure sold like hotcakes. Despite not having a ton of articulation, the figure was insanely popular with almost everyone and Hasbro ensured that all of us had ample opportunity to get him. They list his TSC availability between the years of 2005 and 2006, but he only was available in 2006. We are curious why it seems that Hasbro likes to have a date span for their historical figures pictured on the back of the packaging. It's bizarre sometimes. 2005 was strictly devoted to the Revenge Of The Sith line as most of you know. That aside, it's just a shame that this figure is in a state that isn't definitive yet. Hopefully Hasbro will take one final stab at him to make everything "alright" for us.
The Vintage Collection is going to be full of tweaked figures to help pad the line. There will also be a lot of new figures thrown into the mix as well. But this is definitely the time to get some of their "greatest hits" into this vintage-styled packaging. The Vintage Collection has a powerfully nostalgic hold on longtime collectors. And this is extremely important to those who have been in this hobby for the long haul. Clone Commander Cody may not be entirely free of issues. For example, the ball-joints in his hips sometimes don't allow him to stand up as straightly as possible. And his helmet may be a little bit loose on his head. But it is still the best Clone Commander Cody that we have (and may have for a while). It would be sublime if Hasbro can find a way to get Commander Gree, Commander Bly, Commander Neyo, and Commander Bacara into The Vintage Collection at some point. While it is inevitable that some obscure collector-focused figures will be part of the line, this is the time for Hasbro to get the most popular Star Wars characters into this packaging style. The line is said to go on for at least two years and this should leave ample opportunity to meet this goal. But if they do go back to the older figures, we are going to have to require Hasbro to really doctor up the figures in new and better ways to make them the absolute best versions possible. Clone Commander Cody is so close, but we want him better and we hope Hasbro uses tighter discretion on the repacked figures in the future.
Status: Clone Commander Cody is a repaint of 2009's LC Clone Commander Cody (BD44) figure.
Articulation Count: 14 points
Articulation Details: ball-socket head, 2 ball-jointed shoulders, 2 ball-jointed elbows, ball-jointed torso, 2 ball-jointed knees, 2 ball-jointed ankles, 2 ball-jointed hips, 2 swivel wrists
Accessory Count: 6
Accessory Details: removable helmet, jetpack, DC-15 rifle, hologram projector, removable Darth Sidious hologram, Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber hilt.
Date Stamp: 2008
Assortment Number: 20834/97568
UPC: 653569516149
Retail: $7.99 USD
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
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