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Name: ARC Trooper Commander
Collection: The Vintage Collection
Number: VC54
Source: Expanded Universe (Clone Wars)
Availability: June 2011
License: Hasbro
Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you!
Hasbro’s inconsistency with their responses to questions about making basic figures based on the Tartakovsky Clone Wars micro-series confuses. In 2008, they stated that the second wave of The Legacy Collection was the perfect way to bid farewell to the Clone Wars, as Lucasfilm, LTD. directed them not to pursue any characters since the brand-new multimedia event, The Clone Wars, took center stage. Despite the directive, a few additional characters ended up leaking out anyhow. L8-L9 (Build A Droid) and K’Kruhk (BD57) from the Legacy Collection are two great examples (although you can source K’Kruhk from many other Expanded Universe sources). Suppose you read Jedi Temple Archives and our Research Droids Reviews with any regularity at all. You know how disheartened we were by Lucasfilm LTD.’s request to have Captain Fordo’s name changed to the generic ARC Trooper Commander. We still don’t understand why this company no longer wants the Tartakovsky series acknowledged. We don’t think the masses will get confused, as they are stating. However, to have Captain Fordo years after this claim is a treat for us, and we suppose that if keeping the character’s name as such would prevent the figure’s release, we will happily accept the naming as ARC Trooper Commander but refer to it as Captain Fordo. For your information, Hasbro sneakily footnoted on the posterior of this figure’s card that their inspiration for this particular ARC Trooper Commander came from Captain Fordo. That warms us up a bit more, and we are thankful they gave credit where credit was due. Simply put, ARC Trooper Commander, who we will denote as Captain Fordo from here on out, is one of the most significant figures Hasbro produced. It’s a work of art, and even though Captain Fordo isn’t 100% accurate when you assemble the character in the Phase I armor, it is, however, as close to perfection in the Phase II clone trooper. It’s essential to note that we have received Captain Fordo multiple times before this release; however, some collectors may disagree with our assessment that Hasbro intended some of these figures to be Fordo.
The first availability of the character is the one featured on the reverse side of the card. The 2003 CW ARC Trooper (’03 #43) figure was briefly released in red and gave us our first Captain Fordo character. Then an "almost" super-articulated version with the name Fordo on the packaging) waspart of 2006’s TSC The Hunt For Grievous Toys R Us exclusive Battle Packs set. That is one impressive figure and still holds up well today. Then, in 2008, Hasbro released a generic “red” ARC Trooper Commander in the 2008 TAC Obi-Wan Kenobi/ARC Trooper Commander Order 66 (Series 2) (1 of 6) Target exclusive set. And lastly, Captain Fordo was released in 2010’s TCW ARC Troopers Battle Packs set as a Filoni-inspired animated version. However, The Vintage Collection version is, without a doubt, the best. What’s particularly impressive is that, despite its realistic interpretation of Captain Fordo, it resembles more of an animated take on a realistic version of an animated character. How is that for a paradox? In other words, we think that there is something still “animated” about the look of this action figure. Perhaps this effect we’re experiencing with Captain Fordo is something Hasbro may be trying to capture in characters that initially appear in animated form. The realistic proportions and stylization are fantastic, but perhaps Hasbro now wants to keep some of the animated spirit alive in these types of figures. We assert that this route is the right way to go, and think it’s working out fine. Anyway, whatever your preference is, animated or realistic, Captain Fordo should satisfy both types of collectors well. It feels like this figure has been on Hasbro’s mind for quite some time, and we have to say that if they, from here on out, never make another Tartakovsky-inspired action figure again, Captain Fordo is the perfect goodbye. This section of Expanded Universe wouldn’t be the same without this pivotal character. We’ll repeat it. Captain Fordo is an exciting purchase. It’s a dream come true for Tartakovsky fans, and it’s evident that Hasbro put a great deal of thought and consideration into its design to bring all of the essential traits of this character to life in action figure form for collectors.
Super-articulated with premium articulation, including ball-jointed wrists and hips, Captain Fordo makes clone trooper lovers thrilled. The articulation system’s quality is not disappointing, and the number of accessories included is impressive. Based on the 2011 TVC Clone Trooper (VC45) tooling, Hasbro made a few updates to ensure that all the included gear integrates seamlessly with the rest of the figure. Because it uses the standard Clone Trooper body mold, you’ll quickly remember the severe inhibition that the ball-jointed shoulders possess. We hope Hasbro incorporates an upgrade into future clone base figures to address the setback. Both helmets are incredible. We have never seen better paint jobs on helmet accessories before this Captain Fordo figure. All the lines are clean and centered, with no unevenness in the application of the color. What’s more, they are cast from a sturdier plastic (i.e., less rubbery) yet still maintain a pliability that allows each to fit over the unique clone portrait underneath like a glove. Oh, and that portrait? It’s the coolest-looking clone likeness we have ever seen. It has distinctive head and facial details, such as the ultimately stunning “faux-hawk” and the discreet “soul patch” on the chin. And the accessories are impressive, too. Hasbro introduced a new technology into the basic figure line, and Captain Fordo is lucky number one to receive it. It comes with a complete soft-goods kama featuring real elastic that hugs the waist when worn. Then, the double holster, blasters, and shoulder pauldron complete the Phase I look. The ARC Trooper Commander looks stunning despite not having the correct paint job, as the paint job is specific to the Phase II iteration. The Phase II look of the ARC Trooper Commander is, of course, extraordinary. Do yourself a favor. Please take off the Phase I helmet (the ARC Trooper helmet), the holster, the kama, and the pauldron, and instead put on the Phase II helmet, the holster/pauldron combination piece. Before you, you’ll have an action figure that should bring tears of joy to your eyes and make you a delighted collector.
Status: ARC Trooper Commander is a retool of 2011's TVC Clone Trooper (VC45) figure with all new accessories that function to make this action figure appear all-new. This time the figure comes with an all-new portrait and has been completely repainted.
Articulation Count: 27 points (14 areas of articulation)
Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), ball-jointed left wrist (2), ball-jointed right wrist (2), ball-jointed torso (2), ball-jointed left hip (2), ball-jointed right hip (2), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)
Accessory Count: 8
Accessory Details: Phase I helmet, Phase II helmet, Phase I holster, Phase I gorget, Phase II shoulder pauldron/holster combination, 2 ARC Trooper blasters, soft-goods kama with elastic band
Date Stamp: 2011
Packaging Details:
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
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