Shadow Trooper - TVC - Basic (VC163)

Added: October 13th 2019
Category: Vintage Collection, The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Shadow Trooper
Collection: The Vintage Collection
Number: VC163
Source: Expanded Universe
Availability: November 2019
License: Hasbro

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Celebrate the legacy of Star Wars, the action-and-adventure-packed space saga from a galaxy far, far away, with this collection of premium, highly-detailed 3.75-inch scale figures and vehicles. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)

Shadow Trooper is the new term in canon to describe the black-armored Imperial stormtroopers that work for the Galactic Empire. When the Expanded Universe was still a “thing,” we were more familiar with terms like Blackhole Stormtrooper, Shadow Stormtrooper, and other similar names. Now, the abridged “Shadow Trooper” is what we have to get used to saying, even though it sounds more like the Utapau Shadow Trooper characters which were part of the Star Wars universe during the Revenge Of The Sith era. It was inevitable that Hasbro would utilize the tooling of the fantastic 2019 TVC Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) figure so soon. What we didn’t expect was for them to transform it into a Shadow Trooper. Star Wars fans should count themselves fortunate for many things here. Firstly, it’s awesome that Hasbro is using the same tooling to bring us another Imperial stormtrooper into The Vintage Collection. This helps create uniformity in the line. Also, it's great to get some indirect homage-paying to the Expanded Universe, even though the Shadow Trooper is most recently part of the Star Wars: Battlefront universe. As expected, the Shadow Trooper is another stunning addition to The Vintage Collection. If you’re not into repainted action figures, this one won’t be for you, but for the rest of us, it’s a welcomed addition to the line.

The Blackhole Stormtrooper/Shadow Stormtrooper/Shadow Trooper has gone through a few transitions throughout the years. Insignia, symbols, and various colors have come and gone here and there, but the latest version comes with a removable pauldron, an E-11 blaster, and a long blaster rifle. Some recent Shadow Troopers in Disney Star Wars sport a Galactic Empire symbol on their chest armor, but the Hasbro figure goes for a simpler approach and omits this detail. We’re happy it’s not on the figure, but you may feel otherwise about this. As you know, Shadow Trooper is a repaint/rework of 2019’s TVC Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) figure. And you also know that the figure comes with an impressive 30 points of articulation and can achieve almost any pose you desire thanks to its astounding articulation system. Don’t forget that the Imperial Stormtrooper has a history already in The Vintage Collection line. Hasbro created the Imperial Stormtrooper from the body of 2018’s TVC Stormtrooper (Mimban) (VC123) along with the retooled head of the 2017 RO Imperial Stormtrooper figure. We love the ball-socket head with the reverse ball-socket neck joint. It never gets old because it gives the figure a wonderful range of movement in the head, creating an eerily human-like movement. The figure has a lean frame, and the armor barely inhibits the figure’s full range of movement in most areas.

The Shadow Trooper is excellent in most ways, but we do hope to see improvements for the future. We hope Hasbro returns to including “rocker” ankles in the 3.75” super-articulated range again. They went crazy with this articulation point in The Black Series 3.75” range, and it must come back for The Vintage Collection. It’s the only thing halting this figure from exuding perfection. Hasbro updated the paint operations on this figure. To recreate a sterile and clean surface on the armor, Hasbro worked with a glossy and shiny black paint, and the figure is beautiful because of it. Because the old Expanded Universe is now under the Legends banner, Hasbro no longer utilizes the Expanded Universe logo for The Vintage Collection. We think this new direction is a terrible shame. There is nothing bizarre about referring to the old EU as such. So, the only option Hasbro has is to use a STAR WARS card back for which to place the Shadow Trooper action figure. It’s the same reason why Doctor Aphra is also on a STAR WARS card back. The Expanded Universe logo was beautiful, and so many stunning figures came placed on them, so it’s a huge disappointment that won’t happen anymore. Reminiscent of the character in the TARGET exclusive Imperial Shadow Squadron (Speeder Bike With Shadow Scout And Shadow Stormtrooper Commander) set, we’re happy to have a definitive Shadow Trooper in 3.75” super-articulated scale.

Collector Notes

Shadow Trooper

Status: Shadow Trooper is a rework of 2019's TVC Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) figure. This time the figure has been cast in black plastic and given a pauldron.

Articulation Count: 30 points (17 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), reverse ball-socket neck (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), swivel left thigh (1), swivel right thigh (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)

Accessory Count: 3

Accessory Details: E-11 blaster, blaster rifle, pauldron

Date Stamp: N/A

Assortment Number: E5194/E5912

UPC: 630509873418

Retail: $12.99 USD

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

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