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Star Wars [Saga - Phase I]

Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) [Version 2] - SW [S - P1] - Basic (’02 #54)

Collection: Star Wars [Saga - Phase I]

Number: ‘02 #54

Availability: February 2003

License: Hasbro

Visual Analysis

Detailed Visual Analysis

Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) [Version 2]

General Analysis

Luke Skywalker, a young farmboy on Tatooine, is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet. Obi-Wan begins Luke's Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire. Although Obi-Wan sacrifices himself in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader, his former apprentice, Luke proves that the Force is with him by destroying the Empire's Death Star.

Rebel Trooper

The Rebel Blockade Runner Tantive IV was on an urgent mission to Tatooine. Princess Leia Organa, armed with secret plans to the Death Star, was on her way to find General Obi-Wan Kenobi when the ship was attacked by an Imperial Star Destroyer. The heroic Rebel troopers were the last line of defense as the ship was boarded by Darth Vader and a platoon of Stormtroopers.

The Star Wars “Saga” line may not be the first basic figure line to introduce the “running change” variant, but Hasbro decided it would become the rule instead of the exception for this 2002 action figure lineup. The Star Wars “Saga” line released no less than five sets of running changes throughout the entire run of the collection. We’re not including the figures that borrowed parts from each other that they too can almost be considered running changes unto themselves. The Power Of The Jedi line ended rather suddenly, for lack of a better description. Hasbro had to get down to business and start producing a line of figures to coincide with the next Star Wars film (Episode II), so they shelved many planned variants until later. They all became part of the Star Wars “Saga” line instead. The Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) (what a clumsy name, eh?) figure from the Power Of The Jedi line was screaming “running change” when first released in 2001. Hasbro worked in not one but two variants in the Star Wars “Saga” line to help collectors build armies. Before Hasbro wrapped up the first phase of the Star Wars “Saga” line, they got out these running changes in the final waves of the line. They packed these figures alongside the figures part of the second phase creating an unprecedented mixed case assortment. We know we’re speaking mouthfuls here, but explaining these figures’ histories is essential. In short, two different packaging types shipped in the same case assortments. Hasbro tooled two new portraits for the Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) body and released them seamlessly as ’02 #54. But each shipped in different case assortments.

What may be first time news to you, however, is that although there are two unique sculpts in the Star Wars “Saga” line (and a third individual sculpt in the Power Of The Jedi line), there are three (3) different paint jobs for the Star Wars “Saga” figures though. So when all is said and done, there are a total of four (4) “unique” figures from the Power Of The Jedi/Star Wars “Saga” span. Don’t worry; we’ll explain everything as thoroughly as possible. Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) [Version 1] is the very first release of this character in the Star Wars “Saga” line. It may be the best looking of the bunch and has dark hair, which is very easy to see. This particular version is also the most common, aside from the POTJ version. For the subsequent two versions, it’s relatively unknown which version came first, so we’ll describe them in unison. Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) [Version 2] is a character with light brown or red/strawberry blonde hair, but there are two distinct shades of hair color. One figure’s hair is a lighter brown, while the other is more noticeably red. However, both of these versions utilize the same tooling, and you shouldn’t think that there is a third unique sculpt in total in the Star Wars “Saga” line. Sadly, Hasbro didn’t make these helmets removable, so you need to look at the hair color when the figure is upside down so that enough light shines through to see these differences. You may even notice some variation in the brown belts too. But all “three” versions are shown next to each other in the photo galleries for these figures.

You may not care about the variations available with these figures because the Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) figure isn’t a good action figure because of its funky swivel articulation and limiting sculpt. Surprisingly, the figure stands upright without issue and kneels in a firing position quite convincingly, but that’s about it. Unless you have the figure in a static or action pose, you will not have a natural-looking action figure. Its most significant issue is the arms. They have no elbow joints, so the arms will either be at the figure’s sides or outstretched or up at the ready, aiming the included blaster accessory. What would have made these running change variants more interesting is if Hasbro sculpted removable helmets for them. You cannot make out their personality because the helmets obstruct much of the head, so you don’t get to see much. It’s a bit frustrating, but we should use this figure from the Power Of The Jedi line and temper our expectations. But we wonder why Hasbro would go the extra mile and develop an all-new head sculpt, only to return to how they made the character in the POTJ line. Another disappointment for us is that Hasbro had ample opportunity to correct the paint job on the helmet. You would think they would have updated the paint job with two new head sculpts so the black paint doesn’t come down to the helmet’s brim. The figure is far from perfect. But if you must have them all, please know that you’ll need to search for three in the Star Wars “Saga” line alone. The Power Of The Jedi version makes four, not three.

Collector Notes

Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) [Version 2]

Status: Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) [Version 2] is a retool of 2001's POTJ Rebel Trooper (Tantive IV Defender) figure. This time the figure comes with a unique head sculpt.

Articulation Count: 11 points (11 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: swivel head (1), swivel left shoulder (1), swivel rigth shoulder (1), swivel left wrist (1), swivel right wrist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), swivel left knee (1), swivel right knee (1), swivel left boot (1), swivl right boot (1)

Accessory Count: 2

Accessory Details: removable vest, blaster pistol

Date Stamp: 2001

Collection: 1

Assortment Number: 84993/84851

UPC: 076930849934

Retail: $4.99 USD

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

Reference Data

Research Droids Data Analysis

Related Data Files

Added: March 6, 2014
Category: Star Wars [Saga - Phase I]
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:
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