Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) - TVC - Basic (VC68)

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Collectors rejoiced when Hasbro released the Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) (VC68), but they’re rejoicing with a little more elation, delight, and exuberance after its reissue. This figure hasn’t looked better with updated Photo Real facial deco, enhanced paint operations, and corrected matching joint pegs. And we’re all hoping that Hasbro starts army-building this character immediately. This figure is another vintage Kenner update in the modern The Vintage Collection, and it’s a fantastic figure. Hasbro issued the Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) as the modern replacement for the 1980 Kenner Rebel Soldier (Hoth Battle Gear) figure, years overdue when released in 2011. Now it’s back and looking rather incredible. But just like its 2011 wave mate Ponda Baba (Walrus Man) (VC70), the Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) serves a fundamental purpose in the basic figure line for multiple reasons as well. It’s great to get closer to completing the original “Collect All 92!” vintage Kenner figures that Hasbro now refers to as The Ninety Six. Now more collectors have that opportunity to add this figure with strong ties to the original 1980 The Empire Strikes Back collection. Although, some will argue this isn’t an accurate update to that classic vintage Kenner figure. We have received multiple generals, officers, and troopers based on the Hoth sequence of Episode V in the past, but one style of Rebel has remained elusive until now. Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) is a remarkable action figure that we believe (and hope) Hasbro will utilize for other Hoth staff in the future. This outfit works beautifully for the various deck officers, tauntaun handlers, and others Hoth officers if Hasbro should decide to develop more characters for our collections.

This figure comes super-articulated, although it may lack when compared to other action figures in the line, especially the newest ones. We see the updated release as essentially perfect now, so you’ll have to decide if multiple purchases are warranted. Get your credit cards ready! The classic Kenner figure from 1980, although painted similarly to this new TVC figure, is wearing a different costume. It’s similar to the off-white costume worn by the Rebel Commander figure from 1981’s The Empire Strikes Back action figure line. But in our hearts, we believe that in 1980, Kenner was attempting to give us this new TVC figure from the start. So, this figure serves as the modern replacement for the 1980s vintage Kenner Rebel Soldier (Hoth Battle Gear) figure for many other collectors and us. The original Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) shares more than just the same case assortment as the Ponda Baba (Walrus Man) (VC70) figure. Peculiarly, the Rebel Soldier appears taller than the average action figure, and while this may be slight—the illusion feels real when posed next to other action figures. The Rebel Soldier is slim and athletic-looking, and from what we’ve been able to gather, is the ideal body type for more future army building. We see army building Battle Packs in our future—hopefully. The sculptors have etched a fantastic amount of detail into this action figure. Whether it be the waffle texture of the vest or the bunching up and wrinkling on the pants, Hasbro shows us clearly time and again just how committed they are to developing brilliant action figures. And an additional detail like the functioning holster on the right leg, for example, is another excellent example of this commitment. It hangs closely to the figure’s body and seamlessly blends in with the rest of it.

We have come so far in the basic figure line sometimes we have to take a step back and reflect on where we were just a few years ago. The original release of the figure has one or two drawbacks. Hasbro couldn’t seem to get the color of the ankle (and other) joints correct on many figures, including the original release of this Rebel Soldier. But the 2021 update fixes the issue, and it looks fantastic. The first release’s mismatched joints, plus the inconvenience of an imperfect center of gravity, created unnecessary frustration, but the new version doesn’t suffer from either issue. Your figure may fall backward, but there are ways to remedy an unbalanced action figure with patience and proper positioning. Hasbro has also updated the card artwork on this figure to reflect this type of character. The reissue doesn't address the incorrect nameplate font, however. We see the character photo as noteworthy, but some collectors are purists and don’t want the card back art changed for any original Star Wars action figure. The original 1980 Kenner vintage figure incorrectly showed a picture of the Hoth Rebel Trooper (on the battle lines and in the trenches) instead of the plain Rebel Soldier with the vest. They’ve used the likeness of the Star Wars character Cal Alder for the photo, although we’re not entirely sure the action figure has a fair resemblance to the actor, even with a Photo Real update. (He’s the Rebel who informed Major Bren Derlin that there had been no contact from Luke Skywalker or Han Solo while out on Hoth’s snowy tundra.) With different colors and updated packaging, this is the best version of the action figure you can buy. You’ll need the updated Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) badly for your collection. Collectors are buying this figure by the dozens so make sure you get a few before they're gone once again.

Editor's Note: Hasbro re-released The Vintage Collection Rebel Soldier (Echo Base Battle Gear) (VC68) figure in December 2021 with a significant number of changes. Updates include: (1) "Photo Real" deco, (2) corrected joint pegs for seamlessness (3) a more off-white jump suit and tanner vest (4) shinier black paint for boots (5) refreshed 2021 packaging with different graphics

Review Status Update: The original publication date of this review is October 13, 2011. It was subsequently updated with a new Photo Gallery and revised General Analysis and republished on January 31, 2022 after Hasbro reissued the figure.