Bio: The Wookiees courageously defend their planet but are outgunned by the Imperial army and its extensive weaponry. The Wookiees fight with ferocity and manage to hold back the troopers for a time, but are ultimately overwhelmed by the Imperial Troopers. (Taken from the set's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray. Note: the figure is interacting with a 30th Anniversary Basic Figures Stormtrooper, not one of the figures from this set.

Commentary: There aren't many molds were swapping accessories and repainting the figure will result in a compelling plastic person, but Hasbro made this Wookiee Warrior on the cheap and it still looks pretty great. The figure uses the mold originally used for the 2005 "Sneak Preview" Wookiee Warrior, and tweaks it just enough to be cool again. All of the figures armor has been removed, and replaced with a retooled bandolier specially designed for this figure's girth. It's a huge figure-- a Stormtrooper only comes up to roughly his chest. The articulation is identical to previous releases, which is great because you can pose him like in the picture. With no support other than his feet and a single clear plastic rubber band, the figure is capable of holding on to the Stormtrooper by the neck a little bit off the ground (it's hard to see in this perspective) and not fall over because Hasbro designed the figure fairly well. He's a big guy who isn't going to topple over, and for that, I am very happy.

The new deco is great, it's not crazy different from other figures but it's distinctive enough that it isn't obviously a previous figure with a new belt. My only gripe about the figure is that it's quite awkward for him to hold on to his bowcaster-- it might be accurate to the game, but a staff, a retooled weapon, or some other accessory might have made it work a little better. As it is, I'd rather use recycled weapons from my spare parts drawer (clone rifles, extra Wookiee gear from this guy) than what came in the box. Still, I love the fact that these figures are capable of a wide degree of movement and have unique deco like the quasi mohawk on this one-- you'll notice he has a dark stripe on his head which stops at the forehead. Hasbro has really stepped up to the plate for Wookiee army builders, given that this mold has come in a grand total of 4 configurations now with another 3 for the thinner "III-43" Wookiee. Plus there's the Wookiee Flyer figure, Yarua, Roworr, and a number of others you can add to your clan without any duplicates, which is really fantastic. Here's to another great year of Wookiees and I cross my fingers that we might see Chewie's family in some capacity some day. (Hey, as stupid as the special was, those could make for some slick figures. Or they could crank out slick boxed set based on Marvel Comics Star Wars #91, as they're in that too. Knife and some Wookiees, that'd be cool is all I'm saying.)

Value Notes: Long time fans may wince at this boxed set due to what you get for the price. The Wookiee Warriors were originally $5.24-$6.99 each. The Vintage Stormtroopers were $9.99 each, if not more, as was Darth Vader (who is now missing a lightsaber hilt.) Individually, these figures would have ran you roughly $40-$45 which just goes to show that sometimes, you really can wait for a better deal.

Collector's Notes: I love this set, but it's pretty much guaranteed to do well-- as of the date I write this (which is before the print date), the Battle Packs are almost entirely sold out at every Target I've visited-- just a couple seem to be left at each store, if that. It's a neat set but I have to say it is a little scary to think that we might see a lot of "group of figures you have versus 1-2 figures you wouldn't mind having because they're different" even if the value is there. I don't know how it will ultimately do on the secondary market but it seems to be selling fast enough to warrant you take interest in it sooner rather than later.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 705: April 10, 2008