Figure of the Day: Day 735
5/10/2008 2:12:35 PM - Adam

SNOWTROOPER with E-Web Heavy Repeating Blaster
Power of the Force Deluxe Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 69610 No. 69724
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Kenner
Includes: Removable backpack, firing rocket, cannon, energy box thing
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Summer 1997
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Snowtroopers, also known as Cold Assault Stormtroopers, were Imperial stormtroopers trained to operate in arctic climates. Some snowtroopers were deployed under Death Squadron's Blizzard Force, as well as other arctic forces. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Look sir, carpet! And the dust really brings out the details, wouldn't you say?

Commentary: Deluxe figures are something of a mixed bag-- since 1996, Kenner has cranked out both incredibly terrible and incredibly awesome figure at the roughly $10 price point. This Snowtrooper was one of the early awesome figures, and was actually the first modern Snowtrooper action figure produced. Figures like this are why some fans-- myself included-- are really excited about the prospect of a $10 figure assortment. (Or at least we were, until it was overrun with vintage's lack of cool extras at the price point.) This is a figure that makes it feel like you not only got a great toy, but you also got your money's worth. Not only did you get a basic Stormtrooper figure-- admittedly in a somewhat goofy pose-- you also got the Tri-Pod Laser Cannon you knew and love from the original figure line back in the day. It's all here, complete with firing rocket. It can rotate, pivot, and generally menace your Millennium Falcon toy. There's not a lot of deco on the cannon, but this is to be expected from a toy of this era-- or today, really. Star Wars in the 1980s rarely had spring loaded features, so seeing Kenner integrate a rocket firing mechanism into a prop from the movie without hurting its look and feel is just fantastic. In other words, yes, I'm saying you should buy this at $10 just for the cannon. Future Snowtroopers would have a redesigned, smaller cannon which doesn't have the hose or the power box with which to connect, which kind of blows. As such, this is the winner.

The figure itself is good, but not great. The sculpt is excellent, the deco is fantastic, and the articulation is adequate for this particular set. His hips, waist, and shoulders can move, giving this figure a rock-solid construction. The downside is, of course, away from the gun he looks like he's about to take a dump. Thankfully, we're all mature collectors here and we know that Snowtroopers don't do such things during combat but rather, in the woods, with the bears.

Collector's Notes: The figure itself was unique to this configuration, however the blaster cannon would show up in the Toys "R" Us exclusive Imperial Forces gift set with R4-I9, Darth Vader, a Stormtrooper, and an AT-ST Driver in 2003. Obviously, you can use other Snowtroopers with the cannon, including the 2007 Vintage release. ( MORE IMAGES )

--Adam Pawlus



Day 735: May 10, 2008


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