My sister got me a set of this on "opening night" but my local WM never got them!  Did only some stores get these?  I see a report of a new package and the offer is extended until March.  Some stores are reported to have these on sale.  I like the figures -- especially R2 and Leia.

I suspect these will be rather easy to find unless they made an unusually small amount of them.  Any solid word on when we should see them in the store?

Well my digital camera is on the fritz but I customized the Crimson Guard figures. They are cool looking with their backpacks on!  I painted over "flesh" color on their necks, the gold braid on their shoulder and the cobra symbol on their chest.  I'll get a camera and post some pics soon. 

Any ideas on how to use them in the Star Wars universe?

I totally agree Jared.  I'm an over the top clone trooper fan and I have to say this is my least favorite clone so far -- by a lot!  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I have it (2 since I collect one of each card style) but my daughter agrees it looks like it was targeted for the 10 year old girl crowd .  It's like they hired a GI Joe person to cross over and make a funky Star Wars figure in some sort of exchange program.  Maybe there is an extra cool GI Joe coming out soon  .

OK, just after I posted I had a funny feeling that I should go to Target and after finding only a Gree (of the final 12) I saw a guy walk up with 6 Shadow Troopers in his hands with the packing paper still on them.    He used the DCPI and I looked back at the shelf and he said "Hey there are two more down here by the Hulk figures"  ;  

The more I look at it the more I like it.  I never thought I'd like something like this so I haven't bought any but this is small enough to not "get in the way" but VERY well made and "cooler" everytime I pick it up.   I'm starting the think about the Palpatine saber hilt now...Oh no!  I can't afford to be hooked on these things...

I have 2 that should be here today but I still have mixed feelings about it.  The only reason for that is because I'd rather have the Target version which I think looks better (more sinister) and the Target one if FREAKING HARD TO GET!  The "Purple whiskered wonder w/ sparkles" is cool but it looks like it was geared towards my 10 year old daughter.  Not a complaint because clones are cool and Hasbro owns me when it comes to clone troopers and stormtroopers.

For the Covert Ops trooper I ordered it the moment it was available online.  Very stright forward.  I'd do the same for the Target trooper but so many don't follow the "rules".  I have 2 Targets near me and wrt the 1st clone exlusive BOTH allowed their entire stock to be DCPI'ed prior the the official release date so that the figures never made it to the shelf.  Annoying