You guys are killing me.   You're getting a thread started before I have the time to.

So here we go...

This week we are indeed taking a look at the Clone Troopers! (Full Review) from the Revenge of the Sith basic line.  Figures #6 and #41 if I'm not mistaken and if you're keeping track.  This review is a duel review/comparison.  The grunts of the great Republic are the hotspot for collecting this year and even with massive reshipments these figures are NOT pegwarming, at least not everywhere, but Hasbro's really putting them out there for everyone to grab.

(For the curious, my definition of pegwarming means massive ammounts that sit for at least a month.  In some areas they maybe are lucky enough to have this "problem" with Clones but in my neck the best you'll find is a #41 here and there (#6's are long gone for some reason and I think it's mostly because they've only recently shipped as the hot repaint Clone).)

Anyway, the Clones are obviously popular.  Probably the most popular figures of all time really with demand not even having too much of a slowdown.  If the white ones aren't in demand, the variants are, and it's a vicious cycle.

My review this week's a bit of a twist.  I'm tearing apart both figures to show who the clear-cut winner is between #6 Clone and #41 Clone.  I won't spoil the ending but if you know me well you know who I picked.  I like both figures well enough to have bought many of each though, and while my army is weak compared to, oh, say, Rob's, I've still got an impressive little group going.

This review was done prior to the variations shipping really, but to say they are anything short of a pain in the ass to find is really an understatement.  IMO, I'd say one of the only reasons there are any white clones to be found fairly easily is because people are focusing on buying up the variations (And evolutions sets) instead.  I know I've even begun to pace myself and I now buy CLones like I buy up Clone pilots and Neimodian gunners.  Here and there when I see them and have the extra $$$, but not buying up every one I see.

Anyway, Hasbro has a couple of knock-out figures, and they really satiated 2 demographics and you just have to give them some applause for that effort.  Neither figure is bad though, and that's good news for army builders.  So check out the review and pick which way you want your army to go!

I'm having a Pay Pal issue here...

I sent payment to someone for some stuff they sent me and payment cleared, however the person I sent it to cannot "claim" payment because it says that it is requiring that they buy postage.

I already got the package, it's a done deal, so what's this all about?  Any help would be appreciated for whom I'm trying to pay up here.

Thanks for all you Pay Pal experts!

Dr. Padawan's point about the Mygeeto Clones is correct, at least from what I have read as well (In in the Insider this month...  not sure it's stated anywhere else).  Their uniforms are general purpose and I believe it even listed them as good for hot climates even.  I do believe that come the classic trilogy that the "Snow"Trooper's gear is just a 2nd uniform Stormtroopers use in climates such as Hoth.  Their snowsuits so to speak, but in the Clone Wars when the uniform is developed it's developed for the Galactic Marines and their random deployments to harsh worlds maybe.

Bacarra's uniform I think is no more whacky than any of the other commander's really.  It has elements of the ARC Troopers which the Insider said is partly an homage to the ARC's while it also is also something to set the Commander apart and represents his additional training (generally ARC training) that makes him independant and a leader and whatnot.  The Commander in the pack, like the red, green, and yellow colored COmmanders, maybe just uses the same armor type as Bacarra does for whatever reasons.  Just as Neyo maybe isn't the only Commander using that armor type, and Cody isn't the only Commander using that armor, Bly, Gree, etc... 

I don't recall the Insider explaining WHY Bacarra's armor looked the way it did.  That article was disappointing really.  It didn't touch on a lot of the Clone Commanders at all, like Neyo for instance or the BARC uniform, or the AT-RT Drivers I think.

enhancing the EE photo I see NO joints on Han's legs.  He's basically Captain Antilles if you're wanting an articulation breakdown.

Ball/socket neck, angle-cut elbows, wrists, basic hips, shoulders and waist.  Nothing flashy and CorranHorn makes a pretty good point that this could be a "leftover" kind of wave.  One can hope right?   

Bib I'm ok with...  The face (open mouth) is meh, but the arms I see angle-cut joints at and I'm guessing wrist joints...  The robes are prohibitive to leg movement anyway so whatever, but on Han it is a bit of BS since Han was pretty active blindly killing bounty hunters and saving scoundrels during the Carkoon battle.  Some simple ball/socket knee joints would've made him as big a hit to me as the Cantina Wave of figures was.  All winners in my book.

On Boussh I'm seeing the knee joints, perhaps even ankles, but the arms look like they may be somewhat limited in poseability.  Cool nonetheless and she looks to have the most gear for sure.

BTW I for one am big into these holo figures.  This could be a cool way to get lots of little neat pieces to make things feel "worth" their price (if there's no hike).  There's also some neat potential that maybe Hasbro would do goofy stuff like Dejarrik pieces.  Could you imagine if we got those?  I'd dig that (A mail-away gameboard and some little half-assed rules would be an ultimate giveaway, but whatever).

I'm huge into mini-holos though...  I loved the little Sidious and I have extras sitting with other figures as an Emperor holo or in dioramas acting as an Imperial communication.  They work great as EU Imperial Inner-Circle Member mini-holographs too.

Han looks good, but looks to sport about the basic POTF2 articulation points from the waist down and that blows on any new figure, especially one focused around action like Han was at the Carkoon battle.  Give him some knee articulation and at least make a mediocre effort.     It could still be there, but I'm less hopeful right now.

My (early) thoughts...

Boba, Chewie, and Barada definitely look like simple repacks all around with no tweaking save for maybe paint.  The chain with Chewie may be his only appeal to buy him which sucks.  I'm glad I got extra VOTC Chewie to take his place...

Barada's disappointing I think as a repack but what do I know...  Fett, eh...  I agree with Spuffy that I'm disappointed that they didn't try re-packing at least ONE VOTC figure.  You have the mold, the main cost is done, repack VOTC Fett...  Take the slight bitching from the people who paid $10 for it and just put the best Fett out you can...  Hell if you're nice you'd tweak the jetpack so it could accomodate the Saga Fett's flame base.

On the new figures, I have to say it's tough to say anything definitive because the pictures are really not very high quality at all so any detail's pretty much lost.  I am with Darth Anton about fearing a lack in quality here though as far as articulation goes.  I thought Boussh had ball/socket knees from the SDCC photos, and Han seems to have angle-cut elbows...  Ok, that's cool.  Bib I can't make neither heads nor tails of on any detail.

I'm hoping they aren't going to start cutting articulation back in a freakin' non-movie year when that kind of quality for collectors should be their focus.  ROTS did so well, their formula was 100% improved with that film line...  If they start reverting back to statues they are just going to prove how out-of-touch they are with this line, this hobby, and collectors.  I'm praying these are great figures because that's 3 new sculpts we really need, but I'm also reserving judgment till i see some clearer pictures...  I know I saw angle-cuts on Han and ball/socket knees on Boussh so that's some hope for these.

I still think re-using VOTC figures would be more appealing to people and it would help improve the margin on the cost of those sculpts...  They're repacks though so whatever.

Thanks to SLC (Ryan) I got a handful of the Japanese tonight and I'm pleased as punch.  These are among 21st's best figures.

Ball/socket shoulders and cut joints at the thighs are great for poseability...  The sculpts are fantastic too.  Probably their best ever really.

I wish the hats were removable on the hatted dude I got but the helmets do come off so that's a plus.  I don't know why 21st's afraid to tackle hats but whatever.

Great figures...  Tons of gear too.  I'm glad to see 21st willing to improve upon itself.  The shoulders and thigh joints are the kinds of things you have to have I think.  They just add a lot to these figure's poseability.