I've had a couple of days to open and check out some of the figures from this wave. WOW! The sculpts, articulation and paint apps are really, really good on every figure in this wave. Some quick notes?
FIGRIN D'AN - There's actually a lot going on with this figure. While most of the features seem non-descript, it's really well done. Hasbro is clearly thinking ahead because this figure is undoubtedly going to repackaged so you can build the entire band. I also see the potential for some re-use of some of the parts for future figure - pretty much everything except for the hands, neck and head!
I think some of the really good things that are happening with this figure are with the arm and leg joints. The arms and wrists are so well articulated that you can get the instruments positioned in something like an actual playing position. And the leg articulation is good too. It takes some maneuvering, but you can get the figure in a decent sitting position that will be functional when the other band members are released. Plus the mouthpieces for the instruments actually fit in the mouth!
MANDALORIAN SUPERCOMMANDO CAPTAIN / DEATH WATCH MANDALORIAN AIRBORNE TROOPER I feel like these two figures are almost completely the same barring some cosmetic differences. And that's because they are! When I saw a lot of the glam shots of this wave as well as the Mandalorian Super Commando that was released shortly before this wave I was struck by similarities with a lot of the parts. Having all three of these figures in hand you can really see the fine details.
Each figure has a unique paint job. That much is clear. But the bulk of the parts on them are the same. And each of them has the exact same accessories - the ricket pack, the 2 pistols that fit in the holsters and the larger blaster. So it boils down to discerning what the differences are.
-MANDALORIAN SUPER COMMANDO - This sculpt appears to be the base model. No appreciably distinct parts. It's the Mauldalorian paint scheme that sets this one apart.
-DEATH WATCH MANDALORIAN AIRBORNE TROOPER - This has the Death Watch markings. There's the added removable range finder on the helmet. And the right arm has hoses and a gauntlet. The gauntlet looks like it has a flamethrower and blaster built in.
-MANDALORIAN SUPER COMMANDO CAPTAIN - Again, we've got a Mauldalorian paint scheme, but the jumpsuit is a lighter color. The helmet with horns stands out as a unique feature. And the shoulder pauldrons with spikes are the other distinguishing feature. The right arm/gauntlet is the same plain one as in the Supercommando.
I can definitely see the potential for this figure being the basis for at least another couple of releases. I'm hoping for a TVC Pre Vizsla at some point - hopefully with the CW season 5 helmet. And it seems likely that this sculpt could be re-used for more Mando troops at some point. I've seen discussion about using this as the basis for a new Jango Fett, but the waist and upper legs would need to be re-done to make something accurate to Jango's appearance in AOTC. Beyond that? I understand what Hasbro is doing from a business standpoint by re-using parts for multiple figures. The fact that it's so obvious? Well, Hasbro might want to re-think the optics of that. But aside from that, I think these are some of the greatest figures that I've ever seen in the line.
