I finally got my two cases of Wave 4 from SWShop.com and I gotta say overall I really do like this wave. Just some thoughts on the figures to waste time at the office...
Jedi Luke - as a Jedi Luke fiend I'm always glad to see another figure come out, but this was a missed opportunity. I think the biggest problem is that the softgoods vest is not correct and loops around his neck instead of flowing down the back. Hasbro mentioned in a recent Q&A that was what they had from reference photos which I found funny as the image used on the back of the card shows that the vest properly flows down the back. Removing the vest to make a DS2 Luke isn't as rewarding as I had hoped. There's a gap between the torso and pelvis which requires work and then the belt isn't even correct. Oh well back to the drawing board again for Hasbro, one day we'll finally get that perfect Jedi Luke...
McQuarrie Vader - from the looks of the figure the overall design created by McQuarrie was implemented in the final design for Vader. Nothing in the sculpt really stands out though it certainly is a nice figure and the paintjob gives him a ghoulish look. I don't like the fact that he can barely hold his lightsaber, the hilt is too big. And am I the only one whose Vader blasters had warped handles?
Elis Herlot - My favorite figure of the bunch as I've been wanting this guy forever. The details on the sculpt, especially the boney head are fantastic. And what a great deal overall, a near SA figure AND the bar with all it's pieces! I do have to question the way the legs are sculpted as it does make posing him while standing a bit awkward, but I plan to have him sit anyway so not too much of a loss. Of all the figures, I've been playing (yes I play with them, there I said it!
) him the most as he's the crotchety old man at the bar just looking for another drink to wash away his sorrows. Fun stuff kids, you should try it!
M'iiyoom Onith - how about that, a female alien that's not a hoochie!
The detail on this figure is also especially well done as the head has a lot of crevices and bumps that stand out. She doesn't do a whole lot but sulk which is fine for a background character, but I find it funny that she comes with barstools and has knee articulation, but her skirt prevents her from actually sitting down, you know as shown on the cardback. Oy!
CZ-4 - this year we've received so many sought after figures and this is one of them. All the right details sculpted and painted into the figure are top notch and the head sculpt gives this droid the proper "lost and confused" look we come to love from this droid (well actually CZ-3 but whatever). I find it refreshing that this humanoid style droid is not as tall as the humans and other characters, gives him an air of uniqueness. So much articulation in a droid as well, definitely new frontier that will lead us to 4-LOM, perhaps C-3PO can get the treatment one day.
Anime Fett - Here's another figure we've all wanted and finally we got him. For the most part it's a rehash of the VOTC Fett with what appears to be new lower arms and belt. The colors on my figure seem to be a bit washed out compared to the reference pics but that's fine as it lends Fett to fit in more with the "realistic" style. Now maybe we can get figures for the Droids toon in this style one day.
Umpass Stay - he's a big fella for sure. As a drummer he doesn't do a whole lot but bang the skins (lol, double entendre!) but they made up for it with all the detail you could ask for in a figure. The folds on his clothes and face are top notch, and the paintjob really brings it all out nicely. I find it funny though that in his standing position he looks like he has to take a poop (POTP!).
Army Builders - my cases were Rev 2, so they came with 2 Stormtroopers, 1 DST, 1 Galactic Marine, and 1 Rebel Guard. It's good to see Hasbro putting the army builders out there in as many available slots in cases. It's about time they heeded our call!
Well those are my random rabblings, a pretty good wave overall. Could have used a better Luke and some foresight into letting M'iiyoom sit, but the positives outweigh the negatives on this one.