“How many do we need?”
In 2021 Hasbro marked the 5th Anniversary of Rogue One with a number of releases in the Black Series line as part of their new Galaxy Collection packaging and connective artwork boxes. Within this were a number of new releases, but also a reworking of five of the original Rogue One figures giving most of them a makeover both in figure decor and in packaging. The wave was a Fan Channel release.
The final figure in the Rogue One Fan Channel wave for 2021 was Baze Malbus whose cyan coloured artwork follows on from fellow Guardian of the Whills Chirrut Imwe in the larger Rogue One montage. The artwork then connects onward to the first new figure of the wave from Rogue One, Bodhi Rook.
vs 2017 release (right)
Baze Malbus uses the same base as his original 2017 release. He is wearing a green/brown combat suit overlaid with armoured panels in either cream or deep gloss red. The largest of these is a chest piece, featuring a two-tone ‘V’ decal, that encircles his neck and runs down to his midriff where it connects to what is described as a battery regulator in cream with painted silver panels and buttons. The costume concludes with a belt featuring two large pouches, and a pair of simple brown boots. There are more noticeable colour variances on Baze vs his original release with a darker tone to the combat suit and a brighter tone to the red.
The head sculpt was obviously a good likeness to actor Jiang Wen with the newer face printing showing that off on the new release. Baze’s head sculpts also include his long hair which frames his face and sits over his shoulders with the end sections with a painted hair tie or wrap. There is a slightly glossy finish to the face which was something we saw across 2021 and that does detract slightly from the overall look although it does present as a sweaty face which is accurate to the battle scenes on Scarff.
Baze comes with his Heavy Repeater Cannon which is cast in grey with black and red markings. It connects directly to an ammunition feed in grey that itself connects to Baze’s backpack. This drum-shaped Coolent Backpack slots into a socket on the rear of the figure and features a similar red colouring to his armour with silver trim and panels and a visible section where we have a series of coiled bronzed wires. There is also an exhaust port that comes out to the side and upward. Baze’s black cloak is incorporated into the backpack to hang to the left-hand side.
There is also a taser accessory secreted away on the rear of Baze's belt. This can be removed and wielded as a weapon.
Baze Malbus features 16 points of articulation with the main use coming from the arms which have to grip the Heavy Repeater Cannon with both a right-hand trigger grip, and for most poses a left-hand support grip. These arm positions also have to work with the ammo belt so not to dislodge it. While this is feasible, it is quite tight overall and you will find Baze limited to just a short range of two-handed poses with the gun. The legs feature dual-joined knees as a carryover from the older figure which provides a wider range of leg positions - albeit a little held in check by the cape that hangs down as low as Baze’s ankles. Despite the extensive backpack, the front weaponry does balance out the figure and there is suitable strength in the ankle joints for Baze to stand securely on display.
Like the other figures in the wave, Baze Malbus is certainly an enhancement on his earlier release by way of the facial print tech application but also thanks to some crisper colouring in the suit. It brings the entirety of the main Rebel force in Rogue One and the attack on Scariff in line with more recent Black Series releases.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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