In 2020, Hasbro announced a new packaging format for the Star Wars Black Series. This Phase 4 packaging would be called the Galaxy Collection. This new format would group figures by movie or series - and would launch with two waves. Wave 1 was a mixed wave, while a 2nd wave would be a special release for Rebels. It would finally complete the Ghost crew with the release of Zeb as a Deluxe figure. It would also repack the previous Rebels figures, updating those who predated face printing to an improved decor. In this review we will be taking a look at the brand new figue of Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios
Packaging 4.0
Zeb is released as part of a wider wave of figures, the Rebels wave, in the new Galaxy Collection Phase 4 packaging. He is a deluxe release due to his size, and therefore the box dimensions are extended width ways to incorporate the larger figure - while height and depth remain the same.
The new box design features an angled right hand spine which displays new colour themed art for the character - with each Star Wars movie or show given an accent colour. For Rebels this is a vibrant purple. The images are very detailed with some element of the old Gregory Titus illustrations retained on closer inspection in terms of the grey scale base drawing and pen marks and lines. Each side panel is designed to match up to the next in line to make larger themed montages for inbox collectors. The angle design of the box does mean more shelf space is required to do this - but you can also see the logic when displaying the box face on, with the angle side maintaining visibility of the artwork while also showing off the figure.
This purple theme continues on the box from by way of a bar under the window to confirm the source material as Star Wars Rebels - and in the character name text, which is a little lost against the black of the box.
The other spine to the left includes the continuation of the purple bar, now slanting upwards, and a Black Series logo. The bar continues onto the back of the box where it splits the character information in the top two thirds from the legal and safety messaging. The new figures are now numbered by movie or tv show and this numbering only appears on the back of the box within this purple bar. Zeb is number #01 for Star Wars Rebels. The use of background text continues on the reverse of the box with a short piece of text in four languages sitting next to a repeat of the impressive artwork.
"Meet the muscle of the Ghost team. Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios was a cunning Lasat Honor Guard who adopted the cause of rebellion against the Empire"
The shape of the box does mean a lot of tape has to be used to keep it closed, and I counted 4 pieces on the top flap alone and another 3 down the black side - and where these sit on the black matt backing they can look unsightly. It is actually easier to remove the figure via the bottom tab which oddly only had one further piece of tape.
Like some of the more recent Hasbro products, the figure tray, backing card and the actual window of the box now slide out. The backing card is a simple grey colour which will be consistent on all releases. The inner tray and outer window are not fastened together in anyway and the whole thing opens up to allow access to Zeb who is held in with the shape of the tray only - there are no ties or fastenings to negotiate.
Paint & Sculpt 4.5
Zeb is a bulky figure standing 7 inches tall and therefore well scaled against the other members of the Ghost crew. The head sculpt has been translated from the animated style to a more realistic setting and it is really impressive. Zeb's features are replicated really well, as is his grumpy scowl - which looks more menacing if you angle the head down when posing. The decor for the head includes shading into the wrinkles and creases of the Lasat features while the eyes are glossy and green. The facial hair has a grey base colour with wisps of white through it for more texture.
The costume is faithfully recreated, . The armoured parts are two shades of green and include notches and scratches in the sculpt for wear and tear - although these are not painted any further past the base color. The graffiti design on the left shoulder is in place in a white paint but will of course go out of line if the arm is moved. Zeb is then wearing his brown and yellow jumpsuit directly
The whole outfit is perhaps missing some weathering and grime and by adding this we may have moved away from the animated style and to a more realistic "live in world" finish as seen very recently on figures like Hondo and Cad Bane who have made a similar transition.
Where Zeb's skin is exposed on his arm and legs we see a tiger stripe design of dark purple stripes on lighter purple. This is done well with shaded areas of lighter skin in places on the inner arms and the feet. The transition to this lighter skin on the feet is too stark with a visible line where the darker skin ends at the joint and the lighter tone begins.
Accessories 4.5
Zeb comes armed with what I believe may be the most articulated/complex accessory to date in the Star Wars Black Series line. The AB75 Bo Rifle arrives as a fully extended staff in the box, and while there are no clear instructions - with a bit of fiddling you can actually adjust this to other configurations for use with Zeb.
The first is the collapsed mode where the whole weapon is retracted. In this forma you have two pins on the central shaft that correspond to the holes on Zeb's back. The weapon slots into place and can be carried as a slung weapon.
If you then pull the two ends the weapon extends via the central shaft and you can also rotate this section so the handles are both on the top or are one on either side. These handles fold in and out for the rifle configuration and Zeb can then hold this as a blaster rifle.
By returning the two handles to the top and then extending the final end pieces you return to the full staff configuration.
The staff can be further enhanced by the inclusion of two electro FX pieces that are cast in a translucent purple. They have a tube at the end which slots over the ends of the Bo Rifle for a charged design.
Zeb's hands are large and designed to grip the staff via the central piece. This works fine, but it isn't quite big enough for two handed weapon posing - with the 2nd hand wanting to grip where the wrappings are sculpted, but not being big enough to get that grip.
Articulation 3.0
Zeb has a total of 19 points of articulation, with two new joints in the legs due to the Lasat physiology.
Head : ball joint neck joint - head and base of neck
Body : ball joint waist
Arms : ball joint shoulder, single joint rotating elbows, wrist pivot
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivel, double joint knees, shin rotating hinge, ankle rocker
The legs take some getting used to as the joint at the shin makes it a little more difficult to plan the feet when standing Zeb up. These are essentially designed to bend backwards to create that specific style of the Lasat posture.
The head, while looking quite squat and immobile, moves pretty well thanks to joints at both the head and the base of the neck. The arms are quite bulky and sadly do not have the butterfly joint to bring them inwards a little more for two handed weapon - or staff - posing. The armour is designed to withdraw under the chest piece so both arms can be raised and posed. Posing with the rifle is OK and some nice posing can be achieved. Less so with the staff which can look awkward with no movement inward at the shoulder and limited elbow bend
There is sadly one overwhelming issue with Zeb's articulation - and that is loose joints. The arms are loose at the shoulders and do not hold themselves upright. The hips are looser than I'd like for a bulkier figure, and those new shin joints have no strength in them at all. This leaves Zeb tough to pose and hold in an upright position and you may need to consider a stand of sorts to avoid shelf diving incidents (my Zeb has already dived off once in less than a day of being on display).
Summary
Zeb is a long awaited arrival in the Black Series, and allows us to complete the Rebels crew and with the added bonus of a re-release alongside Zeb for the other Rebels figures for anyone who missed out the first time or who wants a face print decor update for those that pre-date that technology.
I do like the new boxes and artwork and the organisational thought process behind the new numbering and colour schemes. The boxes will take up the same amount of space as the older format ones if stored face on, they will need more room if you utilise the angle to display the montage artwork. The use of so much tape to keep the box sealed would frustrate me if I was a boxed collector.
The figure itself is of sufficient height and bulk for Zeb and the face sculpt is really impressive. The armour and body design is a good translation but I would have perhaps like to have seen the colours muted or weathered a little more. The Bo RIfle is well engineered and allows for multiple display options and its great that so much functionality was built in.
The issue lies with the articulation and the loose joints which stop Zeb from being posed successfully especially thanks to those loose joints added along the shin. If those could be tightened up and the shoulders given a similar treatment then Zeb would be heading for very high marks. As it stands Zeb comes out at a score of 4.0
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, star wars, black series, galaxy collection, rebels, zeb, ezra, kanan, hera, chopper, ahsoka, hasbro
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