The original Star Wars Black Series Imperial Snowtrooper was released in 2016 as number 35 in the Phase 3 red line packaging. In 2020 it was repacked onto a Vintage Kenner-inspired card as part of the 40th Anniversary line and was released in the 3rd wave of figures celebrating 40 years since the release of The Empire Strikes Back.
The packaging recreates the original 1980 Kenner card faithfully with the silver & red Empire logo, the silver tramline, and the original artwork of the Snowtrooper entering Echo Base. It carries the Kenner logo rather than Hasbro, and includes the red colour behind the figure in its blister. The only new addition is the foil 50th Anniversary logo at the top of the card front.
Round the back, we have a similar homage to the original Kenner line with a coloured panel checklist of the other Empire Strikes Back figures in the wave included Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader. Unlike the boxed figures, the 40th Anniversary cards are designed not to be opened and repacked - so if you are a loose collector you will be trashing the card to get your figure out.
The figure sculpt is identical to the 2016 release with an off white bodysuit overlaid with brighter white armour on the helmet, chest, waist and on the arms and legs. Further detailing is added with coloured panels on the chest section and weathering added to the boots. There is some further weathering to the skirt section which is cast in a rubbery plastic.
The back of the figure features a removable backpack that connects via a central peg in the rear of the figure. It is cast in hard white plastic with details added in red, black and silver. There is even a small section of Aurebesh writing under a couple of the painted panels.
There is no substantial variance to the original 2016 release, but of course factory runs 4 years apart will lead to some subtle paint changes particularly around the weathering.
The Snowtroope is well-armed with two blasters included in the set. Up first is the DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle which itself dates back to the first original Stormtrooper released in 2014. Like all releases of the DLT-19 to date, the blaster is cast in black and dry brushed in silver.
The second weapon is the usual Stormtrooper weapon, the E-11. This piece dates from 2016 when the original 2014 version was tweaked for releases with the AT-AT Driver and ANH Princess Leia.
Both blasters fit into the Snowtroopers hands snugly, with the right hand provided with the flexible trigger finger that slots into place on both blasters. The figure does not feature any holster options.
The Snowtrooper weighs in with 16 points of articulation, and there is plenty of movement in the arms for weapon posing including firing positions and two-handed grips. The legs have plenty of movement, but they are held in by the skirt piece.
The 40th Anniversary Snowtrooper does not add anything substantial to the original 2016 release other than bringing us a beautiful card back and is certainly aimed at carded collectors more than openers. It was however readily available through 2020 and into 2021 so army builders also benefit from the re-release. A recommended release for your Imperial forces.
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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...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, star wars, black series, empire strikes back, 40th anniversary, retro, vintage, imperial, snowtrooper, hoth
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