“Because we are the Empire's fist. We are stormtroopers. And you can never kill us all. LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!"
When the Galaxy Collection launched in 2020, it brought with it new versions of both Clone Troopers and Imperial Stormtroopers. The new Imperial Stormtroopers were released under the banner of The Mandalorian initially with both Remnant and clean versions. This new Stormtrooper body would go on to be used for more variant Mandalorian troopers like the Artillery and Incinerator Troopers, as well as for the Rogue One Jedha Trooper and in more general Stormtrooper releases like the Starkiller Exclusive Set and in the Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary. Hasbro identified the Stormtrooper as a figure that should be available regularly in the line and this led to the 2024 Archive release of the Imperial Stormtrooper.
The Archive Series was envisaged as a re-release line for popular figures, making it ideal for getting the Imperial Stormtrooper back onto store shelves. Rather than a box, it uses a blister card with a grey and black card back that also features a history of the figure on the card back with details of the original release - the aforementioned 2019 release from The Mandalorian. Unlike the Galaxy Series, the Archive blister cards cannot be opened and re-sealed.
The Archive Series Stormtrooper is no different to any of those newer body figures that have proceeded it and it uses the now-established Clone/Stormtrooper design of a black body and joints with connecting white closs armour pieces. This significantly reduces the amount of paint needed to minimal areas like the forearms and some detail on the midsection, but makes the transition from amour to what is effectively an under-bodysuit is crisp and clean. Proportions to the Stormtroopers on screen are accurate, although this is modelled more after the more modern Rogue One Stormtrooper props and onward into the likes of The Mandalorian and Andor. It does not feature the holster we saw on the first release.
Articulation is pinless and is integrated into the overall aesthetic of the figure so not to have any particular pose or position look unnatural. We have 19 points of articulation in total providing a wide range of opportunities for display including the ability to kneel or sit, or to have the blaster up at eyesight position ready to fire off a shot - with plenty of other options in between. The Stormtrooper holds most positions well and is self-supporting and stable on display.
The single accessory is the newer version of the E-11 blaster cast in black and with no further decor added. The component parts are all visible within the sculpt including the various sights and barrels and the side ammo pack position. Our Stormtrooper has been given both left and right trigger hands allowing the Trooper to wield the blaster in either hand, the other mobile enough thanks to the extensive arm joints and butterfly shoulders in particular, to support the barrel in a two-handed position.
In a series where Stormtroopers play such a big part for the Original Trilogy movies as well as the more recent Disney+ series, it was a no-brainer to keep the Imperial Stormtrooper available at regular intervals to allow new collectors access and to tempt longer-term collectors into even more troop building. The Archive Collection has been that avenue for these re-releases since its inception in 2019, but the recent dabbling with ‘Best of’ figures as part of the main Galaxy Collection does leave us wondering if this could have taken that route to release. That would have allowed the Galaxy Collection Series for properties other than The Mandalorian (where it sat originally) to expand - particularly when the three Original Trilogy movies are significantly outnumbered by the newer additions to the franchise. Packaging aside, you will not be disappointed with your Imperial Stormtrooper - although he brings nothing new for those who own the figure already other than the expansion of the might of The Empire.
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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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