"I will go"
The Mandalorian Privateer was one of two Mandalorian retailer exclusives released in Summer 2024 and themed around Season 3 of The Mandalorian and the joining of the Mandalorian Covert, Nite Owls and Privateers to take back Mandalore from the Imperial Remnant. The Privateer was a Target Exclusive in the US and available through the Fan Channel here in the UK. Like the Mandalorian Nite Owl Exclusive released through Walmart in the US as a partner piece, the Privateer uses the new box format for the Black Series. This squared-off box retains the same black base colour, and accent colour for each show or movie with the Mandalorian colour scheme of deep orange in place on both the box text and the side art.
The Privateer is number 39 in the Galaxy Collection Mandalorian Series - the numbering now also features on the box front as well as the back - and the side artwork connects directly to the Mandalorian Nite Owl who preceded him at number 38. The new box art is also a continuation of the earlier figures from 1 through to 37 although the artwork has appeared to have darkened marginally on the new packaging. The rear of the box carries a smaller version of the artwork and a brief overview of the Privateer and his role in the wider story art. Another change for the newer box format is the backing card which is now the same accent colour as used on the box and featuring some faded imagery relevant to the character. In this case we have another planetary scene, but not the same as the one used with the Mandalorian Nite Owl.
The Mandalorian Privateer is based on one of the background Privateers as seen during Season 3 and the group working under the command of Ax Woves before combining into the larger Mandalorian force in retaking Mandalore. While the Nite Owl was a repaint of the Koska Reeves figure, the Privateer is a more complex hybrid of previous figures. It is most closely connected to the recent Mandalorian Fleet Captain who was a mix of new parts and parts from the Mandalorian Deathwatch Commando. The Privateer uses the chest arms and lower legs of the Fleet Captain, retaining the thigh armour of the Deathwatch Mando. The belt and holster appear to be new.
The base figure uses a grey undersuit with the armoured panels coloured a blue that is flat rather than metallic - and while a similar shading to other figures it still stands out as individual against the likes of Bo-Katan, Ax Woves and Koska Reeves. In places, the armour varies in blue shading with darker tones used on the lower chest, lower arms and lower legs, with further burgundy trim also employed in sections. Silver is used sparingly on the gloves and upper shin guards, while the new belt piece is cast in burgundy with a gunmetal silver buckle and thigh holster that ties around the right thigh guard. While the overall look is quite clean, there are some smaller scratches and dings visible on the armour around the chest, shoulders and forearm guards.
The helmet is that of Ax Woves, cast in blue with black painted visor, gunmetal trim and a painted white band around the top of the head - inclusive of chipped edges to depict it being handpainted. The helmet is hollow and you can see an unpainted blue head underneath but the helmet is glued onto the head and is not removable. The range finder is painted grey with a black top and can be rotated down over the visor as an added feature.
The jetpack is the same as was included with the Fleet Captain and does vary from that used by Woves and the other Mandalorians. While the Fleet Captain’s pack was beautifully painted in blues and silver, our Privateer has a grey cast piece with some slightly darker grey panels and silver tips to the rocket and the twin thrusters. These thrusters are articulated and can be rotated. The whole thing connects to the back of the figure by three pegs, and while the fit is still not perfect it is more secure than other figures that use a similar connection.
Our Privateer has a single accessory, a grey cast WESTAR-35 Mandalorian Blaster with a painted silver trim to the main grip. The weapon is the same as included with most other Mando’s and it fits into the Privateer’s right hand or in the open holster on the right thigh. As yet the Mandalorian male figures are not getting an updated left hand that can also accommodate blasters.
Articulation is entirely pinless and there are 19 points across the figure plus the rudimentary pivots on the helmet range finder and jet pack thrusters. The Privateer has a full range of motion with a good level of movement in the legs and arms up to and including poses firing his blaster at full stretch outward and kneeling positions. The joints all feel secure, and the Privateer offers plenty of expressive posing opportunities.
Our Privateers is more than a simple repaint as we saw with the Nite Owl and is a well-constructed hybrid of other Mandalorian parts and armoured pieces to create a well-proportioned army-builder for your Mandalorian force. The blue of the armour fits well alongside Bo-Katan and Ax Woves, while remaining individual in a group display. As an exclusive, he is priced the same as a standard figure and here in the UK in particular was easy enough to source through our Fan Channel retailers.
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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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