Wedge Antilles, a Rebel stalwart from all three original trilogy movies (and a blink and you'll miss it appeaance in The Rise of Skywalker) arrives in the 6 inch Black Series action figure line in Wave 23 of the red/black Phase 3 packaging. The wave landed at the very end of 2019 and included other figures such as Cara Dune, Jannah and First Order Jet Trooper.
Packaging 4/5
Wedge is number 102 in the line, packed in the usual phase 3 packaging with the bright red side spine and figure backing card. The Titus artwork at the front does capture a stoic looking Wedge in his X-Wing helmet and as usual this is repeated on the rear of the box along with the usual background text.
"A talented young rebel pilot from Corellia, Wedge Antilles survived the attack on the first Death Star to become a respected veteran of Rogue Squadron."
Paint & Sculpt 2/5
The likeness to Actor Denis Lawson, who has portrayed Wedge through all of his movie appearances, is not immediately apparent. This is not a brilliant representation of the character and well off par from recent head sculpts. It also feels short changed by the face print technology and there is virtually no colour on the face other than the eyes. Had the figure got the usual subtle lip colour and the shading around the nose then we may have been looking at a much better figure.
In fact when you look at the head sculpt i feels more of an amalgamation between the Denis Lawson Wedge (who we see flying the X-Wing in A New Hope and then onwards in the other movies) and the "Fake" Wedge from the briefing room scene played (we think) by Colin Higgins. All very confusing.
The hair too is a bit "meh". It has to be flat to allow the helmet to be added, but it is left as a single colour where as a bit of a wash or dry brush would have added the depth it needed. It is also not even a good match to the hairstyle we see Wedge sport either "Fake" Wedge in ANH or from Return of the Jedi - where the hair is shaped around his ears and parted differently.
After the head we are of course into reuse territory with the entire flight suit and associated parts the same figure as was released 7 years ago as X-Wing Pilot Luke. It even has the hook for the light saber. Now I don't have a huge issue with this as the X-Wing flight suits were similar and Wedge and Luke are similar in build - and of course the original figure was pretty good anyway with the flight vest, chest unit and the hoses. But I do feel a little shortchanged considering the money saved on the body wasn't put into that head sculpt?
Accessories 4/5
There is a saving grace to the figure and that is the X-Wing helmet. Again this is a reuse from 2013 X-Wing Luke, but it has been fully repainted to match Wedge's helmet from A New Hope. We have a black panel either side of the central ridge and then various markings down the central panel and the sides.
It has a flexible chin strap and translucent yellow visor and the it over the head is excellent. With the helmet on this does become the Wedge we remember.
Wedge also comes with the DH-17 blaster, the same sculpt as has been used with the Imperial Death Star Trooper and Lando Calrissian from Cloud City. It is cast in black with plenty of detail in the sculpt and a painted silver barrel.
It fits into Wedge's right hand where a flexible trigger finger slides snugly into place. There is no holster - but neither is their one on the X-Wing flight suit on screen.
Articulation 4/5
Despite using an older body from the launch of the wave, Wedge still carries the same 16 points of articulation we are used to on the more modern Black Series figures
Head : ball joint pivot neck
Body : torso ball joint
Arms : ball joint shoulder, single rotating elbow, wrist pivot
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivel, double jointed knees, ankle rockers
Posing is pretty good, with a nice level of arm movement. You may think that the Legs would be restricted by the flight straps, but they do move with the legs as needed and don't hinder the movement in anyway.
The ankle joints feel a bit looser than I would like, but Wedge stands fine. He can also cup his helmet under one arm or carry it casually from his hand, both of which are standard poses for pilot figures.
Summary
Wedge Antilles represents the depth of the Black Series and how deep into background and ancillary characters Hasbro are willing to go at the current time. Yes, it may be a re-use of the figure but the Denis Lawson sculpt is new - just not that good or that well painted (printed).
Wedge works best with his helmet on, and with the upcoming Snowspeeder there will be options to pose him with a ship (even though it's not his X-Wing).
I score the 2019 Wedge Antilles #102 Black Series Action Figure a 3 out of 5.
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 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, a new hope. wedge antilles, x-wing pilot, hasbro
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