The first of the Bad Batch figures for Season 2 were released in late July 2023. The wave was a US Walmart Exclusive, while it was sold via the Fan Channel retailers here in the UK. Wrecker was originally released as a Deluxe figure with the increased box size and RRP, in this set of releases Wrecker has retained the Deluxe box but is priced the same as the other standard figures in the wave. The packaging is plastic-free, and therefore window-less with images of the figure around the box to depict the contents. The black box uses the deep red accent colour assigned to the Bad Batch and Wrecker is number 14 in the Bad Batch Galaxy Collection, his artworking sitting between the Republic Commando and Hunter from the same wave.
As seen in Season 2, The Bad Batch had painted and adjusted their Clone Wars Commando armour to what is being badged as their ‘Mercenary Gear’. This means that Wrecker is more or less the same figure as was released in 2021, although he has had an updated lower torso, a new belt with a holster, and updated shoulder pauldrons. Wrecker’s proportions to the rest of the team see him stand taller and wider than his compatriots and the new colour pallet for the armour enhances the figure's look extensively, matching the Season 2 designs.
The bulk of the figure is cast in grey plastic with black panels added then orange and yellow designs added to trim each part. Under the armour Wrecker is wearing a tan-coloured suit which is visible in the new waist section and in the exposed parts of the arms and legs. The ‘Bad Batch’ symbols have been lost on the Season 2 figure with no markings on the left pauldron, and a smile inverted orange triangle on the right. The backpack remains the same as the Season 1 release and plugs into a shaped socket on Wrecker’s back. This is cast in grey with a couple of orange sections - it does not open or have any practical use.
Wrecker’s helmet does appear wider in the new release, butt hat is driven more by the paintwork which now extends the white skull design to more of the forehead, with this white pattern painted over the top of the black base colour in such a way to give the effect of it being hand painted as per the show. The helmet is removable and underneath the figure uses the same head as Season 1 with a smirk sculpted across Wrecker’s face. The head sculpt uses face print tech to add the two eyes, the left of which is milky white, and the scarring around the head as well as picking out the sculpted veins in the forehead. Overall the decor is a minor improvement over the first release, coming in with a less bronze skin tone and a touch more facial definition.
Wrecker comes with the same weapons as the first release. His knife sits snugly in the right shin holster when not in use, and it can be held in either hand - although the left is a better grip. The knife is coloured with a blue metallic blade and brown handle. The blaster on the other hand, the DC-17m, has zero paint apps and is presented only in the base black plastic. While accurate to the show it feels small in Wrecker’s hands, but it does sit snugly with the right acting as the trigger hand, and the left able to cup the barrel if you wish. This time round a holster for the blaster is included, as part of the new belt. It uses the flexible strap we’ve seen on other figures - but this one is a bit more robust and holds the relatively hefty weapon in a slung position.
Articulation is 19 points overall, all pinless, inclusive of butterfly shoulders beneath the torso armour and the dual joint neck. These all work well and Wrecker is a pleasure to pose, with plenty of range that includes kneeling positions as well as having the blaster up in a sniper position.
The new Season 2 Wrecker in Mercenary Gear is not so much of a big improvement on the first release but offers the new aesthetic seen in Season 2 for your collection with brighter armour and bolder colours. While the figure sees a good amount of re-used parts, Hasbro have updated the parts they needed to, with the new waist and lower torso and belt with a holster included when perhaps there was an option to leave these as they were and simply repaint the initial release. Wrecker's price point this time round is favourable although pricing a Deluxe release in this wave the same as a standard figure does show how dynamic and fluid the Hasbro pricing point is on the Black Series - almost getting to a stage of pricing by figure and if it is exclusive or not rather than a rigid price structure. For fans of the show, and particularly the Season 2 ‘Mercenary’ looks for the crew, Wrecker is a strong release and benefits from an immediate ability to assemble the four main characters in one wave - with Omega incoming next year to finish off the Season 2 team.
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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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