Clone Force 99, also known as The Bad Batch, were originally scheduled to debut in Season 7 of The Clone Wars during the show’s original run, but the series was cancelled.  The story arc featuring TBB was first released as unfinished story reels, before finally being finished to be part of the revived Season 7.  TBB was then greenlit for their own show on Disney+, which just announced a third season.  Whether you are a fan of the characters and/or their show, or are ambivalent or even dismissive, it’s hard to think that they wouldn’t make great action figures.  And again, regardless of your feelings, being such a significant part of Star Wars landscape on D+, it’s almost amazing that we haven’t had them in our collection for a while at this point.  About a year ago, Hunter was finally announced in TVC mainline, and now we are finally able to add at least one member of the titular squad to the ol’ shelf.

I can almost guarantee there will be at least one commenter below who will rail on about how The Bad Batch represents how Disney has destroyed civilization.  Personally, I like the show.  It’s pretty straightforward for the most part, and I’m not against some mindless fun.  Several of the episodes are definite snoozers, but there is at least some character development that is noteworthy, and I do enjoy how the show ties in some key threads to the Filoniverse, while maintaining an as-yet-to-be-revealed overarching storyline that may give more backstory to Palpatine’s cloning efforts, of which The Mandalorian seemingly punted.  I’m glad it was renewed for a third season, because I want to know more about the secret cloning project.  And there have also been some legitimate moments during the show’s run so far that got me right in the feels. 

As for this figure, well, it’s outstanding.  It looks great.  It’s always fun getting an all-new sculpt, even if it isn’t ANH Luke, Han, or Leia.  The sculpting is top notch, the articulation is superior, and the paint applications are excellent.  All of this, of course, is expected (if not outright demanded) of Hasbro for TVC.  Unlike some other figures that have been recently released, Hasbro really didn’t cut any corners here.  Some might have preferred swappable heads, but the removable helmet is excellently proportioned.  The headsculpt seems to be a pretty good attempt at a realistic version of the animated source material.  The shoulder armor is of a pliable plastic, not unlike a typical Kama or lower tunic on some other figures.  This allows full range of motion of the shoulder joints.  My only concern is that the shoulder armor could possibly deform over time if your pose your figure in such a way that stretches those soft plastic pieces.  The elbows and knees flex more than 90 degrees, which, when combined with the new-style hips and rocker ankles, allow all kinds of realistic poses.  The paint is applied well on the armor, with some scratch marks included.  There are also a couple of insignia tampos on the shoulder, including the stylized skull and “99” used by the team, as well as a skull on Hunter’s bandana.

While the sculpt, articulation, and paint are outstanding, the extra awesomeness for this figure is due to the accessories.  You get the aforementioned removable helmet, along with a removable backpack.  Hunter also has a sheath on his left vambrace that holds his signature dagger.  Hunter can grip the dagger well, and use it to slice and dice all manner of enemy scum.  Hasbro gave Hunter not one, but two blasters.  He’s got the standard DC-17 hand blaster, commonly used by ARC Troopers, and also a DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System, most often seen being wielded by Clone Commandos.  The figure interacts well with all the accessories, and can perform an outstanding THWG (two handed weapon grip).  My only complaint with the accessories is that he has no place to stow either blaster.  I did find that you could stick the DC-17M into a place on the bottom of the backpack, but I don’t believe it is actually designed to do this, as it is with the backpack on the battle droids.  I would have preferred Hunter have some kind of holster to at least put the DC-17.

Aside from the nits about the blasters and the overly pliable shoulder armor, the only other issue I have with the figure is that it feels…soft.  The plastic is a little too bendy.  I would prefer it if Hasbro used a harder plastic.  Sometimes I found posing the figure a little tricky because once achieved, the figure would quickly “return” to it’s original form, and might tip over.  But with some patience, the figure is amazingly dynamic.  These drawbacks, although minor, prevent me from giving Hunter a perfect 10, so I settle on a 9.  I just hope Hasbro plans on release the rest of the squad so I can “complete the crew” sometime before I die.