Here’s the first properly executed running change in the entire TLC line, and it took until the final wave of the red cards to get it right.  We’ve previously reviewed the Utai, for which the promised running change never materialized.  We had an Ugnaught in the Blue TLC line, which had the variant released later on as a newly numbered red carded figure.  And we had the Hoth Rebel Trooper from Blue TLC, which had the variant appear in a couple of battle packs, and then finally on it’s own card in TVC in 2018.  But in the case of the Cloud City Wing Guard, it was first released as the human SGT Edian, and then released in the same line with the same number as the Imzig Utris M’Toc figure.  In both cases, the individuals were not named on the package, but the important thing is that both were released as BD50 in the Red TLC line, making them a properly executed running change.

The figure sculpt is outstanding.  The uniform is correct to the film.  The details are very well done, with nice textures/folds/creases throughout.  The boots are crisp, the joints are well-hidden, and the can be posed in a number of positions.  Even without more modern articulation, the figure has enough posability to add realism and variety to your Bespin displays.  The paint is applied nicely, particularly the gold trim around the tunic.  The headsculpt on Utris M’Toc is tremendous, and looks fantastic.  It’s super accurate to the mask/makeup seen in behind-the-scenes shots.  I’m not a huge fan of the headsculpt used for SGT Edian.  Frankly, it looks nothing like his face from the film.  I tried comparing the face to other generic troopers, like the Imperial Officers, because I thought it was a reused part.  It appears to be new and unique, and therefore Hasbro can’t even have the excuse of it being a cost-saving measure.  It’s just a bad-looking SGT Edian face. 

As for accessories, we get some good things, and the one thing that almost ruins the figure.  For the good, we get two weapons:  a baton and a blaster.  Each weapon has its own holster on each hip.  The weapons can be held firmly by the figure(s) in either hand, and fit snugly in the holsters.  As an additional feature, the holsters are separately sculpted and removable.  They are attached with a peg that inserts into a peg hole on either hip.  This allows for nice variety, should you want to display any of your Wing Guards with different loadouts.  As for the bad, we get something really bad.  The hat simply doesn’t fit onto the head.  In fact, neither hat fits onto either of the two heads.  Supposedly there was an updated hat sculpt in later releases of the run, but I can’t confirm this myself.  Both of my samples have the hat fall right off if you look at it too long.  This was SUPER frustrating while trying to pose the figures for this gallery.  And when you do get the hat to balance precariously on top of the head, it looks exactly like it is balanced precariously on top of the head.  Poor job here.

SGT Edian can be seen in the film as he is escorting Boba Fett and the Carbonite block of Han through the city and towards the landing pad.  M’Toc was never actually in the film.  All references to him were off screen, and are currently relegated to Legends status.  We are still looking for an update to the mustachioed guard from the original Kenner run, as well as any number of other alternate heads.  None of the guards had any speaking roles, although one of them got to apply a baton beatdown to poor Han.  None of the diorama shots in our gallery are accurate to the film as far as the proper identities of the guards are concerned, but until Hasbro churns out more variants, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

In the comparison shot, I did something I rarely do, which is to bust out the obsolete figures.  I did that because it was important to show that the Kenner Vintage figure is still waiting for an update.  Also, that horrific pack-in figure from the Carbon Freezing set is so bad, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show it off.  And finally, the POTJ carded figure is actually a decent looking figure even with the dated articulation, but is defeated by the fact that he’s in a weird action pose and because his coat is open for some inexplicable reason.  That figure has a removable hat, while it provided tighter coverage than 2009 Darrelle Revis.

These figures are definitive for the Cloud City guards, even though there could be some updated articulation.  If Hasbro re-issued a couple of versions of this figure with an alternate heads (one with a mustache), along with a proper Bespin Escape Leia using the VC02 figure as a basis, and an updated Lando Calrissian with proper modern articulation and FACE!, \you’d have the makings of a pretty nice Bespin themed multi-pack.  How about Guard 3 (mustache), Leia, and Han, and then Guard 4, Lando, and a new Lobot for a couple of TVC Special packs.  Or maybe a Finn, Old Leia, and Zuvio instead.  Anyway, give this figure a solid 7/10.  Actually, I’d give a 7+ to Utris M’Toc, but only a 7 to SGT Edian because of the weak head sculpt.  Fix the hat, and this is an easy 8. 

Build-A-Droid 

SGT Edian (first issue) contains the left arm of HK-50.  This was a model of assassin droid from the Old Republic era, built by Revan.  Source:  Knights of the Old Republic II - (Legends).

OR

Utris M’Toc (running change) contains the right leg of BG-J38.  This worker drone droid served as Jabba the Hutt’s personal dejarik and hologames droid.  Source:  Return of the Jedi

Verdict: Re-Issue with alternate mustachioed headsculpt 

We’ve been waiting for the guy that was first released by Kenner.  This figure is good enough to be called the definitive Cloud City Wing Guard, so just add a new head (with a properly fitted cap), and we’re good to go.

Verdict Guide:
Re-sculpt = The figure is not definitive, and a new version should be developed.
Re-issue = This version is definitive (or close enough), and shows sufficient secondary market demand to warrant a straight repack.
No Action = This release does not require new attention.