Editor’s Note:  This review has been updated with our second look at TVC…

Original Review:  Chris - 11/20/10 10:01 PM

Another great figure from wave 3 (or 4.5) from the Vintage Collection. I don’t think I have to go into too much detail and can let the pics speak for themselves.  One point deduction because it’s a little difficult to strike an aiming pose with the BlasTech A280. 9/10.

Updated Review: Bret - 5/15/18 07:05 AM

Here’s another home run in the early waves of the Vintage Collection.  The figure was first released in 2010 with a white, goatee version.  About a year later a running change was made with a black, mustachioed face.  This adds some awesome variation to your Endor army, along with many other versions of this character from Hasbro over the years.  VC26 stands as today’s most desirable version.  It is by far the best, with the most accessories and articulation.  As Chris originally pointed out, while the figure is more than capable of doing a THWG, it’s not quite perfect.  Modern ball jointed wrists would go a long way toward remedying this.  Additionally, ball jointed hips and swivel thighs would increase posability.  As for accessories, the backpack is a bit of a disappointment, as it’s a repaint from a previously made Hoth Rebel Trooper, which is a lazy shortcut*.  The only other complaint I have is the choice to make the head with a goatee.  Just like the mustache on the VC 11 Cloud Car Pilot, it’s a little weird when every troop has the same facial hair.  Fortunately, Hasbro mitigated this with the running change to give us a different skin color, but even he has a mustache.  Clean shaven troopers are a far better troop-building option.  Oh, and randomly, the running change leans to his left, which is odd.  Other than those nitpicks, this is an outstanding figure, and you should get several for your displays.  I would give it an 8 by today’s standards, but a 9 or 10 would be achieved with improved articulation and a new headsculpt.

*Note:  Thanks to readers Redfive_cp and Darren (Disqus section below), it’s been correctly pointed out that the square-ish Hoth repainted backpack included with these figures is actually accurate.  Some troopers had this style pack in ROTJ, while others had a less rigid “ALICE-style” back-pack.

Verdict:  No Action 

The figure goes for a modest premium on ebay, although the black version is a bit less common and slightly more expensive.  I wouldn’t ask for Hasbro to make a new version any time soon.  But, down the road, if they were to consider it, the figure should have enhanced articulation and a new clean-shaven head sculpt.  As a bonus, or some kind of exclusive, a special head sculpt should be made available.  In this case, facial hair would be acceptable.

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.