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

Original Review:  Chris - 06/23/2011 03:01 AM

This is basically the Phase I clone from Wave 6 with some retooling to the arms and legs.  You know that figure was win and this one comes with more accessories.  This is a two for one figure.  You can recreate both the Phase I and Phase II Captain Fordo appearances in the Tartakovsky micro-series.  Oh, but this isn’t Captain Fordo (wink).  It’s the ARC Trooper Commander.  With ball joints at every (14) point of articulation and a soft goods kama that lets the atricutlation be free, it pratically as good as it gets.  My only gripe is the armor mold limiting the articulation of the shoulders and hips.  9 out of 10. 

Updated Review:  Bret - 07/23/2018 07:05 AM

Everyone immediately loved Captain Fordo because of his first appearance in the Clone Wars microseries, where he led his troops (in Phase 1 armor) using real-world military tactics, with hand signals, stealth, and, uh, kick…butt…ery.  He led the Muunilist 10 on a crucial mission to help win the day.

Later in the conflict, he upped the ante with his appearance (in Phase 2 armor) on Coruscant, where he singlehandedly wiped out wave after wave of Super Battle Droids.

Tartakovsky’s series was brilliant in so many ways, and to this day, many fans say it’s the best prequel-era Star Wars there ever was.  And yet, it was sadly relegated to Legends status after Disney took over.  While I am generally a supporter of Dave Filoni’s work, one of the things I don’t like is how his 2008 The Clone Wars series ran roughshod over many elements in the Tartakovsky Clone Wars microseries, even though at the time both were considered part of the canon timeline.  If you haven’t seen the microseries, you’re missing out.  You can watch the entire thing on YouTube, HERE.  Careful, though.  You’ll get hooked.

As to the figure, I’m surprised that Chris only gave it a 9 back in the day.  Personally, I think this figure is in the conversation for top 10 figures ever made.  Sure, it’s a character that’s technically no longer canon.  Sure, it’s a clone, which most fans are completely sick of at this point.  And sure, it simply has nothing to do with the OT, our favorite source for figures.  The only real drawback to this figure, in my opinion, is that it uses the somewhat controversial VC45 Clone Trooper mold, which toes the line between animated and realistic styling, possibly irritating more people than it pleases.  But beyond that, the deco, accessories, and versatility are absolutely top notch.

The figure is painted as such that it is really meant to be the Phase 2 armor and coloring, but two sets of accessories mean that for all intents and purposes, you can not only faithfully recreate the character in Phase 2 armor, but also come pretty close to matching the Phase 1 configuration as well.  You basically get two figures for one here.  All the accessories interact flawlessly with the figure, with one single exception.  That exception is that the sculpt of the left hand isn’t perfectly formed to grip the pistol well.  However, the right hand does this job well, including the floating trigger finger.  The blasters are clipped into the holsters, which are part of 2 different belt/pauldron combinations.  The ARC kama is soft goods, with a perfectly printed border detail.  The skirt attaches to the figure with an elastic band, which keeps it tightly fitted, and well-hidden by the belt.  It falls nicely, and in no way hinders the leg movement.

The best part is the helmets, which give Fordo his Phase I version, and his rather unique Phase 2 version.  Both are painted excellently.  And to top it off, the head sculpt is outstanding, with a unique haircut and facial hair that make this character special. 

Even though the card is identified only as a generic ARC Trooper Commander, we all can sleep soundly at night knowing that this is none other than Captain Fordo himself.  Sleep tight!

Verdict: No Action 

This is a nearly perfect figure, with tons of outstanding articulation, accessories, and display possibilities, along with great deco.  The biggest disappointment is that it isn’t named Captain Fordo, probably because Lucasfilm had sort of moved on from the microseries in favor of the grander Filoni series.  The figure is priced moderate to moderately high on eBay, but unless Fordo makes a named appearance in the upcoming The Clone Wars continuation, it’s probably fine if it was left alone.  I certainly wouldn’t cry if it was repacked, though.

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.