Chris And Bret React Belatedly To The Mando & Grogu Reveals

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We typically like to provide our reactions before the preorders go live, but the late reveal last Thursday didn't allow us (read me) enough time to write a reaction article before the 1PM Friday preorder. So you get belated reactions. The good news is that we can provide preorder links for any of you straddlers (and it's much appreciated if you use our links as it's what keeps the lights on here, and allows us to say relatively ad free). As a reminder, we already reacted to VC386 - Marrok (preorder on Entertainment Earth) and VC390 - Eleventh Brother (preorder on Entertainment Earth) last week. Those reactions can be seen HERE.

Today we're going to look at last Thursday's reveals, and, as per tradition, we will go in VC number order. Now's the time on Sprockets when we react. - Chris

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Chris:

When I first saw this, I exploded with glee which steadily diminished until settling into mild disappointment. I don't know how to best describe it, but the figure just looks cheap. It's definitely missing paint applications on the helmet, and that helmet appears too small. This Imperial Remnant AT-AT Driver also doesn't double as an OT AT-AT Driver, which is one of my high ranking wants. The fact that it can't be used for the OT is absolutely no fault of this figure. But it does make me assume that I'm being set up for an ever more disappointing O96 AT-AT Driver down the line. A lot of times, the TVC release of a figure looks just as good or better than it's TBS counterpart. In this case, the TBS Remnant AT-AT Driver thoroughly outclasses the TVC figure in every department with the exception of being able to fit in my AT-AT. I got three. Two to open and one to keep carded. If I felt the quality was there, I would have bought a case.

Bret:

the TBS Remnant AT-AT Driver thoroughly outclasses the TVC figure in every department with the exception of being able to fit in my AT-AT

That pretty much sums up the reason why TBS is the wrong scale. I mean, you can't even fit the TBS AT-AT Driver inside a large suitcase, let alone the 1:12 AT-AT that could never exist. The figure is so enormous, you'd need a crate just to transport the helmet out of the clearance section of Walmart. Who needs that kind of agita? It's practically a doll. And who collects dolls? Filthy Sixers, that's who! Anyway, I kid the Filthy Sixers. It's certainly not their fault that Hasbro decided 12 years ago to kneecap their Star Wars collector base by introducing a new scale that zero people asked for.

Anyway, yeah. It’s the little differences. I mean, the Imperial Remnant's got the same *stuff* over there that the Imperials got in the OT, but it’s just there, it’s a little different. Like this figure. Somethings's off about it. I would have assumed the design is screen accurate, but the proportions of the figure sculpt just look off. It's like the Imperial Gunner helmet of yesteryear, or Luke's white boots. I just doesn't sit right with me. This is the Royale with Cheese, and I really would have just preferred a quarter pounder. Nevertheless, I got 3.

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Chris:

The deluxe IG-12 is the one of the figures that broke me recently. It looked like a cast-in-color prototype, which wasn't befitting of the premium price point. This Nevaro Marshall IG-11 doesn't have that same "plastic fantastic" feel even thought it's probably missing the same paint application on the inner thigh well. Plus the red and white marshal markings really pop. Kudos to Hasbro for also adding a white paint app to his sidearms grip. That does add a premium feel. I got one to open.

Bret:

I think Chris missed the boat on the deluxe IG-12. The missing paint app is trumped by the fun-ness of the figure with Grogu and the Anzellan. It's one of my favorites. I can't help it if Chris has no soul.

The colors of this one are nice enough, and it seems it's a quick way to get a Mando/Grogu figure to market. That's obviously the thread that connects all of these Mando & Grogu releases. They are relatively quick repaints or slight retools of existing figures. But I'll take it, because it is signaling a return from the depths of the dark shroud of Disney secrecy under which the community has suffered (and shed members) for over a decade. It's refreshing to see an entire wave of figures being announced before the film comes out. I don't think a single collector feels that any of these reveals is ruining the film. For me, the early release of toys always sparked fascination and joy for the upcoming media. I'm very happy this wave exists, even if all of the offerings are really just retreads of things we already have. I got 2.

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Chris:

Soooooo...I'm not so sure that the lack of a cowl is what defines a "remnant" Snowtrooper. If I recall the leaked trailer from Celebration Japan (which I can no longer find), the Snowtroopers are hanging out in the troop bay of the AT-AT when the general quarters alarm goes off. One by one, they attach their cowls and go into battle. So I feel like this is the equivalent of a Snowtrooper in his underwear. It's disappointing they didn't include an attachable cowl like the TAC 30-42 Concept Snowtrooper. Regardless, it looks neat, so I went with Remnant AT-AT Driver pattern: two to open, and one carded.

UPDATE: The Mandalorian & Grogu full trailer dropped (see below), and there are definitely remnant Snowtroopers fighting sans cowl.

Bret:

Again, it's nothing earth shattering, but it's a cool "alternate" snowtrooper from the Remnant. As Chris stated, it's hard to know if this is THE look of the troopers from this film, but it's still kinda neat. It's also good to know that Hasbro is able to make smart re-use of the awesome ESB Snowtrooper figure. I agree with Chris's point about the TAC 30-42 figure. It's always a little annoying when a much older figure accomplishes something that a TVC figure does not. Nevertheless, I like it. I got 4.

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Chris:

Upon learning of yet another Mando and another Grogu, but this time at the deluxe price point, I was planning to pass with extreme prejudice. I am so fatigued by these two characters already that I couldn't envision paying $27 for yet another release of them. But when I saw how realistically the figure can shoulder his long rifle, I was sucked in like a tractor beam. Then I noticed how detailed the paint applications are, and the pot was sweetened. Finally, I love the way Grogu attaches to the jet pack, even though it limits versatility, because it's completely evocative of Yoda and Luke on Dagobah. I got one to open, and this is probably my favorite drop from last Thursday. When I get it in hand, I might feel the need to archive a carded sample too. If all the figures were free of compromises like this Mando and Grogu appear to be, I would personally pay $27. It's better than paying $20 for that AT-AT Driver.

Bret:

I don't know that I'm too excited about this one. I know I rail on and on about resculpts/redos/repaints/repacks of figures we already have, but I get it about the Mains, and Mando is definitely a Main who is deserving of a new figure whenever it makes sense. This one definitely looks like it earns the "Deluxe" label, so I don't have a problem with the price. I'm not sure if I like the way Hasbro is doing the Grogu/jetpack thing. With the giant peg sticking out of the side of the jetpack, and the giant hole in Grogu's chest, it seems to negate either piece being useful on their own. Kind of like the life lesson we all learned from that Soviet cartoon Shoe and Shoelace; one is meaningless without the other. It might as well just be one piece. I got 2.

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Chris:

When Tech Radar erroneously reported that the AT-RT would cost $80, I thought the price was extortionate. With collectible toys, I'm usually a "it costs what it costs" guy, but that price point for a flap-box vehicle even pushed me too far. Even though I could see that there was some definite extra engineering in the legs, I was planning to do something that usually disgusts me: I was going to be a clearance vulture on this. I didn't get the true press release until after midnight on Friday morning (long after I was in dream land), so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the $68 price on Friday. It's still high, but not revoltingly so. I grabbed one at full price. That Remnant AT-RT driver looks really cool too. TBS fans didn't get an AT-RT. Just the driver. When people ask "why TVC," this is why. Hopefully an Episode III version isn't far behind.

Bret:

TBS fans didn't get an AT-RT. Just the driver. When people ask "why TVC," this is why.

I ALREADY STATED WHY IN MY EARLIER COMMENTS, CHRIS! Don't you read? Jeez. Anyway, yeah, take that (again) Sixers!

You probably know I'm a completest, and I just buy at least one of everything whether I like it or not. I wasn't really interested in this one, because I have like 4 or 5 AT-RT's already, and they're...fine. But the leg articulation is super cool, and they had me with the "flight" stand. That's SUPER (in caps) cool. I like the driver figure as well. For whatever reason, the Remnant didn't just go for a messed up, dirty, or incomplete outfit based on the previous uniform. Although, just as I typed that, I realized the only AT-RT drivers I am aware of are the clones from ROTS, so I don't know what Imperial drivers looked like. According to Wookieepedia, they were Imperial Scouts. So I guess my observation still holds. Instead of a Biker Scout with an orange thigh and a missing visor, they went with a new design.

I dig these, even if they aren't the Grand Army of the Republic versions we know. I got 2.

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Chris:

And now we come to my only pass of this particular drop so far. Yes, LFL has allowed Hasbro to get us some figures in advance of the media, but at the same time it's nothing new. It's basically a deluxe version two characters we know all too well, one character with some sharp racing stripes, and then a case of "remnant-ing" all the things. By the time I got to these Stormtroopers, I was sick of the shtick. Plus they still have the old ball-jointed hips. But I have to admit they look cool. The pauldron Stormtrooper in particular is drawing me in. At the time of the writing, this is a pass, but I have a feeling it will be a buy by the time of publication. Fortunately/unfortunately, none of this stuff appears to be in imminent threat of selling out (only the Remnant Snowtrooper and 11th Brother have inventories under 500 on Pulse at this time), so I do have a little time to deliberate.

Bret:

Yeah. More "Remnant-ing." Didn't these guys have Armor All? Some white spray paint? Were times so tough that they couldn't afford some Windex? C'mon, man. I'm not sure what collector tolerance remains for the stormtroopers with the old hips. Someone should probably tell Hasbro to fix the hips already before this becomes a case of the VC45 Clone Trooper outliving its welcome by about a decade. Still, good enough for me for what they are. 5 stars. I got 2 packs.

Overall, there really isn't anything truly new here, but the repaints/retools make a lot of sense, and the AT-RT seems pretty neat. It's really nice to get these characters in advance of the media they appear in. 3 basic figures, 1 deluxe figure, a 4 pack of troops, and a vehicle w/pilot. It ain't quite Midnight Madness, but it's a nice nod to a more civilized age.

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Yeah, so that's that we bought this time around. Too bad we don't have a comment section so you can tell us what you bought (or didn't buy). OH WAIT, we totally have a comment section! You know what to do.

UPDATE: The Mandalorian & Grogu full trailer:

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