And the Winner Is…..SWNN Giveaway & Review – Entertainment Earth’s Exclusive Star Wars: The Black Series Imperial Forces 6-Inch Action Figures.

Entertainment Earth

Just a day after our TFA Blu-ray release contest, we have another surprise for our readers. An associate of mine (who we’ll call “Poseidon”) is guest-writing an article today, bringing you guys a review of an exclusive set of Star Wars: The Black Series toys from Entertainment Earth called “Imperial Forces”. In addition, we’re giving one of you a shot at getting a brand new set as a gift.

 

First here’s a brief review of the set. For the giveaway contest scroll down to the bottom of the article.

 

Loaded with accessories and articulation, this four-figure set of Imperial goodness is Entertainment Earth’s first exclusive in Star Wars: The Black Series 6-inch line. These three Empire-loving figures and a droid are ready to be played with or proudly displayed, so let’s dive right in.

 

Sand Trooper On Station

Sandtrooper Sergeant

Well done, Hasbro! The Sandtrooper Sergeant, a Black Series debut, has accessories galore, an excellent paint job, and a whole bunch of articulation. Sandtrooper Sarge has articulation at the neck, shoulders, biceps, elbows, wrists, upper torso, legs, knees, and ankles; many of these are swivel joints. He also wears a white shoulder pauldron, designating his rank, and his accessories include a large backpack, a rifle, a blaster, and a grenade launcher. The survival pack can either be worn on the Sergeant’s back or not; the figure looks good either way.

 

Sand Trooper Back

The 6-inch Sandtrooper Sergeant mirrors his movie counterpart very well, and all that extra articulation gives him a wide range of poses. But where Hasbro really did a fine job on this figure is with the paint. Like most Sandtroopers and Stormtroopers, the Sergeant is mostly a mixture of white and black paint. It’s the overall sand-colored wash that adds a lot of detail and texture to this figure. There’s sand gathered in the crevice of his chest plate, sand around his knee, sand on back of helmet. Someone paid a lot of attention to this figure’s paint job; even the weapons are painted a range of black, silver, grey and olive. Most impressive!

 

Sand Trooper Arsenal

The packaging describes Sandtrooper Sergeant as follows: “Imperial Sandtroopers carry out the will of the Emperor in the harsh, arid environments of the galaxy’s desert worlds.” Little known fact about the Sandtroopers…. They never complain about the sand. They don’t gripe about it being coarse and rough and irritating and getting everywhere. They just get out there in the sand and do their damn jobs. No wonder the Emperor likes them.

 

Crimson Trooper On Station

Crimson Stormtrooper

The Crimson Stormtrooper is making his debut as a toy for the first time ever. That’s right, this bright red Stormtrooper has never been immortalized in plastic in any size, not just 6 inches. So, welcome to the world of action figures, Crimson Stormie! Like the Sergeant Sandtrooper, Crimson Stormtrooper features a great deal of articulation. He has articulation at the neck, shoulders, biceps, elbows, wrists, upper torso, legs, knees, and ankles; many of these are swivel joints. Crimson Stormtrooper can also share the Sergeant’s backpack, if you want to shake things up and teach your toys how to share. One difference between the two Troopers is that our Red Friend has a working holster for his blaster. Crimson Stormtrooper also arrives with a nicely-textured black and silver rifle.

Another big difference between the two super Troopers is the Crimson Stormtrooper’s paint job. It is a brilliant, shiny crimson red with not a speck of the weathered wash that made the Sandtrooper Sergeant such a standout. So, Crimson Stormtrooper may not have seen much action yet, but hey, he’s a red Stormtrooper you don’t have yet, and overall he’s pretty cool looking. He looks like he’d be right at home in Crimson Empire.

 

Crimson Trooper Crouching

The packaging describes Crimson Stormtrooper as follows: “Specially trained for operations in the extreme temperatures of volcanic areas, these crimson-clad Stormtroopers stay cool in the heat of battle.” Let’s just hope if Crimson Stormtrooper picks any fights to the death with a former lifelong friend next to a volcano, he sticks to that higher ground. Just saying.

 

TIE Pilot On Station

Lieutenant Oxixo

Lieutenant Oxixo may be an ill-fated TIE Fighter Pilot from the Star Wars Expanded Universe (or Star Wars Legends), but looking at this 6-inch action figure reveals once again what a bad-ass character design this is. Painted almost exclusively with a mix of glossy and dull black paint, this figure also features a few silver and black details along with a few spots of blue and red on his chest plate instruments. Even today, almost 40 years after we first saw A New Hope on the big screen, the TIE Fighter Pilot is an awesome mix of menace and mystery. And Hasbro does a superb job capturing that with the 6-inch Lt. Oxixo.

As far as articulation, Lieutenant Oxixo can move at the neck, shoulders, biceps, elbows, wrists, upper torso, legs, knees, and ankles; many of these are swivel joints. Like Crimson Stormtrooper, Lieutenant Oxixo has a blaster and a working holster. The tubes from his breathing apparatus disconnect from his helmet, but not from his chest plate. Like the Sandtrooper Sergeant, Lieutenant Oxixo is a Black Series debut.

 

TIE Pilot Running

The packaging describes Lieutenant Oxixo as follows: “Lt. Oxixo piloted one of the four TIE Fighters shot down while pursuing the Millennium Falcon during its escape from the Death Star before the Battle of Yavin.” Sadly, Lieutenant Oxixo, we hardly knew you, but you still make one impressive action figure.

 

R2-Q5 Moving

R2-Q5

This primarily black astromech droid features silver and rust paint details, and Hasbro has done an excellent job bringing R2-Q5 to life for its 6-inch line. Based on a droid featured in the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi, this latest toy version bears a solid resemblance to its screen image, and the droid also pairs nicely with its other Imperial Forces companions. R2-Q5 has articulation at its feet, legs, dome, and its middle leg, which can be extended down from the body by turning the droid’s dome. (Nice touch.) Overall, R2-Q5 has six points of articulation, which I have to point out is one more than what most of Hasbro’s main 3.75 action figures currently feature. (Not that we collectors are bitter at the limited articulation in Hasbro’s signature toy line… wait, what am I saying? Of course, we’re bitter! Come on, Hasbro, let’s get rid of those goofy non-Star Wars accessories and put some more articulation and better paint into the 3.75 line, a world-famous line of toys that has been around for almost 40 years! OK, sorry, end of rant.)

Most fans are thrilled when Hasbro puts out another droid or alien, so kudos to Hasbro for producing an Imperial droid in its 6-inch line. The semi-glossy black paint is sharp-looking, the silver and rust-colored details are applied perfectly, and the wiring at R2-Q5’s foot joints is a dirty gold color and the wires themselves are somewhat pliable. R2-Q5 is also a Black Series debut.

 

R2-Q5 Back

The packaging describes R2-Q5 as follows: “Entrusted with the secrets of the Emperor himself, this Imperial R2 unit once thwarted a plot to turn every droid aboard the second Death Star against the Empire.” So there you have it…. R2-Q5 is a sharp-looking Imperial droid who is also a hero…. from a certain point of view.

 

Sharp Group Shot

Overall, this gift set from Hasbro and Entertainment Earth offers a great combination of Imperial characters loaded with awesome articulation, excellent paint jobs, and solid accessories. To find out more about other exclusives from EE, go HERE. For other Star Wars products go HERE. We’ll also be giving this set away to a lucky reader (as Entertainment Earth was kind enough to give us two copies), so be sure to stay tuned to SWNN for more details.

 

 

And now to the contest.

 

You can win a brand new set also supplied by Entertainment Earth. Just answer the question in the form below. Put your answer in the comments section. The Twitter option is optional and can be done every day. The contest will run for 1 week and is only for US and Canada residents.

 

Disclaimer:

By entering this contest you agree to allow up to 12 weeks for delivery, accept the fate of packages getting lost, stolen or damaged (neither Entertainment Earth nor the host of the contest are responsible for replacement or compensation either in product or currency) and a correct, valid physical address must be provided (wrong address provided, unfortunately no shipment). This giveaway is only open for people in the US and Canada.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

UPDATE!

 

And the winner is Denny B. We will contact him through the email he used to sign in the contest.

Thanks for your replies and participation. Make sure to check back our site tomorrow. We will be having yet another giveaway. The prize is really awesome – not one but two Sphero BB-8s!!! Stay tuned…

 

 

+ posts

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

Grant Davis (Pomojema)

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

96 thoughts on “And the Winner Is…..SWNN Giveaway & Review – Entertainment Earth’s Exclusive Star Wars: The Black Series Imperial Forces 6-Inch Action Figures.

  • April 6, 2016 at 8:22 pm
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    Only for US and Canada… 🙁

    • April 6, 2016 at 8:32 pm
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      Unfortunately EE are only US based. Still we try to run as many international contests as we can with prizes supplied from us.

      • April 6, 2016 at 9:45 pm
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        Great, thank you! 🙂

  • April 6, 2016 at 8:30 pm
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    Awesome, thanks for the giveaway!

  • April 6, 2016 at 8:35 pm
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    I. want. these…

  • April 6, 2016 at 8:37 pm
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    Thanks for the giveaway. I love the first order tie pilots!

  • April 6, 2016 at 9:38 pm
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    I like the regular new First order Trooper. He was the first tease we got of new baddies from TFA, and IMO is a great spin on the classic tie to the old and new.

  • April 6, 2016 at 9:47 pm
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    I found the new snow troopers from TFA really neat. Their helmets reminded me of commander Baccara’s helmet for ROTS, which is cool. They’re quite sleek and make for a really nice action figure. Wish they got more screen time, though.

  • April 6, 2016 at 9:51 pm
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    Man these are sick, really neat figures.Thanks for the giveaway, good luck everyone!

  • April 6, 2016 at 10:11 pm
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    Amazing figures! God I need them. haha

  • April 6, 2016 at 10:38 pm
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    I really like the regular first order stormtroopers because of how sleek their armor looks

  • April 6, 2016 at 10:48 pm
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    My favourite is the Flametrooper, it’s something original we’ve never seen before and it looked really badass in that Jakku village. I’m not really into action figures, but the sandtrooper and that droid looks amazing, I’m really sorry I’m not for USA nor Canada 🙁

  • April 6, 2016 at 11:23 pm
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    The new snow troopers are deffinatly my favorites. The slit visors and the Vader-like hood are just so cool!

  • April 6, 2016 at 11:47 pm
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    The new First Order TIE Pilots are absolutely awesome! With the new sleek black design, they look very menacing and it seems as if they can stir up some serious trouble for the resistance!

  • April 6, 2016 at 11:54 pm
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    Riot troopers because there weapons can stop a lightsaber.

  • April 7, 2016 at 12:04 am
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    My favorite is the regular Stormtrooper because they get the most screen-time, they have the best looking armor, and they shoot up Poe’s X-wing.

  • April 7, 2016 at 12:14 am
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    First Order TIE Fighter Pilots because they look like they are so much smarter and more skilled than other troopers

  • April 7, 2016 at 12:18 am
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    While the Flametroopers and new Snowtroopers look great, the regular troopers are absolutely fantastic. It’s an incredible design that feels new, yet familiar at the same time, harkening back to the Original Trilogy.

  • April 7, 2016 at 12:27 am
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    “only for US and Canada residents.”
    That killed me in the first round 😉
    Great work by the way. We understand sometimes it’s not that easy. Hoping the next one will be for all.
    Good luck everyone!

  • April 7, 2016 at 12:42 am
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    Riot troopers, they get up close and personal and have sweet weapons.

  • April 7, 2016 at 1:01 am
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    The flametroopers are the best from TFA, due to their merciless burning of the village, proving them to be the most effective soldier. Not to mention they willingly lug around the heavy flamethrower (that can’t be blocked by lightsabers without the force I might add).

  • April 7, 2016 at 1:08 am
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    Only for US and Canadian residents? Racist.

    • April 7, 2016 at 1:20 am
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      I don’t think it’s racist, maybe the canucks & yankees deserve their own shot.

      • April 7, 2016 at 3:19 am
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        You Americans eat all of the food on the planet, what more do you want?

      • April 7, 2016 at 11:50 am
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        Whats the matter? Are they incapable of posting overseas? Or are they just not prepared to wear the cost of the retarded USPS prices? Tight-arses…

    • April 7, 2016 at 4:52 am
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      I know. They’re exercising their American privilege to oppress you using micro-aggressions.

  • April 7, 2016 at 1:09 am
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    Regular stormtroopers. Because it wasn’t any other who shouted “Traitor!!”
    😛 (Plus they look really cool)

  • April 7, 2016 at 1:28 am
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    I like the flam troopers because of FLAMES

  • April 7, 2016 at 1:39 am
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    The first thing I ever saw from the TFA set was the regular first order troopers, so those have to be my favorite

  • April 7, 2016 at 1:40 am
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    These Rogue One guys look cooler.

    • April 7, 2016 at 6:45 am
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      Like a boss XD

  • April 7, 2016 at 2:57 am
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    I enjoyed the riot trooper the most because their unique weapons provided an effective counter to a lightsaber for the first time, making lightsaber wielders less invincible and adding an interesting new combat aspect to the franchise. I hope to see more of them in the upcoming films.

  • April 7, 2016 at 3:01 am
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    Flametrooper for sure.

  • April 7, 2016 at 3:32 am
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    Would be awesome to add them to my collection 🙂

  • April 7, 2016 at 3:48 am
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    regular stormtrooper. I honestly like the new design better than the original <.<

  • April 7, 2016 at 4:37 am
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    I liked the snowtrooper and wanted to see more of them. I was looking to purchase this but bought the amazon stormtrooper exclusive instead.

  • April 7, 2016 at 4:42 am
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    I loved the new look of the Tie Pilots, just the right amount of old and new.

  • April 7, 2016 at 4:51 am
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    Flametroopers, definitely. They were cooler than the normal ones in every way.

  • April 7, 2016 at 4:53 am
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    Flametrooper simply because I like the way they look best! Thanks so much for the chance!
    mcfallsk8er[at]aim[dot]com

  • April 7, 2016 at 5:09 am
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    I really liked the Flametrooper – I only wish they had been featured a bit more in the movie

  • April 7, 2016 at 8:32 am
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    Really liked the TIE Pilots – maybe it’s the similarity to oldschool stormtroopers? I dunno, but that slick black armor is damn fine.

  • April 7, 2016 at 8:55 am
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    My favorite TFA First Order trooper is the STORMTROOPER because it updated the classic uniform while maintaining it’s awesomeness.

  • April 7, 2016 at 10:46 am
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    Flametroopers.

  • April 7, 2016 at 1:46 pm
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    Regular trooper with the face of Daniel Craig in it.

  • April 7, 2016 at 3:46 pm
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    i have always been partial to the droids of SW. R2-Q5 would have to be my favorite

  • April 7, 2016 at 4:03 pm
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    Flametroopers. I could so use one of those, lol

  • April 7, 2016 at 4:42 pm
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    I like the regular trooper. Love the updated but classic design!

  • April 7, 2016 at 5:22 pm
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    I really dig the Snow Troopers. Their style is very cool and harkens back to Empire, but stand on their own. A well designed soldier.

  • April 7, 2016 at 5:27 pm
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    I have to say the stormtrooper commanders. Something about the orange/red pauldrons look fantastic to me.

  • April 7, 2016 at 5:45 pm
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    I love the new Tie Pilots. From the first shot of them in the trailer, I thought they look so smooth and intimidating!

  • April 7, 2016 at 6:33 pm
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    The new snowtroopers look amazing, my favorite. The helmet just looks so different. I hope I win this one, last of the black series the I don’t have yet 🙂 but also, the flametroopers run a close second one to me.

  • April 7, 2016 at 6:45 pm
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    The TIE Pilot figure. It’s so sleek just like everything in the First Order. But I’ve always loved the pilots of Star Wars, Rebellion and Empire, Resistance and First Order.

  • April 7, 2016 at 6:48 pm
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    I’ll vote for regular. They already look iconic,

  • April 7, 2016 at 7:35 pm
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    Flametrooper. The sleek look and a flame thrower, who couldnt get behind that? I mean I wouldnt want to be in front of it, so I have to be behind it.

  • April 7, 2016 at 8:21 pm
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    I think all the variants are cool. I like the standard First Order trooper design, as it is instantly iconic for the TFA era, without overtaking the original stormtrooper design.

  • April 7, 2016 at 9:52 pm
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    Even though they were vastly underutilized, I liked the look of the new Snowtroopers.

  • April 7, 2016 at 11:14 pm
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    The snowtrooper was definitely one of the coolest- especially because it looks so much like those McQuarrie concepts!

  • April 8, 2016 at 12:16 am
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    The regular

  • April 8, 2016 at 9:03 am
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    The riot stormtroooper. While I’m a fan of all the designs, the riot trooper has to get in the thick of a situation to get his job done. He also has the capability and training to handle potential lightsabers in a fight (better than most folks in a galaxy far far away).

  • April 8, 2016 at 2:06 pm
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    Love the regular trooper in TFA. Great evolution in the trooper design and looks amazing on film.

  • April 8, 2016 at 2:33 pm
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    Really looking forward to seeing figures made of the new tank pilots in the Rogue One teaser. They look awesome.

  • April 8, 2016 at 2:54 pm
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    Love the droid!!

  • April 8, 2016 at 4:57 pm
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    I really love the simple new regular troop for the fact that it strikes so much fear with the new revised look.

  • April 8, 2016 at 7:20 pm
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    Sandtroopers have always been my favorite troopers. I think it’s the extra “lived in” look they have. But… That crimson trooper… That’s just awesome!

  • April 8, 2016 at 9:14 pm
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    I like the Riot trooper!

  • April 9, 2016 at 12:14 am
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    Flametrooper because of their helmets

  • April 9, 2016 at 1:01 am
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    The riot trooper was my favourite. They suddenly appeared to be competent combatants. Plus the lightsaber resistant tonfa are awesome

  • April 9, 2016 at 1:43 am
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    I’ve always liked the TIE pilot. They just look awesome.

  • April 9, 2016 at 7:24 pm
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    It’s still the classic for me. Every one of these designs is wonderful, but the original is just so sterling, so sincere(ly cruel).

  • April 9, 2016 at 7:51 pm
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    Mmmm, can’t wait to get a free 6″ black toy 😉

  • April 9, 2016 at 9:35 pm
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    The Stormtrooper design in TFA is incredible because of the increased bulk. They look menacing and familiar at the same time.

  • April 9, 2016 at 10:38 pm
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    For me, this is line for my possible, Favorite Star Wars film. Definitely edging on Empire…

  • April 10, 2016 at 4:29 am
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    The flame trooper is my fav!

  • April 10, 2016 at 5:04 am
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    Is there anyway we could contribute money to starwarsnews.net? This website is horrendous on an iPad. There are a lot of fans and maybe a Kickstarter? I mean the functionality of course, I love the content.

    • April 10, 2016 at 5:38 am
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      Maybe some sort of Patreon?

  • April 10, 2016 at 5:38 am
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    I want this!!!!! SOO cool

  • April 10, 2016 at 3:12 pm
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    Yo can’t beat the regular stormtrooper! Classic even when its brand new like it was in TFA. Perfectly classic!

  • April 10, 2016 at 11:41 pm
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    Crimson Trooper is my favorite. Great paint on a fantastic sculpt. Now if only Hasbro could make 3 3/4″ figures this nice…

  • April 11, 2016 at 12:47 am
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    That sandtrooper is gorgeously done!

  • April 11, 2016 at 4:55 am
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    I pick the Riot Trooper. The fact that they wield melee weapons so that they can fight light-sabers shows that they have been trained specifically to counter jedi, where in the other 6 movies they didn’t stand a chance. The rest of the troopers we have seen in some guise or another, except the Flame Troopers. And the Flame Troopers are a pointless addition to a world that uses laser guns and laser swords and the magic of the Force. Oooh. You’re going to shoot me with a flamerthrower that probably only has a small maximum range and that won’t work properly in low-oxygen situations. I’ll just stand over here and blast you with my concise, focused laser beam. Thank you very much. You can argue that they can use the flamethrowers to light buildings on fire. That’s true but lasers can do that too.

  • April 11, 2016 at 10:01 am
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    Flame trooper is my favorite. Everithing improves with a good fire!!!

  • April 11, 2016 at 10:48 am
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    looking good love the black series

  • April 11, 2016 at 4:43 pm
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    Flametrooper

  • April 11, 2016 at 6:43 pm
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    I would have to say the Flametrooper was way awesome, but was disappointed that the snowtroopers that boarded the falcon scene was deleted from the movie.

  • April 11, 2016 at 8:59 pm
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    Flametrooper all the way. Most original new helmet IMO.

  • April 12, 2016 at 11:22 pm
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    The Flametooper is my favorite, because I think the helmet design is awesome!

  • April 13, 2016 at 4:18 am
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    The Snowtrooper is the best! I really wanted to see them in action. At least we saw them in the deleted scenes.

  • April 13, 2016 at 3:02 pm
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    The Snowtrooper ! The design is amazing ! Mix of modern and old school SW style ! I want to see them more !

  • April 13, 2016 at 3:03 pm
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    I liked the Snowtroopers with the orange shoulder commander pauldron.
    I like the looks of the helmet and the capes.

  • April 14, 2016 at 3:02 pm
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    Congrats Denny! Enjoy these awesome figures!

  • April 14, 2016 at 7:04 pm
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    oh wow! Awesome thats me! Thanks for a sweet giveaway!

  • April 14, 2016 at 7:53 pm
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    How do I get a hold of you for info on the next steps/contact info/address etc?

  • April 15, 2016 at 12:55 am
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    Congrats Denny!

  • April 15, 2016 at 1:17 am
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    For some reason I missed this and even though it’s too late now, I agree with the Lavatrooper looking the coolest just for originality.

Comments are closed.

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