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Review |
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| Sculpt: |
| One of the more popular Expanded Universe storylines that take place in the post-RETURN OF THE JEDI timeframe is Dark Horse Comics' CRIMSON EMPIRE. This six-part miniseries told the story of two members of Emperor Palpatine's elite Royal Guards, and how Carnor Jax attempted to gain the throne after Palpatine's death, only to be defeated by the loyalist Kir Kanos. When Hasbro's REVENGE OF THE SITH line featured an all-new Royal Guard sculpt in 2005, many customizers saw their chance to make their own versions of Jax and Kanos. Hasbro wasn't far behind them at all, and used that figure's sculpt as the base for this two-pack. However, some significant changes were made. The biggest is the addition of removable helmets for each character, beneath which are heads based on the comic book art. The torsos have been resulted, showing broader chests and the removal of armor over the shoulder blades. The belts have also been changed, and the armored codpieces removed. Both figures sport modified gloves and gauntlets. They also now feature single-sided capes, instead of the all-encompassing double-capes of the ROTS figures. Although some might complain that the helmets now look oversized, I'd rather them be a bit large than ending up with pea-headed versions of the characters (ala TSC's Clone Commander Cody figure). Rating: 9 out of 10. |
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| Paint: |
Kir Kanos is molded primarily in red plastic. The helmet is molded in bright translucent pink, with a black paint app across the view slit and then a bright, glossy red over the entire helmet. The head is molded in a warm flesh tone, with brown paint applications to the hair and eyebrows, then a sandy brown dry-brushing over the hair. His eyes are given simple white and blacks apps. His molded facial scar has a pink hue applied. The torso, pelvis, arms, and upper legs are all molded in a flat red, with glossy, bright red paint apps at the chest armor. There is a flesh-colored accent on the neck post, where his skin is exposed. His undersuit is charcoal, with a flat red accent along the sides. The belt is gunmetal gray. The arms are also red, with charcoal paint apps and glossy red on the shoulder armor. The right hand has a red glove and shiny red gauntlet, but the left hand's gauntlet is the same gunmetal gray as his belt. The legs are charcoal with red accents on the undersuit, and the holster and strap on his right leg are a medium charcoal. The armored sections of his thigh-high boots are glossy red. His softgoods cloak is red, and his bladed vibro-staff is copper with silver blades.
Carnor Jax has a similar paint scheme, but many of the colors are reversed. His helmet is molded in translucent pink, leaving the view slit tinted red. The helmet then has an alternating pattern of glossy black, with glossy red accents. His head is molded in pale flesh, with brown hair and eyebrows. Again, the eyes are white with simple black dots for centers. The torso, pelvis, arms, and upper legs are all molded in a flat red, with glossy black paint apps at the chest armor. There is a flesh-colored accent on the neck post, where his skin is exposed. His undersuit is red, with a charcoal accent along the sides. The belt is gunmetal gray. The arms are also red, with charcoal paint apps and glossy black on the shoulder armor. The right and left hands have red gloves with shiny black gauntlets. The legs are red with charcoal accents on the undersuit, and the holster and strap on his right leg are a medium charcoal. The thigh-high boots are flat black, with glossy black paint decos on the armored sections. His softgoods cloak is black, and his bladed vibro-staff is copper with silver blades. Both receive a 9/10 score. |
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| Articulation: |
| Each figure has ball-jointed head, shoulders, and knees. The hips and forearms are all standard planer-cut joints, while the elbows are angled planer-cuts so they can be posed straight or bent, allowing them to hold their vibro-staffs in two hands. Waist articulation has been eliminated in favor of the removable helmets. Each receives a 9/10. |
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| Accessories: |
| Both have black-molded sidearms, removable helmets, removable capes, and double-bladed vibro-staffs. The vibro-staffs are a bit disappointing. They lack the intricate controls at the base of each blade as seen in the comics, and look like something from a more generic, almost Medieval-themed toyline: 8.5/10. |
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| Packaging: |
| The new COMIC PACKS card is essentially a large rectangle, with a J-hook notch at the top. Although part of the new 30th Anniversary Collection, the most prominent feature of the card's face is the reprint comic that serves as a backdrop for the figures. The insert image is large, with the STAR WARS: COMIC PACKS logo just below the figures, and small boxes identifying each figure and the comic they come from. The bottom of the insert has the UPC code and STAR WARS logo. The sides feature new images of Jax (on the left) and Kanos (on the right). The upper left corner identifies this set as "No. 01," and has a box reading "Includes Comic Book." The cardback features the angled STAR WARS logo of the 30th Anniversary Collection, and uses the cover of CRIMSON EMPIRE #6 as a background. Text explains the plot of the comic, and shows the figures in a fighting pose. Another panel shows the three upcoming figure sets based on Marvel Comics STAR WARS #1-3. 8/10. |
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| Availability: |
| This first COMIC PACKS set was an online exclusive to several web-based vendors, including StarWarsShop.com, Entertainment Earth, and HasbroToyShop.com. Initially advertised as "Kir Kanos & Mystery Figure," the reveal of the Carnor Jax figure didn't happen until July 2006, at the San Diego Comic-Con. Originally scheduled for September 2006 release, most orders weren't shipped until October. It is still available from most vendors: 8.5/10. |
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| Conclusion: |
| Expanded Universe fans have been clamoring for these CRIMSON EMPIRE-based for over a year, ever since the ROTS Royal Guards were released. The comic book pack-ins are a novel idea, and should help promote the line beyond just the fans of the characters themselves. Although I had never read CRIMSON EMPIRE (or CRIMSON EMPIRE II), I've always thought these character designs were very cool and had the STAR WARS edge to them. 8.7/10. |
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