The 6-inch-scaled Star Wars Black Series just keeps on trucking with the new series hitting Amazon. Yoda, Clone Sergeant, and the TIE pilot are the newest additions to the shelf, but we’re here to look specifically at big bad Vader’s wingman, the TIE Fighter Pilot.
We all know the packaging by now, standard fare. But there is just something cool about a figure in all black against the black of the box, with only that blue highlighting to break it up. Almost makes me want to keep the boxes. Almost.
The figure itself is no slouch in the awesome department either. I really feel that Hasbro knocks the troop building figures out of the park. Or should I say Gentle Giant? Either way, all the details are here and beautifully sculpted. So many wrinkles in the jumpsuit, a nice contrast to the smoothness of the boots, gloves, and armor pieces. That same contrast is further brought to the forefront by the use of gloss and matte blacks. Yeah, he’s all black, but it’s nowhere near dull.
Okay, all black is a bit much. He does have some paint apps on his chest piece and wrist control, and he has painted Imperial logos in several places. All of these are clean with no bleed. It helps break up the two blacks a bit further, but make no mistake, it all works — very well. And check out that helmet sculpt. It’s straight out of the movie.
Articulation, again, is what you’ve come to expect with the Star Wars Black Series. If you have any Stormtroopers or Clones or most of the other humanoid characters, then you know what you’re getting here. I had absolutely no problems with stuck joints or gumminess. That makes me happy.
You can check out all the articulation, range of movement, and more in my video review.
The TIE Pilot comes with just one accessory: the standard Imperial blaster. He holds it well, and while it does stick up quite a bit, it fits nicely in the holster.
One thing I gotta point out: the hoses that run from the chest box to the helmet do pop out of the helmet fairly easily. Just pegs that plug in, no glue. I think this was done purposely to avoid damage to the hoses if one were to crank on the head too much. The hoses are pretty flexible, but if glue was used and the head was turned too far, it would have been more of a pain to put them back. Otherwise, as long as you don’t get crazy with the neck they stay in.
Now, I love this figure, I really do. But one thing that may stick in some craws is that he’s short. I didn’t notice it much when I first opened him, but as I stood him next to other figures it became more apparent. I’ve already justified this by convincing myself that pilots are recruited based on smaller stature, needing to spend a lot of time in what is essentially a hamster ball, but some may have a problem with the size.
All in all, I’m glad I picked him up. I’m always down for more trooper-builders and I look forward to picking up a few more when I run across them. This makes my need for an AT-AT Driver kick into high gear, though. Soon, right? Hasbro?
Cool beans! I stand corrected,Robo.
Thanks for reading,sir.
Query: Why “RoboKillah”?
I have wondered for awhile…
Nope, Bossk is all new too. Different torso, shoulders, crotch, and upper legs. The rest is obviously different, ha! And if I remember the carded shots right, he’s much bigger too.
Ah, the Tie Pilot! Big time nostalgia, there. The first time I played with Star Wars figures was my cousin’s collection of the original figures. His mom was…a little crazy with keeping him safe, so she took all the sabers out of the arms. My cousin replaced them with toothpicks…so, mission failed, I guess. Anyway, he had broken his Darth Vader figure years ago, leaving me with no Vader. BUT…there was the Tie Pilot, who was in all black! So the Tie Pilot holding a toothpick was my version of Vader, in my young days.
Thanks!
Yes. I see. All that Disney money and being a brand new series seems the line can afford all new sculpts. However, the look of the upcoming Bosk figure may introduce the 2nd reuse behind the troopers.(flight suit Luke)
First of all thank you for taking time to reply,Robo. I was slightly yanking your chain about the boxes. I think every collector has the inevitable loosing battle with space issues. 90% of my legion is uncarded. The 10% carded is too much, and I’ve been trying to cut back(and cut them free of packaging!) Lol arghhh! Blister cards! The bane of my collector existence. I keep my cards in long boxes,as I no longer read comics and don’t need them for comics anymore. Strictly toys, captain! I am the same big kid I was a little kid. Eight years into this hobby as an “adult”and not long ago I found my old Constructicon cards tucked in a metal file case that I’d forgotten about. Nice to know I’m still me a few decades later. lol. I’m enjoying the new black/dark boxes for legends and SWBS. I wanted resealable clamshells since day one. So these resealable boxes give me more display options as well as storage etc.
The only blisters I hesitated cutting open were the DCUC. The packaging was pure innovative art. Harley standing on Grodd’s chest? Aquaman swimming the plastic bubble waves, lantern symbol constructs floating in the bubble of Sinestro corp.Superman! Wow….
But, hey! Had to break the eggs to make the Kilowog omelette!
Just keep it green,Robo.
Recycle,keep it green, capt.
Yeah, see pthfnder’s reply below. He’s a completely unique sculpt like the rest of the line so far.
I can see the storage and packing issue. I kept a lot of toys carded, including the Hulk Classics line, carded when I knew I was going to move. Foom was tempting but I knew I had to wait. But now that I’m settled for the forseeable future I can’t make myself keep any packaging. At all. I pay for the toy, not the shipping box! Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against anyone who does carded or keeps packaging, if there was one line I would do it for it would be the SW Black Series. Hell, I had a complete Star Wars carded collection from ’95 to 2002. But I don’t have the room anymore. Figures got bigger, buying more lines, etc.
It’s the Bandai Model Kit Vader.
http://thefwoosh.com/2014/11/bandai-star-wars-darth-vader-112-scale-model-kit-review
I don’t think the Medicom or Figuarts are out yet.
Great review! I’m curious, which one is that Vader figure? It definitely isn’t the Black Series one, nor the Medicom. Maybe the Bandai Figuarts?
So far I don’t think Hasbro has used a “buck” for any of the Star Wars 6 inch line. Aside from the various Stormtrooper/Clone repaints I think all of the figures so far have been completely unique.
Robo! Keep a box. Mint on card never killed anybody. The landfill on the other hand…
Hopefully, your putting those boxes in the recyclables.
Pardon me. Imho, disposing of those boxes to me is like throwing away money. If they gonna charge me 20 plus dollars I’m keeping the box!(just bought clone Sargent today for 17! (still keeping the box) I rent, don’t own. Good chance I’m moving, so its also a storage and packing issue. I don’t even wanna go over the broken figures,rubbing and paint issue nightmare that was my last move. Since the pilot is short, what body are they using? Is it flightsuit Luke? First I thought it might be the legends Aim thighs and legs mixed with some other buck, but not if they’re short.