If you’re looking for a cheap way to put a Star Wars Shadow Trooper on your shelf, eBay has you covered.
At this point there are a few way to get a Shadow Trooper (or Black Hole Trooper, or Shadow Stormtrooper). Hasbro released one in a two-pack with a Shadow Biker Scout a while back, but it was hard to track down, at least for me, and is now a little pricey. Plus, that was a Sandtrooper, which is not a bad thing but we’re talking straight-up Stormtroopers here. Then there is the model kit. But, again, it’s now expensive because of its exclusivity and some may not like putting together models. Savages! And then there is always the customizing route. Stormtrooper, black and silver paint, done. But even that can be a little daunting.
This is basically a knockoff of the Black Series Stormtrooper, but in Shadow Trooper colors. There are some differences that we’ll get into, but for the most part it’s the “real deal.” Except it’s not. So many layers.
For a knockoff, the manufacturer went the extra mile and provided a package. Sure, it’s the package of the 2015 S.H. Figuarts Shadow Trooper, but it’s a package. The figure is even protected with a plastic tray and lid inside. Wow.
I totally glazed on getting a pic of the inner tray, but I “unbox” it in my video review, where I also show off the articulation. This comes into play later on in this review, so refer to the video for clarification.
Getting the figure out of the package, it’s awfully nice for a cheap bootleg. All the details are the same except for maybe the helmet.
If I had a gripe about the actual look, it’s that I wish the armor parts were a glossier black. As it is, the whole figure, even the accessories, are molded in the same black color. The only paint is a few dabs of silver on the eyes, frown, and lower front helmet.
I’m a fan of black in general, gloss or matte, so the sheen doesn’t bother me too much.
The figure comes with two accessories: the standard Stormtrooper blaster and the rifle we last saw with the Star Wars Battlefront Shocktrooper. Both are cast in straight black with no weathering or paint apps.
Then there is the articulation. All of the joints are like you’d expect in the Black Series line, not a knockoff, except for one area. The hips. Instead of being pinned horizontally, they insert vertically, up toward the torso. Such an odd change. This makes the legs a bit harder to maneuver, but if you have any experience with vertically pinned hips, then you know what to do. Hinge out, rotate forward, twist the thigh swivel. It still hinders the range more than the original setup but it is functional. Mostly. You’re not going to get him in a sitting position, that’s for sure.
The other change comes in with the neck and head. The helmet sits lower than the standard Stormtrooper, and there is also an additional ribbed cover around the neck. I hear that this is from the Han/Luke in Stormtrooper disguise, but unfortunately I don’t have those, so I can’t verify or compare. Hey, I only have so much money! But overall, the Shadow Trooper comes out shorter than the Stormtrooper.
There you can see that the helmet is a little different. I think I’ve decided that I like the Shadow helmet more, even the way it sits on the body with it’s smaller gap. But that’s today, tomorrow may be a whole different view on it.
All in all, not a bad way to get another trooper class into your Imperial army. It’s cheap, running less than $20 on eBay, and it does look really good. I have no major issues with it except for the hips, and those can be fudged. Hell, I’m thinking about grabbing a couple more for the shelf.
