Comparison pictures of different 1:6 Star Wars Stormtroopers by Hot Toys, Sideshow, Medicom

continued from previous post...

After reviewing the Hot Toys MMS267 "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" 1/6th scale Stormtrooper 12-inch Collectible Figure on my toy blog earlier HERE and HERE, the next thing I wanted to do was compare this Hot Toys Stormtrooper with the other 1:6 scale Stormtroopers that have been released by the other companies, namely Sideshow Collectibles, Medicom Toys and Marmit. Hot Toys gave the Star Wars Stormtrooper something the other companies never did, and that's the SE-14r blaster pistol which is covered in my post HERE. That's probably because the SE-14r is only seen in publicity photos for "Star Wars: A New Hope" and not actually seen in any of the films.

What we are all familiar with and used to seeing are Stormtroopers with their BlasTech E-11 blaster rifles. The Stormtrooper Blaster, E-11 BlasTech Standard Imperial weapon of choice, is actually a souped up Sterling L2A1 with foldable stock. The Sterling submachine gun was trialled with the British Army in 1944–1945 as a replacement for the Sten, but it did not start to replace it until 1953. It remained in use until 1994, when it was phased out with the introduction of the L85A1 assault rifle. Ironic that such an old weapon would be re-imagined as a high tech sci-fi rifle.

But then again, Star Wars was produced before CGI was even invented so most props had to be made from something else that existed and many of the weapons produced in the films were visually modified or based upon real-world weapons. This was also partly because Star Wars creator George Lucas was determined that the universe he envisioned would have a "lived-in" look to it. So while the Sandtroopers did get the weathered, worn and dirty / dusty look, the Stormtroopers got to keep their white pristine shiny armor intact, always looking like they just came out of the factory. Actually, they were that clean but the whiteness of the armor was too overwhelming.

Scroll down to see the rest of the pictures.
Click on them for bigger and better views.

Comparing 12-inch Boba Fett Action Figures by Marmit, Medicom Toys and Sideshow Collectibles

Just how many 1/6 scale Boba Fett 12-inch Bounty Hunter figures are out there? Hasbro released the first original 12-inch Boba Fett action figure way back in 1979 but that one was plastic molded and upsized from the 3 3/4-inch figure which wouldn't count since it is not fabric clothed with accessories and weapon. Hasbro would release two more 1/6 Boba Fett action figures, the really fugly obese version in 1997 using the bulky Hall-of-Fame 12-inch body and the 2004 Vintage Original Trilogy Collection 12-inch Boba Fett which was an improvement but still fell short of the standard expected for a Star Wars 12-inch figure. No pictures posted sinceI didn't get any one of the three by Hasbro.

So not counting the three by Hasbro (some say "Has-been"), there's also one 12-inch Boba Fett by Marmit (released in 2001), two by Medicom Toys and the most recent 1:6 Boba Fett figure produced and released by Sideshow Collectibles. As far as I can tell, of all the seven Boba Fett 12-inch figures released so far, all except one (which is Medicom Toys' version 2 Boba Fett) is based on the Boba Fett as seen in "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back".

In this toy blog post, I'll be showing comparison pictures of the three 1/6 scale Boba Fett 12-inch figures released by Marmit, Medicom and Sideshow Collectibles in my Star Wars 12-inch figure collection. All are based on Boba Fett as seen in "The Empire Strikes Back". The most distinct difference between the two film versions of Boba Fett are the gauntlets (green in ESB and red in ROTJ - "Return of the Jedi"). There are other differences as well and I have covered these in my earlier post HERE.

Have a ULTRA Happy Valentine's Day (^_~)

This is a re-post since today is Valentine's Day :) and it's appropriate

First posted on February 14, 2009
Today is Valentine's Day and this is for my lovely wife Daisy who has been my most loyal supporter forever. Since we both don't buy into the commercial practice of paying many many times more for something that is already dying (the flower just doesn't know it yet) and which usually cost a lot less at other times (a rose is a rose is a rose is a rose except on Valentine's when it can cost you an arm and a leg), this seems more meaningful in a weird kind of way. (I mean no disrespect to all those who did purchase flowers for their better half as I believe it's a sweet thing to do, it's just personal between the wife and me.)

So what did you do for that special someone today?

Random Pic: Star Wars 1/6 scale Bounty Hunters

These are the 1/6 scale Bounty Hunters from a galaxy far far away...

The Star Wars universe is filled with these mercenaries for hire who tracked down and captured or killed anyone with a price on their head, although they were also known for doing nearly anything for the right price including the protection of clients. In all the Star Wars films, there has always been an intergalactic bounty hunter, starting with Greedo in "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)".

These are some of the Star Wars 12-inch Bounty Hunters I've collected over the years :) Hasbro is the only company that has released almost all of the Star Wars intergalactic bounty hunters in 1/6 scale.

Click on the picture for a bigger and better view :)

In "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)", Darth Vader enlists the bounty hunters Boba Fett, Dengar, IG-88, Bossk, 4-LOM and Zuckuss to find the Millennium Falcon for a "substantial reward" aboard the Star Destroyer Executor. Scroll down to see the recreated scene in 1/6 scale :)

A New Hope after The Empire Strikes Back: About Stormtrooper helmets and a Sandcrawler building in Singapore

The epic battle between a British prop maker and Lucasfilm Ltd. over who has the right to sell Stormtrooper helmets has come to an end. The British prop designer struck back against the Star Wars empire, winning a court battle against US film company boss George Lucas over his right to sell replica Stormtrooper helmets.

The five-year war, which took place not in a galaxy far, far away but rather in the legal courts of both America and Britain, began in 2006. That's when Andrew Ainsworth, designer and maker of the original Stormtrooper helmets featured in the classic "Star Wars" movies, began selling replica helmets cast from the original 1976 molds over the Internet. Lucasfilm tried to stop him, saying the helmets were protected by copyright laws.

Star Wars SandTrooper Comparisons

Having seen the pictures taken of Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale 12-inch Imperial SandTrooper (see previous post), how does it compare with their 1/6 Imperial Stormtrooper? Let's see.

For one, the armor colors are different - the Sideshow Imperial Stormtrooper's armor is white whilst the Sandtrooper's armor is not white anymore but an off-white color with dirt and scratch marks.

The helmet is similar in design, as is the chest armor. Whilst the Stormtroopers have no rank markings, the Sandtroopers wear colored Shoulder Pauldrons on their right shoulders and these represent their rank in the Squad. The abdominal armor is clearly different between the two troopers. The Sandtroopers also carry the additional SD-48 backpack and do not have the usual thermal detonator worn by Stormtroopers.

The distinctive 'diamond' shaped left knee plate of the Imperial Sandtrooper is another one of the visual differences in armor between the Imperial Sandtrooper and Stormtrooper

And here's a look at all the Star Wars 1/6 Sandtroopers released thus far. From left to right: Medicom Sandtrooper Squad Leader, Marmit Sandtrooper Sergeant, Sideshow Imperial Sandtrooper and Marmit Star Wars Sandtrooper

Medicom Star Wars Sandtrooper Squad Leader (more pictures HERE)

Very nice backpack details

Marmit Star Wars Sandtrooper (Full review HERE)

Marmit 1/6 Sandtrooper backpack

Marmit Star Wars Sandtrooper Sergeant (much assembly required - check out the link HERE)

The Marmit Sandtrooper Sergeant backpack was slightly different from that of the Marmit Sandtrooper and I liked that as it showed some individuality between the troopers. It also showed that Marmit did not just dish out the same thing twice but bothered to tweak things a little and made it interesting. Let's hope Sidehsow Collectibles can do the same with their next two releases of the Imperial Sandtroopers (i.e. the Orange Pauldron Squad Leader and Black Pauldron Corporal)

Last but not least, the latest released 1/6 scale 12-inch Imperial Sandtrooper by Sideshow as reviewed in the two previous posts.

There is a lack of weathering on Sideshow's Sandtrooper backpack. A bit odd that the entire sandtrooper armor is so heavily weathered (some have commented that it doesn't look like dirt but more like rust on the armor) and yet the backpack is so clean.

The Marmit Star Wars Sandtroopers (released in the year 2000) were nice and definitely much better than the obese 1/6 Hasbro (HasBeen) sandtroopers that were released. The Marmit sandtroopers were at least of the right scale (in size and height) with all the other 1/6 Star Wars figures being put out, as compared with the Medicom version that was released in 2008 which was too skinny and anorexic for my liking (and way pricier too!)

IMHO the best 1/6 scale Star Wars armored troopers released thus far have to be those produced and released by Sideshow Collectibles. Their prices are so much better too, as compared to their overpriced 12-inch G.I. Joe figures (including the Cobra troopers) and Medicom's ridiculously higher priced but smaller figures. Let's hope Sideshow continues dishing them out.

To get a full review of the Sideshow 1/6 scale 12-inch Imperial Stormtrooper, check out this link.

If you missed out on this Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars armored military figure, don't miss out again - click on the banner below to order yours NOW

Star Wars Imperial Stormtroopers

I just had to do it, since it has been a "storm"-ing week. A group picture of the 1/6 scale 12-inch Imperial Stormtroopers of the Galactic Empire all lined up, including the Sandtroopers, all from Star Wars Episodes IV to VI.

Medicom Sandtrooper and Medicom Stormtrooper

Marmit Sandtrooper Sergeant and Marmit Sandtrooper

Marmit Stormtroopers

Sideshow Stormtroopers (rightie and leftie)

I'd posed the troopers before, together with their creator, George Lucas (see post here) and the verdict over who owns the rights to the Stormtrooper armor design was in fact decided - see article below (oh yeah, you can click on the picture to get a bigger and better view; it applies to all the pictures in my blog as well, just so you know ;>)

Sideshow vs Marmit vs Medicom

And here are comparison pictures of Sideshow's Imperial Stormtrooper (on the left) with Marmit's Stormtrooper (on the right). Sideshow's Stormtrooper helmet has additional detail where the air supply nozzles are located as well as breathing filters. Sideshow's Stormtrooper helmet also has holes cut into the "mouth" position or vocoder. Although it's a nice touch, under the helmet there's supposed to be an atmosphere intake and processing unit, voice filtering unit and comlink microphone so the holes wouldn't be showing at all.

Sideshow's Stormtrooper Blaster, the E-11 BlasTech Standard Imperial Sidearm with 3-position foldable stock is extremely detailed and nicely done with some weathering paintwork as well compared to Marmit's molded plastic piece which looks rather small in the trooper's hands.

Marmit's holster is also just one molded piece of plastic compared with Sideshow's Imperial Stormtrooper holster which is made of a leather-like material with restraining strap and magnetic tab. Because Sideshow opted for hard plastic, the details of the Stormtrooper armor are more defined and obvious versus Marmit's which was molded with soft plastic and hence pales in comparison.

The energy sinks on the Stormtrooper armor have always been quite tricky to reproduce in 1/6 scale but Sideshow was able to execute this very well. Marmit's boots are also molded together with the lower leg armor, thus compromising on the poseability. No such problems with Sideshow's Stormtrooper. Only problem with Sideshow's is the loose jointed body. My verdict: Sideshow Imperial Stormtrooper beats Marmit Stormtrooper in all areas.

And now comparison pictures of Sideshow's Imperial Stormtrooper (on the left) with Medicom's Stormtrooper (on the right). The forehead/top of Medicom's Stormtrooper helmet seems to be a bit too high compared with Sideshow's which is rounded nicely. Most notable is the difference in overall size of the figure which is the bane of all Medicom's Star Wars figures. Although the chest plate armor is not as wide as Sideshow's, Medicom's Stormtrooper looks really skinny (not Lindsay Lohan's skeletal skinny but for an armored trooper, he looks malnourished). In this instance, the chest plate armor is TOO TIGHT. You can see from the picture how short his legs are next to Sideshow's.

Medicom's Stormtrooper armor is too tight on the figure overall, causing the exposed body suit to bunch up at the joints i.e. elbow areas. Plus because Medicom's Stormtrooper body suit/glove is made of a rubbery material, fear of the suit disintegrating over time is highly likely :( This will not happen with Sideshow's Stormtrooper.

The height difference between Medicom's Star Wars Stormtrooper figure with other 1/6 scale 12-inch figures is very apparent and shows why I've sworn off Medicom's Star Wars armored figures.

The verdict is IN - Sideshow's 1/6 scale 12-inch Star Wars Galactic Empire Imperial Stormtrooper is the best by far. Now they just have to improve on the body they use - tighter joints please.

"The baton has been passed, shortie. Take a hike and Sayonara!"

Pictures of Sideshow's Imperial Stormtrooper here

You can view pictures of Marmit's Stormtrooper here and Medicom's Stormtrooper here. I've also covered Marmit's Sandtrooper here and Sandtrooper Sergeant here as well as Medicom's Sandtrooper here.

Imperial Stormtroopers with Darth Vader

Now that I have two Sideshow Imperial Stormtroopers (see my previous posts here and here), it's time to shoot them with Darth Vader. And since Sideshow has yet to release their 1/6 version of Darth Vader (preview pictures of Sideshow Darth Vader here), Hasbro's 14-inch Darth Vader (see my post here) will have to do for now.

Sideshow's Imperial Stormtroopers are really looking good in terms of scale and quality (all except the horrific loose joints)

The poseability of Sideshow's Imperial Stormtroopers hold up well

This is rightie

And here's leftie

And here are Sideshow Imperial Stormtroopers standing with Medicom's puny Darth Vader (more picture here). I wouldn't label it 1/6 scale because Medicom's Darth Vader isn't any much taller than the troopers. To at least get a decent picture, I'd to pose Sideshow's Stormtroopers standing behind Vader so that they don't dwarf him.

And if you think posing Medicom Darth Vader with Medicom Imperial Stormtrooper (more pictures here) should work, you are so wrong. Somehow Medicom's Stormtrooper helmet is slightly too big for his body and Medicom's Darth Vader head and body is way too small.

To get a more accurate picture of Darth Vader towering over the Stormtrooper, I'd to pose him standing in front of the Stormtrooper. It now appears that the trooper is hiding behind Darth Vader and not doing his job as a trooper.

Close-up of Medicom's Imperial Stormtrooper and Darth Vader side by side. Medicom's helmet is supposed to be the "Hero" helmet, made for the leading actors in the film. They differ from the "Stunt" helmets (reproduced for the Marmit and Sideshow Stormtroopers) as they feature a smaller frown and lowered brow. But Medicom's frown is not smaller but consistent with the "Stunt" helmets.

And here's a picture of Hasbro's 14-inch tall Darth Vader surrounded by four Imperial Stormtroopers, the two in front are by Marmit (more pictures here) and the two at the rear are by Sideshow. Notice how it works better when there's leftie and rightie. I'd also posted pictures of Hasbro's 14-inch Darth Vader with just Marmit's Imperial Stormtroopers here, including posing Jedi Luke meeting his father in the scene from "Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi"

In the next post, we'll compare the various Imperial Stormtroopers.

Sideshow SANDtrooper - coming soon!

If you haven't already heard, Sideshow will be releasing their version of the Sandtrooper Sergeant (no pictures available yet). That's great news indeed because we can never get enough of Stormtroopers or Sandtroopers. Since Sideshow announced their impending release of the Imperial armored figures, I've stopped getting Medicom's versions which are way more expensive and also much smaller in scale when compared with all other 1/6 scale Star Wars figures from all other manufacturers, be it Hasbro, Marmit or Sideshow.

Here's a recap of some of the Sandtroopers posted in earlier entries

Marmit Sandtrooper Sergeant (more pictures here), denoted by the white pauldron on his right shoulder. He's basically carrying the World War II German Maschinengewehr 34 or MG34, but now a Laser Rifle in a galaxy far, far away.

Medicom Sandtrooper with orange pauldrons, denoting Squad leader. They led units of seven troopers (enlisted troopers wore all black pauldrons). Medicom's Sandtrooper is also armed with the MG34, similar to what Kerberos Protect Gear Panzer Cops carried, which pretty much makes them a distant cousin.

Marmit Sandtrooper with World War II German MP40 magazine pouch and his Stormtrooper blaster, E-11 BlasTech Standard Imperial Sidearm, essentially a souped up Sterling L2A1, including the foldable stock.

At least with Sideshow's 12" Star Wars line, we know it wouldn't meet a premature end like their Lord of the Rings :(

Sideshow SANDtroopers PREVIEW pictures are here!

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale 12-inch Imperial Sandtrooper REVIEW here and here

Ultraman Taro by Marmit

Other than Medicom's 1/6 scale 12" RAH Ultraman Taro and Takara's Henshin Cyborg Ultraman Taro, there's also Marmit's Ultraman Taro. Marmit's Ultraman Taro came with a body that had no head, hands or feet and a suit with helmet/Taro head and gloves plus boots in box which you had to suit up.

Marmit's Ultraman Taro's head is a whole piece connected to his neck and chest piece, much like the original Batman costume. This meant no neck articulation nor turning of the head without turning the entire chest - LOL

Also, Marmit's Ultraman Taro doesn't fit nicely onto the body, there's a slight gap

Comparisons of the three Ultraman Taro

Part of the theme song had the words "Taro! Taro! Taro!......" (not "Tora! Tora! Tora!" as that's a 1970 film that dramatizes Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor)

There's also Marmit's Ultra Seven.

Medicom Ultra beings covered so far: Medicom Ultra Seven and Medicom Ultraman Ace


Ultraman related figures: Medicom's Anne Yuri, Medicom's Dan Moroboshi, Limited Edition (only 100 pieces produced) Dan Moroboshi by 5 Star and Takara Anna Yuri