Sunday, October 22, 2017

Road to The Last Jedi: Supreme Leader Snoke (Throne Room) from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase III by Hasbro

   I've been waiting for Hasbro to release an action figure of Supreme Leader Snoke since he first appeared in  The Force Awakens in 2005 and it finally happened! Snoke's appearance was quite a surprise in the film (he really was kept a secret quite successfully) and I've absolutely been curious about his true identity. There are quite a few theories floating around but I'm not sure I buy any of them. I'd really like the Darth Plagueis theory to be true, but I'm not sure that Disney would bring something that cool and nuanced from the Prequel Trilogy into the Sequel Trilogy. Regardless of his identity, Snoke has an unusual appearance: He's oddly disturbing yet dressed very regally, almost like a space Hugh Heffner. While Snoke is going to be released in the regular Black Series line, this figure is exclusive to Gamestop and includes Snoke's throne. I can't imagine wanting Snoke but not his throne, can you? Let's check out this new figure of the First Order's Supreme Leader after the break...



 The Facts:

Height: 7 1/8ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed hips, ball jointed mid-torso, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel biceps, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, a hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Belt and 2-piece throne

Non-Scalper Price: $39.99
 The Positives:



* Snoke has an unusual build as he is very tall, very slim, and rather gaunt. The robe he wears is not removable but it is an actual soft goods robe and gives the figure a rather cool appearance. Snoke's built is removable, however. It's made from a pliable plastic and is easily removable.

 * Snoke's headsculpt is incredible. The sculpt is very disturbing (down to his throat) and features all kinds of odd-looking scars and deformities. The paintwork is also really impressive and nuanced.



 * It might be a little weird looking but there is something rather intriguing about Snoke's emaciated from. What is this guy's deal?
 * I also like Snoke's gesturing hands. The right hand is sculpted in a gesturing pose (maybe utilizing the Force?) while the left is in a menacing grip. He also has a bizarre ring on his left hand. Some sort of Sith relic, perhaps?


 * I've seen a lot of criticism of Snoke's robe but, in person, it looks pretty cool. Again, it's a rather unusual design, but it has an impressive somewhat glittery texture woven into it.



 * Snoke is as well articulated as any other Black Series figure, and perhaps even more so due to his double hinged elbows and his lanky proportions.



* He also sits perfectly in his throne! Man, I really want a throne made for the Emperor now, too!



* And here's the throne! It's a really large, sturdy accessory that has a great Star Wars-ish appearance to it. The sculpted details look great on this. It also should connect to the flooring that comes with the upcoming Kylo Ren (Throne Room) figure that is a Wal-Mart exclusive.



* The paint detail is pretty cool, too. There are lots of painted lights and buttons all over the sides of the throne as well as lighting around the middle.
 The Negatives:

* The back of the throne has some rather soft sculpting and no paintwork. It's a bit bland, really.



* Snoke's gold slippers are weird, but his massive ankles are weirder. Yikes!
  I'm a pretty big fan of this figure. I know that Snoke's look doesn't appeal to everyone but I appreciate that he has a fairly unique appearance. Having a throne included with him is also pretty cool. It's a great set, although perhaps a bit pricey. Still, who wants a Snoke without a throne to sit on? This is a Great and a 1/2 figure and another figure that shows the improvements Hasbro has made with this line recently.





This is the first action figure of Snoke that I've reviewed. If you're looking for more Black Series figures, check out the following:

442nd Siege Battalion Clone Trooper, 212th Attack Battalion Utapau Trooper, Coruscant Guard ---(Phase II), and 501st Legion Clone Trooper 4 pack
Admiral Ackbar and First Order Officer
Ahsoka Tano 
AT-AT Pilot 
Baze Malbus
Captain Cassian Andor (Eadu) 
Captain Poe Dameron
C-3PO
C-3PO (Resistance Base)
Captain Phasma
Chewbacca
Chirrut Imwe 
Clone Captain Rex (HasCon Exclusive)
Clone Commander Gree
Constable Zuvio
Darth Revan 
Darth Vader (Emperor's Wrath)
Director Krennic
Elite Praetorian Guard
Finn (First Order Disguise)
Finn (FN-2187)
Finn (Jakku)
First Order Flametrooper
First Order General Hux
First Order Snowtrooper
First Order Snowtrooper Officer
First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter
First Order Stormtrooper
First Order Stormtrooper Executioner 
First Order TIE Fighter Pilot
General Leia Organa
Grand Admiral Thrawn (SDCC Exclusive)
Guardians of Evil 4-Pack
Guavian Enforcer
Han Solo 
Hera Syndulla
Imperial AT-ACT Driver
Imperial Death Trooper
Imperial Death Trooper, Captain Cassian Andor, and Sergeant Jyn Erso (Jedha) 3 pack
Imperial Hovertank Pilot 
Imperial Shock Trooper 
Imperial Royal Guard
Jango Fett
K-2SO
Kanan Jarrus
Kylo Ren 
Kylo Ren (SDCC 2016)
Kylo Ren (The Last Jedi) 
Kylo Ren (Starkiller Base)
Lando Calrissian
Luke Skywalker 
Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) 
Maz Kanata
Obi-Wan Kenobi (SDCC 2016)
Phase 1 Clone Trooper Commander, Phase II Clone Trooper, Imperial Stormtrooper, and First Order ---Stormtrooper Officer four pack
Poe Dameron
Poe Dameron and First Order Riot Control Stormtrooper
Princess Leia Organa 
Qui-Gon Jinn
R2-A3, R5-K6, and R2-F2
Resistance Trooper
Rey (Jakku) & BB-8 
Rey (Jedi Training)
Rey (Starkiller Base) 
Rey's Speeder (Jakku)
Sabine Wren
Sandtrooper Sergeant, Crimson Stormtrooper, Lieutenant OXIXO, and R2-Q5
Scarif Stormtrooper
Scarif Stormtrooper Squad Leader 
Sergeant Jyn Erso (Eadu)
Sergeant Jyn Erso (Jedha)
Snowtrooper 
Tusken Raider 
X-34 Landspeeder & Luke Skywalker (SDCC Exclusive) 
X-Wing Pilot Asty 

11 comments:

  1. He's in is slippers and his housecoat. Am I the only one who sees that??

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  2. Replies
    1. See, I still get that weird "Gary Oldman from Bram Stoker's Dracula vibe" from him. He's all about appearance and being classy but he's still pretty darn intimidating. Really curious to see this guy in action.

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  3. I love the golden robes. It's a nice contrast to the "ooooo scary evil black-clad Dark Side baddie" type we've seen a zillion times before.

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    Replies
    1. I agree. Nice to see something different.

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    2. Also as it turns out, you were right about his ring; according to the Visual Dictionary for The Last Jedi, the ring is a relic from Vader's castle.

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  4. Ack! Kicking myself for not buying the throne version from BBTS while they had stock (it was just a bit pricier than I was comfortable with). He would've gone great with the Praetorians I was able to get hold of...

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    Replies
    1. The throne is such a key component of this character's look. Gamestop in the US has run some sales on these, so maybe they'll be easier to come by in the future?

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    2. I got mine at full price when it was new. I have no regrets. :D

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