Epic World Of Action Darktrooper Review and Sneak Peeks

  

I'm going to take some heat for this, but I really don't care. The Epic World of Action Darktrooper is a good figure. Now, compared to the Vintage Collection Darktrooper, just on articulation alone, the VC version wins. But the simple 9 POA EWOA Darktrooper is better in some details. And for the price (under $10) it's cheaper to troop build these guys. So, how do they compare to the Vintage Collection version, and where does the EWOA have the advantage over the VC version? I'm going to tell you, and let you see for yourself. 

The EWOA Darktrooper has only 9 POA. The VC version has the standard 17 POA. The head, arms, legs elbows and knees have articulation. As an added feature, the EWOA Darktrooper has barbell hips, something the VC Darktrooper doesn't have. Now since his wrists have no articulation, he can't do a THWG. To be fair, it's difficult to get the VC version to do that, but it is possible. He has a great range of motion for having swivel joints (arms, elbows, knees; head is on a ball joint) on the rest of his body. The sculpt is actually quite good for a toyline that is geared more towards kids than collectors. Check out the comparisons below to the Vintage Collection version: 

On the left is the VC figure, the EWOA is on the right. The paint apps are very simple on the EWOA figure, as it's a kid oriented line. But you can tell it's a Darktrooper. There is no light piping feature, which is something a kid friendly line might do, but the eyes are painted. The VC version has the light piping eye feature. Another positive for the EWOA version is the balance. It's quite easy to stand this figure up, while the VC figure needs a stand. For the photo, I had to lean it against the wall as I didn't have a stand to support it. The EWOA version stands well on his own. 

I got the EWOA Vader to help me out for the look at the accessory, which is his blaster rifle. It's in clear read plastic with the blast effect attached. He holds it well in his right hand. He can probably hold it well in his left hand, but I didn't attempt it. Before you ask, he sadly cannot hold the VC blaster. And unlike the VC figure, there is no way to clip the rifle to the figure's leg, so you'll need a small bag to store his blaster. The blast effect takes some getting used to, but I guess that's something kids today like. Of course "back in my day" (read that quote in your old man voice) we didn't need it as we had imagination! For now, I don't plan on painting the blasters, or cutting off the blast effect. So, how does he fit in the VC charging station? See for yourself! 

He fits quite well. I would say the VC figure looks better in the station, but he does look like he belongs in there, doesn't he? I wouldn't say he's a perfect fit, the VC doesn't perfectly fit in the station either. So if you want to display it in the charging station, you can. 

So to summarize: the EWOA figure has the VC beat in joint movement, durability and balance. I can easily bend the knees and elbows on the EWOA figure. I can't bend the knees on my VC figure because it feels like doing so would break it. The barbell hips make it a joy to move. The VC has the ball socket style hips, which don't move all that well, and is quite fragile. But the VC has it beat in paint apps, sculpt and accessories. But the EWOA figure has it beat on price. A 9 POA figure for under $10 is quite good. In this rare case, I feel this is in some ways a better figure than the VC Darktrooper. If the VC figure had barbell hips, and didn't feel like moving the joints would break it, the VC would be the better choice. For the price, and for the playability, the EWOA beats the VC version. But the VC wins in the areas that most matters to collectors. If there was some way to merge these 2 figures, it would then be perfect. But for me, I'm using the EWOA Darktrooper as my go-to Darktrooper. For now, anyway. 

Thanks for reading! A special thanks to Chris and Nomad at BanthaSkull for allowing me to post this link in the comments section! Please share this link on your social media accounts so I can get more readers! 

Next week: I look back on the 30th Anniversary of POTF2, with an in depth look at the line, and why it's perfect for new collectors to get into if they're on a budget. 

I have a few sneak peeks: 

1. Upcoming figure reviews

Embo from the Clone Wars line, and the dark side Anakin from the 3 pack. I won't cover the other 2 figures from the pack just yet. I don't have too much coming in the rest of the year, so I'll go to reviewing older figures as well. 

2. New arrivals

I managed to get a spare VC Cal Kestis, and found a Juno Eclipse figure, and a 3.75 inch Black Series Ponda Baba. Once I get the VC Ponda repack in, I'll compare the 2 side by side. I do plan on having the Black Series figure in my Cantina display, just as I hope to get another Greedo to use as another member of his species as a display figure. 

Speaking of the Cantina, I found a Lak Sivrak POTF2 figure, and an 8D8 with his torture rack, relatively cheap. I have other POTF2 figures to open, and I'll get into some of them next week. 

3. Bummed out

I opened Tycho....and he doesn't fit in my A-Wing. So that sucks. I'll review him soon. 

4. Hasbro Pulse Haul

When I pre-ordered Han and Chewie, I added Yord from the Acolyte, and another Jedi Legend Obi-Wan to replace the one that broke. I have a dremel coming in, so I plan on doing some cosmetic surgery to Obi-Wan to get him to work better. Yord might join my Clone Wars era Jedi, but once I open him, I'll be able to see if he'll be there, or part of my New Republic Jedi. I may do a head swap, as my original plan was to customize him anyway. 

5. Customs

I put an Imperial Gunner vest on my Starkiller custom. Earlier today I painted his belt black. While not pictured, I put a GI Joe Renegades Scarlett head on a spare Jyn Erso, which is a perfect fit. I'm painting my spare Baylan Skoll and will soon add an unmasked Kylo Ren head to the figure. I have a couple more customs I hope to finish before football season begins, and I'll post these customs on the blog very soon.