From Wookieepedia :
Antoc Merrick was a human male ace pilot who served as a General in the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Around 0 BBY, General Merrick participated in the Alliance's acquisition of the Galactic Empire's plans to their ultimate weapon, the Death Star, in the Battle of Scarif. During the battle, Merrick flew as Blue Squadron leader in a T-65B X-wing starfighter until he was shot down and killed by a TIE Striker.
The Black Series 6inch (or 1/12) articulated figures has become an important avenue for me to acquire Star Wars characters I wanted but are not release in 1/6 scale. Or are in 1/6 but didn't want it enough to splash out the moolah for one. Figure like Antoc Merrick will most likely not be made into 1/6. It is a bordeline character for me to have commit to a 1/6 buy even when it is made.
So here I am contented with a half size sample.
So here I am contented with a half size sample.
I got the General as soon as it is available locally and for a fair price of $40/-. There isn't need for much consideration, instant buy.
DESIGN - 0/5
There is no design to speak of for this figure. In fact, it is a mix and mash for both arms from Luke Snowspeeder Pilot and body, legs from Luke X-Wing Pilot.
To put in a fair statement, there is really nothing much else in this category Hasbro could do as a pilot is a pilot and it is generic enough even when Antoc is a General (hey no pun intended there!). But at least re-design the shoulder to give butterfly joints. And for goodness sake do away the lightsaber hook on the belt... these little things count. But Hasbro chose to just go with a piecemeal solution.
SCULPTING - 4.5/5
The score is given specifically for headsculpting only. Very good sculpt even with minimal painting, it reveals the character uncannily.
Even when it is all rehashed parts for the rest of the body, the sculpt is good in itself and it still works for me today.
ARTICULATION - 2.5/5
It has all the standard articulation points and only a glaring omission of a butterfly shoulder joint. A pilot shouldn't need to make dynamic pose some may say. Yeah I agree to that. But it just means there should not have any expectation that future rebel pilots figures will have any improvement in this area.
Nevertheless, the figure still poses well and can strike few cool stance. Will see for future pilots releases.
PAINTING - 3/5
First of all, I would like to commend on the helmet prints are crisp and sharp. Scuffing weathering on some of the raised edges are very well done. These should all be by tampon printing I think, not specifically painting. But well, it puts colour onto the part so I'd put it all into this category. Helmet prints took the cake.
Rest of the body is about standard. Primary Sea Blue are original plastic colour so there is no paint job done.
It is at the white chest vest that sloppiness are found. Bleeding of white onto the blue fightsuit near the neck portion and the shoulder portion.
I'd give leeway here considering it is a mass produce figure.
ACCESSORIES - 3/5
The General was issued a blaster pistol (same as the one from Luke X-Wing Pilot) and a Flight Helmet - although I don't consider the Helmet an "accessory" as it is integral part of the what this figure represent.
I do not mind if no pistol is given but when there is one, it'd be good to have a holster or sort to keep it. There isn't... oh well.
OVERALL - 3/5
Yes, it is the overall figure that attracts me to buy it. Primarily wanted a Rebel pilot with a different flightsuit colour (other than orange) in my collection and the blue leader is a perfect candidate. Adds variety.
So it is buy to me and regardless of the low individual category score, I still like this figure alot.
DESIGN - 0/5
There is no design to speak of for this figure. In fact, it is a mix and mash for both arms from Luke Snowspeeder Pilot and body, legs from Luke X-Wing Pilot.
To put in a fair statement, there is really nothing much else in this category Hasbro could do as a pilot is a pilot and it is generic enough even when Antoc is a General (hey no pun intended there!). But at least re-design the shoulder to give butterfly joints. And for goodness sake do away the lightsaber hook on the belt... these little things count. But Hasbro chose to just go with a piecemeal solution.
SCULPTING - 4.5/5
The score is given specifically for headsculpting only. Very good sculpt even with minimal painting, it reveals the character uncannily.
Even when it is all rehashed parts for the rest of the body, the sculpt is good in itself and it still works for me today.
ARTICULATION - 2.5/5
It has all the standard articulation points and only a glaring omission of a butterfly shoulder joint. A pilot shouldn't need to make dynamic pose some may say. Yeah I agree to that. But it just means there should not have any expectation that future rebel pilots figures will have any improvement in this area.
Nevertheless, the figure still poses well and can strike few cool stance. Will see for future pilots releases.
PAINTING - 3/5
First of all, I would like to commend on the helmet prints are crisp and sharp. Scuffing weathering on some of the raised edges are very well done. These should all be by tampon printing I think, not specifically painting. But well, it puts colour onto the part so I'd put it all into this category. Helmet prints took the cake.
Rest of the body is about standard. Primary Sea Blue are original plastic colour so there is no paint job done.
It is at the white chest vest that sloppiness are found. Bleeding of white onto the blue fightsuit near the neck portion and the shoulder portion.
I'd give leeway here considering it is a mass produce figure.
ACCESSORIES - 3/5
The General was issued a blaster pistol (same as the one from Luke X-Wing Pilot) and a Flight Helmet - although I don't consider the Helmet an "accessory" as it is integral part of the what this figure represent.
I do not mind if no pistol is given but when there is one, it'd be good to have a holster or sort to keep it. There isn't... oh well.
OVERALL - 3/5
Yes, it is the overall figure that attracts me to buy it. Primarily wanted a Rebel pilot with a different flightsuit colour (other than orange) in my collection and the blue leader is a perfect candidate. Adds variety.
So it is buy to me and regardless of the low individual category score, I still like this figure alot.
Antoc Merrick is relatively new as an action figure. It was only release before in a 3.75" X-Wing Fighter boxset (https://www.fanthatracks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/antonmerrick_x-wing_cover_1.jpg) as a TVC carded figure inside the box. Meaning you can only obtain a mini Blue Leader figure with a purchase of the X-Wing fighter. I'd love to have one but not the plane so I guess will probably wait for future re-release as a single card figure - if it ever will.
This 6" version is only the second piece. I stand corrected.
I wish for an A, B or Y-Wing pilot be made to add more variety to the rebel pilots line-up. I'm sure this wish will be fulfill and shouldn't need to wait too long.
This 6" version is only the second piece. I stand corrected.
I wish for an A, B or Y-Wing pilot be made to add more variety to the rebel pilots line-up. I'm sure this wish will be fulfill and shouldn't need to wait too long.
*Note - in this last picture, the white bleed (or perhaps "overspray") beneath the neck portion was photoshop touched up.
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