Review – Star Wars Death Trooper Bust

Line: Star Wars * Manufacturer: Gentle Giant * Year: 2010

Now here is a great work of art by Gentle Giant (website, Twitter). Based on the Stormtroopers found in the Death Troopers novel*, this limited edition Death Trooper bust* is an excellent zombie Stormtrooper that looks wonderful on the shelf. And what’s especially nice is that this edition includes enough extra bits to customize the statue; take a close look at the photos for an idea of just how customizable this statue actually is.

Brrraaaiiinnnsss!

AT just under 7-inches tall this small statue is an excellent example of the detail that Gentle Giant puts into their Star Wars mini-busts. The head swivels on a ball-joint like piece that allows you to position it as you see fit. And in addition to the movement you can snap on parts to display the Stormtrooper with his helmet battered and beaten or, if you like, parts of the helmet ripped away and one eye and his jaw exposed. I’m going with the ripped away option for display; it really looks disgusting and the detail on the eye is nice and creepy in person.

Three Arms

The left arm of the statue is locked in place, but the right arm is held in place with a magnet and the set came with three different right arms. I’m only showing two of them here because the third is just a position change of a weaponless arm; see the official product page at Gentle Giant for more photos of the statue. The changeable arm trick is a nice touch, even if it does make me kinda want a second one of these so that I can display two of them at once. But no, I’ll be happy with the single statue.

A Painted Masterpiece

The yellowed and battered armor of the Death Trooper bust* looks even better in person than it does in these photos that I shot. I’m not sure how the work was done, but Gentle Giant really put a lot of work into the paint applications on this statue and it pops on the shelf when next to other Stormtrooper pieces.

And it’s not just the armor that looks great. That fleshy face, the hole in the armor’s torso, and the tear in the left arm all show meaty and nasty paint applications that help make this a statue that just about any Stormtrooper fan should own. I understand that the idea of zombie Stormtroopers bothers some purists, but I think that getting a close look at the statue will change most minds.

Even the Armor is Customizable

The two photos below show how the armor’s tear in the torso can be covered by an included piece. It’s not a seamless covering, but the tears in the armor look appropriate next to all of the other bruises and signs of battle damage that cover the body. I’m displaying mine with the gash in the armor showing, but only because that torso wound is especially gruesome and one I want to be sure everyone can see.

I Know Nothing of the Book

I hate to admit it, but I’ve never read the Death Troopers novel*. I should, and probably will, now that I’ve got my hands on this statue because anything that leads to a statue this much fun is worth investigating. Maybe the book will be the next one that I grab after I’ve read through the stacks of books that are waiting on me.

Closing Thoughts

I’m quite happy that I joined Gentle Giant’s membership (information at their site) because almost everything I’ve bought from them is a work of art and looks gorgeous in my collection. And this bust is no exception and may be one of their better works that I own.

There are two versions of the statue — a standard edition bust* that was distributed and this deluxe edition that is a Gentle Giant website exclusive. And as of this writing the statue is on sale for Halloween. I paid $39 which is a truly remarkable price for a work of art like this. But the sale ends right away so if you like what you see I suggest grabbing it now.

I’m glad that I’ve got mine.

Philip Reed wishes he had enough time to create a day of special posts for Halloween, but hopefully this zombie Stormtrooper review will be entertaining enough for you today.