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Master Replicas Expanded Universe
Shadowtrooper (Black Hole) Stormtrooper Helmet |
| Back in 2007, Master Replicas decided to do an ultra-rare 100-stong
limited edition all-black "Shadow Stormtrooper" helmet. However, following
the expected "I want one of those" feedback from fans they decided to
increase the run to 500. Despite the increase they all sold out VERY quickly -
what great marketing! Fast-forward five years and we've finally got out
hands on a Shadow Stormtrooper after one showed up for a decent price on
eBay here in the UK. So, was it worth the wait? |
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| Pick this helmet up and immediately you notice its a
substantial weight and feel in your hands -since its cast out of Fiberglass,
as opposed to the cheaper eFX version produced a few years later (which was
vac-formed plastic). Since the Shadow Stormtrooper was never featured in any
of the Star Wars movies - there's no argument over "emulating the
screen-used version". This was solely a game/comic-book character so having
it in fiberglass gives it real gravitas. |
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| The finish (which is excellent btw) is all gloss black with
matt black detailing in the trapezoids, vocoder and vents. The only other
colour/shade breaking through is the silver frown and chrome eye lenses
which really make the helmet stand out. The "ears" are not separate but all
part of the single helmet structure - although the matt black ear tips on
them have been added on top- along with a couple of fake screws. As with all
the Master Replicas LE helmets it comes with stand and polished metal
(numbered) plaque. |
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| The interesting thing about this helmet is that its NOT
using the same mould MR (and later eFX) used for the Limited Edition (white
fiberglass) Stormtrooper Helmet. Around 2006, Master Replicas were
prototyping a symmetrical version of the Stormtrooper helmet (the guys at
Lucasfilm were very keen on this idea) and although it never went into
production - the mould was not wasted as it was used for the Shadow
Stormtrooper instead. In addition the symmetrical mould was later used by MR
and eFX in their cheaper vac-formed plastic line of Stormtrooper helmets. |
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| This symmetrical Stormtrooper is itself derived from the
asymmetrical (read "wonky") helmet as they both came fro the same source - a
cast off an original screen-used ANH Stunt Stormtrooper helmet. Though we've
not seen documentation we're pretty sure the MR artists took half the helmet
and then mirrored it across - and then manually adjusted the final
appearance so it looked right. |
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| Above a close up of the frown, Vocoder and mic-tips (same
ones as used on the standard Stormtrooper). And finally, below a nice
front-on shot with the chin slightly raised which clearly illustrated the
symmetry of the helmet - which for this particular character works well.
Again like the LE Stormtrooper, the brow trim is a rubberised strip affixed
to the section where the face and cap sections would have joined -
had this been vac-formed. |
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| Parting thoughts - its taken us five years to get hold of
one of these and the wait's been worth it. Its a very cool looking helmet
and even though its an "Expanded Universe" character - it doesn't look out
of place when sat next to Original Trilogy helmets like Stormtrooper and TIE
pilots. Its an extremely well put-together product - but then all the
fiberglass Master Replica LE helmets were fantastic collectibles - and the
internal leather-lining makes it look it was manufactured by Porsche.
Uber cool looking lid this one - worth keeping your eyes out for one!
These shots from 2007 were all courtesy of P1x4r, with thanks. |
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| If you cast your mind back you may remember that MR was
initially going to do 3 different Stormtroopers a CE LE and EE. Now they've
effectively made the CE and LE with the Budget and LE Hero helmets. However
the mould for the EE is what they've used here in creating a more idealised
and symmetrical Stormtrooper helmet. |
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| In creating this symmetrical helmet it wasn't just a case
of taking a the half of an existing helmet and then flipping it over - if
you check out the bottom of the this page
you'll see why doesn't work. So you'll probably find that it isn't perfectly
symmetrical, but at least less asymmetrical than the "wonky" screen-used
helmets. |
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| I don't normally go for the expanded universe stuff but
this is an exception - marvellous! |
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Its a really superb looking helmet from the Expanded
Universe, thanks again to P1x4r for the photos |
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Back to Master
Replicas main page |
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