Star Wars The Black Series Pre Vizsla review

My pandemic binge through the Clone Wars has left me with a massive amount of characters I want to see in The Black Series line. At least one major character got scratched off the list in 2023 with Pre Vizsla.

The leader of Death Watch and a pivotal character in the Mandalore arcs, Pre Vizsla was a dangerous and formidable player in the Clone Wars. When Hasbro announced he was coming I was hyped. Right up until I realized the mold he was using.

I’m going into this review already realizing I’m probably going to have to buy an updated version of him when Hasbro goes for a better mold. Once that happens, I’ll serve this figure up to Darth Maul. Until then, let’s see how this figure holds up.

Packaging: Pre Vizsla marks the return to the traditional open-window packaging. That’s usually helpful, but he’s the kind of character you’re probably not going to see multiples on the shelf. At least you can see if he’s ben swapped out or missing accessories.

 

The Clone Wars’ yellow orange is a nice shift from some of the other colors. I love the little Easter Egg with Pre’s side art as Darth Maul is in the background ready to assume control over the Mandalorians.

As always, the Black Series provides the best bios of any of Hasbro’s brands as they always tell a story of the character.

Pre is No. 17 in the Clone Wars assortment. That seems wild as there’s still so many characters left to do.

Likeness:  Easily the best aspect of the figure is the amazing head sculpt. It’s got that stellar work Hasbro’s SWB team does in translating an animated character to a live-action style appearance. From the deep-set bags under his eyes and the prominent scar across his left cheek, this sculpt is tremendous.

The SWB team needed to make his turtleneck piece wider as it was visible beyond his neck. Pre Vizsla is too thick. He could have some girth, but he’s too wide like he’s out of shape. What’s most annoying is Hasbro’s already introduced a better Mandalorian buck with the Death Watch Mandalorian.

Given the amount of eventual reuse what with The Mandalorian providing new options every season, Pre Vizsla really should have warranted a new sculpted chest off the Death Watch mold.

Hasbro went with the easy approach with Pre since they reused the Jango mold. His flamethrower should be on the right arm, but since Jango’s mold had it on the left arm…

Paint:  Hasbro typically doesn’t have issues in this category. Pre Vizsla’s armor could have stood looking a bit dingier, but it’s fine.

I do wish the blue paint on the armor was a tad lighter and had more of that painted on appearance like he helmet.

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Scale:  In Clone Wars, Pre Vizsla is shown as shorter than Darth Maul, who’s hardly the tallest Sith Lord. I don’t tend to agree with incorrect scaling especially when it’s due to mostly lazy mold reuse, but I’m fine with Maul being shorter than Pre Vizsla.

Articulation: The main issue with the Jango Fett mold is it’s too clunky and limited with poor range. Most of the problems issues with the articulation is the stiffness especially with the shoulders and ankles.

The weak ankles lack the range to support the figure’s weight so there’s no realistic chance to strike deeper poses. And there’s the issue with the shoulder pads that hinder that range too.

Pre Vizsla’s elbows are single jointed as per usual with the line. The Jango mold lacked the deeper cut of more modern figures, which accommodate better range and account for the lack of double-jointed movement.

Pre Vizsla has:

• neck
• ball-jointed shoulders
• elbow (with swivel)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• torso
• hips
• thighs
• knees (swivel)
• ankles

Accessories: Pre Vizsla gets the standard Mandalorian accessory rollout.

He’s got the base jetpack. It’s sculpted nicely and fits in tightly.

Also, he’s rocking the typical WESTAR-35 pistols.

His unique accessories are the best. He’s got his helmet. Pre Vizsla has one of the coolest designs with the high point antennas and that great paint work.

Finally, he’s got his signature weapon, The Darksaber. I think this is the same one that came with Moff Gideon, but it’s a cool accessory and fitting for Death Watch’s leader.

Worth it?  Pre Vizsla isn’t a $25 figure. The compromised mold really hinders his articulation.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Unless you’re a Clone Wars sucker — like me — you’re better off waiting until Hasbro’s SWB team revisits Pre Vizsla with a better figure with superior articulation.

Where to get it? Pre Vizsla is available through all the usual retail suspects. You can also grab him from Amazon or Entertainment Earth.