THE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC, EMPIRE, AND FIRST ORDER

Via Starwars.com:

THE GALAXY’S WHITE-ARMORED SOLDIERS GREW MORE RUTHLESS AND FACELESS AS REGIMES CHANGED.
A military filled with well-trained soldiers in white armor is a common trait shared by the Galactic Republic, Galactic Empire, and First Order. This is no coincidence, as each generation of combat forces influenced the battle dress of its successor. However, the Republic’s clone troopers, the Empire’s stormtroopers, and the First Order’s stormtroopers have their own unique attributes, with various levels of disparity existing in their recruitment processes, training procedures, levels of conformity, and the images they project to citizens living in the territories that they control.

While all three entities filled their ranks with humans, the Republic obviously did so with human clones who had their aging accelerated and were trained from birth on Kamino. While the initial army of Imperial stormtroopers was originally comprised of former clone troopers, the Empire gradually phased in human recruits who eventually became the core of its fighting force. The First Order’s enlistment tactics were similar to the Republic’s breeding programs in that they were morally questionable, except the First Order resorted to identifying potential soldiers and stealing them from their families at a very young age. By default, the oppressive Imperial regime ironically had the fairest program with its use of voluntary recruits.

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Win Your Very Own Life Size Han Solo Figure!

Via Sideshow Collectibles:

Starting June 16th, Sideshow Collectibles, Empire Magazine, and ThinkGeek are offering Star Wars fans across the galaxy a chance to win the ultimate prize: a 7 foottall Han Solo in Carbonite Life Size Figure! Valued at nearly U.S. $7,000.00, this piece of the Star Wars film legacy captures every detail of the frozen smuggler from one of the most iconic moments in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – recently ranked by Empire Magazine as the best film of all time!

Depending on the layout of your ship or palace, Han can be mounted on a wall or displayed on a magnificent themed base. With screen-­‐accurate light-­‐up effects, side panel components, and rear power canisters, this incredible Life-­‐Size Figure looks so realistic you could tell your friends you froze him yourself! And if you miss out on scoring the grand bounty, ThinkGeek is generously offering a hefty “Han Solo” prize pack for the runner up! This pack will include almost EVERYTHING Han Solo related from the extensive ThinkGeek.com catalogue. This Han nirvana will consist of: Han Solo in Carbonite bottle opener, Han Solo in Carbonite Business Card Case, Han Solo in Carbonite Rug (Large/X-­‐Large), I Love You / I Know Cufflinks, Star Wars Black 6″ Action Figures -­‐ Han Solo, Star Wars Han Frozen in Carbonite Poster, Star Wars Han Solo in Carbonite Ice Cube Tray, Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bottle Opener, Star Wars Millennium Falcon Windshield Sunshade, and Star Wars Towels -­‐ Han Solo.

This exclusive contest will run until August 15th. On August 21st, one lucky winner will become the ‘Solo’ collector that gets to bring home Jabba’s most sought after Carbonite trophy and the runner up will get a cargo hold full of Han awesomeness! So prepare to be the envy of every Star Wars fan on the planet, and may the Force be with you! Enter here!

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