Imperial Officer

An Imperial Officer is a minifigure released for the Classic Star Wars theme. A total of ten different minifigure variants and one microfigure have been released to date, each of the variants being exclusive to one set.
== Description ==
The first Imperial Officer was released in 2002. This minifigure has a plain leg piece in dark grey, a shade of grey which was discontinued in 2003. The torso piece is also dark grey, and printing is present on the front of the piece- black for outlining and detailing of the uniform and belt, silver printing for parts of the belt, backing for the rank plaques and for the code cylinder located in the top-left corner of the torso, and red and blue printing for rectangles on the rank plaques (three red rectangles over three blue ones). The head piece and hands are yellow, with two black dot eyes and a black smiling mouth are printed for the face. One accessory was included with this minifigure- a dark grey hat.
The next Imperial Officer was not released for another three years, two of which were included in the set 7264 Imperial Inspection. This version of the officer had a similar torso print to the original, but the leg and torso colour was changed to dark stone grey. The hands and head piece were changed to a flesh colour, due to the decision to change the general skin tone of minifigures in licensed themes from yellow to this colour in 2004. The face printing for this minifigure was also changed- the mouth was wider and thinner, white pupils were added to the eyes, and brown eyebrows were also present. This minifigure also wore a different hat to the original, which is known to as a kepi, that came in dark stone grey.
The following year, yet another variant of Imperial Officer was released. The major difference between this version and the previous one is that the head printing was changed back to the same as the one used on the original variant.
An officer in combat gear was released in the first wave of 2010. This variant of the officer once again had plain grey legs, but the torso had a plate of armour printed in a lighter shade of grey. Darker grey and black printing is used for detailing, and small blue, white and red dots appear in one rectangle at the bottom of the armour. The rank plaque is present on the top left of the armour plate, which is once again three red over three blue rectangles. The hands of the minifigure are coloured black, representing gloves, and the minifigure's face was changed, featuring black eyes with white pupils, downward-slanting eyebrows, and a black mouth with the right side turned up at the edge. This minifigure came with a light grey helmet, and dark grey electrobinoculars.
Another Imperial Officer was released in 2010, this time not in combat attire, but the standard officer's uniform. This minifigure's pieces were once again similar to the previous variants, except the head piece is the same as the other Officer released in 2010.
In 2012, an Imperial Officer was released in the 9492 TIE Fighter. This latest version of the minifigure retains the previous version's head, kepi and leg pieces, but has a redesigned torso. It features similar uniform outlining, however a black strip is used for the belt with a silver buckle. The rank plaques are also moved lower down the torso and outlined in black, and a second code cylinder is present on the right side of the torso. The torso also features some back printing, one black line on each side of the torso for outlining of the uniform, and a black horizontal strip, continuing the belt over to the back. The hands of this minifigure are black to symbolise gloves, as opposed to the skin-coloured hands of the other non-combat officers.
Also released in 2012 was a new variant of an Imperial Officer in combat gear. The primary differences between this variant and the original officer in combat gear is that the leg joint is changed from grey to black, and a double-sided headpiece is used. Both sides features a dark grey chinstrap and a stern expression, however one side has black eyes with white pupils and downturned eyebrows, while the other has a visor instead.
The second wave of 2014 introduced a new version of the Imperial Officer. This variant retains a number of features from the 2012 variant in dress uniform, including the same base colours, and a similar print design for the tunic on both the front and back. However, the position of creases on the has changed, and significantly more creases are printed around the belt. The rank plack has also been moved slightly closer to the centre, and this officer only has a single silver code cylinder. The cylinder is positioned to the right of the rank plack, and has a more detailed design than previous variants. The minifigure's face features brown printing for eyebrows and sideburns, and features a sneering expression, consisting of black eyes with white pupils, black outling for the mouth, and dark flesh printing for facial detailing. The officer comes with one accessory- a newly designed hat piece, which features silver circle with black outlining printed in the centre, representing a code disc.
In 2015, a new Imperial Officer was released. As opposed to previous variants, this officer wears a tan-coloured uniform, based on the designs from Star Wars Rebels. The officer has have plain tan legs, and a tan torso with a printing pattern similar in design to the 2014 variant, but with not as many creases, and a wider outline for the centre area of the tunic. Additionally, the officer's single code cylinder is lower down and closer to the rank plack. The officer features the same hat as the 2014 officer with the same code cylinder printing, but will also have some additional brown printing above the hat's visor. This officer is also the first to come armed with a weapon- a black blaster pistol.
=== Microfigure ===
In 2012, the first Star Wars game was released, 3866 The Battle of Hoth, which includes one Imperial Officer microfigure. The microfigure has flesh-coloured printing in the head area, with eyes, eyebrows, mouth and a helmet strap also printed. The rest of the microfigure is grey, with black printing detailing the armour plate and belt, and outlining the uniform and red-over-blue rank insignia. A red vertical line is also present on the armour plate.
=== In the Video Games ===
The Imperial Officer is a playable character in LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, and again in LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga. The Officer's appearance is based upon the 2006 variant, and is armed with a grey pistol. He has the ability to single-jump, build, punch enemies at close range, shoot, grapple, and open doors requiring an Imperial character.
== Background ==
Imperial Officers were a high-ranking members of the Imperial military. Wearing distinctive uniforms in various neutral colours, they were commonly found on bridges aboard starships or at command centres on planetary surfaces. Officers were trained to use blaster rifles, but commonly used pistols. Naval officers were often found aboard large vessels such as Star Destroyers, while those from the army usually commanded their troops from the rear at mobile command centres.
== Notes ==
* All of the officers not in combat gear feature three red rectangles over three blues ones along with a single code cylinder, except the 2012 officer who has two cylinders. This puts the 2012 officer one rank higher than all of the other officers.Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Warfare Code cylinders are not visible over the armour on the combat variant, so their exact rank cannot be determined.
== Minifigure Variants ==
== Appearances ==
* 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer 
* 7201 Final Duel II 
* 7264 Imperial Inspection 
* 8084 Snowtrooper Battle Pack 
* 9492 TIE Fighter 
* 9509 Star Wars Advent Calendar 
* 10212 Imperial Shuttle 
* 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer 
* 75082 TIE Advanced Prototype 
* 75106 Imperial Assault Carrier 
* 75159 Death Star 
* 75184 Star Wars Advent Calendar 
=== Movie Appearances ===
* LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out
=== Microfigure Appearances ===
* 3866 The Battle of Hoth
== References ==
== External links ==