Figure of the Day: Day 34: Ugnaught

UGNAUGHTS with Tool Kit
Power of the Force Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 69605 No. 69837
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 figures, tool kit, rubber apron, Freeze Frame action slide
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Summer 1998
Appearances: Primarily The Empire Strikes Back; also appears in the Expanded Universe

Bio: Ugnaughts, the humanoid species found on Bespin's Cloud City, manned the controls of the freezing chambers where Han Solo was encased in carbonite. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' shelf.

Commentary: Boy howdy, is this an ugly figure. This Ugnaught one of two in the 2-pack, but for the sake of this article, we're splitting them up. Each has a unique sculpt, and this is the tusked, gloved, and square-shouldered one. With limited articulation at the neck, shoulders, and waist, it's not exactly super-articulated. (Although the fact you get 2 makes up for it.) The sculpt is very good, and unfortunately, Hasbro's willingness to put 2 figures in 1 package for under $10 have seriously waned. The individually painted tusks, the soulful eyes, and the dog-ugly face bring out a lot of character in a toy that's little more than a little person in a rubber mask. In and of itself, it's a pretty good figure. For dioramas or your Cloud City playsets, you'll want a lot of Ugnaughts, as they're very nicely done.

Collector's Notes: And if you want a lot of them, boy, are you in luck. As one of the many Collection 2 figures from 1998 which didn't sell too well, this guy was still seen in drugstores by yours truly through at least 2002, and I have few doubts there's a Walgreens somewhere that still has them at $8.99. Today, this set of figures can be had for a couple of bucks tops, so don't get ripped off-- be stingy.

Day 34: June 9, 2006