Figure of the Day: Day 44: Zutton (Kmart Blue Snaggletooth)

ZUTTON Mos Eisley Cantina
The Original Trilogy Collection Kmart Exclusive
Item No.: No. 34527
Number: n/a
Includes: Bar section, glasses
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: Kenner's vintage Sears-exclusive Cantina Adventure Set

Bio: On the planet Tatooine, the Mos Eisley cantina, also known as Chalmun's cantina, is the hot spot for entertainment and intrigue. Many species intermingle there, spying and conducting shady business. Bounty hunters frequen the seedy joint, hoping to catch their prey in an unguarded moment. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker went to the cantina to find transportation off the planet, which led to their first meeting with Han Solo. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: In the pop-up Cantina diorama Kenner offered from 1997-1999.

Commentary: Hasbro doesn't do many figures from 100% recycled parts, but this blue Zutton is a fine example. The head and body sections come from the 2001 Zutton figure, and the arms and legs come from the 2002 Ponda Baba, the Wal-Mart exclusive one with the jointed knees and sliceable arm. The figure has a total of 9 joints, and as before with Ponda Baba's arm, you can cut his arm off too. He can sit, he can stand, but when standing his legs are a little awkward-- much like the vintage figure on which he was based, they're straight up-and-down. For being a figure with another random figure's arms slapped on it, it looks surprisingly good and well put together-- although the torso has a little more detail than the rest of the limbs. For fans of unique collectible figures, this is a must-buy, but he technically isn't in the movies so much as he is a legend to collectors. So if your fandom bread is buttered on the toy side, go get one.

Collector's Notes: Watch the silver paint-- this unique color of paint rubs off if you aren't careful, as evidenced by the vintage figure and toys in other lines. So, buyer beware, and collector, be careful! The figure is a tribute to a Sears exclusive goof-up, a tall, blue Snaggletooth action figure from Kenner that's one of very few figures from early in the line that, out of his box, goes for a small wad of cash. Fans of the vintage Snaggletooth alien may be interested in other figures of the Snivvian race, such as Takeel, or the red version of Zutton.

Day 44: June 19, 2006