Figure of the Day: Day 155: Even Piell

EVEN PIELL Jedi High Council
Saga Collection Screen Scene Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84997 No. 84981
Number: 1 of 2
Includes: Display stand, additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99-$24.99
Availability: Summer 2003
Appearances: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones

Bio: Even Piell was a Jedi Master and Jedi Council member from the planet Lannik with a well-deserved reputation of being a humorless and fierce warrior. He was present when Qui-Gon Jinn introduced Anakin Skywalker to the Council. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: The toy shelves of Adam Pawlus.

Commentary: Once upon a time, Hasbro decided to fulfill about a dozen fan wishes at once with some multi-packs featuring figures like Even Piell. This requested member of the Jedi High Council was an all-new sculpt and had an excellent likeness, plus he was part of the very first of six pieces that would fit together to form the Jedi High Council chamber. Talk about the start of something great! Unfortunately, the figure itself was less than exciting, with no lightsaber or other accessories he really didn't offer much. He was fairly well articulated, with two joints on each arm and a neck joint that work well, and well, other than that, the articulation doesn't seem to have much of a function. The paint job is excellent, the face is dour, the scars are grim, and the texture on the robes is, at worst, excellent. You can't do too much better, except for the hands-- they don't seem to match the head too well. As part of the set, he's a necessary piece-- after all, you want the entire Jedi council, don't you? In and of himself he isn't very exciting and I hold out hope that, some day, we might see one with cloth robes, better articulation, and a weapon. It's not a bad figure-- it's just that Hasbro has made so many more (and better) Jedi figures that this one doesn't exactly hold up. Once you have had super articulation and cloth robes, everything pales by comparison.

Collector's Notes: The original 3-pack with this figure was blown out for less than $10 at numerous stores, meaning that it can be had for a decent enough price on the secondary market. Keep your eyes peeled as the set is a pretty good one overall.

Day 155: October 8, 2006