Figure of the Day: Day 172: General Madine

GENERAL MADINE Imperial Shuttle Capture
Saga Collection and Original Trilogy Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 84776, Asst. 84715 No. 85386
Number: 0420, OTC36
Includes: Stand, pointer
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Spring 2004
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: A strict military disciplinarian, General Crix Madine was an important Alliance officer and advisor to Mon Mothma. It was Madine who masterminded a number of crucial Alliance operations that paved the way for victory at the Battle of Endor. Madine was tasked with finding a way to destroy the shield generator protecting the second Death Star. His personally trained soldiers captured the Imperial Shuttle, Tyderium. With this shuttle, Madine's troops, under the command of General Han Solo, infiltrated Imperial territory on the Sanctuary Moon. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf.

Commentary: When going through vintage figures that were waiting to be remade for a new generation, General Madine was usually in the "don't bet on it" pile. He has few lines, no action, no gun, and a bizarre hairdo that's more creepy than exotic. He wears a bland uniform, gives a monologue, and that's the end of his life. The original figure was pretty basic and bland, and the modern version colors him correctly, has a more authentic likeness, and yes, adds articulation with extra joints on the arms. It's a well-done figure, but like Mon Mothma it's kind of like getting socks for Christmas. (Unless it was, say, socks with Space Invaders graphics on them.) The figure is basically more an exercise in crossing a fan demand off a list than it is a celebration of the greatest space opera of all time, and for collectors, fills the purpose of remaking one more of the missing vintage line. For the rest of us? Well, it's nice, isn't it? And he can point. I guess that's something.

Collector's Notes: While initially quite scarce, Madine came out in a wave with Generals Solo and Calrissian, and were later reissued on very spiffy OTC packaging. By and large, though, the vastness of the line and a new movie caused this one to get ignored quick. A reissue doesn't seem inevitable, and most likely, this is as good as it's going to get for Madine. So buy one.

Day 172: October 25, 2006