Figure of the Day: Day 205: Zutton (Snaggletooth)

ZUTTON Cantina Alien
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84661
Number: n/a
Includes: Blsater pistol, blaster rifle, glass
Action Feature: Pistol is held in holster on ankles
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2001
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Zutton is a Snivvian artist who turned bounty hunter by chasing down Thalassian slavers. He was given the nickname "Snaggletooth" at the Mos Eisley cantina, because of his pronounced fangs. His exceptional bounty hunter skills have caught the attention of crimelord Jabba the Hutt, who has put his services on retainer. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's toy shelves.

Commentary: Snaggletooth, or more specifically, Zutton, has vexed fans since the modern age of collecting. The character's distinctive belt buckle, business card logos, numerous scrap photos, the vast array of aliens, and mistakes in the vintage line confuse fans to this day. There's a Snaggletooth vintage figure that's quite similar to this one, but not exactly the same. There's a POTF2-era member of the species which wears red, but the costume is different. And there's the legendary blue figure, which was remade in the vintage line. But we're going to stop dwelling on that there.

This modern Zutton figure is what it is-- a great figure. If you look at the photo, it captures the look fairly well, although it seems the action figure is actually much uglier than the photo. There's a lack of contrast in the face, as the figure seems a little too peach colored compared to the brownish photo. His distinctive belt buckle is back, and his glossy gloves and boots really shine against the dull red and blue coloring on the jumpsuit. Not to be stuck with the standard six points of articulation, Hasbro added knee joints to this figure so that he can sit at the bar, were he so inclined. How thoughtful! The figure also sports two blasters (a first as Hasbro dropped the second, larger blaster from most figures in the late 1990s) and a removable clear glass. The glass being a first for Cantina aliens, as previously Wuher the bartender came with one that was not removable from his hand. So with Zutton, what you have is the heir to the vintage Snaggletooth figure with great detailing, subtle creases in his costume, and of course, a winning smile. If the face was a little darker, and perhaps the interior of the nostrils didn't match the color of the face, it would be a slightly better figure. But as it is? It's worth getting.

Collector's Notes: Sure he's short, but he's a figure with enough detail that you won't feel you got ripped off. You can get a Zutton off of eBay for four or five bucks, or in a lot with other figures for under $10 if you're lucky. As there are no known plans to reissue this one, we would give you the blessing to buy one on the secondary market. It really is a nice enough figure that we don't feel you'll be sorry.

Day 205: November 27, 2006