Figure of the Day: Day 340: Arvel Crynyd

ARVEL CRYNYD Rebel Pilots
Power of the Force Cinema Scenes
Item No.: Asst. 84035 No. 84057
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, display base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 1999
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: For generations, an evil power has spread throughout the galaxy. It began with Darth Sidious' sinister plot to conquer the planet Naboo and peaked with the Empire's domination of the galaxy. Throughout the era, brave starfighter pilots flew into space to fight this power. Naboo pilots braved impossible odds to save their planet from the superior forces of the Trade Federation. years later, X-wing pilot Wedge Antilles, B-wing Pilot Ten Numb, and A-wing pilot Arvel Crynyd were part of the assault on the second Death Star. Their success at the Battle of Endor released the iron grip on the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf. Shock.

Commentary: So who is Arvel Crynyd, anyway? According to some sources, not this guy. Apparently Hasbro picked a Y-Wing pilot and gave it the wrong name, as Arvel is, according to many sources, actually an A-Wing Pilot which this figure obviously is not. My guess is that Arvel was originally meant to be this guy and Hasbro decided to make some changes, or perhaps it was Lucasfilm Licensing. Either way, the final figure isn't representative of the character(s) as seen in the movie. So now that we've established (basically) that this figure is an Expanded Universe release out of Hasbro's imagination and not a pilot from Return of the Jedi as most likely intended...

It's a pretty good figure and a pretty good mold. The helmet fits on nicely, the decoration is good (for the time), and the sculpt has the required 6 points of articulation and can sit in a vehicle with no real problems. It's a decent sculpt and a decent mold, nothing to sing about, and here's hoping it's reused as a pack-in for a Y-Wing some day, assuming they paint him right this time. Even if they don't, this is a nice figure, a good addition to your Rebel ranks, and probably cheap enough so that you can buy two.

Collector's Notes: Arvel isn't the only "error" figure in this set-- Ten Nunb is in his white suit, which was used in a lot of behind-the-scenes photography. You can see Ten Nunb in his correct red flight suit shaking hands during the celebration on Endor. (It looks like Nien Nunb, but look at the suit-- that ain't him.) In 2003, Arvel was repainted and reissued as a pack-in with a green A-Wing Fighter as a Target exclusive. This figure is notable for being pretty good, with an awesome Expanded Universe ship. Get one if you can!

Day 340: April 11, 2007