Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 290: Endor Rebel Soldier

ENDOR REBEL SOLDIER Return of the Jedi
Saga Collection 2
Item No.:
Asst. 84861 No. 84802
Number: 0233
Includes: Helmet, backpack, blaster, blast effect
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: When Han Solo, Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker land on the forest moon of Endor to destroy the shield generator protecting the Death Star II, they are accompanied by a squadron of commandos. Loyal and courageous, these soldiers are inteprid fighters for the cause of the Rebellion. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's shelf with something or other.

Commentary: Fans supposedly love in-jokes, and the Endor Rebel Solider is a great one. Hasbro decided to sneak in the face of long-time toy designer and Kenner employee Mark Boudreaux, who has been on the brand since the vintage line nearly 30 years ago. Since the Rebels' faces didn't stand out, the designers decided that this would be fun-- and it was! The figure itself is fairly good, with an action stance featuring wrist and biceps articulation, as well as hips, neck, waist, and shoulders. There's a good level of detail in the cloth sculpting, and the removable helmet has been reused on countless other Endor Rebel figures, from four more troopers to Luke and, coming soon, Leia. (In other words, every possible figure and then some.) Some fans complain that the figure is basically a statue and forced in one pose, and they're more or less right-- but still, when building an army, a couple of statues are OK in my book and this figure is worth getting just because it's a rare chance (outside of G.I. Joe) to own a toy based on a toy designer. Which is freaking awesome.

Collector's Notes: There are two different head sculpts for this figure, and they come in the same packaging. As such, we'll treat them as separate, different figures. I should also note that the figure was sold in 2004 in an Endor-themed multipack, Endor Ambush.


Day 290: February 20, 2007

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