Figure of the Day: Day 948: Grand Moff Tarkin

GRAND MOFF TARKIN Death Star Briefing
The Saga Collection Diamond Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87268
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Imperial Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: January 2007
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Ambitious, brilliant and dedicated to the Emperor's New Order, tarkin intends to crush without mercy all resistance to the Emperor's rule. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' living room.

Commentary: Since the 1997 release of the character, fans have been asking for a better version of Grand Moff Tarkin. Never mind the fact that it was above average for its day and arguably has the best Peter Cushing head sculpt so far, fans wanted something better. In 2005, Hasbro made a new Revenge of the Sith Tarkin, and this figure is based on that mold. The complaints on its release were loud, because the boots, rank, and parts of the uniform weren't exactly accurate to the original Star Wars film. It does have cut elbows, normal wrist joints, shoulder joints, neck articulation, a moving waist, and sort-of-acceptable hip joints... but even in 2005, fans expected better. The "skirt" prevents sitting, and the head is just a little off from what it should be-- I think it's the hair is too white and the skin is too pale. A 2007 comic pack release had a much better head in terms of deco, but a green uniform, so I suppose you could swap them out to bash your ideal Tarkin together. The sculpt is decent, but it's a 1977 character being based off a 2005 design, and the actor was long dead. So it ain't perfect, but I can't imagine there being a new version of Tarkin based on the original film for another few years. For the time being, this is arguably the best Tarkin from the original Star Wars your money can buy.

Collector's Notes: This set lingered. A lot of web stores are out of it, but Suncoasts, movie stores, comic shops, and other smaller toy stores may still have it. On eBay, it isn't hard to get the set for under $20 before shipping is factored in. Given the set has six pretty great Imperials and yet another Darth Vader, I'd argue it's worth your money.

Day 948: January 30, 2009