Monday, April 27, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 1,009: Ibtisam

IBTISAM & Nrin Vakil
The Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Exclusive Comic Packs
Item No.:
Asst. 12974 No. 87885
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, blaster, Nrin, comic book
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $11.99
Availability: March 2009
Appearances: Star Wars: Rogue Squadron comic books

Bio: Ibtisam and Nrin Vakil seem destined to be enemies: Ibtisam is a Mon Calamari and Vakil is a Quarren - two species that have been foes for centuries. Yet an unlikely friendship evolves on a mission to Malrev. Ibtisam finds herself becoming attached to the stoic Nrin Vakil, while Nrin's initial animosity turns to respect for the courageous Mon Calamari, proving that the bonds of friendship can rise above the blind hostility of the past. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's Darth Vader TIE Fighter Galactic Heroes insert.

Commentary: How many times can you reuse the same body for fundamentally different characters? Ibtisam is #3 of 4 so far-- the others being two Evolutions pilots last year, the next being Marvel's Shira Brie as a Wal-Mart exclusive. The figure retains the same super-articulated body with 14 joints, but adds a new head, a new helmet, and new hands. Obviously Mon Calamari feet should be bigger, but they aren't, nor have they been on other figures in the past. So for argument's sake, we're going to say she's basically fine. The figure retains the blaster holster and all that jazz, so that's useful, and her hands can hold a gun with minimal problems. She can sit, she can stand, and she looks great. Her giant blue head sits on her slender frame at a slightly strange angle, but it still essentially works just fine. The helmet slides right over her head, just like on the Mon Calamari Officer a few years back, so that's pretty great too. She's blue, which is pretty striking, and the coloring is much brighter than on most other action figures in this line. I think she's fantastic, and a great addition to my now quickly growing collection of pilots. Get this set if you see it, don't be a schmuck.

Collector's Notes: This set is newly available. Its distribution has been spotty, so it may or may not be in your neck of the woods. Be patient, but if it's like 2010 or later when you read this, don't get your hopes up.


Day 1,009: April 27, 2009

3 comments:

The Right Noble Lord Edzo said...

Ibtisam, Adam, Ibtisam! ("Smiles, everyone, smiles!")

Come to Southeastern Connecticut ... the Walmarts are swimming with Ibtisams (and Ewoks).

I adore this figure, and, as you said, her striking blue coloring in particular.

JGS said...

Thanks for the tip on the Ewok set. Here in central Mass, they're nowhere to be found yet. (Walmart? Grrrrrr. Don't even get me going)

Ibtisam chick and squid-face guy? I couldn't score this set fast enough. I'm not even a comics guy, and these were seriously cool.

Rebel pilots as army builders? You betcha! It's cool figures like these that keep me in the game and coming back for more.

A T T S said...

please, a blue calamarian pilot, and a female? please vote with your wallet and support the Aliens, the EU, ans all star wars eccentric goodness. Collectors are said to be less than the children, and yet my daughters appreciate hwer. So many reasons!!! - Atts