REBEL HONOR GUARD Yavin Soldier30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87206
Number: #3010
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Helmet, blaster, pole, coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: April 2007
Appearances: Star Wars
Bio: A constant scarcity of materials means that many Alliance officers lack dress uniforms. However, a few of the survivors of Alderaan – a planet once rich in ceremony – have retained theirs. It is these survivors who serve as honor guard to Luke, Han and Chewbacca in thanks for their efforts in destroying the Death Star over Yavin. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam's desk.
Commentary: There are precious few figures from the original Star Wars which fans are still looking forward to as toys, and the Rebel Honor Guard was one of those cool additions in 2007. This is one of those cases of getting it right the first time. Not only is it super-articulated, but the sculpt is really good. When I got this figure, it was shortly before the new G.I. Joe line started, and the detail on the uniform made me think of what a good military figure should look like. The greenish color is great, the pockets are cool, and yes, it even has a holster. A number of these elements were incorporated into the new Joes, and given that this figure's whole purpose is to stand around and to hold on to a stick, in all seriousness, Hasbro did too much work. I know fans cry "we want 91 points of articulation" but in the movies, these guys stood at the end of a hall of people, said nothing, and did nothing. This is the kind of quality and attention to detail that fans tend to like, it's just odd that it was done to this figure and not, say, Scorch (the Clone Trooper). If you like this figure's look, I'm fairly sure you're going to want a few of them. It's a pity they're out of circulation, but well, at least you know it's worth tracking down now right?
Collector's Notes: This figure came and went in short order, most fans didn't seem to go bonkers over it but it's worth getting.
Day 1,016: May 6, 2009
5 comments:
This is why I don't get Star Wars fans. They'll only make these guys once, might as well make 'em as articulated as possible. That extra work makes casual fans, like me, buy these. A POTF2 6-point articulated figure I would not have bought. Maybe I want to have rebel honor guard run a marathon, or hold a submachine gun with two hands...these are toys. Adult Collectors are out of touch with that more and more.
You know, much as I deride "OTC only" collectors, I have to admit, this guy pretty much mainly appeals to those of us who saw Star Wars when we were ten and always wanted all the different rebels (or in my case, painted extra Death Squad Commanders to make them). And in this case, that's a good thing -- it's okay to have a nostalgia figure once in a while, and Hasbro did a *great* job with him, as you point out. Would love to see a re-release to go along with the new Yavin set (that I can't find), but eh, those who complain about pilots not being out when their vehicles are released have a much more legitimate beef. :)
Re: "...the detail on the uniform made me think of what a good military figure should look like." No coinicidence, as you may already know, when John Mollo costumed these guys for the movie he just used a lot of surplus military gear he was able to buy in England to get a whole lot of wardrobe for minimal cost.
As for the figure, it's a little on the dull side, looks-wise - and I still scored a dozen of 'em or so. Diorama building is a drug, baby. And I ain't quittin'.
The production and availability of this figure is an example of exactly the reason I got back into the hobby...meaning from having collected the vintage line as a kid:
Awesome Original Trilogy background character we could only have dreamed about seeing made in plastic back then!
Nicely executed as you point out. No complaints.
Easy to find too, I think I've got about 15 now and got four of those a few weeks ago at a TRU sale!
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