Figure of the Day: Day 1,042: Durge

DURGE with Anakin Skywalker
30th Anniversary Collection Comic Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87504 No. 87621
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #02
Includes: Blasters, helmet, Anakin figure
Action Feature: Working holsters, removable helmet
Retail: $12.99
Availability: July 2008
Appearances: Clone Wars comic books

Bio: Anakin accompanies Obi-Wan to the Karthakk system, where they hope to prevent the assassination of a Corellian merchant. They board the merchant's damaged space yacht - and walk right into a trap set by Durge, a centuries-old bounty hunter. Anakin battles the powerful Durge in a grueling contest of strength and cunning. Durge has wired the ship with explosives and escapes before the blast, but the bounty hunter makes a fatal error when he underestimates Anakin's skill with the Force. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' floor.

Commentary: While loosely based on the 2003 Durge molds, this figure manages to improve on them in some ways and in others... not so much. The arms are super-articulated, but there are no knee joints here. This incarnation of the character is meant to be from his final death in the Star Wars: Obsession series, which takes place right before Revenge of the Sith. It's appropriately dirty, and the face under Durge's helmet is really nasty. The scars of war, surgery, and a miserable life as a bounty hunter come through to an extent, but really what you have is just a gnarly monster under a helmet. The clever inclusion of details like his oversized hand and busted armor give the figure an appearance of being on the brink, which is good, because he gets blasted in the sun later. (Oh yeah, spoiler alert.) This isn't the best Durge Hasbro ever made, but it's pretty good for the money. Get it if you can.

Collector's Notes: While a little tougher to get today, you might still be able to get one of these. If all you want is a good Durge, let me suggest the deluxe figure from 2003 with the Swoop-- it's the best. This one is a close second, but that earlier release offered more for the money and had better articulation than this more recent release.

Day 1,042: June 11, 2009