Figure of the Day: Day 1,047: Zam Wesell

ZAM WESELL Sneak Peek
Power of the Jedi Attack of the Clones Preview Wave
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84680
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Rifle, pistol, blast effect
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: April, 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Ten years after the fight to save the Naboo from invasion, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. under the leadership of a renegade Jedi, thousands of systems threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic. A courageous Jedi Knight, his impulsive and headstrong apprentice, and a queen-turned-senator are drawn into the heart of the conflict... and the beginning of war. (Taken from the figure's cardback. How useful.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Articulation was still not a top concern for Hasbro in 2002, which was when Zam Wesell and the first four Attack of the Clones figures hit stores. Zam here is good, but mostly in terms of her sculpt. She has a working holster, a face obscured by a mask, and a lot of leather armor. In short, a perfect choice for a sneak peek because you have no idea what the Hell she's supposed to be, she looks cool, and word was out that she was a bounty hunter. How could you go wrong?

The figure is a statue, despite having six points of articulation. She was made to exist in a very specific stance, with her rifle in her arms and her pistol in its holster. The detail is pretty great and the figure benefitted from the increasingly realistic proportions being used by Hasbro at the time, meaning smaller hands, less exaggerated faces, and an overall lack of buffness. Sure, she had some big-giant boots, but this was a real step in the right direction overall. I'd go on, but you can pretty much see what you're getting in to here. This is a figure you buy solely for the look. She isn't too fun to play with, and she sure as heck won't fit in her speeder vehicle, which I am required by law to once again tell you sucks harder than any other vehicle released by the company under the Star Wars branding since 1978. And I include every last one of the Power of the Force 1984 Mini Rigs in this tally.

Collector's Notes: One of two Zam figures produced, and arguably the best looking-- the other was a far better plaything. Neither is particularly in demand despite being a female bounty hunter in tight clothing.

Day 1,047: June 18, 2009