Figure of the Day: Day 1,209: Bultar Swan (Purge)

BULTAR SWAN Purge
30th Anniversary Collection Comic Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87504 No. 87530
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #13
Includes: Lightsaber, removable chest armor
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2007
Appearances: Purge

Bio: The Jedi are on the run or in hiding after Order 66 wiped out most of the venerable order. Bultar Swan has a plan to crush the new Empire: destroy Darth Vader and thus weaken the Emperor and his fledgling rule. She brings together a handful of Jedi on the planet Kessel and leaks a false rumor that Obi-Wan Kenobi will be there, knowing Vader will take the bait... and the Jedi will be waiting for him. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Since 2002, fans have asked Hasbro for some form of Bultar Swan as a toy, as she was somewhat recognizable in the melee near the end of Attack of the Clones. While not super-articulated, if you consider the quality of the figure and the price, this set was quite a stunner. From the waist up, she's a modern figure in every sense of the word, but her legs are decidedly old-school. Aside from hip articulation, there are no leg joints, however Hasbro managed to give her legs a good range of motion and also posed them in a remarkable action-oriented way which gives them a little bend and lets her stand and sit without too much trouble. They did a good job here, as good as one can hope for without knees and ankles.

The head sculpt is good, and the face is painted rather than molded in her flesh color. This is mostly good-- I've seen a bunch of her and it looks like her face is better in its appearance than most figures, like she has a little make-up on and seems a little more lively than other human sculpts. However, since she has a painted face, that means you need to watch for dings on her nose and such-- odds are most will be in good shape due to how so many fans keep their toys in perfect shape, but be sure to get a look at her mug if you pick one up.

Collector's Notes: With the relative rarity of Purge as a single comic book, this set is arguably worth picking up just to have it-- it's been in numerous collections but the single original Dark Horse comic was a little tough to get. The figures are both excellent and exclusive to this set, so really, why not get this? It's a great story and the set is totally worth shelling out for. It's "worth" about $9-$12, but due to the quality of the products in here I'd say that I personally would go as high as $20 and not feel like I got taken. But be cheap if you can, because that is the way of our people. It's another great comic pack.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,209: February 1, 2010