Figure of the Day: Day 1,222: Mace Windu (Animated)

MACE WINDU Swinging Lightsaber Action
The Clone Wars Basic Figure
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 87961
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW06
Includes: Shoulder armor, chest armor, helmet, lightsaber,
Action Feature: Swinging body action
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: This Jedi Council member is respected for his great wisdom and discerning counsel. A diplomat by nature, he urges discussion and compromise over open conflict. Yet when he must raise his lightsaber in battle, he does so with the skill of a true Jedi Knight. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' back yard.

Commentary: It took about a year, but Hasbro did a nice job translating Mace Windu to a cartoon-style action figure. The movie figures have been all over the place, but like them, Hasbro seems to have nailed Mace the first time out when it comes to the cartoon look. The optional armor bits add a lot to the figure, although it is quite disturbing that to get the armor around his neck, one must remove Mace Windu's head. (Call me crazy, but I don't think decapitating a figure is the best way to dress him. It's a little disturbing.) The shoulder armor snaps on fairly well, but can be knocked off easily. Not surprisingly, the helmet stays on with no real problems. As it's based on the cartoon, it's a very clean sculpt with nice lines and little texture. There's really nothing to gripe about here, this figure is pretty close to what you probably would imagine an animated Mace Windu should look like, minus a few points of articulation. The figure has legs which move only at the hips, and the waist joint is a spring-loaded one so you can make him "slash" at other figures. It's fairly unobtrusive, so I don't think it's worth hating on-- it actually works. If you like Mace Windu and cartoon figures, this is a fun one-- armor and an action feature, combined with a good sculpt, make for a top-quality Jedi Master.

Collector's Notes: This figure was slightly redecorated and rereleased in a Target-exclusive Ryloth-themed battle pack. The exclusive release has whiter armor pieces, but lacks the purple helmet deco. As such, get whichever one you prefer, we'll look at the variant later as it qualifies as "just different enough to make me mad." A resculpt is in the works with-- apparently-- lateral hip joints, which should let him do more sitting on bikes and AT-RTs.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,222: February 18, 2010