Thursday, March 4, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,232: Obi-Wan Kenobi

BEN (OBI-WAN) KENOBI Jedi
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 87535 No. 87838
Number: #BD34
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Tabe, holographic Leia, cloak, Lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: January 2009
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi listens to the message that Princess Leia recorded into R2-D2's memory. Projected onto a table, the flickering holographic image of the princess asks for the venerable Jedi’s help, telling him he is their "only hope." (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' yard.

Commentary: After the dud that was the 2004 "Vintage" version, this Obi-Wan Kenobi gets it right. Good sculpt, great articulation, awesome accessories, this figure is better in every possible way. Even the lightsaber is that flared-base kind everybody likes so darn much, and it's so nice to have an Obi-Wan with moving elbows that don't fall to pieces when you try to move them under the cloak. This mold is arguably the definitive Kenobi and since it's unlikely Hasbro will upgrade the mold any time soon, or find some newer, better way to do cloaks, you should get this one. Or the Battle Pack release, which is quite similar.

The really nifty extra in this figure's package is a small table with a teapot, a couple of mugs, and a peg to use to hold your mini Holographic Leia in place. It's quite swell, and one of Hasbro's best accessories in the entire line's run. Make sure you get it.

Collector's Notes: After his debut on a basic card, the same figure was eventually rereleased in a Battle Pack. The Resurgence of the Jedi set is basically identical, although the Leia figure was changed significantly. You may wish to pick up both versions for the Leia, and of course for the other figures, but if you have the Battle Pack and are collecting on a budget you could probably skip the basic carded release.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 1,232: March 4, 2010

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Quite simply the best figure of my favourite character. I love this one so much.

Ben Carthage said...

I agree with Jeff -- this one is just terrific, one of the best they've done. No further revisions are necessary, they got Old Ben perfect. Just re-issue this one every few years and that's it.