Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,335: Gungan Warrior

GUNGAN WARRIOR 2009 Edition
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 87535 No. 92870
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD07
Includes: Atlatl, Gungan Battle Horn
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Gungan warriors emerge through the misty swamps to the battlefield where they'll take on the Trade Federation's droid army. A Gungan blows a battle horn to signal the solemn beginning of this crucial fight to free the planet. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: So close! The Gungan Warrior in 2009, the first new one since The Phantom Menace shriveled up and went away as a marketable brand for Star Wars, has the greatest sculpt of any Gungan ever. That's the good news. The bad news is that they cheaped out on the deco. The sculpt is a vast improvement over the Power of the Jedi release with added articulation making it a super-articulated release. His battle horn fits into his belt for support while he holds it, and he even has a holster for his Atlatl (boomer stick thing). The only issue I have is that the figure should have a really nifty pattern on his skin, and instead Hasbro gave it a solid color. They got it right on Jar Jar and other Gungans, but for some reason left it off here.

Odds are you aren't building an army of Gungans, but if you were to do so, this is the best mold so far. The coloring is a little more muted than the earlier releases, and it's more fun to play with, but the skin is just off enough that it may irk you-- or not! It's really up to you. I like it enough to recommend it, and I think most people won't be as anal about the skin tone as I am. It's still a quality figure.

Collector's Notes: This one came and went, but seemed ultimately findable. You may even still be able to find one at retail.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 1,335: July 27, 2010

1 comment:

Bravo said...

Downside as an army builder, is that the belt isn't removable. A bunch trumpeteers isn't quite the grand army.