Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,390: Embo

EMBO Bounty Hunter
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 21468
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW33
Includes: Hat, twin daggers, articulated bowcaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: September 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Embo is a bounty hunter hired to protect Felucian farmers from pirates. Working with three other bounty hunters, Embo guards the village's valuable spice crop. But his small group is outnumbered by the pirate gang, and reluctantly accepts the help of Jedi who arrive at the village after their ship crashes on Felucia. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's kitchen.

Commentary: In 2008 and 2009 Hasbro insisted that The Clone Wars was developed for kids and as such would have fewer collector-friendly accessories, and probably less articulation. In 2010 we have figures like a new General Grievous, Pre Vizsla, and now Embo which pretty much say that notion is total bunk. These figures are far too good to not be at least somewhat designed with collectors in mind. Embo improves on traditional Star Wars development with his large hat, specifically because it has a peg which sets inside Embo's head. This prevents it from flying off as much as, say, Cad Bane's. His bandolier has attachments for all his weapons-- there's a peg for his bowcaster and two slots for each of his small daggers. These are not normal features on most Hasbro figures.

Embo's sculpt is above that which is expected-- there's a fair amount of detail and 12 points of articulation. His head may pop off easily, but all in all it's pretty solid. The figure's joints don't pop off, much of the articulation is masked by the figure's design and functional costume, plus Hasbro gave him soft goods rather than a plastic outfit so he can actually get some decent poses. There's also a nice little design printed on the garment, which is something you don't see too much of in this line. It's not yet known which (if any) of the other characters from The Seven Samurai episode's cast will see production, but given the quality of this one it seems Hasbro is already banking on there being a decent fan following for this group. One bonus about this figure-- he (or his design) appeared in Jabba's Palace during Season 3. So you can use him there, too!

I can't close out this entry without saying how surprised I was with the quality of his bowcaster. It's articulated. So those prongs that stick out on the sides? They fold back for storage. Wow. Hasbro really went all-out and did a good job on this one.

Collector's Notes: From the buzz I hear from fans, this should be a popular figure. Which, given how most of you seem to hate on the cartoon line, is a positive sign. Since he's new it's unknown how his popularity translates against sales. We aren't hearing many rumors on Sugi, Rumi, or Seripas just yet.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,390: October 12, 2010