Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,555: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER Super Poseable
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84724
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0350
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Late 2003
Appearances: The Clone Wars, Attack of the Clones

Bio: At the time of their introduction, the Republic Clone Troopers represented the future of galactic warfare. Far superior to the battle droid armies of the era, the Clone Troopers formed the backbone of the Republic's new military initiative that battled against the forces of the Confederacy of Indepenedent Systems. Accelerated growth allows them to reach maturity quickly, and they are constantly trained in fighting techniques, vehicular skills and battlefield tactics, creating superb soldiers molded mentally and physically for battle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Hasbro probably has the release of this Clone Trooper figure on a calendar as the day Star Wars collectors got spoiled rotten. Prior to this figure's release, 10 or maybe 12 points of articulation were really something, and we typically got swivel joints and not these ball-joint things. Just a month or so before this figure came out, our Lt. Dannl Faytonni figures were pretty fancy with their swiveling wrists and bending knees. And then this Clone comes along and beat the crap out of everything we ever bought up to that point, kicking off what we now take for granted as a bare minimum in some cases. But the really funny thing about this figure is that Hasbro has just rendered it obsolete in early 2011 with its new "Vintage" Clone Trooper which is the most spectacular thing I've ever seen so far.

Collector's Notes: In 2003 this figure was basically impossible to get. In 2005, Entertainment Earth got reissues (and repaints) of this mold, and after that this figure was packaged along with Anakin Skywalker in a gift set with a Darth Vader carry case. The figure has since been reissued numerous times in Saga Legends so if you want one, there's really no excuse for not being able to get one. It only took Hasbro about four years to put it in regular rotation at retail.

Day 1,555: May 31, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,554: Battle Droid AAT Driver

BATTLE DROID AAT Driver
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 91275
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW33
Includes: Blaster, rocket, rocket launcher
Action Feature: Firing rocket launcher
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Battle droids attack Yoda and his clone troopers during a secret mission to Toydaria. The Jedi Master must defeat the attacking droids to prove that the Republic can protect the Toydarian system better than the Separatists. Squads of battle droids hunt their quarry through coral forests supported by powerful AAT tanks. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: One of the great things about this line is if you want to build an army of Battle Droid action figures, you don't have to have too many duplicates. This camo-covered tank driver is the exact same mold as the 2008 Battle Droid action figure, but with some added green markings. Oh, and it has a rocket launcher and the usual blaster. The mold is a great one, but it's not mega-articulated or anything. I do appreciate the waist joint, although I'd say this figure is too ornate to waste as a pilot on the inside of an opaque vehicle.

Collector's Notes: As Battle Droids go this one was actually pretty tough to get-- this wave was one fans complained about not being able to find in 2009 when the line had its quasi-relaunch around August. As far as can be told, this figure was only made in one wave and has not been rereleased in any form.

Day 1,554: May 30, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,553: Han Solo Hoth Rescue

HAN SOLO Hoth Rescue
Saga Basic Figures Blue Variant
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84959
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0313
Includes: Lightsaber, blaster, mask, sensors
Action Feature: Push button for lightsaber-swinging action
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 2003
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: On the ice planet Hoth, Han rides a tauntaun into the chilling night to find Luke, who has not returned from a patrol. Han locates a badly wounded Luke, but when the tauntaun succumbs to the cold, they are unable to return to the base. In danger of freezing to death, Han uses the creature's body as a makeshift shelter until rescuers can arrive. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: My long-time readers know that there's quite a bit of controversy over the color of Han Solo's jacket-- and not just on Hoth. Kick-started by Galoob in the 1990s, the way fans, licensees, and LucasFilm viewed the character was initially forged by the 1980s Kenner figures. What color were Han's various jackets in The Empire Strikes Back? Blue, if you grew up during the original days of the original trilogy. But if you were around in the 1990s, Lucas initially dictated to Galoob that (and I've got this quote in a letter from the company in a box some where) that "Han wears black." So for the early Galoob Micro toys, the jackets were black-- but in 1996, Hasbro's Hoth Han was sort of a brownish, purpley color and again in 1997, Bespin Han had a black jacket. Smash cut to 2003, Hasbro (after a few years of fan complaints) decided to do it both this Hoth Han in two colors-- there was even a full-page magazine joking if Han wears brown or blue... which completely disregarded the black jackets in the mid-1990s.

So in short, I have no idea what color this figure should be, because of illusions created by photography and discoloration of aging fabric. As far as I'm concerned, it should be blue, and this figure is blue. Hasbro did a nice job on this one, designing a figure that was compatible with the existing Tauntaun figure (seriously, he sits perfectly), sports a working holster, has sculpted binoculars, and can carry a little scanner pack too.

An action feature was integrated into the figure to simulate the slice-open action as seen in the flick. Han comes with a lightsaber-- it's basically Luke's but let's not dwell on the hilt details-- and if you push a button on his back, he can swing the lightsaber. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, he has a removable face mask too. This is a really slick figure, it's a little dated today but if you just sit down and look at everything Hasbro packed into the figures of 2002 and 2003 it's hard not to be more than a little impressed.

Collector's Notes: This figure has been repainted and rereleased a few times. You can get a really dark (almost black) version in 2006 from a tin gift set in addition to the brown and blue carded ones from 2003. While the 2007 "Vintage" figure is arguably the best overall, this one is presently the best one you can buy which can ride a Tauntaun. I expect a new version in the next couple of years... the Tauntaun and Han Solo.

Day 1,553: May 27, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,552: Tusken Raider Child

TUSKEN RAIDER Tusken Child
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84864
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0208
Includes: Gaffi stick, Tusken Mother
Action Feature: Toddler fits into pouch on back
Retail: $4.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Also known as Sand People, these dangerous savages live in the rocky Jundland Wastes on the planet Tatooine. The Tusken Raiders engage in an inevitable confrontation with Anakin Skywalker after he tries to rescue his mother from their camp. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Jabba shelves.

Commentary: I'm not quite sure what the deal with this Tusken Raider Child's pose is, but the sculpt is pretty good. A simple figure, this one is jointed at the shoulders and is designed to sit in a pouch on the back of his (or her, they all dress the same) mother. For a figure from 2002 the deco is quite good-- I don't think they could do a much better job today. There are numerous shades of brown, a wipe, and a black visor painted on this tiny figure.

The sculpt is great, there is plenty of detail, and it stands without a problem. This is one of those rare, great figures that Hasbro probably couldn't be expected to do a whole heck of a lot better, plus it's a weird one. One of my favorite sub-segments of the line (along with astromech droids) is collecting every different flavor of Tusken Raider I can get, so I'm jazzed they made women and children. And Jedi. And ones you can decapitate. Now that I think of it, the only thing for Tusken Raiders that I'd really love to see (but never got) is some sort of action feature one. If you could push a button and it raised its arms and could yell (or I could yell) that'd be awesome. Did you know the sound of a Tusken Raider is some sort of donkey or mule thing? (But I digress.)

This is a great little figure. I consider it essential because it's so unique, so be sure to add one to your collection. And his mom too. But man, these little dudes are neat, aren't they?

Collector's Notes: This one has been released twice-- the original carded figure in 2002, and a Battle Pack with a Bantha and some Tusken Raiders for Toys "R" Us a few years later. If you're after loose figures, it should be cheap. Collectors also take note that there's a red redeco from a variant of the Battle Pack.

Day 1,552: May 26, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,551: Weequay Skiff Master

WEEQUAY SKIFF MASTER Toy Debut
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 97568 No. 28440
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: VC48
Includes: Pistol, Force Pike
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99-$10.99
Availability: February 2011
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Fore be with you! (Taken from the figure's packaging. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's toy room.

Commentary: While I've been itching for the Weequay Skiff Master for quite some time, I gotta say, it feels a little off. If you were to run down a checklist of everything a good Skiff figure should have, this one makes the grade. There's a great sculpt, good accessories, exceptional detail, and no problems standing or holding on to his weapons. It's just when everything is put together, it's a smidgen funky.

The figure's outfit and deco are where the trouble begins. If you look at the cardback photo, it appears as if the figure has an armored garment over another, long-sleeved garment. The coloring if these two garments is slightly different, so it looks like there are indeed two distinct pieces of clothing in there. On the figure, it looks like he has puffy sleeves. There's a slight difference between the colors on the figures, but it's so subtle I think it could just as easily by my imagination. The texture and detailing basically feels right, they even got the armbands, but the costume feels like it didn't quite hit the nail on the head. As far as the pants and shoes, well, it's tough to tell-- so I'm going to give Hasbro an A on these, because they seem to fit in with the costume just fine.

While I love the head sculpt, the head sits strangely on the body. I can't even put it in words well beyond "it's almost like he has no neck." The costume from the movie looks a little strange in this department too-- there's little to no visible neck, just a costume with a head on top of it-- but as a figure it seems strange. Hasbro replicated the costume well, but again, it's just a little weird when you see it in person. Some sort of collar where the neck pops out, or even a little artistic license to give him a neck, would make it a little less unsettling. It does seem that they replicated the outfit though, so this is no real fault of Hasbro's. (Well, the sleeves. But other than that.) It's a fun, menacing, and most importantly new figure. I'd suggest getting one, unless you just can't get past the neck issue-- which, in a display, you should be able to do pretty easily. Grab it if you have the means, because anything new from Return of the Jedi is most welcome.

Collector's Notes: Still newish, still hottish. A neck variant exists which I have not had the fortune of seeing in person yet.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,551: May 25, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,550: Jeremoch Colton

JEREMOCH COLTON not Boba Fett
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 92144
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD42
Includes: Communicator, blaster, droid part
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: November 2009
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Jeremoch Colton is the pilot of Senator Bail Organa's ship, the Tantive IV. As Colton is flying the vessel into Coruscant, he receives a message from Chancellor Palpatine's office, which he plays for Organa and his passengers Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's old back yard.

Commentary: Hasbro makes figures for all sorts of reasons, many of which have to do with finding a clever wink to fans and making a toy accordingly. We've been given figures which reveal the faces of Ahmed Best, Anthony Daniels, and (a blue) George Lucas, so why not show who was under the original Boba Fett helmet? Jeremoch Colton is an older, unmasked Jeremy Bulloch as seen near the end of Revenge of the Sith. As one of the pilots of Bail Organa's ship, this nicely-designed figure serves as a reminder that, over 30 years after it debuted on the screen, we still have no action figure-scaled Tantive IV. And that, my friends, is a pity.

With new and old parts, Jeremoch is a figure worth tracking down since it's a new character and there's a nice story behind him. (The one I just told you, I mean. He didn't do much else in the movie.) This figure uses the 2005 Bail Organa's legs with new arms, a new tors, and a new head. Since Hasbro gave him 12 points of articulation, it's unlikely we will ever see an upgrade of this one. The lack of ankles is more or less normal these days, and getting a shot at another obscure character is part of what makes this line fun after all these years. (For those keeping track, the modern Star Wars line kicked off in August, 1995.) Jeremoch should be on your shopping list if you love Boba Fett or collect autographs, because Mr. Bulloch makes the convention circuit and it's kinda cool to have a toy of how he basically looks today rather than just a mask that he wore 30 years ago. Or so I think.

If you're collecting Alderaan figures, also be sure to get Captain Antilles, Bail Organa(s), and Queen Breha. And if you're feeling saucy, get one of the Bail Organa figures with the baby Leia.

Collector's Notes: This entire wave was pretty hot stuff in 2009, selling quickly when compared to the others at the time. As such, the loose version of this figure may set you back $10 or more without the droid part, and a carded one should be a few dollars more. Good hunting!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,550: May 24, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,549: ARF Trooper Waxer

ARF TROOPER WAXER and Geonosian Battle Droid
The Clone Wars Target Exclusive 2-Packs
Item No.: Asst. 31362 No. 31679
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, stand, rocket, rocket launcher, Battle Droid figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: Late February 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Clone troopers fight Battle Droids to destroy a Separatist weapons factory. ARF trooper Waxer scouts ahead to gather information about the enemy. He runs into a squad of battle droids, and stops these robotic warriors before they reveal his position. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's TBD.

Commentary: During The Clone Wars' ongoing run, a few minor characters get a chance to stand out-- and some of them are killed off. So far ARF Trooper Waxer and his brother Boil have shown up a few times, sporting 212th Battalion armor in their first appearance and this Geonosis-specific armor the next time they showed up. Not being a company to waste tooling, Hasbro uses the same body for both Waxer and Boil in this form, albeit with different deco. What this means to you is that Hasbro used the best body in terms of articulation. While the armor isn't 100% authentic to what appears on-screen, particularly in the elbow area, it does have bend-and-pivot wrists as well as ball-jointed hips so that he may mount an AT-RT or another vehicle without ruining the toy. This is, of course, a huge plus.

Waxer's deco is very similar to Boil's, although there is more orange on the helmet. Also, there's a little Easter Egg-- a small drawing of Numa, the Twi'lek girl from "Innocents of Ryloth," is on the back of his helmet. It's small and subtle, and much more prominent on Boil.

While a fun figure that I was excited to pick up, when you get right down to it, this makes at least 5 different figures to use the animated ARF Trooper body. While the deco is different, it may not be different enough for you to run out and buy. This is, of course, a shame as this is a pretty nice pair of figures. That, and I just can't bring myself to split up Waxer and Boil. It's just not right.

Collector's Notes: Still available at retail, and not a bad set. If you already bought Boil with the AT-RT, you really need Waxer too.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,549: May 23, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,548: Grizz Frix

GRIZZ FRIX X-Wing Fighter Pilot Red Five
The Legacy Collection Battle Over Endor
Item No.: Asst. 97639 No. 21452
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #2 of 2
Includes: Pistol, helmet, 3 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: January 2010
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Bravery. Skill. Loyalty. These are defining characteristics of the starfighter pilots on both sides of the conflict at the Battle of Endor. Whether they are Rebels or Imperials, these elite pilots are all focused on the same goal: victory. They are deeply aware that they are deciding the future of the galaxy, and will do everything they can to complete their mission. (Taken from the figure's packaging. Note, there's no character-specific copy on the packaging.)

Image: Adam's TBD.

Commentary: Back in the 1990s, magazine articles had headlines like "The Cult of Wedge," focusing briefly on the cult following that a minor character in the original trilogy had gathered since the films were originally released in theaters. Having burned out on the obvious minor characters, fans started to salivate over the really minor characters like Grizz Frix here, a figure fans have been requesting off and on in the past few years and, all of a sudden, Hasbro delivered. Based on the 2006 X-Wing Luke body (complete with lightsaber mounting hole), the figure is about as good as you can expect a pilot to be these days. Basically, some fans pointed to the character on screen and said "WANT" while another writer concocted a back story for the character around 2005. Frix' cult following is pretty recent, and like many minor characters these days seems to be thanks mostly due to the lack of new things to get excited about in the movies themselves-- there's a lot of fun nuggets to dig out of those films, and Rebel Pilot figures seem to be one that really took off since Hasbro began cranking them out heavily in 2008.

The sculpt is good-- 14 points of articulation, lots of detail, and so on. The only thing Hasbro could have done to make it better was to use the revised, taller torso rather than Luke's. The colors are even more vibrant than some other pilots, so I think if you buy this one, you'll be pleased to see all the off-white and silver over the orange jumpsuit. Also, it's worth noting the helmet's visor is more opaque than most, and there's no communicator microphone on the helmet either. But other than that? Awesome.

Given how little reference exists for the character, he may as well be perfect. I don't know for sure, so I'm going to assume this is as good as we'll get and Hasbro did a great job. The silver straps really pop, and the helmet deco seems to match the stills I've dug up. It seems that Return of the Jedi gets precious few orange-suited pilots made as figures from it, so I'm pretty happy to have this one. It's also nice to have a figure in these two Battle over Endor sets with a name I knew before buying the toy. While obscure, people have heard of Grizz Frix. Fans saying they knew about or were excited about Sila Kott, Palso Thern, or Ekelarc Yong are damned dirty liars.

Collector's Notes: Still available at retail, and arguably worth the asking price. At a higher price it seems kinda pricey, but $25 or so for 4 figures is a bargain these days. Get it if you dare! (Dare, dare!)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,548: May 20, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,547: 4-LOM (or Kenner's Zuckuss)

4-LOM ...or Zuckuss in Vintage Kenner Colors The Vintage Collection Jedi-Con and Celebration V Exclusive Item No.: No. 19672 Number: #VCP01 Includes: Blaster, Zuckuss figure Action Feature: n/a Retail: $14.99 Availability: August 2010 Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back Bio: Referred to as "The Uncanny One" by his fellow hunters, Zuckuss was renowned for his ability to discover hidden quarry. His tracking skills derived both from his training as a findsman and from his innate Force-sensitivity, which allowed him to sense individuals at range and decipher the motives of his prey. Due to his famed abilities, Zuckuss was highly sought after, and he found employment with the Bounty Hunters' Guild, the Hutt Cartel, TaggeCo, and even the Rebellion for a time. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.) Image: Adam's bathroom. Commentary: Since I grew up heavily interested in the 1970s and 1980s Kenner toys, this 4-LOM and his cohort Zuckuss were a real treat. Along with Gentle Giant's jumbo take on the line, these figures are a wonderful reference to the toys so many of us had in our pockets before the weight of the world crushed our collective spirits. What's particularly neat about this figure is that Hasbro decided to do more than just repaint him. Based on the 2009 Zuckuss figure, this figure has been given a tan paint job with silver eyes. The faded look is right out of 1982, and it's hard to say exactly what inspired the original coloring-- black-and-white photographs? Toyetic license? No idea. What I do know is that I vastly prefer this one to the more accurate version Hasbro sold earlier, but that's just a matter of my weird taste. If Hasbro did a Luke repaint with screaming yellow hair and a lightsaber to match, I'd be willing to overpay for that, too. (Seriously, Hasbro. Do it. Original 12 figures repainted in Kenner colors, an easy $120 boxed set. Throw in Boba Fett in Kenner colors and I'll shell out even more.) While the plastic elements of the figure didn't receive any sculpting tweaks, Hasbro did change the material for his lower robes to more closely mach the thickness of the 1982 figure. While not an exact match, it's much closer to the 1982 figure than the very thin, somewhat transparent dark brown of the 2009 release. Heck, I don't know why I'm even continuing to ramble on this one-- it's the best Zuckus mold in 1982 4-LOM colors. If you aren't already excited, there's something terribly wrong with you. Collector's Notes: The complete set can be had for under $20, so don't overpay for this one either. Due to the weirdness level, I'd say it's worth shelling out for this one if the secondary market eventually warrants it. --Adam Pawlus

Day 1,547: May 19, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,546: Black Clone Pilot

CLONE PILOT V-Wing Starfighter
The Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Exclusive Evolutions Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87874 No. 91509
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, helmet
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $14.99-$24.88
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: Not quite sure, really

Bio: Imperial pilots emerge from secrecy as valorous warriors in the waning days of the Republic, then devolve into ruthless enforcers as an evil Empire is born. Clone pilots fly Republic Gunships during the Battle of Geonosis. In the final days of the Clone Wars, clone pilots in V-Wings battle the enemies of first the Republic, then the Galactic Empire. Imperial pilots rise from the ashes of the Republic to defend the new Empire and enforce the Emperor's orders. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's floor.

Commentary: Oh, the inevitable black repaint. Hasbro loves to do them, but not as much as they used to. This Clone Pilot hit in 2009 as part of the final, exclusive, and possibly slowest-selling wave of Evolutions figures. While the line started as a successor to 2004 Vintage as a showcase for high-end, high-articulation, high-price figures, it eventually morphed into repaints and head swaps like the main line... and 2010 vintage. The figure took the 2008 Clone Pilot from the previous Imperial Pilot Legacy set and painted it black, much like the late-2005 repaint sold in Revenge of the Sith.

As a straight repaint, no new tooling has been introduced. However, he does have ball-jointed elbows, knees, and shoulders in addition to swiveling wrists, a swiveling waist, and no ankle joints. (He's a pilot.) The figure is great at standing and sitting, so if you need a guy to outfit your growing V-Wing fleet, why not this one? Aside from the fact he's basically off the market, that is. The sculpt is good, the paint is good, and the price is right. I'm particularly fond of the other two figures which come in the set, even if the Imperial Pilot has since been packed with several vehicles and gift sets. Were I you, and I am not, I'd say it's worth picking up.

Collector's Notes: The complete set can be had for under $20, so don't overpay for this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,546: May 18, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,545: Plo Koon

PLO KOON with Speeder Bike
Clone Wars Vehicle with Figure Set
Item No.: Asst. 94737 No. 94826
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, Bike, hood, projectile, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.99
Availability: July 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Plo Koon rides a speeder bike into battle against the forces of the Separatist Droid Army. This stern and imposing Jedi sits on the High Council and comes from a long line of Jedi who have all been strong in the Force. His customized speeder has additional weapons to create a swift, maneuverable and heavily armed vehicle for intense combat situations. (Taken from the figure's page on Hasbro.com.)

Image: Adam's kitchen.

Commentary: The third time is the charm! After two different versions of Plo Koon sold elsewhere, Hasbro upgrades the figure to this pretty cool design. Unlike the earlier releases, the figure now has jointed knees and ankles, plus a cloth lower robe so that he can sit or stand or, you know, ride the bike. The head sculpt is pretty much the same, and the same hoods are included from the previous releases. (In other words, there's a hood that lays down, and another that covers the head.) The lightsaber is the same as the earlier release, however this one dropped the double-bladed lightsaber wrist gauntlet. I always thought that thing was super-cool, so its absence is something of a bummer. (Granted, I have it, but you might not dear reader!) As the actual figure goes, this is the one to get. Hasbro hasn't done a better one yet and probably won't, there are places to improve the sculpt and soft goods but the figure certainly seems "good enough," as the kids say. (Well, OK, they don't.)

The bike is nice, but nothing special. It's a repaint of the bike sold (and repainted) during the 2002-2003 lines, complete with the oversized rocket launcher which was introduced in the 2003 Clone Wars Speeder Bike. If you don't have any bikes, and have at least one Republic Gunship, I'd change my tune and say you must buy this one-- there's a storage bay in the back of the ship for this very model, so it's kind of cool to have Plo's bike stored in there. As a kid, this sort of thing delighted because the idea of vehicles storing other vehicles means that you've arrived. How can you not love buying a big toy to carry around your other toys?

Collector's Notes: This set is still available, and the price has been in flux. If you can get a deal, grab it. And if you can't? Well, I think it's worth tracking down anyway. It's a worthwhile upgrade, but if Hasbro some day releases it on an individual card, you'd probably be just fine getting that one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,545: May 17, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,544: Star Tours Jedi Master

JEDI MASTER Nameless Adult
Star Tours Jedi Training Academy Set
Item No.: No. 87801
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, 4 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $34.99
Availability: June 2009
Appearances: n/a

Bio: STAR TOURS takes you to the Jedi Training Academy where you train to be a Jedi Knight! You and your fellow Padawans will experience the power of the Force and learn to battle with a lightsaber from a Jedi Master. May the Force be with you! (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's floor.

Commentary: For Star Tours, Hasbro has cranked out a surprising number of figures over the years. Some are based on specific events from the ride or the pre-ride "show," but this Jedi Master is inspired by what happens outside the ride. At the parks, performers train kids to use a lightsaber against Darth Vader. Naturally, dressing up these people like Jedi would make some degree of sense, and that's why we have this action figure. Based on the Revenge of the Sith Agen Kolar body, this figure has shorter cloth robes and a new head sculpt, along with new deco, to create a new and nameless Jedi hero.

While his body and lightsaber clearly originate from Jedi Master Agen Kolar, the head is something of a mystery. As of yet Hasbro hasn't come clean as to who this head is supposed to be, although I'd wager heavily on an employee of Hasbro or LucasFilm. If you know, leave a comment-- please share with the rest of the class!

Collector's Notes: This set did not fly off the shelves. With 3 nameless Padawans and a nameless Master, plus a Darth Vader figure fans have seen previously, it wasn't much to get excited about at $34.99. Unlike some of the other Disney-exclusive sets, the price has actually dropped. You should be able to get the entire boxed set for $20 before shipping, which I'd say is a fair price for what you get.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,544: May 16, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,543: Y-Wing Pilot

Y-WING PILOT Nameless Hero
Original Trilogy Collection Toys "R" Us Exclusive Vehicle
Item No.: No. 34517
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Red Y-Wing Fighter
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Y-wings are durable, reliable starfighters that excel in close-quarters combat. During the battle of avin, Y-wing squadrons were influential in helping to defeat the Death Star threat. Designated attack fighters, Y-wings went one-to-one with imperial fighters as the Rebels attempted to reach the battle station's vulnerable exhaust port. Jon "Dutch" Vander was Gold Leader of the Y-wing Gold Squadron during the Battle of Yavin, fighting bravely against the powerful Imperial forces. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: It may be hard to remember this, but there was a time where Hasbro used an ultra-generic head on its Rebel pilots to give us some fairly dull figures like this Y-Wing Pilot. At the time, I assumed they were trying to make people who didn't buy the vehicles feel good, giving them a sense of not having missed anything if they didn't buy the "expensive" vehicle repaints. (This Y-Wing was $30 in 2004, and was $20 in 1999.) The figure is fundamentally the same as the 1999 release with some minor deco changes, notably the boots are a different kind of black, and the head and helmet look different. Since it's lacking Rebel logos, it's the less-interesting of the two.

While the 1998 Biggs Darklighter body was a step forward at the time, by this figure's release in 2004 we've seen other, better Rebel pilot bodies. While the Dutch Vander and smaller X-Wing Luke sculpts may not have been ideal for this particular release, they do seem like they may have at least looked a little better than this already aging sculpt. On the bright side, he had no problems sitting in the cockpit, and fit in just perfectly. While it's sort of boring in terms of aesthetics, Hasbro couldn't have picked a better mold as actually-sitting-in-the-ship goes.

Collector's Notes: Loose samples of the figure don't show up, but the fully boxed vehicle could be anywhere from $40-$60. For vehicles on the secondary market, that's actually quite good as some shoot up a lot more. I don't think the figure is good enough to warrant high prices, but the vehicle is certainly neat enough to justify $40. The same body was used to make Biggs Darklighter, Jorg Sacul, another Y-Wing Pilot, and it wouldn't stun me if we saw it again some day.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,543: May 13, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,542: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPERS Elite Forces of the Republic
30th Anniversary Collection Entertainment Earth Exclusive Mandalorians & Clone Troopers Set
Item No.: Asst. 87467 No. 87454
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Antenna, rifle, 6 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: n/a

Bio: They are grown and engineered to be super soldiers: exceptionally obedient, reliable, and strong. After learning military skills through holographic flash training and live-fire exercises, they have become the perfect combat weapons. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk, hanging out with Iron Man.

Commentary: It's easy to forget because of their sheer abundance today, but before The Clone Wars started on TV fans couldn't get enough of Clone Troopers. Hasbro kept the market starved for these white-armored guys up until 2005, when regular, heavy releases continued to sell out. Expanded Universe figures, original designs, stuff Hasbro made up-- it didn't matter. People loved these guys. Heck, even today any Clone with a decent design on his armor sells, so it's no surprise that Hasbro would throw in a pair of identical Clone Troopers in the "Elite Forces of the Republic" set sold in late 2007 as an online exclusive.

The figure is essentially the same as the ever-popular III-41 mold sold in 2005, which was a white Clone Trooper figure with light brown damage and wear. This version removes the damage and adds some eyes on the helmet and a skull to the chest. Neat, eh? There's not much to it-- it uses the once-perfect body with 14 points of articulation, has a nice gun, and includes a removable antenna. As original Hasbro designs go it's a lot of fun, and I wish they threw in a little more color just to make it stand out more, but as the "shinies" go this more or less fits with the idea of a fresh trooper just earning his stripes, so to speak. I'd love to see some more original weird designs on the cartoon molds in the future, but I generally don't get sick of this kind of thing.

Collector's Notes: Courtesy of eBay sellers of loose troopers, these figures are pretty cheap now-- you should be able to get them for an average of $3 in a lot, while the sealed boxed set will be more expensive. Due to the Mandalorian-free training camps of the recent TV series, I doubt you'll see much of these figures down the road.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,542: May 12, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,541: Ahsoka Tano

AHSOKA Season 3 Body, the packaging neglected to include "Tano"
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 26373
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW44
Includes: 2 lightsabers, 2 hilts, display stand, game stuff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: February 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Ahsoka grows in skill and experience as the war continues. Anakin's Padawan learns Jar'Kai, the challenging art of dueling with two lightsabers at the same time. Through hard work, Jedi training and battlefield experience, young Ahsoka enhances her combat abilities and her skill with the Force. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's toy room, in front of the Millennium Falcon.

Commentary: Generally speaking, Star Wars character names get longer as time goes on. The Emperor became Emperor Palpatine. General Madine added a "Crix." But Ahsoka? Her last name "Tano" was pretty much obliterated from the current packaging completely, which I find odd because of the two names, that's the easiest one to spell. Slightly taler and much better-sculpted than her previous incarnations as toys, she has an all-new costume and a more doll-like appearance in her face.

This entirely new sculpt is a step sideways as figure engineering goes, as the 2008 Ahsoka figure has ankle joints and this one does not. However, the previous figures didn't have ball-jointed elbows, and the 2011 Ahsoka has these as well as the swivel forearms that help her to assume any of a number of combat poses. Her outfit was sculpted with sitting in mind, a cloth piece surrounds her midsection and twin belts have holes to plug in her lightsaber hilts. She has no difficulty holding on to her weapons, and so far, she seems to have no problem standing up. (Not like certain Aqua Droids.)

The attention to detail in the sculpt shows big signs of improvement over last time, as the head has a larger, more lively face that seems just a little less expressive. The head detail and enhanced "hair" shows the character's physical growth on the show, while her eyes are larger than before. They also lack the eyeliner on the 2008 release which, if you ask me, looks a little weird a couple of years out. While the proportions aren't identical to the cartoon model, as toys go, she looks great. If you only buy one Ahsoka, as of today, this is the best one overall. With extra lightsabers, better deco, and an improved face sculpt, what more could you ask for? (Answer: a snarkier expression and maybe ankle joints.)

Collector's Notes: The first Ahsoka figure shot up on the secondary market as kids realized they missed her, but subsequent (and consistent) releases helped to keep it down. So far, this figure has shot up slightly, most likely due to her being a new and also hard-to-find release. If Hasbro decides to pull her for a long period of time I'd wager we'll see history repeat itself. As such, go ahead and buy her now, but don't be surprised if you see her around for a while. (That'd be the sensible thing, after all.) And remember, if you buy her from the link below, you're helping us run this blog-- so feel free to buy her or anything. It's all good.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,541: May 11, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,540: Master Tholme

THOLME and T'ra Saa
The Legacy Collection Comic Packs Wave 7
Item No.: Asst. 87504 No. 89779
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #12
Includes: Lightsaber, cane
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: March 2010
Appearances: Republic, Legacy comic books

Bio: Jedi Masters T'ra Saa and Tholme battle their own personal difficulties during the Clone Wars. T'ra Saa is severely wounded when bounty hunters attack a triage unit she is overseeing on Null. Her close friend Tholme is alarmed when circumstances indicate that fellow Jedi Quinlan Vos has truly turned to the dark side. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's old back yard.

Commentary: In the 2-year death march that was the demise of the comic packs line, some items were significantly delayed and released in seemingly smaller numbers. Tholme, a recurring Jedi Master from the Clone Wars-era of Star Wars: Republic comic books, was unceremoniously dumped online and, on the whole, at Target stores just before word got out that the final figures from this assortment were to be exclusive to an online retailer. While ample supplies of this wave were available for a brief time, after they dried up people suddenly became interested. (That is the way of our people.)

Tholme is an all-new mold with a lot going on. There's a ponytail, a cane implying an injury, and even a damaged eye with a scar. Hasbro did a good job painting this figure as well, giving a little more life to the sculpted details which show his age and combat-specific damage from the years. Like a lot of figures in the decline of the Comic Packs line, he is indeed super-articulated with 14 joints. As Jedi bodies go, aside from the right leg, it stands to reason Hasbro will eventually reuse the body for another minor movie character.

As far as accessories go, the figure certainly has a nice pair. The lightsaber has a removable green blade, while his cane has a nifty design which may remind you of some sort of bird. Or the chozo, if you're in to that sort of thing. The added gold paint on the cane is a nice touch, and this set as a whole certainly seemed to show why Hasbro increased the price a few bucks on this segment of the line. Even in their decline, the comic packs continued to get better.

Collector's Notes: An unpackaged sample of Tholme commands above retail price for the set. T'ra Saa is slightly cheaper, so clearly, the kids love their Tholme. Based on the quantities that fans claimed to see (or not see) it's not unthinkable that there may be reserves waiting to show up on closeout some day. If by some miracle you can get this set at or under $20 today, I suggest you do so.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,540: May 10, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,539: Eeth Koth

EETH KOTH Jedi Master
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 28527
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW51
Includes: Lightsaber, stand, Galactic Battle Game stuff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Eeth Koth is captured by General Grievous. The Jedi Master's cruiser is attacked and boarded by the Separatist general. As a member of the Zabrak species, Koth has a remarkable endurance for pain, a trait that may help him withstand the cruel treatment he undergoes as Grievous' hostage. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: One great thing about Hasbro waiting to release certain characters as toys is that they get better figures. Eeth Koth (and Agen Kolar) are basically the same dude, and this is the only animated version of either so far... and the first new Eeth Koth figure in quite some time. The figure is, for all intents and purposes, one of the finest Jedi figures Hasbro has put out in this line. It's not super articulated but close-- he lacks ankle joints but is otherwise pretty much perfect. His cloth lower robes don't hinder leg movement, and they look pretty good. The hands have no problems holding on to a lightsaber, although I should note they are some of the rubberiest hands I've seen on a Hasbro figure in some time. (Although they have nothing on Revenge of the Fallen Lockdown.)

The sculpt closeley matches the TV show and the detail looks a lot like the animation model, right down to the distinctive design on his armor. I rarely have "I wish they had a Starfighter for this guy" as an initial reaction, but he seems like he would be right at home in a vehicle. This is one of those rare figures that kids should enjoy as much as collectors, aside from the hands I probably wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe I'd give him a spare lightsaber to plug in to a hole on his belt, but that seems less and less common these days. Be sure you get this one if you see it, because minor Clone Wars Force-sensitives tend to vanish quickly and the price goes up accordingly. (Ask Luminara Unduli, Aayla Secura, or Darth Sidious. Don't ask your mom or wife or spouse or whatever, just buy the damn thing.)

Collector's Notes: This figure is brand new, and as such you likely haven't seen it yet. I got mine from a contact online, but I have seen one in stores as well.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,539: May 9, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,538: Special Ops Clone Trooper

SPECIAL OPS CLONE TROOPER and Geonosian Drone
The Clone Wars Target Exclusive 2-Packs
Item No.: Asst. 31362 No. 31680
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, stand, mounted rifle, Geonosian figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: Late February 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Clone troopers battle Geonosian drones to stop the production ofm ore battle droids. The special ops clone trooper is a highly skilled marksman. With his DC-15a blaster, he takes aim at the swarms of Geonosian drones that are attacking the Republic forces. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: I think we're long past any sort of consistent naming of these guys, but this Special Ops Clone Trooper is specific to Geonosis and the Landing at Point Rain episodes of the TV series The Clone Wars. This figure is notable for a variety of reasons, not only that he has that unique rusty brown shade of armor, but he also has an as of yet distinctive helmet without the rest down the middle, but with what essentially amount to earmuffs. (You might know what these are. I don't.) Since the figure has a unique deco and a unique head, plus gets packaged with another unique trooper, this should be a set you totally buy-- despite being kinda expensive. If it hits closeout, I'll probably buy a few extras.

The trooper's construction is a mix of new, very new, and old. The body and legs are from the 2008 figures, meaning he has a ball-jointed torso and ball-jointed ankles. The helmet is, of course, new. The arms are similar to the Commander Stone-style, meaning they have swivel wrists and the elbow armor is attached to the lower arm, not the upper arm. These arms restrict the figure's ability to aim, although he can still hold his standard blaster without much trouble. I like this one a lot because unlike so many other figures, I can look at it and know it's something new. If you're into this line, you should get it.

Collector's Notes: This figure was rereleased along with a 2-pack of Waxer and a Battle Droid, so collect 'em all or something. It should still be available at a store near you.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,538: May 6, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,537: Cloud City Wing Guard

CLOUD CITY WING GUARD Utris M'Toc
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 88338
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD50
Includes: Blaster, hat, baton, droid part
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: May 2010
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The elite Wing Guard is in charge of security on Cloud City, working as police officers, customs officials, and crisis controllers. Troopers such as Utris M'Toc and Sergeant Edian handle these crucial duties with honesty and efficiency. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Commentary: One of Hasbro's greatest ideas was to design a figure to get multiple uses out of a body-- so we saw multiple Imperial Officers, Rebel Troopers, and others in a short period of time because Hasbro thought ahead. In 2009 they had big plans to do this even more, but some of the figures didn't quite make it out-- this Cloud City Wing Guard barely made the cut as Hasbro decided to make the final wave of The Legacy Collection a shared exclusive in the specialty wing of its business, which means it went to Toys "R" Us and primarily online accounts in the USA. The figure uses the same body as the previous release, but with a new head and hat. The figure itself seems to be inspired by a piece of on-set photography as the actual character is rather tough to find (if not impossible) in the movie.

The figure is pretty good as it is built on a great sculpt, although the head deco is a little weird. The action figure has a lot of green in it, while the alien makeup shows very little color outside the bridge of the nose. Why did Hasbro add the extra detail? I have no idea, but it's there. The end result is a neat toy, and another addition to your Deleted Scene toy hall of fame.

Collector's Notes: This figure was rereleased in late 2010 as part of Target's Vintage Collection action figure 9-pack. As such, it's worth about $5 out of the package these days.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,537: May 5, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,536: General Grievous

GENERAL GRIEVOUS now with cape
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 97568 No. 20824
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC17
Includes: Cape, two lightsabers, two hilts
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2010
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Fore be with you! (Taken from the figure's packaging. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Commentary: I'm pretty harsh on General Grievous figures because as playthings, they manage to let me down in a very significant way. This one is based on the last new movie mold from 2008 which I detested-- it was rubbery, had difficulty standing up, and felt like it could lose its shape if gravity had its way with it. (In other words, don't display it standing up.) Due to slightly better plastics being used-- or so it feels like, anyway-- the figure has had no problems standing (or should I say leaning) on display for the past several months since I got it, which I wanted to do before I wrote it up. He can stand fairly well, and has the same split-apart arms as his ancestor.

The overall design still feels a little thick, with some weird pistons sculpted so that if you bend the legs funny, they'll stick out, it feels like an unrefined design. There are no holes in the feet for use with display stands, either, but Hasbro did create a figure that looks stunning in the package-- as a hardcore loose figure collector, I'd even suggest you pick up a spare just to keep in the box. The real highlight of this piece is its cape, which has pockets to store up to 8 lightsaber hilts. While the neck "clasp" seems a bit much, it still hangs on the figure nicely if you pose him the right way and is an accessory you might want to remove from this release and give to another Grievous figure in the future.

While arguably Hasbro's best movie Grievous in years, it still falls--literally falls-- short with overly thick limbs and bizarre sculpting choices which you probably won't notice until you get the thing in your hands. I like the idea behind the figure, but it still feels like a stepping stone-- Hasbro continues to give us better product all the time, like the 2011 AOTC Clone Trooper, and I'm convinced Hasbro still has a better General Grievous figure for us in the future... even if they don't know it yet. I wrote this FOTD up a few weeks before posting it, and when I checked on the figure-- sitting on an Ultarama display, where it was leaning against a pillar for safety-- I found that it had eventually slid past the pillar and fallen into the shelf behind him. So yeah, this guy can't stand for crap, keep that in mind and consider buying a small doll stand to keep him up. No existing Hasbro stand can help him.

Collector's Notes: A silver-foil carded variation of the packaged figure exists in addition to the normal edition. This figure was packaged heavily in assortments beginning with Wave 2 and its revisions, continuing in the Wave 3 revisions, Wave 4, and Wave 5 thanks to strong kid, collector, and passive fan reaction. I fully expect to see him return in a future revision, because the market really seems to love this figure. It's not all that great though.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,536: May 4, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,535: Darth Sidious Holograph

DARTH SIDIOUS HOLOGRAM with stand
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 92951
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD10
Includes: Walking stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Darth Sidious uses holographic technology to discuss the invasion of Naboo with Nute Gunray. The Sith Lord encourages the Viceroy of the Trade Federation to eliminate anyone who resists the Federation's occupation of the planet. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Commentary: It's extremely rare for a figure to have fewer points of articulation than its accessory, but you'll see exactly that with the Darth Sidious Hologram from 2009. The figure is a solid, non-articulated bluish creation with a really nice sculpt and a slightly pearlescent sheen to it. After years of clear versions of this character in various sizes, this may be one of the best-sculpted incarnations in terms of detail, but it can be tough to tell as clear plastic tends to suck the texture right out of a mold in a visual sense. Measuring about half the size of a full action figure, the rest of the figure's mass comes in the form of a walking base with articulated legs. Sadly it doesn't actually walk (what a great wind-up toy that would've been!) but it does move and has a good amount of detail present. Each leg has multiple points of articulation, and there's much to enjoy in the way of grooves and sculpted detail. If futuristic furnishings are your thing, this is a true delight.

I opened this one and it went from "neat" to "eh" in about ten minutes. This is in no way a criticism of the amount of work that went into the product-- I can see Hasbro did a bang-up job making this the best-possible incarnation of this particular character that they could. It's just that as a thing, it's not as thrilling as a new Luke or a Chewbacca. Big props for a job well done, but with the level of weirdness we're getting to in this line, a figure being fantastic may not be enough to warrant your buying it-- you should personally want to own this one, rather than just go on the advice that it's very well-designed.

Collector's Notes: Despite being a really boring idea on paper, this figure sold incredibly well and quickly in the markets I watched. It never shipped past the first assortment, and on eBay loose samples go for about the original retail price or a little less. At press time, carded samples were a little tougher to get. The figure came with pieces to build a L8-L9 droid figure... which you should totally make sure you get, too.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,535: May 3, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,534: Anakin Skywalker

ANAKIN SKYWALKER Season 3 Body
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 28524
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW45
Includes: Robot hand, stand, lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: February 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Anakin continues to use daring battle tactics to outmaneuver the Separatists. The Jedi General is famous for his unusual combat techniques. While his methods may surprise other generals, who prefer more conventional strategies, it cannot be denied that Anakin's plans often lead to victories that the Republic desperately needs. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Commentary: This Anakin Skywalker figure is based on the character model redesign from the third season of The Clone Wars, but it seems to be based on a slightly earlier incarnation of the design. The head doesn't quite match the show, but it's still pretty great-- the costume is good, but the proportions are a little off. The shoulders and torso seem to be raised a bit, almost like the arms were placed too low in the body. The right glove is also a little beefy, but it's removable and you can replace it with a robot hand if you're so inclined. The left hand is placed in a Jedi "using the Force" pose, which is a nice touch. Even better, it has individually sculpted fingers, a nice detail that you didn't normally see on a figure of this scale. While not super-articulated, Anakin comes close with 12 points of articulation-- no ankles. The rubber robes are a little stiff, so it seems Hasbro probably designed this one with the notion of redoing him in the future to include cloth lower robes or ankle joints. I expect a revision of this one, but it's still pretty good for now and should go nicely with your revised Obi-Wan and Ahsoka figures.

Collector's Notes: As a new figure you might not have seen it yet. But it's getting around now.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,534: May 2, 2011