Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,821: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI Order 66
30th Anniversary Collection Target Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 87356 No. 87360
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 4 of 6
Includes: Right hand, lightsaber right hand, cloak, lightsaber hilt (and AT-RT Driver)
Action Feature: Squeeze legs for lightsaber-swinging action
Retail: $9.99
Availability: March 2007
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio:  Obi-Wan's leadership during the Clone Wars earns him a well-deserved reputation as an outstanding general. He battles the Separatist forces with the help of clone troopers who operate AT-RT vehicles in the thick of battle.   (Taken from the set's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' old desk and old computer.

Commentary:  Continuing a proud tradition of excessive reuse, this Obi-Wan Kenobi figure is based on a figure from 2005 which, as of its release in 2007, was already old and crusty.  It's not terrible-- as a toy, it's actually quite fun, and the sculpt is more or less just fine.  This figure is a repaint of a figure from 2005, which was packed with a blue Jedi Starfighter in 2005, painted with weird lava highlights in 2005, and was rendered obsolete in 2005 with a super-aritculated pilot version.   That didn't take long!  Anyway, so why do you want this one, you ask, and why did I buy it in 2007?  Honestly, it's pretty good for what you got-- as of this figure's release, single figures were about $7 and it also included an exclusive orange Utapau AT-RT Driver figure, which was the real selling point.

Obi-Wan is the same mold as before, with a little more white in his beard.  That's the big difference.  Arguably the best release of this mold, it makes for an acceptable toy because he can swing his weapon around and the lightsaber is actually molded to his articulated hand.  It's a good, fun design but since it can't sit very well, it made for a below-average pilot figure, and because it had difficulty standing, it was hard to leave on your desk.   Hasbro had done better, but I'd be lying if I said this one wasn't any fun.  Since he has 10 joints and a hole for his lightsaber on his belt, it's a pretty good release.  It could be better, of course, but that can be said of pretty much everything in life.  I wouldn't chase him down just for this figure, but if you're a clone fan, this is a worthwhile set to get the AT-RT Driver with Obi-Wan as a bonus.

Collector's Notes: This set is worth about $5, packaged.  The entire wave of 6 2-packs is worth about $40-$80, depending on the day.  It's not bad for $10 particularly in today's market, but if you already have a few hundred figures this might not be an exciting pursuit given the alternatives available to you at retail or on eBay.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,821: June 6, 2012