Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,834: Passel Argente

PASSEL ARGENTE Geonosian War Room
Saga Screen Scenes
Item No.: Asst. 84997 No. 84711
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 2 of 2
Includes: Table, Shu Mai, Nute Gunray
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: In a conference room on Geonosis, leaders of the Confederacy of Independent Systems watch Republic and Separatist forces engage in what will become the first batle of the Clone Wars. unscrupulous opportunists who will do anything that will benefit them financially, they ally with Count Dooku to advance their own interests.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo area.

Commentary:  3-packs have always been a weird spot for Hasbro, even in the Kenner days.  They seem conflicted over if they should do new figures, popular characters, or some sort of mix and in 2003 they were erring toward more newness.  Passel Argente was part of a separatist 3-pack which, for all intents and purposes, was new enough to be good.  Passel was a great replication of the movie character, with brown robes and a nasty green face.  The sculpt and level of detail are really good, as, frankly, most figures since 2002 have had excellent sculpts with wonderful simulated cloth texture in their outfits.  The subtle paint job brings out the texture quite nicely, which makes up for the general lack of articulation.  Given the character doesn't do much, it's not like I expect a heck of a lot from the figure.  He can stand, he looks cool, and is basically a statue with moving arms.  Diorama fans would love this, but as a toy this figure doesn't bring a lot to the table.  Except, of course, for the other half of the table which the separatists use to monitor the first battle of the Clone Wars on Geonosis... and that alone makes this set worth picking up.

Collector's Notes: An orange/yellow repaint of this mold with lightsaber damage was sold in 2005.  The original set is under $15 still, and was in Kay-Bee on clearance back in the day in the good old days before Bain Capital gutted it.   But I digress.  I don't expect any more versions of this character to see release, so go buy an old one on the cheap and be happy.


--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,834: June 25, 2012