Thursday, March 7, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,017: Chewbacca

CHEWBACCA Bowcaster Fires Projectiles!
The Clone Wars Basic Action Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 37290 No. 38415
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: CW9
Includes: Rifle, rocket, firing bowcaster, regular bowcaster, stand, card, die
Action Feature: Rocket-firing backpack
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Clone Wars TV series

Bio: Chewbacca is captured by Trandoshan hunters, who kidnap victims and hunt them as part of a deadly game.  The Wookiee comes across a group of Padawans who have been kidnapped, including Ahsoka, Anakin's Padawan.  Chewbacca joins them to find a way to escape from the planet.  His immense strength and his technological skills give the group much-needed support.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Chewbacca is a repaint, but a big improvement.  Back in 2011 I reviewed the original mold which, while showcasing exquisite sculpting, had a terrible head paint job and was unable to sit.  It would be highly narcissistic and delusional to think that Hasbro read my review and redecorated the figure while adding in a slice in his fur "skirt" allowing him to sit, not to mention unrealistic given the turnaround time.  But hey, more delusion juice for everyone!

Nicely articulated, all over, the figure's deco is roughly on par with the previous release save for the head.  His bandolier is removable, and feels looser on my sample.  The bowcasters are just as good as the previous release, but the lighter fur on the head (especially around the eyes) makes him look more like the Chewbacca we all know and love, rather than the Chewbacca who got a face full of soot from an exhaust pipe.  The figure's hands and feet have paint on them, with claws and grey skin decorated to the extent it looks a little better than most movie-based Chewbacca figures.   Seeing as how figures seemed to be less interesting, less articulated, and less geared up in 2012 it was wonderful to see a figure which was an improvement across the board.  Nothing was removed, things were only made better.  Skip the 2011 release and get this one instead.

Collector's Notes: Due to Hasbro's iffy (OK, AWFUL) casepacks of 2012, few figures looked new and many sat around.  Chewie was findable, but not super-common.  The 2011 figure was touch to find so the 2012 rerelease was not only an improvement, but a much-needed shot-in-the-arm for the figure's availability.   I won't say it was worth $12, but I won't say it wasn't, either.  If you only get one animated Chewbacca, make sure it's this one.  (For the record, that's the one on the Darth Maul cardback.  Not the Rex one.)

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,017: March 7, 2013

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