Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,767: The Armorer (The Black Series 6-Inch)

THE ARMORER Mass Release
The Black Series 2020 Line Look Orange Star Wars: The Mandalorian Packaging
Item No.: Asst. E8908 No. E9362
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #04 - Star Wars: The Mandalorian
Includes: Plastic shoulder cape, tongs, Mando's silver hammer
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2020
Appearances: The Mandalorian

Bio: The Armorer plays a vital role in keeping the culture of the Mandalorians alive. She forges beskar armor in the ancient tradition of her people. (Taken from the packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I wasn't able to get (and missed the announcement of) the exclusive deluxe version, but at least I got the regular The Armorer figure. The exclusive version is a little fanicer, with more accessories and soft goods "cape." I don't think I will be sad if I make it to the end of my life without the exclusive variation, because this figure is perfectly good. If you just want another cool figure in armor for your desk or shelf, you may not miss the extra accessories.

With something like 27 points of articulation, she has a good range of movement for forging and combat - but some of those joints are a little stiff. She can stand and hold her tools, with sharp armor. The metallic chest armor looks great, as does the waist coat and the shiny (but dirty) ornate helmet - with spikes. Her boots are nicely done, and the quilted pattern on the gloves looks ideal to protect yourself from burning in the furnace. The design translates nicely to a toy.

The one element that irked me is the plastic cape. It plugs in to three slots on the back, but doesn't stay put particularly well. It pops out a bunch. I don't get why there's any problem here in 2020 - we've seen amazing ways to connect to a figure. G.I. Joe's peg hole system worked in the 1980s, the 1995 Boba Fett had a unique t-slot system that never fails. Anyway.

She's got a great neck joint with an unusually good range of motion, and because she's a Mandalorian she's probably going to keep selling for years. Despite the fact that since Boba Fett, pretty much anyone who looks vaguely like him sells like crazy seems lost in the business. You don't see the likes of the Armorer, or various 2-packs or 4-packs or singles, ever sit around. Hasbro could crank out an 8-pack of generic Mando repaints in the color of Crayola's best-selling crayon line-up and it'd be a hit - which is why you should buy an Armorer if you can find one. The unique costume design and distinctive helmet looks great, right in line with The Clone Wars or something out of a Return of the Jedi creature shop. It's really wonderful that we have Star Wars costumes and toys that look increasingly, unapologetically, like old-school Star Wars trilogy designs.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,767: January 7, 2021