Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,175: Moff Gideon (Walmart Exclusive 2-Pack, Epic Hero Series)

MOFF GIDEON | Bo-Katan Kryze
Epic Hero Series Deluxe Walmart Exclusive Figure 2-Pack
Item No.: No. F9376
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Fire gauntlet, Cape, 2 jetpacks, Darksaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.84
Availability: August 2024
Appearances: The Mandalorian   

Bio: Imperial Moff Gideon once wielded the the ancient Darksaber, an artifact of great importance to Mandalorians. (Taken from the packaging)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Walmart now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: You should give this figure a look. Unlike the Maul set, you get your money's worth in the Moff Gideon & Bo-Katan Kryze 2-pack - more so if you didn't buy the single figures. Each figure has different accessories in the vein of "just different enough to make you mad," but I'm willing to play ball because I like the format enough. The Gideon figure and his cape are the same as the single-carded release, but Hasbro dropped the staff in favor of a new backpack and a repainted gauntlet with a flame shooting out of it - which you've already seen with Boba Fett and Paz Vizsla. Which version should you get? It's all about the accessories, and if this one goes on clearance (and I bet it will) I'd favor what's cheapest. 

For those who don't want to read the whole thing, Walmart's main selling point on the exclusive?  Backpack.  Flamethrower.

We'll look at the single version soon, but I'm stating with this one because it was a surprise. Hasbro never announced it, which is a pity given it's the first figure they made of this figure in this outfit - it's of interest to collectors. It's a new figure sculpt, and it's pretty close to what you saw on the show. His armor isn't as glossy, and the lights on the TV show chest are missing. Other than that, it's pretty much what you expect out of a toy action figure - black armor, red trim. There's not a ton of detail on the show model, so it translates nicely to the toy with a slightly brighter color of red for his various highlights. He has five points of articulation and various connection points to bolt on a backpack, his cape, or a flamethrower. He has no traditional weapons, but you can bolt on that flamethrower and it fits nicely. You also have to choose between an exclusive-to-this-set jet pack, or his cape. They fit in the hole nicely, and as I write this Gideon has the jetpack and Maul has the cape. It's a really good cape with red lining that stays on nicely, and the jetpack sticks well too.

There aren't a ton of amazing flourishes here, but there are some. His jetpack has paint on the underside, with blue vents and holes where you could connect some sort of flames if they existed. Maybe you can 3-D print some and share your files with the rest of the class. The figure also has a blaster in his holster, but it isn't removable. It's just a nice detail, along with darts in his kneepads and vertical stitches in his pants that are a lot like Darth Vader's. Star Wars has a stock look for its bad guys - black, red, and probably obscured in the face - and this is no exception. The figure can't have the kinds of texture you see on the TV show at this price point, but I think Hasbro made something that is a satisfying release for what amounts to a glorified bureaucrat cosplaying as the king of the natives of a planet he was sent to administer earlier in his career. His helmet has little crown points and everything - it's very silly when you think about it, but the kind of man that sets up his base in a hole on a supposedly abandoned planet instead of one with a decent restaurant or a place to get pants is clearly not a serious man.

Given Hasbro has already produced The Mandalorian, Grogu, Bo-Katan Kryze, Ahsoka Tano, and Luke Skywalker, it would be nice to see them continue The Mandalorian cast in this format. And I mean any weird alien, any guest star. I'd love a Kenner-ized Cobb Vanth or IG-12. It would be a hoot to see those ramshackle Stormtroopers or Frog Lady. These are generally very nice figures for the price.

I wouldn't mind if Hasbro just ditched Vintage and made Epic Hero Series figures the new standard - provided they could shave them down from 4-inches to 3 3/4-inches at that time. I like this figure because he looks good, can use his gear, and remain standing. His legs swing forward fairly well and if Hasbro made vehicles for him, he'd probably fit like a champ. If there's a The Vintage Collection version of this costume I have no doubts it will have perfect deco, an alternate head, and amazing articulation - but it doesn't exist. Instead we have this guy for $8-$10ish, depending on which version you buy. I opened this one first and I think he turned out well enough. I'd recommend it, if only because I believe that this sub-line (which I hope lasts) is a great way to collect the characters in a non-fragile format at a price that doesn't make my wallet just sigh heavily and shake its head. I hate re-buying characters at $20... but $10? Or under $10? I can live with that.

Collector's Notes: I got mine fromWalmart. As Walmart exclusive toys for kids tend to be made in pretty big numbers, and in this case is shipping to even the smaller Walmarts (but not grocery stores), you'll probably have no problems finding this set.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,175: September 26, 2024