Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,245: Imperial Security Bureau (Imperial Officers set, The Vintage Collection)

IMPERIAL OFFICERS ISB, no IBS
The Vintage Collection Shop Disney/Hasbro Pulse 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. F8302
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #309
Includes: 4 figures, 6 blasters, 3 hats
Action Feature: Removable hat
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2023
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Imperial officers fought against Rebel forces in an effort to maintain the Empire’s stronghold over the galaxy. (Taken from the set's product copy. Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I ordered this set of Imperial Officers in 2023, opened it... and neglected to review it! Well. This ISB Member - presumably - has a very high rank as he shares it with Krennic. Actually, he shares quite a bit with Krennic and other Imperials from the past couple of years. The "skirt" is new, and the head is new - oh, and the blasters are different. But otherwise? Same figure.

The holster kind of, sort of holds the smaller pistol and won't include the included Imperial E-11 rifles. Or, the Stormtrooper one. His hands can hold them fairly well, but it's worth noting the right hand is much better at gripping weapons than the left. Again, it's the same build as Krennic, and the left hand isn't the best on either figure.

But... who is this guy? I don't know. He's pale, he has a gray mustache and matching sideburns. His hair seems to be thinning a tiny bit, and he has tired-looking eyes and a snazzy black cap. I assume he's based on a Hasbro, Disney, or Lucasfilm employee but I couldn't say I know who yet. The face is too specific to not be somebody, and right now he's just another in a very small collection of Imperial Security Bureau members. For those keeping track at home, other white uniform figures include Yularen, Krennic, and Meero. And I'm sure someone is screaming at me that I forgot somebody. What matters is that you've got another figure to fill that Death Star or Star Destroyer playset that I'd love to say is hopefully coming but given the current uncertainty about the toy market, I don't know.

The nameless character looks fine, but I don't know how he fits into the story. Not that this necessarily matters - I've got a zillion droids and they mostly just go where ever. I assume this figure will likely go into storage until he is called upon to stand around in a gray room diorama of my or Hasbro's making. I should be more enthusiastic about this figure because this is precisely the kind of thing I would have been bananas over 20 years ago. A new guy! From the Empire! For fun! That's awesome! But I had a lot more hope about a place for these guys back then, too.

The face has a lot of personality, and despite using a lot of recycled parts he's distinctive. If you can get this set for a fair price, do so. The set sold fairly well and commands a bit extra on the secondary market, probably because it's the kind of thing old fans like. Chiefly, neat figures that look like they belong in dioramas and playsets that orbit the worlds of the original trilogy and surrounding stories. I assume this set will get more expensive if a day comes where fans actually have a big playset to pack out with figures, but I assume the expiration date on that is 2027. At this point I'm largely just happy that we are, somehow, still getting an occasional figure that fits in the fringes of the galaxy without being another version of a character we've got a dozen of already.

If Hasbro is reading and would like to do more ISB space fascists, Major Partagaz would be fun.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Hasbro Pulse.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,245: May 29, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,244: Momaw Nadon (Hammerhead, The Vintage Collection)

MOMAW NADON (Hammerhead)
The Vintage Collection Deluxe Action Figure
Item No.: No. G0674
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #362
Includes: Staff, blaster, double rifle, alternate hand, tumbler
Action Feature: Swappable right hands
Retail: $24.99
Availability: May 2025
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: An exile from Ithor, Momaw Nadon was a rebel sympathizer who cultivated a hidden garden in the mountains south of Mos Eisley. (Taken from the cardback bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I admit I was a little surprised when I heard the next deluxe figure for $25 would be Momaw Nadon (Hammerhead). I thought The Saga Collection figure from 2006 was pretty definitive. With the new Cantina (allegedly) still coming out this year, it makes sense that they would want to put out one of the most recognizable creatures in that scene again. I mean, 2006 was 19 years ago... but also, I assume anyone buying a $400-$500 Cantina also bought this figure 19 years ago and has been waiting. As a person who really likes Hammerhead figures, and will find an excuse to buy a new one, there are plenty of reasons to give this one a shot.

Despite hearing this new figure would be larger, he seems pretty much the same size as previous releases. There aren't many very good reference shots of this guy out there, but his appearance on The Richard Pryor Show in 1977 makes him look positively huge. If posed to match The Saga Collection release from 2006, they seem effectively the same size.

This 2025 model also matches The Black Series release, no doubt sharing a sculpt that's in some digital style guide for other consumer products. The wrinkles are quite different from previous releases, but the bulk of the costume and pose seem pretty much the same. You get a rope belt, an infinity buckle, and a very similar vibe. A big difference is that the 2025 model has much more saturated colors, better painted toenails, and a cloth costume that doesn't get in the way of sitting nearly as much. The joints are all very nice, and this is the first time a Hammerhead of this size has fully jointed elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. For a display piece, it gives you a lot more in the way of options and you can choose to have him fight, or drink, or just sit down over in that corner booth.

Since good reference is hard to find, I would say the colors are about as good as they get. He carries most of the accessories that the figures since 1979 have had. The articulation is the best to date - his waist can pivot. His head can actually look up. The arms are good, and it's the kind of design that we're going to take for granted immediately - it looks like the old one, but has a lot more going on inside. He's also skinnier.

While I am grouchy that it looks like 2025 may end without any new mass market Cantina aliens, I have nothing bad to say about the quality of the - so far - sole 100% new release for the year. The staff is new, the blaster seems to be new, the double-blaster is much smaller than the original POTF2 one, and the glass - I think - is new, but as you can see I was not able to dig out every last version from my stash. (It's gotten a little big.) I can't tell you $25 is too expensive, or that $25 is a bargain. There are enough separate parts and deco hits here that you can see Hasbro maybe didn't spend every last penny to give you the best Hammerhead ever, but also, I can't see any signs of their leaving anything out of it. If we never get another one, this has nods to nearly every previous figure at a price that I think I can swallow. As long as Hasbro goes all-out on these deluxe guys and won't leave a fan saying "you left a piece out!" I wouldn't mind seeing more like this.

 It's also notable that - unless I'm forgetting someone - this is the first individually-packaged deluxe The Vintage Collection figure from the original trilogy and only the second one from the Lucas era, after Jango Fett. I freely admit that probably colors my enjoyment of this release, but I wouldn't mind seeing some other figures follow this route. Could we get Han Solo in Carbonite with multiple carbonite blocks and alternate heads, plus binders? Could we get a Stormtrooper Luke with wet hair, dry hair, and maybe some junk and a Dianoga tentacle? Or how about an Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader with alternate "Luke" head, meditation head, regular head, and maybe some cool Force-choke hands? I think I can be convinced to pay $25 for things if they really, truly are bigger and better than previous versions while also putting the current basic Vintage figures to shame. OK, so maybe that's a tall order.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,244: May 27, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,243: Mandalorian Fleet Commander (The Vintage Collection)

MANDALORIAN FLEET COMMANDER Live Version
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7763 No. F9782
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #309
Includes: Alternate helmet head, blaster, rocket pack
Action Feature: Removable backpack, alternate head
Retail: $16.99
Availability: April 2024
Appearances: The Mandalorian

Bio: Serving under mercenary-turned-privateer Axe Woves, the Mandalorian Fleet Commander sits at the helm of a captured Imperial light cruiser. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: Since the prequels, it seemed like we rarely get a nameless non-trooper character. The Mandalorian Fleet Commander got some actual face time and got to do some stuff. He got a LEGO figure, this figure, and a The Black Series figure. But, as far as I know, no name. I'd love to know if there's a story there - were there some cut scenes like with Ric Olie? Did someone in licensing just like the deco a lot and pushed it out on product? Was it a pretty easy figure to make because of shared parts with other figures? My guess, the answer, is "yes."

At least we got him before the window of opportunity closed. The helmet has an articulated rangefinder, and a blaster that fits nicely in his hand. There is no holster.

Hasbro did a pretty nice job here, but I do wish he had a vehicle to go with him. The body seems to be largely shared with other figures, like the Mandalorian Judge, and you can see how Lucasfilm has been sharing and repainting costume bits for the new era of series. The shin armor was used for various Imperial pilots and the Shoretroopers, too - and it looks fine. We're getting a lot of blue and gray Mandalorians, and it seems to finally be slowing down a bit - but in 2024 we got this guy. The head is swappable, and not a removable helmet. It seems a little small for the neck and body, but has excellent detail and fairly good face paint. The sculpted hair texture seems pretty good and is part of the head, not a molded wig.

I'm not sure if I like the paint. I love the metallic blue on the shins and forearms, but it doesn't carry over to the helmet or jet pack. The metallic paint really makes the sculpted detail pop, and I'd love to see this kind of paint dished out where appropriate. It looks good. The armor has a red light element, but is otherwise rather plain. It matches the show nicely, but I would've loved to see a few more decals or other markings to make it stand out. I'd say Hasbro did a nice job, and the articulation is similarly on par with most modern figures. The range of motion is good, the hands can grip the blaster, everything works rather well. For a figure with a lot of shared parts, the figure comes together nicely.

I'm glad Hasbro got behind selling armored Mandalorian figures, but without vehicles or playsets it feels increasingly hollow. It would be great to have a ship bridge playset or some fighters to pilot, just because eventually you realize you have a dozen blue armored dudes who look somewhat similar and not much for them to do but stand on a shelf or exist in the packaging. A good figure is a wonderful thing to have, but eventually you need them to have more to do than merely exist. Hopefully we'll get some real variety with The Mandalorian & Grogu next year, because while this is a good figure, I don't know that I want any more of this particular suit of armor in these particular colors. Unless it's Retro, in which case, bring it on. I've got all the $10 bills for Retro.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,243: May 22, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,242: Darth Vader (Epic World of Action Mech Force Suit)

DARTH VADER Ultimate Mech Force Suit
Epic World of Action "Power the Force" Mech Figure
Item No.: No. G0770
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Cape, Mech, lightsaber
Action Feature: Removable cape, mech opens, lightsaber blade flips out and extends
Retail: $219.99
Availability: March 2025
Appearances: n/a
Bio: Power up the Dark Side with Darth Vader at the helm of an armored mech suit! (Taken from the packaging)

Image: Adam's photo lab. Note, this sample has two left feet because life is cruel.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I think some kids are going to get this and either love it, or be bewildered by it. I would have hated this toy when I started writing online 30 years ago. This Ultimate Mech Force Suit Darth Vader feels like the kind of thing to come out of a style guide from Disney's marketing department, and the kind of thing Lucasfilm would have said "no" to under George Lucas. It's by no means bad - it's interesting! - but your willingness to go along with whimsy and 1990s-style action figures are what will drive this sale. Because I've started to like the bugnuts Kenner zaniness of the 1990s Batman and Aliens line a whole bunch, I can say I like this toy too.

A nearly-identical Epic World of Action Darth Vader [FOTD #3,228] is available with more painted details by itself. The Mech pilot drops the red and green chest lights as well as the silver belt buckle, and instead gives you some sort of PCB circuit patterns painted on his chest. Does it make sense? No. But it matches the interior of the mech, which you can see through the mech's transparent red chest. It's distinctive - and if it was part of the Batman Beyond-era of toys you'd go "Oh, I get it. I don't know that I need one, but I get it."

The sculpt is still Obi-Wan Kenobi-derived, with the gloves you saw in Rogue One and Star Wars along with the shoulder armor on top of his Sithly robes. He's jointed in nine spots - there are 15 joints in all - and he has no problem holding that overloaded energy lightsaber. It, and the energy crackles on his chest, go along with the "Power the Force" (no "of") initiative that's a big part of Disney's 2025 marketing strategy for Star Wars. You say you haven't noticed it at all? A lot of the big marketing strategies tend to be things that the consumer doesn't tend to notice, despite being name-checked on the packaging.

The big mech is pretty neat. It's not an amazing toy after we lived through $30-$40 31-inch Jakks Pacific Vader just over a decade ago, but it's at least interesting. I kind of wish they outsourced the design to Japanese mech designers to get us something with a little more zing, but the robotic armor and stompy feet look like a pretty decent kid's toy. The toy has two notable action features - a button on the beck of the right arm deploys the lightsaber blade and flips it out in his hand. Another big red button on his shoulder wiggles it. I don't know that it's going to be exciting for the kids, but it works well and is clever. The mech is jointed at the left elbow, and both shoulders. He is also equipped with a number of 5mm sockets on his arms, which allows you to mount the big weapons from other mechs or your Transformers collection. Someone at Hasbro seemed to have some fun making it.

Is it worth $30? Or more, with the tariffs? I'd say it is hard to compare it against other product at the price point, as a 6-inch The Black Series Vader is a better-painted toy with tons of articulation. But you can't open the head and chest, and plop Vader inside to pilot it. If it ever goes on clearance you owe it to yourself to get one - it's fun and weird, and mercifully doesn't duplicate a figure you already own. There are no other be-circuited Vaders. There are red ones, white ones, clear blue ones, and lava reflection ones - this is the only one that reps soldering skills. The 4-inch figure is a quality piece, and the mech functions as advertised. Pats on the back to the designers for doing something absurd, although I do kind of wish we got a new "kid" Darth Vader TIE Fighter as well/instead. At least this will take up less space standing on my shelves!

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,242: May 20, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,241: Director Orson Krennic (The Vintage Collection)

DIRECTOR ORSON KRENNIC Yes, from 2023
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. F6878 No. F7321
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #302
Includes: Cape, blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $16.99
Availability: October 2023
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Cruel but brilliant, Director Krennic has staked his reputation on the completion of the long-delayed Death Star project for the Emperor. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: There are lots of unopened figures around my desk from 2023 - not because they aren't good, but because I usually review about 2 figures per week (104ish a year) and we got a whopping 36 The Retro Collection figures in 2023. I got excited and prioritized most of those - leaving me to not open Director Orson Krennic until, oh, about two weeks ago. Since I already owned Rogue One Krennic [FOTD #2,300], I dragged my feet to open the new one. My enthusiasm for upgrades can be mixed, but I'm often very excited for downgrades. You may say "that's dumb" and to you I say "start your own review blog."

Hasbro used the same basic sculpt for all the Imperial Officers, so you'll recognize the same pants on numerous other figures like Thrawn and a lot of the folds and wrinkles in the tunic - which is a different tool - are similar between the various British white guys. Thanks to the cape, you're probably less likely to notice this. Hasbro's decision to go with plastic for the cape was the right move, as I assume cloth at this scale would not hang properly. It drapes well, but the more I think about it the goofier it feels. Very few people in the Empire tend to wear capes, so you have to wonder why Krennic and not Tarkin or Motti. Especially since it seems there's a pretty strict dress code. I see no open-toed shoes anywhere! But I digress.

I like the uniform and how it turned out. The white plastic is bright, and the blaster fits nicely in his right hand - but not his left hand. In the movies he's left-handed, but the left hand here isn't really designed to hold the blaster easily. He drops it. But, you can store it in the holster if you prefer. Be sure to have the grip facing forward so he can draw it with his left hand.

The 2016 toy has a good sculpt, but the paint on the rank pin was a little bit rougher as opposed to the 2023 figure which has individually painted rectangles. It also lacks the white stripe between rows - it's better. The face sculpt has printed detail that has that fancy face printing paint we all love, and it's just so good at conveying the sneer of arrogance that Ben Mendelsohn gave to the character. His hair is also vastly improved, with a brown molded plastic "wig" being given a touch of gray on the sides that looks increasingly familiar from my recent glimpses into the mirror.

Hasbro did a good job here. They leveraged their tooling library and existing digital sculpts to spit out an improved version of a figure who, at the time, was probably released both too late and too early. Andor and the upcoming anniversary of Rogue One undoubtedly will make more people interested in the figure if they missed it, and let me assure you it is the best version of the character at this size. However, the cape makes him a statue - the toy does not necessarily benefit from (or need) the articulation in this format. With a cloth cape you might have him kneeling down choking on his aspirations, but this figure's cape will make you want to leave him just standing around. All parties involved did a really nice job here and other than maybe fixing up that left hand, I would say Hasbro would do well to rerelease him with no changes in Andor packaging for season two. Unfortunately, it's too late for that, so go ahead and get this one off Amazon or eBay.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,241: May 15, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,240: The Mandalorian (Epic World of Action Mech Force Suit)

THE MANDALORIAN Mech Force Suit
Epic World of Action "Power the Force" Mech Figure
Item No.: Asst. G0776 No. G1157
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Cape, Mech, small gray pistol, big blue blaster
Action Feature: Removable cape, mech opens, blue blaster mounts on gauntlet
Retail: $19.99
Availability: March 2025
Appearances: n/a
Bio: Level up to ultimate bounty hunter status with The Mandalorian an armored mech suit! (Taken from the packaging)

Image: Adam's photo lab. Note, this sample has two left feet because life is cruel.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: When I first saw the final form of The Mandalorian with Mech Force Suit, which is this one, I was not entirely sure what I was looking at. It's like someone saw those Transformers movie Energon-infused figures from 2007 with the extra blue paint on them, and said "let's do that." It's arguably a lot more interesting than the same normal deco again, and represents a radical departure from the norm. Hasbro has dialed down its "Arctic Combat" or "Deep Dive" paint jobs on its many brands in recent years, so you're unlikely to see anything weird or new unless it's a direct reference to an existing vintage toy. For G.I. Joe: Classified Series you'll get Tiger Force or Python Patrol, but it's not like they're going to make up a new Axlotl Army or anything.

Your 4-inch plastic hero is basically the same as the 2025 carded figure mold. The paint is a lot different. His silver gauntlets are now blue on the outside, and unpainted on the inside. The thigh armor is unpainted, as are the backs of the hands. The skirt bits hanging off the belt are painted gray. The bright silver is now a darker silver, and Hasbro added a blue circuit pattern to his chest armor. Why? I don't know. I am guessing someone in Disney marketing came up with the idea, put it in a style guide, and someone just ran with it. It doesn't really make sense, as it's not the kind of thing we see in Star Wars so much as in Breath of the Wild or whatever video game has blue light-up tech in it. Articulation is good, the figure build is decent, and I am annoyed mine has two left feet. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the different deco probably costs about the same as a basic carded figure, giving how much paint got traded around here.

Mando cannot fit in the mech without messing with him - that sort of thing bugged me as a kid. I had to take Vader's and Obi-Wan's capes off to get them in ships, and Mando's cape must come off before he can clip in the mech. This seems like a wasted opportunity for making use of the figure's backpack port. There's a hole in the back, and Hasbro could just as easily put a little peg in there to mount him without a clip. The entire front of the mech opens up and you can put Mando inside, except for his arms - those jut out the sides. It looks kind of dorky, and it's probably good that the bright blue fists of the mech distract from the arms dangling out. I should note, he does fit in there, and it's not difficult to get him inside. It works, it's just not as elegant as I would have liked.

But how is that mech? It's interesting, and shows signs of future plans I assume will never come to fruition. The bright blue blaster peg is 5mm - if you collect Transformers, this is meaningful. That's the size of the port on most robots in disguise, so you can mount their weapons on his shoulders, forearms, shins, or soles. (Yeah, there are sole holes.) There's another socket on the back as well, but not mech-sized backpack exists. Depending on your toy box, you could have a lot of fun with this and you could hand his blaster to many Optimuses Prime.

He, too, has the weird tech paint on the torso and similar sculpted circuits sculpted inside. What's particularly fascinating is that the exterior of the mech looks like it could be some weird part of the Star Wars galaxy, but the interior looks like it came from a different design school entirely. It's loaded with tiny circular dots, circuit patterns, and reliefs of various shapes. There's a Mudhorn signet in front of the breastbone and on the seat behind his back, which is a sensible addition. Most of the interior greeblies don't seem to add much to it and will probably go unnoticed by kids, but I appreciate that someone felt the need to add a lot of extra detail in there. The figure's shoulders are ball-jointed with hinge elbows and swivel wrists.

Is it worth it? At $15 I would say it's the perfect kid birthday item. At $20, it's worth a peek. Since it's not on the TV shows or movies, and it's a little goofy, and it doesn't look like anything else in the line, my hunch is a lot of fans will skip it. If you want a toy that looks like a toy, and is a toy, this is for you.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth. I am assuming if I can't get a replacement from Hasbro I might buy a second one when they inevitably hit markdown. But I like it enough to say it's a neat toy at full price.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,240: May 13, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,239: Grand Admiral Thrawn (Live-Action, The Vintage Collection)

GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN Live-Action Debut
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7763 No. F9797
Number: #337
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: Blaster fits in holster
Retail: $16.99
Availability: October 2024
Appearances: Ahsoka

Bio: Thrawn studies his enemies to gain tactical advantages often overlooked by his peers -- stopping at nothing to secure a victory for himself and those he serves. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: It's amazing when you get something that you think you want... and then you aren't sure. This live-action Grand Admiral Thrawn is almost the same as Hasbro's Rebels Grand Admiral Thrawn [FOTD #3,167] that came out a mere six months earlier. Both figures are incredibly similar, with minor changes to shades of paint, a new head sculpt, and a different blaster. While each serves a different purpose, I wouldn't say that the Rebels version looks like the cartoon so much as maybe a novel cover. This Ahsoka version does look a bit like a blue Lars Mikkelsen, which is what you want. But using the same body - while do doubt flattering - isn't quite what we saw on-screen.

The figure uses the same perfectly good Imperial Officer body we've seen for so many figures, including that last Thrawn. The ball-jointed hips have swivel thighs, the wrists bend and swivel, and this figure is about as good as you're going to get if your goal is to use minimal new tooling. He stands, he has a clean uniform - a key trait - although in the show, it was mostly clean. His white outfit has minimal signs of wear or dirt, but you can see the tiniest bit in the cardback photos. TV Thrawn also has a bit of a paunch, which the action figure does not.

The bulk of the rest of it - the color, the ornamentation, the badges and belts - it's all pretty much the same. I suppose it's fortunate for Hasbro that it was easy to reuse the parts, but as a fan? It's kind of a drag when you hear "limited slots" and "limited SKUs" and you get the same guy twice in six months. It's not a bad figure and I'd say it's precisely what I would have developed were I in a position to deliver a "new" figure from the show in short time. Fortunately for Hasbro, Disney kept the same basic costume and spending the money on an all-new mold would probably have been seen as poor budgeting. It's also worth noting his a smidgen richer in blue, perhaps more Smurfy.

I think the blaster is new - it's different than the last one. He can hold it, it fits in his holster, you have no reason to complain about this one. I'm glad they went through the effort - I don't know that most fans will notice, but it's a level of detail we didn't always get.

This is the best TV Thrawn you can buy - also the only one. I wouldn't be stunned to see a version 2.0 with Ahsoka season two, perhaps with a taller, rounder, dirtier torso. But that could take a while - today, the question is "Is this good enough to buy?" I'd say yes. I'd even say yes if you have the existing models, if only because it's an upgrade of an upgrade and it's the only one that looks like the guy on the show. If Hasbro never makes another one, get this one. It feels like a transitional piece, an update in the making, and as such? It's fine. But I believe "finer" has got to be just around the corner.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,239: May 8, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,238: The Mandalorian (Epic World of Action)

THE MANDALORIAN 2025 Kids Line
Epic World of Action "Power the Force" Basic Figure
Item No.: Asst. F9405 No. G0099 (same 2024 SKU, new 2025 figure)
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Cape, Darksaber, Pistol
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: February 2025
Appearances: The Mandalorian/The Book of Boba Fett
Bio: The Mandalorian is a formidable bounty hunter in an increasingly dangerous galaxy. (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!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: After getting huge distribution last year, Hasbro decided to follow-up its 5-joined The Mandalorian figure with The Mandalorian! The figure is pretty much the same as the Speeder Bike The Mandalorian [FOTD #3,212] from a month back, except it trades the traditional Darksaber and bike for an energy-crackling Darksaber and a blaster pistol. If I were you I'd probably just buy the one with the bike, unless you're an accessory completist.

It's not a bad figure - quite the opposite. For $8 in today's economy, this figure is pretty excellent. Adjusted for inflation it stacks up well against nearly any figure from cheaper eras, given that he has about 15 points of articulation and three accessories. Deco could be better, but the target audience will probably find the separately molded belt and bandolier plus shiny silver armor to be more than enough. It stands up well to similar recent figures from Mattel (Jurassic World) and Spin Master (Batman, DC Comics) for roughly the same price in recent years. Hasbro has tended to make its Star Wars product "premium" so it's really refreshing to see that not only can they deliver something great that measures up well to the competition, but it's actually really good.

If you want a super-articulated figure with all the joints and most of the paint, The Vintage Collection delivers the goods well. If you want something half the price, this gets the job done. There are no wrist or ankle joints, and yeah there are missing greeble paints and knee pad deco, but that was true of a lot of Kenner-era figures in the 20th century. I like how bright his silver paint is, and am generally impressed how good the figure looks given how few paint applications we got here. The character's basic look and personality were captured well, and he stands nicely. He can fit in some ships - being a 4-inch (rather than 3 3/4-inch scale) figure he's a little big, but hey, that's where we are now.

The newness of this figure is an overloaded blue Darksaber. It's a weird one - I don't know why they picked blue, but well, here it is. If you aren't hung up on the coloring, it's a really awesome accessory. It seems like some 1990s-style "extreme" accessory, crackling with comic book-style energy that really stands out compared to the perfectly nice regular black blade releases with a white edge. Since Mando no longer carries the weapon on the show as of 2024, it makes sense that a kid could see this as a new weapon for the character, rather than a representation of what we saw on the series. He holds it well, just like his pistol. The pistol comes with other releases, but I believe this particular Darksaber may be exclusive to this release of the figure.

If you want all the parts and pieces in the Epic Hero Series/Epic World of Action line, you'll need this one. And the one in the N-1 Starfighter. And maybe the speeder bike, and the single card too. A new one is also coming with a Mech suit. That means if you're buying these lines, there are five figures based on the same basic sculpt that you can buy, three of which come with a vehicle or mech suit. The only aspect of this particular figure that's presently unique to this release is that Darksaber, and yeah, I'm enough of a dork to say "I'd pay eight bucks for a good goofy accessory." If you just want a cool figure to chuck at a kid, this is it.

Inflation Notes: According to the US Inflation Calculator, this is a pretty reasonable deal. Comparing the prices of Hasbro or Kenner "kid" Star Wars figures from various eras, this figure has more articulation and is generally cheaper than his ancestors.
1978: $1.97 ($9.60 in 2025, 12-backs)
1995: $4.99 ($10.40 in 2025, POTF2/Power of the Force)
2005: $5.24 ($8.52 in 2025, Revenge of the Sith)
2015: $7.99 ($10.71 in 2025, The Force Awakens)

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,238: May 6, 2025

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,237: Jedi Master Indara (The Vintage Collection)

JEDI MASTER INDARA Pre-Prequel Jedi
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7763 No. G0904
Number: #345
Includes: Lightsaber, hilt, commlink, robe
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $16.99
Availability: January 2025
Appearances: The Acolyte

Bio: Jedi Master Indara has exacting control of her Force abilities, exuding a sense of command and authority with just her presence. Though she does not seek combat, she is skilled enough to engage on her own terms. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: The good thing - or bad thing - about collector figures like Jedi Master Indara from The Acolyte is that they set a high bar that we immediately take for granted. Older Vintage figures look poor by comparison, and any reduction in articulation will be taken as an offense. (And, arguably, rightly so given the price points these days.) As I assume The Acolyte will always be an "incomplete" line due to how the show clanged with fans, I would have to recommend this figure on her own merits. She'd fit in well in any Jedi-adjacent diorama you may be building, and every single bit about her looks precisely as I might hope. I have the new Mos Eisley playset on my desk and she looks like she belongs there. If you have enough figures? Obviously, you don't need one more. But if you see her in a store, or are filling a shopping cart online, consider giving her a shot.

When it comes to visual entertainments, you have to look at the art, and the craft. There are a lot of both in the 21st century Star Wars entertainment-flavored products, but it doesn't always gel in a way that appeals to the 50-year-old of today like it did for the 11-year-old of 1977. Nor should it. The Acolyte is not a "faster, more intense" fairy tale for kids of all ages, nor is Indara a toy action figure for little boys. It's a more thoughtful, ultimately incomplete series and an adult-marketed plastic collectible. It is, to say the least, a challenge to determine precisely how to support the increasing number of Star Wars fan constituencies in an era of manufacturing where we are about to wax nostalgic about $16.99 being the price in the cheap "good old days." That's democracy for you.

But getting back to the craft, on a good day, Hasbro are masters. It is somewhat remarkable that we've gone from seeing baby-faced lemon-headed plastic people in 1978 to eerily realistic portraits with separately molded wigs and meticulously crafted face paint in 2025 that fairly accurately portray very specific features of one of showbiz' most famous faces. If you had this Carrie-Anne Moss Jedi figure in 2002 you'd have driven all night to go to the right Walmart to find her, and you wouldn't care if she had 5 joints. Today you can have her mailed to your house. This figure is a synthesis of things sci-fi fans love, and she has been nicely engineered. The knees bend nicely and hide the joints in the folds of her pants. The waist joint is positioned just above the belt, not making a big fuss. There are tiny holes for her commlink and lightsaber hilt - but be careful, they seem easily lost. Her robes are pretty good too, and the lit lightsaber is no slouch. Her hips also allow her legs to swing forward almost fully, which is a rare thing on any sort of figure with a skirt. There is little to grouse about here beyond the typical "why can't we get a figure that's $10 worth of awesome in a $10 package" that I frequently make.

The figure matches the show nicely, with a unique pattern on her Jedi robes that set it apart from the rest of the pre-prequel and prequel era Jedi. The collar looks good too, and the belt seems like standard stuff. The fingerless glove hands are on swivel wrists - no bending, as far as I can tell, in part due to her flared sleeves. She stands well, the joints hold nicely. Unless you get an Indara with a wig glued in an unusual direction, I think you're going to have to really appreciate this figure. I doubt we'll see another live-action appearance of this character on-screen, and I doubt Hasbro is likely to make another action figure of her in this size. If this is the only one we ever get, I'm glad to say Hasbro did an excellent job.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,237: May 1, 2025