tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81392622987375565992024-03-19T01:00:33.436-07:00Galactic Hunter's Star Wars Figure of the Day with Adam PawlusThousands of articles about action figures, give or take. Presented by <a href="http://www.galactichunter.com">Galactic Hunter</a>.
Updated twice a week. Please note reviews may include affiliate links to Amazon, eBay, Walmart, or Entertainment Earth, which means we may make a commission if and only if you click them and make a purchase.Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.comBlogger2845125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-88995604986970015152024-03-19T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-19T01:00:00.135-07:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,117: Ahsoka Tano (Epic Hero Series) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-OVcgFnLik0dSzLy0ku7fazy6XVsYcHbn4DyVwWSbJGghB-qC_VBwO-3HD2s-6spl6Id0tOLLu7oflvgGqntZqa2sVz-CKxhYBuDEyyIr_3n1yRVuIXbOXlpU5iCmMJ-ItO6Wc5p15Q1TpowJ-YTz6PPZgXLwOpHTFcRvC2Pd1P7Jb4UhP0iUDlbsBQ/s1000/3117epic-ahsoka-tano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-OVcgFnLik0dSzLy0ku7fazy6XVsYcHbn4DyVwWSbJGghB-qC_VBwO-3HD2s-6spl6Id0tOLLu7oflvgGqntZqa2sVz-CKxhYBuDEyyIr_3n1yRVuIXbOXlpU5iCmMJ-ItO6Wc5p15Q1TpowJ-YTz6PPZgXLwOpHTFcRvC2Pd1P7Jb4UhP0iUDlbsBQ/s320/3117epic-ahsoka-tano.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>AHSOKA TANO </font> <i>New Kids Line</i></b><br />
<b><i>Epic Hero Series </i> Basic Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i>Asst. F9405 No. G0103</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>2 lightsabers</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$9.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i> January 2024</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Once a Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano now forges her own path in the galaxy. (Taken from the packaging)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+G0103&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/49ykyHx"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=epic+ahsoka+figure+star&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6ewVb8LvVPtfOr76BUD-FNshykcRMvv8WwOykAM0zaG7GDdP0prSTWGwGhytmSQMS5j0fSyII4_oa68Yjhkvp6-inLCU6wFkrQ9Apkg2PjZ-DrfOZ_a_ARMh44Tfiqcm29HFtQNaVtzJBPF03IkjOdpsi2sPrAisPemsew4Nn8fGMAywcUHs-aqFj0Q/s1000/3117epic-ahsoka-tano2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6ewVb8LvVPtfOr76BUD-FNshykcRMvv8WwOykAM0zaG7GDdP0prSTWGwGhytmSQMS5j0fSyII4_oa68Yjhkvp6-inLCU6wFkrQ9Apkg2PjZ-DrfOZ_a_ARMh44Tfiqcm29HFtQNaVtzJBPF03IkjOdpsi2sPrAisPemsew4Nn8fGMAywcUHs-aqFj0Q/w150-h200/3117epic-ahsoka-tano2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> Whenever a new line comes out, I'm never sure if it's going to immediately click with me or if I'm going to roll my eyes. Those $80 8-inch figures - while impressive - just didn't seem to serve a purpose. I liked the quality of the Mission Fleet vehicles, but the scale seemed destined to be incomplete, despite being generally neat. Epic Hero Series 4-inch figures are starting off super slow, but they're generally good. <b>Ahsoka Tano</b> - a figure I absolutely do not need more of - tuned out particularly well. While she lacks the personality quirks of vintage and <i>POTF2</i>-era figure sculpts like bent elbows and poses that give them a little more life, she's not a boring fixed-posed soldier either. The colors are good and the results may be a little simple for $10, but you know what? She's good. Hasbro did a nice job here.<p>
I'm sure most fans would rather have the super-poseable ones we've had multiple times in other packaging styles (or the Retro Kenner one), but this one occupies a lower-cost middle ground. In an alternate timeline where you might not see the <i>Vintage</i> Ahsoka at Ross for $3.99, I would steer you toward this one. She may be a hair taller, but the detail is good and she's sturdy. She holds her lightsabers well, and stands easily, and has no problems sitting down either. There aren't any vehicles for this line as of yet, but if there were I assume she would easily fit in whatever you had handy.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLN_aQUfL5xqeg3_NDkoa1SsOVLlLEyGK7gy5aNYSggeIZh7yg6YDO2xm-Pn59oF9D16gYvxKwnA-kgCiGHns0qnfwgReAbubu7SknIvVDLVr1dJobtY5m3NWYV-VEF1XPN1B3N8WGVjc2k6CHAn1lwZYlz6UblWvlYGm3cmnH6xgMLesXZ0iEbKJHdw/s1000/3117epic-ahsoka-tano3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLN_aQUfL5xqeg3_NDkoa1SsOVLlLEyGK7gy5aNYSggeIZh7yg6YDO2xm-Pn59oF9D16gYvxKwnA-kgCiGHns0qnfwgReAbubu7SknIvVDLVr1dJobtY5m3NWYV-VEF1XPN1B3N8WGVjc2k6CHAn1lwZYlz6UblWvlYGm3cmnH6xgMLesXZ0iEbKJHdw/w150-h200/3117epic-ahsoka-tano3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>In terms of texture and sculpting, they did a nice job with pants that look like cloth, armor that looks like armor, and skin that looks really close to Rosario Dawson. The nose is right on, the facial markings look good, the blue highlights look great. The eyes and lips look good, and she generally looks like what you would imagine a modern "vintage" Kenner figure to be. If anything, I think - minus the lack of waist joint - she might push a lot of the nostalgia buttons of the 1990s kid. Those lightsabers remind me a lot of Kenner's revival offerings with a silver hilt and a clear blade with no flourish at the base.<p></p><p>
If you take a look at all of Hasbro's figures at their retail prices, this is on the lowest end of Ahsoka toys and turned out well. She also came out a little late for her TV show, without any vehicles, and is in a line that doesn't really have its footing yet. A figure is just a figure - it's nothing, it needs a vehicle, or playset, or more pals to hang out with before you can usually say "this is the line for me!" It's a great demo of what Hasbro can do, and it has my hopes up for more figures of this style. Having said that, you may find $3.99 Ahsoka figures at Ross or Ollie's right now too - and this one has yet to get much distribution outside the Walmart Easter bins or online shops. I'd recommend it for fans of Kenner figures from the 20th century, especially if you got ten bucks in your pocket. Hopefully this line clicks with kids and fans at a more fair price than Hasbro's other offerings, but these figures are not necessarily better than what competitive toy makers crank out for similar price points.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+G0103&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Eath</a>. <br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,117: March 19, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-90673653582518710382024-03-14T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-14T01:00:00.353-07:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,116: R3-Series Astromech Droid Clear with Orange<p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDEfP4JaQPr0odvYnf1R8rpYPZEuT_ERI8EkYDXYVWNBesU28qKLabKfm0HXts51nyoFrAb1O-b_0fCn1ShFs_haKh89r2qZM8g7vj8AKuGpO3ZIZ8ZAOydREyZTkiJUwmafVI1cez0o_S05QCsf6JtSShzMHVEtDx-Ak9-ajqoGC9I-4ZOW6C1SrFqg/s1000/3116droidfactory-r3-orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDEfP4JaQPr0odvYnf1R8rpYPZEuT_ERI8EkYDXYVWNBesU28qKLabKfm0HXts51nyoFrAb1O-b_0fCn1ShFs_haKh89r2qZM8g7vj8AKuGpO3ZIZ8ZAOydREyZTkiJUwmafVI1cez0o_S05QCsf6JtSShzMHVEtDx-Ak9-ajqoGC9I-4ZOW6C1SrFqg/s320/3116droidfactory-r3-orange.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">R3-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID </font> <i>Clear Dome with Orange and Silver Markings looks like R3-A2</i></b><br />
<b><i>Star Wars </i> Droid Factory<br />
Item No.: </b><i>???</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Disney</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Head, 2 legs, torso, central third leg, optional hat</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Comes apart</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$12.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i> Fall 2015</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>n/a</i> <b> </b><p></p><p><b>Bio:</b> These figures do not have specific packaging or configurations. As such, we will be treating each dome as a unique "figure" as that part is the most plentiful. This batch does not have Hasbro on them - markings read "© DISNEY" and "© LFL" as well as "China" on each leg. (Taken from the packaging)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R30&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=disney+orange+figure+r3+droid+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2Q0IIy2zdv9d_CRmS-cg5dTQ0wVvAY8NEKzoiYNQvZNo-4oeFWHAhhuI1j5YSQvhNCFbSs-0vr0n7MH6VK6N8zhvURZzPuUQ5kn092jGLJRyDBq7zlKUxYLJWKOcp_Ha-AzOaXW1mHG2bisHLwL6ll0wFGPvUuQ2NiNSkLfwhzt1rV0cG5v_Reugsy8/s1000/3116droidfactory-r3-orange2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2Q0IIy2zdv9d_CRmS-cg5dTQ0wVvAY8NEKzoiYNQvZNo-4oeFWHAhhuI1j5YSQvhNCFbSs-0vr0n7MH6VK6N8zhvURZzPuUQ5kn092jGLJRyDBq7zlKUxYLJWKOcp_Ha-AzOaXW1mHG2bisHLwL6ll0wFGPvUuQ2NiNSkLfwhzt1rV0cG5v_Reugsy8/w150-h200/3116droidfactory-r3-orange2.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> I'm slowly going through pegs of unopened figures and I cringe that this <b>R3-Series Astromech Droid</b> with a clear dome and orange panels has been sitting since 2015. But that speaks to the very real glut - I can open a few figures a week, every week, and not hit the end of this very long collection. I'm glad Disney stopped making new figures for its customizable build-a-figure bins, instead focusing on a larger and more expensive product. That's a pretty good example of where the industry is going these days - nobody wants to make money selling value-priced figures. They want to sell $30 or $50 or $80 figures. This one was only $13.<p></p><p>
Mine has the only orange body for sale at the time, which was an R7 body. Sadly, this body hasn't shown up in the movies yet, but I'm hopeful. There are more angled parts and a lot more paint than usual, with nice white highlights popping (but absorbing some of the silver.) It looks good in a dimmer display too, and the white panels match the white feet pretty nicely. The exterior legs have jointed feet, with all three having articulated wheels. As with the other bin figures, you can pop them apart at the bottom foot, the dome, and the arms.</p><p>
What makes this figure stand out is the dome, with glossy orange panels and a silver box around the central black eye. Hasbro's orange domes typically have an unpainted box around that eye, and when Hasbro did a <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2020/10/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2732-r3.html">Droid Depot R3-Series Astromech Droid [FOTD #2,732]</a> figure for Target it had an orange box around the eye. That makes this one distinctive - also note the red light below the eye, and a couple of silver greeblies. Also note there's a hole in the top of his dome for a hat peg. At most angles, it blends in to the clear plastic quite nicely (but looking at it straight-on, it's quite obvious.) Depending on your point of view, this figure may be just different enough to make you mad. But we've got over 200 astromech droid figures which means we're well past the point of a sane, sensible collection here unless your focus is droids exclusively.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30sY5kj42z7n-6imS8HG8JS7cY0aaDtVvbsewWSW6aQJqwSumJQO1k4_28GLMwr8xFsjr2ISeectJrc5FNtN14w-C_nO3he7HU3l6Ja09Rh34qINT1m5oLfuZIV8wkjjaJOC4FsvtocJgmaqgXLdFIrTFowkWZCHHhW1RDxDx5O8LtsNtyp_v3D7kk0U/s1333/3116droidfactory-r3-orange3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30sY5kj42z7n-6imS8HG8JS7cY0aaDtVvbsewWSW6aQJqwSumJQO1k4_28GLMwr8xFsjr2ISeectJrc5FNtN14w-C_nO3he7HU3l6Ja09Rh34qINT1m5oLfuZIV8wkjjaJOC4FsvtocJgmaqgXLdFIrTFowkWZCHHhW1RDxDx5O8LtsNtyp_v3D7kk0U/s320/3116droidfactory-r3-orange3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> Having said that, there are two Hasbro R3-A2 figures that also feature clear domes with orange highlights on mostly white bodies. That may be preferable for you, but they're all priced similarly. The advice I would give you - and not take - is that you don't need every last astromech droid variant out there as you have plenty of orange R3 alternatives.</p><p>
As I write this, I see two people selling this exact build on eBay. One is $35, one is $60. I wouldn't pay $60, but it's a cute figure and I like orange things. If you don't have too many droids, whatever your definition of that is, this is a perfectly nice figure and I think $35 for a theme park exclusive that's nearly 10 years old is a steal. If you disagree, you are bad at math. Parking at Disneyland, tax, and shipping adds up fast so even if you could just run in to grab it and leave, you probably couldn't get one for $35. If you're collecting a lot of these guys, though, try buying them in a lot or as part of a larger collection to get the per-figure price down.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine in 2015 and I am actually not sure how long these parts were made in the bins. I got this from my pal Shannon who was cool enough to get me a set from Disneyland. <br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,116: March 14, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-65063581385406957262024-03-12T01:00:00.000-07:002024-03-12T09:03:49.149-07:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,115: Paige (Resistance Gunner, The Last Jedi Line Look) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F_niCvNmVnrIS0KfuqmPHA9UyT1r0u0Afyb5ANgTEPcM3wxhbs_q4Tw371aihI-HF_Juz7lkdt6_jzPOjwBHzNz3FMsKr2Z7bOSwou4dT2lx0XUGllvZ-rTejFUm8_IhK4EexPejnDyj7THCBhr8RApLrIqpf-Y7sMAuBbHZe_WAfbbDOjcEsOH8JdA/s1000/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F_niCvNmVnrIS0KfuqmPHA9UyT1r0u0Afyb5ANgTEPcM3wxhbs_q4Tw371aihI-HF_Juz7lkdt6_jzPOjwBHzNz3FMsKr2Z7bOSwou4dT2lx0XUGllvZ-rTejFUm8_IhK4EexPejnDyj7THCBhr8RApLrIqpf-Y7sMAuBbHZe_WAfbbDOjcEsOH8JdA/w240-h320/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>PAIGE</font> <i>Resistance Gunner</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Last Jedi </i> Basic Figure Teal Assortment<br />
Item No.: </b><i> Asst. C1531 No. C1538</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Blaster, helmet</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Force Link sounds</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$8.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>September 2017</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>The Last Jedi</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Paige Tico, nicknamed Pae-Pae by her sister, was a human female who served as a gunner on a MG-100 StarFortress SF-17 in the Resistance during their conflict with the First Order. (Stolen from Wookieepedia. Packaging has no bio.)
<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=paige+star+wars+figure&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3OXpjlv"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sEJiDdbiQD7BaxE401q71C0N-FNMJZXjycmV71mLKMEeIbwCTpUgcL_nrmAO1YcL5Y6FfXMWB0rHBXiaP_NDIMU05RXZUnKe_PsJNgNb8rMGc0yx7FXrI0TCLN4Qs393M6JcW6wiq8WLn3jD7Uxw9LUFWPgbZn8YpnDDLJOK67n3InY7NOvUTuwXdbs/s1000/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sEJiDdbiQD7BaxE401q71C0N-FNMJZXjycmV71mLKMEeIbwCTpUgcL_nrmAO1YcL5Y6FfXMWB0rHBXiaP_NDIMU05RXZUnKe_PsJNgNb8rMGc0yx7FXrI0TCLN4Qs393M6JcW6wiq8WLn3jD7Uxw9LUFWPgbZn8YpnDDLJOK67n3InY7NOvUTuwXdbs/w150-h200/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> When making toys from an unreleased movie, you're at the mercy of your licensor - hopefully you get some sort of access to the script, the sets, and indeed any part of the filmmakers you can get. Before a new movie is released, most toys are equals - Constable Zuvio, Finn, Rey, and Poe Dameron were all on the same footing. The same was true in 2017 when we got <b>Resistance Gunner Paige</b>, who could be a major character in the movie. Or not. It turns out the character was not a major player in the movie - heck, most of the movie line's figures were a mix of repeats - ad it didn't help that Paige and Rose shipped together in matching mustard-colored Resistance uniforms. Fans were not excited - heck, she sat unopened on a peg in my basement until <i>last month</i> (along with a few other figures from the sequel era) because we've had a ton of things to review and sometimes, things just keep getting kicked down the road. And that was about five and a half years ago.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKyKdqaaLx10SPYyQa63nGYC_GnM1rnZG4O2KgF-Bs4X-LC9b_vRy4ztvDHcqQwTk_9Yp_yFMaFGLGI_eMLZvoWyXwUWUKKU1CCfEDQld3ey7DQCD_CG7VMzhb_Pglslz2WYERvnDoI32XTcaqOlZLIOD0FJ-2x1g6L6oM5AUNWgrUiSByYrAOtj413s/s1000/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKyKdqaaLx10SPYyQa63nGYC_GnM1rnZG4O2KgF-Bs4X-LC9b_vRy4ztvDHcqQwTk_9Yp_yFMaFGLGI_eMLZvoWyXwUWUKKU1CCfEDQld3ey7DQCD_CG7VMzhb_Pglslz2WYERvnDoI32XTcaqOlZLIOD0FJ-2x1g6L6oM5AUNWgrUiSByYrAOtj413s/w150-h200/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Before the movie, this was an interesting new pilot figure with a cool helmet. And after the movie, none of that changed as we saw a character have a brief, appearance that served as a way to help define her sister Rose Tico. In a movie year, it's always a little upsetting when your "sneak preview" figures wind up being of little consequence in the grand scheme of things. The sculpting is really good, with Paige having that somehow form-fitting-yet-baggy look that seems to show signs of wear, but without the painted weathering. The vest is a light gray, and every bit of her clothing has the illusion of feeling used and old despite being shiny and new. I'm impressed. She also had a Resistance (or Rebel if you're nasty) symbol on her sleeve and a vaguely familiar checkerboard pattern on her removable helmet. The face sculpt is good, and the face deco is pretty great for pre-Photo Real. I would love to see more paint on the straps and buckles, but at least her leg straps and boots are painted. For her time, this was a pretty great figure in a time where <i>The Vintage Collection</i> was on hiatus.<p></p><p>
Her pose is typical of the time - skinny, straight limbs that swing forward with no problems whatsoever. I assume many people in their 40s (or 50s) will turn their nose up at this figure, but the only complaint I had would be getting the mask on her chest plugged in to her removable helmet. It's a great feature, but it's really hard to get it in there and to have it hold in place despite having pegs. She has no problems holding her blaster, and the helmet fits like a glove. Or helmet. It's a good fit, is where I'm going, and you may as well leave the mask off so you can see the face.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt60VHl87OGLNl5zrZBISJN6iVlHLcDf19rDcMilmhZfALUG6AkqE29AhSZ5G2A8OG2KPBCBbRs7GzAjukjBCmIaCpd6Y4fXwzlrGEbxCobUOlZB31mFEvZsoLSjFgf1h8TBWA4SvUbBVeyFxqEy5YirUDYdmGlliL8xlKs-JDiXjDAdRpMez7PvGhgw/s1000/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt60VHl87OGLNl5zrZBISJN6iVlHLcDf19rDcMilmhZfALUG6AkqE29AhSZ5G2A8OG2KPBCBbRs7GzAjukjBCmIaCpd6Y4fXwzlrGEbxCobUOlZB31mFEvZsoLSjFgf1h8TBWA4SvUbBVeyFxqEy5YirUDYdmGlliL8xlKs-JDiXjDAdRpMez7PvGhgw/w150-h200/3115tlj-paige-resistance-gunner3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I assume the dud of a toy line that was <i>The Rise of Skywalker</i> pumped the brakes on future generations of fans collecting sequel toys later, as it didn't quite come in for the kind of landing we saw with <i>Star Wars</i> originally in <i>The Power of the Force</i> line or the numerous victory laps we saw from <i>Revenge of the Sith</i> figures. <i>The Last Jedi</i> had an action figure series I would call acceptable, <i>Solo</i> had a good enough one, but there weren't a lot of <i>thrilling</i> or weird figures to be had. Paige is aggressively well-engineered, nicely-sculpted and decorated, priced more or less fairly... but she's another boring human. The main thing she had going for her at the time of release was that she was one of very few new characters in the line, and today, I would probably bet you $50 she'll never have another action figure in the next five to ten years. Or longer. She's cheap if you can find her at a comic shop and I doubt you'll find the figure disappointing unless you just don't want another pilot figure. I'd love to see Hasbro make more figures at around this price point and level of quality for a modern audience.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from Entertainment Earth in 2017. They are long sold out... but there's a nonzero chance a 99 Cents Only store near you might have a few dusty ForceLink-era figures on their pegs.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,115: March 12, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-90683899671466353192024-03-07T00:00:00.000-08:002024-03-07T00:00:00.129-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,114: Yak Face (The Retro Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtuFmNDCZBSqSqKYWlUVMFISYhyphenhyphenIH22tRkA1O0LWNWNK6LxE5nkkQ039sY9gLujapgsL9D9ly8QKVqMVsEWWfUX3IqmX5bzjtwXJngDpNuk4V9NSkoRO4OXBJfsWFhx4bsrUzPvJmPz74BZv0_Li5vp192wpem3aK1YttRV2G5ONOLpvDsnmAlcqU_mE/s1000/3114retro-yak-face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtuFmNDCZBSqSqKYWlUVMFISYhyphenhyphenIH22tRkA1O0LWNWNK6LxE5nkkQ039sY9gLujapgsL9D9ly8QKVqMVsEWWfUX3IqmX5bzjtwXJngDpNuk4V9NSkoRO4OXBJfsWFhx4bsrUzPvJmPz74BZv0_Li5vp192wpem3aK1YttRV2G5ONOLpvDsnmAlcqU_mE/s320/3114retro-yak-face.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>YAK FACE</font> <i> A Licensed Remake!</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Retro Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Hasbro Pulse/Shop Disney 6-Pack<br />
Item No.: </b><i> No. F6988</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Staff, plus Mon Mothma, Yak Face, Emperor's Royal Guard, Gamorrean Guard, and Admiral Ackbar</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$72.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>November 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Return of the Jedi</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Star Wars Retro Collection includes Star Wars action figures from the 40-plus-year legacy of the Star Wars Galaxy, including movies and live-action series. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=retro+collection+return+jedi++yak+face+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRLHwpcL05oU4zQnPj4C_2q9AYt0fMqKA1FLC1Jw0SmrksZxw38Oj2jf5HEWHN5W25S6GeD9NPU60M69nnR5GXQME7IiT6zgmsQuzQ7wOwwFAhVBz5MCOiCL_bzxvonOHmkPnrDI-ji3XuuirzTGE1p6AsKvQS5ljf8dzkh0L9B5cSDhf2oHiUawEScg/s1000/3114retro-yak-face2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRLHwpcL05oU4zQnPj4C_2q9AYt0fMqKA1FLC1Jw0SmrksZxw38Oj2jf5HEWHN5W25S6GeD9NPU60M69nnR5GXQME7IiT6zgmsQuzQ7wOwwFAhVBz5MCOiCL_bzxvonOHmkPnrDI-ji3XuuirzTGE1p6AsKvQS5ljf8dzkh0L9B5cSDhf2oHiUawEScg/w150-h200/3114retro-yak-face2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> For the first time in America, the old Kenner <b>Yak Face</b> is just a toy anybody can easily get for a fair price. Back in the 1980s, this figure was legendary for having most likely not been sold on US soil. A tri-logo <i>Return of the Jedi</i> version was sold in Europe. A <i>Power of the Force</i> carded version with a coin (with French and English on the packaging) was sold in Canada. I have heard some people say they saw Yak Faces in Kay-Bee stores in the Pacific Northwest as they were being closed out, but I don't know if this was substantiated or not - point is, if you were an American fan you probably didn't have one of these in the 1980s. I got mine in 1990. Kenner (and much later Hasbro) would go on to make new versions, with an orange coat version from Kenner in 1997 and a super-articulated version from Hasbro came out in 2019 (and reissued in 2023.) They're all very good and slightly different, but none of them were the (fake) real deal.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpWFdq2xiIxsK0U9WZhVa9cCpDNGTcEncoiQ_FnIpqeIAL4ijDMoefAsKhZIMpLLsx847UZGO6Kq6kFElpfHdj3GXBK2YLeSqAEq7-6dg4KmDiRimBoEAGe-P7NYa299-W9yfZJ1A6HcPnGbQIJ61HPvum_pwZsm8X9-JlXjkRfFIL4m17yB9QxboqWU/s1000/3114retro-yak-face4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpWFdq2xiIxsK0U9WZhVa9cCpDNGTcEncoiQ_FnIpqeIAL4ijDMoefAsKhZIMpLLsx847UZGO6Kq6kFElpfHdj3GXBK2YLeSqAEq7-6dg4KmDiRimBoEAGe-P7NYa299-W9yfZJ1A6HcPnGbQIJ61HPvum_pwZsm8X9-JlXjkRfFIL4m17yB9QxboqWU/w150-h200/3114retro-yak-face4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Before I continue, I should point out that "customizers" (bootleggers) have also made reproduction Yak Face figures. I don't have any of those, so I can't speak to how they're unique. But I can tell you that if you never got an original, $72.99 for Yak Face and five other figures is a deal. I hope Hasbro does more sets just like this, with one ultra-rare figure mixed in with other reissues, for an average of $12.17 per figure. (Confidential to Hasbro: if you can sell these figures at more places than Shop Disney, they will sell. Shop Disney is not the preferred destination of Generation X and Elder Millennial <i>Star Wars</i> fanatics who would buy Kenner toys for themselves.)<p></p><p>
His accessory is a staff that has a little give to it and feels incredibly close to a vintage sample. Tri-Logo Yak Face figures usually had no weapon, although I have seen a few packaged with a Tusken's Gaffi stick. Coin carded <i>Power of the Force</i> ones came with this staff - except it was slightly shorter, and darker in color. The 2023 one is a lighter gray, so it'll be easy to tell a fake one from a real one if they're both in the same room.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-bbPpfyThaN-GQmiMtTwfSwkdsoUr3zD49rYDDrWJuq68i1obMJCOamFjL7AFdRRyzYzBa9azA3_hLXLIE9jHGQKg1XIDsA112J1fr_krvDSjmqQoq-zTJU2m37lCeHrLL0p0fK9PIFyYGmhItdyhJAfzJA4_PBaE3mKRWjVnzRMmlQSpecyoluRG_I/s1333/3114retro-yak-face3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-bbPpfyThaN-GQmiMtTwfSwkdsoUr3zD49rYDDrWJuq68i1obMJCOamFjL7AFdRRyzYzBa9azA3_hLXLIE9jHGQKg1XIDsA112J1fr_krvDSjmqQoq-zTJU2m37lCeHrLL0p0fK9PIFyYGmhItdyhJAfzJA4_PBaE3mKRWjVnzRMmlQSpecyoluRG_I/w200-h150/3114retro-yak-face3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>As to the figure, it's incredibly close to replicating the original. I would say the new one is close enough for those who don't have the budget for the real deal. Putting them side-by-side, I immediately noticed the 2023 figure has blue sleeves and pants that are darker and more saturated than the original. The figure's painted skin is almost identical to the original, but the molded plastic head is slightly paler. The hair around the neck is a little different, as are the boots - but they're close. The skin of the 1985 figure head is a little glossier and slightly more opaque, arguably making it a barely superior option if money is no object.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkR2oS7Y0MvSQ-14s3Ze0NQYxLQVQ8IK1lyPSFBgwmrNkMPvJxgk29t032X_2mwph7F47r8xodyk6C2ev6z5DXQ8cgC9uwO1WujLUrh7EF7O8U86Luj6WCNGtN2-jvtBkXpuDlV5fMUMDUYC2j4KJDslkKcHo9f4lwjPdJ1_CUxpbDRak17c3BIAfX1o/s1000/3114retro-yak-face5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkR2oS7Y0MvSQ-14s3Ze0NQYxLQVQ8IK1lyPSFBgwmrNkMPvJxgk29t032X_2mwph7F47r8xodyk6C2ev6z5DXQ8cgC9uwO1WujLUrh7EF7O8U86Luj6WCNGtN2-jvtBkXpuDlV5fMUMDUYC2j4KJDslkKcHo9f4lwjPdJ1_CUxpbDRak17c3BIAfX1o/w150-h200/3114retro-yak-face5.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The sculpts are a little botoxed in 2023, but not entirely. The neck hair is a little washed out, but the bumps on the hands are seemingly just as good - if not better - than the original figure. The wrinkles on the outfit are virtually the same, just a little more rounded, and the head's many bumps, wrinkles, and hair show slight signs of generation loss. It looks like they made a copy off an original figure, but for all I know it was a not-as-good-as-it-could-be digital scan. I know which one is which in front of me thanks to thinks like copyright and a couple of paint dings, but I'm quite impressed how similar they look. If anything, the richer blue on the 2023 version almost makes me think <i>that</i> should be the original.<p></p><p>
The other figures in this set are all good, but let's be honest - you could have bought Wicket, a Gamorrean Guard, an Emperor's Royal Guard, or Admiral Ackbar by now if you really wanted one. They were cheap for years. It is very unlikely that Yak Face has ever been anything close to "affordable" for American collectors, even adjusting for inflation this 2023 <i>set</i> is cheaper than buying all six carded around 1990. While it's not a perfect recreation, it's the best alien in the entire set - it's so close and there's nothing like the Gamorrean's eyes or Wicket's nose that stands out as being "off." I hope all the teens and young adults who couldn't afford a Yak Face at secondary market prices in the 1990s find out this one exists so they can get it. This is a big dang deal, and Hasbro has a few more they could make to really ignite the old fans again like double-telescoping lightsaber Luke, Darth Vader, or Obi-Wan, a vinyl cape Jawa (although Stan Solo has cheap ones now), the blue Sears Snaggletooth, or Vlix. Just throwing that last one out there.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="https://hasbropulse.com/products/star-wars-retro-collection-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-multipack">Hasbro Pulse</a>, who seem to have sold out days after shipping. Check <a href="https://www.shopdisney.com/star-wars-retro-collection-action-figure-set-by-hasbro-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-417132095055.html">ShopDisney</a> for availability but they also seem to be out.<br /><br />
<b>Extended ramblings:</b> It's my hope this line continues until Hasbro remakes the entire original Kenner line. All of it. I really appreciate having low-cost close-enough versions of these figures I can just pick up and play with, without the concern of "this is worth a lot of money and is old and rare." I've never know Yak Face to be anything other than a holy grail figure - everybody else, I got for $25 or less. In most cases, $10 or less. A lot less. I've been enjoying just picking up a "rare figure" and putting him in random vehicles and having him in my pocket, changing the context of this particular action figure from "holy grail" to "something new that might actually wind up on clearance some day." If I could, I'd buy literally every Kenner action figure, vehicles, and playset in this style just to experience them again as worthless toys. As a kid I got to play with about 40ish figures just after the line just ended and it was flea markets or bust. Getting to hold a "rare figure" like it's worthless is quite a joyful moment. Anyone that wants it can just get it. It would be wonderful to see Hasbro continue with Stormtrooper Luke, Amanaman, EV-9D9, and so on. The originals can still be valuable pieces of desirable toy history, but having more easily available reproduction 1970s and 1980s figures that people can just play with in the sandbox and beat up again - maybe even with their kids or grandkids - would be truly priceless.</p><p>
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,114: March 7, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-55930856252662213282024-03-05T08:00:00.000-08:002024-03-05T08:01:55.121-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,113: Princess Kneesaa (Ewoks Cartoon, The Vintage Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1nlAUodxkf5dh2BsPjdZQ_bOUNYcKbdE4Osj91nRF7TQ_mFg5FfRU9qa0A17hhSLB0TZ4GaE29x2L_FhtUZADEIwbskqVZ3uWmsaDW5QJDFwOYffs_HWD8S93cOATzAnDK3RJpROlEvRXGp7fh71NcogJ4wJ7IgYWE5unAmLVkyAEvgtmWvqXu4qLT0/s1000/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1nlAUodxkf5dh2BsPjdZQ_bOUNYcKbdE4Osj91nRF7TQ_mFg5FfRU9qa0A17hhSLB0TZ4GaE29x2L_FhtUZADEIwbskqVZ3uWmsaDW5QJDFwOYffs_HWD8S93cOATzAnDK3RJpROlEvRXGp7fh71NcogJ4wJ7IgYWE5unAmLVkyAEvgtmWvqXu4qLT0/s320/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>PRINCESS KNEESAA</font> <i>Cartoon Version</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Vintage Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Fan Channel 2-Pack<br />
Item No.: </b><i>No. F8300</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#283</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Bola, bag, hood, coin</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$36.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>October 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Ewoks</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Clever and courageous, Kneesaa embarks on adventures with her EWOK friends on Endor's forest moon. (Taken from the cardback.) <br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F8300&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/497Xm33"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=star+wars+vintage+wicket+kneesaa&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJfaIflfCtuBhQUbO2FG5lHrUklVffmNNOC2oRc9J5a5EReh6Cp7X-wbn2hcZJpNh4jArrzeKgL11_xV7baCdBxotFhpLN_qKGXqxV66jv6hQISExY5fq6LOSBynPHgUBINjWOfEmOIOSMoMUfIGYNBYLR22latZqjR7xX9UaxCn8Ct__gt39mfNLB5w/s1000/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJfaIflfCtuBhQUbO2FG5lHrUklVffmNNOC2oRc9J5a5EReh6Cp7X-wbn2hcZJpNh4jArrzeKgL11_xV7baCdBxotFhpLN_qKGXqxV66jv6hQISExY5fq6LOSBynPHgUBINjWOfEmOIOSMoMUfIGYNBYLR22latZqjR7xX9UaxCn8Ct__gt39mfNLB5w/w150-h200/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> Some of you are going "Wow, it's the first-ever <b>Princess Kneesaa</b> figure!" but it's worth noting Kenner made a few in its preschool line in the 1980s, plus this exact figure was sold as <a href="http://www.rebelscum.com/Ewok_Pack_2012_Star_Wars_Movie_Heroes_Hasbro.asp">Kneesaa [FOTD #1,868]</a> way back in 2012. But there was a twist - while this figure was in a 2-pack for $37, the original release was in a 5-pack with tons of accessories and newly tooled parts for the wallet-stomping price of *checks notes* $40. Call it inflation or just a bigger reach for wallet share, but this is basically the exact same figure - minus a "movie hood" - but adding a coin and a bag for more than twice the price. Hasbro sold figures with coins for $6.99 in 2007, so while inflation is real, this is another one of those things where fans have to ask if it's worth the price to buy it again. As that set sells for $150-$200 in the box, this is probably going to be your cheaper alternative assuming you don't want the other furballs.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcztGOZ3KzMf_x6fpfb_HuMaEilRVtqkBQP549qK9BqMC77ZwSsC3DyyUPEr5w8n57Z0AkILvvy1b6AAmZr99h5EcTER74TTDXum3qRBbollhxAUA_fXkgptPyZ_0SWt5kHXP7ksL4WPtdkbJBZEndf51BcCr_t7YHmE9vKgMh7xWamC51wxxr42Brqs/s1000/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcztGOZ3KzMf_x6fpfb_HuMaEilRVtqkBQP549qK9BqMC77ZwSsC3DyyUPEr5w8n57Z0AkILvvy1b6AAmZr99h5EcTER74TTDXum3qRBbollhxAUA_fXkgptPyZ_0SWt5kHXP7ksL4WPtdkbJBZEndf51BcCr_t7YHmE9vKgMh7xWamC51wxxr42Brqs/w150-h200/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa5.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Through gritted teeth, I recommend this to a certain kind of 80s kid who loves Saturday morning cartoons. Hasbro did a decent job painting an existing movie-style figure with cartoon-style deco, even if it means a higher price with far fewer paint ops, accessories, and figures from her previous release. <p></p><p>
Kneesaa is essentially Wicket with a new head and a pink hood. This release keeps the same joints and body parts, but drops the dirty fur paint in favor of a cleaner (cheaper) deco and new added dark fur around the eyes. This brings her closer to her cartoon appearance. Hasbro doesn't bother to paint the stitch deco on the hood either, rather just giving us a weird blue line over the top of her head. The blue feathers are still painted, but the plastic is nice and pliable and it feels great. Hasbro also included a reuse of Wicket's bag, which was not originally sold with Kneesaa in 2012.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y-UiwytNrEePKUpO9mN0xovtn_kkOHa5S7SCKJLePzXYdmqHnUXSzhs9dOa9doFeOs-F-iVpNHHGdGSbfLn9q3vgalfLVozsfxOR4g7k-Ve_ZSXNN63t_hIFyHwWYH5vAtRh42kdu85ekjdqeddLDvQqOVlm3OyDGaqjjuxVHCKELdvQSt2x4_DFh2c/s1333/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y-UiwytNrEePKUpO9mN0xovtn_kkOHa5S7SCKJLePzXYdmqHnUXSzhs9dOa9doFeOs-F-iVpNHHGdGSbfLn9q3vgalfLVozsfxOR4g7k-Ve_ZSXNN63t_hIFyHwWYH5vAtRh42kdu85ekjdqeddLDvQqOVlm3OyDGaqjjuxVHCKELdvQSt2x4_DFh2c/w200-h150/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> She also has some ropes with rocks on them which she can wear. It's not a weapon per se, but it is a carry-over from the aforementioned gift set. I think this version of her does a good job replicating her cartoony fur colors, but it comes with a lot of cost-cutting. As far as I can tell the set sold out cleanly, but I sometimes see them at GameStop stores for roughly retail price. I hesitate to say it's worth $37 because compared to other Hasbro <i>Star Wars</i> product, you're not getting your money's worth. But if you want these characters, there aren't a lot of options on the market and the original releases of these figures will cost you more money. It's a far cry from 2 Ewoks and a Freeze Frame Action Slide for $5.99 in 1998, but it would seem the younger fan (or "child") market is no longer the goal here.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnPoz98QMmBdaguvQqZZMjnvQbkUnOJIWpxI6EXNAMEOf802xJz51Mz9ZKRcec3OoUF6TizQO6Jxpb6JFLZ4oUbSedoeeWjFgX_bfZhIR1TlXZVPng19wKybWzjs36SJDF4YEpQB6higspU7y9ZE3yI55zOISXnGqLSUSX6TaYSN4ZZCNJr025NVwwzE/s1333/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnPoz98QMmBdaguvQqZZMjnvQbkUnOJIWpxI6EXNAMEOf802xJz51Mz9ZKRcec3OoUF6TizQO6Jxpb6JFLZ4oUbSedoeeWjFgX_bfZhIR1TlXZVPng19wKybWzjs36SJDF4YEpQB6higspU7y9ZE3yI55zOISXnGqLSUSX6TaYSN4ZZCNJr025NVwwzE/w200-h150/3113tvc-ewoks-kneesaa4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The one thing that may throw the whole price calculous out the window is old-school Kenner coin fans. For an all-new coin, right now, given there may never be another one, this is a hard proposition to poo-poo. I think collectors will probably be fine with this set for the price thanks to the brand-new Kneesaa coin. Since Kenner's original Kneesaa concept never got far enough along to get a prototype coin, we've never seen one of these before. The coin's artwork <a href="http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=82024">looked very familiar</a>, and Hasbro, if you're reading - I'll even pay $20 for Kneesaa's coin again if you pack her with that Kenner-style prototype figure, finally produced for the mass market. For some fans money is no object, but it depends on the specific product - if you really like a format or want to add a specific piece to your collection, the one Ewok thing being sold to you from the cartoon series in decades (other than apparel) may be a "shut up and take my money" proposition for you. I had no problem throwing down a couple of Jacksons to get this set, but also, I assume that it is extremely unlikely we'll ever get more 1985 <i>Ewoks</i> or <i>Droids</i> toys before the 40th anniversary in 2025. And if not then, probably not before we die.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F8300&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,113: March 5, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-46303598408391997272024-02-29T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-29T00:00:00.252-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,112: Tusken Chieftan (The Black Series) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcdYtF-TYVHHFUS79vX8WXZuFF9TTyH3B2WUwpLs_5tpF89x2absv6jqb_3jEZwMvu1dzo-Q-kOpaUU8uIazNDcl3LjadkIF2aC4VBRxwvtItwhrIFu50EHrk5N_nc9vX19Nydog9DFWIghRuHozr2y5CbAOZdM1KnlIxKKdxXhSzc0KsAUonG_7vmNo/s1000/3112tbs-tusken-raider-chieftan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcdYtF-TYVHHFUS79vX8WXZuFF9TTyH3B2WUwpLs_5tpF89x2absv6jqb_3jEZwMvu1dzo-Q-kOpaUU8uIazNDcl3LjadkIF2aC4VBRxwvtItwhrIFu50EHrk5N_nc9vX19Nydog9DFWIghRuHozr2y5CbAOZdM1KnlIxKKdxXhSzc0KsAUonG_7vmNo/s320/3112tbs-tusken-raider-chieftan.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>TUSKEN CHIEFTAN</font> <i>Big Retool</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Black Series </i>2023 Window Box Line Look The Book of Boba Fett Packaging<br />
Item No.: </b> <i>Asst. E8908 No. F9984</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#06 - Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Staff, cloak</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$24.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>December 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> The leader of a tribe of Tusken Raiders, the Tusken Chieftan captured Boba Fett after his escape from the Sarlacc in the Great Pit of Carkoon. (Taken from the box packaging.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F9984&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3HWyFtR"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=black+tusken+chieftan+star&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Jy85GHPNSX3f7-il0vz1QWJ_D0yEUNMly3VyDdSPU-gHMFIwfBU6DFyZHQxdf6bnDmFzgCBR34pIIA3TZjvndY9XiSK-fpr7ugh98SW6WqjilF7KjwGo4JWteP03F27wimKJMANSdYjEgaT8sk8ntfiP_uL9OfFQQ7A4NfoHVPv5SCikoXX8XEri_KI/s1000/3112tbs-tusken-raider-chieftan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Jy85GHPNSX3f7-il0vz1QWJ_D0yEUNMly3VyDdSPU-gHMFIwfBU6DFyZHQxdf6bnDmFzgCBR34pIIA3TZjvndY9XiSK-fpr7ugh98SW6WqjilF7KjwGo4JWteP03F27wimKJMANSdYjEgaT8sk8ntfiP_uL9OfFQQ7A4NfoHVPv5SCikoXX8XEri_KI/w150-h200/3112tbs-tusken-raider-chieftan2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> Despite having a very small line, <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i> for <i>The Black Series</i> is mostly made of old molds and/or figures from other shows. The <b>Tusken Chieftan</b> hides it well - but you can't hide the C2142 on his foot. And <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2017/06/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2382-tusken.html">I know you know what it means</a> - it's the SKU for the 2017 <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2017/06/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2382-tusken.html">Tusken Raider [FOTD #2,382]</a> figure. The arms and legs are reused, but the head, cloak, skirt, torso, necklaces, and accessories are new. And that meets my standards of "new figure." While I would vastly prefer Hasbro treat its "premium" line as such, I know tooling is expensive and sales on action figures seem a little rocky. (That's no secret, check Amazon or eBay to see what the free market decides what new releases are worth.)<p>
As of my writing this, it's still selling for SRP - which means Hasbro probably made a hair too many for the needs of the market, which is largely par for the course for a lot of figures lately. I'd go as far as to say this one feels a bit better than a lot of recent rleeases, with painted robes, extra neck accessories, and a very nice staff. They sculpted new lower robes - honestly, they didn't have to - you can tell because they're nice and clean, not tattered like the 1977-style figure. The chest is new, without the bandoliers. The painted elements look superb, but the sculpting seems a little soft and the brown plastics on the chest and feet are just the tiniest bit opaque. It would work great for skin, but for clothing, you don't want there to be any indication that light is passing through meat. Still, it's dark, and it more or less works great except under bright light. </p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl86CUvb8NndyLGDM0NjpvL6Na1DnYXRZleGUkj5zeCdqYmQSS4Bmhds7REDQraBiR7AJTXI5W9554VXAw9ubr0mAiFt40-3T9RhHART6lKMxYdGP0tL-c8w1CPnhYbnYCw8VBmwLTJuJgDqUuZSDuVi3_NEFdRA2JhaakrhJDb8-lh2hnec0itY-Fqz0/s1000/3112tbs-tusken-raider-chieftan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl86CUvb8NndyLGDM0NjpvL6Na1DnYXRZleGUkj5zeCdqYmQSS4Bmhds7REDQraBiR7AJTXI5W9554VXAw9ubr0mAiFt40-3T9RhHART6lKMxYdGP0tL-c8w1CPnhYbnYCw8VBmwLTJuJgDqUuZSDuVi3_NEFdRA2JhaakrhJDb8-lh2hnec0itY-Fqz0/w150-h200/3112tbs-tusken-raider-chieftan3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The head looks great, better than the 3 3/4-inch one and painted well to boot. The painted wrappings look good, and so do the faux metal and leather bits. They did a nice job - the textures on the head are excellent overall. The breathing tubes hang on his neck strangely, but the necklace looks acceptable. I think it could look better, but I also assume someone is making an argument about "value" and may not be taking into account that a Tusken Chieftan without the lady warrior or the prisoner Rodian or Suns-bleached Boba may not be a compelling argument, regardless of relative quality. You can really see that they made a figure with shortcuts that doesn't <i>feel</i> like they took the cheap route, which is great, but I think we all get to a point where you want to see some savings when you see reused parts so often. That ship has likely long since sailed, so the real question is... can this guy be worth the $25?<p></p><p>
I'd say "yes but." I love aliens, and things related to Tatooine and adjacent to original trilogy stories - and I love building alien cultures out in the toy box. This ticks all the boxes for me, but if we didn't get a new body I'd be a little grumpy, and if they didn't give us a new staff I'd be furious. If it were a $20 figure I'd be singing its praises and its cleverness, and at $25 I'd say I like it a lot more than many recent arrivals. (It takes me a while to get through these things as I write them up as I go.) With so few figures from <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i> I can't say it's a rewarding line to collect, but if you accept that you're just going to get a few and have an anemic collection? This is a good one, this is one to get. You should get it.</p><p> He can stand, he can hold his staff, but he can't sit and it's not like you were going to put him in a ship anyway.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F9984&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br />
Day 3,112: February 29, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-72863796984906303202024-02-27T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-28T20:37:54.929-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,111: Sabine Wren (Epic Hero Series)<p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdSc53YZW7p6lQ56eX9BM6hHsVbd6Qh3KxP1DYwJiV06wsZpffOet3bkQ2dfaHrRMdXw9pOFfrtd7_xkbeJUAL4OdnPXFlEmuUkuIZxfQU02HXVBWpzB3La_e0q4pQH_mGU0enJY0Un7_yyIUgpAo-_z_rN992em6_xVNTuzvjZt5ovDQuOkukrN9j7E/s1000/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdSc53YZW7p6lQ56eX9BM6hHsVbd6Qh3KxP1DYwJiV06wsZpffOet3bkQ2dfaHrRMdXw9pOFfrtd7_xkbeJUAL4OdnPXFlEmuUkuIZxfQU02HXVBWpzB3La_e0q4pQH_mGU0enJY0Un7_yyIUgpAo-_z_rN992em6_xVNTuzvjZt5ovDQuOkukrN9j7E/s320/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">SABINE WREN </font> <i>New Kids Line</i></b><br />
<b><i>Epic Hero Series </i> Deluxe Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i>Asst. F9949 No. G0139</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Backpack, gauntlet, lightsaber, shield</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Comes apart</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$14.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i> January 2024</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka </i><b> </b><p></p><p><b>Bio:</b> Sabine Wren is a Mandalorian warrior and graffiti artist with a creative and rebellious spirit. (Taken from the packaging)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+G0139&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3UEhCog"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=epic+sabine+wren+figure+star&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDa0tdtWmOCQH85iZXbY5GjPPgKakQV3jk1NFfQwHwCKcvTzswZXbWtSCfOtKet8BFCP_vJm4zz-IQHCakhpvzmeFYiPVhFeEdEJrnmE8lMFTC_i3FwCOBYVL87XUMny9bQuxuOpqowM2uZNy5M_KH89umYpZpXmQmTdDcuL8I4W89v4RCLOGQrTVDnQ/s1000/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDa0tdtWmOCQH85iZXbY5GjPPgKakQV3jk1NFfQwHwCKcvTzswZXbWtSCfOtKet8BFCP_vJm4zz-IQHCakhpvzmeFYiPVhFeEdEJrnmE8lMFTC_i3FwCOBYVL87XUMny9bQuxuOpqowM2uZNy5M_KH89umYpZpXmQmTdDcuL8I4W89v4RCLOGQrTVDnQ/w150-h200/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx2.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> For a few years I've been tooting the horn for a new kid line - it's been nothing but reruns in this category since 2018. So after six years, we're back, and you may see the <b>Sabine Wren</b> deluxe figure online or at Walmart so far. It's exciting to have a new figure format! She's a little awkward, but feels a lot like what you might hope a 1990s Kenner figure would have been. She's a hair taller than the other 3 3/4-inch Sabine figures, with different deco, putting her somewhere between the <i>Retro</i> figure and the <i>Vintage</i> figure. This Epic Hero Series Sabine lacks a painted belt buckle and a painted saber hilt on her h ip, but otherwise her paint is a bit fancier.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt-8wRRq_1-zG0WW8msRkESVB91ISAA9Iy4R9oxz3SMoAjbsB3illBPswQv9FgAQ96Z-ZrGt1kF3gJGzFbwQaqbEPRyp3kPdKhTj7vFo8tOrui-0VW61JRvL8g2pg3CThPYYBxmngbGWJIl9f6tdccO1N5D_jR7720X2TNrHar8CrzDTV146kjXg6u18/s1000/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmt-8wRRq_1-zG0WW8msRkESVB91ISAA9Iy4R9oxz3SMoAjbsB3illBPswQv9FgAQ96Z-ZrGt1kF3gJGzFbwQaqbEPRyp3kPdKhTj7vFo8tOrui-0VW61JRvL8g2pg3CThPYYBxmngbGWJIl9f6tdccO1N5D_jR7720X2TNrHar8CrzDTV146kjXg6u18/w150-h200/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>For those looking for the utmost in on-screen authenticity... this isn't it. But it's an idealized toy in a good format. The jet pack seems to be based on <i>Rebels</i>, complete with purple wings, as is the clear blue wrist shield. She has a two-piece wrist gauntlet accessory that plugs in with a slide-out dagger. I can have her standing on my desk with all of her stuff, and she's not falling over. This makes me happy. I love that her lightsaber hilt is painted gray, because it looks cartoony, with a clear green blade that reminds me a lot of the 1990s <i>The Power of the Force</i> figures. Are the added accessories enough to make her worth $5 more than her non-deluxe counterparts? Not really. But given the pop-out energy blades on the shield, the slide-out dagger on the gauntlet, and the painted wings on the backpack, it's clear Hasbro spent some of the money making this a good product. Sadly, she has no blasters, but I should note I honestly don't feel that they're missing.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEPKfDFRqby8c84ABlhiijgtrTiGdPfuGt3XbSEeaT6ExpixksNFk2asGwHS9c9snrdpecg5BkJU6fVeUPUTWbQ0xIN6x1FU8tcFGGFBZ0ZroRMoHSNp28hqCnfx6ebb29-r8KpLi8g06La3QXQztEuLfYlN3SjILD4JjKRIxNcpc87EEdi8gL4JRAXs/s1000/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEPKfDFRqby8c84ABlhiijgtrTiGdPfuGt3XbSEeaT6ExpixksNFk2asGwHS9c9snrdpecg5BkJU6fVeUPUTWbQ0xIN6x1FU8tcFGGFBZ0ZroRMoHSNp28hqCnfx6ebb29-r8KpLi8g06La3QXQztEuLfYlN3SjILD4JjKRIxNcpc87EEdi8gL4JRAXs/w150-h200/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The figure itself gets the job done well with lots of colors, painted stripes and a nice helmet. It's worth noting there is no alternate head or removable helmet, but you get a glossy black visor and a chunky rangefinder. The left pauldron has no special signet on it, the fingers are gray instead of skin color, and the blue is a little lighter here... but I don't dislike it. Every accessory is good, nothing feels too superfluous, plus it's worth noting she was sculpted nicely with a real pose. The right arm has a bit of a bend to the elbow, with legs that have a little life to them. Both holsters have blasters sculpted inside, too, and I'd be very happy if the Retro figure was given this exact pose.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS237TuWBlt0wy0WUwFceisFC3lyQqXL877S2noOCMU_LALKjBm44ljSjCXzyaqFPsiSGHuVnDgx4ZmegTpRFczVUztZ6EaUfgnP0IcZdU9PVwkIfMjNFJOWkVkn6qpDbH0L66yCOy2NGvf0UUD1Q8ERIZLJ1GTzau81XlZsekWVCBq4zOrhchm2Hz6ww/s1000/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS237TuWBlt0wy0WUwFceisFC3lyQqXL877S2noOCMU_LALKjBm44ljSjCXzyaqFPsiSGHuVnDgx4ZmegTpRFczVUztZ6EaUfgnP0IcZdU9PVwkIfMjNFJOWkVkn6qpDbH0L66yCOy2NGvf0UUD1Q8ERIZLJ1GTzau81XlZsekWVCBq4zOrhchm2Hz6ww/w150-h200/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx7.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Each gauntlet (and her back) has a hole in it. You can mount the shield or gauntlet on either wrist, and the backpack fits tightly on her back. Her hand easily holds her lightsaber, too. I'm trying to find a reason to <i>not</i> recommend this figure to you, but if <i>Retro</i> didn't do it this might be a good, small collection for lapsed collectors to start. Heck, buy it and let your kids play with it. There's no face here so I can't say how great the line is going to be for humans, but for helmeted characters it's shaping up quite nicely. $15 is a lot for a 5-jointed figure, and <i>Retro</i> Sabine has a removable helmet at a lower price - but if you can't find her, this is a decent substitute. I'd like to see Hasbro expand this line to more characters and vehicles, and while I will be set fire for saying this I wouldn't be <i>that</i> sad if this line started to steal the lunch money of the repack-heavy <i>The Vintage Collection</i>. Give this a look in stores if you see it, I think that if you are a fan of <i>toys</i> you may enjoy her.<p></p><p>
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk1wQzT-uOBWQVz8tYoTszGg9b4I5QxeAHEw0eG53VmaQIJz4s9XVLlgGRu069yNVs0BtsAAU8ezTCe-0OWDh6RATxij9qwAI7euGcn3SBvBlmtMldqv-sQxBWUebsnnFOWBLEJGFHh6tLncnH57_1NlNqbMRRbUPWTHsA3lZdrlnRGTpFhQFg5Ki2uU/s1000/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx6.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuk1wQzT-uOBWQVz8tYoTszGg9b4I5QxeAHEw0eG53VmaQIJz4s9XVLlgGRu069yNVs0BtsAAU8ezTCe-0OWDh6RATxij9qwAI7euGcn3SBvBlmtMldqv-sQxBWUebsnnFOWBLEJGFHh6tLncnH57_1NlNqbMRRbUPWTHsA3lZdrlnRGTpFhQFg5Ki2uU/w150-h200/3111epic-sabine-wren-dlx6.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Line Notes:</b> I'm fond of the bright, colorful packaging with its legible logo and decent - admittedly, not thrilling - artwork. It's good, there's a lot of copy on the back of the card but most of the real estate is devoted to explaining the product and accessories. This is a toy, as these things should be. If Hasbro builds up this format (preferably in silos with a specific show or movie) I would be very happy to see this line continue, but I would prefer to see more basic figures and fewer deluxe ones. If this line only goes two or three waves, I'd say you should skip it - but I hope it's the start of a new ongoing format, and if they drop <i>Retro</i> I'd pick these up.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+G0139&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Eath</a>. <br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,111: February 27, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-68842076250748127542024-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-22T00:00:00.246-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,110: R4-Series Astromech Droid Black with Silver<p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13OUd5sCeA1x5KGZxkb3LPeHwwVbHFa5QmmYoQ4A1x_d4ybzJVzGuHnov2jrdOaKK4MSk1j9xCGnrQYiecbVc_7yMIvyNvAL9SKV_-5ij3i4CwWu8hkFgnnVjejzgqt37pbuEPQYZeQDz59FN744jdA68vEbqiafd9MDR8ksWzWqIeALd_lOwH-pXOBA/s1000/3110df-buildadroid-r4-black-silver-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13OUd5sCeA1x5KGZxkb3LPeHwwVbHFa5QmmYoQ4A1x_d4ybzJVzGuHnov2jrdOaKK4MSk1j9xCGnrQYiecbVc_7yMIvyNvAL9SKV_-5ij3i4CwWu8hkFgnnVjejzgqt37pbuEPQYZeQDz59FN744jdA68vEbqiafd9MDR8ksWzWqIeALd_lOwH-pXOBA/s320/3110df-buildadroid-r4-black-silver-tn.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">R4-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID </font> <i>Black Dome with Red and Silver Markings looks like R4-I9</i></b><br />
<b><i>Star Wars </i> Droid Factory<br />
Item No.: </b><i>???</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Disney</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Head, 2 legs, torso, central third leg, optional hat</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Comes apart</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$12.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i> Fall 2015</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>n/a</i><p></p><p>
<b>Bio:</b> These figures do not have specific packaging or configurations. As such, we will be treating each dome as a unique "figure" as that part is the most plentiful. There were 25 domes in the 2012 series and 25 domes in the 2015 batch so far. While Hasbro had said they didn't design the first batch, they included Hasbro copyrights. This batch does not - markings read "© DISNEY" and "© LFL" as well as "China" on each leg. (Taken from the packaging)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=disney+build+droid+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PdUrscWOsmHPpVvKb6w8AOUjYYJRaJZX-81H88jjeciymcY-H3gmiT4gGDJtnfpHl8H6VhgHv639oPNgYZ7l0I_49WNKjjN-eQ2y1Z443tc_NKc3k5vkx0AEmUisay_pTizJ_i8a3NM3Ix0km3MZxI9hx29-Vm9xWWejOwTPI36Mlpyd30PGQR61XoA/s1000/3110df-buildadroid-r4-black-silver2-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PdUrscWOsmHPpVvKb6w8AOUjYYJRaJZX-81H88jjeciymcY-H3gmiT4gGDJtnfpHl8H6VhgHv639oPNgYZ7l0I_49WNKjjN-eQ2y1Z443tc_NKc3k5vkx0AEmUisay_pTizJ_i8a3NM3Ix0km3MZxI9hx29-Vm9xWWejOwTPI36Mlpyd30PGQR61XoA/w150-h200/3110df-buildadroid-r4-black-silver2-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> I've had this <b>R4-Series Astromech Droid</b> with black dome and silver markings for so long... I forgot what wave it was from. I have a pegboard of unopened figures to review and I've been alternating between Vintage, Black Series, Disney Droid Factory, and Retro figures - and I noticed this on the back of a peg, covered in dust, hanging there for almost <i>nine years</i>. Hasbro has released so many action figures that I've been reviewing anywhere from 2 to 5 per week for almost 18 years, and if they stopped making new ones tomorrow I could probably fill this site for a few more years. It stands as a testament to just how much longevity this line has, but also, how overwhelming it is. It's arguably inaccessible to new fans now, with figures like the "parts bin droids" requiring you to have been at a certain place at a certain time to be aware they existed so you can reference the few online guides to parts. They don't have specific names or official configurations either. If you want this exact droid, you cobbled it together through little parts bins at a theme park. You may not be able to find it on eBay as you see it here, and you may have to buy multiple figures to put it together.<p></p><p>
Each one was made of as many parts as you decided to cobble together - a dome, two legs, a middle foot, a body, and an optional hat. They were $12.99, which wasn't cheap by the standards of the day when you could get a Hasbro figure for about (or under) ten bucks. Today, you can't get much of anything for under $17. It's less of a collectible than it is a souvenir to delight children with a custom-made memory of their visit to a magical place... while vexing adults who want a complete set without even knowing what the complete set truly was.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVMAwFgEXK5KEuU4F-_DoIe53U1v3dfjYV7OraRJuIDXF67oVGPGJfgY3nf6-Fo1sEWJT18DB4GUtMckEv6RFj-pYaVnAzu1OGUWlmoO8yycV0I5xyID_qrhZWLjkpgtk-VfkyXyhj894sN6v2cU28ARS4Lvo0PsdSf4hmJaieuouyJb4-y6y0oe5fqc/s1000/3110df-buildadroid-r4-black-silver3-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVMAwFgEXK5KEuU4F-_DoIe53U1v3dfjYV7OraRJuIDXF67oVGPGJfgY3nf6-Fo1sEWJT18DB4GUtMckEv6RFj-pYaVnAzu1OGUWlmoO8yycV0I5xyID_qrhZWLjkpgtk-VfkyXyhj894sN6v2cU28ARS4Lvo0PsdSf4hmJaieuouyJb4-y6y0oe5fqc/w150-h200/3110df-buildadroid-r4-black-silver3-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
This particular R4 dome looks a lot like <a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2009/04/figure-of-day-day-996-r4-i9.html">R4-I9 [FOTD #996]</a> from 2003, which appeared as the only genuinely new figure in a Toys R Us exclusive gift set. Disney keeps the silver trapezoid outlines on the black dome and the silver band around the base, making it look fundamentally identical - but it's not. This is a different mold, with different proportions and a hole in the top so he can wear a hat. You probably won't be able to tell that from the photos, though. The Hasbro R4-I9 had a body with silver panels. Disney did not offer that color of part in its bins - the black body there had orange panels with some silver accoutrements, so you couldn't replicate the other droid at the time. Instead, you get something new with bright silver on the outer parts of his feet and lots of colorful dots on the cord-free legs which results in a distinctive figure for which there is no backstory. You make the story here.<p></p><p>
Back when the parts bins first came out, I had a collecting crisis when I was faced with a lack of legs - which Disney later "fixed" by having a leg serve as both right and left, dropping critical parts from them. It's efficient, but also a bit sad... and over 100 Disney droids later, I may be droided out. It could be old age - I've been writing about <i>Star Wars</i> toys online since 1995 - but I can't muster a lot of enthusiasm about this one now. It's a good figure. The paint is clean, the design is good, and the parts I got all go together nicely with a bonus silly top hat. If you can get this figure, it is a treat, it feels like a nice product and has aged incredibly well with no squeaky parts or other unpleasantness from the passing of time. The only thing going against it is that there are so many figures - no new fan is going to be able to collect them all, or even know what they missed as there's no complete, definitive guide to everything. With few playsets or vehicles, droids like this serve less of a function beyond "collectible." A couple of very similar builds on eBay go for about $25-$30, with others seemingly declining in price - perhaps due to the obscurity of the line and lack of names. If you missed out on bin droids, I suggest you go to eBay now and start browsing. Given inflation, being able to purchase these well-made figures for $20-$30 may be an exciting prospect for those who missed them over the past decade and change.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine in 2015 and I am actually not sure how long these parts were made in the bins. I got this from my pal Shannon who was cool enough to get me a set from Disneyland. <br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,110: February 22, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-43069764245481151902024-02-20T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-20T00:00:00.136-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,109: Mon Mothma (The Retro Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunsTvSrwO-yX3T0u6JWAMpCldfSxpxxMkaTJm8sPrWp_cfgBxUGGZGKhtyULwH47sJPXuU4FDsCd5XiCk0NOpboAR6FslRyqQ1eX3J7IK0YHJBvXuOLLwItCfAp09lX0lqTowc_EdOjC97g5fr16BaeEfOhqGyyUYXR0Q3SxmQdK1NR35vzeyOamo5ag/s1000/3109retro-mon-mothma-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunsTvSrwO-yX3T0u6JWAMpCldfSxpxxMkaTJm8sPrWp_cfgBxUGGZGKhtyULwH47sJPXuU4FDsCd5XiCk0NOpboAR6FslRyqQ1eX3J7IK0YHJBvXuOLLwItCfAp09lX0lqTowc_EdOjC97g5fr16BaeEfOhqGyyUYXR0Q3SxmQdK1NR35vzeyOamo5ag/s320/3109retro-mon-mothma-tn.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>MON MOTHMA</font> <i> New!</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Retro Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Hasbro Pulse/Shop Disney 6-Pack<br />
Item No.: </b><i> No. F6988</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Blaster, plus Wicket W. Warrick, Yak Face, Emperor's Royal Guard, Gamorrean Guard, and Admiral Ackbar</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$72.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>November 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Return of the Jedi</i> (or maybe <i>Rogue One)</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Star Wars Retro Collection includes Star Wars action figures from the 40-plus-year legacy of the Star Wars Galaxy, including movies and live-action series. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=retro+collection+return+jedi+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V9iVKTaDzx7621oL6yPrvNB1dcarIJ95g-DX3YOllCC-TFJ4LVdPVpXp3ovsJXC9KaB4OJqUZ8UbK5uPzNwSGHVtrbFuqvSTikMY3ZfBFu_2F2fIjDhDX-JQ1r60f8PRq7_7En_ZgpLnRjsXioVNQkqnHNucZtPq4K1FUbgxTWHFIXvmtd5DaAB4P14/s1000/3109retro-mon-mothma2-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V9iVKTaDzx7621oL6yPrvNB1dcarIJ95g-DX3YOllCC-TFJ4LVdPVpXp3ovsJXC9KaB4OJqUZ8UbK5uPzNwSGHVtrbFuqvSTikMY3ZfBFu_2F2fIjDhDX-JQ1r60f8PRq7_7En_ZgpLnRjsXioVNQkqnHNucZtPq4K1FUbgxTWHFIXvmtd5DaAB4P14/w150-h200/3109retro-mon-mothma2-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> To say that a Kenner-style <b>Mon Mothma</b> was unexpected would be a gross understatement. If you gave me 50 guesses as to which figures Hasbro would remake (or make) for its 6-pack in 2023, she would not be on it. I would have banked on an astromech repaint, or new Jabba's Palace aliens, maybe even Nik Sant or Wedge Antilles finally - but the first lady of exposition? With a <i>blaster</i>? Never. But, I can understand why - with her, the quantity of human women characters in the Kenner-style original trilogy action figure line increases to two. (Also due to inconsistencies on the parts of who voiced and was interviewed about EV-9D9, I don't count the robot - but Sy Snootles, sure.) For those keeping track at home, Urgah Lady Gorneesh and Kea Moll also exist.<p>
But as to this one - why? I want to know. The figure itself seems to have had her hands "inspired" (or swiped) from Kenner's Princess Leia Organa figures - they're a little different from, but incredibly close to, Battle Poncho Leia. Everything else seems to be new, but generally seems to be inspired by the newer retro figures in that her posture is too good. The dress legs are "pants" like The Emperor, with flat, unpainted inner legs. There's no wavy pattern like Anakin Skywalker. She can stand with no problems thanks to her massive "feet," and my sample has no problems holding her blaster - a reuse of Leia's.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIRkRNFXFbl89N-TJctWujXSsJN-2SnaMNA0A9ElOJ8C0ihWcwVxHAwxH0XRcRTID43STx7pww1sbVjZrmFvgyEe2ffHChzjOoebnuDA_1gw_GO-VV8ougu9yJXb1VZzy3W83xBoR_RfuwSzSCjvDgyjmsfLIskhwkvgkObHasGr7xhTFffsPpowj4MY/s1000/3109retro-mon-mothma3-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIRkRNFXFbl89N-TJctWujXSsJN-2SnaMNA0A9ElOJ8C0ihWcwVxHAwxH0XRcRTID43STx7pww1sbVjZrmFvgyEe2ffHChzjOoebnuDA_1gw_GO-VV8ougu9yJXb1VZzy3W83xBoR_RfuwSzSCjvDgyjmsfLIskhwkvgkObHasGr7xhTFffsPpowj4MY/w150-h200/3109retro-mon-mothma3-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The outfit looks like she should, with multiple layers of robes and the same necklaces and general look we saw in <i>Rogue One</i> as well. Due to how her neck looks I wouldn't necessarily argue with you if you said they sculpted her from that movie and it's close enough and stylized enough that it could be either Caroline Blakiston or Genevieve O'Reilly. Customizers have made much better retro head sculpts - and worse, also worse - and this one is bland, but fine. It doesn't really look that much like either performer, which is how a lot of old, real Kenner figures turned out - nobody's picking up Han Solo and going "oh, this looks just like Harrison Ford." But Mon's hair looks right, the eyes are clean, and she more or less has everything where it should be. She can fit in many vehicles as long as her pants don't get in the way, too - her range of movement is better than that old mail-in Anakin Skywalker.<p></p><p>
Had this figure been released in the 1980s I have no doubt she would have been one of those figures you saw at flea markets that didn't sell even at a buck or two - but wait a couple of decades, and now she's exciting because she's new and having a moment on the Disney+ series <i>Andor</i>. I like that she got made, but she's an odd choice. Hasbro gave us <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2019/05/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2588-grand.html">Grand Moff Tarkin [FOTD #2,588]</a> in 2019, and that made sense as a character people felt was absent for decades. <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2020/06/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2698-luke.html">Snowspeeder Pilot Luke Skywalker [FOTD #2,698]</a> was a head-scratcher as X-Wing Luke fit the bill, and similarly I would've probably expected Death Star II Luke (as the body sculpt exists under Battle Poncho Luke) as the token "new figure." Hopefully they keep this program going so we can get more new classic trilogy figures alongside the reissues, but I'm not overly optimistic Hasbro's new post-layoff structure will be game. Unless the notion of making new products based on existing molds is attractive and cheaper, in which case, maybe that's <i>all</i> that we'll get. If you're getting this set anyway, Mon Mothma's one of the star attractions - but if you don't want the other five figures in this set (or at least Yak Face) I assume you won't be buying it.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="https://hasbropulse.com/products/star-wars-retro-collection-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-multipack">Hasbro Pulse</a>, who seem to have sold out days after shipping. Check <a href="https://www.shopdisney.com/star-wars-retro-collection-action-figure-set-by-hasbro-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-417132095055.html">ShopDisney</a> for availability too.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,109: February 20, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-23008352945147188052024-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-15T00:00:00.251-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,108: Tusken Raider (Dark Robes and Stripes, The Vintage Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26irQ94_uaJxSIIswHxpxv_Y3fp0QEvFXROIOp6YNdT9NIDYNbYmmQnYizzDWnaUHRkJgnt8GqJSHpwwiPBI9xHqz3fG_XcOAEQdpIMD8VJV1BBI1n6SuUB2Pi6BBMvMQGpKqNdabC6D-Qd8wF2akN6VCv1WhZPYtxgPFOsUAvHfkJxQi-9lrB_Eci2M/s1000/3108tvc-tusken-warrior-dark-stripes-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26irQ94_uaJxSIIswHxpxv_Y3fp0QEvFXROIOp6YNdT9NIDYNbYmmQnYizzDWnaUHRkJgnt8GqJSHpwwiPBI9xHqz3fG_XcOAEQdpIMD8VJV1BBI1n6SuUB2Pi6BBMvMQGpKqNdabC6D-Qd8wF2akN6VCv1WhZPYtxgPFOsUAvHfkJxQi-9lrB_Eci2M/s320/3108tvc-tusken-warrior-dark-stripes-tn.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>TUSKEN RAIDER</font> <i>(Dark robes, brown marks on head wrappings)</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Vintage Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Hasbro Pulse and ShopDisney Shared Exclusive Action Figure Set<br />
Item No.: </b><i> No. F8301</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>4 figures with cloaks, rifles, gaffi staffs</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$59.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>August 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Survival in the unforgiving desert of Tatooine requires strict training and discipline for the members of a Tusken tribe. Led by a chieftain, each member of the clan must learn to be useful. (Taken from marketing copy. There is no bio.) <br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F8301&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/45Fxb1g"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=40th+black+star+wars+tusken+raiders+vintage&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHjFaqrvWcm4XWSGEW-lVz590RxrBbww7U4eD4hjF8tWpbKT3kih3g-BtJHZW-FDqxrZTtqePQMIDwNYmTPrrkU7Alqxp9zWBuh_RwMOcT_-EIkBoETA86kIRgFVN6Fw2b9ojeJRijPvji0_MydoutUGhkGDolA3MS1wTgDys4EQ-FicRScX55tlnVwU/s1000/3108tvc-tusken-warrior-dark-stripes2-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHjFaqrvWcm4XWSGEW-lVz590RxrBbww7U4eD4hjF8tWpbKT3kih3g-BtJHZW-FDqxrZTtqePQMIDwNYmTPrrkU7Alqxp9zWBuh_RwMOcT_-EIkBoETA86kIRgFVN6Fw2b9ojeJRijPvji0_MydoutUGhkGDolA3MS1wTgDys4EQ-FicRScX55tlnVwU/w150-h200/3108tvc-tusken-warrior-dark-stripes2-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> While not bad, it can be hard to muster excitement for the <b>Tusken Raider</b> army pack - $60 (or $15 per figure) is not at all a good value, and I assume recolored figures may not float your boat the way individually carded figures might. It's not terrible either, as the figures have good articulation, decent accessories, and for three repaints and a newish guy deliver the goods as "good enough." Looking at the stills from the show, the Hasbro people did a good job applying the unique markings on this figure's head wraps. A new body would be nice, but Hasbro seems to be disinterested in new molds if there's an adequate tool in China that can get the job done. I don't blame them, especially for a trooper pack.<p>
What makes this figure interesting are, unsurprisingly, his colors. Most previous Tuskens have been in the classic tan robes, but we've seen a little variation here and there with the Hetts and a reddish group for Toys R Us sold long enough ago that it could have a driver's license. This figure's decision to use tan arms, a dark, dark brown chest and robes, and dark brown pants makes for a satisfying - and more importantly, different - figure to add to your ranks. Boba can hang out with these guys, but there's nobody for them to fight just yet.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vercMbeZx6Fw62JKcbzlmfj3bGCD8FkXWzs9BvwSiikSQw1DtaegCkAyjgs2OyQutWEyRCcQXuKWZKtSdm7VDjYfhFRtoB370dUz3MIK1gJuw175IiRdjBjh1QCnnh4vWu6GAQOFY-NT2i_5tEGpABKrknc-Dhfcqhian286rQNE1DBbxYgD2OvRfX4/s1000/3108tvc-tusken-warrior-dark-stripes3-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vercMbeZx6Fw62JKcbzlmfj3bGCD8FkXWzs9BvwSiikSQw1DtaegCkAyjgs2OyQutWEyRCcQXuKWZKtSdm7VDjYfhFRtoB370dUz3MIK1gJuw175IiRdjBjh1QCnnh4vWu6GAQOFY-NT2i_5tEGpABKrknc-Dhfcqhian286rQNE1DBbxYgD2OvRfX4/w150-h200/3108tvc-tusken-warrior-dark-stripes3-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Our Tusken pal is pretty good, with swivel wrists (not exactly modern) an rocker ankles (very modern.) The hip joints have great "gee I wish he had a new Bantha" levels of mobility, making for a satisfying figure whose soft goods robes do a great job hiding the points of articulation. The material is a little stretchy, and it looks nice and hangs well. I can't fault it. He can easily hold his rifle, which seems to be made out of the kind of plastic used for green army men. The good stuff, I mean - it has a nice feel to it and it isn't quite as gummy as some PVC while being flexible enough to not easily snap.<p></p><p>
This is a good figure for standing around and filling dioramas. Due to the nature of what it is - and the lack of other figures from these scenes - it's not exactly going to inspire a lot of play or combat. It can stand and look cool, or build out other clans, or fill stadiums. I guess he can also dance, if you like, as the set has a couple of rifles and a couple of gaffi sticks to mix up how they can look or be posed. Hasbro did a nice job with the resources at hand, but that is sort of the flavor of the line as a whole right now. It's heavy on old tooling and familiar faces, and while Hasbro isn't churning out <i>terrible</i> figures to turn fans away, I don't know that they're putting out amazing things to <i>keep</i> lifers on board as the old guard eyes 50, 60, and beyond and the younger fans don't really have a prayer to ever "collect them all" given current toy store conditions. I do not presently regret this purchase, but as I have written thousands of figures up and have dozens - maybe a hundred or more just sitting around the office waiting to be opened and reviewed - you could probably accurately insinuate that I have some sort of a problem.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="https://hasbropulse.com/products/star-wars-the-vintage-collection-tusken-raiders">Hasbro Pulse</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,108: February 15, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-82053939979791475682024-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-13T00:00:00.165-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,107: Cad Bane (The Black Series) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE8IQOIy8jPq2op7Hp6mgzFNcYVoap4WYaYR513Z5zEvJ3Cts9WhoMNIZZmkU5SIMtbLcoZOSWICD4oHNG7QmEmfWe8gzJSqtKoBhU-AhK6UX4VbEtgZ0TG0PLcq6OkEO7bvBVLHiedNEN2RIeNWd0lPmNPQZ28Y4Dg82dyhhqNopulNXRw-bji80JEA/s1000/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE8IQOIy8jPq2op7Hp6mgzFNcYVoap4WYaYR513Z5zEvJ3Cts9WhoMNIZZmkU5SIMtbLcoZOSWICD4oHNG7QmEmfWe8gzJSqtKoBhU-AhK6UX4VbEtgZ0TG0PLcq6OkEO7bvBVLHiedNEN2RIeNWd0lPmNPQZ28Y4Dg82dyhhqNopulNXRw-bji80JEA/s320/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>CAD BANE</font> <i>Live Action (released twice nearly simultaneously)</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Black Series </i>2023 Window Box Line Look The Book of Boba Fett Packaging<br />
Item No.: </b> <i>Asst. E8908 No. F9982</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#05 - Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Hat, 2 pistols</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Holsters, removable hat</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$24.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>December 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Renowned bounty hunter Cad Bane was known for his impressive arsenal of weapons and allies. His work with the Pyke Syndicate on Tatooine led him face-to-face with Boba Fett. (Taken from the box packaging.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F9982&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3HqqYfq"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=black+cad+bane+book+star&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim22FJc3FGBBbiYnHQYiLJOGMMUTWB-iL1kkXlyM6Q0TFrSqgNUmf3fdnBGOqugtFn6XEvww9LWbk71xkbCWx5d9x94llHiPqx9Le440lZjIHpe9nU9wjJnWsFsyYjhQFZMJnaHtUOeUtaohvtmRh6wO-qcejsphbV7_hH6gqvKVovY7qHGxTcBHnP-UM/s1000/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim22FJc3FGBBbiYnHQYiLJOGMMUTWB-iL1kkXlyM6Q0TFrSqgNUmf3fdnBGOqugtFn6XEvww9LWbk71xkbCWx5d9x94llHiPqx9Le440lZjIHpe9nU9wjJnWsFsyYjhQFZMJnaHtUOeUtaohvtmRh6wO-qcejsphbV7_hH6gqvKVovY7qHGxTcBHnP-UM/w150-h200/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> Over the holidays I rewatched <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i>, a fantastic example of what the current creature creators can do with a bunch of excellent casting choices and enough "please clap" cameos to delight and confound fans of all ages. Camie! Fixer! <b>Cad Bane</b>! I liked the character on the cartoon, I liked the 6-inch figure I already had - but here was a new one, coming in similar to the 3 3/4-inch one also released a few months ago. Despite the fact he doesn't look like the other 6-inch releases, he's similar enough that I assume most fans would walk by this figure and go "I got that" or "Hey, that's the one I missed." To make matters worse, a nearly identical figure (with more fireblasts) was sold in a two-pack with Cobb Vanth as a Target exclusive last year. It would seem Hasbro continues to experiment with solid packs, exclusive variants, and other ways to get out (I assume) popular characters and make sure the market gets their needs met. Seeing his secondary market price on eBay is now <i>below</i> SRP, it would seem they succeeded.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPKuLSg2NLqfPtmr1H9S_iMP0sQxwOknSktEzsqyylcVfqREiSvgR_I-IHFAvGbi_RuTKtXSF3NLqHJiqJ8zrDFGV4laJXr0_TYJoS1sigtMc22MAfJbHTDfl4VHgiAYrXDroE8robKBjUQJZeBsap_RYr1_OQdIUpu0WzHzCUAjLxMKhsdPlAjy9G9E/s1000/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPKuLSg2NLqfPtmr1H9S_iMP0sQxwOknSktEzsqyylcVfqREiSvgR_I-IHFAvGbi_RuTKtXSF3NLqHJiqJ8zrDFGV4laJXr0_TYJoS1sigtMc22MAfJbHTDfl4VHgiAYrXDroE8robKBjUQJZeBsap_RYr1_OQdIUpu0WzHzCUAjLxMKhsdPlAjy9G9E/w150-h200/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I did not immediately take a shine to this figure, and it took me a minute to figure out why. It looked cheap. The face sculpt is good, and Hasbro painted the skin blue - that makes it look a lot better, and really highlights the sneer. The alien hands look great, with unusual blue fingers with wide tips and bony knuckles. Those are great! But then it hit me - it was the <i>shine</i>. I consider a glossy finish a real perk when it comes to retro-style figure, as some of the old ones (Ewoks, Walrus Man, and so on) had an a shiny finish in the original Kenner era. That's part of the appeal - but with 6-inch figures, you want "realistic" textures. Cloth needs to look like cloth, metal needs to look like metal, plasteel needs to look like... I don't know what. But not plastic. The figure's boots are molded in a brown with a hint of translucency, which destroys the "premium" illusion. The chest has a shirt that's almost distractingly shiny, and the choice of material doesn't make it look like a $25 figure. The 3 3/4-inch figure actually looked a little bit better.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYfDmL5qUda8gvTy4RxTufZIJvbXKAaXGMiYBilpmNtSY8WgQYusZH-yU4ez4Bj-dkHHFrVV8ezvtbdsCrLFuNsZ72_Mmpn2klNioTLA5dKYfOgtRj91X_M4tyeicNEF3Yk95OxK0D-RM34ax1ZJYtj5555YFSe3umA5rallT-F-Zk8-9mKQb_GbRLi0/s1000/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYfDmL5qUda8gvTy4RxTufZIJvbXKAaXGMiYBilpmNtSY8WgQYusZH-yU4ez4Bj-dkHHFrVV8ezvtbdsCrLFuNsZ72_Mmpn2klNioTLA5dKYfOgtRj91X_M4tyeicNEF3Yk95OxK0D-RM34ax1ZJYtj5555YFSe3umA5rallT-F-Zk8-9mKQb_GbRLi0/w150-h200/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Paint is acceptable, but I think the elements popped better on the small version too. The shirt was darker, as were the pants, contrasting from the jacket. The silver highlights on the ammo belts and actual belt seemed a bit nicer, and the painted blue gauntlets on the little version also had a more "premium" look than the molded-in-blue. I realize this may sound a bit hypocritical, as I've been impressed by Mattel's molded-in-color limbs and boots on <i>Masters of the Universe Origins</i>. (Seriously, Filmation Skeletor is unpainted except for the black on his eyes and mouth!) I think that sort of thing works great with toys and cartoony characters. Seeing the pains Filoni and Favreau and Rodriguez took to translate a cartoon character to a believable moving mask with the cartoon voice, the figure doesn't quite capture the presence of the character on TV. This is just due to materials, though.<p></p><p>
The sculptor did a good job, and the engineers who put the articulation in deserve an award. The shoulders can shrug forward and backward in the coat, giving the sneering baddie additional body language that's subtle and absolutely sells the figure's "I don't care" or "I hate you" vibe. He stands well, and he's easy to pose. I love the moods he evokes just by standing there, snarling at you with his teeth showing. The eye color is superb. The prototype looked good too, so it just lost a lot in translation on the way to (from?) the factory.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL45Bjy5plGGxnaWA_3YZTb0nhtZH8i_vP-8L4K2LwnAk6O2ZD7FNgSlk6VptEKhcmDO9ZXmW6ABxsJllgPE2rd41Uqn3-5qV-M0h7-zRd7_Hi3rjsk2MSNTLlGPJ6K-SJ5RfbvFFWj7Bw3Mgc9Q3Xa6QvWfPIdJhbBCJzHR8ea2ZZNcxYh4DtX-JRAQ/s1000/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL45Bjy5plGGxnaWA_3YZTb0nhtZH8i_vP-8L4K2LwnAk6O2ZD7FNgSlk6VptEKhcmDO9ZXmW6ABxsJllgPE2rd41Uqn3-5qV-M0h7-zRd7_Hi3rjsk2MSNTLlGPJ6K-SJ5RfbvFFWj7Bw3Mgc9Q3Xa6QvWfPIdJhbBCJzHR8ea2ZZNcxYh4DtX-JRAQ/w150-h200/3107tbs-bobf-cad-bane5.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>With the 3 3/4-inch line the occasional bad joint, or wrong-sized holster, or other problem was something we all had to take on the chin every year or two. Sometimes Hasbro owned up to it - like that first <i>Vintage</i> IG-88's holster on his back couldn't hold the accessory due to a factory glitch. It happens! For $5 or $10, it's not a huge deal. But this one was $25, so seeing such a wonderful sculpt with excellent textures and one of the most striking alien faces in a decade of these big figures marred by a chest that says "I cost $2.99 at Remco in 1987" is a bit disenchanting. I'm not saying don't buy it - but if you're the kind of fan who's inclined to customize the figure, you're going to make him awesome. The boots and chest aren't everything but ultimately they do make what is a genuinely impressive design and make you ask why it's $24.99. Sure, the joints are great. Yes, the personality is good. But if you're happy with Cad Bane at home, maybe wait for a sale on this one.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F9982&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a>
Day 3,107: February 13, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-54432008293557539562024-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-08T00:00:00.443-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,106: Y5-X2<b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiteIi5XA-1FJT766uM3lNAANo1CV4eqd1Q-kQNIvtCI6xdi_AeHzThacva4SrvcPox5i4tVSya8gSBxUpfFBxB3YJuAPOJq5fADYBXOhlHNZdBqvbDqnoaL3okx1L9SrRjjOYCCxml9qTAEsxffZZtZsbvsvlE2ynZO-MljMLIXRzIO2yrx14WX7ob4/s1000/3106df-y5-x2-r5x2-y5xw-droid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiteIi5XA-1FJT766uM3lNAANo1CV4eqd1Q-kQNIvtCI6xdi_AeHzThacva4SrvcPox5i4tVSya8gSBxUpfFBxB3YJuAPOJq5fADYBXOhlHNZdBqvbDqnoaL3okx1L9SrRjjOYCCxml9qTAEsxffZZtZsbvsvlE2ynZO-MljMLIXRzIO2yrx14WX7ob4/s320/3106df-y5-x2-r5x2-y5xw-droid.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Y5-X2 </font> <i>with R4-X2</i></b><br />
<b><i>Star Wars </i> Droid Factory<br />
Item No.: </b><i>???</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Disney</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>R4-X2 and Y5-X2 figures</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Comes apart</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$19.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>ca. Fall 2017</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>The Last Jedi</i><br />
<b>Bio:</b> All different types of astromech droid populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors. These Resistance droids are assigned to the main cruiser of the embattled Resistance forces. May the Force be with you... and your droids! (Taken from the packaging)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=y5+x2+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCq_yEPVpGhlZ4vpVjsSgLfsv6FbufCZ-DE85SOwONLBythUxlRbw6olvfjme4itnA3gYQ_rBctyO0cddRSjM_3DtAwBXLfQ6u6Lc5_u1nIMWAOZA5FSYU-L7JFXOIxLHGD6s71reUJSH_y9ogLIs1WFY82Ygx8jgaAjPbe5AD8ODRb6bARGSM0qEY2Y/s1000/3106df-y5-x2-r5x2-y5xw-droid2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCq_yEPVpGhlZ4vpVjsSgLfsv6FbufCZ-DE85SOwONLBythUxlRbw6olvfjme4itnA3gYQ_rBctyO0cddRSjM_3DtAwBXLfQ6u6Lc5_u1nIMWAOZA5FSYU-L7JFXOIxLHGD6s71reUJSH_y9ogLIs1WFY82Ygx8jgaAjPbe5AD8ODRb6bARGSM0qEY2Y/w150-h200/3106df-y5-x2-r5x2-y5xw-droid2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> If you're looking for the most essential droid in the line, it isn't <b>Y5-X2</b>. The body is identical to his 2-pack companion R4-X2. Only the head is unique between them, and since they're packed together, you're likely to get both or neither. At least it's cool. The dark green body has black and silver panels with some white on the shoulders, breaking up the dark a little bit - but maybe not enough to really pop. Thank goodness there's a white dome that stands out.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija-2ksHJXVQqkkV2CuRMH5HcENOOVdvyK-O6ini-xu_FHNsvH8__67ip_dIBAsItsNLBX6IOLii5LVeLnnUj65IUhvkhBIUbX3GRFWPvNllwyEawiLdJjv5F6LY0kV-j7uJVefjJ1IfgqBxnHYenykE9K870VUqDn6OspqrN6LYIg_bxNSotLSMSQw1s/s1000/3106df-y5-x2-r5x2-y5xw-droid3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija-2ksHJXVQqkkV2CuRMH5HcENOOVdvyK-O6ini-xu_FHNsvH8__67ip_dIBAsItsNLBX6IOLii5LVeLnnUj65IUhvkhBIUbX3GRFWPvNllwyEawiLdJjv5F6LY0kV-j7uJVefjJ1IfgqBxnHYenykE9K870VUqDn6OspqrN6LYIg_bxNSotLSMSQw1s/w150-h200/3106df-y5-x2-r5x2-y5xw-droid3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The paint isn't perfect, with the triangles on top of the dome being painted green and off-center a bit. The red eyes are a little off-center, but it's so minor you probably won't notice. He has tons of green rectangles painted on his head, plus a Resistance symbol subtly etched in the back. If I was the kind of person who customized his car, I would want to get this kind of graphics slapped on the sides. It's by no means essential, but I like droids, and I like green, and I like faction symbols on things. Astromechs rarely have any sort of affiliation markers on them, so these two are pretty special. But also, I now have hundreds of them, so I would also be pretty happy if they just stopped.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine in 2017 and I'm pretty sure my pal Shannon picked it up for me - but it's been in my "to open" pile for seven years! Well, thanks Shannon.<br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,106: February 8, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-79051250543674629392024-02-06T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-06T00:00:00.149-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,105: Sabine Wren (The Retro Collection) <p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNT82tLNtY5V1mRoNOVM9EEEWNHn_-vIwoWWpSUFE-QuHApBcmlweidV2GnFfIsuNvhywfhGnD64HMYweB4wh-dd1oq-6kPdtMbcAwhMKgp4jYD2o6YAi_yEEehezlZZC_p7T5XE6YHnE7sl_rcCqjwdEHkhN4I_bPxAmTj6KJz6b_cWOw6Dx8q8_ULs/s1000/3105retro-sabine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNT82tLNtY5V1mRoNOVM9EEEWNHn_-vIwoWWpSUFE-QuHApBcmlweidV2GnFfIsuNvhywfhGnD64HMYweB4wh-dd1oq-6kPdtMbcAwhMKgp4jYD2o6YAi_yEEehezlZZC_p7T5XE6YHnE7sl_rcCqjwdEHkhN4I_bPxAmTj6KJz6b_cWOw6Dx8q8_ULs/s320/3105retro-sabine.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">SABINE WREN</font> <i> (Kenner Style)</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Retro Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i> Asst. F6874 No. F7305</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Helmet, lightsaber, 2 blasters</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Removable helmet</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$11.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>October 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a galaxy far, far away. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7305&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/489gRr8"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=retro+sabine+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy94E9pdfHypBfYHvdC27lksbAJDxDqugcLJssHY8N9vPr4SQR0hmIMyKc9yhBY_cApbdjftVxIWD3eQa2-7itrcxf6A0SNVtdUXaydbNV2Gr-4eHZ8XlGXMT_tSaJ5E4Xra-qQDvULo1_ljuiFJeTRub_zm_9F6Z9fzljEP34Ma4VN1sGxdSDG_2Rro/s1000/3105retro-sabine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy94E9pdfHypBfYHvdC27lksbAJDxDqugcLJssHY8N9vPr4SQR0hmIMyKc9yhBY_cApbdjftVxIWD3eQa2-7itrcxf6A0SNVtdUXaydbNV2Gr-4eHZ8XlGXMT_tSaJ5E4Xra-qQDvULo1_ljuiFJeTRub_zm_9F6Z9fzljEP34Ma4VN1sGxdSDG_2Rro/w150-h200/3105retro-sabine2.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> While <i>Vintage</i> gave us a mark-up, <i>Retro</i> <b>Sabine Wren</b> is at normal price. During the one week I saw these at Target stores I never saw her, and as I write this she commands a premium on Amazon at $28. I assume "deluxe" Vintage probably comes from a calculus of "this is the most popular figure, we may as well charge more for it if it goes for a premium on Amazon anyway." Hasbro channeled their old Kenner skills to give us something not entirely unlike a 1980s figure. Her rubbery helmet and colorful blasters feel old, as does the green 1983-style lightsaber. This means she has more gear than she can carry, which has never happened for a Kenner figure new or old in the <i>Star Wars</i> line - they always capped them at two handheld accessories. (Honestly I'm surprised they didn't just make two figures - helmet with blasters, unhelmeted head with lightsaber, or something like that.)<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWvekkxIS1YvBDqe_2Kwl0PdZG1_IuCm3Nh9lz7-oaedDvZIE7U6EaVp38KaeJ2tZToM62JZo1gvKbenSqN0zCZDS3-ViZoDjq3wRwdrnPQNq7n_Np8wYrh5NAEAb-waLgjXVj1YjUpVssnLDTQeJomRUU8vu6KTOBij-B96ztQnA6Ca-AWg6my8wytc/s1000/3105retro-sabine4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWvekkxIS1YvBDqe_2Kwl0PdZG1_IuCm3Nh9lz7-oaedDvZIE7U6EaVp38KaeJ2tZToM62JZo1gvKbenSqN0zCZDS3-ViZoDjq3wRwdrnPQNq7n_Np8wYrh5NAEAb-waLgjXVj1YjUpVssnLDTQeJomRUU8vu6KTOBij-B96ztQnA6Ca-AWg6my8wytc/w150-h200/3105retro-sabine4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Retro Sabine does not have all the paint applications of the Vintage counterpart, but she's still very good given she's 58% cheaper. The tampos on the shoulders are absent, the boot deco is missing, some of her chest stripes aren't there and some of the gauntlet deco is missing, and her back armor lacks the color stripes. The helmet is missing the white/light gray stripes, too - but aside from that? She really nails it. The purple hair seems more accurate than the Vintage version, there's a painted silver lightsaber on her belt (shades of Bespin Luke, who had the wrong color), and unless I'm mistaken she's more colorful than any real Kenner vintage-era figure. I'm counting about 3 colors of paint per limb, seven colors of paint on her chest, 3-5 deco hits per leg... that's impressive. With the extra accessories, it shows Hasbro <i>can</i> put more money in these figures and still make money. That's great! Hopefully we can see some more figures with this level of love and care in the deco before the line ends.<p></p><p>
Hasbro has struggled to really capture Kenner's sculpting techniques, but they nail elements of it. The aforementioned lightsaber hilt is a lift from a 1980 Bespin Fatigues Luke Skywalker, and the smaller, "pinhead" with removable helmet was pretty common as a trade-off with the likes of Skiff Lando, Leia Boushh, and Stormtrooper Luke. The pose is nothing special - I think that's just the sculptor's lack of familiarity with the original figures' asymmetry (see Greedo, Walrus Man, Han Solo, etc.) as a bent elbow or some pose other than "at attention" was fairly common back in the day. Even a little slouch gives a figure some personality. Due to her gear and general demeanor, the pose we got is pretty appropriate for the character. I would have liked sharper details (like a real Kenner figure - they're not rounded off and soft like Hasbro's Retro remakes, go buy and squint at a Hoth Rebel Soldier) but it's not like my eyesight is perfect anymore. She turned out very well and the sculptor got the important parts right.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDeFu81wrmCvi92vvSvjKvBTfS9-OtPYudvWdAm8A0KQbg6uErmOSMfhM74niS8Cqp47b0RwWlO_oCZnRqhcez-4yBlnEn1lszrpuPKY-w-4ZXincICp17XolZeNzK5RQ7iqwK29l4SolPu0Dhwcdw3WRhPOQUxk5z2Qwe3-4UAXqfci93-fXbMSQhrk/s1000/3105retro-sabine3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDeFu81wrmCvi92vvSvjKvBTfS9-OtPYudvWdAm8A0KQbg6uErmOSMfhM74niS8Cqp47b0RwWlO_oCZnRqhcez-4yBlnEn1lszrpuPKY-w-4ZXincICp17XolZeNzK5RQ7iqwK29l4SolPu0Dhwcdw3WRhPOQUxk5z2Qwe3-4UAXqfci93-fXbMSQhrk/w150-h200/3105retro-sabine3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Her helmet is very similar in sculpt to that of <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2022/07/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2939-bo.html">Bo-Katan Kryze [FOTD #2,939]</a>, but when you look at the sides you can tell it's not identical. This is new - and rubbery, and removable. It's a tight fit over her small head, and it also is a very tight fit if you put it on the <i>Vintage</i> figure. It feels a lot like the old Boushh helmet. I wish they did a similar removable helmet for Boba Fett, but hey, maybe they can just do a <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i> version with one. I can dream.<p></p><p>
Her articulation is on point, with 5 joints just like the originals. Everything swivels nicely, but the one thing I don't like is her weird thigh gap. More than other figures, you can see daylight where the thighs are under the torso. I assume this is a result of a talented - but new - sculptor not quite making the most of where the rotation can go, but also, I couldn't do it so maybe I'm just ignorant. When I look at figures made by actual old-school sculptors, even new "retro" ones from other manufacturers, we don't see this problem. Granted, it might not be a problem to you - I didn't notice it until I was writing this review and looked at the stock photos again. In person, I just have her standing around or sitting in ships, and she's fine.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMq62vvfvFq-nOyJj3jzRL5eyaf8rPEvLna49vhmVCIdpbbIOg1zM_UP20p0oklWNlWOX1rI5U_4OQ-CB3COqFK299eHsI1gkZl12SKPZ-1pTq2fK7zSJhJpT1KKlNx4DLBS5qwxETROSX3cAGNBHSQes6joy066eBLU3mm5zHsxGld6qxrGmxbinQ54/s1333/3105retro-sabine5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMq62vvfvFq-nOyJj3jzRL5eyaf8rPEvLna49vhmVCIdpbbIOg1zM_UP20p0oklWNlWOX1rI5U_4OQ-CB3COqFK299eHsI1gkZl12SKPZ-1pTq2fK7zSJhJpT1KKlNx4DLBS5qwxETROSX3cAGNBHSQes6joy066eBLU3mm5zHsxGld6qxrGmxbinQ54/w200-h150/3105retro-sabine5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Looking at retro product from Super7 - heck, and Hasbro - I don't know how they delivered it for this price. Four accessories in four different colors of plastic would be unheard-of back then, and it's pretty unusual now. I assume this cost a bundle, but maybe they stole Morgan Elsbeth's budget. I was hoping to find an extra of this figure at retail, but I don't think that's going to happen. She's great, unless you hate the face sculpt - which doesn't look a ton like the character - I'd recommend it. Heck, even if you don't like it, you can leave on the helmet. You've got options, and this is probably the best figure that isn't Chopper in the entire wave. What's funny - or sad - is that I'm more excited to have this figure to go in the HasLab <i>The Ghost</i> ship when it comes out later. As long as there are Kenner-style figures to match a HasLab 3 3/4-inch vehicle or playset project, I'll always buy both. If you love Kenner figures, and can deal with her not having every last correct detail, she's more than worth the retail asking price.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7305&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,105: February 6, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-40943968628486340852024-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-01T00:00:00.131-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,104: Sabine Wren (The Vintage Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrku75p1Hw5bwZC2jF6JwYTkeIPQCIQSO5p9yvmEEnTE44zLggl5xW65bnCJW0ZqfCNZZtuE4lO6hG7F5gS5fuILeSvPw2BNm9o5W4LQuB5Pu9dZLMmo3XaAqkbI_cEyvWHq87jhjF1P_1edjokrI9BgWzFOBEqK6MBuZtERBt9mjSICqWld4SEH1YVA/s1000/3104tvc-sabine-wren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrku75p1Hw5bwZC2jF6JwYTkeIPQCIQSO5p9yvmEEnTE44zLggl5xW65bnCJW0ZqfCNZZtuE4lO6hG7F5gS5fuILeSvPw2BNm9o5W4LQuB5Pu9dZLMmo3XaAqkbI_cEyvWHq87jhjF1P_1edjokrI9BgWzFOBEqK6MBuZtERBt9mjSICqWld4SEH1YVA/s320/3104tvc-sabine-wren.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>SABINE WREN</font> <i>The Live-Action One</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Vintage Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Deluxe Action Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i>No. F6881</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Lightsaber, helmet, bag, paint tool, hilt, Lothcat 2 blasters</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$27.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>November 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Sabine Wren was a Force-sensitive human female Mandalorian warrior and revolutionary leader during the Galactic Civil War against the Galactic Empire, and later a Jedi during the early years of the New Republic. (Taken from Wookieepedia, packaging has no bio.) <br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F6881&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3GRneDs"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=star+wars+vintage+sabine+wren+deluxe&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ytl9vDZDulIBFHFfF8ARuaJgDWZxuirLsEq1rRbamF0yFJqn6ZfZNVhMPpMl4UkAvk46Glp_rkJ8w7nRRo4HZDfdg1qptlcKkSTkkAGElBDHUZC9kk7fxIkHMr8UNywm66uFIHjGL93fBQhWFZbYDHX7T_mckoslm7yzL8DRX_s0voJBmNot_zbeyEg/s1000/3104tvc-sabine-wren2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ytl9vDZDulIBFHFfF8ARuaJgDWZxuirLsEq1rRbamF0yFJqn6ZfZNVhMPpMl4UkAvk46Glp_rkJ8w7nRRo4HZDfdg1qptlcKkSTkkAGElBDHUZC9kk7fxIkHMr8UNywm66uFIHjGL93fBQhWFZbYDHX7T_mckoslm7yzL8DRX_s0voJBmNot_zbeyEg/w150-h200/3104tvc-sabine-wren2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> If money is no object, then this <b>Sabine Wren</b> deluxe figure is pretty good. For the price of $27.99, this 3 3/4-inch is $3 more than the 6-inch version. What does this smaller one have going for it? Hasbro knows you'll probably pay it - also a Lothcat sidekick and a paint accessory, plus a bag. Does that make it worth $11 more than a basic <i>Vintage</i> figure, or $3 more than a better-looking 6-inch one? Or $15 more than a <i>Retro</i> one? I'd say no. But that's not what I'm supposed to do when I review a figure - I'm supposed to tell you if it's good or not, but I want to give you some unsolicited context anyway. This figure did not get wide distribution in 2023, showing up fairly few places - and despite that, she pegwarmed hard at Target. (I also saw her in-stock on Amazon.) For that reason, there may be demand even with the high price - when Hasbro says "you can't have it," fans respond "but I want it!"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vjkJqIpRG4zThvGXy92_WeCI0zI0nCFhYAcu4KNAGZEuyHqlKU44UqXcxtd0G1N1ZRYpSewAq64oAbxNEry3YL5P94SZALniwikZkTjB_WZx1dPa4vJqWsCIz6e6enT-kFJQ3ZY2OKHzIIOgfpx0VDun3UwIlAJ2Dq-H-owLq6xDSFTlbX5370rqw1U/s1000/3104tvc-sabine-wren7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vjkJqIpRG4zThvGXy92_WeCI0zI0nCFhYAcu4KNAGZEuyHqlKU44UqXcxtd0G1N1ZRYpSewAq64oAbxNEry3YL5P94SZALniwikZkTjB_WZx1dPa4vJqWsCIz6e6enT-kFJQ3ZY2OKHzIIOgfpx0VDun3UwIlAJ2Dq-H-owLq6xDSFTlbX5370rqw1U/w150-h200/3104tvc-sabine-wren7.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
She's pretty great. The <i>Retro</i> one lacks the bag or kitty, and some of the paint applications - so I can't argue that Hasbro did a mostly great job here. Her pistols fit in the holsters and have the blue and yellow highlights. The Ezra lightsaber is included, both full and just as a hilt. There's a satchel, a helmet, and a bag. The latter two accessories, I have notes - everything else is just superb. As you can see in the pictures, she has a sizable helmet that's too big. Given we've seen Bo-Katan Kryze's head as an alternate head, or just tighter helmets in general, this sort of thing just isn't OK after Hasbro (and Kenner) put four decades in removable helmets, especially at this price. Deluxe Boba Fett had two bonus Stormtrooper heads in addition to a helmet - the budget is there. Also, the bag is just a wasted opportunity for play and storage. It would be great if it had indentations on the back to store the paint gun or the spare lightsaber hilt, just so it served a function beyond "hangs there." There's nothing wrong with the accessory, but I do feel there's a lack of imagination and innovation. There's no surprise - it does what it's supposed to do, it looks how it's supposed to look, but you won't be pleasantly surprised by any of it. (Kudos, though, to putting a lot in the box. I just take away more points when there's a botched helmet or head.)<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFEDnsBlgSg2Y48wGIt65ZElAD7k5sVm7S7HijAXtei8cTV8HH6isdNu1HEeWCjrExUZt-xPJKIYgcLc1xO_OU2OKbkgdKqCUhJQQsTSEmU_4KTxvv64_DhzY_3CijH3MMenchSaQoiabzJ8_h17kNqh6Jrb93aXiFvp4MdKSpVlF4JtQd33ZSKSWTF4/s1000/3104tvc-sabine-wren8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFEDnsBlgSg2Y48wGIt65ZElAD7k5sVm7S7HijAXtei8cTV8HH6isdNu1HEeWCjrExUZt-xPJKIYgcLc1xO_OU2OKbkgdKqCUhJQQsTSEmU_4KTxvv64_DhzY_3CijH3MMenchSaQoiabzJ8_h17kNqh6Jrb93aXiFvp4MdKSpVlF4JtQd33ZSKSWTF4/w150-h200/3104tvc-sabine-wren8.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>What will be a big selling point for many is the Lothcat. You get a little kitty with a jointed neck and some nice striping, painted eyes, and creamy brown on the back. It's cute, and on par with/better than the average Grogu figure. I don't think it would be missed had Hasbro left it out and cut the price by a buck, but when it comes to accessories? They can sell a figure. I've bought Playmobil sets just because they had a dumpster, or a chainsaw, and I have no doubt that a cute kitty with beady eyes will sell some people on Sabine who would have otherwise purchased Retro or Black figures.<p></p><p>
But we haven't even talked about the figure herself! She's good. Articulation is on par with the better figures from <i>The Vintage Collection</i>, as she has a good center of gravity and doesn't necessarily tip over when you type. She has no problems holding all of her gear, which is a good thing. It's a little ridiculous to see her all geared up with both lightsabers and the giant helmet, but for those of us who bristle at storing figures apart from a figure display it's handy. The painted armor looks great, but it's not perfect. For $28 I want perfect. The lights are missing from the gauntlet, the "white" or very light gray on the helmet and armor are a few shades too dark. The head is very nice, with a purple "wig" and a likeness I assume may also be preproduction. But I could be wrong. The hair could also stand to be a few shades darker, but at least it looks like her. Hasbro could take this figure, remove some accessories, update the deco, and sell it as a cat-less, bag-free basic figure too. I think people would be excited do get her on a regular cardback.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Oa8zJ0smp2s_dPnJOhB_UcvEnTgMRVIS6kYbTFs3Zy3zkFZUM9vft7c0FE32dqMqgjMOTATT4Q7gABG4hBbpP8M7sv3Tstcg-SHZblRRy-Z-ISpz8mRCK5wte-wFbN5QpcqUxwzGXFKfyXvCkg1YqKibAnrnR2iPBdolHMnT5XSAHV1ce8SmvCgGu2c/s1333/3104tvc-sabine-wren4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Oa8zJ0smp2s_dPnJOhB_UcvEnTgMRVIS6kYbTFs3Zy3zkFZUM9vft7c0FE32dqMqgjMOTATT4Q7gABG4hBbpP8M7sv3Tstcg-SHZblRRy-Z-ISpz8mRCK5wte-wFbN5QpcqUxwzGXFKfyXvCkg1YqKibAnrnR2iPBdolHMnT5XSAHV1ce8SmvCgGu2c/w200-h150/3104tvc-sabine-wren4.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9AYLeNEjJ6mrrRcIRZZ3sFN6oyz32tvCxs9sntE3qa8ZuXoyhSYGUzMHTu2OV6i-ZAxZaAHnvZDJ7r0Yo4ikj9FR1FnBButSBKMuN8bxLk6G4ShK57oJqKttJPJRz1ua6sqED9QJ00Be1d_kJS1JgYUlSTI1WFncKImvxWGBRrD2xQCvVD7NR1CBWd4/w200-h150/3104tvc-sabine-wren3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPfMXAyetwYU_tg2yXCv6AO3ovtF6itCDabeGXofThsAsikROmRqTKzmbyovj0iV7RA_JxVpVYb2nxYcvAxXkU0zD0eU7vVlPj1sIgnUTRgo55Ok_NqJkSLAoma9Wc5rKqctraK7Htalx7PDymOU0PmQKH010VO2Xc3eWtQLj7sE3izs0yck-_8C0_7I/s1000/3104tvc-sabine-wren5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPfMXAyetwYU_tg2yXCv6AO3ovtF6itCDabeGXofThsAsikROmRqTKzmbyovj0iV7RA_JxVpVYb2nxYcvAxXkU0zD0eU7vVlPj1sIgnUTRgo55Ok_NqJkSLAoma9Wc5rKqctraK7Htalx7PDymOU0PmQKH010VO2Xc3eWtQLj7sE3izs0yck-_8C0_7I/w150-h200/3104tvc-sabine-wren5.jpg" width="150" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVydpXmE_wiBwkMjQz1PkwikAY71Y_IeKnNCeJhv8JDZJA_n9kqmQdIIikvJ3C0cYe5CHp9xQLNIxs-qi_5PZs21MgcZpeKiceCqJuAsqTDzwEVdMm5OgIKUChnG7OY19oXwov2Q0VK86s_gPm9X03EktG2N3Bh9CX9J2UD2CzYB9OFQvsy6eymBWymXc/w150-h200/3104tvc-sabine-wren6.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>If you can get this figure for a price you think is fair - be it $27.99 or on clearance - it's pretty decent, but becomes even better if it's on sale. (It was, at Target around Chrismtas.) The helmet isn't good, but everything else is perfectly nice. At $17 or less, I'd say it's essential. I appreciate that we got it somewhat close to the release of the show, but I would also like to start being annoying and demand Hasbro be allowed to have these things ready in time to launch with - or before - the show, mostly because fans can buy the figure before the show changes their minds.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from Target</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br />
<center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,104: February 1, 2024</center>
Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-34455233367215790922024-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-30T00:00:00.128-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,103: Pyke Soldier (The Black Series) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzUXbvsYiNRIltNzAO8WXy_gvQ1o1xH92yMuqWfInfMUeadeNTV323JTYlbDvFaStElYz5cWGid3xn-7iYUF3MhxB_cvCRyuGlyUSzFeR5la7ohYjjmmMtasaVWWuTae8rRY8ZXTAubjwgl6HJ_LMwWu_H-k1vsgxQvgcRYMtq3zdD7mlrBoRsvX0kz0/s1000/3103tbs-pyke-soldier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzUXbvsYiNRIltNzAO8WXy_gvQ1o1xH92yMuqWfInfMUeadeNTV323JTYlbDvFaStElYz5cWGid3xn-7iYUF3MhxB_cvCRyuGlyUSzFeR5la7ohYjjmmMtasaVWWuTae8rRY8ZXTAubjwgl6HJ_LMwWu_H-k1vsgxQvgcRYMtq3zdD7mlrBoRsvX0kz0/s320/3103tbs-pyke-soldier.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>PYKE SOLDIER</font> <i>or, Pyke Syndicate Foot Soldier</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Black Series </i>2023 Window Box Line Look The Book of Boba Fett Packaging<br />
Item No.: </b> <i>Asst. E8908 No. F9983</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#07 - Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Pistol, Rifle</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a (not even a holster)</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$24.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>December 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> During the Clone Wars, the Pykes became the galaxy's preeminent spice dealers, funneling illicit substances to Coruscant's crime families. After Jabba the Hutt's death, they expanded their spice trade to encompass Tatooine. (Taken from the box packaging.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F9983&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3TD1lPU"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=black+pyke+soldier+star&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj283l_dIhruHzHoeu1pMyibwh3ZY8KVgRAYAMFvknk4yzc7s8WfQ9lYUq4W6c2-evmrVBOcMBwgqpJNH-26c7-daq9vTn3bJjD4ErbhtLm3tzqZKTFyoB6BZEocyxrumScNK5pX15O4jLCYqNT7fs2-UlApRY1Ws9YKaj_2sqmI-vjgn3dTHCLP_FUP7g/s1000/3103tbs-pyke-soldier2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj283l_dIhruHzHoeu1pMyibwh3ZY8KVgRAYAMFvknk4yzc7s8WfQ9lYUq4W6c2-evmrVBOcMBwgqpJNH-26c7-daq9vTn3bJjD4ErbhtLm3tzqZKTFyoB6BZEocyxrumScNK5pX15O4jLCYqNT7fs2-UlApRY1Ws9YKaj_2sqmI-vjgn3dTHCLP_FUP7g/w150-h200/3103tbs-pyke-soldier2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> I can't say that the <b>Pyke Soldier</b> made a big enough of an impression for me to want a 6-inch one, but right now there aren't any 3 3/4-inch ones. We did get a very nice <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2019/01/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2550-quay.html">Quay Tolsite [FOTD #2,550]</a> in the 3 3/4-inch line, which I find to be odd because I'm probably never going to army-build at $25 a hit. What's particularly interesting is this entire wave - with Cad Bane, Mando, the Pyke, and the Tusken Chieftan - is incredibly bland in their packaging. Four black boxed figures with pale gray and green, no color or life in the dull, dull boxes. On top of that, everybody is dark, mostly brown, mostly dandy, but not at all striking if you were to encounter them on the pegs. I don't know why they went out of their way to keep the boxes so dull, but here we are - the figures don't "pop" either so hopefully they'll sell to pre-orders online.<p>
Hasbro did their typical great job with the figure, taking the sculpt and carving in some joints as competently as always. Sadly there's no special "spin" on it - if you look at promotional images, this figure looks <i>exactly</i> like it. Hasbro nailed it - he has a rifle, and he can hold it. There's also a pistol with no on-board storage, which I as a fan find frustrating as I need somewhere to put the extra parts. (Maybe tuck it in the hood next time?) He can hold either or both weapons nicely, and the level of detail is impressive. You can see some great fabric textures in his robes, the boots are about as nice as always, and the quality is what you've come to expect. I'm a little sad that there isn't more to it, because sometimes we got clever swappable heads, or face plates, or something to enhance the figure to encourage play beyond "pose figure, put on shelf, ignore" or "buy, leave in box, store." If it were 2005 we'd probably see "Quick-Draw Attack!" or "Removable Mask for Fish Reveal!" This is just me being an old man - because in my day, for about 3 years, these things had actual honest-to-goodness play features. Not so anymore! Fun is for the weak! You don't want to be seen as a <i>toy</i> company if you're selling to adults, I guess.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuOxf4R-_j38vqfUXvuHiaoj0SvkoWW-dZcii-K8dQ4XEyzKK0DSUPOqjZAYjPIWg3YMcrRavZWM_GBMeZsF5xuM8bTZD6-RozQn5hyphenhyphenddGuJ1o-gnTrAEgzjOHZComgCloRiFlBMmWOxHfB9rO_X_Ebeqi9sgvxrmNaol33epyOF-BZiEbJR_EwdWALY/s1333/3103tbs-pyke-soldier3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuOxf4R-_j38vqfUXvuHiaoj0SvkoWW-dZcii-K8dQ4XEyzKK0DSUPOqjZAYjPIWg3YMcrRavZWM_GBMeZsF5xuM8bTZD6-RozQn5hyphenhyphenddGuJ1o-gnTrAEgzjOHZComgCloRiFlBMmWOxHfB9rO_X_Ebeqi9sgvxrmNaol33epyOF-BZiEbJR_EwdWALY/w200-h150/3103tbs-pyke-soldier3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>At least the engineering is good, with big boots keeping him upright and preventing him from toppling over while I type. That happens with surprising frequency, so when someone is sturdy, and poses easily, and stands well, and looks exactly like it should, that's wonderful. Short of stitching in some play fun features, or maybe adding a spray of dusting on the boots (which, at $25, they could've done) I don't think Hasbro could do better here. The pins on the tunic are great, the head texture is marvelous and the first really good look I've had at the back of the masks. I would love a removable mask, but heads are expensive so you get your one head and that's it. If you think you want one of these guys, I can tell you the one I got is well-built and has a great clicky joint mid-torso that allows him to ab-crunch and swivel with the best of them.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vs7JyOFgyEE0XCfbj2fDPAeAN-mTN8Zk7VypKnDFcLoP2UnMkwFRQUVA_FUXfONJ0pUC5XcoeU_DcJ9hcN-nT3w9UXTLO79KIFR-JjC0Sb6ZlXNCApN6OBkkkFdOHIrfZuxt3Os6JB6oyNoC9uBAV7dAlQV4dvnHrIiX2VnmkspWiWzvolsVqdpbbYg/s1000/3103tbs-pyke-soldier4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vs7JyOFgyEE0XCfbj2fDPAeAN-mTN8Zk7VypKnDFcLoP2UnMkwFRQUVA_FUXfONJ0pUC5XcoeU_DcJ9hcN-nT3w9UXTLO79KIFR-JjC0Sb6ZlXNCApN6OBkkkFdOHIrfZuxt3Os6JB6oyNoC9uBAV7dAlQV4dvnHrIiX2VnmkspWiWzvolsVqdpbbYg/w150-h200/3103tbs-pyke-soldier4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>My token complaint anyway: I wish it was <i>Vintage</i> or <i>Epic</i> or <i>Retro</i> so I could buy more, and I also wish Disney and Lucasfilm would stop pretending spoilers matter to fans. I don't mean "oh no they ruined the twist" spoilers, but this is a company that had Han Solo in the trailer for <i>The Force Awakens</i>, as well as Leia confirmed in it, but kept toys off the market (and skipped some entirely.) It's five years later, and we still don't have Old Man Maul from <i>Solo</i>. There's nothing about the Pykes that would have ruined the plot of <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i>, and if Disney or Hasbro or Lucasfilm are watching, please pull whoever's head is in the mud out and tell them to put stuff on-shelf day-and-date with the new shows. Or better yet - before. People bought Zuvio before they knew who he was. Mando was sold out before that show aired, and it took forever to catch up. People really do like buying figures early and letting their imaginations soar, and you'll get a second boost when they see and like the show. Hopefully you'll have stuff ready and on-shelf for <i>The Acolyte</i> and <i>Skeleton Crew</i>. I assume it's too late for <i>The Bad Batch Season 3</i> at this point. You can hide things like Grogu - that was a good surprise - but anything in the teasers, the trailers, the first episode (or first act), just make the toys already. We want to love this stuff, but with no toys, no guide books, we have no physical manifestation to memorize and it certainly makes it much harder to learn names or get into the shows. All I'm asking for is to give you my money before I know I don't (or do) like the show. (I like this one a lot, and I'm mid-rewatch as I write the review.)<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F9983&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br />
Day 3,103: January 30, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-83636082157656922442024-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-25T00:00:00.134-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,102: R4-X2<p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQjkxZRVUfI0ZDJOy4WojIN1TNTyZ3rByprPS6TF105-QA9vfYLuPSv1PCiu2ZXib6sDPgkg48NemNoHEVp_ZeK2JA5ZmgJj-ccTlq8NaMa08D81J9s7v8s8vlT3yeZ4s8fXiJ0N9kfoBmhRFCw3ekil14kFgrOLGb6vlrfQVdVpel7xwARwKe70CnD0/s1000/3102df-r2-x2-r2x2-astromech-droid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQjkxZRVUfI0ZDJOy4WojIN1TNTyZ3rByprPS6TF105-QA9vfYLuPSv1PCiu2ZXib6sDPgkg48NemNoHEVp_ZeK2JA5ZmgJj-ccTlq8NaMa08D81J9s7v8s8vlT3yeZ4s8fXiJ0N9kfoBmhRFCw3ekil14kFgrOLGb6vlrfQVdVpel7xwARwKe70CnD0/s320/3102df-r2-x2-r2x2-astromech-droid.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">R4-X2 </font> <i>with Y5-X2</i></b><br />
<b><i>Star Wars </i> Droid Factory<br />
Item No.: </b><i>???</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Disney</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>R4-X2 and Y5-X2 figures</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Comes apart</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$19.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>ca. Fall 2017</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>The Last Jedi</i><p></p><p><b>Bio:</b> All different types of astromech droid populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors. These Resistance droids are assigned to the main cruiser of the embattled Resistance forces. May the Force be with you... and your droids! (Taken from the packaging)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=r4+x2+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY0pVWaL1r3G37X6T4HOeV5yGU7SMf3Hfy1nTlE9DfiyVAi1paxq_pmM3iva3w8nJYEwIRBKnUkS9mihUwGRJ0hK6VpFmnT6Q_0FjyOuT03vYd30Dxng2hhP_QZ36_xXecWO5av699-isb5UQmyboRueSWHcV4t_4NrD7dZF7ca3K3Cus2k_mmQPQ9p4/s1000/3102df-r2-x2-r2x2-astromech-droid2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrY0pVWaL1r3G37X6T4HOeV5yGU7SMf3Hfy1nTlE9DfiyVAi1paxq_pmM3iva3w8nJYEwIRBKnUkS9mihUwGRJ0hK6VpFmnT6Q_0FjyOuT03vYd30Dxng2hhP_QZ36_xXecWO5av699-isb5UQmyboRueSWHcV4t_4NrD7dZF7ca3K3Cus2k_mmQPQ9p4/w150-h200/3102df-r2-x2-r2x2-astromech-droid2.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> I got too many droids, and also, there are a few I infuriatingly was not able to get. But I did get the very nice <b>R4-X2</b>, which riffs on R2-X2 from the original film. Because you apparently can't trust your lying eyes, that droid was originally made as a black figure, but later as a dark green figure, and subsequently this fella and Y5-X2 were made in a similar style using the Disney droid molds... which were based on Hasbro molds.<p></p><p>
One of the reasons I didn't open this set until last month was a lack of curiosity - there were no new parts and I mistakenly thought they were pretty straightforward repaints. Not so! The body is very similar to R2-X2, with black and silver painted elements. The dome looks very late-1980s, with green block patterns that remind me of the Industrial Automaton logo. The nice addition that really struck me was the Resistance logo on the front and back of the dome, which is something we just usually never see. Ziro had a droid with a faction symbol, and it's <i>possible</i> R2-X2 did too (I haven't seen reference photos from behind of the actual prop), I don't remember another droid with this symbol on it. It's kind of funny you'd think it would be a handy tool for subterfuge. A Stormtrooper could just roll one of these in a Rebel base and hope nobody asks any questions. If you can paint Chopper black, who's to say it won't work?</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX92BSARlZLf3tCAqqCioCmU6__6mv_bPssoRC1LwzZDkwx8UN-xFhu6MNQ5S_lQbnHPENGcoO9ONESydQPAhj8F3elINzyN9xwmNv9wrLf1-yVfndEezlYdMTUKx0_uBrTGki_5LjKYzQ1B1L3wmW8SeVtN_kHWEYbCYVkbHuziAV8BiwLKBOsL90bv4/s1000/3102df-r2-x2-r2x2-astromech-droid3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX92BSARlZLf3tCAqqCioCmU6__6mv_bPssoRC1LwzZDkwx8UN-xFhu6MNQ5S_lQbnHPENGcoO9ONESydQPAhj8F3elINzyN9xwmNv9wrLf1-yVfndEezlYdMTUKx0_uBrTGki_5LjKYzQ1B1L3wmW8SeVtN_kHWEYbCYVkbHuziAV8BiwLKBOsL90bv4/w150-h200/3102df-r2-x2-r2x2-astromech-droid3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>The dome is white plastic with green detailing, plus silver and black elements. There's a lot going on here, so it's interesting to look at and, for better or for worse, one of the more exciting figures from that movie. (Hasbro's line gave us a few new faces and also some very samey figures.) I like this one, although after seven year it is notable that the sequel trilogy's sophomore installment hasn't been expanded on in merchandising much, and the entire saga sort of just flailed around and avoided making new and interesting ships and playsets. It would be nice to have a place to put this figure, which is the only real knock I have against it. You don't own a Resistance capital ship, therefore you likely have no need for figures to fill one out.<p></p><p>
The price of this set just makes my head hurt - they sold us two droids for $20 back then, and now it's one for $15. (Back then it was one for $13.) At its original price this set was a great - if obscure - pairing, and while arguably not <i>exciting</i> with two nearly identical droids, at least you felt like you got your money's worth. Prices have gone up on this set, but it's charming.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine in 2017 and I'm pretty sure my pal Shannon picked it up for me - but it's been in my "to open" pile for seven years! Well, thanks Shannon.<br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,102: January 25, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-1831379269022962472024-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-23T00:00:00.140-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,101: Boba Fett (Dune Sea, The Retro Collection) <p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_j-L_d9EoJ_u7phlcmUsSSCzlRjbskqn5GWidIRR_XrW0ThvYYP60g3JmkmFeOvbje5GYdI7eFwelEwfS_pYgwYqH-LQ08rXtTPuAOnwItWYFYNASAqgwbcKIzPfKwOFPDlz8zRUXLatJ8Y2ruo9ZNSXCYVqnmVe9Bfb1MZBVZ7245UJiN3iMQUIcHw/s1000/3101retro-boba-bobf-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_j-L_d9EoJ_u7phlcmUsSSCzlRjbskqn5GWidIRR_XrW0ThvYYP60g3JmkmFeOvbje5GYdI7eFwelEwfS_pYgwYqH-LQ08rXtTPuAOnwItWYFYNASAqgwbcKIzPfKwOFPDlz8zRUXLatJ8Y2ruo9ZNSXCYVqnmVe9Bfb1MZBVZ7245UJiN3iMQUIcHw/s320/3101retro-boba-bobf-tn.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">BOBA FETT</font> <i> (Dune Sea)</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Retro Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i> Asst. F6874 No. F8564</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Rifle, Gaffi Stick, Robe</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Removable cloak</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$11.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>December 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a galaxy far, far away. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F8564&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4axN1hJ"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=retro+boba+fett+dune+sea+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqncmSyOYvApNL8ofnMYVKWMidUzIju_qDe5MgFN3UsUr2hzJBZSLn136_JwLRlM8ORisyFCloxL7cNeZHW1H5EGD47r1PXta2Fh3Vy7-Eseq48kSuHE-D6qui4FEDgoJMdf72mRdKMG6BMl2Zmcbn93WIs8i95Xvm4qCYKzhedBN7JqoZg6aTZ5qy03E/s1000/3101retro-boba-bobf2-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqncmSyOYvApNL8ofnMYVKWMidUzIju_qDe5MgFN3UsUr2hzJBZSLn136_JwLRlM8ORisyFCloxL7cNeZHW1H5EGD47r1PXta2Fh3Vy7-Eseq48kSuHE-D6qui4FEDgoJMdf72mRdKMG6BMl2Zmcbn93WIs8i95Xvm4qCYKzhedBN7JqoZg6aTZ5qy03E/w150-h200/3101retro-boba-bobf2-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> It's funny to think that other than Krrsantan (a comic book character), every figure in this wave previously appeared in a small-screen <i>Star Wars</i> series. Heck, <b>Boba Fett (Dune Sea)</b> appeared in (and was sold as a figure from) <i>The Mandalorian</i> already, so it's interesting to see Hasbro take two years put out what a wave of mostly <i>The Mandalorian</i> characters for a <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i> wave. It's not a bad wave at all, and it's really telling that with this Dune Sea version - after a Prototype, regular version, and Morak re-armored version - Boba Fett technically has more figures than Han Solo and Princess Leia in <i>The Retro Collection</i>. Heck, if Hasbro had the desire they could keep it going with <i>Empire Strikes Back</i> deco, white proto armor deco, Holiday Special/Droids cartoon deco, and even proper <i>The Book of Boba Fett</i> revised armor. And he'd sell.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO3ayb1W4ztO2yTgAjfQq9YcSNZwiTgUBY9I-YtTtGCUVkqsySUB-f52CbkMu2syRbFU_hkYukjlFhbuGAIZp-RWKtx11jh4LLQ570yawBdHc9XXk1v-cztk8UOH3MLFs7-N9Fr2LWoTOwyX1EY8srTWPMvhjKlUfNxk-KJDutcx0OY1gAJYJkHJZQ3k/s1000/3101retro-boba-bobf3-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO3ayb1W4ztO2yTgAjfQq9YcSNZwiTgUBY9I-YtTtGCUVkqsySUB-f52CbkMu2syRbFU_hkYukjlFhbuGAIZp-RWKtx11jh4LLQ570yawBdHc9XXk1v-cztk8UOH3MLFs7-N9Fr2LWoTOwyX1EY8srTWPMvhjKlUfNxk-KJDutcx0OY1gAJYJkHJZQ3k/w150-h200/3101retro-boba-bobf3-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Upon reveal Hasbro seemed to take care to obfuscate the plastic figure under the cloth robes, which feel similar to that of the Jawa. They look nice, but have a giant hood like a lot of the older Jedi figures. It's a good accessory, and Hasbro should be lauded for it. The rifle seems to be an all-new one, and the gaffi stick is basically the same 1978 Kenner one we all know and love. (If you don't know it and love it, go get some Kenner figures.) Much like the bulk of the old line, none of these accessories are painted. it's kind of amazing to have a Kenner Boba Fett figure that has exactly zero elements of the classic 1979 Boba Fett figure.<p></p><p>
Boba seems to be all new tooling, but in this era of digital sculpting you can see some shared digital sculpting elements with <a href="https://figureoftheday.blogspot.com/2022/06/star-wars-figure-of-day-day-2935-boba.html">Boba Fett (Morak) [FOTD #2,935]</a>. The legs are incredibly similar, retaining the holster loop for a blaster that isn't included - but they removed the knee pads. The sleeves seem to share similar wrinkles to the elbows of that figure too, but the hands and gloves are new. The scarf-like neck also shares elements with the Morak figure, but the shoulders have deeper grooves and, of course, no pauldrons. To top him off, his all-new head actually looks a lot like Temuera Morrison... just a little botoxed out. Very subtle traces of scars seem to be left - maybe it's my imagination - but everything got just a little too smoothed out. His expression looks right, and his eyes seem appropriately old-Kenner-esque.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0Vz5NW1m0imWtFBrnLhmqUbeL3bJrwnNlsJPke4okyfCWeb4xAkzrK1CSZzgHRJfN69SLAqkN1Xab4jcHsgFmmv-n2WIdplOdIohLSQGWNzp_kqOhpPE6MkVxcrsJpfIlbO4HxvcCS_vdCXxT02AHeQcXuPuYeRYoYixiQ_lfXpqjM88TWWMkygV5Xo/s1000/3101retro-boba-bobf4-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0Vz5NW1m0imWtFBrnLhmqUbeL3bJrwnNlsJPke4okyfCWeb4xAkzrK1CSZzgHRJfN69SLAqkN1Xab4jcHsgFmmv-n2WIdplOdIohLSQGWNzp_kqOhpPE6MkVxcrsJpfIlbO4HxvcCS_vdCXxT02AHeQcXuPuYeRYoYixiQ_lfXpqjM88TWWMkygV5Xo/w150-h200/3101retro-boba-bobf4-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>This is not the figure I expected - I was assuming we'd get a new version based on his revised armor, or the white prison suit, not the Tusken garb. (Memo to Hasbro: I would like to buy those other costumes, too.) I was excited to see how he looked under the robe, and I was not disappointed. Hasbro did a nice job with the texture on the torso, but weirdly, the rest of him looks a little smoothed out. (Before Maul was revealed, I was wondering if they would share parts. I'm glad to say they don't.) Whoever did the soft goods really gets how to do them correctly, but I would've loved to see a bend in the elbow or a slightly different posture on the plastic figure. But I'm nitpicking - Hasbro did a job that's consistent with the rest of the line, so if you like those I expect you'll like this too. As a younger fan I was obsessed with the stories and concepts fo the unmade post-<i>The Power of the Force</i> toy line that never came to be, particularly with things like a Bantha (which would still be nice) or Grand Moff Tarkin (which we got in 2019.) A "Boba Fett that survived" figure (TWO of them, at that) would have been a lot of fun back then. I'm a lot older now, but the figure is just so much fun to play with and shows that (at least to me) style and personality go a long way. My <i>The Vintage Collection</i> nomad Boba is in a display case... but this one? We've been having fun. I just wish we could have another wave of thees guys.<p></p><p>
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNUO4ofUyoMFjBJvV6yE86QuudpqHJdKy3MLRRYZiXTuKyY8vKoJR6-QFIpcxMWD_JkbHy8YP-04kLUblSKk-XZHeyJ_QKw-V2lK0gAhI6pv_vwLwNik7Fnkgs1UsZmI-RX4-Ld3sFR89h8mORcaNxZ8vGtZ4q5o3hJmOKRDM7Q8yn92O1QcKzY8xE-Y/s1000/3101retro-boba-bobf5-tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNUO4ofUyoMFjBJvV6yE86QuudpqHJdKy3MLRRYZiXTuKyY8vKoJR6-QFIpcxMWD_JkbHy8YP-04kLUblSKk-XZHeyJ_QKw-V2lK0gAhI6pv_vwLwNik7Fnkgs1UsZmI-RX4-Ld3sFR89h8mORcaNxZ8vGtZ4q5o3hJmOKRDM7Q8yn92O1QcKzY8xE-Y/w150-h200/3101retro-boba-bobf5-tn.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Vehicle Notes:</b> I think I'll start doing these for Retro as appropriate. Boba Fett (Dune Sea) can fit in the original and <i>Shadows of the Empire</i> Kenner <i>Slave I</i> pilot seats. He does fit nicely in the <i>Attack of the Clones/OTC</i> model. He is too thicc to fit in the pilot's seat clips of the XL <i>The Clone Wars</i> and <i>The Vintage Collection</i> version - it spits him right out. He fits just fine in the 2012-2015 "Saga Legends/Mission Series" mini version of the <i>Slave I</i>.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F8564&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>Unsolicited Wish to Hasbro:</b> I would love to see more figures from this series. For example: the R0 droid drummer, a new or reissued Max Rebo, the Rancor Keeper, a revised Boba Fett with the new costume (and removable helmet?), Cobb Vanth, Lortha Peel, more Tuskens... I could go on. Everything about this show looks like a fun toy. I'd also love a Retro Bantha.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,101: January 23, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-46870530846721256282024-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-18T00:00:00.139-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,100: Pre Vizsla (The Vintage Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5xhgDN4MS7E4EVdN5JrTPqwif7w3fA_SEs9qMYHgoX-vzKFh9vs6MdYR5UjT4QbOVePdMjJh7k8f4a6wyyL0dEiReKgQUPzGiEmrp5lbnHZSjGUIA_m54K25hltZUYhs5qqSIZKhrncH1gssaFgpdHMmWGWSMRg_M4mf_TPgSlLUp1o31sAuYZuWiQw/s1000/3100tvc-pre-vizsla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5xhgDN4MS7E4EVdN5JrTPqwif7w3fA_SEs9qMYHgoX-vzKFh9vs6MdYR5UjT4QbOVePdMjJh7k8f4a6wyyL0dEiReKgQUPzGiEmrp5lbnHZSjGUIA_m54K25hltZUYhs5qqSIZKhrncH1gssaFgpdHMmWGWSMRg_M4mf_TPgSlLUp1o31sAuYZuWiQw/s320/3100tvc-pre-vizsla.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>PRE VIZSLA</font> <i>The Smaller One</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Vintage Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i>Asst. F6878 No. F7319</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#299</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Darksaber, helmet, rocket pack, 2 blasters</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$16.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>October 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: The Clone Wars</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Pre Vizsla was governor of Concordia, a moon of Mandalore, during the Clone Wars. Behind closed doors, the led Death Watch, a secret group of commandos seeking control of Mandalore. (Taken from the figure's cardback.) <br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7319&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3REowrB"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=star+wars+vintage+pre_vizsla&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBdC2QqGHN-XWuvsf7KPVn_IUPxCLLI3xzMZqwuE0qH6iJILFITGK-RFt3RrDTzVKVFTJN6qZav_tHCbHiE37jNgmIoR1_LlfBxPejAJ_pWTSB6rGqs-c3jw7LRtvSH3kmu75KLXM5yQD5-LzjP7J5ozsIk6tNuFdb8bAPtFY1GLIziX1QUUevKbuGzU/s1000/3100tvc-pre-vizsla2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBdC2QqGHN-XWuvsf7KPVn_IUPxCLLI3xzMZqwuE0qH6iJILFITGK-RFt3RrDTzVKVFTJN6qZav_tHCbHiE37jNgmIoR1_LlfBxPejAJ_pWTSB6rGqs-c3jw7LRtvSH3kmu75KLXM5yQD5-LzjP7J5ozsIk6tNuFdb8bAPtFY1GLIziX1QUUevKbuGzU/w150-h200/3100tvc-pre-vizsla2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> I'm writing up <b>Pre Vizsla</b> about a month before this goes live, and as I do Amazon's got him in stock for retail price. That's usually a sign that there is too much product in the marketplace - which is a shame, it's a good figure. He's got a lot of stuff in the box (especially compared to the new deluxe Jango Fett), and while I hesitate to say "it's a great price" it's certainly similar in deco and features to a deluxe figure. (Admittedly, the blast effects are replaced by the Darksaber, and I'd say that's a fair trade for an $8 discount.) Fans have wanted a 3 3/4-inch scale version of this character since he appeared in the cartoon, and I would argue he's worth the wait.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1Ch-Ls-9x-BEDG168a7aO-Iu0epeIqpu8P-QkzS_HQwcU34lV64bTovunc819F0i9Cd6d2UQgDr_Na1pR9zLkXwsYmdTb-HHhUrcYOgeuDrZO3rofj3kel6P-02UjMHAuXrgabPlAIsLtCjv7I_53uM9PPL6o8gD4wlW0N1qJQ_8dAfLOBVqcKZ-W10/s1000/3100tvc-pre-vizsla3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1Ch-Ls-9x-BEDG168a7aO-Iu0epeIqpu8P-QkzS_HQwcU34lV64bTovunc819F0i9Cd6d2UQgDr_Na1pR9zLkXwsYmdTb-HHhUrcYOgeuDrZO3rofj3kel6P-02UjMHAuXrgabPlAIsLtCjv7I_53uM9PPL6o8gD4wlW0N1qJQ_8dAfLOBVqcKZ-W10/w150-h200/3100tvc-pre-vizsla3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Mr. Insurrectionist reuses parts of previously released <i>The Vintage Collection</i> Mando figures, which makes sense - the cartoon did the same to keep animation budgets reasonable. The head, helmet, backpack, and belt are new, as is the deco. He stands well, holds his accessories, and has exceptionally good detail. I like the limited damage on the armor, and the helmet looks really cool. There's not a lot of new sculpting, but everything seems to fit together pretty nicely. I especially like the head - this smaller one looks a smidgen better than the 6-inch scale one. He's just a little more gaunt, and the scruff is a smidgen lighter. Could it be better? Maybe - but it's super impressive to see such scowling, many dark bags under the eyes, the scars, and the distinctive cranky glare of the character. It looks like he could talk to you.<p></p><p>
The accessories are good. There are two blasters which fit in his holsters or hands. The helmet is nice and has those distinctive Death Watch markings on the forehead, plus a glossy visor. The Darksaber is particularly nice, with that great white crackle deco on the black blade. The only thing I don't like is the jet pack - the peg is a little loose in the back hole. I would have preferred a more snug, secure fit.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BmA-xwnrLjcbMZ1JND2HKA2VRH-fpXo3A3eQkzu2wdkmGHvVNXIXTw6IUa0CUY6D1XdBwaqoC0yctA9_OGNIFEM1CPOJ8jNRwnXu2fwQ2JtmOV20NbMuaF22KjPvHTXgMjs3XTSlJZChdQS_-8BlQW3se99THVX9SWZGWlazzISFrAQ1L_8yLi6rvC8/s1000/3100tvc-pre-vizsla4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BmA-xwnrLjcbMZ1JND2HKA2VRH-fpXo3A3eQkzu2wdkmGHvVNXIXTw6IUa0CUY6D1XdBwaqoC0yctA9_OGNIFEM1CPOJ8jNRwnXu2fwQ2JtmOV20NbMuaF22KjPvHTXgMjs3XTSlJZChdQS_-8BlQW3se99THVX9SWZGWlazzISFrAQ1L_8yLi6rvC8/w150-h200/3100tvc-pre-vizsla4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>If you're still buying figures from outside the movie(s) of your choice, this is a good one. With an amazing and tiny portrait plus subtle red lights on his jetpack and gauntlet, Hasbro did a good job here. Compared to other basic figures, for a redeco/retool, they did a really nice job. The timing is confusing, but I'm happy that he exists in the size I like best. I hope they do some more figures from his arc, as the slow, slow drip of Maul and other Mando Commandos has been welcome - but when you spread these things out over several years, I don't think Hasbro gets credit for building the group. At least they're going to get credit for making a really good figure and making enough of it so you can get it at retail price.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7319&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,100: January 18, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-3994865015587276602024-01-16T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-16T00:00:00.134-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,099: Marrok (The Black Series) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyp2qBhC_jDG1KbTEREVFOQZGULZqzR3EhonGEjBex9FfbJ_7NcMNLNnUwzzrBMuYWIrcPgF_b8GKvd3cqj5YOMrV7g6AaOXjazb5S97vN0Ronse80F-Og5oaqxljYW_gzkVyDsxPzlAyI7YVkHF3EwzKE1u1pqeoM9KzPk53pZzQALg-q52s41MPwi0/s1000/3099tbs-marrok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyp2qBhC_jDG1KbTEREVFOQZGULZqzR3EhonGEjBex9FfbJ_7NcMNLNnUwzzrBMuYWIrcPgF_b8GKvd3cqj5YOMrV7g6AaOXjazb5S97vN0Ronse80F-Og5oaqxljYW_gzkVyDsxPzlAyI7YVkHF3EwzKE1u1pqeoM9KzPk53pZzQALg-q52s41MPwi0/s320/3099tbs-marrok.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>MARROK</font> <i>Nobody expects the Imperial inquisition</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Black Series </i>2023 Window Box Line Look Ahsoka Packaging<br />
Item No.: </b> <i>Asst. E8908 No. F7111</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#08 - Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Lightsaber, cape</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Lightsaber has removable blades</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$24.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>October 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka follows former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. (Taken from the box packaging.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7111&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3GF3lPW"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=black+marrok+star&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1f_85LZc-UeDEYF9RgnHMcu_i5sNejyPDq_uQJGYQJIWfDhTW6aM9vhP9uOyZEW6avDjvCQJZiqnkJtddZEqlMe26uW0nxFbR6EhCUbg8pbOOBeAsmcPYNsg_D3ZIIJ1jbmeGQYu-O1omqLwytFBex5w16HB9a9dX1a83OwrOd_K_gjGVohbVSk76xQ/s1000/3099tbs-marrok2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1f_85LZc-UeDEYF9RgnHMcu_i5sNejyPDq_uQJGYQJIWfDhTW6aM9vhP9uOyZEW6avDjvCQJZiqnkJtddZEqlMe26uW0nxFbR6EhCUbg8pbOOBeAsmcPYNsg_D3ZIIJ1jbmeGQYu-O1omqLwytFBex5w16HB9a9dX1a83OwrOd_K_gjGVohbVSk76xQ/w150-h200/3099tbs-marrok2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> You can't trust a man what's made of gas, and <b>Marrok</b> is no exception. Maybe he's a man in armor who was powered by magic and exploded! Or maybe he was some sort of enchanted armor with no man. What we know is we didn't see much, a refreshing and odd mystery in an era of <i>Star Wars</i> where we're used to things being over-explained. The figure made it to shelves pretty quickly after the <i>Ahsoka</i> show aired and odds are we won't be seeing this ex-Inquisitor again. He has a familiar half-blade lightsaber that looks like the one Reva carried, he has a cloth cape, and he looks sort of like a classic knight in armor. The name Marrok also calls back to a knight of Arthurian tale with a warwilf connection. Dave Filoni strikes again.<p>
To my eye, the character comes off as a spooky, rusty set of ghost armor like you saw on Scooby-Doo cartoons. Pop culture junkies more or less knew his deal without a word, just because the design is familiar enough that we almost instinctually know what the deal is here... despite not knowing it at all. The figure meets the typical milestones for a 6-inch figure, with a peg on his hilt to store behind his neck and the normal articulation. After smooth joints on many figures, this one is very stuff - you can feel a hard push with each stage of movement on his knees. I'm not crazy about it. But he is sturdy, he stands well, and he poses nicely. You can't complain about the range of movement on his elbows, but you can complain his hands are incredibly stiff and that this makes it difficult for him to hold his lightsaber, particularly with that obtrusive peg poking out the middle. It's just unpleasant accessory/figure interaction.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiAeiyZ1hq4cixKNNTNgiyE59BtuOuYLitT6TKIMjer0rneL1mH4Vfe9qcXkilyEkFLccEZrTqDzaNaBHroOPpqRiiwQaiUazKz7uj1WsD9sagy0Pdu9mcAFVi4BK2sZ23GLg4QmM1KhiKf7F0gTO5TS3rP5BhhmbNPL2iNWvjiLOMGcb04IICTbU1vY/s1000/3099tbs-marrok3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiAeiyZ1hq4cixKNNTNgiyE59BtuOuYLitT6TKIMjer0rneL1mH4Vfe9qcXkilyEkFLccEZrTqDzaNaBHroOPpqRiiwQaiUazKz7uj1WsD9sagy0Pdu9mcAFVi4BK2sZ23GLg4QmM1KhiKf7F0gTO5TS3rP5BhhmbNPL2iNWvjiLOMGcb04IICTbU1vY/w150-h200/3099tbs-marrok3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>In terms of sculpting, the figure looks like what you saw on screen. The suit has some pointy shoulders, some Vader-esque armor lights, and has some nice dirt and rust. It looks like something that belongs in a museum. Given Hasbro probably had about zero idea what his deal was, this format captured his general vibe pretty well. He's just a quiet thug with a nice cape that hangs over his shoulder, in the background, and generally doesn't make a big fuss about things. A figure like this can be hard to nitpick in terms of sculpt given the lack of really good photos of the real costume, but it seems to match publicity photos well. The armored parts do seem a little light, and the plastic doesn't quite seem to have a hard metal look. The lighter gray seems to let a little light in, which sadly makes it look more like an action figure than a little replica.<p></p><p>
If you liked the Fifth Brother, he's very much like that. He gets the job done, the peg on his lightsaber is just awful, the colors are mostly there, and he's a neat Imperial bad guy. Like so many figures, Hasbro did a good job with the expected level of articulation, but there's nothing here that takes it to the next level. Fans of this format should mostly enjoy how this figure was done, and the material used for the cape seems very good for the size. I'm also happy for fans of this particular costume - if Hasbro didn't have it out before we all saw the show, I assume he'd probably never be made as an action figure. This is why it's sometimes important to have stuff out <i>before</i> the series or movie, otherwise we'd never get a Zuvio.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7111&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br />
Day 3,099: January 16, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-5885080971163099652024-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-11T00:00:00.305-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,098: C1 Droid (Advent Calendar 2022) <p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8Nl_bycSNlv1Bepp6Lhb_qbK9eLHJOPy4clYQyDywH2npNkkN-OKP65k5pzBrRvOwQC9F4H7feDl7dk5llrXrA8nAn3rxJmz8c_cC63qdpwjPJ-aBDwmJdy-axuZudDeMdCe-9uhVzfWu1ITSLA3Fs1q2Ox2bqe5xSrSQVBuBGm8wYfV_gooQr2qL1k/s1000/3098df-c1-advent-astromech-droid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8Nl_bycSNlv1Bepp6Lhb_qbK9eLHJOPy4clYQyDywH2npNkkN-OKP65k5pzBrRvOwQC9F4H7feDl7dk5llrXrA8nAn3rxJmz8c_cC63qdpwjPJ-aBDwmJdy-axuZudDeMdCe-9uhVzfWu1ITSLA3Fs1q2Ox2bqe5xSrSQVBuBGm8wYfV_gooQr2qL1k/s320/3098df-c1-advent-astromech-droid.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">C1 DROID </font> <i>Droid Cosplay</i></b><br />
<b><i>Star Wars </i> Droid Factory<br />
Item No.: </b><i>???</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Disney</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Silver BB droid, Nutcracker R5 droid, Gold R4 droid, Giftwrapped Power Droid with bow, Elf R6 Droid with hat, C1 droid</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Comes apart</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$69.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>August 2022</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>n/a</i><p></p><p><b>Bio:</b> All different types of astromech droid populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors. Open up the Sandcrawler to reveal and build 6 new droids to celebrate along with them for 25 days this season. May the Force be with you... and your droids!" This droid is optimized to function in the sparsely settled, unspoiled frontier world of Vandor. Join R6-SNO on their adventures throughout the galaxy! (Taken from the packaging. Yes, the one quotation mark and reference to R6-SNO, who is not included, was on the box in three languages.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=droid+advent+calendar+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D20jLp2AQ-SUZZ9uOpGPcfczSDw1jg7ytytHiBiEyMQ7MyyoiT6zRcWS327mAvuvzlEvOWNQ1tM_xTaEomJTORovxDA2JlB7sZer_3w3Xs6fvyHB0ZQlFjcm9YM4FPbuB8TXCyViRSwwhXlQQ5_tDu8dk2i_XiXQpvwdrK7Z9Pn5e6Dn0RyDAzJZVJw/s1000/3098df-c1-advent-astromech-droid2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8D20jLp2AQ-SUZZ9uOpGPcfczSDw1jg7ytytHiBiEyMQ7MyyoiT6zRcWS327mAvuvzlEvOWNQ1tM_xTaEomJTORovxDA2JlB7sZer_3w3Xs6fvyHB0ZQlFjcm9YM4FPbuB8TXCyViRSwwhXlQQ5_tDu8dk2i_XiXQpvwdrK7Z9Pn5e6Dn0RyDAzJZVJw/w150-h200/3098df-c1-advent-astromech-droid2.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> One of the fun things about growing up - which, for better or worse, some of you got to see in real-time - was that I (and you!) get to learn things. Back in the 1990s, toy collecting was a lot of fun because the lines weren't too big, and there were plenty of reference books or people you could ping somewhere to explain something to you, and now there's a bazillion web site reviews with photos of this Advent Calendar <b>C1 Droid</b> that don't actually say what he's supposed to be. A yellow, white, and black dome with brown "shoes", yellow "suspenders," and green "pants" make me think Chopper is dressed up as an elf, but maybe he's supposed to be some other thing. My Christmas pop culture knowledge more or less stops in the 1990s, so anything that came later (Elf on the Shelf) I know because I saw it in a bookstore, or in Toys R Us, or some other retail sighting. But if it was in a Rankin-Bass special, I'd probably get it. And it's not the Great Ak.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3Ay3oiRvC88PobzWGzpls_mQecFsEcnXDYCjio08ZjP85qo-v8hYN14ipKXj5p4ARbMksQXni2eTfP7m9kPuwhXeI44nycXB-lHZ4WggGhXZb_ZUWswkF6dwANrm3EsCzBih4pWYMXDThiW2hQ8Rxa9AmHs8J8X_INlOgffKTeU9VeNr7XrDeAAdhuE/s1000/3098df-c1-advent-astromech-droid3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3Ay3oiRvC88PobzWGzpls_mQecFsEcnXDYCjio08ZjP85qo-v8hYN14ipKXj5p4ARbMksQXni2eTfP7m9kPuwhXeI44nycXB-lHZ4WggGhXZb_ZUWswkF6dwANrm3EsCzBih4pWYMXDThiW2hQ8Rxa9AmHs8J8X_INlOgffKTeU9VeNr7XrDeAAdhuE/w150-h200/3098df-c1-advent-astromech-droid3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>This little guy is loaded with paint apps and has a few nice moving parts. The chest has a swing-out arm, the dome has two nicely-jointed arms and a dish hat, and each foot has a rolling wheel on it. The layout is nice and clean, but it is weird to pick up a <i>Star Wars</i> figure and say "I don't get it." (I had the same experience with a lot of LEGO sets based on LEGO <i>Star Wars</i> cartoons I haven't yet seen.) But it's a droid! And it looks perfectly nice. Is it a panda? It's probably not a panda. But the limbs all pop off nicely and as much as I would like to say something like "and I will treasure it always," it's probably going to be crammed in a box or a shelf until I get my displays up, which may be never, so I am sitting here shrugging as to its purpose while walking away from this review asking myself just how much money I've spent on things that, let's be honest, are not doing me any good.<p></p><p>
If you understand this on a deeper level than I do, then know it's of a good quality and there's nothing wrong with it. I'm just looking at it saying <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ-Bk0F5be8">"...what are you?"</a></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from some guy on eBay for a lower price! And thus ends Christmas days of the robot.<br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,098: January 11, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-63944210095624706212024-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-09T00:00:00.165-08:00Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,097: Wicket W. Warrick (The Retro Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlcHeVuAlSirU4SA0zesh9J1eESdEIju3YNDsmqRfvdseklYDfgWgVO-mEVA6tf4rrrZgCY__hmIeVWW12ubJtCwmZSqV-UNR72a2A2XUjKng8Ym_exVDmHl-1dfORuq7OHQ_MJ5m7g7ZDBPHVa_O9vm7vYLjn3JIIpUMVRAjJKja8HAPmSoWRU3-PdI/s1000/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlcHeVuAlSirU4SA0zesh9J1eESdEIju3YNDsmqRfvdseklYDfgWgVO-mEVA6tf4rrrZgCY__hmIeVWW12ubJtCwmZSqV-UNR72a2A2XUjKng8Ym_exVDmHl-1dfORuq7OHQ_MJ5m7g7ZDBPHVa_O9vm7vYLjn3JIIpUMVRAjJKja8HAPmSoWRU3-PdI/s320/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>WICKET W. WARRICK</font> <i> 2023 Remake of 1984 Figure</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Retro Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Hasbro Pulse/Shop Disney 6-Pack<br />
Item No.: </b><i> No. F6988</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Hood, spear, plus Mon Mothma, Yak Face, Emperor's Royal Guard, Gamorrean Guard, and Admiral Ackbar</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$72.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>November 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Return of the Jedi</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Star Wars Retro Collection includes Star Wars action figures from the 40-plus-year legacy of the Star Wars Galaxy, including movies and live-action series. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=retro+collection+return+jedi+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcaP0kjGz6PTrM2jKKFayTxXafO5da9vosTBSiEimCOJ0zz1wcvVVKTybXsSzMPIiFrYznhw63yF330u1JefOgwyyK9mpmcNsFxemCz2FXp9k30qUS-LMhWOjJeS3Noz6PcOd5jHMG0UCmZCnBrXF2onjPFDjcgo21CqKA40yI86N__DJ3CRu3TfUzPo/s1000/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcaP0kjGz6PTrM2jKKFayTxXafO5da9vosTBSiEimCOJ0zz1wcvVVKTybXsSzMPIiFrYznhw63yF330u1JefOgwyyK9mpmcNsFxemCz2FXp9k30qUS-LMhWOjJeS3Noz6PcOd5jHMG0UCmZCnBrXF2onjPFDjcgo21CqKA40yI86N__DJ3CRu3TfUzPo/w150-h200/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> When I was very small, I was given a lot of <i>Star Wars</i> figures. One of the first ones I remember chasing down was the very first release of <b>Wicket W. Warrick</b>, who was "NEW!" and one of the figures near the end of the original line. Figures were usually $2-$3 in the old Kenner days, unless you went to somewhere like Long's Drugs, where they were a whopping <i>$5</i>. My parents never let me hear the end of how much more he was there, but we got it, and I don't remember seeing a lot of him ever since. This probably made me an incredibly cheap collector, because when you get right down to it a buck or two is nothing compared to what you might spend on gas (or today, shipping.) But I digress - this was a figure I absolutely loved as a kid, and the new version is the same, but different.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6v90UKirEwMbLrfcbyZ16FGCmC0z52enAF1zioA1K46vIhYqDeaI0DgRX-dZe3YA5zqxjErxoKOKd7wqHn0pYNOL-_7V08Rk8gmaCbyDXoAcPjQrtpyLdEd9njCNXXBE6BesfHkGwbmicEVTcMV0YM3CYSlZjDepGVktiTPkPWzFnrQIngGuZiIQsxE/s1000/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6v90UKirEwMbLrfcbyZ16FGCmC0z52enAF1zioA1K46vIhYqDeaI0DgRX-dZe3YA5zqxjErxoKOKd7wqHn0pYNOL-_7V08Rk8gmaCbyDXoAcPjQrtpyLdEd9njCNXXBE6BesfHkGwbmicEVTcMV0YM3CYSlZjDepGVktiTPkPWzFnrQIngGuZiIQsxE/w150-h200/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>He feels different. The original toy's hoods were much softer and more rubbery, the new one can bend but feels more like plastic. The materials Kenner used back in the day were very distinctive, so it's clearly a different feel. The spear is also different, the details are a little botoxed-out and it feels a smidgen more waxy. Overall the accessories both look good enough, but are colored just a bit differently and any toy dealer worth his salt can look at them and see at a glance (or touch) they're not the originals. And that's the way I like it.<p></p><p>
The figure is good, but different. I prefer the original deco - Hasbro didn't paint Wicket's nose quite right, so he looks a bit more like a koala and less like an Ewok. You can see in the pictures that an original Wicket had the whole nose painted, while the new one missed some of the sides near the face. The detail are darker and seem a bit glossier with lips that look less like lips and more like make-up. The brown plastic is also darker, but these are things you're unlikely to notice unless you're seeing them side-by-side or have a close personal relationship with an original that dates back to the days where you were much shorter than you are now.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEt5xfA9ht9xzmYLnKWF5N-L8H-KKMD5sjgFn0neIaAKPjcZkfUjbhyFNfQZzQTAQVUPvxwonlWQjLJzfDcSVRrLteJDWIjVWMCoVx931tW-3003b7sBfsb1Ez39XetxDmttvB2Tgow3VWrmg702YuFKjQaAVI6SBlO7FOw-zdraL9T0DNNl-dE-TV0NU/s1333/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEt5xfA9ht9xzmYLnKWF5N-L8H-KKMD5sjgFn0neIaAKPjcZkfUjbhyFNfQZzQTAQVUPvxwonlWQjLJzfDcSVRrLteJDWIjVWMCoVx931tW-3003b7sBfsb1Ez39XetxDmttvB2Tgow3VWrmg702YuFKjQaAVI6SBlO7FOw-zdraL9T0DNNl-dE-TV0NU/w200-h150/3097retro-rotj-wicket-warrick-ewok4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>If I were Hasbro, Wicket is absolutely one of the figures I would want to reissue - as a kid I was about the heroes, aliens, and droids - and this one is much cheaper than an actual original. If money is no object I'd steer you to the genuine article, because while the retro one is good it's just off enough that it would bother me. But again, this is one of my favorites from when I was a kid and I adored <i>Return of the Jedi</i> toys like no others. If you didn't have one as a kid, this reissue is probably going to be just fine - it's not identical, but it shouldn't be. Time has passed, and clearly something has been lost in translation over time with how to do old-style figure sculpting. But it's close, and for what you get in this set for the price I didn't hesitate to buy it. Even though I had five of the six figures, it's like a new thing and for all I know these will be the last-ever <i>Return of the Jedi</i> Kenner figures I'll buy for the rest of my time on this planet. (If Kenner's reading and wants to do more, I'd be happy to see Lumat or Paploo again.)<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="https://hasbropulse.com/products/star-wars-retro-collection-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-multipack">Hasbro Pulse</a>, who seem to have sold out days after shipping. Check <a href="https://www.shopdisney.com/star-wars-retro-collection-action-figure-set-by-hasbro-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-417132095055.html">ShopDisney</a> for availability too.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,097: January 9, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-37781213182365674432024-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-04T00:00:00.150-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,096: General Hera Syndulla (The Vintage Collection) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp6t7ZogBQW6EYBtdWvhI6OjQdoIkeK7Blcr0PJTvRGZHm5J1Jfg6FCBYar0vs78Gp-QTIm5y-BII9kl5_Uc_tIB_zWoxRBwevPDHvTft0chDjjqS4DgO_z8Hd9Vz1HY39Yf260HWEv9hBKkX5YeOeH9RbIRBuuhVqaWm_kQBMdOxUG-Ta9G_c-7AHqA/s1000/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp6t7ZogBQW6EYBtdWvhI6OjQdoIkeK7Blcr0PJTvRGZHm5J1Jfg6FCBYar0vs78Gp-QTIm5y-BII9kl5_Uc_tIB_zWoxRBwevPDHvTft0chDjjqS4DgO_z8Hd9Vz1HY39Yf260HWEv9hBKkX5YeOeH9RbIRBuuhVqaWm_kQBMdOxUG-Ta9G_c-7AHqA/s320/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>GENERAL HERA SYNDULLA</font> <i>(Three of Three)</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Vintage Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i>Asst. F6878 No. F7318</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#300</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Blaster</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$16.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>October 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Since 2010, The Vintage Collection has paid homage to the iconic Kenner toy era of Star Wars history. VC300 celebrates the line with General Hera Syndulla - for the first time on a TVC cardback! (Taken from the figure's cardback.) <br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7318&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/46tJtcV"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=star+wars+vintage+life+day+chewbacca&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcot_pgLw7n13QmMq1eh-jRkHsAfvBWVgKo8UiACXx5nPKCJI_ILl2f5Gc4ts8WexrvgXkyPWzB4NKofnuJc9xyfbl2qRvLvvdpXfR9jdMfdO66y1ZlkLTjwcVpqGe1hwsKh8wqOBXcLMkv0oWqGSj51Fq1Ixmb_d3vvkatHU7i8jrAB82-JpzCNSjKiY/s1000/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcot_pgLw7n13QmMq1eh-jRkHsAfvBWVgKo8UiACXx5nPKCJI_ILl2f5Gc4ts8WexrvgXkyPWzB4NKofnuJc9xyfbl2qRvLvvdpXfR9jdMfdO66y1ZlkLTjwcVpqGe1hwsKh8wqOBXcLMkv0oWqGSj51Fq1Ixmb_d3vvkatHU7i8jrAB82-JpzCNSjKiY/w150-h200/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Packaging Change Notes:</b> For the first time in years, Hasbro actually updated the template for the back of the card. While it doesn't show upsells for other figures in the wave any more, it does, for some reason, show an illustration of the card front on the back, with the figure you can see in person on the other side standing in front of it. Originally this layout was used to show the original release of the figure - and with a wave of almost entirely new figures, I don't think it's a particularly good use of the space. It is more pleasing to look at than, say, <i>The Retro Collection</i>'s all-text extravaganza. The previous <i>TVC</i> cardback look was fine, I'd be happy to see it brought back but with even more figure previews. (There was enough blank black space for 2-4 more figures without shrinking a thing.)<br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhxOoKGdAFIx3TkKiDRBOLmmXOtNexWSJxgefyPi6cHFog_pThHqo69_YwkHPVK11nlXViNgM27iegkC4lxhg0116P3GJmXY6ZhvxkzuUOU_V8WshvxWT4Kv6bB-vaCymDhejEfVjZHeZlnbcLElnfnsUWZXrtgZ1pOxm040r0NTNSVr7jLYgaiJRMVY/s1000/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhxOoKGdAFIx3TkKiDRBOLmmXOtNexWSJxgefyPi6cHFog_pThHqo69_YwkHPVK11nlXViNgM27iegkC4lxhg0116P3GJmXY6ZhvxkzuUOU_V8WshvxWT4Kv6bB-vaCymDhejEfVjZHeZlnbcLElnfnsUWZXrtgZ1pOxm040r0NTNSVr7jLYgaiJRMVY/w150-h200/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> It's easy to poke fun at Hasbro for congratulating themselves, given how many <i>Vintage</i> figures had stiff joints and were prone to falling over earlier in the line, but <b>General Hera Syndulla</b> is actually excellent. At $16.99 I don't necessarily have to be bowled over with a massive array of parts and paint applications, but what we get has to be good. If I pay $17 for a figure with five blasters and one has bad QC, that's upsetting - so I'm glad that Hera is pretty much as perfect as you can reasonably expect in 2023/2024 at this size.<p>
While I do feel it's a bit overkill to give us <i>Retro</i>, <i>The Black Series</i>, and <i>Vintage</i> versions all at once... it's Hera. Hera's cool and I don't think it matters if you like the shows or not, because this figure is a good one. Her revised live action costume gives her a flight cap with goggles, a swell jacket with cool patches, high-waisted X-Wing mom pants, and black boots. She looks like a post-<i>Return of the Jedi</i> figure that you wish was around 40 years ago, but with the face and general build of one Mary Elizabeth Winstead you liked her in <i>10 Cloverfield Lane</i>, <i>Scott Pilgrim vs. the World</i>, <i>Passions</i>, <i>Death Proof</i>, and a bunch of other genre fan things - so it makes sense the expressive performer would get a <i>Star Wars</i>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H_OayhLp8pct7UE_OwMgMX9QJwoSSEPe6w7e_UD4sX-GkrNTM4wJgJEBkxXNNTVwEmc1zZT4un1BjOOhRZBA-wSYxTDBcN4qltHztsjLZtQGZDV7BN2P69W24HhDdStB-EzpTIGUgnz8Pa_6Tpdno_BlULRHXvekUoSGwcWLkEDN4l07X-c_6EMdzwA/s1000/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla6.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H_OayhLp8pct7UE_OwMgMX9QJwoSSEPe6w7e_UD4sX-GkrNTM4wJgJEBkxXNNTVwEmc1zZT4un1BjOOhRZBA-wSYxTDBcN4qltHztsjLZtQGZDV7BN2P69W24HhDdStB-EzpTIGUgnz8Pa_6Tpdno_BlULRHXvekUoSGwcWLkEDN4l07X-c_6EMdzwA/w150-h200/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla6.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
Thanks to the green make-up, the figure looks fantastic - instead of "did they get her human skin color right," we see a correctly green-molded plastic face with the details of the actress. It may not be 100%, but it's close - the eyes, cheeks, and eyebrows look bright-eyed and more like the character is thinking, rather than merely being there. It's good, particularly since the face is the size of a shelled peanut. <p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2xaWbnJ2PwC39MNU540y3xGsfko4HUq5XyLbMXsf1K78c0yZrvwGXw9ZvEGhflW-YFPupRK3Bk1PDHvWAu9Je4WkR1U4UXyVlIPaUCUEo8cdcwGXjcIHHHJPBheAlAZdkbEuaEhfRjMfVsa71zZktwmP6tiN6eDeKuap-osjO-FzPQ0_OTgxOvObFxg/s1000/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla5.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2xaWbnJ2PwC39MNU540y3xGsfko4HUq5XyLbMXsf1K78c0yZrvwGXw9ZvEGhflW-YFPupRK3Bk1PDHvWAu9Je4WkR1U4UXyVlIPaUCUEo8cdcwGXjcIHHHJPBheAlAZdkbEuaEhfRjMfVsa71zZktwmP6tiN6eDeKuap-osjO-FzPQ0_OTgxOvObFxg/w150-h200/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla5.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Like most of Hasbro's new-sculpt humanoids, this is a good figure with a nicely jointed body. She stands easily, and balances well. You have the ball-and-socket hip joint with thigh cut, which means she shouldn't have too much difficulty fitting in <i>The Ghost</i> in the next year. The jacket vest piece looks great, and the gloved hands have no problems holding her blaster. Knee joints have no problems bending to 90 degrees, and the elbows bend just a bit more than that. Given her lekku head tails, the neck also has a good range of movement with non-jointed molded-on goggles above her forehead. It's a good, functional costume that doesn't get in the way of itself like, oh, most of the prequel Jedi outfits. <br /><p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE3_bnkNyq-IGYPVJVMCgao45F9RgTVKzjY1u_398sirLgKe8yJA5O-oKzIBsX0ivOxv6wzBQlrvKg3jEbCJlVth3o0jHLwobk6vnMpe1FeB5FzKzsmvo0qbl7ZyOLengLOHW0WpiWx4Yb0PdhtCRLtVFykWUVFeJQQtLoSyDQVRXLhMs3l4JBrvwE8c/s1000/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE3_bnkNyq-IGYPVJVMCgao45F9RgTVKzjY1u_398sirLgKe8yJA5O-oKzIBsX0ivOxv6wzBQlrvKg3jEbCJlVth3o0jHLwobk6vnMpe1FeB5FzKzsmvo0qbl7ZyOLengLOHW0WpiWx4Yb0PdhtCRLtVFykWUVFeJQQtLoSyDQVRXLhMs3l4JBrvwE8c/w150-h200/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla8.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Deco is also great. She has a painted rank badge, painted patches on her arms, and another painted design on her back. Her lekku have light green patterns on them - subtle, so you might miss it - and everything else is more or less molded in color. The only exception is her shins, as her boots are molded black and the lower pant legs are painted orange. In some lines this can look horrible - orange over black usually looks bad. Here it just looks merely OK, as the amount of paint and the color match was pretty good. I'd probably have preferred to see it molded in orange and painted black for the boots, but this no doubt was the cheaper solution.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_eC6vsZCrFZBpfLn4yJP9Kpdr7CaDH5rSXhpKvIpeGwAIaMpud0y6TGYOFh1WMuvXXk75-qxXN1TkT0JyVCgvpbceNt9gpSnRBSD7wcryQCDtA3ST1MTbs0-m6_7xa_RBYGk_YcnHeyUiHybTiG1wX80fie9XVH1ux18MJCytb4PB-DlI1JEQ5zATTM/s1000/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_eC6vsZCrFZBpfLn4yJP9Kpdr7CaDH5rSXhpKvIpeGwAIaMpud0y6TGYOFh1WMuvXXk75-qxXN1TkT0JyVCgvpbceNt9gpSnRBSD7wcryQCDtA3ST1MTbs0-m6_7xa_RBYGk_YcnHeyUiHybTiG1wX80fie9XVH1ux18MJCytb4PB-DlI1JEQ5zATTM/w150-h200/3096tvc-general-hera-syndulla7.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>You don't necessarily need three versions of streaming Hera, but they're all good examples of their respective lines. I'm biased so I love Retro, but this one is a much better achievement given what they managed to do with the budget. Maybe it could be a buck or two cheaper, but we really don't have much to complain about here. All the joints are good, she has her obligatory accessory, and I'm not left wanting Hasbro to fix her later. This is it, this is good enough, so seek this one out and be glad Hasbro has no reason to do a fancier version down the road.<p></p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7318&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,096: January 4, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-46373747246130854062024-01-02T00:00:00.000-08:002024-01-02T00:00:00.185-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,095: Professor Huyang (The Black Series) <b><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0WEnGlKff83C-BeB6oV_aarEA6oLo6jljHGyITYxVeUyqaoFeJr3PmfN1Bxa6-P7cLtxQT4o6d6p3-1q0gQVsQWwM5WulCD2vJtAFsGKDu96p_HGUzJZb0eQeGNr3Ycu-mVEC-uCvejKAi1l4evLuG7YDckuNVgxLSxovgR3uPi-zB5WI4XDoSOpero/s1000/3095tbs-professor-huyang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0WEnGlKff83C-BeB6oV_aarEA6oLo6jljHGyITYxVeUyqaoFeJr3PmfN1Bxa6-P7cLtxQT4o6d6p3-1q0gQVsQWwM5WulCD2vJtAFsGKDu96p_HGUzJZb0eQeGNr3Ycu-mVEC-uCvejKAi1l4evLuG7YDckuNVgxLSxovgR3uPi-zB5WI4XDoSOpero/s320/3095tbs-professor-huyang.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>PROFESSOR HUYANG</font> <i>Old Droid</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Black Series </i>2023 Window Box Line Look Ahsoka Packaging<br />
Item No.: </b> <i>Asst. E8908 No. F7110</i> <br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>#07 - Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Removable backpack, tool, pad</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Removable backpack has jointed arms</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$24.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>October 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka follows former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. (Taken from the box packaging.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab.<br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7110&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3R8tueL"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2512315.m570.l1313&_nkw=black+huyang+star&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3eXO5gOVczdM8sufPsFAiA3JRtN3mOIchL5owz8bP_PoAwGoQ4yYCbvxTtmECkcwZeNqSUjWaew5DptdXuuV7Vr0Hyc1ophBtlfW78g-05MxMeTKgiKu63osLn1DGzFp50aFtE025hI9MpbPT6KEtAKZwo8fdlwmpAqC8uh4diItvVssXOZluWbELTQ/s1000/3095tbs-professor-huyang2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3eXO5gOVczdM8sufPsFAiA3JRtN3mOIchL5owz8bP_PoAwGoQ4yYCbvxTtmECkcwZeNqSUjWaew5DptdXuuV7Vr0Hyc1ophBtlfW78g-05MxMeTKgiKu63osLn1DGzFp50aFtE025hI9MpbPT6KEtAKZwo8fdlwmpAqC8uh4diItvVssXOZluWbELTQ/w150-h200/3095tbs-professor-huyang2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Commentary:</b> Originally seen in <i>The Clone Wars</i>, this <b>Professor Huyang</b> action figure seems to be an all-new sculpt that fell victim to budgeting cuts on its way out the door. My sample is stable and stands well, with just the right articulation and some nice gear - but the coloration and paint isn't quite right. Normally I don't advocate for "premium finish" reissues, but this is one of the few cases where I might say Hasbro should consider it in a year or two. It's a good figure - but it's not a <i>great</i> figure. As I write this, the price on Amazon dipped a bit - a disturbing trend with 6-inch figures shortly after they hit stores. It might be back up by now, but this is the kind of trend you don't want to see with new, collectible figures within weeks of release.<p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBVp6aLAdNVI25dOfzZoH0mqxJ5qq2BulwrdS0FV-fQ5qTyhqkUihRBw-huwlQ0zZU-uj7nIfjCE3_jNIsG6HI8Oo7DcA3PygVJnbuxTQknlK08mnfyLDQqKbbO72rqLKzWTClBP8dWerkSkfy8KkGDTv5u_-qiGKe5Dfnk8eNsMqByaKBNAIhF9SN88/s1000/3095tbs-professor-huyang3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBVp6aLAdNVI25dOfzZoH0mqxJ5qq2BulwrdS0FV-fQ5qTyhqkUihRBw-huwlQ0zZU-uj7nIfjCE3_jNIsG6HI8Oo7DcA3PygVJnbuxTQknlK08mnfyLDQqKbbO72rqLKzWTClBP8dWerkSkfy8KkGDTv5u_-qiGKe5Dfnk8eNsMqByaKBNAIhF9SN88/w150-h200/3095tbs-professor-huyang3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Looking at the droid, Hasbro seemed to be working from great reference. The sculpted texture on the droid chest is great, a much more streamlined and sinewy take on the slightly chunkier robot we saw in the cartoons. The joints in the design translate nicely to functional joints on the action figure, with a vinyl apron being just flexible enough to not get in the way of posing his legs. The double-jointed neck does much to add to his personality, letting him cock his head as he examines his accessories or be posed "talking" to another figure. I found the figure to be generally stable and had no problems posing him in any way I wanted, although the shoulders were a little stiff and didn' move exactly like I expected. Due to their design, I assumed they had the "ring" we used to see in older figure shoulder joints - they don't. Whoever sat at the computer sculpting this one did a great job overall, as the parts fit together well and everything looks like it should. The only shortcoming might be for safety reasons - the figure had a big antenna on his left shoulder in the live-action show, and it was either retracted or removed to a small nub for this release. The figure even has a backpack with moving limbs - which no doubt added much to the cost - with some paint on them too.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxB_k96MSyd66fuhnCWL0sq6s2Iu0ACVaM-bSuyyoKT6tOLONckD6esk6LNKB1vNf_y4_jJ26YB0OirtXozQ-5w7WipJZZLCTOvZzRvdMToNCYj76Hqth2ysmJrJ9GLmSr8PgtaBKHzDLHL87b_2U0yDbxLa22dM56DrdtXPPXNLi15N9e_e_ZR1E7nA/s1000/3095tbs-professor-huyang4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxB_k96MSyd66fuhnCWL0sq6s2Iu0ACVaM-bSuyyoKT6tOLONckD6esk6LNKB1vNf_y4_jJ26YB0OirtXozQ-5w7WipJZZLCTOvZzRvdMToNCYj76Hqth2ysmJrJ9GLmSr8PgtaBKHzDLHL87b_2U0yDbxLa22dM56DrdtXPPXNLi15N9e_e_ZR1E7nA/w150-h200/3095tbs-professor-huyang4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Unfortunately, cost is a real issue and when it comes to deco I feel it came up short. The figure was molded in plastic that seems closer to the cartoon coloring, rather than the "painted" opaque look of the live-action show. Had Hasbro used different materials or painted the whole thing, I think he would look great. Even his tool lost the red pommel deco hit, and his biceps are unpainted despite having paint on the TV show. I think fans would bristle at paying "deluxe" prices for this one, but I do wonder if there's a way to do this for $1 or $2 more - and how would he look? The eyes aren't quite the right color, but it's close. If you don't compare the figure to a still from the show you'd probably say "yup, looks like Huyang" - and being a new character that's likely. It's not like we've been staring at him for 30 years so we know when the hair is wrong or a panel is misplaced, but you can look at him and tell a few things didn't quite turn out as the designers likely intended. Heck, maybe it's just because the TV show design was unfinished when the figure left China.<p></p><p>
It's rare that Hasbro can get a Disney+ series toy on-shelf with a show anymore, but Huyang came pretty close at just a couple of months. I'd love to see stuff day-and-date - or before - the show comes out, as that used to be commonplace... but it does come with a cost of potential accuracy. We've seen <i>Transformers Studio Series</i> toys get delayed until after the movie comes out to shoot for improved accuracy, with kid line toys getting out on-shelf first minus the authenticity. That might actually be a really good compromise - get a "kid version" (or Retro Kenner) version out fast and cheap, while delaying the "collector" version for later so they can nail it. When you're looking at a premium figure - and at $25, this is a premium figure - fan expectations are for sub-perfection and Professor Huyang is tantalizingly close to perfect. A customizer with a steady hand probably already perfected him, but for those of us untalented hacks, we'll have to settle for "good enough." But "good enough" is actually really well done... minus the pesky paint problems.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7110&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br />
Day 3,095: January 2, 2024</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-71534547182894346512023-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:002023-12-28T00:00:00.136-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,094: Power Droid (a.k.a. Gonk, Advent Calendar 2022) <p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWcw79xS598r8c-KdLcTPeyhrhD1QDDSy3kvRtkEXYEixDe1Xss0uqc9Q_V7MdBtDXFXeXfkXmqSI3cbS9hLeFQma2KSc1dLLTKkoxLkHEFMjvsIMifdIk0LzsU9aUIxZ0X6IGs_mEKqnOYE0OlS1KAI6KK5pK_5Ol8GGGxROiMEBY-H7F5s74sTAvTY/s1000/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWcw79xS598r8c-KdLcTPeyhrhD1QDDSy3kvRtkEXYEixDe1Xss0uqc9Q_V7MdBtDXFXeXfkXmqSI3cbS9hLeFQma2KSc1dLLTKkoxLkHEFMjvsIMifdIk0LzsU9aUIxZ0X6IGs_mEKqnOYE0OlS1KAI6KK5pK_5Ol8GGGxROiMEBY-H7F5s74sTAvTY/s320/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">POWER DROID </font> <i>Droid Cosplay</i></b><br />
<b><i>Star Wars </i> Droid Factory<br />
Item No.: </b><i>???</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Disney</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Silver BB droid, Nutcracker R5 droid, Gold R4 droid, Giftwrapped Power Droid with bow, Elf R6 Droid with hat, C1 droid</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Comes apart</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$69.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>August 2022</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>n/a</i><p></p><p>
<b>Bio:</b> All different types of astromech droid populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors. Open up the Sandcrawler to reveal and build 6 new droids to celebrate along with them for 25 days this season. May the Force be with you... and your droids!" This droid is optimized to function in the sparsely settled, unspoiled frontier world of Vandor. Join R6-SNO on their adventures throughout the galaxy! (Taken from the packaging. Yes, the one quotation mark and reference to R6-SNO, who is not included, was on the box in three languages.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=droid+advent+calendar+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNm5D6u5w4mxz0xBqzGztlRiAVlYdBgvRSSrxndIen4GTFEVWEubMTZda2GfTNqjkjV0HezjuWfW4CQau_BfjM3r2NlOXSGftb2k-aAN2GkqmHeaC20B36DEuJC8a_SH_0flCiVdZbLOBTCZbYELXLfuXZ7weB_dK34n7z04Q3ZLTNj5x3FAUWlIUvP0/s1000/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNm5D6u5w4mxz0xBqzGztlRiAVlYdBgvRSSrxndIen4GTFEVWEubMTZda2GfTNqjkjV0HezjuWfW4CQau_BfjM3r2NlOXSGftb2k-aAN2GkqmHeaC20B36DEuJC8a_SH_0flCiVdZbLOBTCZbYELXLfuXZ7weB_dK34n7z04Q3ZLTNj5x3FAUWlIUvP0/w150-h200/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid2.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> As the year winds down, I've got a bunch of holiday droids we didn't get to yet - but we have to put those things away until next year, right? Right. So let's open one more gift - the <b>Power Droid</b>, or Gonk Droid, or EG-6 or whatever dressed up as a gift box. Given how these things were photographed I'd say it's arguable which accessories can go with which figure - the little bow & mistletoe could be a part of the golden droid, or seen as a bow at the top of the power droid. Problem is, the Power Droid's hat hole has paint in it, thus making it impossible to cram a hat in the hat hole. (Is this getting dirty? Is this dirty talk?) Anyway, you can give him a hat if you want, just be prepared to shave down the hat peg or to scrape some paint off the socket. I will be doing neither of these things.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP-VvQGoJ_vHZo5AagcizomHuxk9CL0YRJG10xAUrNJ8WzRxFZgZoR4eM3ZJx1GNg1UFGzXgm3X0j3xpd7MM62-3hldISB-i-A5QWNlsFWJ1VHvCS9VLniXmbDBdEL4Iy-n-eO8dGUlw1lqHDuORky033ns9U7d-MkoYGCX8uQd5NbM7kUDmAO6D5YIo/s1333/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1333" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP-VvQGoJ_vHZo5AagcizomHuxk9CL0YRJG10xAUrNJ8WzRxFZgZoR4eM3ZJx1GNg1UFGzXgm3X0j3xpd7MM62-3hldISB-i-A5QWNlsFWJ1VHvCS9VLniXmbDBdEL4Iy-n-eO8dGUlw1lqHDuORky033ns9U7d-MkoYGCX8uQd5NbM7kUDmAO6D5YIo/w200-h150/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oEMpUy-5fL377rHaRN3FQCrX6gST1Q0pSZdVebUrGR3V3AoEdN9xJcjCWXY8Py35iiS4ZaxZDpcV4LCaqgRsTDPXHr2khGA4NuHtpJZjcJVL0tiV4mhxDEabLZhAqxHYSzzH1XcApndSZ2s8lz0r9iJq0QTBlL2WH4SzE8oQxB2xlDUjVPcFxqD-B_M/s1000/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oEMpUy-5fL377rHaRN3FQCrX6gST1Q0pSZdVebUrGR3V3AoEdN9xJcjCWXY8Py35iiS4ZaxZDpcV4LCaqgRsTDPXHr2khGA4NuHtpJZjcJVL0tiV4mhxDEabLZhAqxHYSzzH1XcApndSZ2s8lz0r9iJq0QTBlL2WH4SzE8oQxB2xlDUjVPcFxqD-B_M/w150-h200/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>As with other Power Droids, you can pop the hatch off and see the inside with what looks vaguely like old PC guts or cooling stuf. The droid mold itself is molded in green with red ribbon deco and silver highlights, including the face (which could use some more color), the restraining bolts, the antenna, and the vent on the back (no notes.) Springy silver deco is there on the legs too, which gives it a <i>Santa Claus Conquers the Martians</i> vibe. It's colorful - very not-<i>Star Wars</i>. On the other hand, the simple coloring does look like it could be a blurry background bot in a comic or on the <i>Droids</i> cartoon, doesn't it? <p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuSDYIQd8tu8ZL7jAk5YK4OJ0ic2UaUskKHm3EqA7roLJCAZXYhFew41m8OFKg0DZYJueSIdY3O377NBAHUgkZi_ab0ha5_svoQitQFMcQYFkIfSwYTH1bWexBXDwYppyrHtdSMwJnXDVg4e64T1VtjRPMVRpB0DFGdb4wxYPBtQ2D0E4znlXOPXz5Jo/s1000/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuSDYIQd8tu8ZL7jAk5YK4OJ0ic2UaUskKHm3EqA7roLJCAZXYhFew41m8OFKg0DZYJueSIdY3O377NBAHUgkZi_ab0ha5_svoQitQFMcQYFkIfSwYTH1bWexBXDwYppyrHtdSMwJnXDVg4e64T1VtjRPMVRpB0DFGdb4wxYPBtQ2D0E4znlXOPXz5Jo/w150-h200/3094df-gift-gonk-power-droid6.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Articulation on this green robot consists of legs that can swing forward. And that's it. Honestly, even that seems pretty generous - he can stand just fine, and emote just a bit by posing him looking up or down. It's pretty much all you need, and I would argue it's one of the better droids in this set. If I were Disney I'd probably have cut costs by not painting some of the guts silver, but that's probably why you'll never see anyone hiring me to make budgets for these things. If you can see this set for a fair price, the per-robot retail is pretty good. But I'm a sucker for robots.<p></p><p>
Thanks for another great year, dear readers, and I hope we can keep doing this until you or I can't stands no more.</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from some guy on eBay for a lower price!<br /> <br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,094: December 28, 2023</center><p></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8139262298737556599.post-53680265416322636452023-12-26T00:00:00.000-08:002023-12-26T18:38:54.429-08:00 Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,093: General Hera Syndulla (The Retro Collection) <p><b><font size="4"></font></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><font size="4"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97gPCJSSxb5tH3bzLbIU9f4e6cAn41sfzJWv0VJj0qggCOJUo4wwpnXue0lBjIZYYqVN1MfLAwsmTeGmcwpZBRWmo-STf0C6I2sphmBBBwWwUi4vNmOa4fiwhDvqVtNVd8k6Ama7p1G3x85AhWqjaxsyN88sHbXoKfA6l_Njf2yQY-uFGNQeeFvSn_1w/s1000/3093retro-hera-syndulla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97gPCJSSxb5tH3bzLbIU9f4e6cAn41sfzJWv0VJj0qggCOJUo4wwpnXue0lBjIZYYqVN1MfLAwsmTeGmcwpZBRWmo-STf0C6I2sphmBBBwWwUi4vNmOa4fiwhDvqVtNVd8k6Ama7p1G3x85AhWqjaxsyN88sHbXoKfA6l_Njf2yQY-uFGNQeeFvSn_1w/s320/3093retro-hera-syndulla.jpg" width="240" /></a></font></b></div><b><font size="4">GENERAL HERA SYNDULLA</font> <i> (Kenner Style)</i></b><br />
<b><i>The Retro Collection </i> 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure<br />
Item No.: </b><i> Asst. F6874 No. F7306</i><br />
<b>Manufacturer:</b> <i>Hasbro</i><br />
<b>Number:</b> <i>n/a</i><br />
<b>Includes:</b> <i>Blaster</i><br />
<b>Action Feature:</b> <i>Blaster can be stored in holster loop</i><br />
<b>Retail:</b> <i>$11.99</i><br />
<b>Availability:</b> <i>October 2023</i><br />
<b>Appearances:</b> <i>Star Wars: Ahsoka</i><br /><br />
<b>Bio:</b> The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a galaxy far, far away. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)<br /><br />
<b>Image:</b> Adam's photo lab. <br /><br />
<b>Availability: <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7306&id=16-502018719"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!</span></a> </span></span></b></b><br /><br />
<b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: green;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40Oxi9i"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at Amazon now!</span></a> </span></span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: blue;"><a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=retro+hera+star+wars&_sacat=0&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5338984222&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1"><span style="color: white;">Click here to buy it at eBay now!</span></a> </span></span></b><br /><br />
<b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe2AgTJt8bctITBhQ33xGX_WQHrKxy2BYgd3mJ_dsn_cXhA5JZhEO5hYxSsFhYrehi__Jhw18iPHtTRD-6zU5lopfZtzarAiPl3T4CrMBym9ZkLRJwtNL8QJ577pugNc4Ox-vsSFBuMQVoYBDzmoZIvqmAL_QKCk3VcVBQ2CkGe6Txyv3y1sVHfp3s20/s1000/3093retro-hera-syndulla2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe2AgTJt8bctITBhQ33xGX_WQHrKxy2BYgd3mJ_dsn_cXhA5JZhEO5hYxSsFhYrehi__Jhw18iPHtTRD-6zU5lopfZtzarAiPl3T4CrMBym9ZkLRJwtNL8QJ577pugNc4Ox-vsSFBuMQVoYBDzmoZIvqmAL_QKCk3VcVBQ2CkGe6Txyv3y1sVHfp3s20/w150-h200/3093retro-hera-syndulla2.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>Commentary:</b> As a kid, I didn't want <i>Star Wars</i> to end - I wanted new stories, new toys! It took a while to get them, and I honestly never thought we'd get more new Kenner-style figures but with <b>General Hera Syndulla</b> it seems like we're getting a bunch more. Shipping at the same time as <i>The Vintage Collection</i> figure (with the same coloring, same costume, same name... they're going to look identical to most people if they're ever in stock at the same time) it feels more and more like we're getting a toy line meant for the Internet era. These no longer exist to make a big brand statement at retail, which in turn promotes the show. Instead, they come out about 2-3 months late (or later) and probably will be a blip at the toy aisle. And for some reason, a whopping <i>three</i> versions of the bombad general are all hitting at roughly the same time, giving fans a lot of options. If they ever see those options. They probably won't.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdkVFAIR6Ihk-FdF0qM2GXOkb4nL0CTfIj3E1r-i5u9e8MaNVRjAoESq08-XPeBTU2uEZ6fPLdNHWpoSe3Sb1k3zfntMfgD5yGH7GYjUJDvzz-tj-3AYOM1AK3F7g3p6Nf2DUd0IbDe4_MIhHCtsGE-mEbqFci73seJGmijA9a3UV3Lu4aWJeS5-bzDs/s1000/3093retro-hera-syndulla4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdkVFAIR6Ihk-FdF0qM2GXOkb4nL0CTfIj3E1r-i5u9e8MaNVRjAoESq08-XPeBTU2uEZ6fPLdNHWpoSe3Sb1k3zfntMfgD5yGH7GYjUJDvzz-tj-3AYOM1AK3F7g3p6Nf2DUd0IbDe4_MIhHCtsGE-mEbqFci73seJGmijA9a3UV3Lu4aWJeS5-bzDs/w150-h200/3093retro-hera-syndulla4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>It may surprise you that Kenner Hera is only the second-ever Kenner-style Twi'lek officially released - we never got an Oola, or Aayla Secura, or... hey wait a minute, do all their names end in an A? I digress. The figure is a pretty good one, but not perfect - which means it's a good Kenner design. For some reason Hasbro is allergic to giving the figures a slight slump in posture, or bent elbows, like the originals - but other than that? She's Kennery enough for you, old man. All five joints turn, the blaster fits in the loop, the colors are nice and bright. She's <i>not</i> line the original in that she has painted patches on her shoulders and back, and some of her holster details are painted. Kenner probably would've left these things off to keep costs down, but Hasbro has not been interested in keeping down costs in its collector brands as of late. They didn't paint the details on her Lekku (that's good) but they did paint her lips, and on my sample it doesn't look as good as the photos. I hope to see her in a store again so I can see if mine is unique, but I'm writing this during the holiday season which is "pretty much any new toy will sell" time.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh4a87hmq0o03ngiM8u2HHE5YNjQJFFPPwbXFiVp4cNKAuJ0uxJCoklOKMGQIK5m_ncezRoKT6aGSjLD00YqmN-UpYri4Z3vbB8nx4E4VrubI9u-yMMYgBOEQP5hkQxSNZN6-rsZdvwyawygm_lGnPNRworiR8gTALHxPTTZ1kzQb7ODx-D0HTWUt4e8/s1000/3093retro-hera-syndulla5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh4a87hmq0o03ngiM8u2HHE5YNjQJFFPPwbXFiVp4cNKAuJ0uxJCoklOKMGQIK5m_ncezRoKT6aGSjLD00YqmN-UpYri4Z3vbB8nx4E4VrubI9u-yMMYgBOEQP5hkQxSNZN6-rsZdvwyawygm_lGnPNRworiR8gTALHxPTTZ1kzQb7ODx-D0HTWUt4e8/w150-h200/3093retro-hera-syndulla5.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I love the painted details and I feel like Hasbro went not-quite-the-extra-mile on this one, which is good. The painted goggle lenses and straps are a nice detail, and she fit in the vehicles I pulled out to test without a problem. (How could I not grab the <i>Phantom</i>?) I would love for Hasbro to start doing something with the left hands other than "claw to grip weapon," which we're seeing in Mon Mothma but not others. It would be great to give her pose a little more personality, as a Kenner-style face tends to not be terribly expressive. The figure definitely looks close to how a real 1980s figure might look, but the digital sculpting techniques used to make figures today remove the asymmetry we saw in the originals and as such, picky old-school fans will know she (and her wave mates) aren't quite up to the sharp - but simple - details we saw in the original toy line. I have to say that because we're a picky bunch - her little head tilts and the way her head just barely arches forward on the show is remarkably different from her posture on the figure, which is far more stiff than the bulk of actual real Kenner figures from the old days.<p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9GzyVWIKSt3YJjmltDQ78G_RwNB0JGc8zOhEe4mTYHR_Zb8nHEMYjIkQzYnbWpnoVXyaYC2XCzd9_LDV93HceLZ0NDUtsuJjUdaGNADWEgIe5eLZ0hjDtbgWon3PirRDL-f7yyNF6qcDLaTuSD670eXRXG8pOO9x4BjDAb70zo7w_cRLVFtiTss-4OI/s1000/3093retro-hera-syndulla3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9GzyVWIKSt3YJjmltDQ78G_RwNB0JGc8zOhEe4mTYHR_Zb8nHEMYjIkQzYnbWpnoVXyaYC2XCzd9_LDV93HceLZ0NDUtsuJjUdaGNADWEgIe5eLZ0hjDtbgWon3PirRDL-f7yyNF6qcDLaTuSD670eXRXG8pOO9x4BjDAb70zo7w_cRLVFtiTss-4OI/w150-h200/3093retro-hera-syndulla3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Between you and me I'm just happy this line continues to exist and gives me toys I actually want to fuss around with a lot more than the other brand segments. I pop her out of the package, and she stands - no fuss. That's the way I like it - and if they feel like hiring some old-guard sculptors, if any are still looking for work, I'd love to see them take a crack at a future wave of these guys. It is unreal to me that I have a Super7 Svengoolie, a Kenner Hera, and a number of other "they'll never make that!" retro-style figures. All on my desk. Right now. <p></p><p>
(Confidential to Hasbro: I assume you will never do another wave of <i>Ahsoka</i> Retro, but if you do, I'd be down to buy Thrawn, the two not-Jedi, Ezra, and some troopers please.)</p><p>
<b>Collector's Notes:</b> I got mine from <a href="http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?searchfield=hasbro+F7306&id=16-502018719">Entertainment Earth</a>.<br /><br />
<b>--Adam Pawlus</b><br /><br />
</p><center><a href="http://figureoftheday.blogspot.com"><p align="center"><img border="0" hspace="9" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/2499945025_085f9fdd75_o.gif" vspace="4" /></p></a><br /><br />
Day 3,093: December 26, 2023</center><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Adam16bithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17369348859276892966noreply@blogger.com0