Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,164: Tig Fromm (Droids cartoon)

TIG FROMM The One, The Only
Droids Basic Figure
Item No.: Asst. 71760 No. 71830
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Collector coin, baton
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $3.79
Availability: ca. Fall 1985
Appearances: Star Wars: Droids

Bio: The leader of an underworld gang of thugs and cutthroats who prey on the weak and helpless of INGO. (Taken from the packaging. The cartoons had bios.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I was feeling uninspired, so I decided to review an actual pre-1990s figure for a change. I got Tig Fromm from a toy dealer in 1991 (hi Ron) because, at the time, nobody really wanted the cartoon-original figures from Droids. Anyone from the Star Wars movies was a big deal, but people weren't excited by Sise Fromm or Tig or Jord or Kea - but they'd pay a princely sum for Boba Fett or an A-Wing Pilot. I saw Tig at Kay-Bee Toys in the 1980s when they had pegs of unsold figures, but as a child with zero allowance it was hard to convince my parents to get me the weird alien gangster since he wasn't in the movies they saw. I even saw this guy a couple of years later at the Horton Plaza Kay-Bee in San Diego, but I was after R2-D2, C-3PO, Logray, and Wicket - and I found Logray (and Klaatu) on that trip. The Droids and Ewoks figures were somewhat hard to find, I bought every single one carded for a couple of bucks because opened ones weren't even available - people still were hard at work getting rid of these guys. Well, bully for me I guess. Older fans didn't watch the cartoon, but I did - and that's why I have him today.

I didn't play with him a whole heck of a lot, but he did spend time in the Side Gunner. The figure included the same staff you got with 2-1B, and is one of two Tigs I would see near show business. (The other being Tig Notaro, who I had the fortune of seeing host Comedy Death Ray when I lived in Los Angeles.) This guy was a gangster, but he was actually more of a tech bro. His whole thing was robots and engineering, designing machines to do the dirty work while he put together a weapons satellite that was expensive because it was made of teensy-weensy little components. As a character, this guy was a mix of stock bad guy and evidence of some real visionary work on the part of the writers, who clearly understood that the future was in technology and automation before most people even had a computer at home. Tig was a bit of a weasel, but so was Starscream and people can't stop writing about his imagined exploits.

His sculpt was pretty fantastic - especially for 1985. Kenner's quality for humanoids was all over the map, with fat and thick necks on some characters and basically a turtleneck for the evil green Steve Jobs here. Each hand has a thumb and three fingers, with a suit that looks like it's out of some Jean Giraud art. (Actually, the whole Droids cartoon feels like a big tribute to the works of the late Moebius.) Comparing the figure to the artwork, it's a pretty good match with puffy shoulders, a big collar, a distinctive belt, bizarre toed shoes, and a few signs of what seem to be cybernetic enhancements. Tig has them, Vlix and Sise do not. Did I mention this guy was bullied by Vlix? Yeah, this is the guy who was bullied by Vlix, and a big reason why Vlix was so memorable on the show. I love the deep grooves carved in the outfit, exaggerating the belts and vests so old eyes don't have to squint. I got this guy as a child, so I never once gave that any thought - I just appreciated the fact I had another awesome alien to play with in an era where Star Wars seemed like it would be dead forever.

The sides of his head aren't a perfect match for the show. His unpainted cybernetic tabs over his cheeks look similar to what should be above his ears, but aren't. There are some odd unpainted vent-like details there instead, hinting at another character model used to inspire the toy sculpt... or maybe someone just made it up because it looked cool. The colors aren't a perfect match for his animation cel, as Tig-the-figure lacks any of the red seen in his cart art. Kenner's figure's eyes were painted a little strangely, with extra green under the peepers. He could have benefitted from a couple of black dots to bring out his eyes. There are no sculpted (or painted) red cheek dots to indicate anger/rage, but at least there's a lot here you could work from in order. If this guy were still worthless, I'd probably buy a second one to repaint it - but he's not worthless. The amount of money people spend for him today - north of $500 - is what I expected I'd some day have to pay for Vlix, given the chance. That hasn't worked out so well for me, and I'd be hesitant to recommend you spend $500 on one of Kenner's very last alien Star Wars action figures from the original era. He's one of my very favorites, and he stood up well to age.

For a five-jointed figure, the sculptor did a dynamite job. His left leg has a knee bent slightly, so it looks like he could be shifting his weight from one side to the other - Hasbro doesn't do this with their "retro" figures very often. The right hand is posed to grip an accessory, but the left is turned a bit so you can pretend he's typing at a computer or working the controls on a ship. The wide mouth is a bit of an exaggeration, but it looks pretty close to his frown on the show. I think it gets the point across - this is the bad guy.

You won't find a figure with sleeves quite this puffy from the 1980s, I'll tell you that. While sadly no longer priced as an impulse purchase, you can get one for the price of one of the more expensive game consoles. I'd love to see Hasbro reissue this guy, and if they do I'd love to recommend they cash in by doing a two-pack with "toy colors" and "cartoon colors." (I'm good for it.) I don't know if a ton of people are dying to own this guy, but he got captured by Boba Fett - that has to make him more than a little interesting to fans of the oldest-school Star Wars stories. To my knowledge this character has not had a second action figure - although there are certainly fans working in the industry who have been making requests for the past couple of decades.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Ron at a toy/collectible round-up in 1991. Thanks Ron, I owe you/I blame you for enabling me.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,364: July 21, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,985: Boba Fett (Droids, The Black Series)

BOBA FETT Droids XL
The Vintage Collection The Black Series Droids Target Exclusive Action Figure
Item No.: No. F5301
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Jetpack, rifle, pistol
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $26.49
Availability: May 2022
Appearances: Droids
Bio: With his customized Mandalorian armor, deadly weaponry, and silent demeanor, Boba Fett was one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy. (Taken from the box flapcopy. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: This Boba Fett from Droids brings complicated feelings, and many of you know many of the reasons. None of those reasons are that we're in a Boba glut. For years, Boba Fett (like Deadpool) was generally under produced and fans were left unable to get any version of the bounty hunter unless they were at a store the same day the case got unpacked. Target has offered at least four exclusive Bobas Fett this year alone, even though some of the pre-orders kicked off last year. I am not one to say it's overkill because I think each version offers something interesting, but the fact that this figure came out a couple of months ago and is still available at regular price shows that the fever broke. People are over Boba Fett figures that aren't based on the original movie designs.

This figure is pretty vexing because, as you know, I've been needling Hasbro to make it for years - along with R2-D2, C-3PO, and Vlix, all of which appear on the packaging. I know I'm being silly, as I'm pretty sure the current Hasbro team has no idea who I am after generations of turnover and my descent into irrelevancy, but Vlix is on the friggin' box - and my "I will consider going away if I get an official Vlix" campaigning, it is astonishing to see him put on the box not once, but twice. Does Hasbro know they simply must make a Droids Kenner-style Vlix? I hope so. I've only been waiting since I found out he actually really existed way back at an antique show in 1989. (Brazilian figures were making the rounds, he was on the back.) But I digress, we're here to chew the Fett about Boba.

This mold made its debut in 2013 as an SDCC exclusive, then as a single figure, as a white "prototype" figure, as a black "comic" figure, a 40th anniversary figure, a Carbonized figure, an Archive release, and it's all a little ridiculous just how many Boba Fetts we've had from just this one mold. And it's an acceptable base for what is most likely the only Droids version we'll get, but he could have benefited from some revisions. His belt and holster are a different shape and different colors, he doesn't have any pouches on his thighs or belt in the packaging art, and the helmet has no dent. The colors seem to be a pretty good match otherwise, with a desaturated brown and blue in most low-quality screen grabs from back in the day. There's a little more blue in the shoulder armor and codpiece on the figure than in the toy, but that's OK. I mean, it exists - and sometimes all you can say is that you're happy they bothered to try. When making the transition from 2D cels to 3D plastic, there is room for toyetic license and not everything will translate 1:1. The slight changes in color are fine, and I like the cape with the painted orangey stripes on the back.

If you didn't get this figure a dozen times already, it's neat. The armor on the wrists swivels and so do the wrists. The double-jointed knees are a delight, the backpack plugs in well, and the hands can hold the blasters. He stands acceptably, but those earlier figures have ratcheting joints that can make it harder to find a "sweet spot" to avoid toppling over. The range of movement was pretty good for 2013, but today elbows that can't bend 90 degrees (or more) are kind of dreadful. This is a mold you buy because you love the colors, not the quality of his joints. You can still get a lot of poses out of him, but the mold was a little clunky nine years ago and today you know Hasbro can and has done better. Had they used the Return of the Jedi mold, you might've been able to do a little bit better with how he can be posed. A new belt and that newer mold would have been fantastic, but this is a repaint with an "exclusive tax" upcharge. It's about as good as we're going to get, but I really do feel Hasbro needs to step up the game and include a little something extra - an upgrade, an accessory, anything - when a $20-$25 mold is being sold as a $27-$28 exclusive.

With three 3 3/4-inch "cartoon" Boba Fett releases and one 6-inch release, you might think Hasbro is done forever - but there are still more possibilities. We never got an official Kenner retro Boba Fett, either from the Holiday Special or Droids cartoon colors. That would make a great exclusive for someone, perhaps in a 2-pack with Vlix, for $25-$28, and it'd sell because all right-thinking people just want the Boba Fett and will take a Vlix too. (Do it, Hasbro.) A Holiday Special Boba Fett would be a fun 6-inch toy with a giant dragon, but probably wouldn't be a commercially viable product given it would probably be over $150. A simplified Kenner-style Panna Dragon with a trap-door for Boba Fett would be cheap and fun, but again, not something that will happen because they're not fun.

I'll still buy Droids C-3PO or R2-D2 6-inch figures if they ever make any (or Vlix) but I assume the days of buying $27 repaints are coming to a close for me. There are still good ideas and some are incredibly clever like "Santa" Range Trooper or any given robot repaint, and some are things that tug on your heartstrings if you're an old toy dork - Kenner deco is meaningful. But, such things are fleeting, and as we get older such a thing may be truly wonderful for a day before it goes on the shelf and gets covered by even more toys over time. I love this one because of the Vlix connection and my unending love of 1980s Star Wars animation weirdness, so I'm glad to have it. I hope they consider giving him a couple of friends, but if they don't, at least we got this one very weird, very cool action figure that cannot escape the gravity of being biased to love it.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,985: December 13, 2022

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,940: See-Threepio (C-3PO, Droids, The Vintage Collection)

C-3PO Droids Redux
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Droids Target Exclusive Action Figure
Item No.: No. F5311
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Back panel, thigh panel, chest panel, face panel
Action Feature: Removable panels
Retail: $15.99
Availability: December 2021
Appearances: Droids
Bio: Programmed for etiquette and protocol, Threepio was built by a young Anakin Skywalker, and has been a constant companion to astromech R2-D2. (Taken from marketing copy. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I was so excited for this C-3PO - I got the original from a toy guy at a toy show around 1990, and I always loved it. And this new one? It's not great. Hasbro probably could have (and should have) used a 5-jointed figure only because the panels fly off pretty easily compared to the previous releases of this mold, which have been in circulation since 2010. It was impressive for the time, but once the gimmick doesn't work - in this case, the panels don't quite fit - a simpler mold would have been more fun. The back panel fell off while I was opening the packaging and doesn't want to stay in place.

I like what Hasbro set out to do, and my sample is mostly good - a bit of spare plastic on the knee kept the thigh panel from fitting in place, but was easy to remove. He looks great, and the sculpt is appropriately C-3PO and it looks exactly how C-3PO looks. I love that it's nicely jointed, but a build-a-figure mold would've been more appropriate given the 1985 original used the 1982 removable limbs variant. Take care when playing with this one, because even if you don't touch his back that back panel does not want to stay put. The bright yellow plastic looks great, but if it isn't tightly affixed the dark blue under them will bleed out and really highlight when there's any gaps.

Deco is mostly the same as the 1985 original. Eye paint varies form figure to figure, with many having downward peepers that look iffy. Mine was painted correctly, so when you inevitably order yours online - Target cleared these out months ago - be sure to look at the picture closely. The shoulders, bely, and swimsuit area are brown just like the Kenner original - the hands, too. Weirdly they decided to shade the sides and back of the legs and knees, which were completely yellow on the original. It looks fine, but it's a weird departure and a way to add extra costs that could've been avoided. I love that they kept the blue neck, but the assembly shows some blue that shouldn't be visible - so it's good, but the simplicity of the original didn't translate super well to the new mold layouts.

Given how little love Droids gets, there's nothing they could do to make me skip this one. I'd recommend it for guys my age who are me, but those just wanting a good C-3PO are probably already satisfied with what they own. I assume we'll never see a super-articulated cartoon C-3PO again, so I'd say go ahead and get this one. Just lower those expectations - quality control wasn't the best, and form fit is below average. But it looks cool, so carded fans will no doubt enjoy it and its coin. Hopefully they'll do some other characters. Like, oh I don't know, Vlix. Get this if the price is right, because hey, maybe we'll get some Ewoks some day. It's not like they don't have exploitable molds. Well, mold, at least.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,940: July 7, 2022

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,938: Boba Fett (Droids, The Vintage Collection)

BOBA FETT Droids Redux
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Droids Target Exclusive Action Figure
Item No.: No. F5312
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Jetpack, rifle, Coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $15.99
Availability: May 2022
Appearances: Droids
Bio: With his customized Mandalorian armor, deadly weaponry, and silent demeanor, Boba Fett was one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy. He became a legend. (Taken from marketing copy. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: As much as I would like to say "at last!" that wouldn't quite be true - this is the second take on this Boba Fett from Droids. Walmart got an exclusive Boba Fett [FOTD #1,482] with BL-17 way back in 2009 as part of a Legacy-era build-a-figure program where you could make a Dark Trooper. It was a pretty good era to collect these things. That version was a slight variation on the 2007 Animated Debut/Holiday Special figure, which itself was a redeco and retool of the 2004 Return of the Jedi Original Trilogy Collection Vintage release. The Droids and Holiday Special character models are very similar in color, but not identical - the chest armor is notable different, for example. What Hasbro gave us in 2022 is a Return of the Jedi Boba Fett figure in cartoon colors, and it's OK. Is it the final word on this version of the character? No.

I like this figure a lot - heck, I'd have paid $16 just for the coin. But let's not kid ourselves, the unique chest is missing, the helmet is good - but not perfect. The boots are wrong, the holster is missing, and the 3 3/4-inch Hasbro rocket is unpainted, while the animation model (and the pictures for the 6-inch one) are at least a little bit painted. The 2009 release is a bit more crude, but it's arguably more authentic despite its metallic paint job. In 2022, Hasbro opted to give Boba a flat, cel-shaded look which I happen to like a bit more.

Complaints aside, this is a neat figure. I like the brown mustard chest armor, the blue helmet and vambraces are distinctive, and while I might've poo-pooed the painted-over dents a few years ago, we now know that Boba Fett has absolutely no problems repainting over his dented armor. (Sure, it's undented on the cartoon, but I don't expect Hasbro to shell out for all-new tooling if they can probably get away with using what was already paid for.) The gray bodysuit is perfectly nice, and the Wookiee scalps are a light brown. His cape is also an orangey brown, and it looks fine. For a repaint, I'd say that Hasbro did a very good job picking the most modern Boba Fett mold in this size, and applying what seem to be the most reasonable colors. His blaster is nothing special - he can hold it, and it looks fine. There's no reason to complain, but it is odd that the 6-inch version has more painted details on the jet pack.

Since this is the most recent version of cartoon Boba Fett in this scale, I'd recommend it - I can't imagine it will be the last, and if Hasbro ever goes back to the well for new tooling for Boba (or Vlix, or the Fromms) I think that would be pretty exciting. This figure reminds me a lot of the repaint waves we saw a lot from 2005-2009, where Hasbro did a good job delivering more figures with whatever tooling was available. I like that it's a different take on cartoon colors Boba Fett, and I appreciate it'll stand apart from the ones I already bought. But for a $3 premium over the regular figure, I would really have liked to have seen some new tooling, or a bonus accessory... but since it's from Droids and in Droids packaging, I'll happily fork over my money.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,938: June 30, 2022

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,934: Artoo-Deetoo (R2-D2, Droids, The Vintage Collection)

ARTOO-DEETOO R2-D2
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Droids Target Exclusive Action Figure
Item No.: No. F5310
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Sensorscope, Coin
Action Feature: Pop-up sensorscope, opening datalink panel, retractable third leg
Retail: $15.99
Availability: May 2022
Appearances: Droids
Bio: A reliable and versatile astromech droid, R2-D2 is a skilled starship mechanic and fighter pilot's assistant. He has an unlikely but enduring friendship with protocol droid C-3PO. (Taken from marketing copy. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I've been asking Hasbro for years to deliver unto us a cartoony deco Artoo-Deetoo action figure, and there he sits! Much like the 1985 version from Kenner, Hasbro just used an old mold (now 11 years old) and repainted it. This time around, Hasbro tried some new things - the drink tray is missing, and so is the lightsaber. And the drink dispenser. You don't get as much here, but it costs a lot more. That's progress? You also get a coin. We're absolutely being charged premium pricing for these guys these days, because a similar figure would've been $6.99 in 2007 - and making coins is pretty cheap, especially in bulk. But that's not the commentary we're making today - I just want to know if it's any good.

As a very long-time fan of the Droids cartoon, I'm mostly satisfied. We got a figure that takes design cues from the package artwork. That means blank white legs with molded wires, and grey boxes on the chest, and nicely detailed dome deco with no chrome to offend the eye. The blue looks good, the red light looks excellent, and the big blue circle on top is how the character design looks. It's closer to the Spanish PVC figure that you may or may not have also seen at Disney parks in the early 1990s.

Tooling is nothing new - there's a hole in the dome for the missing drink dispenser, which is a pity because it would be fun to have had included. The opening chest panel doesn't like to stay shut, which is also a shame, but it does allow you to have a bonus play feature. Pushing up his central leg causes the scope to pop out, and vice-versa. It's a perfectly nice mold, but had they used the build-a-droid model I'd be just as happy if not happier. Maybe Disney can incorporate this deco into one of their future releases - I'd buy it. His rolling wheels are great, and it's nice to see an animated version of this figure on the market that doesn't cost ridiculous sums of cash.

I assume he's going to hit markdown, if C-3PO was any indication, but I'd say buy one regardless. I'd buy a spare on sale, but I'm very happy to have mine and I think fans of the old cartoon will be thrilled to own one after a very, very long wait. And if Hasbro ever feels the need to do a new cartoon sculpt, I'd also buy that. This is one of the few repaints I could never seem to get anyone excited about, so I'm thrilled it actually exists, but I would love to know who was the one who finally said "let's do it now."

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,934: June 16, 2022

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,482: Boba Fett (Animated)

BOBA FETT & BL-17
The Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. 14860 No. 91931
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #3 of 5
Includes: BL-17 figure, pistol, rifle, Dark Trooper jet pack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.00
Availability: July 2009
Appearances: Droids animated series, technically

Bio: In the animated television series Star Wars: Droids — The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO, Boba Fett acquires BL-17, a Battle Legionnaire battle droid creted to serve Mandalorian Protectors during the Clone Wars. The bounty hunter uses the droid on espionage missions while hunting fugitives. (Taken from the figure's package.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: Sometimes a figure turns out exactly like it was planned, and other times you get the 2009 Wal-Mart version of animated Boba Fett. (See notes below.) The figure ended up being a rerelease of the 2007 animated Boba Fett figure, but with the accessories of the 2008 Evolutions Boba Fett figure. The pistol fits in the holster just fine, and the rifle looks like a normal realistic Boba Fett rifle. In short, it's cartoon Boba with movie gear.

The figure has all the successes and flaws of the original 2007 release. The cloth cape is here, the "new helmet" mold which was prototyped and shown to the public still isn't used, and he's super-articulated. If you're like me an are absolutely nuts about Droids (the animated series) this figure and set are no-brainers-- you're going to want BL-17, and you're going to want a slightly different Boba Fett. This is the one that can menace Thall Joben, while the other one tries to screw with Chewbacca on a goo planet. The 2009 animated Boba Fett is the very definition of "just different enough to make you mad," which is a shame because it was at one point intended to be an extremely different-looking repaint.

Collector's Notes: The most fascinating thing about this figure is what it isn't-- the original plan was to put this mold out in Empire Strikes Back movie-styled colors. The funny thing is that the final toy was in stores just a week after its Comic-Con 2009 debut, and the two really don't look anything alike. Given the mold changes (specifically the hands and belt) I think that would have been a much neater way to go, particularly since BL-17 wasn't exactly "toon styled." So for those keeping track, that makes two different versions of the Animated Debut Boba Fett figure that never made it out to store shelves.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,482: February 17, 2011

Figure of the Day: Day 1,126: BL-17

BL-17 & Boba Fett
The Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. 14860 No. 91931
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #3 of 5
Includes: Boba Fett figure, Dark Trooper jet pack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.00
Availability: July 2009
Appearances: Droids animated series, technically

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Bio: In the animated television series Star Wars: Droids — The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO, Boba Fett acquires BL-17, a Battle Legionnaire battle droid creted to serve Mandalorian Protectors during the Clone Wars. The bounty hunter uses the droid on espionage missions while hunting fugitives. (Taken from the figure's package.)

Commentary: It's rare that a figure's mere existence makes me happy, but BL-17 does it. It's a character from Droids! Wow! The animated series aired in 1985, and this is a "realistic" figure derived from the cartoon, but there was totally a BL-17 on the show in slightly different colors. (Makes you wonder why the Boba Fett kept his cartoon colors, no?) The Droids series takes place in the nebulous "after Revenge of the Sith/before A New Hope" timeframe where the Empire is running wild and the Alderaan space force lost track of R2-D2 and C-3PO. It's awesome. Particularly the first four episodes, from which this figure is derived.

So yeah, this is totally Boba Fett's droid. If that doesn't get you excited, well, it's green. The figure's arms and legs are recycled from the 2007 4-LOM, but the head and torso are new. For whatever reason, there's no waist joint, and the head can only swivel. The coloring matches his later "realistic" redesign nicely, but this leaves the door open for a repaint in the cartoon colors. It's a stiff droid, but hey-- it's something from the Droids series. That's why I ran out and bought one, I suggest you do the same. It's not like we're exactly drowning in protocol droids this year.

Collector's Notes: A fast seller, this figure was one of several packs sold as a Wal-Mart exclusive. The companion Boba Fett figure was initially announced as a repaint of the Animated-style body, but ended up being a reissue of the Animated-style figure with movie-style accessories. Because of this, we will not be reviewing Boba Fett as a separate/new figure. This set has seemingly sold through at Wal-Marts in many markets, so good luck finding one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,126: October 7, 2009