Figure of the Day: Day 367: Princess Leia Organa

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA Early Bird Kit
Early Bird Kit Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: No. 85868
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, display pegs
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: Fall 2005, Fall 2006-Present
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Sent by her father to find one of the greatest heroes of the Old Republic, Princess Leia's ship is captured by a Star Destroyer under the command of the evil Darth Vader (Taken from the figure's cardback [tin release].)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Early Bird Kit.

Commentary: A common thread in all of these features is a simple question: what makes a good figure? Does this Princess Leia Organa figure rock because her sculpt is so damned good, or does she suck because she really only has four meaningful points of articulation? It's the eternal question. I daresay there is no better looking version of Leia from the original film on the market today-- her face is nice, her body isn't some crazy out-of-proportion action stance nightmare, and she can actually hold her gun with no problems. Figures like this show that Hasbro can put out a perfectly awesome action figure if they want to, but things like detail or fantastic paint might have to take priority over articulation and play features.

It's hard to say if articulation would hurt or help this figure, because the dress is sculpted so perfectly, but I feel we're obligated to make suggestions for improvement on a future release-- so here goes. One, swappable heads would be nice so I could have her posed with her hood down. Two, the inclusion of the sporting blaster instead of the Stormtrooper blaster would be nice because we never saw her fire this gun with her hood up. Three, if we're feeling saucy (like Hasbro was when they made the Dagobah Luke figure in 2004), I'd love to see swappable arms too. Some sculpts are too nice to muck up with articulation, so why not just make separate arms I can pop on for different situations? I'd love to see this figure tweaked to look as she does on the vintage cardback photo as the body is perfect, it just needs some slight modifications on the arms and head. Four, and this is me just speculating wildly, the figure might benefit from a smidge of make-up paint. Of course, I still feel this is one of Hasbro's strongest sculpts of all time, at this point any changes on it would switch it over from "awesome" to "best ever." Just remember, that's "best ever" figure, not toy-- there's a difference. As far as toys go, the "Vintage" Leia from 2004 is far, far better because she can do things like sit.

Collector's Notes: This figure was originally sold as part of Wal-Mart's exclusive Early Bird Kit in 2005. In late 2006 (and into 2007), Hasbro released this as part of its Episode IV Collector's Tin gift set with no significant changes. Either version is worth getting, each for different reasons which basically boil down to if you want a tin and which other figures you like better. Also, I can't say enough good stuff about the cardboard Early Bird Display Stand-- it's a shame it didn't do better as it's one of my favorite display pieces.

Day 367: May 8, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 10: R2-D2

R2-D2 Early Bird Kit
Early Bird Kit Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: No. 85868
Number: n/a
Includes: Display pegs
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: Summer 2005


Bio: R2-D2 (also R2 for short; pronounced Artoo-Detoo or Artoo) was an astromech droid, the most famous unit of the R2 series, and long time counterpart of Protocol droid C-3PO. Along with his resourcefulness, R2 had many tool-tipped appendages that allowed him to be a great starship mechanic and computer interface specialist. A bold droid, R2 would often enter dangerous situations without second thought. This adventurous streak saved the day on numerous occasions, often turning the tide of galactic history. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: This image was taken against the background of the Early Bird Display Stage that was purchased at Wal-Mart as part of the certificate package. The figures (R2, Luke, Leia, and Chewbacca) came by mail a few months after sending off for them. (Yes, it's washed out. Sue me.)

Commentary: Hasbro rarely goes a year without reintroducing a new version of R2-D2, and in the case of this figure, the same mold was repurposed 3 times in an 18-month period, this being, arguably, the weakest of them. With no accessories and a non-removable gadget panel, the figure is essentially "what you see is what you get." While it has an excellent sculpt, and articulation at the arms and ankles as well as the dome, the removable third leg isn't much of an action feature. When you twist his dome, his sensorscope goes up and down, just like on other, similar R2-D2 action figures. As this figure is missing things which make his siblings more interesting, this is not the best version of R2-D2, or even the best version of this particular sculpt of R2-D2. It's by no means bad, but if you just want one R2-D2, this isn't it.

Collector's Notes: The most striking thing about this R2-D2 is that it isn't the one Hasbro said it would be. Originally, Hasbro showed the R2-D2 (Naboo) figure from 2000 as being part of this set, even in our own photo gallery of the hardcopies, we show this original figure instead. The final version is arguably better and truer to the film designs, but, as stated above, an overall inferior figure. In 2004, this mold was released with a removable access panel and additional gadget arms which plug into the figure as part of the Vintage Original Trilogy Collection. In 2006, this figure was issued again, with the panel still glued shut but with added accessories for travel as well as a display base and new "snow" dirt deco paint. Either of these figures are more interesting than this one, but this is by no means a bad figure-- it's just weaker than his brothers.

Day 10: May 16, 2006