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

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

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

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,244: May 27, 2025

Figure of the Day: Day 893: Roron Corobb

RORON COROBB Jedi Knight
30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87333
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: September 2007
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: Roron Corobb takes on the duties of a Senior General during the Clone Wars. Along with his Jedi compatriots, Shaak Ti and Foul Moudama, Roron is assigned to protect Supreme Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous. But despite his skill and bravery, Roron is killed by the cyborg general in his unrelenting push to capture Palpatine. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's keyboard.

Commentary: As a figure that appeared in a book and in a few cartoons, it seemed like just a matter of time before Hasbro cranked out our very own Roron Corobb action figure. It's one of three characters from the original Cartoon Network series which were based on Cantina aliens, but now have lightsabers, and were up for a "vote for the alien to appear on the show" contest. This one lost, and by losing, he ended up with a much meatier part than the winner, Voolvif Monn, received. Anyway, it's talk about Roron.

Named for artist Ron Cobb, the man responsible for a lot of alien designs in the original Star Wars, the Jedi is more than Hammerhead in a bathrobe. (Well, not much more, but more.) The figure has ball-jointed ankles, knees, and shoulders. His head, waist, hips, and elbows can swivel. Oh, and his head is funky. Unlike the tiny eyed Momaw Nadon, Roron Corobb has big freaking expressive eyes which are a lot more like E.T. than the aliens seen in the movies. This gives the character more personality, and a look closer to his animated appearance. Unfortunately, the continuity fans out there are left wondering why Momaw Nadon has tiny eyes and Roron Corobb has big blue eyes. But, again, I digress.

There's a decent amount of detail in the figure's robes, but it looks a little more like an alien in a kung-fu getup than a Jedi. Since Hasbro seemed to want to translate the animation design into reality, this is more or less to be expected. There's a lot to like here, especially if you're a fan of that original Cartoon Network Clone Wars series. (And if you aren't, go track down the DVDs. They're just barely out of print.) I was really stoked to get this figure last year, and I figure some of you will enjoy it too. Assuming you like the idea of random aliens with lightsabers, and really, who doesn't?

Collector's Notes: As part of the elusive "Wave 5" (aka Expanded Universe wave), this figure came and went in a hurry. If you blinked, you missed it. No known plans exist for a reissue, but if the character appears on the show it's possible that it could eventually happen.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 893: November 14, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 855: Momaw Nadon (Hammerhead)

MOMAW NADON Hammerhead
Power of the Force Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 69605 No. 69629
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: November 1996
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Momaw Nadon was an Ithorian. He was exiled from his homeworld, Ithor, after he revealed secrets of Itorian agricultural technology to the Galactic Empire. He spent much of his exile on Tatooine, and was seen in Chalmun's Cantina when Luke Skywalker and Obi-wan Kenobi came searching for passage to Alderaan. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk drawer.

Commentary: The original Hammerhead from 1979 had basically all the same elements as this figure, except the gun was smaller and his outfit was this one-piece blue thing. In 1997, Kenner gave it another try with Momaw Nadon. This figure seems to be based mostly on Ron Cobb's concept art rather than what we saw in the movie, which I think makes it all the more interesting. Usually figures from the 1990s just become old and dated, this is a rare instance of a character being a concept figure first. Because of this, it's probably worth picking up for any concept toy shelves you may have set up.

With only 6 points of articulation, the figure itself is really no better or worse than future releases. He can sit, stand, and hold his giant freaking gun (not shown). His garment is removable, revealing another sculpted costume underneath which is slightly more true to the film. There's not a lot of detail on this particular alien, but then again, it's not like the costume was incredibly ornate either. It was good for its time, and it's still pretty neat today. I'd suggest getting it because it's such a neat curiosity, but if you already have a few Ithorians in your collection you may not want to add one more.

Collector's Notes: A favorite with kids and collectors, new versions of Momaw Nadon would come every few years-- a figure with a revised body and repainted limbs came out in 2002, and a total resculpt was released in 2006. A newly tooled Jedi of the same species, Roron Corobb, came out in 2007. None of which are particularly rare, and each release of Momaw Nadon is notable in that the designers changed the costume quite a bit. The 2006 release seems to be the truest to the movie for now.

Day 855: September 23, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 344: Momaw Nadon

MOMAW NADON with Cantina Bar Section
Saga Collection Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 32539 No. 32544
Number: 2 of 3
Includes: Bar section, 3 glasses
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.96
Availability: Summer 2002
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: On the planet Tatooine, the Mos Eisley Cantina, also known as Chalmun's Cantina, is the hot spot for entertainment and intrigue. Many species intermingle there, spying and conducting shady business. Bounty hunters frequent the seedy joint, hoping to catch their prey in an unguarded moment. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker went to the cantina to find transportation off the planet, which led to their first meeting with Han Solo. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: When the new Momaw Nadon came out, people were pretty excited-- after all, this exclusive version had a better torso and significantly better paint than its 1997 ancestor. (And, for that matter, its 1979 ancestor.) Despite a new version of the character being produced in 2007, this one is still very good-- look at the texture and decoration on the skin, for example. Multiple shades of brown add to the "realism" of this hammer-headed alien from another galaxy, with his tunic being a fairly decent design. The 1997 version seemed to more closely resemble the early concept artwork than the on-screen character. (Note the first-ever neckerchief on this figure-- at least that's what I think it is. It was carried forward on future figures as well.) With six points of articulation, this figure (and future figures) never really broke the barrier of too-few joints, but this is less a figure for playing and more a figure for standing around and drinking. He looks great, and was an early example of what Hasbro could do, if so inclined, with a little bit of paint and a mold many considered antiquated. New fans and picky collectors will likely want to skip this figure for the newer version, unless, of course, they want more bar sections. Then they should totally get this one.

Collector's Notes: The big selling point of this figure was the faux-playset aspect of the bar section. For just $10, you could get an action figure and a big accessory which could link to other big accessories to create a diorama. In theory, this is a wonderful, genius idea that I believe Hasbro should continue in its basic line. (Hell, they should put a piece of Death Star with every figure for a year-- sell hundreds of figures. You can just toss in floor tiles with the bigger ones. But I digress.) The problem is that this design was somewhat flawed as far as I can tell-- take the barstools. Please. The bar didn't have stools around it, the various patrons just stood around. Given that the action figures aren't always designed to sit down properly, not having stools would have made these sections infinitely better. Still, for a fun playset, they're nice-- just not exactly authentic and, ironically, if Hasbro did a little less work they'd work better with our action figures.

A quick aside-- you can link together multiple bar sections to make a nice big bar scene. You can find more bar sections packed with the Wal-Mart exclusive Greedo and Ponda Baba figures, and the Kmart exclusive Cantina 3-packs (Obi-Wan, Zutton, Ponda Baba; Dr. Evazan, Kitik Keed'kak, Wuher.) A second wave of Wal-Mart exclusive packs was not distributed to stores. Finally, the "curved sections" to end the bar are coming out in 2007 in wave 4 of the 30th Anniversary Collection with Elis Helrot and M'iiyoom Onith. (So you'll probably want to buy those.)

Day 344: April 15, 2007