Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,822: Daultay Dofine

DAULTAY DOFINE  Stunted Slime
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  37502  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC82
Includes: Miter, blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you!  (Taken from the figure's packaging.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Ultarama.

Commentary:  If there was a short list of character categories I'd never see again, the Trade Federation would be at the top.  But here we are, with a new character Daultay Dofine being done quite nicely.  Nute Gunray never got a proper update, or any figure from his Revenge of the Sith outfit, so seeing his sidekick done up as Hasbro's finest example of the species.  His removable hat is cool, the face sculpt looks a lot like the mask from the movie, even the cloth blue robes look nice-- and Hasbro gave them some added plastic bits for added definition.  I think overall an entirely plastic figure would look better, but the cloth-meets-plastic robes satisfy the needs of mobility and aesthetics, sort of.  I don't think it'll make either camp, the "more soft goods" or "more plastic" groups, particularly happy but it does look nice enough.

The articulation is good-- ball-jointed elbows and swivel wrists are nice to have, but ultimately don't add much to how I'm assuming this figure will be used.  (1. Packaged, never to be opened.  2. Shelf bait.)  As the line goes on, it seems it's less about "what would be fun or exciting?" rather than "OK, so who's left?"  Daultay's left, because Nute Gunray and Rune Haako sold slowly enough where it probably didn't make sense to do him until a proper marketing push permitted it.  I like the figure, he's a high-quality figure, but he's basically no fun to play with and he's best for standing around, looking good.   If you want something fun, keep looking.  This isn't a knock against Hasbro, they're doing a bang-up job making new figures that, for all intents and purposes, have transcended the toy aisle and are now merely collectibles for old sci-fi fans.

Collector's Notes: The figure is being phased out somewhat quickly, so he may (or may not) be around long depending on how many Hasbro made.  There seems to be little shortage of this wave, but that can (and sometimes does) change overnight.  For $5 or so, it's great.  Even at $10 you're getting your money's worth.  It's just not as exciting as a new Luke or a new alien from a different species.  I figure we'll have him around until at least September if not September of next year, just from those first January 2012 shipments.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,822: June 7, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,580: Neimoidian Warrior

NEIMOIDIAN WARRIOR Neimoidian Weapon Attack!
Revenge of the Sith Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 85173 No. 85460
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #III-42
Includes: Helmet, projectile, giant rocket launcher
Action Feature: Spring-loaded launcher, spring-powered waist
Retail: $5.24-$6.99
Availability: Summer 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Neimoidian warriors are specially trained members of the Neimoidian Gunnery Battalion. They are armed with special Neimoidian weaponry that is being mass-produced for use in the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's patio thing.

Commentary: Back in 2005 Hasbro let us know they were putting the "action" back into action figures with a few releases sporting more spring-loaded or other kinetic actions. While these are things collectors view as highly unnecessary, kids (and sometimes parents) eat this stuff up so you end up with a figure like the Neimoidian Warrior which does a pretty good job trying to appeal to both crowds. When you get right down to it, this figure exists mostly to stand around in a collector's diorama so as long as he can be posed, a spring-loaded waist shouldn't really hurt the figure's ability to perform its chief function: to guard a room until he gets stabbed by Anakin Skywalker. I like weird figures, especially army builders of minor races. This one is a really slick figure, because the armor is well-sculpted, the detail on the skin is good, and you can knock off his helmet if you want to. Under the helmet is a tiny head that looks like he suffered some developmental issues, but with the hat on he looks just fine.

For 2005 standards, this was a pretty good figure with 12 points of articulation, making him almost perfect. There are no knees, and the elbows are cut joints rather than ball joints, but he can still guard a room and carry a large rifle just fine. (And how ridiculously huge is that rifle? Yeesh.) The figure itself is way better than his accessory, but that's pretty good if you look at it as its own thing. (And why would you?) It's a big, menacing weapon and a little comically oversized for the warrior, but it does have a lot of sculpted detail and multiple colors. I like this figure a lot because his armor reminds me of some of the unused aliens of the Return of the Jedi sketchbooks, like he's some reject from Jabba's palace. Odds are you don't much care for Neimoidians, and the lack of them in The Clone Wars seems to show they're trying to keep this race out of the line. But hey, at least you can get this one.

Collector's Notes: This figure was repainted in silver in late 2005, and that's been it as far as Neimoidian Army Builders go. Like many figures from 1995-2005, on the secondary market, he's worth a couple of bucks. Don't pay more than $5 or $6, try to get him in a collection or in a lot at a buck or two if you can swing it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,580: July 5, 2011

Figure of the Day: Day 887: Nute Gunray

NUTE GUNRAY Should Not Have Made This Bargain
Episode I Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84095 No. 84089
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: A Trade Federation viceroy who is controlled by the evil Lord Darth Sidious, Nute Gunray leads the attack on Naboo with the help of fellow Neimoidian, Rune Haako. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: A table.

Commentary: As part of the second big push for Episode I product, Nute Gunray was both a welcome addition and the object of scorn. Fans looked forward to this new, ornate release while at the same time hating it because of his role in the movie. At the time, there was a lot that adult fans didn't like about the prequels-- mostly, these things were new robots and creatures. This particular one got a lot of guff due to his voice and facial movements, but mostly the voice. Thankfully, the figure has no voice and looks pretty good. Despite the total lack of accessories, he still looks expensive. His robes are big, he has added detail in his face, and oh yes-- he's ugly. A modern release wouldn't be much better than this one, I guess Hasbro could add more paint and articulation but this figure is still pretty good all these years later. It is, however, still Nute Gunray, and largely a statue. It can't sit, it just stands there. So if you like the look of the character enough to buy it, you won't be sorry.

Collector's Notes: Fans didn't much like this one. It sold fairly well in many markets, but there was a lot of complaining, which no doubt helped prove that as a group we'll buy pretty much anything. Like other figures from the era, you can get it on the cheap.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 887: November 6, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 346: Lushros Dofine

LUSHROS DOFINE Battle of Coruscant
The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 85940
Number: 023
Includes: Datapad, console, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Spring 2006
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: The Separatist flagship titled The Invisible Hand was originally commissioned for the Neimodian Separatist leader Nute Gunray. Darth Sidious later orders the ship and the crew to serve General Grievous, the new leader of the droid armies. Lushros Dofine, an esteemed captain, pilots the general's flagship and obeys Grievous' every command. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Behold! The real stinker of 2006. The figure isn't bad, but Lushros Dofine was a figure that reminds me of an amusing quotation from The Simpsons that goes something like this: "The politics of failure have failed. It is time to make them work again." In 1999, Hasbro released 2 Neimoidian figures which, while excellent figures, sold poorly. In 2002, they put out another one. It, too, sat around. In 2003, another one was put in a multipack-- and guess what? The multipacks ended up on closeout. Oh, and in 2005? Hasbro made two Neimoidians, a Commander and a Soldier, and those could be had for less than a buck if you waited long enough. There was even a holographic Nute Gunray slated for production that never came out. These guys are cursed.

It's a bit of a pity because, as I said, this isn't a bad figure. The sculpt is great. For a robed figure, its articulation is about as good as can be expected. He's even got a really big hat. The paint is good, the sculpt is fantastic, the accessories are great-- so what went wrong? Hasbro didn't make too many, actually they haven't shipped any in quite some time. (The figure was removed from the assortments fairly quickly, never making it to the "red holographic figure" transition of wave 5-- and this figure shipped in wave 4.) Today, in many stores, you can still find pegs of this figure that nobody wants to buy. It's unfortunate because it's a good example of how Hasbro can make an excellent figure, but it seems that character wasn't taken into consideration. This figure really can't do much-- in the movie, he stood around and complained a little. There's no vehicle or playset he can go with on the market. Heck, the whole Invisible Hand sequence is actually pretty lacking in toys-- sure, there's a few, but hardly enough to entice people to buy lesser characters like this one. Maybe if we had more interesting Battle Droids, a playset, or some other thing for this guy to interact with-- he stands alone. He needs a friend. Maybe that friend needs to be you.

Collector's Notes: I'm sick of seeing this damned figure at retail. I went to go buy my Order 66 figures at Target, and I'm greeted with rows of this figure nearly a full year after he shipped. I've already bought a few, I did my part-- so when these guys hit markdown, go and do us a favor. Go buy one or two if you haven't already, you could use more Neimoidians in your Geonosis Arena, right? While a lot of fans complain about those Heroes & Villains waves of Episode III figures in new packaging, they still sold better than this guy. Which is to say, they actually managed to convince people to buy them with minimal effort.

Day 346: April 17, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 140: Neimoidian Commander

NEIMOIDIAN COMMANDER Separatist Bodyguard
Revenge of the Sith Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 85173 No. 86710
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, staff
Action Feature: Squeeze legs for attack
Retail: $5.24-$6.99
Availability: Fall 2005
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Neimoidian warriors are specially trained members of the Neimoidian Gunnery Battalion. Commanders have distinctive armor befitting their rand and are armed with special Neimoidian weaponry that is being mass-produced for use in the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: The toy shelves of Adam Pawlus.

Commentary: In a very confusing move, at the end of 2005, Hasbro decided to release the worst selling figure of the year in a new, not-in-the-movie color scheme and called it the Neimoidian Commander. In most markets, it sold through, and unless we're mistaken proved Hasbro can make up a figure design and it doesn't look half bad. I like this one more than the original for a variety of reasons, and because of it, I asked a friend of mine taking a silkscreen class to make me a "Droid Army" logo T-shirt. (Thank you, Victoria.) I'm fascinated by faction logos and there are more than a few toys I've purchased solely because they had a big one. (That's why I bought extras of these.) The figure itself is nicely articulated with the typical six points plus swivel wrists and elbows, along with ankles. It's going to move almost any way you want it to unless you really want it to sit and sit well.

Collector's Notes: Looking to expand your armies? Need cannon fodder? Want something overwhelmingly original? Then this is a figure you have to buy. I love the idea of Hasbro making up concepts if they're good, and redecorating "troopers" is a welcome move. I'd be angry with Ninja Lukes and Kung-Fu Qui-Gons, but if they want to add variant armor sets to toys that are pretty good in the first place, I say bring on more.

Day 140: September 23, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 84: Rune Haako

RUNE HAAKO
Episode I Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84095 No. 84091
Number: n/a
Includes: CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 1999
Appearances: Episode I

Bio: A viceroy of the Trade Federation, Rune Haako plots with fellow Neimoidian, Nute Gunray, as they impose the iron-handed rule of Darth Sidious. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Upon first glance to the public, Rune Haako as an action figure was great-- a nicely painted alien, all-new, and with decent articulation. A few weeks later, people saw the movie, and opinions all went downhill from there. With little meaningful articulation below the waist, the extra arm joints do give this figure a little extra personality. His robes have a tremendous amount of detail and, for the day, represent a quantum leap forward for the look of a Star Wars figure. And his face? Well, the paint sucks-- but it does show Hasbro trying something new. The look of the face varies by figure, so be sure to get a good look at it before you buy one. If you need villains, if you like aliens, and you love the prequels, this is a must-own figure because, as of today, it's the only Rune Haako figure to see production.

Collector's Notes: Since the figure was released shortly after the film, some fans were sour on the Trade Federation rather early. As a great villain-- or at least a decent lackey-- this figure commanded little respect from fans, or on the big screen. Today, he can be had for less than $3 with next to no legwork needing to be done. He's pretty awesome if you like this sort of thing, and any time an alien is cheap and has a funny hat, it's hard not to love it.

Day 84: July 29, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 62: Lott Dod

LOTT DOD Neimoidian Senator
Saga Collection Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84913
Number: 0251
Includes: Holographic Darth Sidious, Fancy Hat
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99-$5.99
Availability: Fall 1998
Appearances: Primarily Star Wars: The Phantom Menace

Bio: A Neimoidian senator who represents the Trade Federation's interests in the Galactic Senate, Lott Dod uses his bureaucratic lies and procedural tricks to achieve the aims of the Trade Federation. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's Pawlus Toy Shelves never looked more exciting.

Commentary: During Episode I, Neimoidians sold poorly. Which is why it's somewhat shocking to see Hasbro going back to the well for this race, starting with 2002's Lott Dod from the very first prequel. It's not shocking because he's a bad figure-- he's actually quite neat, despite being largely a statue. He's painted well, looks old and wrinkly (moreso than a normal member of his race), but doesn't have much action to offer aside "removing of hat" action and "standing there" action. For fans of aliens and specifically the Trade Federation, this is a gorgeous figure with a nicely sculpted robe, a well-painted sash, and of course, the first mini-holographic bonus figure ever. And this was one people actually wanted, despite having been released with Count Dooku previously.

Collector's Notes: What you see is what you get, and you can get it for about $2 per pound. This figure was a very weak seller and no doubt still sits in a store somewhere to this day, never having been purchased. (My guess is a Walgreen's or a CVS.) If you want one, just keep watching eBay-- his auctions end below $2. No, seriously. Why wait for a reissue when you can practically steal this one?

Day 62: July 7, 2006