Figure of the Day: Day 824: Achk Med-Beq

ACHK MED-BEQ Coruscant Outlander Club
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84742
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0337
Includes: Glass, blaster, table
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Bio: Known confidant of Lt. Dannl Faytonni, Achk Med-Beq wore the uniform of a Republic official while visiting a popular gambling club in Coruscant's entertainment district. He was seen conversing with Twi'leks when a pair of Jedi showed up in pursuit of a changeling assassin. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: This character's entire claim to fame is that this is the guy who did the voice and mannerisms for Jar Jar Binks. Lucas gave him a cameo in Episode II, and that character eventually got the name Ahck Med-Beq, which is, of course, a play on Ahmed Best. The figure itself uses the same body created for Lt. Dannl Faytonni, but adds a new head and recolored hands. Around 2003, Hasbro got religion in the area of repaints. Previously, the company had been astonishingly hesitant to just repaint an existing figure in its Star Wars line, or for that matter, give it a new head. There were a few exceptions, but as of 2003 the company actively developed figures with the intent of reusing the body or other parts one or more times. Both Achk and Dannl were released around the same time, allowing fans to buy these and other Outlander Club patrons to build their very own dioramas.

So, how is the figure? Great! With 14 points of articulation, he's pretty poseable, but this was a figure from before the time Hasbro was big on ball joints. As such, the elbows swivel, but don't bend, and the knee joints are somewhat ugly. Since the figure's main purpose is to stand, drink, and potentially react, it's easy to make it a good one. By adding a table for environment building and a drink just to make him look cool, Hasbro took what could have been a potentially mundane figure and made it stand out as one of the better figures of his era. Nice job, Hasbro.

Collector's Notes: A one-time release in 2003, Achk Med-Beq has yet to return to the world-- even as a repaint or a retool. It's a safe bet he'll not show up again, but the sheer abundance of characters in the line keeps his price down at a healthy $5 or so on the secondary market. Grab him if you can!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 824: August 11, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 434: Elan Sleazebaggano

ELAN SLEAZEBAGGANO Outlander Nightclub Encounter
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84718
Number: 0340
Includes: Blaster, bar section, deathsticks, glass
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: November 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The shadowy depths of Courscant are replete with unsavory characters such as Elan Sleazebaggano, a slimy dealer of illegal substances who frequents the entertainment district's nightclubs and bars to peddle his wares. His attempt to sell death sticks to Obi-Wan Kenobi resulted in a complete change of profession after the Jedi used a gesture of influence to encourage the Slythmonger to adopt a new lifestyle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Love him or hate him, you can't ignore him-- because Elan Sleazebaggano comes with a big bar section that lets you recreate scenery from the films, and let's face it, we can never get enough props. Hasbro did a great job crafting a futuristic drinking establishment for just pennies, even going so far as to include a place to store the drinks behind the bar. How cool is that? So no matter what, I'd advise you to get this figure just for his accessories. The figure has decent articulation (8 joints), a really excellent sculpt with loads of different textures on all of his garments, a very good head sculpt (with druggie eye makeup), and a holster for his blaster. In short, it seemed obvious Hasbro knew they were only going to do this guy once, and made sure to pull out all the stops, sculpting buttons, his collar, and a lot of subtlety into how the costume hangs on the figure. A lot of fans thought the name was stupid, and the design cheap, but there's no denying that this is a very well crafted action figure for his day. If I were you, I'd buy one (or perhaps two.)

Collector's Notes: While this figure shipped at only one per case very briefly, there is a significant variation-- the head was sculpted showing his ears, or having his ears covered by hair. Neither seems to be rarer, but if you're looking to get a significant change, there are two flavors of this figure out there to be had. Also, you may as well get one of these if you enjoy the Legacy comics-- that way you have some deathsticks to give Cade if/when the figure comes out, by my guesstimates, in 2008.

Day 434: July 14, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 387: Ayy Vida

AYY VIDA Outlander Club Patron
Saga
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84723
Number: 0338
Includes: Stool, glass
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The consort of local crime boss Hat Lo, the beautiful Twi'lek Ayy Vida has been tainted by the criminal underworld. She continues to look for an opportunity to escape Lo's repressive clutches. After catching the eye of a dapper Republic Guard one night at the Outlander nightclub, she hopes the guard will rescue her. Her hope is in vain for he is an imposter, one of many poseurs who frequent the clubs for their own nefarious purposes. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In the immortal words of Mr. Laupin, "She'll go there. And maybe she'll bring a friend." Ayy Vida is dressed like a total party girl in a collar and skin-tight latex (I think) outfit, which matches her dyed skin. Hawt. The figure initially resembles a retooled Shakka, although dressed in what may be considered a far more pleasing manner. Because of this, she's not a perfect match for the stock photography, but still a great addition to your Outlander dioramas. The figure is one of too few female figures in the line, has eight points of articulation, is nearly naked, and is drinking. In other words, the kind of houseguest one can only wish for. While the figure does little to break new ground in the world of toymaking, she has done wonders for the world of in-universe Star Wars club fashion, and to Ms. Vida, we salute you.

Collector's Notes: This figure was introduced as the SKU she shipped in was discontinued-- meaning she basically shipped in one case at one per case for a few weeks, and was clearanced. As such, she was a little hard to get, but as nobody cared, she stuck around for a while. Fans of the Coruscant Outlander Nightclub will also want to get Elan Sleazebaggano, Achk Med-Beq, Lt. Dannl Faytonni, and the club version of Obi-Wan Kenobi-- each includes tables and chunks of the bar to recreate some elements of the scene in your very own home.

Day 387: May 28, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 381: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI Outlander Nightclub Encounter
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84717
Number: 0339
Includes: Glass, bar
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker chase the assassin, who attempted to take the life of Senator Amidala, into the Outlander nightclub on Coruscant. As Obi-Wan bides his time, waiting for his quarry to make a move, he is approached by one of the low-life Slythmongers. Using the Jedi gesture of influence, he convinces the Slythmonger to reform his corrupt ways. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: A Jedi hero action figure is going to include a drink and a bar? I never thought I'd see the day, but in 2003 we saw Hasbro release Obi-Wan Kenobi specifically from that sequence of the film. The figure includes half of a bar (which can store drinks behind it) and a drink, plus was the most articulated (at the time) version of the character. In theory, this was great-- however it was 2003, and "super articulation" was just coming into its own with the release of the Clone Trooper still a few months down the road. Still, this was the best at the time, which as good and bad-- you see, Hasbro still hadn't quite figured out how to do Obi-Wan Kenobi's hair from Episode II, and as such, the beard and the whole head just looks bad. It's like releasing a tiny Padme figure with no makeup-- unfortunately, when you get down to a tiny scale, some things benefit from exaggeration or precision because otherwise they just look odd. This is one of those figures. If the head was better, I'd dare say it's one of the best Obi-Wan figures we're ever going to see, but it wasn't, so it isn't.

The figure has a lightsaber molded to his belt, and features over 11 points of articulation. It's an OK figure, but it isn't one that's going to win a lot of contests. Still, for the bar, at the right price, this figure is totally worth plunking down some cash on. There aren't many chances to buy Star Wars scenery, so be sure to get them when you can.

Collector's Notes: This item shipped near the end of the 2003 line of Saga, and as such was clearanced out quite violently shortly after its release. If you lived in the right area, you could get this entire wave at Target for a couple of bucks each. As people were sort of Attack of the Clones-d out by then, a lot of people didn't seem to mind.

Day 381: May 22, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 307: Lt. Dannl Faytonni

LT. DANNL FAYTONNI Coruscant Outlander Club
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84818
Number: 0329
Includes: Bar table stand, blaster, glass with red drink
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Don't let the uniform fool you, should you find yourself in the depths of the Coruscant entertainment district. Sure, there may be offciials from the upper levels "slumming it" among the barflies at a Coruscant nightclub, but the Republic official or Senate Guard may in fact be a con artist looking to separate you from your pocketbook. Though at first glance, Lt. Dannl Faytonni seems to wear the uniform well, nothing should be taken for granted. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Does the idea of owning toys based on a cameo excite you? Allow me to introduce Lt. Dannl Faytonni, who is Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) outside the robot suit. The figure has an excellent range of articulation, a working holster, and a great sculpt-- and the same body was reused for another figure later, but that's OK as it's a good figure. The main appeal of this figure is the fact that it's Anthony Daniels, and customizers will probably take this figure and a C-3PO and bash together something really cool. For the rest of us, it's just an amusing character that is basically scenery-- and he includes some scenery, too. It's worth snagging if you see one.

Collector's Notes: A wacky cameo with loads of articulation and great accessories? How can you go wrong? You gotta buy one.

Day 307: March 9, 2007