Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,034: BoShek

BOSHEK So It's Come To This
The Power of the Jedi Collection Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84664
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Late 2001/Early 2002
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: BoShek is a smuggler and starship technician who flew illegal ships for Tatooine monks. He helped Obi-Wan Kenobi by pointing out Chewbacca in the Mos Eisley cantina, when the Jedi was looking for transportation to Alderaan for himself, Luke Skywalker and the droids.  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's old apartment's toy room, in the cantina diorama.  I took this in 2009.

Commentary: I consider BoShek to be the original gag figure, largely because I feel the joke was on me.  I used to write a Q&A column over at Rebelscum in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and fans started writing in - regularly - asking about when BoShek might come out.  My answers were typically some variation on "half past never" or "after Hell freezes over" or what have you, but since I was writing 3 10-question columns per week, I had to post something.  It turns out that back then Hasbro was reading the column regularly, and when BoShek came up at a brand meeting (or so one version of this story goes) they said "Hey, there's this guy on the internet who keeps writing how we'll never make it, we should totally do it to see his head explode."  (I've heard another version of this story that say "I don't know that you came up.")  Regardless, a couple of years of me making fun of BoShek inadvertently created more awareness for a balding, no-line pale man in a black space suit.  The least interesting man in the world has been rendered in plastic over some fairly fantastical alien creatures from one of the most influential scenes of one of the most world-changing movies ever made.   There were never petitions for BoShek, but there were a lot of nasty columns from me to my readers about why anyone would ever want him after the mutton chop joke worse off.  And I have him.  You do realize this is one of many problems I carry around inside my person on a day to day basis.

Complain as I will, even at the time of his release I couldn't deny that this was actually a pretty good action figure.  Hasbro made it do everything it should be able to do, and then some.  I was figuring we'd get an adequate figure who could stand up and maybe have a helmet or a drink, but Hasbro gave him a really ornate space helmet plus a unique gun which fits in a holster on his left hip.  Also, his right hand was posed in such a way that it looks like he can carry around his helmet... or make a rather rude gesture.   This figure was made using the same basic format for the era.  Heck, he doesn't even have that much articulation - the standard six joints were augmented by a swiveling right arm bicep, and that's all you get.   The quality of the sculpt was a little soft as well, especially when compared to the 2002 Cantina alien Djas Puhr which looked spectacular but felt less like a toy and, like much of the 2002 line, more of a collectible. 

While not a figure any kid would ever ask for, BoShek was a neat transitional piece between the end of Power of the Jedi, were you didn't really have to "be careful" with figures and you could just hand them to a kid and count on lightsabers generally not snapping or limbs generally not breaking off because the pegs were too skinny, or painted in place.  Things worked pretty well up until this point, and from here on out Hasbro started to question the "toy" conceit.  Heck, Eeth Koth from the previous wave was described by Hasbro as the future direction for the line with more of a statue pose, an aggressive stance, and a two-piece lightsaber which had a removable (breakable) blade.   History judged the removable blade harshly, the subsequent magnetic features (which I thought were neat) were dropped by 2003, and action features - largely absent from Star Wars figures - began to creep into the line with more spring-loaded rockets and other gimmicks.   Were I to begin collecting Star Wars toys today, I'd probably focus largely on Kenner and Hasbro's offerings from 1995-2002 and of course Kenner's range from 1978-1985.   Even "hard to get" figures were easier to find than the bulk of today's newest releases.

Collector's Notes: Depending on where you shopped, this figure was either fairly common or impossible to find. There was a Toys R Us near me that not only had a ton of these, but kept restocking them.  It was paved over for yet another car dealership after closing around 2006. Back in 2001, Hasbro would sometimes do case mixes with 3-4 new characters at 4-3 units per case - and stuff sold through.  There were few carry-forwards and the realty was that shortpacked Star Wars figures were fairly uncommon if you could wait a couple of months.  You likely could find them.  These mixes helped online stores to sell sets of waves, and it gave fans a bigger chance at actually finding stuff at retail.  This practice was pretty much done away with completely by 2009 as Hasbro produced larger waves and they had a stronger desire to milk existing figures for additional runs.   I don't blame them - Boba Fett and Darth Vader sell - but it kind of stings.   Today BoShek can be had for roughly his original issue price; he was always somewhat cheap on the secondary market.  I saw a bunch of him sealed on the card at Goodwill a few months ago.   Also, this is the last Star Wars Figure of the Day. Thank you for your kind indulgence.  Thank you for having read the column these last few years and please keep enjoying Galactic Hunter and Q&A.  If you'll excuse me, I need to go off and listen to a 50-minute version of "Louie, Louie."

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,034: April 1, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,883: Darth Vader (Dagobah)

DARTH VADER Dagobah
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No.  84472
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, Force File
Action Feature: Removable head, removable faceplate, lightsaber, cape
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2000
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio:  Taking the form of Darth Vader , the Dark Lord of the Sith, this spirit is the embodiment of the dark side of the Force. It dwells in a cave on the swamp-covered planet of Dagobah. Although defeated by Luke Skywalker in combat, its unmasked face revealed that Luke has yet to master the ways of the Force and become a Jedi.   (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,877: Queen Amidala

QUEEN AMIDALA Royal Decoy
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84657
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99-$6.99
Availability: Fall 2001
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio:  As the Trade Federation plan to invade peaceful Naboo unfolds, Queen Amidala must appeal to the Senate for help. In times of danger, the handmaidens serve as secret bodyguards by posing as the Queen, such as on her way to the Galactic Senate on Coruscant, in which Sabe served as the dependable and nonchalant decoy for the Queen.   (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,597: Darth Maul

DARTH MAUL & Darth Vader
Power of the Jedi Masters of the Dark Side Set
Item No.: Asst. 84385 No. 84557
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, display base, companion Darth Vader figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: Summer 2000
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: As Lords of the Sith, Darth Vader and Darth Maul draw their power and control from the blackest depths of the dark side of the Force. Darth Vader commands by terror and is key in helping Emperor Palpatine hunt down nearly all of the Jedi Knights. As a disciple of Darth Sidious, Darth Maul's highly trained physical and tactical abilities make him one of the most dangerous Sith apprentices in history. (Taken from the toy's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' former desk.

Commentary: One step forward, two steps back. Since 1999 Hasbro has made several new Darth Maul figures but few were complete improvements over the original. This one in particular added ball-jointed shoulders for the first time, plus brought back the Lightsaber with 1 removable blade first seen on the 2000 Episode I "Sith Lord" release of the character. The sculpt is acceptable, if a little chunky, and the deco is pretty good as Darth Mauls go. The tats are nice and the paint doesn't seem too out of place, but Hasbro could (and would) do better in the future. Arm articulation was weak here, so really what you're buying this figure for would be the packaging and the neat display base. He looks OK but basically just stands around, doing nothing other than being another Darth Maul figure in your collection. And yet here we are in 2011 and a proper super-articulated Maul has yet to find its way to our store shelves. That's democracy for you.

Collector's Notes: The going rate seems to be close to original retail. This Maul figure also shipped in other configurations, including as a carded figure. The 2-pack with Vader is neat due to its exclusive base, and this 2-pack was something I was unable to find at retail. I was also told it pegwarmed in smaller communities, so yeah, score one more for awesome distribution.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,597: July 28, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,581: Gungan Warrior

GUNGAN WARRIOR First Carded Release
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84274
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/q
Includes: Shield, atlatl, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The Gungans are an amphibious species who live in underwater cities hidden in deep lakes on the planet Naboo. Although Gungans have a strong warrior heritage, a series of treaties has long kept them at peace with each other. During emergencies, all territories unite to form the Gungan Grand Army. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's old back yard.

Commentary: While troop builders are usually something Hasbro does right out the gate, this Gungan Warrior came out over a year after making his first appearance on the big screen. I'm glad Hasbro waited, because at the time this was a pretty great figure-- and by today's standards, it ain't bad. The skin has this wonderful texture painted on it, which is lacking from the super-articulated 2009 release of this character. (You'll want both, of course.) The figure has a moist look, and his pose works well with his atlatl (the energy ball thing) and the energy shield. Hasbro did a great job sculpting the armor and painting it the right color, plus this Gungan's serious expression is appropriate for the character. You may not like Gungans, particularly ones which only have about six points of articulation, but this is a quality release and a great trooper. If you're on the fence, get it-- and if you hate Gungans, I doubt you made it this far.

Collector's Notes: This figure was repackaged in a Toys R Us exclusive gift set around 2004, but without all the accessories. You should buy both versions, as this one has the most gear, but the other one has a swell exclusive Kaadu with Captain Tarpals. The single-carded figure is worth about five or six bucks these days, while the Naboo Final Combat set is harder to get a read on as few come up for sale. You should be able to score it for under $30, though.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,581: July 6, 2011

Figure of the Day: Day 1,320: Darth Vader

DARTH VADER & Darth Maul
Power of the Jedi Masters of the Dark Side Set
Item No.: Asst. 84385 No. 84557
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, display base, companion Darth Maul figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: Summer 2000
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: As Lords of the Sith, Darth Vader and Darth Maul draw their power and control from the blackest depths of the dark side of the Force. Darth Vader commands by terror and is key in helping Emperor Palpatine hunt down nearly all of the Jedi Knights. As a disciple of Darth Sidious, Darth Maul's highly trained physical and tactical abilities make him one of the most dangerous Sith apprentices in history. (Taken from the toy's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' couch.

Commentary: At one point this "Masters of the Dark Side" set, containing then-new sculpts of Darth Maul and Darth Vader, was a real rarity. I never once saw one in the wilds of retail, which, to me, means that it's hard to find. Today it doesn't go for a lot, and the figures have since been put into other packs. The real reason to buy the set is the display base, but the figures are quite nice. Darth Vader has a cloth cape on his shoulders and a plastic robe around his waist, plus fairly limited articulation in the arms. As a display piece, he looks great as he has excellent sculpting designed to mimic the armor as seen in the original Star Wars film-- note the unique gloves and the robes on top of his shoulders. He won't be good as a pilot, but as a diorama filler or as a display piece this is a great set.

Collector's Notes: The going rate seems to be close to original retail. This Vader figure also shipped in other configurations, including as a carded figure and in the Death Star Briefing set. If you just want the Vader, all versions are virtually identical and should be able to be had fairly cheaply.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,320: July 6, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,275: IG-88

IG-88 Carded Edition
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84587
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rifle, Bandolier, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: 2000
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The most infamous and feared of all assassin droids, IG-88 has made a career as a ruthless bounty hunter. The tall, slender, gray droid was produced at Holowan Laboratories. IG-88 is equipped with an array of head sensors that allow him to see in all directions at once, and a variety of lethal weapons including grenade launchers, missiles and a flamethrower. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's yard.

Commentary: While generally considered to be the #2 man of the first 6 bounty hunters, IG-88 took quite a while to get much respect (read: a carded figure) from Hasbro. The 1996 release was based heavily on the 1980s figure, and this one builds on the 1996 release with some other changes. Most important of all is the new torso, which has a removable bandolier and some added "junk" wire, panel, and gadget detailing. The added deco really brings him to life, with some silver and black paint making it way more than the mostly-grey figures we tend to get used to when it comes to IG-88.

This figure basically amps up what Hasbro can do with this design, adding some detail to the head and giving fans a more "realistic" robot. With only six meaningful points of articulation and one rifle (the second smaller weapon wasn't included) this figure wasn't a total victory when it was released, but it was still a nice step toward the figure we got a couple of years ago. Which is way better than this one. I would suggest getting this one for kids or fans of figures from this specific era, because while good he isn't nearly the ridiculously super-articulated robot we've come to know and love later.

Collector's Notes: For the longest time, this was the best IG-88 you could get-- and then Hasbro made a "Vintage" version and this one most likely no longer interests you. Pay accordingly if you decide to get this one.

Also take note of his hands. Some releases had a hand which was molded shut in a full circle, and others had open claws. Mine had open claws, so I assume that's the more common but I really don't know. Also, this figure was repackaged in a few multi-packs like the Diamond exclusive Bounty Hunters box and the Toys "R" Us exclusive set of Bounty Hunters which also sported Aurra Sing's swoop bike. Odds are if you're an avid collector, you have three of this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,275: May 4, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,224: Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol, Clean)

SCOUT TROOPER Imperial Patrol, Clean
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84586
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Pistol, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99-$6.99
Availability: 2001
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Although lightly armored, Imperial scout troopers are essentially highly mobile stormtroopers. They patrol perimeters, perform reconnaissance missions, and scout enemy locations. They are equipped for high maneuverability and long periods without support. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam's front yard.

Commentary: Not all improvements are huge, but many are big enough to get excited over. While this Scout Trooper (or "Biker Scout") didn't have scores of articulation, it did have a fantastic sculpt which looked leaps and bounds better than the 1996 version, with its awkward gait and oddly bent knees. Sure, it worked for the bike, but what if you wanted your troopers to look good away from the Speeder Bike? You were pretty much out of luck. Aside from being a little less beefy, this version's most notable advancement was the inclusion of a boot-based holster which has since been included on every other newly sculpted Imperial Scout Trooper out of Hasbro. It's a wonderful little touch, it functions properly, and it just shows that Hasbro was really trying to improve these figures during that brief time that articulation started to take a small step backward. (In 1999, Hasbro started using lots of swivel arms and knee joints, by 2000 and 2001 a lot of these features were temporarily dropped.)

So! How's the sculpt, you ask? Pretty fantastic. The proportions are very good, arguably as good or better than the super-articulated release which first hit the market in 2006 as a "Vintage" figure and has since been repackaged and redecorated numerous times. The 2001 release's pose is a little more action-oriented, as it looks like he's posed to communicate with his men or fire on the enemy, but he still looks great in a diorama setting. While not designed to sit on a vehicle well, he will look good in a diorama and it's worth snagging one or more of each deco variant to flesh out your shelves and armies. The armor is well-sculpted, black-and-white paint jobs are hard to mess up, and Hasbro had a real winner on their hands. This original clean white release proved extremely difficult to find at retail for months, and even the reissues were tricky to get. Hasbro cranked out more plain clean white ones in 2004 in pretty good numbers, and those sold through just as quickly. Even though it wasn't perfect, this was a great figure and proves that sometimes a fan just wants to buy a good figure.

Collector's Notes: This figure was repainted with dirt shortly after its release in the same SKU/package. Also notable, a version which is literally ass-backwards came out in 2002 as a Target exclusive. It's the same mold, but the crotch piece was assembled backward, which was the way each and every figure of that run ended up being produced. Anyway, this is the first release, and arguably one of the best-looking. The mold was also used for the AT-AT Scout Trooper figure released as a Toys "R" Us exclusive with the giant Imperial Walker in 2006, although that version had a flip-up helmet.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,224: February 22, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,048: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI Naboo
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84251
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Cloak, lightsaber, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: August 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Obi-Wan is headstrong and impulsive, but he is also loyal and trustworthy. Despite the objections of the Jedi Council, Obi-Wan has vowed to fulfill his Master's dying wish: to train Anakin Skywalker to become a Jedi. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: When I was toiling away for the folks at Yakface.com, I think this Obi-Wan Kenobi was one of the most hated figures from the staff. I thought it was pretty swell, but my guess is that its abundance ticked more people off than it delighted. It was a nice idea for a release, specifically being Obi-Wan Kenobi from the final scenes of The Phantom Menace. That's why he has his hood up, and Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber. I thought it was clever.

The figure is not one of the most articulated ones you can buy, and in the context of the upcoming super-articulated version of the character, you can probably pass on this one. It's not bad, though. This mold has been rereleased with different accessories, and its use of swivel elbows and the normal six other points of articulation made it good, but not great, by the standards of its day. (In 1999, the first Obi-Wan had a then-whopping 10 points of articulation.) The sculpt of the outfit was acceptable, the figure couldn't really sit, but he looked good in a diorama or in a fight. Really, it was the accessories that were the selling points, and if you didn't dig the robes with the hood up over his head you had plenty of good reason to think this one sucked. But I liked it then, as it was a nice toy, and I still think it's a fun little toy today. It's just that the likeness, articulation, and overall look and feel didn't exactly wow fans 9 years ago and I'm sure they won't impress you today.

Collector's Notes: Not a big seller, not worth much, not more than a footnote by today's standards.

Day 1,048: June 19, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 1,047: Zam Wesell

ZAM WESELL Sneak Peek
Power of the Jedi Attack of the Clones Preview Wave
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84680
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Rifle, pistol, blast effect
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: April, 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Ten years after the fight to save the Naboo from invasion, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. under the leadership of a renegade Jedi, thousands of systems threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic. A courageous Jedi Knight, his impulsive and headstrong apprentice, and a queen-turned-senator are drawn into the heart of the conflict... and the beginning of war. (Taken from the figure's cardback. How useful.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Articulation was still not a top concern for Hasbro in 2002, which was when Zam Wesell and the first four Attack of the Clones figures hit stores. Zam here is good, but mostly in terms of her sculpt. She has a working holster, a face obscured by a mask, and a lot of leather armor. In short, a perfect choice for a sneak peek because you have no idea what the Hell she's supposed to be, she looks cool, and word was out that she was a bounty hunter. How could you go wrong?

The figure is a statue, despite having six points of articulation. She was made to exist in a very specific stance, with her rifle in her arms and her pistol in its holster. The detail is pretty great and the figure benefitted from the increasingly realistic proportions being used by Hasbro at the time, meaning smaller hands, less exaggerated faces, and an overall lack of buffness. Sure, she had some big-giant boots, but this was a real step in the right direction overall. I'd go on, but you can pretty much see what you're getting in to here. This is a figure you buy solely for the look. She isn't too fun to play with, and she sure as heck won't fit in her speeder vehicle, which I am required by law to once again tell you sucks harder than any other vehicle released by the company under the Star Wars branding since 1978. And I include every last one of the Power of the Force 1984 Mini Rigs in this tally.

Collector's Notes: One of two Zam figures produced, and arguably the best looking-- the other was a far better plaything. Neither is particularly in demand despite being a female bounty hunter in tight clothing.

Day 1,047: June 18, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 1,015: Chewbacca (Dejarik Champion)

CHEWBACCA Dejarik Champion
Power of the Jedi Basic Figures Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84363
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Dejarik table, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 2000
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: The mighty Chewbacca, a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk, is the friend and copilot to Han Solo. Known for his great strength, bravery and loyalty, Chewbacca often serves as Solo's conscience in their smuggling endeavors. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: "Let the Wookiee win" is a phrase oft-quoted in fan circles lo these many years, and this Chewbacca figure really captured the moment nicely. His Dejarik table plugs right in to the 1995 version of the Millennium Falcon, and it has all these nifty monster pieces on it. The figure can sit right at the table, and was designed specifically for this purpose. If he's standing-- like in the picture-- he looks silly. A number of my friends pointed out that he looks like he's ready to give or receive some form of table dance, but the figure is essentially true to the scene from the original film. He's meant to sit down, hands behind his head, savoring the compliment/threat implied by the fact he might tear R2-D2 to pieces. As far as personality goes, this figure's pose captures it quite well. His face is a little too goofy given how dark his eyes looked in that sequence, but hey, nobody's perfect. As Chewbaccas that can sit go, this is arguably the best of them in recent memory because his pouch or waist fur doesn't get in the way of things.

Our favorite Wookiee has eight points of articulation, with his knees being the notable addition. The main reason to pick this figure up is for the pose or the table, although his smaller size may not be ideal for any displays you make with more recent action figures. Still, the sculpt is good, and I more or less dig this release despite it being a little out of date. Grab it if you can!

Collector's Notes: This figure was around for a while in 2000 and was pretty popular. Until early 2001, when Hasbro made the first "tall" Chewbacca with all the height you have since come to expect out of Hasbro. Dejarik Chewie was the last "short" version of the Wookiee hero.

Day 1,015: May 5, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 992: Princess Leia (Bespin Escape)

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA Bespin Escape
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84588
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Twin blasters, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Early 2001
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Princess Leia Organa, the beautiful and spirited leader of the Rebel Alliance, is forced to flee from Imperial forces when the Rebel base on Hoth is attacked. Landing on Bespin's Cloud City, she and her companions are taken prisoner by Darth Vader. After making a daring escape, Leia pursues the bounty hunter, Boba Fett, to the east landing platform in an attempt to rescue the frozen Han Solo. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: Some fan argue that there's a split in the current line between "old" and "modern," but I'd say that isn't true just yet given how much stuff tends to stay in circulation. However, this Princess Leia Organa figure does represent a split for the character and how she was produced as a toy. For example, they actually tried a little harder to make her look like a woman, plus she's the first-ever "short" Leia-- most other versions of the character were rather tall. (She came out at the same time as the first "tall" Chewbacca.) The figure had some difficulty standing up straight, which can be helped by a stand or large amounts of patience. She has eight points of articulation-- the basic six, plus swivel biceps. This helps her hold the blaster with both hands, which is a pretty useful thing for her to do. Unfortunately, she can't do much else, and the figure is basically "stuck" in a run-and-gun pose. Thankfully the costume was well-sculpted, the head was designed nicely, and the figure can actually sit. Unfortunately, this is the only Bespin Escape Leia and may continue to be the only one, thus depriving you of having a Leia sit in the Falcon canopy that can run around and yell and stuff. Well, I guess she can do that.

The "firsts" don't stop with the figure. Her accessories were notable too, as she had the first "current" sized Imperial blasters. Sure, they were gold for some reason, but they were the first blasters that weren't as big as a figure's arm. That's pretty exciting stuff, or rather it was if you bought it in 2001. Today you probably don't care so much as now it's kinda old, but it's still being used. This figure is worth getting because she looks right, but fans wanting a figure with more aren't going to find it here.

Collector's Notes: This figure was never reissued, but she was reasonably easy to get back in early 2001. This figure actually would make good sense to release in a battle pack, preferably with slightly darker or different eyebrows.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 992: April 2, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 911: Mas Amedda

MAS AMEDDA Scenery
Power of the Jedi Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84136
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: August 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Mas Amedda is the stern, Chagrian Vice Chair of the Galactic Senate and is responsible for keeping order during debates. Amedda temporarily takes over when Queen Amidala submits her vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: After Episode I as a toy line ended, a few figures were shuffled off into its sequel, Power of the Jedi. Of those, Mas Amedda was one of the most colorful. Why? Well, look at it. There are blues, yellows, reds... it's a distinctive figure with horns! By the way, those horns bend easily to avoid breakage, meaning if you store this figure in a less-than-careful way it's sure to become distorted over time. He's posable at the shoulders, neck, waist, and that's about it. Basically, he was designed to stand around and call for order, and with his total lack of accessories he's not going to be a lot of fun. Fans did ask for this one, and Hasbro delivered, but he's a figure while will make you happy if you don't open your toys or just have them standing around. There's not a lot to play with here (unlike the 2005 version), so if you like what you see in the picture, that's pretty much exactly what you'll get. It's a well-sculpted figure with lots of detail and color, he's just not going to be doing a lot of vehicle piloting or enemy-blasting.

Collector's Notes: The first Mas Amedda, and arguably the best. The 2005 version was much bulkier and uglier, this one seems a little more vintage-like. It wasn't too popular, so you should be able to get it cheap.

Day 911: December 10, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 901: Fode & Beed 2-Headed Announcer

FODE AND BEED Pod Race Announcers
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84474
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Reporting live from the press box at the Mos Espa Arena, the two-headed Troig Fode and Beed has long been a mainstay at Tatooine Podraces. Renowned for their instant play-by-play commentary, the famous announcers have hosted competitions throughout the Galactic Podrace Circuit. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: As the second attempt at the dual-headed pod race announcers, Fode and Beed were designed on the final models used in the movie and not the concept art-meets-actors in makeup design used a year earlier. The articulation hasn't improved much, so basically what you're seeing here is a figure that intends to improve the look and feel of the character, and performs admirably. For his time, it's an OK release totally lacking in pizzaz as it's largely free of special articulation and all accessories. The designers at Hasbro didn't put their best food forward here, but it's a very competent figure for a fairly unliked character. It's the best announcer figure you're going to get, so be thankful the figure's heads have three points of articulation-- one at the base of each skull, and one where the neck meets the body. Despite this, it does feel lacking, but lacking what I'm not really sure. Perhaps it just proves that not every character needs to be made as a toy, as I'm left wondering what the heck I'm supposed to do with it now that I have one.

Collector's Notes: The figure was in short supply at first, as Hasbro seems to have cracked the code as to how many to produce and satisfy the market. Nobody seems to really want it, even though it was a notable character from the film. As such, don't overpay for this one.

Day 901: November 26, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 884: Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi

BEN (OBI-WAN) KENOBI Jedi Knight
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84115 No. 84158
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, hilt, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: July 2000
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Many settlers on Tatooine regard old Ben Kenobi as a crazy wizard. In fact, he is General Obi-Wan Kenobi, a veteran of the Clone Wars, and one of the last surviving Jedi Knights. For years, he lived as a hermit in the remote Jundland Wastes, secretly monitoring the safety and progress of Luke Skywalker, whose father had been Kenobi's apprentice. However, fate soon required that Kenobi himself train the boy in the ways of the Force. (Taken from the toy's packaging.)

Image: Adam's toy room floor.

Commentary: Released during a transitional period in which Hasbro was given a mandate to boost the line to be more than 50% original trilogy product, this Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi figure manages to be neat in some respects and in others... not so much. Based on some new tooling as well as the 1995 figure's head (or something close to it), this standing-only release was designed after the few scenes in the original movie. Sadly, no training remote was included. Surprisingly after over 31 years, Hasbro and Kenner have never made an accurate replica of the training remote that wasn't a crappy grey orb on a string in a Millennium Falcon vehicle. But I digress. This figure was designed after the scene in which Ben gives Luke his lightsaber, but here's the weird thing-- the figure comes with an Obi-Wan saber in the "on" position and a Luke saber in the "off" position. The scene only had Luke's weapon ignited, so yeah... this is kind of a bummer. However, the good thing was that was this was the first-ever trilogy figure to include a lightsaber hilt that can plug into his belt. The bad news? It isn't Obi-Wan's saber that can plug in to his belt. Oh well.

Articulated at the neck, waist, shoulders, and elbows, this figure isn't much of a toy. It looks fantastic, as the robes are sculpted nicely and the likeness is certainly good, but all he can do is just stand there. Thankfully he holds together nicely, but there's no way you're going to get him to sit in a ship. As such, I'd only suggest collectors, packaged fans, or diorama builders pick this one up. It's really no fun to play with.

Collector's Notes: Not a supremely strong seller, this figure would end up being the last new "trilogy" Obi-Wan figure sold until 2004. And the ones in 2004 would be the last new ones until 2009. If you want to get a really cool collectible, the 2004 Orignal Trilogy Collection version of this figure comes in awesome packaging sporting a background of Mos Eisley. It also has a display stand. I don't normally keep figures in the packaging but this one was so cool, I had to. (Did I mention how much I loved the 2004 Original Trilogy Collection packaging? It's gorgeous. Even better than the vintage line.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 884: November 3, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 820: Saesee Tiin

SAESEE TIIN Jedi Master
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84569
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: 2001
Appearances: Star Wars

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen.

Bio: An Iktotchi Pilot, Saesee Tiin is best able to focus while traveling at extremely high speeds at the controls of the galaxy's finest spacecraft. He offers a unique perspective on the Jedi Council as his naturally telepathic mind is always racing ahead to foresee possibilities. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Commentary: Behold, the first-ever Saesee Tiin! It took a few years, but here he is. The Jedi Master doesn't look as mean as the picture, but it's still a decent release with lots of detail sculpted into his robes and face. This is a good thing, because otherwise, he's basically a chess piece. His large plastic cloak doesn't allow for much movement, but it does give him a decent look. As a toy, he's lacking-- but he does have a purple lightsaber and can stand fairly well. What you see is basically what you get-- there's not a lot more here other than a decent looking collectible. With his articulation from the waist on down being pretty worthless, what you have here is a figure as good as his arms. And his arms are OK, it's just that other recent releases make this one look bad by comparison. If you have a choice, buy another version.

Collector's Notes: Initially offered as an individually carded figure, he made a return to the toy world in a Toys "R" Us exclusive set during the Saga line.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 820: August 5, 2008

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 534: Qui-Gon Jinn

QUI-GON JINN Jedi Training Gear
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84559
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Spring 2001
Appearances: n/a

Bio:  Qui-Gon Jinn is a Jedi devoted to maintaining order and justice in the galaxy. He, like most Jedi, feels it is his duty to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of Jedi. He does so by taking a Padawan to mentor. During the training process, Qui-Gon often wears his Jedi training gear for protection when sparring with his trainee.   ( Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Supposedly from a cancelled subline (and definitely from concept artwork), this Qui-Gon Jinn brought non-movie figures to the regular action figure line in a very "Batman" way.   We saw some bonus accessories with deluxe figures, and we've seen some comic and concept figures sold as such, but integrating these into the main line by combining it with movie designs and actors' likenesses was something new.  This particular figure combines Liam Nesson's head-- or at least a decent facsimile-- with a body loaded with armored detail and very limited articulation.  With six joints there really isn't a lot that die-hard figure junkies will like about it, but it's a remarkable design and it showed that Hasbro people had some interesting and marketable ideas to expand the universe after the first prequel was released.   I'd love to see more original concepts like this in the line, as it does seem to seem not entirely removed from the spirit of Star Wars.  Now if I saw Pod Racing Obi-Wan Kenobi, that'd be a different matter entirely.  The figure's outfit is unique to this figure, and while there is an armored Obi-Wan as well, they don't seem to go together too incredibly well. This figure is probably best kept for collectors or for kids looking for something truly different, after all it's not like most Jedi go through a large number of costume changes.

Collector's Notes: This figure has never been reissued, and it's worth noting it is pretty cool as a toy.  There's so little buzz surrounding this figure it's almost not funny, so if you want one you better start trading or looking to eBay.

Day 534: October 22, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 509: Biker Scout (Scout Trooper)

SCOUT TROOPER Imperial Patrol, Dirty
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84586
Number: n/a
Includes: Pistol, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99-$6.99
Availability: 2001
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Although lightly armored, Imperial scout troopers are essentially highly mobile stormtroopers. They patrol perimeters, perform reconnaissance missions, and scout enemy locations. They are equipped for high maneuverability and long periods without support. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: During Power of the Jedi, Hasbro made two versions of this Scout Trooper, this being the second, dirty one. You can see he has random blast marks and smudges on his front and sides, while the back is almost entirely clean. This is the first "new" modern sculpt of the figure, as the only previous Biker Scout was in 1996, muscular, and posed specifically for the Speeder Bike. The figure features a holster for his pistol, has six points of articulation, and well, he doesn't do a lot else. His pose isn't very action-oriented, but it does look neat in some diorama settings because you can pose him as if he's in the middle of something. The sculpt is very good, there's a fair amount of details, and the added layer of dirt makes the figure look a little bit better. This figure, and his clean counterpart, were staggeringly popular and several fans from around the USA believed it was never actually released for a while. Hasbro never really did make enough to meet demand, but the figure was kept in circulation for a while, and then brought back in 2003, and then eventually completely redone thus negating the need for this figure at all.

Collector's Notes: I cannot stress enough how popular this figure was-- it was astonishing because most Power of the Jedi figures were eventually easy to get. The figure was available in a clean variant, as well as a version with a backward crotch piece as a Target exclusive gift set. The mold was most recently released with a flip-up helmet in late 2006 as a pack-in with the AT-AT.

Day 509: September 27, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 466: Battle Droid (Boomer Damage)

BATTLE DROID Boomer Damage
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84563
Number: III-58
Includes: Blaster, backpack, snap-on "boomer" damage
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The wealthy Trade Federation secretly assembled a massive army of these unfeeling-skeleton-like battle droids. When the time was right, they were deployed against the peaceful inhabitants of Naboo as part of a Trade Federation power play. Many droids received severe damage during their clash with the Gungan army in the epic Naboo land battle. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy boxes, on a comic compilation.

Commentary: During Episode I, we were gifted but with one army builder-- the Battle Droid. In the following years, Hasbro cranked out several varieties. Heck, there were 5 different kinds of Battle Droid you could buy in the USA on regular cards in the first couple of months, so if you buy one of every unique Battle Droid, you can get a pretty nice army without even duplicating a figure. This one was a figure that in some respects is better for displays, but hey, it's still a fine example of what Hasbro was doing right. The figure has 9 points of articulation (2 in each limb plus the head) and a pretty good sculpt. A lot of those early Battle Droids have thicker legs so that the joint could be included, so it's a tradeoff-- you can have articulation, or accuracy, just not both. Still, this is a fun figure to play with because it offers a lot. If you like the damage, you can leave that on and have the figure popping out of a tank, falling over on the battlefield, or generally being assaulted. If you dislike it, it comes right off (although it is a bit of a pain to put it back) and now you have a decent standard Battle Droid. There is a little bit of weathering on the figure, as well as painted eyes, but aside from that it's pretty plain. Still, plain isn't bad-- Hasbro tends to overdo the battle damage on a lot of these figures. So, in short, the figure is a decent all-around trooper that offers more than the average Battle Droid. If that interests you, hey, awesome. Just be aware the head falls of easily once the boomer damage is removed.

Collector's Notes: Hasbro has made many, many Battle Droids. They did bonus Battle Droid overseas instead of CommTech chips, four variants of the basic TPM Droid, OOM-9, a droid with each playset, and then a bunch more for each of the other movies. (Well, not so much Episode III, but it does look like we can expect 8 or more versions of the Battle Droid in 2007 courtesy of Saga Legends and everything else.) What can we say, the little guys are popular!

Day 466: August 15, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 448: K-3PO

K-3PO Echo Base Protocol Droid
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84543
Number: n/a
Includes: Sensor pack, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Late 2000
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: A very old and experienced protocol droid, K-3PO had the vital task of leading the roid pool at Echo Base on the ice planet Hoth. K-3PO helped to coordinate the evacuation of the Rebel outpost when it was attacked by the evil Empire. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf.

Commentary: By 2000, Hasbro realized it was time to do what other toy companies do-- and that's repaint, rehash, and recycle. K-3PO is a white redeco of the TC-14 figure from earlier that year, made as part of a mandate to get more Trilogy product out shortly after Episode I. The figure is a cool one, and an example of why Hasbro should do repaints-- the mold is good, he had five points of articulation, and most importantly it looked right. Well, mostly-- there's some argument over the red dots on his chest and if they should be blue or not, but let's say this figure meets that "close enough" landmark that we all know and love. Droids are the perfect repaint fodder-- Hasbro can do one mold and reuse them forever, so a figure like this is pretty much perfect as it is. Sure, we could see a new version some day with enhanced articulation, but given the appeal of such a figure, I really, really don't think we'll ever see it.

Collector's Notes: Produced as a short-run figure in 2000, K-3PO sold a limited number of units and now, several years later, most fans don't care. It can be had, quite easily, for $2-$7 on eBay.

Day 448: July 28, 2007