Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,022: Mars Guo

MARS GUO Podracer Pilots
Discover the Force Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. 39611
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Packaged with Dud Bolt, Mars Guo, Clegg Holdfast, and Gasgano figures plus display base, flag, gun, removable goggles, Galactic Battle Game card
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $26.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Podracers compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace, a highly competitive and dangerous event held annually on Tatooine.  During the race, Clegg Holdfast and Mars Guo crash their Podracers, victims of sabotage by a fellow Podracer.  Teemto Pagalies falls out of the race when his vehicle is shot  by a Tusken Raider.  Dud Bolt tries to eliminate a Podracer but crashes his own vehicle instead.  Gasgano is one of the lucky ones to reach the finish line, coming in second place after Anakin Skywalker.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: While some figures get changed a bit from release to release, this Mars Guo from an exclusive 5-figure gift set is mostly worth getting for his flag.  The figure's tints are slightly different from the 2006 release, with the same gun and goggles.  It's a nice figure to be sure, with pleasant deco, good stripes, and a decent leathery paint job on his costume.  It doesn't quite match the muted green I saw in the movie, although that could be an illusion.  The goggles also don't seem to match the movie.  And the gritted teeth, well, you can't see those.  He could use a little more personality and a little more authenticity, I guess is what I'm saying, but he'll get neither as the existing figure was pretty much a miracle as it was.

Oh, and for the curious his blaster was recycled from Durge.

Collector's Notes: This set got slashed pretty cheap late last year, so I would advise against paying more than $15 for it right now.  At $25 it was a decent deal, until you realize that 4 of the 5 figures were sold as 2-packs for $7 between 1999 and 2006.  So when you get right down to it, the individual figures offer more interesting accessories (like droid figures) so I would suggest this box to completeists only.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,022: March 14, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,996: Teemto Pagalies

TEEMTO PAGALIES Podracer Pilots
Discover the Force Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. 39611
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Packaged with Dud Bolt, Mars Guo, Clegg Holdfast, and Gasgano figures plus display base, flag, removable goggles, Galactic Battle Game card
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $26.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Podracers compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace, a highly competitive and dangerous event held annually on Tatooine.  During the race, Clegg Holdfast and Mars Guo crash their Podracers, victims of sabotage by a fellow Podracer.  Teemto Pagalies falls out of the race when his vehicle is shot  by a Tusken Raider.  Dud Bolt tries to eliminate a Podracer but crashes his own vehicle instead.  Gasgano is one of the lucky ones to reach the finish line, coming in second place after Anakin Skywalker.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: Why re-buy Teemto Pagalies when the 2002 release included not only the figure, but some race debris and a giant droid from a deleted scene for a mere five bucks? ...I have no idea.  The flag, I guess?  This set of Pod Racers debuted about a year ago and is still rotting on shelves, largely because the deco isn't all that different and I don't know how many suckers collectors remain who will buy a boxed set of five figures just for the flags and slightly improved deco.

The sculpt is the same as the 2002 release, with swivel legs, shoulders plus neck and waist joints.  Deco is a little sharper now, his goggles are a clearer plastic, and the strap is a slightly different color.  Paint masks seems sharper with less slop, and his red scar remains on his arm.   I hesitate to use a word like "realistic," but it really is more lively than the original release.   I'm not suggesting you upgrade, because the 2002 figure is close enough where I doubt you would notice unless you have a crazier head for this stuff than me.

The main selling point?  The flag.  The glossy plastic flag is pretty awkward and curls funny right out of the box, but it is unique, colorful, and a nice addition to a display.  It's not as cool as a droid sidekick, though.  You can sort of force the flag into the included black Galactic Battle Game display base, but it's a tight fit and clearly not meant to go there.   Hasbro managed to find a way to compel long-time collectors to buy this set with the new accessory, as its merits do not warrant a subsequent purchase unless you write a column about toys every day.

Collector's Notes: This set did poorly.  Reports of prices as low as $7.50 for the set were heard, which is actually quite a deal.  Originally $26.99, this set is effectively a pretty good price... it's just that the individual releases generally offered more stuff like Pit Droid accessories and lower price tags.  For accessory completists, it's essential.  If you just want a Teemto Pagalies pod racer pilot, the original 2002 figure sells for as little as $1 on eBay and is unquestionably worth it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,996: February 6, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,922: Sebulba

SEBULBA  Mos Espa Race
Discover the Force Walmart Exclusive Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 38606 No.  38607  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: C-3PO, Anakin Skywalker, Pit Droids, display stands, die, cards, helmets, wrenches
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.96
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Podracers line up at Mos Espa Arena's starting grid to compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace. The mechanically gifted Anakin has built his own Podracer and is assembling the protocol droid C-3PO. The ruthless Sebulba is determined to win the race at any cost. Pit droids are part of the racing teams an eagerly assist with repairs.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo area.

Commentary: The toys to tie in to the 2012 3D Phantom Menace release can best be described as low-budget.  Sebulba is one of the best repurposed figures, taking the release from 2000 and slapping on a fresh coat of paint which improves the figure nicely.   He has a helmet and a spanner, along with an improved, more subtle coloring.  The original had less paint on the head and a paler skin tone, despite being released quite some time after the movie hit theaters.  This release, coming over a decade later, has the luxury of having already paid off the tooling and new paint applications are almost a given.   It looks more like a creature than a figure, keeping a similar texture to the original release while ensuring the colors would fit in with other, more recent figures better.  Has has 5 points of articulation and has no problems interacting with his own accessories.   As a stand-alone thing, it's a nice figure.

In the context of the 2012 toy line, it's a flop.   In early 2012, Hasbro released Sebulba's Podracer as a non-exclusive vehicle sold pretty much everywhere toys were sold.  Sebulba was not included, and only sold in this pack which, while supposedly set to hit in January, saw little or no distribution until about April.  So you have this big $25 vehicle, which lacks a driver figure from the 1999 release, and its one and only driver is exclusive to a store which didn't even have it on time.  To make things worse, Sebulba in 1999 was a much smaller figure.  By 2000 Hasbro realized he needed to be bigger, so the 2012 Sebulba is far too large to fit in the vehicle without intense cramming.  Sure, you can make it fit, but I can make Barbie fit in a Batmobile with the right tools, too.  If you have to squeeze, twist, cram, and stuff a figure into the pilot seat, it's not a good fit.  This is not a good fit.

As most figure collectors seem to care the most about individually carded figures and give little thought to vehicle drivers, odds are you'll never have an issue with this one.  Maybe you won't buy it, or you'll leave it in the box.  As a plaything for kids, it only works as long as you never, ever get it near the vehicle sold as a companion piece to this figure.   As a year, 2012 was filled with a disappointment for every delight, and as this figure embodies both those qualities it really is a great metaphor for the line in its current state.  In short: kids will have problems, collectors may have problems, and the best way to enjoy the line is to ignore big parts of it.

Collector's Notes:  While this assortment of exclusives vanished pretty quickly (often through a quick clearance), samples still persist and have appeared on-shelf at Walmart as recently as last month.  A store near you may still have this set.  Variant collectors, those seeking unique repaints of figures they bought 10 years prior, will find a lot to like in this set and for the sum of its parts, it's a pretty good deal.  The main issue I have is figure/vehicle compatibility, which this line didn't struggle with so much as it ignored it entirely.   Hasbro would have been better served to repaint the "inferior" 1999 pack-in Sebulba from the Podracer, as at least it would easily fit without giving a fuss.    I realize some of you don't think this is an issue, but look at it this way: if Barbie were too fat for  her clothes, or if two LEGO pieces couldn't fit together, that would be a bad toy.  I would put a pilot that can't fit in its vehicle in a similar category, unless there were plans to make a Sebulba which fit, in which case this is just a turkey of a year for Star Wars in general.  And to be honest, it probably will be written as one if/when someone does a history of the line by year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,922: October 25, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,910: Mawhonic

MAWHONIC Bounty Hunter
Discover the Force Walmart Exclusive Wave, Vintage to follow
Item No.: Asst. 38601 No. 38605
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #6 of 12
Includes: Rifle, flag, display stand, card, die
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $8.96
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio:   Mawhonic is a Podracer in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace.  He arrives on Tatooine with dreams of glory, but loses control of his Podracer and crashes in the Mushroom Mesa stretch after fellow Podracer Sebulba deliberately rams into him.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: Hasbro announced Mawhonic would be coming on a vintage package way back in 2011, and it's still on the way!  Here's the surprise: the vintage version will lack the flag that came with the Walmart Exclusive version, so loose figure collectors will probably want to chase down the first release to get that accessory.  And packaged collectors, well, we know where your bread is buttered.

As Mawhonic was never seen next to a full-size character, most fans didn't realize he was roughly the same size as little Anakin and Sebulba before his figure made the rounds at retail.  Being a practical effect in the movie, Mawhonic had the advantage of being completed unlike many of his other Podrace cohorts, many of whom exist as a naked maquette.   The tiny figure replicates his movie look quite nicely, sporting 14 points of articulation and some pretty amazing deco.  While his torso doesn't have a lot going on, Hasbro gave him little spots visible on the back of his feet as well as a head covered in veins and spots only visible from the sides or the back.   Most figures look best from the front, but you can really see where the development dollars in Mawhonic went once you pick him up.

While the figure's articulation is smooth, his sculpt is exceptional, and his deco is stupendous, I didn't spend a lot of time with this figure.  He got opened, photographed, and shelved.  It's not a bad action figure, but Podracers are hard to find homes for as their vehicles will likely never see production.  Fans who love all things Gran or anyone looking for a short Ree-Yees substitute will find lots to like in this little guy.  It's rare that Hasbro can make a short figure cost $9 and make it seem worth it, but the amount of effort on this one is pretty apparent once you see him in person.  Get one if you can, unless you're looking to cut costs, in which case wait for the inevitable (I hope) Ree-Yees resculpt around 2016.  I'm guessing.  Who knows?

Collector's Notes: While Phantom Meance-themed anything isn't high on most fan wish lists, this is actually a really excellent figure and it's sort of good to see Hasbro trying to reissue it.  He's in the final (for now) online exclusive vintage assortment and if you're really lucky, a Walmart near you might have him in his 3D glasses-bedecked packaging still. Remember, the Vintage one won't have the flag.  Have you ever been sorry you bought an alien figure you didn't already own?  Probably not.  So go get this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,910: October 9, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,896: Anakin Skywalker

ANAKIN SKYWALKER  Backpack Fires Missile!
Discover the Force Movie Heroes Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 36563 No.  38565  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH14
Includes: Stand, card, die, projectile, helmet, backpack
Action Feature: Firing rocket
Retail: $8.99
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio:  Thought still just a boy, Anakin Skywalker is already a gifted mechanic.  He builds devices like a jet-powered backpack using bits and pieces thrown away by Watto, the junk dealer who owns the young slave.  Anakin uses his mechanical ability to construct his own Podracer and rebuild a discarded protocol droid named C-3PO.  (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: Fun fact: this Anakin Skywalker and the Vintage "Padawan" versions were the first new preteen figures of the character since roughly 2001.  Little boy Anakin got a repaint or two in things like the Jedi High Council, but Hasbro dropped The Phantom Menace like a bad habit in 2001 and aside from a few token figures a year, it went largely ignored.  Sure, there was the odd theme wave, but they were far and few between.  For the 3D rereleased of the movie nobody was clamoring to see in the first place since we all just bought the Blu-Rays, Hasbro made a new "toy" figure assortment which had great sculpts and fun accessories.  In Anakin's case, they also had iffy paint.   While there's a delightful layer of dirt and grime with a nice paint job on his face and helmet, take a look at his belt.  The area directly below the belt was left unpainted, and why I'll never know.  Maybe Hasbro said "Well if he's sitting down, the clothes would be folded over and dust wouldn't get in it."  But that kind of rationalization doesn't sit well with me, it looks funky and I can't really tell you that it doesn't.  Anakin sports six points of articulation and has a nice likeness to the actor whose appearance in this movie resulted in his early retirement from the cinmea.

The reason to buy it, aside from the decent figure, is the backpack.  I love it-- it's big and goofy, it looks like Hasbro asked its 1990s Batman team to craft a Pod Racer-esque weapon for the young boy.  The very notion that a small boy, even one with magical powers, just happened to build a jet-powered rocket pack of death out of junk he found laying around is so absurd you can't help but love it.  It may not have a strong movie connection, but it looks sufficiently Star Wars-y, is fun to play with, and is a kajillion times better than a spanner as an accessory.  It's fun, I approve.

My only real beef about this figure is that it was the only new "Tatooine" Anakin designed for 2012 and it doesn't fit in the Pod Racer.  None of the Anakin figures sold in 2012 fit in the Pod Racer.  The only one that really fits was packaged with the original release of the vehicle in 1999, which to me shows that one thing that hasn't changed over the years was Hasbro's ability to not play with these things before they come out.   Get Anakin because he's the best version of the character in his main movie outfit-- don't get him as a vehicle pilot.  Trust me.  I would very much like to see Hasbro make more figures like this-- good sculpt, limited articulation, insane accessories-- so if you're reading Hasbro, nicely done, and more, please.  If you only buy one Anakin figure, this is probably your best overall pick.   I know, I complain a lot, but it's still really good.

Collector's Notes:  This figure has been in semi-decent circulation since he debuted, I've seen more of him at drug stores than toy stores. eBayers sell him for as little as $4 but he's usually closer to $13.  Retail stores are about $9.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,896: September 19, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,892: Gasgano

GASGANO Podracer Pilots
Discover the Force Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. 39611
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Packaged with Dud Bolt, Mars Guo, Clegg Holdfast, and Teemto Pagalies figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $26.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Podracers compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace, a highly competitive and dangerous event held annually on Tatooine.  During the race, Clegg Holdfast and Mars Guo crash their Podracers, victims of sabotage by a fellow Podracer.  Teemto Pagalies falls out of the race when his vehicle is shot  by a Tusken Raider.  Dud Bolt tries to eliminate a Podracer but crashes his own vehicle instead.  Gasgano is one of the lucky ones to reach the finish line, coming in second place after Anakin Skywalker.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,791: Anakin Skywalker

ANAKIN SKYWALKER  Mos Espa Race
Discover the Force Walmart Exclusive Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 38606 No.  38607  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Sebulba, C-3PO, Pit Droids, display stands, die, cards, helmets, wrenches
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.96
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Podracers line up at Mos Espa Arena's starting grid to compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace. The mechanically gifted Anakin has built his own Podracer and is assembling the protocol droid C-3PO. The ruthless Sebulba is determined to win the race at any cost. Pit droids are part of the racing teams an eagerly assist with repairs.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.

Commentary:  The 2012 relaunch for The Phantom Menace really shows that Hasbro has lost its mind when it comes to producing toys.  They're really good at making collectible figures for dioramas, or to leave in the packaging, but the vast majority of the time they don't really take into account little things like you might need an Anakin Skywalker figure to put in his pod race vehicle.  While the figure can be contorted to fit, his arms won't fit on the controls-- and this goes for all of the Pod Race outfit Anakins cranked out in 2012.  (The sick thing is that in 1999, they made one which fits perfectly and didn't rerelease it.   The same holds for Sebulba, but the 2012 Sebulba can be crammed with Brute Force into his ship.)  More complaining about this at the end.

Anyway, this "new" Anakin Skyalker is an acceptable Anakin Skywalker figure, as a standalone thing.  It's a repaint of the 2000 mold, which we've seen a few times over the past decade and change.  The figure is fundamentally the same as the one in Target's "Rise of Darth Vader" 2-pack, except it has no filth on the face and a different helmet.  Between the two, I like the paint job on the Walmart version better.  This Pod Race pilot comes alive with the dirt on his face, without it the figure's skin is far too pale to show the detail.  Being a 2000 sculpt, Anakin has awkwardly jointed knees, plus rotating wrists.  The stiff plastic of his lower shirt makes it a little difficult to get him to sit in a vehicle (or at all), and will distort the plastic if you leave it that way for a long time.  If you just want a display piece, though, this one isn't bad.  It's not particularly impressive, and I think if you keep pulling the helmet over his head it might scrape off the dirt, but other than that?  It's OK.  It comes with a wrench accessory which is a little awkward for his hands, but it's OK.  I appreciate the display stand too, and the Pod Race flags are a nice touch.  It's just that when you get right down it it, you're buying figures which work well as figures or display pieces, not as vehicle drivers.

Collector's Notes: So let me just complain a little more before we go.  The problem here is that we're seeing how Hasbro thinks as a company, and this kind of thinking means that Hasbro has opted out of making suitable pilots for its vehicles.  Vehicles which aren't exclusives.  So what Hasbro did here was to produce 2 vehicles-- arguably from the film's centerpiece, the reason you would want to see it in 3D-- were most likely produced in larger quantities than the figures which drive them, and opted out of using perfectly good figures which do fit.  The only Sebulba available this year was in an exclusive (strike one), and then it was a Walmart exclusive which received unusually late distribution (strike two), and then the figures don't even fit right (insert fail metaphor here.)   The only other figure/vehicle combination that Hasbro routinely botches was Han Solo and Chewbacca with the Millennium Falcon, generally there are seat/figure compatibility issues.  This sort of thing really ticks me off, because the vehicles are already on clearance before the one token new mold for the year comes out with the Naboo fighter and these were generally just a pile of bad decisions.  I hope the line performed well financially for Hasbro, because as toys these are some of the sorriest releases we've ever seen.  Or maybe I'm the crazy one, assuming kids who buy ships want the figures to fit inside them?

I would also like to point out that the Pit Droids pictured on the box are not included with the set.  The Battle Game cards and packaging reflect Anakin's Pit Droids, with an "A" on them, and the included droids match the one included with Rats Tyerell.  I get that sometimes an exclusive set has to be a low-dollar development cash grab, but geez, there were better molds to crank out to go with the vehicles.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,791: April 25, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,790: Ben Quadianaros

BEN QUADINAROS  with Pit Droid
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  37501  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC81
Includes: Pit Droid, 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:  After losing the Fan's Choice polls a few times, Hasbro finally gave a figure to Ben Quadinaros after, oh, about 13 years of waiting.  As one of the few Pod Race aliens to get some decent screen time and an on-screen namecheck, fans of all walks of life actually knew who he was.  But for some reason or another, the idea of a kite-shaped biped with suction cups for hair whose torso is 95% face kept getting kicked down the road.  For such a goofy character, this super-articulated Pod Racer came off as looking far more sinister than I would have expected-- the sharp teeth, furrowed brow, and wrinkles turned this guy from a weird little alien into something that's just a little creepy.  Well, "creepy" mixed with what seems to be the aesthetic from The Real Ghostbusters ghosts.  The 3D model from the movie is lighter-skinned, doesn't seem to have his wrinkles quite as clearly defined, and his hair seems a little more managed.  This figure looks like the grim-and-gritty variation on the flustered racer, when what I was expecting was something a little more subdued.

While this wasn't a character I was campaigning for, it was one I expected we'd get eventually... but I was expecting something a little less, well, wrinkly.  I like mean aliens, don't get me wrong, but this character never struck me as the type to have an angry brow and dagger-like shark teeth.   Much like how several Jar Jar Binks figures failed to capture his personality, this figure didn't really strike me as flummoxed or, for lack of a better word, impotent.  The engineering is great, I can tell a lot of work went into the sculpt, and he has no problems holding his gun-- but, and I realize this is an odd thing to say, I'm just not feeling his vibe.   Which is unfortunate because I'm going to go out on a limb we'll never see this figure reissued or revised again.

Collector's Notes: He seems to be selling just fine, so with that in mind it's probably to your advantage to buy him now and not wait for later.  If you collect Pod Race figures, obviously, get him-- otherwise?  I'd say you could probably skip it, but as he's another in a long line of fan-requested figures, even if it is just a few vocal fans that really wanted him, I'm glad to see he made it out.  Even if it did take an unreasonably long time.  I mean, this figure actually lost Fan's Choice more than once.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,790: April 24, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,781: Ratts Tyerell

RATTS TYERELL with Pit Droid
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No. 26973
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC77
Includes: Goggles, 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' yard while under construction. Yes, that is a pile of dirt.

Commentary: The 12-year gap between the original Episode I line and the 2012 3D line was such a friggin' blessing. Even though he was developed around 2009, figures like Ratts Tyerell benefitted from a few years of improvements in Hasbro's sculpting and engineering, which is pretty fantastic. Sure, the 1999 Pod Racer figures like Gasgano were good... but this? This is way better.

The tiny Ratts has a huge body and tiny little legs. He looks like he's wearing a diaper, which is either charming or a funny allusion to the rumor/fact/rumor that NASCAR people whiz themselves in the races. If it's not true, I don't want you to tell me. He has jointed hips, shoulders, wrists, waist, and neck which is decent for a little guy. The paint is good, and the grin is spot-on. I love the removable goggles, not just because it's a nice touch but because it fits really well. He also has a gun. I don't know why.

The only thing I feel is missing from the package is a flag, as Hasbro went nutty including flags with almost every other new or reissued Pod Racer. Mawhonic has one. Toys R Us and Walmart both got exclusive sets with flags. Why no flag for Ratts? All or nothing, people. Of course, the flag is just me being annoying about wanting a uniform set of flags to go with the racers-- I wouldn't miss it if other figures didn't have one, and they're not exactly necessary. Much better is a Pit Droid, which was included and has a nifty paint job. For ten bucks it is more expensive than these guys used to be, but hey, two figures? Two accessories? Good paint job? I'm OK with this.

Collector's Notes: Originally meant as a companion figure to Clegg Holdfast, the delayed figure bowed in 2012 as a 2-pack with a Pit Droid. You may still be able to get him easily at a store near you, as he is newish.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,781: April 11, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,412: Sebulba

SEBULBA Sebulba's Pod Racer
Episode I Vehicles
Item No.: Asst. 84020 No. 84098
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Pod Racer vehicle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99-$29.99
Availability: May 3, 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: It is said that in all of Mos Espa, there is no better pod racer than Sebulba. A member of the Dug species, Sebulba is feared by his competitors for his aggressive racing tactics and nerves of plastisteel. Sebulba's success is due much to the fact that he will do whatever necessary to win, even if it means resorting to dirty tricks. His high performance pod racer is packed with certain "illegal" modifications used to eliminate fellow racers. On Boonta Eve race day however, a young competitor named Anakin Skywalker will give the infamous Sebulba a run for his money. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Love or hate Episode I, there's no denying that it introduced some freaky and cool designs into the franchise. Mr. McCraig-- I'm sorry, I mean Sebulba-- has a leg for an arm, and an arm for a leg. He walks awkwardly and seems like some strange horse-ape-reptile creature, plus he talked funky and had a neat costume with huge goggles. Oh, and he was a jerk to Anakin. He seems like he'd be a natural fit for the basic carded figure line, but Sebulba would not be carded during the initial run of Episode I, sadly. This figure-- his first-- was packaged with his large Pod Racer vehicle, meaning the figure itself was engineered more as an accessory for that craft than as a stand-alone product.

Sebulba can stand on his own, but his little feet don't have foot holes in them and he's a little bit smaller than many perceived he should be. In this day of downsized R2-D2s and Chief Chirpas, though, I can't say for sure if this one was actually more accurate in terms of height. Maybe? He's certainly not bad. The sculpting seems primitive today, but for 1999 he was pretty great. Things like multiple shades of brown on his leathery racing attire was pretty stunning, as were the many shades on his skin and other little details on his costume. While not superb, he is a good example of how Hasbro managed to do some great stuff in the late 1990s, but is also a sign of how a lot of the figures from this film seemed to look a little pale due to the faded, unpainted look of their skin tone. For a figure released before the film, but created before the design in the movie was finalized, he's not bad. I wouldn't suggest you track this one down unless you also want his vehicle, but he's certainly not bad. It's just the Power of the Jedi version which would follow over a year later was better.

Collector's Notes: While somewhat popular in its day, the figure plus the vehicle are now worth about ten bucks. I'd say it's worth getting for that. It wouldn't stun me to someday see another Sebulba upgrade, but unless it's a Star Tours exclusive, I doubt we'll ever see his Pod Racer again. So yeah, get this one if you want it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,412: November 11, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,235: Clegg Holdfast

CLEGG HOLDFAST Pod Racer
The Legacy Collection Basic Figure
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 92963
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD11
Includes: Blaster, goggles, droid part
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: September 2009
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Clegg Holdfast is one of the Podracers in the Boonta Eve Classic. Clegg is a journalist for the Podracing Quarterly and enters the races to better cover his stories. His engines are destroyed during the race and he crashes in the desert. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: A Nosaurian, best known for their appearance in the sparsely released Dark Times comic series, this Clegg Holdfast is yet another addition to the ongoing Phantom Menace Pod Racer collection. With 12 points of articulation and top-notch deco, it's a very nice figure that was expertly crafted by Hasbro. Unfortunately, it's a small, thin figure with few accessories and the price is higher than many 2-packs sold for in the past. Part of this is due to rising costs, but it's also due to the increased articulation which fans demand-- but you basically get what you pay for here. The blaster is nice, but I had difficulty getting the goggles on his head. Because I don't want to break it, I left them off. For fans of this sequence, this is a must-buy, but everybody else might want to give it some thought as it's very good-- just not great.

Collector's Notes: This figure was initially planned to be a 2-pack, and his companion is not yet confirmed for a release.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,235: March 9, 2010

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 491: Sebulba

SEBULBA Mos Espa Encounter
Episode I Cinema Scene Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 84115 No. 84161
Number: n/a
Includes: Chuba, CommTech Chip, extra figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Summer 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: While wandering with Anakin Skywalker through the maze of Mos Espa's outdooor marketplace, Jar Jar Binks spots a juicy chuba hanging temptingly from a vendor's cart. Unable to resist, Jar Jar lashes out with his sticky, elastic tongue, and accidentally sends the tasty treat flying into the soup of the galaxy's fiercest podracer - Sebulba. Enraged, the Dug racer leaps from his table and viciously attacks the unfortunate Jar Jar, leaving young Anakin to rescue his Gungan friend. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 1999, this Sebulba figure was some seriously exciting stuff-- the Jar Jar and Anakin with which he was boxed, not so much. As the first non-helmeted Sebulba, this figure gave us a look at the horse-like Dug's face, and the figure featured a ball-jointed neck as well as the standard arm and leg articulation. (Although which are truly arms and legs is left up to the academics.) The figure had a fair amount of detail, but like with a lot of figures from this era, he felt a little pale-- he was molded in a creamy color with purple markings to bring some life out of him, which resulted in a coloration which wasn't as rich as I would like. He can stand, he can hold a chuba, and he can look around. And that's about it. At least his face had a nice, menacing expression on it, otherwise this figure might be listed under "dull." Sure, he has a decent skin texture, and yes, his costume looks pretty good. But unlike other figures from 2000 or later, he's a little too bland-- and Hasbro is a great company capable of wonderful things, so with any luck, we'll see a newer, more better-er Sebulba in years to come. (Although of the three, the final release is pretty good-- keep reading for more.)

Collector's Notes: A better Sebulba would be released during Power of the Jedi with more impressive deco, more accessories, and a removable helmet. Get that one first. Then, if you have time, get this one because the set is super-cheap on eBay.

Day 491: September 9, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 488: Dud Bolt

DUD BOLT & Mars Guo
The Saga Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87086
Number: 051
Includes: Blaster, Headgear, Mars Guo, Display Base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: These two prodigiously-snouted racers compete in the same Podrace in which Anakin Skywalker wins his freedom from slavery. Dud Bolt, a shameless toady, is actually paid by the nefarious Sebulba to cause accidents during the race – a job that lands him in a Mos Espa med center. Mars Guo falls victim to Sebulba's own treachery when the cheating Dug pitches a chunk of debris into his engine intake. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: By and large, collectors can't name a lot of the pod racers from the first prequel. While many know Ben Quadrinaros by name, and have asked for a figure of him since 1999, he hasn't yet been produced-- but his rivals, like Dud Bolt, seem to show up every few years to fill that sports quota. The figure has a removable helmet, which is quite snug but you probably want to take it off because the figure was packaged so that his chin strap is functioning as a ball gag. And unless your figures do unspeakable things to one another, odds are it wasn't your intent to have an alien with a ball gag. The figure has more than acceptable articulation for a figure this size, with a grand total of about 7 points. With a decent leather texture to the costume, a nice and wrinkly skin pattern, and a top-notch paint job, this is a fantastic figure. If you want more toys from The Phantom Menace, which you probably do.

Collector's Notes: Along with his companion, the figure recycles weapons from Durge. Still, at least he has weapons. The two-pack was in short supply in 2006, but most fans who wanted one got it.

Day 488: September 6, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 187: Ody Mandrell

ODY MANDRELL with Otoga 222 Pit Droid
Episode I Collection 3
Item No.: Asst. 84105 No. 84117
Number: n/a
Includes: Removable Helmet, Pit Droid, CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: For unbelievable speed and hair-raising action, there is no better sport than Podracing. At the Boonta Eve race, Ody Mandrell's luck runs out during a pit stop when a pit droid gets sucked into his massive engine and shot out the back. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf.

Commentary: With Episode I, fans assumed that we would quickly see the entire selection of Pod Racers and Jedi Masters in short order-- after all, with such rich designs and nifty concepts, surely Hasbro would release all of Ody Mandrell's associates, right? Wrong. Other than Ody, Hasbro only made figures for Sebulba and Gasgano (and Anakin) during the film line's initial run, with others trickling out over the past couple of years. They were good figures and a decent value-- Ody has excellent detailing, lots of color, and six points of articulation. Oh, and a second figure packed with him. While the character received little screen time and no real Expanded Universe stories of note, he's distinctive, colorful, and quite the chatterbox. The figure sold fairly well at first, which is a good thing even though it's one of the lesser figures to come out of the Pod Race sequence. It's excellent, you should get one.

Collector's Notes: Who knew this is pretty much where Hasbro would draw the line? After Ody, a carded Sebulba would follow in Power of the Jedi. And then there was Teemto Pagalies in 2002... and then you don't see much for a while. The bulk of Episode I product is now dirt cheap, so if you want one, it's not going to cost you a lot.

Day 187: November 9, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 167: Sebulba

SEBULBA Boonta Eve Challenge
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84266
Number: n/a
Includes: Racing helmet, tool, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Late 2000
Appearances: Episode I

Bio: This Outer Rim Podrace pilot has rapidly risen to the top of the Podracing circuit through an unbeatable combination of reckless daring, skill, and outright cheating. The only thing Sebulba loves more than winning is ruthlessly dispatching his Podracing opponents. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: The toy shelves of Adam Pawlus.

Commentary: When first introduced to fans in 1999, Sebulba was one of the CG characters that fans didn't immediately hate. He didn't get a carded figure of his own until a the Episode I line had come and gone, but this was the best of them. Sized properly and articulated well, this is a well-designed figure that, while not perfect, gets the job done. He has a ball-jointed neck and normal joints on his shoulders and hips (at least, I think that's what they are) along with an evil toothy smile, a menacing stare, and a surprising amount of bright red and purple for a villain. The figure can stand well by virtue of having multiple ground-based limbs, and any figure with a removable helmet is automatically a good one in my book. This is, to date, the best Sebulba ever and odds are we won't see a new version any time soon, so it's nice to know Hasbro did a more or less perfect job the last time they cranked this one out.

Collector's Notes: Smaller Sebulba figures were included with the Sebulba Pod Racer and Mos Espa Encounter sets, and each had a unique mold. This is the only carded Sebulba figure to date.

Day 167: October 20, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 114: Gasgano

GASGANO with Pit Droid
Episode I Collection 3
Item No.: Asst. 84105 No. 84116
Number: n/a
Includes: Pit Droid, CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May, 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: With his multiple arms, thrill seeker Gasgano is uniquely suited for the extreme sport of pod racing. Piloting a cockpit pulled by two dangerously powerful engines, he relies on a crew of pit droids to keep him in the race when the action heats up. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: With the advent of Pod Racers, it seems Hasbro and Lucasfilm aimed to combine the appeal of NASCAR, the cantina scene, and racing video games into one big happy melting pot. Characters like Gasgano made for great action figures, but the glut of Pod Racer-based toys in a variety of scales quickly dashed the appeal of such a line, making it so we're still waiting to finish our set of Boonta Eve Race drivers over 7 years after we first met them.

The figure itself is pretty good. His unique ball-jointed arms (some of the first in Star Wars figures) pop right off, so be careful you don't lose them. The figure can't really sit, so he's basically a statue with a few moving parts-- 4 arms, his waist, and his head. The figure is a nicely designed one but there's not a lot of detail, and his shape is very much like old-fashioned Colorforms aliens in a lot of respects. If you like what you see, and need another Pit Droid, this is a fantastic figure to buy. The only problem is, he has no vehicle to pilot and no scenes that he really belongs in outside the races, so your uses for such an action figure might be a little low. (I still love it, though.)

Collector's Notes: This figure has never been remade. If you want a Gasgano, this is your one and only option. The good news for you is that Episode I figures are so undesirable, they rarely get any bids on eBay, so you should have no problem tracking him down for his original retail price or even cheaper. And for less than $7, he's a lot of fun.

Day 114: August 28, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 92: Teemto Pagalies

TEEMTO PAGALIES Pod Racer
Saga Collection Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84813
Number: 0246
Includes: Goggles, debris, droid
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2002
Appearances: Episode I

Bio: Proud of his new cycling-electromagnetic stabilizer, Teemto Pagalies is entering his barely tested Podracer in the Boonta Eve Classic, believing that it will give him the winning edge. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: With Attack of the Clones, Hasbro decided it would be a good idea to make figures spanning the entire saga, and wisely so. Fans were treated to characters from the first prequel like Teemto Pagalies, one of many requested figures from the Pod Races. While not loaded with features, this figure had just enough articulation to be good, a fantastic sculpt, and one of the finest paint jobs in the entire line. With so many textures, colors, ridges, and pouches, it would be easy for Hasbro to overlook details like the belt buckle, or the strips of cloth around his wrist, or an awesome accessory like the removable goggles. Even though some of the paint ops were a little sloppy, there's no missing the amount of work that went into the figure to ensure that, despite its small size, that you feel Hasbro put just as much (if not more) work into it than they would a full-size action figure. The added debris and droid (which we'll showcase later) only add to this figure's spectacular value at the low-low price of $4.99 upon its initial release.

Unfortunately, as a minor character who exists as a vehicle pilot, there's not a lot to write about this spectacular figure. It's a funky alien with normal articulation that looks great. There really aren't any good dioramas for him to stand around in, nor is there a vehicle for him to pilot. Still, he's one of the best figures Hasbro cranked out in 2002, which is really saying something as that was one of their most prolific years in the line's history.

Collector's Notes: Short of being rereleased with a vehicle, this figure is about as perfect as it gets. And, big shock, nobody seems to care. Would you believe this figure can be had for as little as $4 shipped? That's collector apathy for you. To date, several Pod Race drivers still need to be released, but the collection is growing and two more-- Mars Guo and Dud Bolt-- will be released this Fall.

Day 92: August 6, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 80: Podracer Anakin Skywalker

ANAKIN SKYWALKER from Anakin Skywalker's Pod Racer
Episode I Vehicles
Item No.: Asst. 84020 No. 84097
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99-$29.99
Availability: May 3, 1999
Appearances: Episode I

Bio: The high speed, adrenaline-packed pod races in Mos Espa are immensely popular events for the local populace. The pilots of these pod racers must have lightning fast reflexes and nerves of plastisteel, especially for the Boonta Eve race at Mos Espa Arena. Here, Mos Espa's best maneuver through a perilous course that winds its way through narrow canyons and tunnels. Facing incredible odds and vicious competition, a victory for the young competitor Anakin Skywalker would make him Mos Espa's best pod racer. (Taken from the toy's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf.

Commentary: Can you say Cornholio? This release of Anakin Skywalker is unique in that he's the only one to wear his distinctive crash helmet from the Boonta races, but also in that he has his arms at a bizarre 90-degree angle which resembles Beavis' alter-ego from Beavis & Butt-Head. His arms are posed this way so he can grasp the controls of the vehicle with which he's packed, but that doesn't mean it doesn't look downright weird otherwise. The figure has the typical six points of articulation, one of which is hampered by a "skirt" piece around his waist which restricts leg movement-- a real bad decision in design given this figure was created solely to be sold as a vehicle pilot that needs to sit down. The sculpt is good, based on other Anakin figures of the day, and his pose is about what it needs to be. The helmet sculpt is top-notch, and I hold out hope that Hasbro will revisit this feature with additional arm articulation, cloth around the waist, and new paint-- it's a marvelously sculpted figure, it just needs a little bit of tweaking and it'll be perfect.

Collector's Notes: This figure, packaged with his vehicle, is about as common as dirt. While many have asked for a reissue, we stand firm in saying that there's no need. Sealed box samples of this toy go for as little as $4 before shipping on eBay, and a rerelease would start at $20-$25, probably as high as $30 were it to be an exclusive. So be a smart shopper-- buy one on the secondary market! It's cheap, and you'll get one sent to your door. Even $4 for just Anakin's a pretty good deal.

Day 80: July 25, 2006