Figure of the Day: Day 1,312: Clone Sharpshooter

CLONE SHARPSHOOTER Battlefront II Clone Pack
30th Anniversary Collection Diamond/Previews Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 87561 No. 87466
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, helmet, pouch with blaster pistol, 5 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: Star Wars: Battlefront II

Bio: Clone sharpshooters are highly trained marksmen whose primary purpose in battle is to target infantry forces with devastating long-range fire. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' place.

Commentary: How many times can you repaint a mold inside a year? Many, many times. The Clone Sharpshooter started life as a Clone Commander in Mace Windu's Attack Battalion, then had an orange repaint as an Airbone Trooper, and also became a member of the 501st with yet another repaint-- and all of these figures were based on an existing Clone mold with a few more modifications. This release has a large clone rifle and all the articulation you're used to, 14 points. The removable helmet may fall off somewhat easily, but that seems to be an issue with the part on all releases of this figure. He can generally stand without too much assistance, and fits right in with the look of the 5th Fleet Security Clone Troopers from late 2006 and early 2007... and technically 2005 if you count the then-unnamed blue troopers from the Revenge of the Sith Clone 3-packs.

Collector's Notes: You probably won't need to spend a lot to get this one, and since it's an unusual non-movie design it doesn't seem to be commanding a huge premium. Individual figures are less than six bucks usually, so if you want it, that isn't at all bad.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,312: June 24, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,311: Destroyer Droid (Battlefront II)

DESTROYER DROID Battlefront II
30th Anniversary Collection Previews Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 87561 No. 87478
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 rockets, additional figures
Action Feature: Firing rockets
Retail: $39.99
Availability: Late 2007
Appearances: Star Wars: Battlefront II

Bio: The droideka (a compound word combining the Basic word "droid" with the Colicoid suffix eka, meaning "hireling" or "drone"), also called the destroyer droid (Destroyers for short), wheel droid or roller, was a type of heavy battle droid used by the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' place.

Commentary: People like to poke at Hasbro for "mistakes" (which are quite often just design decisions) but once in a while, we get a figure that's so ass-backwards we can't help but make a joke about it. Specifically since, over the past decade, Hasbro has made two figures which are literally assembled with their butt section reversed-- one of which is this Destroyer Droid. Chewbacca must have been in a hurry putting this one together because, like C-3PO in The Empire Strikes Back, he's backwards-- but just the area around its legs. The design is normally two legs in front, one in back-- this has one in front, two in back.

The mold is the Revenge of the Sith Destroyer Droid, just assembled incorrectly. It has firing rocket arms with the red rockets, and, well, that's pretty much all that's worth noting beyond that it's a pretty good sculpt and basically true to the films. It isn't a bad figure, but the assembly error is the reason to get it-- just to take note of a figure where the entire run was made incorrectly.

Collector's Notes: This item comes in a set that seems to get cheaper all the time, and the rest of the set is, for that lower price, arguably worth it. Snag it if you can, especially under $20.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,311: June 23, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,310: Emperor Palpatine

EMPEROR PALPATINE Final Jedi Duel
Power of the Force Cinema Scenes Collection
Item No.: Asst. 68650 No. 69783
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Display base, additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: 1998
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Under the evil gaze of Emperor Palpatine, the lightsabers of two Jedi Knights - a father and son - clash furiously in a final duel between the light side and dark side of the Force. Slowly, the young Skywalker is lured closer to the rage of the dark side, and Palpatine sits confident of the Rebellion's defeat and the acquisition of a new emissary to fulfill his evil legacy! But the young Jedi's resistance appears to be growing... (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Many have complained that we have never received Emperor Palaptine with a throne. These people are wrong-- this figure has one, stuck to the display base of the Cinema Scene set. The figure itself doesn't do much, after all he's posed with "sitting" legs and his arms are designed to be placed on the armrests, but the sculpt is pretty good and, to date, this is the only way you're going to get a) the seated Emperor and b) the throne accessory. He's more of a statue than an action figure, simply because once he's in that chair, he doesn't do much. And outside of the chair? He looks pretty goofy. Kenner's designers did a good job with him and he was far and away the reason to buy this set back in 1998, and, believe it or not, still is.

Collector's Notes: This one went from a pretty great set to clearance fodder in under a couple of years, and could be had for under $10. Today, you shouldn't pay more than $5-$10 for it, and because of the throne, I'd suggest you get it. If the long, retangular base which the chair is stuck to bugs you, you can just slice it off and end up with a throne on a square base. You should do that. I consider this a required purchase for fans of Return of the Jedi unless Hasbro does a better one, and I suspect it will be tough to do since this figure was specifically made to sit and only to sit.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,310: June 22, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,309: Dred Priest

DRED PRIEST Elite Forces of the Republic
30th Anniversary Collection Entertainment Earth Exclusive Mandalorians & Clone Troopers Set
Item No.: Asst. 87467 No. 87454
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, rifle, 6 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: n/a

Bio: A secret army of clone troopers is being engineered on Kamino, created from the genes of Jango Fett, a Mandalorian whose combat skills are exceptional even among the great Mandalorian warrior society. Special clones are created to command these soldiers, but they must be trained to become leaders. Fett seeks out the very best Mandalorian warriors from every corner of the galaxy. These sergeants will train the commandos to fight and lead, and instill in them the Mandalorian values of iron discipline and loyalty. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: While Hasbro has had a few opportunities to design Star Wars vehicles and the occasional figure, it's rare that they get to make up entirely new characters like Dred Priest. Named for (and designed to slightly resemble) Hasbro's chief Star Wars muckymuck Derryl DePriest, it's a fairly distinctive character with red armor. Rather than sculpt a completely new figure, Hasbro made a new torso and head while keeping the 2004 "Vintage" Boba Fett's arms and legs. As such, the articulation is pretty good with 14 joints and a Clone Trooper's rifle for his weapon. He can stand just fine but his belt doesn't do him many favors when it comes to doing things like sitting.

Given that this was basically a new character for the toys, and one designed after a Hasbro employee, there's really not much in the way of reference to say if it's really good or bad as far as the likeness goes. The important thing here is that Hasbro made a cool looking figure with a helmet that fits, plus he has some battered armor that doesn't look all that bad. More scuffing would be cool on his red plates, but eh, at least we got some. It's a neat figure and a rare case of Hasbro innovating and expanding the story with their own new characters. And surprisingly, it totally worked-- it's tough to say if they could pull that off again today given the shifting focus in the hobby, where every remaining collector runs his or her own collecting site. (It's true, look it up. If you don't have a site you're supposed to start one.)

Collector's Notes: This one sold pretty well and then went away. There are no known plans to reissue him, although there have been a lot of fan requests. So grab a loose one off eBay.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,309: June 21, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,308: AT-AT Driver

AT-AT DRIVER The Removable Helmet One
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 88336
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD49
Includes: Blaster, helmet, droid part
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: Late 2009/Early 2010
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The massive AT-AT walkers need skilled drivers to handle them efficiently in battle. AT-AT drivers are experts at operating these ground assault vehicles to keep them moving over rough terrain while pounding their targets with laser cannon fire. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' yard.

Commentary: The most surprising things about this AT-AT Driver are that 1) he isn't the one packed with the Big AT-AT and 2) he came out so quickly after the last one, which was in 2006. The 2006 one was actually quite good-- great sculpt, decent (but not fantastic) articulation, and a head that stayed on pretty dang well. The helmet seems to be a smidgen different, and there's a big red box on the chest console. His helmet comes off, he has ball-jointed ankles and elbows now, plus he has pretty sweet sideburns. I hesitate to call this one a huge improvement mostly because the 2006 one was so good/just fine. Where do you go from "pretty much perfect?" Prefect-er, apparently. It's a fine figure, but he has a little more problem holding on to his gun and I gotta say I don't care for the removable helmet anymore. It was cute in 2006 when we were all crazy about Clones and Hasbro was trying to merge that element of the prequels with the original trilogy, but I'm pretty over it now. That, and sometimes the helmet gets knocked off, so eh. Since the design is fairly simple-- except for the helmet-- the sculpting is about as good as the last one and if you need a dude to sit around inside an AT-AT, this is more figure than you're going to need. So get it, you won't be sorry you did unless you already have too many existing AT-AT Drivers.

Collector's Notes: This one sold pretty well so far, and it's a safe bet you'll see it again.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,308: June 18, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,307: ARC Trooper

ARC TROOPER and Anakin Skywalker
30th Anniversary Collection Order 66 Series 2
Item No.: Asst. 87356 No. 87667
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 2 of 6
Includes: Blaster, helmet, kama
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: March 2008
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: As a general in the Grand Army of the Republic, Anakin commands highly skilled Advanced Recon Clone troopers during the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' yard.

Commentary: The ARC Trooper concept went over like some sort of flying pancake when introduced in the cartoon series of 2003, and Hasbro was sure to have a figure of dubious quality ready to go. Since then we've seen countless improvements, and this unique release combines the kama of that very first figure with the body of the one from 2007. At first glance this was the exact same figure as the 2007 Comic Pack release, but it turns out that Hasbro did make some notable modifications. First, there's the kama-- so instead of a tattered, wind-swept garment it just sort of hangs there. Second, the paint job was altered to include a different smattering of fake dirt. The blue coloring was also a little different, plus Hasbro added some paint on his shoes. The main audience for this figure is completists, and the audience who wants a lot of different (but still similar) ARC Troopers for a raid or an army or something. I wouldn't say this one is superior to the other releases, but if you're going to buy a few ARC Troopers anyway you may as well make it a point to include this one in your stash.

Collector's Notes: The mold sold briskly as a 2-pack, and Hasbro repackaged it in 2008 as a Saga Legends figure where it continued to do just fine.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,307: June 17, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,306: Luke Skywalker

LUKE SKYWALKER Bespin Duel
Saga Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84525
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0229
Includes: Lightsaber, hand, blaster, bacta tourniquet, vane
Action Feature: Removable hand, dueling action activated by button
Retail: $4.99
Availability: May 2002
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: As Luke battles Darth Vader in Cloud City, he rebuffs Vader's attempts to mae him submit to the dark side. Wounded by Vader, Luke heroically chooses to plummet to almost certain death rather than to yield to the dark side. Managing to grab hold of a weathervane, he shrugs to hang on until his Rebel friends can rescue him. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' yard.

Commentary: A figure can't be all things to all fans, but this Luke Skywalker was one of the most impressive released of 2002, and one of my favorites. Hasbro gave fans so much for $5, including an unheard of amount of extra gear and articulation for 2002. I personally see this as a high point of the Saga line, simply because you got so many things that Hasbro doesn't normally bother with. For starters, a removable hand, with three variations. (See below.) A slashing action was incorporated, but it doesn't get in the way of the figure's look and feel too much. The decision to make the head sculpt bruised and beaten, in a mid-"NOOOOOOO" scream of sorts, was a great idea-- I mean, he's quite colorful and abused for a hero figure. His clothes are torn, sweaty, and his pose is combat-ready but clearly weakened. Plus you can hang him on a windvane, which Hasbro had the courtesy to include on a basic $5 figure. It's simply remarkable.

As far as articulation goes, this figure has great knee joints, plus wrist and swivel elbow joints-- these were still fairly uncommon in 2002. He can stand, sit, or assume a number of poses-- and the Big Millennium Falcon of 2008 included a medical bed which seemed designed with this figure in mind, too. (See, even Hasbro knows this one was better than the Vintage release in 2007.) For fans of fun toys, this is one of Hasbro's best. The lightsaber has a removable blade, the hand can get chopped off, and he can hang around-- literally-- on a great accessory. Get one, dammit.

Collector's Notes: There were multiple severed hand variations here on the carded release. The first one had a very short magnet peg and a bloody stump on his wrist. The second had a longer peg, but no stump. The third had a plastic peg and no magnet of any kind.

The short magnet peg mold was used for the Jedi Training on Dagobah Battle Pack release in 2007 and the 2004 Original Trilogy Collection version. The 2002 Saga one is the only one with the windvane, so be sure to get that one first and maybe the others if you like the alternate paint jobs.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,306: June 16, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,305: Giran

GIRAN The Other Rancor Keeper
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 93132
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD21
Includes: Hood, pike, droid piece
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: September 2009
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Giran is a Nikto Guard who helps Malakili take care of the vicious rancor in the chamber below Jabba's lair. A warrior species with a reputation for shady activities, the Nikto are loyal to the Hutts and work in Jabba's palace and on his sail barge. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' yard.

Commentary: If I had a short list of "best figure of 2009" I would put Giran right at the top. From the moment I opened the package, it consistently impressed me. At first I thought it was lacking in articulation, but Hasbro just did a really bang-up job hiding some of its 14 joints. The hood almost looked non-removable, but it comes right off if you'd like to have him go hatless. The sculpt is remarkable, with magnificent skin texturing augmented by great paint. His eyes are shiny, and unusually full of life for a small plastic toy based on a rubber mask. He comes with a pike weapon so he could double as a Skiff Guard in addition to being a rancor keeper, if you're so inclined. I was just so consistently pleased with every aspect of this release that, sadly, I don't have a lot more to say about him other than fans of quality product should get him. Why not? For $8, he's really well done and one of the few figures that I bought since the last price increase where I can just look at it and say "oh, that's why this one costs more. It's good."

Collector's Notes: Surprisingly (to me) this was a weak seller in my local market-- he was one of the last remaining figures, along with Malakili. Don't you people have any taste?

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,305: June 15, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,304: K'Kruhk

K'KRUHK Jedi Master
The Legacy Collection Shared Exclusive Expanded Universe Wave
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 93304
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD57
Includes: Lightsaber, Jedi robes
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 2010
Appearances: Various Expanded Universe

Bio: K'Kruhk is a Jedi Knight during the last days of the Republic. Although he has the fierce nature of all Whiphids, he also holds strong pacifist ideals and struggles with the military role that the Jedi perform during the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' tackle box.

Commentary: What, no hat? Not cool Hasbro. K'Kruhk has been a staple of the Star Wars Expanded Universe since his first comic appearance in the year 2000. He's appeared in prequel-era fiction, "Dark Times"-era stories, and even in the distant future of Legacy. He even "died" in the original Clone Wars series... and came back! The big hairy dude gets around, and was a pretty memorable character to boot. Very few Whiphids get any real spotlight in the saga, so seeing one get so much to do means that it only makes sense that he would get a figure. Heck, Hasbro even said-- for years-- that they were planning on getting to him, and if memory serves they flat-out said he would include his hat if and when they got to him. They didn't. Dammit.

The figure itself is slightly better than the bulk of the Legacy Collection figures. The sculpting is quite good, the articulation is the typical 14 points, and it seems to me that the lightsaber is a new sculpt-- something Hasbro has been hestiant to do when they can just reissue an existing one. (It's worth noting, though, that this is not the lightsaber most fans associate with him based on his appearances.) He has no difficulty holding his lightsaber with both hands, and he can stand without assistance due to his big feet. However, he does have problems sitting due to the plastic part of his robes, which are a mix of plastic and cloth. The hair sculpting on this figure is some of Hasbro's better work, and I like his little teeth jutting out from his mouth. It's a great overall figure, but a hat and a different lightsaber would have made it great. I'd suggest this figure to all fans of the character, unless one with a hat got made in the distant future. I have to figure that had crossed Hasbro's mind, because, seriously, why leave it out? That hat is more important than ankle joints.

Collector's Notes: Initially, the figure was available at Toys "R" Us with a roughly 30-day window before being shared at other stores. "Other stores" means "not Target, not Kmart, and not Wal-Mart" and, so far, has been only online toy sellers. As such, if you missed it at Toys "R" Us, you can probably buy it by the case online-- which is generally cheaper than buying them individually. I've never seen this set in the wild at press time, so yeah, you can guess what I did. The future is still in motion for this one, so keep your eyes peeled and maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to find one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,304: June 14, 2010