Figure of the Day: Day 41: Plo Koon

PLO KOON Jedi Master
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84568
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99-$6.99
Availability: 2001
Appearances: Primarily Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and some Dark Horse comics

Bio: One of the twelve members of the Jedi Council, Plo Koon is a courageous warrior who comes from a long line of Jedi. His hand-to-hand combat abilities are legendary. he also uses his Force powers in combination with his extensive scientific knowledge to produce startling effects against his opponents. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: TV tray time.

Commentary: Few figures were as crazy rumored as Plo Koon before his eventual release, but sure enough, he eventually came out. This figure is more or less a "chess piece," there's articulation under the robes but you can't get to them as the robes don't exactly come off easily. His neck can turn, and his shoulders and elbows swivel. Aside from that, he stands there, and often needs some help with a display stand. He's got quite a bit of detail in his head and costume, although that which you can cull from big brown burlap sacks is minimal. The lightsaber is unique and looks great, and the figure itself is a nice one. Still, he looks like a guy in a burlap sack, albeit a cool guy in a nicely fitted burlap sack. As the very first Plo Koon, he's worth snagging, and this is the only one released thus far with the outer Jedi robes.

Collector's Notes: In 2005, this figure was the basis for the Holographic Plo Koon. His yellow lightsaber was never ignited on-camera, but was seen in video games and comic books. A number of Episode I-era Jedi had lightsaber colors that did not match what was eventually shown in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. A particularly funny and totally ridiculous rumor was being "confirmed" left and right in 1999 about Plo Koon: that Hasbro made him a Canadian exclusive, to the Zeller's chain. Oh, Internet. How you amuse me. New Plo Koons were released later. For Episode II, he was given freakish energy blast accessories. For Episode III, he was sculpted with significantly more points of articulation. A Plo Koon Jedi Starfighter was released as a Target exclusive in 2005 as well.

Day 41: June 16, 2006