Figure of the Day: Day 133: Lando Calrissian

LANDO CALRISSIAN Vintage Original Trilogy Collection
Original Trilogy Collection Vintage Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85213 No. 85238
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Lando Calrissian a character in the fictional Star Wars universe, was a former smuggler and friend of Han Solo. After losing the Millennium Falcon to Han in a game of sabacc, the same game later won him the job of Baron Administrator of the floating Cloud City and Tibanna gas mine on the gas giant planet of Bespin. He then meets his assistant Lobot. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: On the "Early Bird"/Vintage shelf.

Commentary: Few figures have had as many exciting (and lackluster) turns as Lando Calrissian in this outfit. In late 1995, the first modern version came out, became "rare" overnight and shot up to $40. Then he became common, and nobody cared. In 2001, the Power of the Jedi revamp came out, but the assortment was quite hard to find for a while. This particular version was extremely hot upon release, due to the great articulation, good likeness, and awesome packaging. This quickly changed, proving the collectors going "har har I'll buy that!" isn't enough to support even the best of the best figures, which this figure almost is. As you can see in the picture, he's loaded with articulation, even at the wrist and ankles. Truly, this is a figure that Hasbro put tons of work in to, offering fans anything they could ask for except ball-jointed elbows. The outfit was colored properly, the articulation was there, it had everything except willing collectors and kids. It proves that even the best idea, with the best intentions, and the best execution won't always be a hit. (Of course, you might be able to point to the price.)

Collector's Notes: Of course, even the cloth cape wasn't enough to sway fans to pick up Lando and the figure warmed pegs at stores in some parts of the country through late 2005 and may even still linger in some markets. Seeing how great this figure is, you really have no excuse for not picking one up. It's not a very highly produced figure compared to some others, but its lack of popularity really helped it to choke up stores and make Star Wars look bad. Given how long it lingered after it shipped, he may eventually be lumped in with the Rancor Keeper and Prince Xizor despite not being a second-rate action figure. This is a fine example of "put your money where your mouth is," hopefully all collectors who appreciate good figures bought one because if they didn't, well, it does show what fans will and won't buy. Or what Hasbro made too many of.

Day 133: September 16, 2006