Figure of the Day: Day 140: Neimoidian Commander

NEIMOIDIAN COMMANDER Separatist Bodyguard
Revenge of the Sith Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 85173 No. 86710
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, staff
Action Feature: Squeeze legs for attack
Retail: $5.24-$6.99
Availability: Fall 2005
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Neimoidian warriors are specially trained members of the Neimoidian Gunnery Battalion. Commanders have distinctive armor befitting their rand and are armed with special Neimoidian weaponry that is being mass-produced for use in the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: The toy shelves of Adam Pawlus.

Commentary: In a very confusing move, at the end of 2005, Hasbro decided to release the worst selling figure of the year in a new, not-in-the-movie color scheme and called it the Neimoidian Commander. In most markets, it sold through, and unless we're mistaken proved Hasbro can make up a figure design and it doesn't look half bad. I like this one more than the original for a variety of reasons, and because of it, I asked a friend of mine taking a silkscreen class to make me a "Droid Army" logo T-shirt. (Thank you, Victoria.) I'm fascinated by faction logos and there are more than a few toys I've purchased solely because they had a big one. (That's why I bought extras of these.) The figure itself is nicely articulated with the typical six points plus swivel wrists and elbows, along with ankles. It's going to move almost any way you want it to unless you really want it to sit and sit well.

Collector's Notes: Looking to expand your armies? Need cannon fodder? Want something overwhelmingly original? Then this is a figure you have to buy. I love the idea of Hasbro making up concepts if they're good, and redecorating "troopers" is a welcome move. I'd be angry with Ninja Lukes and Kung-Fu Qui-Gons, but if they want to add variant armor sets to toys that are pretty good in the first place, I say bring on more.

Day 140: September 23, 2006