Figure of the Day: Day 214: Chewbacca (Mynock Hunt)

CHEWBACCA Mynock Hunt
Saga Collection Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84960
Number: 0314
Includes: Mynock, Bowcaster, Red Projectile
Action Feature: Firing Bowcaster, Mynock with Suction Cup
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Spring 2003
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: In a desperate attempt to escape pursuing Imperial ships, Chewbacca and Han fly the Millennium Falcon into an asteroid field. Landing inside an asteroid, they attempt to remove mynocks, energy-feeding parasites, that have attached themselves to the ship. As the asteroid starts to make strange movements, they discover that they are actually in the gullet of a huge creature that lives in the dark asteroid cavern. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's toy shelves.

Commentary: The second Mynock Hunt-specific Chewbacca was, like the first, a real winner of a figure and a fine example of a Chewbacca toy. It also exposed a lot of the flaws in the thinking of the 2002-2003 action figures, namely weird poses, articulation that doesn't really enhance the figure, and weird, non-remobable accessories. For starters, Chewie's breathing mask if glued in place, and the strap is sculpted on his head. Unlike the 1998 version, it isn't removable. His added articulation at the knees-- bizarre, unnecessary swivel joints-- really don't do much other than make him look awkward when sitting on a shelf. The figure isn't really designed to sit or do anything other than stand and aim, and isn't really stable enough to make the most out of his firing bowcaster. I mean, it requires a fair amount of pressure and really isn't all that much fun to play with as a toy. Since it has a weird red rocket, it isn't much fun to look at, either. As such, this figure doesn't really work so well in the long run and it doesn't seem too unlikely for Hasbro to revisit Mynock Hunt Chewbacca a third time in the coming years.

The newly sculpted Mynock accessory is pretty nice, although like most toys, the suction cup truly does suck. It looks nice enough, though, and fans will do doubt want one to stick to their Millennium Falcon ship.

Collector's Notes: He was a little tough to get for a while, but time heals all wounds, and makes all figures a little less desirable. (Except for the ones it makes more desirable.) The figure could be had for $4.99, and shipped alongside such legends as Boba Fett from the Pit of Carkoon (which went on to have green or blue color variants) and the even more legendary Han Solo in Hoth Gear, which was both blue and brown. Browsing closed auctions on eBay, I'm seeing scores of this figure for $1 or less, with $5 shipping, and no bids. So if you want one, you can totally get one easily.

Day 214: December 6, 2006