Figure of the Day: Day 258: Princess Leia (Vintage)

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA Vintage Original Trilogy Collection
Original Trilogy Collection Vintage Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85213 No. 85225
Number: n/a
Includes: Imperial blaster rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2004

Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Leia Organa was the daughter of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo, making her the younger twin sister of Luke Skywalker. After her birth she became the adopted daughter of Bail Organa and Queen Breha of Alderaan, making her a Princess of Alderaan. An accomplished Senator, Organa was most famous for her strong leadership during the Galactic Civil War and other subsequent galactic conflicts, making her one of the Galaxy's greatest heroes. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Early Bird Kit display. While cheap, the amusement factor of this display base seemingly knows no end.

Commentary: So far having been released but once, this "Vintage" version of Princess Leia Organa was a rare treat-- rare in that she can actually sit down, which isn't too common on Leia figures these days. As the best articulated version of the princess in this outfit, fans should probably run out and get this one-- there's not a lot of strong detail in the sculpt, but the outfit is fairly simple anyway, so it's not like there's a lot of things Hasbro needs to represent in order to make a great figure. With her added arm articulation, she can aim her weapon or easily sit down at a table or in a vehicle. Really, can you ask for too much more than that? Her face is very toylike, but that seems to be the intent-- to re-imagine the original toy, moreso than making the "Best Leia Evar." She ain't perfect (for example, she has no foot holes for use with foot pegs), but she does make for a very nice action figure. And unlike the 1995 Princess Leia figure, nobody seems to be accusing her of being an action figure of Han in drag. (Which it seemed you could hear quite a bit back then.)

Collector's Notes: So far, this figure hasn't been rereleased, so it's worth tracking down the original. Do take note that she has the "wrong" gun-- it would have been nice to see Leia include her own unique blaster, as the 1978 Vintage figure had done. Only one more new sculpt of Leia in her white gown from the original movie has been made since this figure, and it was basically a tiny statue.

Day 258: January 19, 2007