Figure of the Day: Day 263: Princess Leia as Jabba's Prisoner

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA Jabba's Prisoner
Power of the Force Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 69570 No. 69683
Number: n/a
Includes: Chain, Freeze Frame
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99-$5.99
Availability: Summer 1997

Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: After her birth, Princess Leia 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' toy shelves.

Commentary: When the new line started, few figures were in demand as much as Princess Leia Organa as Jabba's Prisoner, due to the fantasy after seeing her on the big screen in 1983, and due to the reality of seeing a fairly good (for the time) custom figure on an early issue of Action Figure Digest. Back in 1997, fans had a short list of never-before-made figures that they wanted to own, and Leia was at the top, along with other fan favorites as Wedge Antilles and Grand Moff Tarkin. After a short wait that seemed like forever, all of these figures saw production and made it to market.

While a little tall by 2007 standards, this figure was a real winner back in the day. She was fairly slender, as opposed to beefier figures, and while her proportions were not completely based in reality, they were a step in the right direction. With six points of articulation, a sculpted ponytail, and a removable chain, she had pretty much everything you could hope for in a figure that could stand there and look good. She can't really sit easily, certainly not well enough to be able to sit at Jabba's... feet? The figure is an excellent sculpture, but we're still in need of a resculpt that would fit in well with modern figure sizes and articulation needs-- that, or just another statue that's preposed sitting. Still, this original release is a good one, but the 2001 Deluxe figure with the Sail Barge Cannon is a bit more properly sized, if awkwardly posed. Of course, it's a Slave Leia figure-- so you really can't go wrong with buying any version.

Collector's Notes: From 1997-1998, this was a very popular figure, probably mostly because it was one fans never thought they would see. Of course, there were dozens of rumors about it being recalled for being "too sexy" despite far sexier/anatomically closer to reality toys from McFarlane and other companies. The figure was considered a huge success, and the prices are all over the board-- it could be a dollar or two, or ten or more. Happy hunting! Also notable, the very first factory samples-- which as far as I can tell, never made it to the public-- had the area under her dress in a flesh color. The final release was more purple.

Day 263: January 24, 2007