Monday, March 12, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 310: Kren Blista-Vanee (Imperial Dignitary)

KREN BLISTA-VANEE Imperial Dignitary
Saga Collection 2
Item No.:
Asst. 84861 No. 84769
Number: 0341
Includes: Death Star Base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 2000
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Emperor Palpatine surrounded himself with coterie of dignitaries, chosen by the Emperor for their complete subservience to him and their willingness to betray anyone who questioned the Emperor's authority. The Imperial dignitaries were with the Emperor as he arrived on the Death Star II as the Battle of Endor was about to commence. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 2003, Hasbro let us know we'd be getting not one-- but two Imperial Dignitaries. Kren-Blista Vanee was the second of two, and was a figure that shared parts with the first Dignitary Janus Greejatus. The figure is basically a statue/chess piece/salt shaker, with articulated arms, wrists, and neck-- anything else is rendered immobile through the large robes. Still, this isn't a figure that's meant for action, or sitting in vehicles, or really doing anything other than standing around for dioramas and publicity stills. The head sculpt is good, the coloring adequate, and the hat is funny. It has all the makings of a good human Star Wars figure, except that it's lacking in "oomph." It is what it is, so if you like how it looks, that's about the extent of joy it can provide you as a plaything.

Collector's Notes: The clearance racks made this one an easy find, and there just aren't that many people who are jazzed about old men in purple dresses with no dialogue and tongue twister names. While this figure hasn't been reissued, it may have come close-- in the 2005 Kmart Imperial Throne Room Battle Pack, it was pictured on the back of the packaging. The other Dignitary was included instead for reasons unknown.


Day 310: March 12, 2007

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