Figure of the Day: Day 326: Dannik Jerriko

DANNIK JERRIKO Cantina Encounter
Post Original Trilogy Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85172 No. 85325
Number: 0508
Includes: Hookah pipe, blaster, base, two proboscises
Action Feature: Removable proboscises
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Early 2005
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Dannik Jerriko is a very dangerous Anzati. When he attacks a victim, he uncoils small, trunk-like organs (called proboscises) hidden in his cheeks, inserts them into the victim's nose and ingests the person's blood and brain matter. Even the nastiest creatures in the cantina stay away from Jerriko. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Few figures as insignificant (in terms of screen time and story) as Dannik Jerriko were given quite as royal a treatment, but in 2005, Hasbro gave three brand new Cantina characters the best figures you could hope for. With articulated wrists, knees, shoulders, elbows, neck, waist, hips, this figure has 12 points of articulation-- that's twice what the average figure had from 1995-1999. The figure has two holsters, one for his pipe, and one for his blaster. The figure also has two removable cheek extensions, which are good and bad-- it's a nice touch that Hasbro would include this rarely seen extra from the character's back story, but the problem is that when removed, you get two big holes in his face which aren't exactly the most photogenic. Since the figure can sit or stand well, has articulation most fans would be satisfied with, and just plain looks good for an action figure of this character, this is one you need to own. I'm not quite a big fan of the idea of the "brain vampire" when compared to the hairy cyclops in a blue suit or the tundra goat alien man, but hey, all the figures look good-- so why not add them to your collection?

Collector's Notes: Along with Myo and Feltipern Trevagg, this figure was sold briefly in 2005 before Revenge of the Sith figures started to trickle out. These were in short supply in some markets and very common in others-- today, the figures are going to cost a little more than its original retail price-- but overall, this is OK, it's good enough to warrant a slight premium (unless you can find it for less.) Plus it has great packaging, and to date has not been planned for a reissue. Although if Hasbro ever does feel like rereleasing it with a hole-free head, I'd be all for buying it again.

Day 326: March 28, 2007