Figure of the Day: Day 337: Takeel (Snaggletooth)

TAKEEL Cantina Aliens
Power of the Force Cinema Scene Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84305 No. 84059
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster (not shown)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 1998
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Their remote location makes the spaceports of Tatooine havens for many suspicious travelers from across the galaxy. At the Mos Eisley spaceport, Chalmun's Cantina is a popular hangout for the rough crowd and deadly violence breaks out on a daily basis. Takeel, a Snivvian, is known to dabble in bounty hunting and smuggling. The horned Devaronian Labria calls himself an "information broker", though his information is questionable at best. No one knows for sure what the Morseerian known as Nabrun Leids looks like underneath his breath mask, which he must wear in all non-methane environments. The former fighter pilot will fly anyone or anything anywhere, if the price is suitable. These kinds of patrons have helped make Tatooine's spaceports famous as a wretched hive of scum and villainy. In the days before the Galactic Empire, the spaceport of Mos Espa hosted many similar characters. From the outdoor markets to the junk shops--overseen by the gambling crimelords, the Hutts--Mos Espa was a place where a nine-year old boy like Anakin Skywalker could learn the ways of the universe. (Taken from the Cantina Aliens box.)
Image: Adam Pawlus' Toy Shelves.

Commentary: The various figures known in some form or another as "Snaggletooth" have caused a bit of confusion over the years, confusing fans as to their appearances (or non-appearances) in the movies and the origins of what were initially thought of as "error" figures. But those are usually named "Zutton." Takeel here can be clearly spotted in the original film, assuming you have widescreen copies of the films handy, it's also a fairly simple figure. In the movie, the images clearly show a little more grey skin (or at least from the lighting they do) while this action figure seems to be a little more on the side of albino. The figure has six points of articulation and a blaster, and is nothing to sneeze at-- it's just an oddly colored figure from almost a decade ago that, sadly, needs a little retouching in the paint department. He's still a solid figure, and the first modern "Snaggletooth," which lead a lot of fans to (incorrectly) think he was the only such creature in the Cantina over the years. Thankfully, we all know there are quite a few in the entire saga, and this is just one of many. (There were also Snivvians in Cloud City and Jabba's Palace, neither of which have yet been made as toys, sadly.)

Collector's Notes: This figure originally (and exclusively) shipped in a 3-pack with Nabrun Leids and Labria in 1998. In 2007, heavily repainted versions of those other two aliens were released as Wal-Mart exclusives-- perhaps Takeel isn't going to be far behind?

Day 337: April 8, 2007