Figure of the Day: Day 387: Dengar

DENGAR Executor Meeting
Saga
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 84771
Number: 0417
Includes: Blaster, backpack, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Spring 2004
Appearances: Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi

Bio: Dengar was one of the elite bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to capture the Millennium Falcon and her crew. The grizzled hunter Dengar was called "Payback" because personal vendettas fueled much of his career. He was once a daring swoop racer until a competitive rival, Han Solo, ended his career when their swoops crashed. Although Dengar was to blame for the accident, he held Solo responsible and leaped at the chance for revenge. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Jabba's Palace diorama.

Commentary: For some reason, it was decided that every character had to have some elaborate backstory, even Dengar, because there was probably some rule against someone just being there and taking a job. This update of the figure was the third-ever Dengar action figure, and easily, it's the best of the three. The vintage one was great, and this one updates that classic figure by adding lots of detail and articulation, and restoring the backpack that was missing from the 1997 release of Dengar. So basically, what you have here is almost the world's best Dengar action figure that could ever hope to be. I say "almost" because sure, you could add ball-jointed knees, elbows, and ankles. The figure has 10 points of articulation, which for a figure that stood there and did (and said) nothing, is quite good. If you have any affinity for Dengar, this is a figure you need to have. If you don't care, well, this is the one that sucks the least.

Collector's Notes: Fans were pleased, but not super-pleased, when this figure was released. It's not particularly hard to find or expensive today, and it was also reissued in a box set in early 2006 called "The Hunt for the Millennium Falcon Bounty Hunter Pack," and it was a Diamond/Previews exclusive. Unless Hasbro decides to do a "vintage" Dengar in the future (and I'm not optimistic), this is probably as good as it's going to get for at least another five or six years, so be sure to pick it up if you get the chance.

Day 386: May 27, 2007