Figure of the Day: Day 417: Princess Leia Organa (Ceremonial)

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA Ceremonial Dress
Power of the Force Flashback Figures
Item No.: Asst. 68680 No. 84038
Number: n/a
Includes: Cape, medal, flashback photo
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: December 1998
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: A strong-willed warrior who fought for the Rebel cause with great courage, Princess Leia Organa was a natural born leader of the Rebel Alliance. The princess always carried herself with a regal air, whether she was taking part in the fiercest of battles or participating in state ceremonies of the highest level. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 1998, Kenner made this figure with cloth bits and some rooted hair-- but despite it being pretty darned good, fans demanded this new Princess Leia Organa, and now that we're nine years past both versions I can safely say it's time to revisit them. This particular figure is all plastic, has six points of articulation (of which four make any sort of a difference), and waaaaay too much makeup. I usually write that some female figures could use a little more color-- this figure could use less. Hasbro has managed to make better female figures over the years (just look at the Jedi from Revenge of the Sith) so it's probably time to revisit this particular figure and give her, if nothing else, a better face. The figure's sculpt is pretty simple, although so was the costume in the movie. It's certainly not an awful figure, but the years have not been kind to it and I'd love to see an update. And while they're at it, they can recolor Ceremonial Luke properly and give us our first-ever Ceremonial Han Solo. (Heck, if they didn't want to do wacky colors, that'd make a nice comic pack.)

Collector's Notes: The figure seemed to sell well upon release but wasn't exactly a huge hit-- she came out in a wave of mostly new sculpt figures (9 figures, 8 were mostly new) with no new characters right before Episode I, so people weren't exactly thrilled to see her or the other figures from the series. Still, you should have little problem getting this one for five bucks or so.

Day 417: June 27, 2007