Figure of the Day: Day 451: Nikto Jedi Knight

NIKTO Jedi Knight
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84823
Number: 0221
Includes: Swirling lightsaber, lightsaber blade, hilt
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones


Bio: The Jedi are protectors of the Republic, the guardians of justice and freedom. Their order consists of men and women from many different races and species, including the Nikto. A humanoid species with flat faces and multiple nostrils, the Nikto come from the planet Kintan. Though they come from the various corners of the universe, the Jedi are united in their fight against the dark side of the Force. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Clone Wars shelf.

Commentary: Since the new line started there have been precious few figures with no real name, especially if the character is a Jedi like this Nikto. Troopers are one thing, but usually Lucas Licensing finds a name for guys like this-- but given his articulation, just at the shoulders, waist, wrists, and neck, there's not a lot you'll probably do with the figure to justify remembering its name-- but the species and job class? That's easy. The figure has a lot of detail in its face and robes, and his hooded robes don't get in the way of articulation too much. The figure does need a display stand to keep upright most of the time, but you can probably ferret one out somewhere. As far as background diorama fodder goes, this figure is excellent-- but since he can't sit or really do anything other than assume the pose you see here, but with different accessories, we wouldn't advise you to buy one for your kids. He's very much like a statue more than a toy, which is why, despite my liking it, it remains on a shelf almost all the time.

Collector's Notes: The sculpt was tweaked a little and released as part of a Toys "R" Us exclusive Jedi gift set in which he had no exterior hooded robes. So if you like it, and want a slightly different version, you have that option. The figure wasn't particularly popular in 2002 and as such, is not particularly popular today despite having been off the market for several years.

Day 451: July 31, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 450: Yoda

YODA Episode III
30th Anniversary Collection Tin Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 87356 No. 87359
Number: 3 of 6
Includes: Cloth cloak, cane, lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: November 2006-present
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: The greatest swordsman ever to emerge from the Jedi ranks, Yoda was a wise and capable leader. Forced to flee Coruscant after being defeated by the Emperor, he spent his years in exile reflecting on the very nature of the Force. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Ultarama.

Commentary: Hasbro has become quite adept at re-selling us the same figures five, six, or more times by packaging something we don't want with something we do want. Like this Yoda, which was packaged with a Mace Windu that's been in at least four other ways, an Anakin sold in the Evolutions pack, and a new repaint of the AT-RT Driver. Yoda is barely different, and falls under the "just different enough to make you mad" umbrella. The basic sculpt for the Yoda has been in multiple gift sets as well as various accessory-swap carded figures, but this one is special because it comes with the cloth cloak from the 2004 Vintage Original Trilogy Collection figure. The body has 9 points of articulation (which is good for a Yoda) and the cloak is, more or less, better than the plastic "shell" which prevents articulation on previous releases of this figure. The painting is good, the detail is good, and the accessories aren't bad-- although other releases of the figure do have more (and larger) extras. If you get this one, you really don't need all the others, but it isn't bad and Yoda fans who love variants would be well-served to get this one.

Collector's Notes: The sculpt premiered in 2005 for Revenge of the Sith, and has been repurposed as a basic Saga Collection figure, a Heroes & Villains Collection figure, a Saga Legends figure, this figure, and the Skirmish in the Senate Battle Pack. (And that's just off the top of my head, I might be forgetting one or two.) While a decent mold, I've had my fill of it-- but even still, this is arguably the best of the releases by virtue of the cloth cloak.

Day 450: July 30, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 449: Commander Bow

COMMANDER BOW Order 66
30th Anniversary Collection Target Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 87356 No. 87359
Number: 3 of 6
Includes: Pistols, rifle (and Darth Vader)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: March 2007
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Commander Bow carries out Vader's orders with alacrity and unquestioning obedience as Vader tightens the Emperor's grip on the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: Hasbro isn't stupid-- actually, they're geniuses. They know we love Clones, Darth Vader, Order 66, and the whole concept of the 501st Legion (in the movies and outside the movies), plus we're fiends for the Expanded Universe. Commander Bow works on all of these wonderful things, and manages to create a new, compelling figure with a little bit of blue, orange, and brown paint and an old mold. The figure is based on the 2005 Clone Commander figure, which was itself very popular, and adds blue 501st markings, a little brown (and seemingly orange) battle damage and presto-- new character. In the movies (as stated by extra-filmiccular sources), Commander Bow was one of the clones on the Jedi Temple assault who helped "apprehend" Zett Jukassa during Bail Organa's visit to the building. Of course, in the movie, he was just a normal looking 501st trooper-- the extra gear and gizmos is off-screen, and if you want to get nitpicky, there was some confusion on Hasbro's part as to who was Appo and who was Bow (another Commander figure released earlier.) Of course, if you ask me, it doesn't matter-- a cool clone is a cool clone, you can call them whatever you wish-- I can rename them as I see fit, and since they're all clones anyway it's not like two or three of them can't look alike anyway. The figure is essentially super-articulated with a posable set of binoculars on his helmet, and his kama/skirt is removable too. Of course, he won't be doing much sitting while wearing it, so keep that in mind. For fans of Clone Troopers from beyond the movies, this is an excellent addition to any collection and because I'm a sucker for all things 501st, I can't say enough nice things about buying it.

Collector's Notes: Needless to say, despite some hardcore fan complaints, anything associated with the 501st Legion of clones is a big hit. This figure was packaged with one of the best Darth Vader figures of all time, leading it to frequently sell out first when these items first hit in early 2007. You can still get this clone/the set on eBay for $10 or less, so if you've been thinking about getting it and missed it at Target, do not wait. Get while the getting is good.

Day 449: July 29, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 448: K-3PO

K-3PO Echo Base Protocol Droid
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84543
Number: n/a
Includes: Sensor pack, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Late 2000
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: A very old and experienced protocol droid, K-3PO had the vital task of leading the roid pool at Echo Base on the ice planet Hoth. K-3PO helped to coordinate the evacuation of the Rebel outpost when it was attacked by the evil Empire. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelf.

Commentary: By 2000, Hasbro realized it was time to do what other toy companies do-- and that's repaint, rehash, and recycle. K-3PO is a white redeco of the TC-14 figure from earlier that year, made as part of a mandate to get more Trilogy product out shortly after Episode I. The figure is a cool one, and an example of why Hasbro should do repaints-- the mold is good, he had five points of articulation, and most importantly it looked right. Well, mostly-- there's some argument over the red dots on his chest and if they should be blue or not, but let's say this figure meets that "close enough" landmark that we all know and love. Droids are the perfect repaint fodder-- Hasbro can do one mold and reuse them forever, so a figure like this is pretty much perfect as it is. Sure, we could see a new version some day with enhanced articulation, but given the appeal of such a figure, I really, really don't think we'll ever see it.

Collector's Notes: Produced as a short-run figure in 2000, K-3PO sold a limited number of units and now, several years later, most fans don't care. It can be had, quite easily, for $2-$7 on eBay.

Day 448: July 28, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 447: Nexu

NEXU with Snapping Jaw
Saga Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84859 No. 84885
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: Snapping jaw, electronic sounds, bendable tail
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Summer 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: These fierce beasts track their prey with silence and cunning. Sleek and agile, the Nexu has impressive climbing abilities that make it difficult to escape once it has a victim in its sights. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' arena beast shelf.

Commentary: By taking toy tech that was employed in the super-nifty Jurassic Park 3 line, this Nexu has electronic sounds, moving action parts, and of course, dino- battle-damage. Because what fun is a toy without a huge, disgusting open wound? (Seriously though, I could do without it.) The Nexu takes the "bad kitty" and brings it to a nifty toy price point. For ten bucks, you get jaws that can clamp down on a foot, a few sounds, a bendy tail, and sharp teeth and quills-- sure, they aren't really all that sharp, but they are cool. The figure is jointed at the jaw, has a joint at each leg, and has the wiry, bendable tail-- so he's articulated, just not very much so. This creepy guy has a really fun action feature in that there's a button in its mouth that, when pressed, will cause the jaw to clamp down and the toy to roar. (I think that's pretty cool. Too bad there's no Rancor that can do that.) Aside from that feature, the toy is pretty straightforward-- push the button on the side, get some noises. Pose the tail, move the arms, and enjoy the unique short hair sculpting and the quills. It looks good, it plays well, and it's a nice example of a real toy in what generally is an endless parade of collectibles sold as toys. A kid might actually have fun with this, plus a collector can admire how it turned out looking like the CG creature from the movie. It's a winner.

Collector's Notes: Along with the Reek and Acklay, these weren't around forever-- nor were they speedy sellers in all markets. Lucky for you, the little guy is only worth about ten bucks so you can easily afford one for its original retail price. It's worth getting if you like creatures, and you should-- they're fun!

Day 447: July 27, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 446: Darth Vader

DARTH VADER with Lightsaber
Power of the Force Flashback Photo
Item No.: Asst. 69680 No. 84046
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, cape, flashback photo
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: December 1998
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Darth Vader was known and feared throughout the galaxy as incredibly ruthless and evil, one who used the awesome powers of the dark side of the Force to carry out Emperor Palpatine's horrific plans. But deep inside Lord Vader lay vestiges of the person he once was: young Anakin Skywalker, discovered on the planet Tatooine by a Jedi Knight who recognized the boy's special Force talents. Anakin showed much promise and grew to be a great Jedi. Finally, the dark side beckoned him - and Anakin became Darth Vader. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' couch.

Commentary: Hasbro originally told us that this figure was "Darth Vader with a double cape." Nobody knew what this really meant, but we eventually found out that Hasbro was aiming to make the first Star Wars-specific Darth Vader in the modern line. You can tell it's from the original film because he has lines on his gloves running perpendicular to his fingers, he has a bit of a robe/vest over his shoulder armor, and he has very pronounced red eyes. (The vintage 1978 Darth Vader didn't even have all of these things, which is really, really weird when you think about it.) The figure was designed to be a bit more in line with the then-"modern" sensibilities being introduced for the prequels, like additional arm articulation, more "skirt" pieces, and overall better decoration. The figure was, at the time, the most articulated Darth Vader ever made as he had the normal six joints plus wrists and cut joints at the biceps, which was really impressive. More or less. The figure's "skirt" prevented him from sitting, and some fans (OK, just me) didn't care for this. This Darth Vader was also a little more muscular than the early 1998 removable helmet release, which was easily the best sculpted figure of Darth Vader at the time. This figure was a little off when it first came out, and now that he's about nine years old, he really isn't all that much better. You can do better as far as Star Wars-specific Vader figures go, but he didn't age as badly as the 1995 model.

Collector's Notes: This figure came out as a transitional wave which was meant to bridge the 1995-1998 line with the new fans and aesthetics of Episode I. Also, the package had a little "flashback photo" where you pulled on a tab and Darth Vader "magically" turned into young Anakin Skywalker. It was a clever gimmick, and for this figure, it more or less worked-- however, some didn't quite make as much sense (or were a bit of a stretch), and the gimmick was mercifully removed from the line in May, 1999 when CommTech chips reigned supreme for a full year.

Day 446: July 26, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 445: Bespin Han Solo

Bespin HAN SOLO
Power of the Force Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 69570 No. 69719
Number: n/a
Includes: Pistol, Rifle, later a Freeze Frame Action Slide
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 1997
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Lando Calrissian, former owner of the Millennium Falcon, welcomes his old friend and rival Han Solo to Cloud City. Unbeknowst to Solo, Lando is leading the Rebels into an Imperial trap set by Darth Vader. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' computer desk.

Commentary: At the time of his release, people were nuts for Bespin Han Solo, and rightly so-- it was a good figure. Six points of articulation, a slimmed-down, less actiony pose (this is relative to the 1995 figure, of course) and an extra gun were great bonuses for this nicely designed action figure. The detail was on par with the rest of the line, if not slightly better, and significantly better than figures from the previous couple of waves. Of course, in 2007, this doesn't mean much-- it doesn't look a lot like Harrison Ford, it's still a little too beefy, and his legs are a tad too muscular. Still, the figure can sit, and it's obviously Han Solo. Obviously to me, anyway, it's a decent figure but not what you'd call definitive.

Collector's Notes: Bespin Han Solo was released in the same cases as the famous Leia as Jabba's Prisoner, just a few weeks after the Rebel Fleet Trooper-- and what a difference they made! These figures, while primitive by today's standards, were light years ahead of that poor trooper. Han Solo's jacket was black because, according to a source I had at Galoob at the time, Lucasfilm insisted Han Solo wears black. (This is why the MicroMachines and Action Fleet figures from Hoth and Bespin were also black.) The figure was sold for almost a year and a half. A new, improved version came out in Power of the Jedi and a "torture rack" version is coming this Fall.

Day 445: July 25, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 444: Greeata

GREEATA Jabba's Dancers
Power of the Force Cinema Scenes
Item No.: Asst. 69650 No. 69849
Number: n/a
Includes: Base, two other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Mid-Late 1998
Appearances: Return of the Jedi: Special Edition

Bio: Greeata Jendowanian was a female Rodian vocalist, musician and dancer. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: As a figure from 1998 or so, Greeata suffers from the design aesthetic of her day-- which was to give Rodians really small heads. A big head Greedo would be released in 1999, but unfortunately, it would come too late for this dancer, who is cursed with a small noggin. The figure has the usual articulation of her day (read: not much) and surprisingly good bumpy skin. Actually, the only things that make this figure really dated are the oddly sized head and the skin deco-- were Hasbro to rerelease this one with new paint and a new head, I think it'd do rather well. Of course, she can only be as good as the source material, which is a little odd-- a quasi-mohawk/mullet of bright yellow, an orange bikini, and warty skin can only take you so far in the dancing business, or for that matter, in the collector's game. Since she's from a somewhat controversial addition to the saga, a lot of fans are content to ignore her entirely, but as she is a resident of Jabba's Palace, I felt obligated to buy her with a smile. The figure is more or less solid-- she's not going to have pieces flying off (a novelty, I know) nor is she going to bust in half if you play with her-- she's just a good, solid action figure with a ridiculous mane of hair. How could you not want one?

Collector's Notes: As one of the first Cinema Scenes with three totally original characters never before released in any form, this set didn't fare too well. Along with Rystall and Lyn-Me, the three-pack was a great way to crank out new characters in a hurry, but fans and kids flocked to sets like Purchase of the Droids, Mynock Hunt, and the Jedi Final Duel which presented far more popular figures and showed, when it's all said and done, the market for the "core characters" is far greater than the minor ones. Which is a pity as I'm mostly interested in the weirder stuff these days. This set is a great example of the risks Kenner took during 1998, which was a fantastic year for new figures. From the Special Editions to the comics, there was something for almost every fan niche-- of course, it was easier to please when there were so many as-of-yet unmade figures plus far less source material from which to work. If you still want this set, some retailers still have it in stock for about ten bucks-- you should totally get one.

Day 444: July 24, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 443: Sandtrooper

SANDTROOPER & Patrol Droid
Power of the Force Cantina at Mos Eisley
Item No.: Asst. 84040 No. 84063
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, patrol droid, diorama
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.99
Availability: Early 1999
Appearances: Star Wars: Special Edition

Bio: A key command figure in the Rebel Alliance, Princess Leia becomes a source of inspiration for the Rebels when she stays on Hoth, directing the evacuation, even when the base begins to collapse around her. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Hasbro really loves the Sandtrooper, probably because Kenner loved them too. They made new versions every chance they got, packaging them on individual cards, with the Dewback, and in this case, with a pop-up diorama. The figure had a rifle, but where the backpack would plug in, they put a clear plastic rod and connector for the "Face Droid" from the Special Editions. The Sandtrooper is his now-goofy buff self, with only six points of articulation and a questionably authentic sculpt. The deco is good-- not too much dirt-- and the pose is decent. For its day, this was a pretty good figure and about par for the course in terms of how other, similar figures might turn out. In 2007, this is a figure that most fans would probably scoff at due to the 1995-ness of the design. You might want to skip this one, not because it's really bad, but it's pretty outdated and really doesn't offer much that you'd probably really want to have other than the nifty little droid.

Collector's Notes: The diorama that was packaged with this figure had an interesting pre-history-- specifically, it was a mail-in offer that was done a few ways. The first way it was offered was through the Spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi mail-in offer-- you see, when you got the figure in the mail, it came with one of five bonus coupons. Some were for a chance to buy a B'Omarr Monk, some were for dollars-off of a vehicle, and there was one to send off for a Cantina Diorama-- no figures, no box, just an envelope with an instructional sleeve around the flattened diorama. (I've got an envelope full of the coupons somewhere.) Later, Kenner made it available through the Fan Club-- again, as a mail-in offer which awkwardly required a couple of bucks and UPCs from the action figures. This figure came in the third release of the set, which was a retail boxed item that, frankly, was too expensive for what it was. I (and other fans) were also miffed/confused that the set came with a Sandtrooper that specifically did not appear in the Cantina instead the (at the time) highly requested Wuher action figure which wouldn't come out until 2000.

Day 443: July 23, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 442: Princess Leia (Hoth)

PRINCESS LEIA Battle of Hoth
Saga Toys "R" Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. 26703
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, stand, other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Spring 2003
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: A key command figure in the Rebel Alliance, Princess Leia becomes a source of inspiration for the Rebels when she stays on Hoth, directing the evacuation, even when the base begins to collapse around her. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: As one of the best deals in the history of the line, this Princess Leia came in a big box with three additional action figures plus a Tauntaun for $20. Consider that by itself, the Tauntaun with a single figure sells for about $15. Of course, the set wasn't 100% new product-- the Tauntaun was a retooled release, and Leia here was a mishmash of multiple figures. In short, they modified the Bespin Escape Leia from 2000 with the head and vest of the 1998 Hoth Leia to make this "new" figure, which is one of the better Hoth Leia figures. (The last time Hoth Leia received a new sculpt was in 1998, and there were two of them then-- this is the only new one since.) The figure has eight points of articulation, and a slightly awkward pose that's really only good for run-and-gun scenes, which we never really saw Leia do on Hoth. As such, this is a figure that, while good, may not be worth tracking down for everybody-- but the gift set she comes in has enough neat stuff in it to justify her purchase.

Collector's Notes: For the record, the first Hoth Leias in 1998 were one packaged in the Mynock Hunt Cinema Scene and the individually packaged one which sold as a Fan Club exclusive. To date, a new version of this figure hasn't been rumored although the body on which this figure is based was the first "correct sized" Leia which actually made her much shorter than previous release.

Day 442: July 22, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 441: Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi

Holographic OBI-WAN KENOBI
The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87341
Number: 063
Includes: Cloak, lightsaber, hilt, base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Early 2007
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Obi-Wan Kenobi and the rest of the Jedi Council appear as holographic images to brief Yoda while the diminutive Jedi Master is on Kashyyyk. Obi-Wan's holographic form cannot hide the despair he feels as he watches the galaxy slip further and further into darkness and chaos. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: It's hard to make something clear blue and with no paint exciting, but Hasbro made this Obi-Wan Kenobi figure a good one by using the best super-articulated mold available to them and by including nearly every accessory from the regular release of the figure. You get the cloak, the lightsaber (in "on" and "off" modes), a stand, and more joints than you could ever possibly need for a figure of this nature. So the figure can sit on a Jedi Council chair if you have a spare, more or less, so until Hasbro figures out how to add more definition to a translucent figure as well as some sort of "scan lines," this is probably as good as you can ever hope to see for a holographic figure of old Ben. So if you like holographic action figures, this is one of Hasbro's best, and as such, is worth snagging while you can. If you don't like the idea, there's really nothing new here to bring you over to the clear blue side of the Force, so you probably aren't going to miss too much by skipping it. I think it's worth a look though, just because it did turn out fairly well.

Collector's Notes: If there's one thing Hasbro is really good at, it's getting the most out of a mold. Starting life in 2005, this mold has been used for a "pilot" figure, a basic ROTS-style figure during the early Saga Collection line, this holographic figure, and of course, the post-duel "swimming" Obi-Wan from Episode III, and the comic pack figure based on the Clone Wars comics. Oh, and it looks like parts were used for a Mace Windu too. This figure shipped in two different colors: a very light blue (as pictured here, nearly identical to the blue mini holographic figures) and a much darker blue color. The first release was the dark blue, as far as I can tell.

Day 441: July 21, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 440: Chief Bast

CHIEF BAST Bureaucrat
The Saga Collection Diamond Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87268
Number: n/a
Includes: Imperial Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: January 2007
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Personal assistant to Grand Moff Tarkin aboard the Death Star, Bast shares tagge's opinion that the Rebellion is more powerful than many Imperials believe. He is one of very few Imperial officers to successfully evacuate from the Death Star before its destruction. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Let's get some things out of the way. One, the uniform isn't perfect, but it's very very close. Two, he's missing the hat from the movies which is what made me confused when I saw him at first. Three, he has 10 points of articulation, which is actually not bad for a figure that doesn't do much of anything. Chief Bast could be better, but he has a unique look with bigger-than-usual hair and big sideburns which make him stand out on a shelf. (Of course, he should have a hat on that 'do of his, but he doesn't, so oh well.) The facial likeness is pretty good, although Hasbro does make him look a little bit younger than the stills from the film. So all in all, what you're getting here is another Imperial officer to add to your collection that doesn't suck. Since you're likely buying the boxed set anyway, you probably already bought this one because you wanted Yularen or the Tarkin or something. He has the standard six joints plus wrists and cut elbows, making him a fairly good release-- although, as many of you have noted, there are places you could include more joints if you really wanted to. The uniform is crisp, the sculpt is good, and the figure holds together nicely-- for what feels like a quickie exclusive, this is a great addition to your stash of figures.

Collector's Notes: As part of a $40 or so boxed set, it seems unlikely Hasbro will release this figure individually any time soon. If you want one, maybe you should track down the set before it sells out.

Day 440: July 20, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 439: G2-4T

G2-4T Star Tours
Star Tours Collection 1
Item No.: No. 10161
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $10.00
Availability: Spring 2002
Appearances: Star Tours

Bio: G2-4T was a G2 "Goose Droid" that worked for the Star Tours travel agency. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: While rumors floated for years, it wasn't until 2002 when Hasbro gave in and gave us our very first Star Tours action figures, which included this here G2-4T, one of very few action figures in this line to have his name printed in plain English on the side of his head. Which is good, because for some reason I have a mental block which prevents me from remembering most of the Disney park droid names. If you're like me, the main reason you bought this figure was because you didn't have it-- not because you had an attachment to the design or character, or because it was particularly awesome. Hasbro made these exclusive to Disney parks, thus making it difficult for mere non-vacationing mortals to get them, and as such a lot of fans just don't care about them. And with good cause-- these figures really don't fit in most dioramas and basically work best as a "I went to Disneyworld and all I got was this stupid action figure" type item. It's not that it's a bad item, far from it-- there's a lot of sculpted wires and prongs and bits to admire, with a small splash of red here and there making this feel a little more like a cobbled-together robot than other toy droids in our collections. It has a very Star Wars feel, but it still doesn't quite fit in as well as other Expanded Universe themes, probably in part due to the fact it has actual readable characters on it-- very few figures can say that. With few points of articulation (or anywhere for them to go), it just doesn't sizzle like some other releases, but still, it is a droid, and it is Star Wars. And that's good enough for me to have bought my one.

Collector's Notes: Initially, this $10 figure shot up in value because it was hard to get. Time, the great equalizer, showed most fans don't want to pay real money for it, and it can be had on eBay for under $10 shipped. As such, be cheap when you buy yours. Hasbro released 12 action figures based on droids from the ride over 4 series and at last check, there were no plans to make more. As the series included three unique Astromech droids, it may be worth the while of some of you to track down some of these figures.

Day 439: July 19, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 438: Ashla

ASHLA Jedi Padawan
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84970
Number: 0216
Includes: Lightsaber, helmet, Jempa figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Spring 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The Jedi children Ashla and Jempa are members of the Mighty Bear Clan, a communal group of young Jedi hopefuls ranging in age from four to eight. Comprised of many different species, the young initiates rely on the tutelage of Jedi Master Yoda, who often marvels at the cloudless insight and impressive scope of the young minds. Under Yoda's careful eye, clan members begin lightsaber training at a very early age, but their protective helmets and special training sabers ensure safety in their Jedi lessons. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 2003, Hasbro got really smart-- they realized that they should probably develop figure bodies so that with some minor modifications, you could make two or even three new figures. Ashla was one such release, as her upper and lower body were shared with fellow Bear Clan members Jempa and Chian, with each figure getting a new head, new arms, and revised accessories. As a young member of the Togruta species (like Shaak Ti), she has that distinctive coloring and head tails you've come to know and love from various prequel-era comics and other materials. She has articulated arms, and a joint at the neck and the waist-- given that Hasbro's giving you two figures in one little pack, and for a mere $5, this was considered just fine by most fans. There's a fair amount of detail on her robes, and the overall figure is pretty good-- she'll look good in your various Jedi dioramas, toy shelves, or other collectible massings of plastic men (and women). If you're a collector, odds are you should consider adding her to your ever-growing Jedi forces.

Collector's Notes: Very popular (and hard to get) on its initial release, the pair of Ashla and Jempa were eventually repackaged. There were two styles of "Saga" cards in 2003, and this figure came on both of them. (One has a gold stripe on the side, that's the second release.) As there's only three figures in this little sub-set of young Jedi, a collector can easily collect all three for very little money.

Day 438: July 18, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 437: Scout Trooper

SCOUT TROOPER Episode VI Tin
30th Anniversary Collection Tins
Item No.: Asst. 87154 No. 87205
Number: 6 of 6
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: Flip-up helmet, blaster fits inside holster
Retail: $19.99-$29.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Scout troopers are often assigned to small, ground-based units. They operate in groups of four called lances, and are relied upon to identify potential threats and notify the larger main force of stormtroopers. (Taken from the figure's internal cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Endor (complete galaxy) playset.

Commentary: In 2006, it was really hard to find this figure-- actually, since the beginning of the modern line, Hasbro/Kenner made it particularly difficult to get a Scout Trooper (formerly Biker Scout). The 1996 release came with a Speeder Bike which itself was hard to get for a while, the Power of the Jedi one was just too popular for its own good, and the vintage one... well, you know what happened there. So Hasbro trotted out the mold again with this particular version, identical to the Vintage release in every way but one-- the helmet could flip up, revealing the face of a clone. No doubt, this was done for either of two reasons: one, to tie the entire saga together (retcon), or two, to grab the dollars of the cult of clone trooper collecting, which has lots of disposable income and buys loads of identical figures to line up in little rows most of the time. (A good demographic to court, surely.)

This one is unique in that it was one of two flip-up mask Scouts released in a very short window-- there's this one, and a similar head was put on the 2000/2001 mold as well. This one has a ball-jointed neck and the other does not, so they aren't identical heads-- but they do look similar enough so that unless you're a hardcore collector, odds are the one that was packaged with the AT-AT will not appeal to you nearly as much as this one. With great sculpting, good detail, and the best-yet articulation on a Scout, this is a great figure. Hasbro also made it so the flip-up helmet is in no way excessively bulky-- if you leave the mask down, there's almost no telling this figure from the previous, normal release of the figure. (This is a good thing-- unobtrusive action features are the best kind because they rarely get in the way.) If you don't have any Scouts in your collection, get this one first-- it offers everything that the best figures could offer, and then some.

Collector's Notes: The tins, so far, have been iffy sellers-- some stores can't keep them in stock while others put them on the big final clearance. As such, these are still in circulation so you can probably get one if you really want one. And let me assure you, you do really want one. The set also included Darth Vader (Vintage OTC release), Princess Leia (Endor Dress, POTF2 Princess Leia Collections), and an Endor Rebel Trooper (1998 body with new head and removable helmet,) overall, it's a very good set for a new collector or for a fan that enjoys having (mostly) really good figures.

Day 437: July 17, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 436: Zev Senesca

ZEV SENESCA with Rogue 2 Snowspeeder
The Saga Collection Target Exclusive
Item No.: No. 32461
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, snowspeeder
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The morning after Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are left stranded in the middle of a Hoth blizzard, Zev departs Echo Base and embarks on a sweeping search for the Rebels. After making audio contact with Captain Solo, Zev calls back to Echo Base to announce, "I've found them!" (Taken from the vehicle's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Fans always demand more Rebel Pilots, but it seems fate has a way of making them slower sellers. Zev Senesca here should've been popular, being packaged with a great vehicle and being an exclusive to boot-- but he was doomed to be cleared out in many markets, while other fans were doomed to not see him at all. (Funny how that works.) The figure is a mishmash of new and old parts-- his legs are the same as the Dutch Vander mold, his torso is modified from that mold, and his head and arms are all new. As such, the figure has decent, but not great, articulation with about 10 points, although not all where you might want them. Jointed knees aren't really necessary for figures that fit into vintage Kenner ships, although better waist/hip articulation and elbows would've made this a super cool figure. The figure looks good enough, with a decent likeness and the unmistakable Hoth Pilot coloring. (Well, unmistakable to pilot fans-- odds are the rest of you probably don't care as much, but it is very authentic to the screen.) As such, this figure is worth picking up for a variety of reasons, the main one being that this is the only post-POTF2 mostly new sculpt Hoth pilot that exists on the market today. (A POTF2 Luke was modified during Power of the Jedi.)

Collector's Notes: Fans have been screaming for Hasbro to make a Luke based on this mold, but I think that'd be a mistake-- it might be cool, but Zev is too tall for Luke, plus he's lacking the necessary arm joints to make cool dioramas where Luke brings down the AT-AT. Although if Hasbro were to do a head swap and sell us this figure again but as Luke, I'm sure it'd do very, very well on the retail level.

Day 436: July 16, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 435: Jawa

JAWA Original Trilogy Collection
Original Trilogy Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 85374
Number: OTC-24
Includes: Blasters, base, other Jawa
Action Feature: Light-up eye port on head
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Jawas are scavengers who live on Tatooine, home of the heroic Rebel Luke Skywalker. Jawas ride through the desert in their huge sandcrawler vehicles searching for wayward droids and discarded scrap. They trade and sell their equipment and hardware throughout the colonies. Jawas capture R2-D2 and C-3PO when the droids land on Tatooine, and sell them to Luke's uncle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo studio area.

Commentary: Repaints-- fun or menace? Hasbro's 2004 Jawas are the 1996 figures with a much, much filthier paint job. There is significantly more detail to be had here, and these guys look more at home with your other, post-2002 action figure collection than the single-color-of-brown figures sold in 1996 (and with the Sandcrawler). The added dirt and grime brings out the fairly significant amount of detail on an older figure, proving once more that a little paint can go a long way from making a figure merely OK or nearly awesome. The figure has a mere three useful points of articulation, but it's not like there's a lot a Jawa can do-- the "leg" joint seems forced because, well, it's not like he can really sit for anything or has a need to sit in anything. The light-up eyes are still here, and the one thing that makes the figures feel a little cheap-- a battery with lights would be nice, or a painted-over head with painted yellow eyes might make it look just a little bit sharper. Still, people loved those light-up eyes in 1996, and odds are you'll probably dig them as well. I'm just saying I wouldn't mind if they didn't come back for another round, is all.

Collector's Notes: The figures were pretty popular-- I bought a few packs as I saw them during 2004, but they never seemed too common. We've since received a superior sculpt with similar deco, so these Jawas fit nicely with the 2007 Jawa sculpt-- so it might benefit you to get these guys, the new one, and a Sandcrawler. The figure comes on an awesome cardback featuring the scene where the Sandcrawler sucks up R2-D2, so you should probably get one of these to keep carded as well-- it's just very, very nice.

Day 435: July 15, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 434: Elan Sleazebaggano

ELAN SLEAZEBAGGANO Outlander Nightclub Encounter
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84718
Number: 0340
Includes: Blaster, bar section, deathsticks, glass
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: November 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The shadowy depths of Courscant are replete with unsavory characters such as Elan Sleazebaggano, a slimy dealer of illegal substances who frequents the entertainment district's nightclubs and bars to peddle his wares. His attempt to sell death sticks to Obi-Wan Kenobi resulted in a complete change of profession after the Jedi used a gesture of influence to encourage the Slythmonger to adopt a new lifestyle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Love him or hate him, you can't ignore him-- because Elan Sleazebaggano comes with a big bar section that lets you recreate scenery from the films, and let's face it, we can never get enough props. Hasbro did a great job crafting a futuristic drinking establishment for just pennies, even going so far as to include a place to store the drinks behind the bar. How cool is that? So no matter what, I'd advise you to get this figure just for his accessories. The figure has decent articulation (8 joints), a really excellent sculpt with loads of different textures on all of his garments, a very good head sculpt (with druggie eye makeup), and a holster for his blaster. In short, it seemed obvious Hasbro knew they were only going to do this guy once, and made sure to pull out all the stops, sculpting buttons, his collar, and a lot of subtlety into how the costume hangs on the figure. A lot of fans thought the name was stupid, and the design cheap, but there's no denying that this is a very well crafted action figure for his day. If I were you, I'd buy one (or perhaps two.)

Collector's Notes: While this figure shipped at only one per case very briefly, there is a significant variation-- the head was sculpted showing his ears, or having his ears covered by hair. Neither seems to be rarer, but if you're looking to get a significant change, there are two flavors of this figure out there to be had. Also, you may as well get one of these if you enjoy the Legacy comics-- that way you have some deathsticks to give Cade if/when the figure comes out, by my guesstimates, in 2008.

Day 434: July 14, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 433: Vulture Droid (Blue)

VULTURE DROID Blue Variant
Revenge of the Sith Deluxe Figure
Item No.: Asst. 85182 No. 85774
Number: n/a
Includes: Rocket, buzz droid
Action Feature: Firing rocket action
Retail: $9.99
Availability: July 2000
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Vulture droid starfighters are highly maneuverable and effective in battle. When not in flight, they can change into a walking mode allowing them to be used in surface patrols. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: There's a fine line between vehicles, beasts, and figures at times, so if it's sold as a figure, we treat it like one-- like this Vulture Droid from 2005, which was sold in a blue variant (as seen here) and a greenish one (which I still can't find and never saw in stores). It's based on the vehicle sold during Episode I, but with a new and fairly ornate paint job and a tiny Buzz Droid sidekick accessory. There's very little articulation to speak of, as the wings can be positioned, and not much else. As such, it can kinda stand, and kinda fly. The sculpting is good, but there's not much you can do with it other than fly it around and have it attack your other toys. It's a solid item, it's very colorful (a rarity on a lot of toys in this line lately), and above all else, it's fun. So why not go get one or two? The paint job is very ornate, I totally dig all the stripes and markings to be found all over the ship, and the bright green "eyes" are nice too. The only thing this figure can't do is have the head pop out of the "body" like in the movie (and on one of the earlier versions of this particular design)-- so there is room for improvement, but not much.

Collector's Notes: This tiny vehicle/figure proved pretty popular, and the variant made it stay that way. Considering Hasbro can do this for $10, it'd be amazing to see what they can crank out when the whole vintage thing runs its course and Hasbro goes back to making genuinely deluxe figures once again. (I'll probably look at the other version if/when I can ever get one for a good price.)

Day 433: July 13, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 432: Anakin Skywalker (Mechanic)

ANAKIN SKYWALKER Mechanic
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84254
Number: n/a
Includes: Hydrospanner, Droid, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: July 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker lives on the desert planet Tatooine where he serves the junk dealer Watto. He's a natural mechanic and talented pilot who doesn't realize that he's extraordinarily strong in the Force. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Released around the first time fans proclaimed the modern Star Wars line to be on its way out this figure managed to give us the best articulated young Anakin Skywalker figure we've ever seen. Knee and wrist joints are a nice touch, but the figure does have a problem in that his hands aren't too good at grabbing things, like his included accessories. The head paint isn't as good as some other releases as the eyes are a little more muddy, but the figure has a great "dirty" outfit to make it look like he's been working on some big mechanical gizmo all day. So far this is as close as we have to super-articulated and the figure isn't too good at sitting due to his shirt hanging over his hips. As far as Anakin figures go, Hasbro cranked out several nearly identical releases in about 18 months and each has something a little unique to it, be it a special grease gun, a helmet, or... something. So this one is really no better or worse than any other, but the companion green droid does make it a tempting figure even if you don't want the Anakin.

Collector's Notes: By 2000, it seemed pretty obvious that Hasbro was distancing itself from the successful-- but not successful enough-- Episode I line. (When you expect a kajillion dollars, a half-kajillion is sometimes considered a failure.) In almost no time, they transitioned away from new sculpts across the board to more repacks, resculpts, and repaints to switch the line over to more trilogy-based figures in a hurry, and as such, most Episode I figures since then haven't seen a new sculpt or a new release of any kind. This was the last new mold of the young Anakin figures. (It would be revised barely and reissued as part of the Jedi Council sets in 2004.) The figure wasn't a super-slow seller, but as he came out in a batch of mostly existing characters, fans tended to be more interested in items like the Senate Guards and split-at-the-waist Darth Maul. It's also worth noting that this figure's assortment hit stores after Hasbro took a six month hiatus from new releases in the stores as retailers were given time to let existing inventory burn off/get cleared out/get stolen. In light of the crazy awesome articulation on the recently released 2007 Jawa figure, it seems Hasbro could totally do an awesome and top-notch new Anakin figure-- and I hope they do. (Hasbro, if you're considering it: pack in the Naboo helmet, the Pod Race helmet, and I'll buy like 2 or 3 of them.)

Day 432: July 12, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 431: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI Battle at Theed
The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87089
Number: 047
Includes: Communicator, lightsaber, cloak, stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Already a keen observer and skilled fighter as a Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi learns much more sophisticated lessons from his Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Somewhat traditional in his thinking, he often disagrees with his Master, but he nonetheless sees the wisdom in Jinn's thinking. Together, they are the first Jedi to confront a Sith Lord in a thousand years. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Star Wars was extremely popular in 2006, no doubt due both to what felt like conservative shipments of figures combined with huge demand leftover from the previous film. Hasbro managed to release 74 figures in The Saga Collection line of basic figures, and of them, about 20 were 100% new figures with completely new molds*-- and Obi-Wan Kenobi wasn't one of them. This figure mixes and matches parts and pieces from as far back as 1999 and as recently as 2006 to create a figure that looks fresh but could probably have been cobbled together from any customizer with a pot of boiling water. The figure has eight points of articulation, taking the arms from the 2000 Power of the Jedi figure, the head from the 2000 Episode I figure, the legs and (it seems) the body from the 1999 Episode I figure, and the accessories from, well, several figures-- that lightsaber has been reused time and again after all. The sculpt looks a little old as Hasbro has since learned to do better Obi-Wan Kenobi heads, so in a way it's kind of a shame they didn't give us a new head for this figure to show off just how much better they've learned how to do heads over the past few years. Since there are a ton of gift sets with a very similar version of this figure in them, it's probably not worth your while to get this one, unless you're specifically not collecting those gift sets. In which case this one is pretty gosh darn good.

Collector's Notes: Hasbro released three Episode I-specific versions of Obi-Wan Kenobi in late 2006. There was this one, of course, and a nearly identical (except for the head) figure packaged with the Episode I figure tin. And a nearly identical version of that figure was packaged in the Sith Lord Attack Battle Pack. As such, this is one of those characters which has a lot of barely-different figures that are more different than just a variation due to different belts or heads, so if you want to get every last version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, it's going to take some work and some research. (We'll be covering those other figures later.)

Day 431: July 11, 2007

* - It's worth noting that several new characters and outfits can be created with paint and accessories-- new droids, clones, and holographic figures can be created without the use of new molds. Also, new troopers can be easily crafted with a new head and some paint, which leads to several more "new" figures in 2006, although there was a significant use of old molds the likes of which we hopefully will never see again.

Figure of the Day: Day 430: General Grievous

GENERAL GRIEVOUS Battle of Coruscant
The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87053
Number: 030
Includes: Blaster, cape, lightsaber, staff, stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Spring 2006
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: After kidnapping Chancellor Palpatine and barely escaping Mace Windu's Force-crushing power, General Grievous attempts to escape Coruscant aboard his flagship. Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi have other plans. After the Jedi crash-land aboard the ship and rescue Palpatine, Grievous' forces capture the trio. Once again, the Jedi fight their way out of this mess, but Grievous barely escapes and flees to the Utapau system. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Repaints can be a little tired, but sometimes you get a real improvement like General Grievous. This very mold was already sold to fans three times, once as a "sneak preview" figure, which was repackaged with an exclusive cup as a Target exclusive, and was again put in a Battle Pack, all within a span of a few months. (And the battle pack is coming back to stores soon.) So why get this one? Well, a little paint goes a long way, and this figure meshes much more nicely with the Clone Wars toys as well as the Revenge of the Sith goodies. I prefer this Grievous over all others. Sure, he's a little short, but he looks mean and superb even in his packaging. Sure, you may have the mold, but this figure just looks so much more refined-- the only thing it's missing is a second lightsaber, so he can look like the picture on his packaging. The figure doesn't quite have the right posture nor the right height, but it is mean enough to look good in the right display-- like fighting your ARC Gunship, for example. With about 10 points of articulation, he's about as good as we can expect so far, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement.

Collector's Notes: At this point, this figure may be the best-- but added articulation, improved height, and a few tweaks to the mold could really benefit fans looking for the perfect Grievous. A cloth cape would be nice too, but for now, this is the best you can buy so go out and get it. It wasn't overly hard to get, and Hasbro did a wonderful job positioning it in a unique pose in the package, making it a figure that I'd advise you get an extra of just to keep carded. So with the right packaging and paint, it isn't too hard for Hasbro to make a compelling toy even more exciting. Plus he has more accessories than he can carry-- and that's always nice to have, too. You feel that you're getting your money's worth this way.

Day 430: July 10, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 429: Imperial Scanning Trooper

IMPERIAL SCANNING CREW TROOPER with Millennium Falcon Carry Case
Power of the Force Carry Case Figure
Item No.: No. 27728
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Scanning Trunk, Crappy Carry Case
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: Summer 1998
Appearances: n/a

Bio: I really couldn't find a decent bio. So let's go with "Hapless sucker gets his butt kicked by Han Solo, fate unknown."

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: How I hate the various carry cases to come out of the modern Kenner/Hasbro line is a long and well-documented process, but none do I hate more than the Millennium Falcon case. It was packaged with two different figures, neither of which made a ton of sense, the second unique figure being the Imperial Scanning Crew Trooper. Based on the AT-ST Driver with a new head and tweaked arms, the figure itself isn't too bad, but 1998 was when Kenner's sculptors really made a move away from muscular, beefy figures and this release is a holdout from the He-Man Luke era. It isn't a bad figure-- it's just not great. Six points of articulation and a recycled sculpt don't do a lot to gain my confidence when the figure's head looks like a 1980s release, with very little personality and/or detail. If you can get it cheap, it's one more trooper for your collection, but if you're being picky you should just skip this one and wait for a real, true, honest-to-goodness modern Scanning Crew Trooper.

Collector's Notes: ...which doesn't exist yet. In 2004 Hasbro released a repaint of this figure for the Original Trilogy Collection which more or less looked good and was popular, but was ridiculously out of style with the rest of the line. We're hoping a new modern one won't be far off, but they've waited this long. Perhaps we'll see one in an exclusive set or in a future all-Star Wars wave.

Day 429: July 9, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 428: Holiday C-3PO (Santa Claus)

C-3PO Holiday Edition 2002
Saga Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: No. ???
Number: n/a
Includes: R2-D2, display base, greeting card
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $13.99
Availability: November 2002
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Hasbro and Lucasfilm Ltd. are delighted to present, for the first time, this Star Wars Holiday Edition commemorative. Inspired by the artwork of renowned artist Ralph McQuarrie, this specially designed set captures the imaginative vision of McQuarrie's art in collectible 3-3/4" action figure scale. Our gift to you, this piece is a distinctive addition to any Star Wars collection. May the Force be with you, and happy holidays. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' figures of the damned shelf.

Commentary: It's Christmas in July! So far, Hasbro has made about 6 "Holiday" figures, with C-3PO and his pal R2-D2 being the first and so far, the most well received. These were priced well, and despite being modeled after existing molds, were pretty cool. C-3PO has a beard in his hand, three meaningful points of articulation, and a hat. They had me at beard. The figure is absolutely an odd entry in the line and it skirts the edge of what should be counted as part of the film line, but as it's a McQuarrie design and fairly cool, plus a part of the official Lucasfilm holiday card lineup, how could we not look at this one? The sculpt isn't too special-- there isn't much texture on the shiny parts, nor the red or furry parts, but dammit, it's Santa C-3PO. Isn't that enough? It'd be cool to see this released again as it did sell insanely quickly, disappearing completely from the Phoenix Wal-Marts I frequented at the time in mere days. Maybe a soft goods jacket and hat might be nice additions this time around, but one thing is for sure: this was a high point, and I'd rather see these revisited than Holiday Darth Vader 2005. Man, that figure sucks.

Collector's Notes: While a Wal-Mart exclusive, this was initially developed as a Fan Club exclusive which was dumped for reasons officially unknown, but seeing how the Club changed owners several times since 1999, I'd say you can probably wager a few guesses. If memory serves, the shipping cases indicated this was in fact meant for the Fan Club. Rumor has it something like under 15,000 were made, making it a particularly low run for a Wal-Mart exclusive. It's also worth noting the price-- $13.99 for two figures may not sound half bad, but in 2002, basic carded figures sold for the crazy price of $4.99, and odds are we'll never see them that cheap again.

Day 428: July 8, 2007