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