Figure of the Day: Day 482: Wampa

WAMPA Hoth Attack
Saga Ultra Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84716 No. 84712
Number: n/a
Includes: Wampa cave, meat
Action Feature: Removable arm for lightsaber damage
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Late 2003/Early 2004
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The bone-chilling cold is not the only danger that awaits a traveler on the Hoth plains. Despite standing over two meters in height, the Wampa ice creature is nonetheless a stealthy predator. Camouflaged by its white fur and the howlingb Hoth winds, a Wampa surprised Luke Skywalker while he was on patrol and dragged him to its cave as his next meal. When the Jedi freed himself, the Wampa fought him - and lost an arm in the struggle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves. Note: part of the Wampa Cave comes with a Hoth Luke figure, and is not included in the icy setup you see here. You get the base, and the pillar, but not the piece on top of the pillar.

Commentary: I just love a Wampa. This guy is extra huge and has tons of additional torso articulation, so he can more easily bend over, be turned around, and so forth. (It's the same kind of joint you'd later see on a few Chewbacca figures.) Aside from that, the figure's articulation is nothing to write home about-- you can see jointed shoulders and hips, as ankles, wrists, and other such places to move might look cruddy on a hairy figure of this size. The detail is good, as there's a lot of fur sculpted here with some stains for added "realism." (Of course, depending on your imagination, it also looks like someone had an accident in the bathroom.) The figure has hollow limbs and is somewhat rubbery, which may lead to increased chances of discoloration over time-- so when you store this figure, store him away from your royal guards or anything that has something that could rub off on the big guy. I personally would rather not have seen the blood on his mouth, but hey-- that's me. It's a very good rendition of the Special Edition-era Wampa, complete with his meaty meal that can be posed to look like he's chewing it right off the bone.

Collector's Notes: The Wampa hasn't been in stores since 2004, but Hasbro will be putting it in a Battle Pack for an as-of-yet unknown retailer's exclusive soon with minimal (or no) changes. It's a fun figure, and if it turns out the Battle Pack doesn't come with the snow base, be sure to track down the original. You'll be glad you did.

Day 482: August 31, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 481: Mustafar Sentry

MUSTAFAR SENTRY Spinning Energy Bolt
Revenge of the Sith Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84173 No. 85666
Number: III-56
Includes: Mustafar base, energy bolt weapon
Action Feature: Energy bolt spins
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: To guard their secret base, the Separatists enlist natives of Mustafar as sentries against potential intruders. Armed with long blaster rifles, the Mustafarians ride atop giant, flea-like creatures. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Aliens are supposed to be cool, but the Mustafar Sentry is not. Sure, he's tall, has decent articulation, has a display base, is loaded with detail, and is a rarely seen creature. But you know what? He tends to fall down, even when placed on his stand. His spindly limbs don't help him stand upright. His face isn't much of a face-- where his eyes should be are two big ping-pong ball orbs. His earthtones aren't exactly striking colors. And he can't sit. It's hard to slam a figure with ankle articulation and lots of paint aps, but well, it's just dull. And this is saying a lot given that this figure followed such "excitement" as Zett Jukassa, Bail Organa, Captain Antilles, and the oh-so-thrilling Mon Mothma. I mean, this is an alien, and it's a troop builder, and it's a snooze. It's visually somewhat interesting to look at in that it's different from most other figures, but if you're a collector and you have 500 of these little plastic men, this guy will probably go straight to the back row of your shelves. This is no slight on the craftsmanship, but the character choice. (Although the craftsmanship was kinda dull too.) What can I say, I'm just not a fan.

Collector's Notes: It's not often I can say "buy it on eBay because Hasbro will probably never, ever want to release this again, ever." But here you go-- this is a figure that's kinda iffy, despite being cool on paper. Just because you're an obscure alien with a nifty weapon that came out in a new movie year, and as an added bonus, have no crappy action features, doesn't mean you're any good. What's really baffling is Hasbro made this guy before Commander Cody, Commander Bly, Commander Gree, and the much more visually exciting Mustafarian Lava Miner.

Day 481: August 30, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 480: R2-D2

R2-D2 Tatooine Mission
Saga Greatest Hits
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 84790
Number: n/a
Includes: Grey or clear display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 2003
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Princess Leia hides information about the Empire's latest weapon in the memory system of the resourceful, spunky and adventurous R2-D2, just before the consular ship they are on is captured by Imperial forces. She tasks R2-D2 to continue her mission to contact the long-lost Jedi Knight and Republic General, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Commandeering an escape pod, R2-D2 and C-3PO rocket away from the captured consular ship and crash-land on Tatooine. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves. (He doesn't look quite as good from this angle. This is definitely not his good side.)

Commentary: In a rare happening of reverse-battle-damage rereleases, this R2-D2 was a pretty awesome mold for its day. After years of odd, not-like-the-movies bright blue light-up eye ports, this figure won my heart by being a non-damaged R2-D2 with the best feature in the galaxy: a big black eye. The figure has a rotating dome and two articulated "legs," as well as rolling wheels under each foot. Unlike other releases, the third leg is not retractable. The figure would eventually be trumped by an overall better sculpt, but this is a very nice figure even without such details as sculpted wires on his feet or a holo emitter which you could actually plug a "projection" in to. It seems all the panels are painted where they should be, and the emitter was even painted black to give the added illusion of depth. This is an excellent figure for its day, or any day. I still think this is one of the best R2-D2s, and will continue to think so until Hasbro cranks out a release with the R4-G9 mold and a non-metalized dome.

Collector's Notes: R2-D2 was a repaint of the Naboo R2-D2 from 2001. This figure, and the assortment in which he shipped, is notable for paving the way for the next several years of the line. At the time, rereleases weren't entirely common, so this allowed an old figure to come out with new paint for increased sales, and we saw more of this in the Original Trilogy Collection, Episode III Heroes & Villains and Greatest Battles, and of course Saga Legends. It's worth noting this very figure was rereleased in 2004 on the Original Trilogy Collection packaging.

Day 480: August 29, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 479: Chancellor Palpatine

CHANCELLOR PALPATINE Supreme Chancellor
Revenge of the Sith Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 85174 No. 85287
Number: III-14
Includes: Stand, manacles
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.24-$6.99
Availability: April 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is captured by Separatist forces and held captive on an enemy cruiser. Obi-Wan and Anakin come to his aid in a daring and dangerous rescue attempt. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: What could make a more exciting toy than an old human in a leather dress and handcuffs? Well, uh, Chancellor Palpatine is a fine example of what Hasbro can get away with in a big enough movie year, which is to say, they can get away with anything. Multiple figures based on Palpatine were released in such a short timeframe that it borders on the brink of madness, and this was one of very few to feature the non-wrinkly, non-Sith Lord face. Replicating the outfit from the Invisible Hand sequence admirably, this figure has a big clamshell cloak over a figure body which had wrist and elbow articulation, plus the usual joints you've come to expect. The outfit's texture is quite amazing, with little ridges seeming to replicate the look of the rubbery leathery getup from the film nicely. The figure's head is essentially the same as the 2002 Supreme Chancellor figure, minus the liver spots/chickenpox. The figure looks as good as can be expected, and has articulation to match. The only thing this figure can't do is sit, which is exactly what the character did in the film while he had handcuffs as General Grievous' "prisoner." So in that sense, the figure isn't as authentic as one might hope. So while a cloth outfit may have been nice, it might not have let the figure look as good as it does, and as such this is a darned fine addition to your collection if you haven't yet had your fill of old wrinkly people. (Personally I like droids and aliens, but hey, this is a fine example of a good figure. Actually, most of Hasbro's prequel Palpatines were shining examples of awesome for their day.)

Collector's Notes: Perhaps because of the sheer variety of 2005 Palpatine toys, this wasn't the fastest seller, but it also wasn't a poisonous pegwarmer in most markets. You can probably get one pretty cheaply today, and unless it gets rereleased in another gift set, you should consider adding him to your shelves. Just don't expect the world as far as articulation goes.

Day 479: August 28, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 478: Droopy McCool

DROOPY MCCOOL Max Rebo Band
Power of the Force Wal-Mart Exclusive Max Rebo Band Pairs
Item No.: Asst. 69670 No. 84019
Number: n/a
Includes: Wind instrument, Barquin D'an figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 1998
Appearances: Return of the Jedi


Bio: Snit, stage name Droopy McCool, was a member of the Max Rebo Band. He was a Kitonak from the planet Kirdo III, and played a flute made from a hollow chidinkalu plant from his home planet. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: A fatter, more wrinkly, less round version than his 1983 counterpart. Droopy McCool is one of the more memorable musicians from Return of the Jedi, wearing early boxer briefs, having no visible eyes, and getting down with his bad self while Jabba feeds his pets. With six points of articulation, the figure had more moving parts than the original, and he looked great. He had no problem holding his accessory, standing up, or being posed to properly occupy any shelf or diorama setting. There aren't a lot of alien figures you can buy (at least at the time) that weren't armed with pointy weapons or guns, so Droopy was a real novelty in that he was there to do his musician thing and basically have a good time. There's nothing wrong with this figure, but it would be nice to see a new version to get an idea what ten years of toy tech can do to update this already great design. If you like aliens from Jabba's Palace, you just can't miss this one-- and thankfully, you're just months away from getting another crack at him at retail.

Collector's Notes: Tracking down this set-- the first of three two-packs-- was a great way to finish up 1998 as a collector. Begging for rides to the Wal-Mart while in college was not a high point, but tracking down new figures of some of my all-time favorite aliens was a real treat, and now fans will have the chance to do the same thing again this year with reissues in screen scene packs at Wal-Mart. Of course, this statement aside, there's no getting past that the figure has one of the lamest names of the entire saga, and that's saying something.

Day 478: August 27, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 477: Watto

WATTO Mos Espa Junk Dealer
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84260
Number: 0250
Includes: Display base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Watto is the shrewd and possessive owner of a parts shop in the rugged frontier town of Mos Espa. When visited by Anakin Skywalker ten years after losing him to Qui-Gon Jinn on a Podrace bet, Watto informs Anakin that his mother, also a slave, was sold to a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 2002, it seemed someone at Hasbro said "let's just surprise the fans all year long." Figures like a new Luke Bespin, tons of Tusken Raiders, and this new Watto were big surprises. After Episode I, nobody expected to see Watto again as an action figure, let alone one that has a stand that makes him look like he's flying. Plus he's got a little Pit Droid hat! All in all, this is a nice figure-- I mean, look at the detail. Sure, he only has about five meaningful points of articulation, but his skin is nice and wrinkly, his wings are fluttering in mid-flight, he's got a big happy grin on his face, and he generally just looks great. There's a lot of detail to be seen here, and the figure was originally a low-low $4.99. Sure, he lacked accessories, but he didn't need them, because he has the most important thing of all: personality. If you don't have any Watto toys, get this one-- the display stand makes him a bazillion times cooler than other releases, plus he's still cheap on the secondary market.

Collector's Notes: This figure was released around the same time as Ephant Mon. Guess which was more popular? To date, this Watto figure has not been reissued, and if memory serves, this was the most recent Hasbro Watto product. It might be the most recent Watto figure-related merchandise of any kind. A pity, as Hasbro does good work with the character.

Day 477: August 26, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 476: Lando Calrissian

LANDO CALRISSIAN Death Star Attack
Saga 2004
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 84777
Number: 0421
Includes: Blaster, Cape, Base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Spring 2004
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: After the daring rescue of Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, Calrissian became a General in the Alliance Forces. He volunteered to spearhead the starfighter attack on the second Death Star while Admiral Ackbar led the capital ships. When the Death Star proved operational, Ackbar was ready to retreat. Instead, Calrissian commanded the Alliance Fleet to engage the Imperial Fleet at point blank range, offering limited protection from the Death Star's massive superlaser weapon. Lando led the starfighters into the station's incomplete superstructure, striking the station's reactor core with a volley of concussion missiles that caused it to explode. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: When the new line started up, one of the first things fans clamored for were remakes of all the original Power of the Force figures from 1984 and 1985-- and we're still waiting on some of them. However others, like Lando Calrissian as a Rebel General/Pilot, have been made twice. This is the second release, and easily the best-- but, I daresay, not as good as the vintage figure. (That one had a cloth cape and could sit easily in a vehicle.) The costume here is replicated well, with the yellow striped pants, the shirt-under-the-shirt, the cape, a working holster on his chest (the first in Star Wars toys if I'm not mistaken), and all that stuff. His cape is removable, and while he has the standard articulation, Hasbro gave him extra joints on the arms for increased mobility. Well, the right arm, anyway. Unless Hasbro does a "vintage"-style remake of this one, which I seriously doubt given sales of the 2004 Lando Vintage figure and the 2007 Vintage line as a whole, odds are this will always be the best modern Lando General figure you can get. The likeness is good, the costume is decent, really all that's left is better articulation and soft goods. Since there's room for improvement, I have no doubt some of you will hold out even though this figure definitely falls under the umbrella of "good enough." I like it.

Collector's Notes: This figure was released in Spring 2004 on a blue, Saga-style cardback. Later in the year he was far more common when released on the Original Trilogy Collection packaging, which, we should note, looks totally awesome. The figures are identical.

Day 476: August 25, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 475: Admiral Motti

ADMIRAL MOTTI Choking Victim
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: Second of the triumvirate in command of the Death Star, Motti believes the power of the Death Star dwarfs all others in the universe. He learns the fallacy of this belief at the hand of Darth Vader, to his regret. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: Back in early 2000, Power of the Force figures were surprisingly hard to get and figures like Admiral Motti proved especially difficult to find. So in 2006, Hasbro announced a new pack of Death Star goons, and a reissue (and repaint) of this figure with a better blaster was one of the lucky few to see plastic once more. While it would have been nifty to see a non-choking Motti, the figure still holds up fairly well with an articulated wrist and elbow on his right arm and "basic" articulation elsewhere. He can stand, he's colored to better match his gift set brothers, and his skin is very, very pale. Like, almost minty-green pale. The figure's likeness is pretty good, especially considering he came from an era where an accurate likeness on any human figure was usually coincidental. This is a good one-- if you missed the original release, this is a fine substitute. If you got the original, well, odds are you'll eventually end up with one of these when you buy the gift set. Not that this is a bad thing.

Collector's Notes: Still available, this set is one of those few mind-blowing releases where Hasbro did a fairly awesome job. There are a few places to nitpick, but as far as bang for the buck goes this is one of the finer sets to be had. After all, upon release, a figure costs about $6.99, and this set gets you 7 figures for about $40. Sure, Darth Vader is basically a throwaway, but the rest of the set is totally worth owning.

Day 475: August 24, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 474: SK-Z38

SK-Z38 Star Tours
Star Tours Collection 3
Item No.: No. 10147
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: Opening mouth, spinning prop
Retail: $10.00
Availability: 2003
Appearances: Star Tours

Bio: SK-Z38 was a droid that worked for the Star Tours travel agency. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: Just because there's a lot of fan demand for something doesn't mean Hasbro should do it-- wisely, Hasbro cranked out a limited number of Star Tours figures for theme parks, and figures like SK-Z38 never soiled the pegs of your local stores. The theme park ride was packed with droids to make, and Hasbro made some of the best ones almost immediately, leaving stinkers like this for later series. The figure has virtually no articulation, his legs are stuck together, and the plastic is so weak and flimsy, he will absolutely sag on your display shelf-- you need to prop him up or there's like a 90% chance of him falling over. The detail is lacking (as there doesn't seem to be much to work with), but he is cute. As a collectible. As a toy, your kids will hate this thing. It really isn't a lot of fun to play with as all it can do is stand around and observe things. While fans clamored for figures from the theme park ride, and complained about their park-exclusivity, figures like this remind you that sometimes, Hasbro really does know what it's doing.

Collector's Notes: This is a figure you don't buy because you like it, but because it's to complete a set. Or perhaps if you lost a bet. Initially, this figure was delayed and retooled slightly to make the edges a bit rounder, initially leading fans to worry they might never get it. Oh poor foolish fans of 2003, you do not know what crap awaits you. This figure can be had for about $10, probably less if you're patient, and is worth at least half that. Were this figure constructed of stronger materials and didn't have soft plastic legs the thickness of a paperclip, I might be here telling you how it's a weird little figure that you might want to consider reserving a space for on your shelf. But it sucks, so don't buy it unless you have a compulsion to do so.

Day 474: August 23, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 473: Stormtrooper

STORMTROOPER Removable Helmet
30th Anniversary Collection
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87279
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, helmet, coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Spring 2007
Appearances: Technically none, I guess

Bio: The Empire's elite shock troops, stormtroopers are unswervingly loyal to the Empire and serve without fear or hesitation. Their indoctrination and training are key to upholding the Emperor's bidding and maintaining his control of the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: Since 2004, fans have clamored for Hasbro to crank out a cheaper, more easily available super-poseable Stormtrooper action figure since they did the $10 Vintage one. Well, we got our wish-- sorta. In 2004, figures were $5, and now they're $7. Plus the original figure had a normal head, and this one has a removable helmet which some fan love and others, well, not so much. The figure itself, head aside, is the same as the 2004 figure-- lots of articulation, lots of white. In short, on paper, an excellent figure-- but this mold's hips restrict movement, and the belt hanging off his right hip prevents the figure from sitting flush against a vehicle. So the figure has everything fans love-- loads of joints, removable helmets, holsters, all of that-- only they don't all quite function properly. This may or may not matter, depending on what you do with your Stormtrooper figures. If all you do is line them up or have them stand around in a diorama, this is a fine figure. if you want to keep it packaged, well, does it even matter? Along with the Tantive IV battle pack Stormtrooper, it's a good year for the Empire's elite-- and in some respects, the other figure is slightly better. It's whiter, it can sit better, it has a better stance, and as a toy, it's more fun. (And there's no helmet to lose.) Also, an added note-- the arms, on the upper shoulder area, are each labeled "L" and "R" which seems to be on the various "Vintage" Stormtrooper figures with removable helmets, including Luke and Han from the comic packs. The non-removable helmet figures don't seem to have these letters.

Collector's Notes: So when building your armies, remember: you've got options. Although it seems Hasbro will be shipping this one heavily in 2007. The figure is in heavy rotation but tends to be a fast seller. If you like the "Jango head under a Stormtrooper helmet" concept, or even if you don't, I advise all fans of Imperial troopers to buy at least one of this figure, if for no reason other than a little added variety in your garrison. I like it, I don't love it, but it's a gosh darn good figure and fun for what it aspires to be. It's also available, which is really the most important thing a figure can be these days. The mold is already used for comic-style Stormtrooper Luke and Han figures, plus upcoming Basso and Mouse figures. It's assumed we'll see movie versions of Luke and Han Stormtroopers based on this mold in the next year and change, and I'm hoping for some more craziness like the Stormtrooper from Alderaan. Remember #86? That was cool. Perhaps Tag and Bink could be on deck, too.

Day 473: August 22, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 472: Anakin Skywalker (Naboo)

ANAKIN SKYWALKER Naboo
Episode I Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84085 No. 84112
Number: n/a
Includes: Communicator, Cloak, CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Exceptionally Force-sensitive, Anakin Skywalker escapes from a life of slavery to pursue his dream of becoming a Jedi Knight. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy boxes.

Commentary: This is the only version of young "Padawan" Anakin Skywalker, so if you like the idea of the figure, you'd better buy it. The figure includes a big plastic robe accessory (not shown) as well as a communicator, and nothing else-- no lightsaber, nada. With six points of articulation, Anakin was about par for the course in 1999. He isn't bad, actually-- there's decent detail, good texture, and overall, the head wasn't half bad. It's just that this was the "ceremonial" outfit and there's little action for the figure, and with no weapons, it's hard to imagine a lot of creative ways to display the figure. I wouldn't be surprised if the young Jedi was popular custom fodder, or a kid's favorite figure, because he turned out well and certainly doesn't make me feel sorry I got one. However, there's a distinct lack of direction of what to do with him, other than getting some steps and having him stand around Boss Nass and Queen Amidala. If there were more accessories, or perhaps a way to clip the communicator to his belt, I think this would be a figure I could talk up more. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just that it doesn't really wow the collector with some nifty feature. Given the fact he's short, a little something extra would've been nice. As it is, it's just nice.

Collector's Notes: The mold has never been reissued, so if you like it, get the original release. Or don't. We don't expect to see a new version any time soon.

Day 472: August 21, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 471: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID Shot Variation
Episode I Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84085 No. 84092
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Backpack, CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The greedy Trade Federation has created an army that requires no food, no drink, no sleep. Millions of these high-tech battle droids amass into a virtually unstoppable armed force. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: There are four variations on this Battle Droid, all with the same packaging-- this one is "shot," as it looks like it's been shot. There's also clean and dirty, as well as "sliced." (We'll talk about these in future installments.) As the prequel era's first true army builder, Hasbro did everything right on this one. The figure has two joints for each limb, a removable backpack, a removable head, and a blaster that can plug into its backpack. The pose is what fans were demanding at the time-- more or less static/neutral-- and you can make this guy sit, stand, crouch, or do whatever it is your sick mind wants. In almost every sense, for 1999, it is one of the most perfect action figures Hasbro has ever done, plus it has the benefit of having been made from a non-"gummy" plastic, so it's much less likely to fall over than later releases due to sagging issues. As far as toys go, Battle Droids don't come any better than this mold, and this mold comes in four flavors, which should be most helpful to building your expanding army.

Of course, even though the figure has several "damage" variants and loads of articulation, there are places to nitpick. I bring these up not because I personally see them as a problem, but readers have commented on this sort of thing so it's worth sharing as some of you will no doubt complain if I don't mention this. The legs are a smidge inauthentic due to the figure being a good toy first and an accurate representation second-- they're a little thicker, and as such, they do look different than the movie. (Frankly, this doesn't bother me in the slightest-- I'd rather have a figure that can stand over one that has 100% perfect legs.) One area that may bug you, though, and it kinda bugs me, is the head. It's just a little bit off, having been made as a toy prior to final-final cut of the film. This sort of thing happens a lot when you try to get the digital models made as merchandise before the movie hits the silver screen, and as such, Hasbro has gone back and made many new droids to correct the head. Still, it's not so horribly off that you won't enjoy the figure-- and I'm willing to bet a lot of you wouldn't notice unless you held it up to other droid figures and/or the movie to compare it. On its own, it looks great, it's a lot of fun, and it's one of the best Battle Droid molds you can get.

Collector's Notes: The 1999 Battle Droid mold didn't see a heck of a lot of use-- so go track down this initial release, already.

Day 471: August 20, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 470: Dutch Vander (Gold Leader)

DUTCH VANDER Gold Leader
Saga Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 84764
Number: 0413
Includes: Blaster, helmet, stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Spring 2004
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Gold Leader was the comm unit designation for Rebel pilot John Vander's Y-Wing during the attack on the first Death Star. He previously had led a squadron ar Renforra base, and he proudly wore the emblem of Specter Squadron on his helmet. He was killed during the Battle of Yavin. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: By default, Dutch Vander is considered the best non-Luke Rebel Pilot ever made. His body has the most articulation and is therefore the best, right? Well, I disagree. The figure isn't bad, but I really don't get why so many fans think it's so wonderful. There are some grey straps between (and on) his legs, and when the figure sits, they sometimes pop off. The arms have very limited articulation, the figure is unusually tall, has a strange joint/assembly in his neck, and doesn't look all that awesome, really. It is, however, the best body there is-- it just goes to show that there's always room for improvement. The flight suit is wonderfully detailed, with loads of creases and folds which seem to improve every time Hasbro revisits this costume in some capacity. The helmet, which is removable, has a chin strap-- which some fans seem to consider the most important part of the costume, if what I read on the forums has any basis in reality. Ultimately, what makes a pilot is his ability to sit in a vehicle, and this figure has no problems sitting in a Y-Wing Fighter. This is a good thing-- because this same mold is being used again, with a new head, as a Y-Wing Pilot pack-in for Toys "R" Us this year. For 2004, the mold was pretty good-- it had things like decent knee joints, and it wasn't too beefy or otherwise bloated. The figure was introduced prior to most of Hasbro's super articulated offerings, so for his day, he wasn't bad-- it's just that a year or two can do a lot to make a good figure age rapidly. If there were a way to give him new arms and some sort of soft goods for the straps, I think this mold very well might be perfect, but as it is, there's limited room for improvement.

Collector's Notes: I've seen these figures in the wild as recently as 2006, and the figure doesn't exactly go for a lot. I'd wager to say you can get one for $5 or less shipped via eBay if you're just a little patient. The character isn't what most fans would call exciting, and the basic body mold has been reused for other, more exciting characters like Wedge Antilles. (And Biggs Darklighter. Plus bits were used to make Zev.) So it's not a bad figure, just, well, all Rebel Pilots look very similar-- this is one of the reasons it may be a good long time before anyone has the sense (or lack thereof) to crank out a $40 all-orange pilot gift set. As we will likely never ever see another Dutch Vander action figure, you should get this-- but just remember, while it is good, it certainly isn't perfect.

Day 470: August 19, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 469: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Force Jump Attack)

OBI-WAN KENOBI Force Jump Attack
Revenge of the Sith Deluxe Figure
Item No.: Asst. 85182 No. 85431
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber stuck in hand, Super Battle Droid
Action Feature: Jumps, sort of
Retail: $9.99
Availability: April 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: As a General in the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi leads clone troopers into battle against the droid armies. He uses his skill as a Jedi Master and his control of the Force to defeat the deadly battle droids. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: It's worth mentioning that while this Obi-Wan Kenobi is a unique sculpt to this release, with good detailing, a nice head sculpt, and an amusing action feature. Which, I should mention, doesn't work too well. The figure can sort of jump, and the articulation is all tied in to this feature-- so he really isn't much of a toy beyond the jumping. He can't sit, but he might look OK in a diorama if you don't miss the mixed cloth and plastic look of his Jedi robes. The reason the figure costs $10? It also comes with a Super Battle Droid which has a decent sculpt, but again, not much articulation. This is a figure worth buying if you dig how it looks-- it's somewhat fun to play with, but the novelty wears off quickly and he isn't very good at slicing and dicing.

Collector's Notes: In 2005, this figure sold really well. In most areas, he sold through long before the clearance sales, probably in part because it looks like a two-pack, and two figures for ten bucks ain't bad. For $10 or less, it's probably worth getting, if for no reason other than to add to your droid stash. It's pretty cheap on eBay, mostly because of what I said above: it's OK, but it's not exactly great to look at or a lot of fun to play with for long.

Day 469: August 18, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 468: Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker

Jedi Knight LUKE SKYWALKER
Power of the Force Collection
Item No.: Asst. 69605 No. 69596
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, cloak
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: July 1996
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: A celebrated rebel pilot, leader, and legendary Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker was most famous for destroying the first Death Star and providing the catalyst for Darth Vader to kill Emperor Palpatine, which led to the eventual downfall of the Galactic Empire and made him the greatest hero of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. He was later promoted to General, though left the military to become an influential member of the New Republic and a prominent Jedi Master. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: At first, this Luke Skywalker was one of the most exciting figures of the year. I mean, it was the first ever modern version of Luke from Return of the Jedi, how could you not be giddy at the thought of such a great figure being revisited? While fans loved the figure at first, what with its hard plastic cape and waist joint, it became obvious that the figure needed some work. After all, while there were minor differences, Kenner was using the same basic Luke head for every single figure-- and Luke didn't look the same in all the movies. The detail was light, and authenticity was iffy (high heeled boots?), but the figure sold very well to a new generation of fans who had not yet gotten picky, plus (if the numbers we are told are true) a couple hundred thousand fanboys and speculators bought into it. Today, as a new collector, the only reason to get this figure is to "collect them all." Several new versions of this costume have been produced, and this one does not hold up well to the test of time-- still, it's an amusing curiosity, and can be had cheaply.

Collector's Notes: This figure is remembered for its variations, rather than its own merits. The first release had a tan vest, while the rest of the run was grey-- some fans thought this was to look more like Luke in Shadows of the Empire, but really, this is just an error from what we could infer from Hasbro employees at the time. (A variation to you and me.) The figure would also go on to become the famous "Theater Luke," given away in 1997 at screenings of Return of the Jedi with special packaging. The special packaging is notable because it has very weak adhesive keeping the bubble on the card, and most of them eventually fall off if not properly cared for. Even an AFA sample will likely age and eventually fall off, thus rendering the grading useless. But I digress. The figure was a good one and had a good run as one of the very first modern figures based on Return of the Jedi. It's also worth noting this figure shipped alongside Shadows of the Empire action figures.

Day 468: August 17, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 467: General Rieekan

GENERAL RIEEKAN Hoth Evacuation
Power of the Jedi Ultra Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84716 No. 84713
Number: n/a
Includes: Giant viewscreen
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Latet 2003/Early 2004
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: A battle-weary but capable commander, General Carlist Rieekan was the Rebel officer in charge of Echo Base on Hoth. Rieekan had to make the difficult decision of evacuating the base that the men and women under his command had worked so hard to build. Most of the evacuation transports were able to escape Imperial pursuit and regroup elsewhere, ensuring the Rebellion's survival. Born on Alderaan, he was off-planet, inspecting a new satellite transmission system when the Death Star obliterated his home. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: The Ultra line of figures is nothing short of legendary in some circles-- it represents a time where Hasbro decided to make a line of $10 figures that fans of all ages could probably all agree were worth the money. There are, of course, exceptions-- like General Rieekan. While there's nothing wrong with the figure, he works as an example of bad pricing, and a good example at that. When he was released, figures were usually $5, possibly $6 in stores. Rieekan was $10, had only six points of articulation, no blaster, and a screen that could probably have been crammed in a 2004 basic figure package. I've always felt the reason for the $10 cost was a lower production run due to the smaller audience for the figure, who wouldn't necessarily mind paying $10. Thankfully, the figure is good-- it looks like the actor, or is at least close enough. The big screen is an accessory that really does make your Hoth diorama look better. The only thing this figure has going against it is the value proposition-- if this were a basic figure, it'd be a great deal. As an Ultra figure, it wasn't exactly on the same level as C-3PO with an escape pod, or Jabba the Hutt in his fat glory. The Rieekan figure you see here is nearly identical to the 2006 release, except that one had a gun and a display base, and was probably worth the money, all things considered.

Collector's Notes: This figure seemed to sell fairly well early on, and today, it isn't exactly easy to find all over eBay or elsewhere-- it seems Hasbro knew how many to make so the market wouldn't choke on too many of them, and now you can expect to pay more than the initial $10 asking price. Oh well, there's always the 2006 version.

Day 467: August 16, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 466: Battle Droid (Boomer Damage)

BATTLE DROID Boomer Damage
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84563
Number: III-58
Includes: Blaster, backpack, snap-on "boomer" damage
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The wealthy Trade Federation secretly assembled a massive army of these unfeeling-skeleton-like battle droids. When the time was right, they were deployed against the peaceful inhabitants of Naboo as part of a Trade Federation power play. Many droids received severe damage during their clash with the Gungan army in the epic Naboo land battle. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy boxes, on a comic compilation.

Commentary: During Episode I, we were gifted but with one army builder-- the Battle Droid. In the following years, Hasbro cranked out several varieties. Heck, there were 5 different kinds of Battle Droid you could buy in the USA on regular cards in the first couple of months, so if you buy one of every unique Battle Droid, you can get a pretty nice army without even duplicating a figure. This one was a figure that in some respects is better for displays, but hey, it's still a fine example of what Hasbro was doing right. The figure has 9 points of articulation (2 in each limb plus the head) and a pretty good sculpt. A lot of those early Battle Droids have thicker legs so that the joint could be included, so it's a tradeoff-- you can have articulation, or accuracy, just not both. Still, this is a fun figure to play with because it offers a lot. If you like the damage, you can leave that on and have the figure popping out of a tank, falling over on the battlefield, or generally being assaulted. If you dislike it, it comes right off (although it is a bit of a pain to put it back) and now you have a decent standard Battle Droid. There is a little bit of weathering on the figure, as well as painted eyes, but aside from that it's pretty plain. Still, plain isn't bad-- Hasbro tends to overdo the battle damage on a lot of these figures. So, in short, the figure is a decent all-around trooper that offers more than the average Battle Droid. If that interests you, hey, awesome. Just be aware the head falls of easily once the boomer damage is removed.

Collector's Notes: Hasbro has made many, many Battle Droids. They did bonus Battle Droid overseas instead of CommTech chips, four variants of the basic TPM Droid, OOM-9, a droid with each playset, and then a bunch more for each of the other movies. (Well, not so much Episode III, but it does look like we can expect 8 or more versions of the Battle Droid in 2007 courtesy of Saga Legends and everything else.) What can we say, the little guys are popular!

Day 466: August 15, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 465: Wookiee Commando

WOOKIEE COMMANDO Kashyyyk Battle Bash
Revenge of the Sith Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 85173 No. 86670
Number: III-58
Includes: Cannon, projectile, removable bandolier/loincloth
Action Feature: Projectile fires from cannon, squeeze legs for Wookiee Battle Bash action
Retail: $5.24-$6.99
Availability: Fall 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: The Wookiees are intelligent, fiercely loyal and exceedingly strong. When their peaceful planet of Kashyyyk is enveloped by the Clone Wars, these ferocious warriors fight the Separatist incursion. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: By Summer of 2005, it was obvious that Revenge of the Sith toys were huge-- and that Hasbro didn't make enough of them. Enter the repaint waves. One of these 12 end-of-the-line repaints was this Wookiee Commando, a black and grey revision of a Wookiee Warrior figure available earlier in the year. The good news is that the new color makes it a new trooper that is welcome in your collection, with the added soft goods loin cloth (which can be removed if you dislike such things) adding more flair to the already nifty figure. The bad news is that it came with the same goofy cannon that came with an earlier Yoda figure, and the Wookiee really can't do much with it other than hold it under his arm-- the weapons from previous Wookiee figures work far better with this figure. Still, his fur patterns are sculpted nicely, black repaints are always fun, and the articulation is excellent, but not perfect. (You get about 12 joints, with fake knees-- they rotate, but don't bend. In other words, worthless.) If you're building a Wookiee army, or need someone for your green Battle Droids to fight, you'll want to get one of these. If not, well, odds are you can skip this one and not miss any sleep.

Collector's Notes: This was one of five unique Wookiee Warrior figures from 2005-- there were two other versions of this mold sold earlier in the year, plus another mold which was available in two colors. Factor in Chewbacca and Tarfful, that's a grand total of 7 unique new Wookiees in less than a year!

Day 465: August 14, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 464: Zuckuss

ZUCKUSS with Heavy Assault Blaster Rifle
Power of the Force Collection 3
Item No.: Asst. 69705 No. 69747
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Freeze Frame Action Slide
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Spring 1998
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Zuckuss answers Darth Vader's call for bounty hunters to help locate the Millennium Falcon and her crew. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Zuckuss was a real milestone-- the last Bounty Hunter to be remade in the modern era, and the first one that most fans consider "modern" enough to not demand a resculpt of it. This isn't to say there's no room for improvement, but Kenner pretty much nailed it so it isn't like it's a flawed figure. With only six points of articulation, the figure has limited mobility due to his hard plastic clamshell robes. Still, he looks good-- look at that costume! It's all nasty and brown and scuffed and stuff. He looks a little meaner than the movie, darker in color, less cuddly, more dangerous. As such, I guess there really is some room to try again, perhaps with soft goods like the vintage figure (which was, if you recall, named 4-LOM.) So a figure that's more tan in color with a few extra joints might be just what the collector ordered, and as we're getting an all-new 4-LOM this year, I'd almost say we should expect one in the next 18 months.

Collector's Notes: As the figure was originally offered in 1998, he was somewhat tough to get as he has never been reissued on a regular card. He did return to stores in 2006 in a Diamond exclusive Bounty Hunter Gift Set, though, with minimal (no?) changes.

Day 464: August 13, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 463: Mace Windu

MACE WINDU Arena Confrontation
Saga Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84918
Number: 0302
Includes: Lightsaber blade
Action Feature: Total control joystick feature
Retail: $4.99
Availability: January 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Realizing how far the Separatist conflict has degenerated, Mace Windu decides the time has come for swift action. He personally leads a Jedi battalion to Geonosis in an urgent rescue attempt, where he must put aside his diplomatic stance and call upon his finely honed Jedi fighting skills in battle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Behold, another of Hasbro's grand experiments! Mace Windu isn't a normal action figure-- far from it. The figure has a metal rod going through it, covered by his robes. On one side is a lightsaber, on the other, a joystick. Since his arms are soft plastic, you can basically play with this figure like a puppet-- he can twist and turn his arms to fight, to block shots, or to point at things. I'm somewhat worried it might fall apart over time, but as a new item, it looks good and it's loads of fun to play with, and it has one of the better (but certainly not the best) Samuel L. Jackson head. There's very little meaningful articulation on this figure, but the figure in its default pose looks pretty great, and it's a lot of fun to play with-- so get one for your kids, or for yourself maybe if you like such things.

Collector's Notes: Originally, the figure was going to have a plastic cloak, but it actually came out with a cloth one. Samples of the plastic coat got out on eBay as unpainted test shots, and I got one in my collection. It's pretty cool.

Day 463: August 12, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 462: Princess Leia (Bespin)

PRINCESS LEIA and Han Solo
Power of the Force Princess Leia Collection
Item No.: Asst. 66935 No. 66938
Number: n/a
Includes: Han Solo figure with Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: 1998
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The formidable sight of Darth Vader strikes a reflex reaction in Han Solo's trigger finger, but the Dark Lord's power proves too great and princess leia and her band of Rebels are taken captive. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: By 1998, Kenner was brainstorming for new ways to sell basic figures, like this line designed by the Kenner Girls team. Princess Leia features a normal pose, soft goods, and bloodshot eyes-- for whatever reason, they made these figures look a little whacked out. (I'm leaving any jokes to you.) The figure's sculpt was nothing to write home about-- good enough, but not fantastic-- while the figure could do things like sit with no problems due to the cloth robes. What you see is basically what you get-- there's not much to point at and ooh and aah over, but it was a nifty figure for its time and one of Kenner's more interesting pre-Episode I experiments.

Collector's Notes: Due to the glut of product, you could find this set on clearance if you were lucky. It was a decent enough set and the first Bespin Leia in the modern line-- and the only one, until 2004. The mold wasn't reused and the figure has yet to be reissued.

Day 462: August 11, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 461: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER Firing Jet Backpack
Revenge of the Sith Deluxe Figure
Item No.: Asst. 85152 No. 85569
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 rockets, backpack, blaster
Action Feature: Rockets fire, wings spring open
Retail: $9.99
Availability: April 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Certain clone troopers are specially trained and outfitted for aerial reconnaissance and battle. Winged jet backpacks with built-in launchers provide the means for air assaults on the enemy. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: While not taken directly from the film, this Clone Trooper was designed to be a fun toy and act as yet another Clone for we, the picky collectors, to dig up. The figure is almost super-articulated and was unique in that the hips were designed so the figure has no real problems sitting down-- other figures based on this design usually have problems taking a seat. The waist joint isn't very mobile, but the rest of the figure? Top notch. There aren't any foot peg holes, but the figure should spend more time being played with than sitting around on a shelf. (Or hang him up.) Push a button on the jetpack, and the wings pop out, and the rockets fire with less effort than you might want. The clone's armor is as good as any other Episode III clone, and as such, may not stand out enough for you to justify buying this one for his massive accessories. Still, it's creative, it's fun, and I like it. You might too.

Collector's Notes: This was a strong seller in 2005 and the mold was reused to make a grey Coruscant trooper for Target as an exclusive later on. The mold hasn't seen much other action, and the jetpack/gun/rockets are exclusive to this set. As such, why not track one down?

Day 461: August 10, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 460: Mon Mothma

MON MOTHMA with Baton
Power of the Force Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 69570 No. 69859
Number: n/a
Includes: Baton, Freeze Frame Action Slide
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Fall 1998
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: The senior senator of the Old Republic went underground to form the Rebel Alliance following the rise of the evil Empire. She was instrumental in the Rebel's struggle for freedom. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Few figures act as a metaphor for the state of the toy line as well as Mon Mothma. In 1998, Kenner was nearing what fans assumed was the end of the modern trilogy line-- many of us thought, from here out, we'd be getting nothing but prequel toys. She came out as most of the major, fan requested characters were seeing plastic and some fans were left wondering just how far the line could go, as it'd had gone quite far in three years. The figure was an example of most of what fans were asking for-- generic, vintage-esque poses, better likenesses, more realistic proportions, and so forth. There's no leg articulation to speak of (just a waist joint), and the figure has a sort of a gown over the body, shoulder joints, a neck joints, and a stick. She looks good for the figures of her time, and is the only version of the character from this film to be made as a traditional action figure. When you get right down to it, you're buying an action figure of a character whose sole purpose was to deliver exposition through a monologue who then sat down and let the lobster man do all the talking-- as such, she's a really odd choice for a figure when you look back at how new the line still was. There was still no Amanaman, or a decent Wedge, but here we go, Mon Mothma, and before we saw most Skiff Guards or other figures which, frankly, are actually interesting. Still, she ain't bad-- if you're working on a diorama, be sure to get one. Just keep a look out on her eyes-- she looks a little too interested. If Hasbro tweaked the gown a little and repainted the face, this figure would probably hold up well to the test of time.

Collector's Notes: This mold was never reused. Yes, I know, you're shocked. The figure was somewhat hard to get in Fall of 1998 when she started rolling out, and in many markets, remained hard to get except for odd pockets of new figures and a few clearance finds.

Day 460: August 9, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 459: Jempa

JEMPA Jedi Padawan
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84970
Number: 0216
Includes: Lightsaber, helmet, Ashla 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: It's not to late-- to Wiphid! Jempa here is what a baby K'Kruhk or J'Quille looks like, without the fur and beady little eyes. The figure is based on the same young padawan body used for two other figures, but with a new head, new helmet, and new arms. Not surprisingly, it's pretty easy to make several distinctive action figures with minimal changes, if the generic body is right-- and this one is. There's not a lot of detail needed to crank out a kindergarten Jedi in robes, and the figure looks pretty good anyway. His eyes are big and bright, he has a pair of big tusks, and he's got a lightsaber. What more could you ask for? Sure, some fans are going to be upset it isn't super articulated, but who listens to them anymore anyway? For a figure from 2003, it's great, it's a clever reuse of tooling, and it's a new character all in one. How can you go wrong with Jempa?

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 459: August 8, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 458: Rebel Trooper

REBEL TROOPER Capture of Tantive IV
30th Anniversary Collection Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 84205 No. 84367
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, removable helmet, 4 other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: February 2007
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Though inexperienced in combat against trained and determined fighters like the Imperial stormtroopers that swarmed onto their ship, these troopers were utterly loyal to Princess Leia and the Rebel Alliance. They fought to the last man in defense of their ship. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' figure shelves.

Commentary: Hasbro made a (for the time) great Rebel Trooper several years ago, and apparently Hasbro likes the mold so much, they just keep bringing it back. The figure you see here is one of six figures to share this body, with the old changes usually being just the head mold (with one exception). The figure takes the body with 12 iffy points of articulation, gives him a gun, and of course gives him a removable helmet (previously from Captain Antilles) and an all-new head. That's really all there is to it-- you probably will buy the battle pack with this figure for the Stormtroopers, and will get stuck with a lot of these guys. The head sculpt isn't bad, but the figure's body hasn't aged well. In 2001, the then-new knee joints allowed for some nifty poses which we hadn't seen before, as knee joints of any kind were fairly uncommon in Star Wars. Today, we've seen some really spiffy knee joints in this scale, from the ball joints on Clone Troopers to the double-knee joints on the most recent G.I. Joe action figures. The figure's arm articulation is quite limiting, and in 2007, is pretty awful. It's not that this is a bad figure, it's just that it's way past its prime and now when it's released in a box with two nearly perfect Stormtroopers, it really, really looks bad.

Collector's Notes: The figure is said to have a hair color variant which I have not had the good fortune of verifying myself-- does anyone have pictures? Apparently this figure and the other figure in the set swap hair colors.

Day 458: August 7, 2007