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