Figure of the Day: Day 484: Princess Leia (Endor)

PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA Endor
30th Anniversary Collection Tins
Item No.: Asst. 87154 No. 87205
Number: 6 of 6
Includes: Darth Vader, Scout Trooper, Rebel Endor Trooper
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: After becoming separated from the Rebel strike team she had helped lead to the forest moon of Endor, Leia finds herself surrounded and befriended by the native Ewoks, who later help her team defeat Imperial forces. (Taken from the figure's inner cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Ultarama.

Commentary: As I like to say, a little paint goes a long way. The 2006/2007 version of Princess Leia Organa in her Endor Dress/Bright Tree Village Attire/Hippie Disguise is unique because it takes elements of both 1998 Endor Leia figures and combines them into a single figure. The mold itself was originally used in the Princess Leia Collection 2-packs, a series of action figure sets designed mostly (at least this is what Kenner people told me) by the Kenner Girls division, who also did the first round of Buddies*. The figures had limited soft goods, rooted hair, and a bonus action figure in every set. The weird thing, though, was that the original "PLC" Leia had very dark red all over her face, bloodshot eyes, and essentially looked like-- and I realize this is crass-- she's about to go into rehab. In short, not something you want little boys or little girls to play with. Her costume was very dark brown, her sandals were metallic, and well, the coloring was pretty weird. The basic carded figure from 1998 had great coloring, good deco, and a nice face. Well, this figure applies that conservative, decent deco to the rooted-hair-and-cloth-dress mold, and the end result is pretty good. At first, I saw this and said "wow, how worthless, there's nothing new here" but it turned out I was totally wrong. It's just that this figure plays like the figure designed to be a better toy, and looks like the old figure designed to be more pleasing to collectors. In short, it's a good figure, and even though all she has is six points of articulation, she's probably the best you can get unless Hasbro decides to do an all-new version soon.

Collector's Notes: If you collect significant redecorations in your collection, this makes three versions of Endor Dress Leia you'll want to buy. This figure comes in a tin set with two figures you'll want, and another you might want. The others? A Biker Scout with flip-up helmet, a retooled Endor Rebel Trooper with a bald head and removable helmet, and the 2004 Vintage version of Darth Vader, which is a very nice action figure in that it's the most super-articulated version of the Sith Lord without a removable helmet and with a place for a saber on his belt.

Day 484: September 2, 2007

*- The Buddies were Kenner's answer to Beanie Babies. The line is super-cool if you can bring yourself to buy plush. If you do, track down Max Rebo, the Jawa, and Jabba the Hutt. And then, the rest.