Figure of the Day: Day 488: Dud Bolt

DUD BOLT & Mars Guo
The Saga Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87086
Number: 051
Includes: Blaster, Headgear, Mars Guo, Display Base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: These two prodigiously-snouted racers compete in the same Podrace in which Anakin Skywalker wins his freedom from slavery. Dud Bolt, a shameless toady, is actually paid by the nefarious Sebulba to cause accidents during the race – a job that lands him in a Mos Espa med center. Mars Guo falls victim to Sebulba's own treachery when the cheating Dug pitches a chunk of debris into his engine intake. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: By and large, collectors can't name a lot of the pod racers from the first prequel. While many know Ben Quadrinaros by name, and have asked for a figure of him since 1999, he hasn't yet been produced-- but his rivals, like Dud Bolt, seem to show up every few years to fill that sports quota. The figure has a removable helmet, which is quite snug but you probably want to take it off because the figure was packaged so that his chin strap is functioning as a ball gag. And unless your figures do unspeakable things to one another, odds are it wasn't your intent to have an alien with a ball gag. The figure has more than acceptable articulation for a figure this size, with a grand total of about 7 points. With a decent leather texture to the costume, a nice and wrinkly skin pattern, and a top-notch paint job, this is a fantastic figure. If you want more toys from The Phantom Menace, which you probably do.

Collector's Notes: Along with his companion, the figure recycles weapons from Durge. Still, at least he has weapons. The two-pack was in short supply in 2006, but most fans who wanted one got it.

Day 488: September 6, 2007