Figure of the Day: Day 491: Sebulba

SEBULBA Mos Espa Encounter
Episode I Cinema Scene Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 84115 No. 84161
Number: n/a
Includes: Chuba, CommTech Chip, extra figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Summer 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: While wandering with Anakin Skywalker through the maze of Mos Espa's outdooor marketplace, Jar Jar Binks spots a juicy chuba hanging temptingly from a vendor's cart. Unable to resist, Jar Jar lashes out with his sticky, elastic tongue, and accidentally sends the tasty treat flying into the soup of the galaxy's fiercest podracer - Sebulba. Enraged, the Dug racer leaps from his table and viciously attacks the unfortunate Jar Jar, leaving young Anakin to rescue his Gungan friend. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 1999, this Sebulba figure was some seriously exciting stuff-- the Jar Jar and Anakin with which he was boxed, not so much. As the first non-helmeted Sebulba, this figure gave us a look at the horse-like Dug's face, and the figure featured a ball-jointed neck as well as the standard arm and leg articulation. (Although which are truly arms and legs is left up to the academics.) The figure had a fair amount of detail, but like with a lot of figures from this era, he felt a little pale-- he was molded in a creamy color with purple markings to bring some life out of him, which resulted in a coloration which wasn't as rich as I would like. He can stand, he can hold a chuba, and he can look around. And that's about it. At least his face had a nice, menacing expression on it, otherwise this figure might be listed under "dull." Sure, he has a decent skin texture, and yes, his costume looks pretty good. But unlike other figures from 2000 or later, he's a little too bland-- and Hasbro is a great company capable of wonderful things, so with any luck, we'll see a newer, more better-er Sebulba in years to come. (Although of the three, the final release is pretty good-- keep reading for more.)

Collector's Notes: A better Sebulba would be released during Power of the Jedi with more impressive deco, more accessories, and a removable helmet. Get that one first. Then, if you have time, get this one because the set is super-cheap on eBay.

Day 491: September 9, 2007