Figure of the Day: Day 817: Umpass-Stay

UMPASS-STAY Klatooinian
30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87298
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #3027
Includes: Hat, drumstick, drum half, coin
Action Feature: Drum combines with other drum half to make a whole drum
Retail: $6.99
Availability: June 2007
Appearances: Return of the Jedi: Special Edition

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Bio: Umpass-Stay is a percussionist who plays with the Max Rebo Band. Because Klatooinians revere great age, they are in awe of species such as the Hutts who live for centuries. He worked as Jabba's spy before being put in the band to protect the Hutt from his many enemies. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: Not a lot of fans requested Umpass-Stay because, frankly, there's not a lot of love for the additional characters placed in the Return of the Jedi rerelease from 1997. Or Star Wars, for that matter. If you can get past the fact that Jabba's band went from a trio to a whole freaking space version of the Polyphonic Spree, only less entertaining and minus Birdstuff, you might enjoy this one. I like this figure not just because his name is a pig latin interpretation of "Stumpass", which I suppose is a joke I don't get. No, I like this figure because it has potential, and it's all built in. The figure's main purpose is to serve as 50% of the drummers in the band. Ak-Rev, a 2008 release, serves as the rest. As such, the figure works nicely-- give him a drum stick, set him up, and let him look cool. It's easy.

If you're hard-up for thugs, the figure is even better because he has a removable had and removable shoulder armor which essentially makes him look like a different figure. Give him a spare blaster or staff from one of the kajillion Han Solo post-Carbonite figures Hasbro seems intent on cramming down our throats, and you've basically got a whole new figure. As a sucker for anything Jabba's Palace, especially band related, this is one of those can't-miss releases you should probably get. Unless you don't like aliens, in which case you probably suck.

Collector's Notes: Wave 4 of the 30th Anniversary Collection, of which this figure was part, seemed to go pretty quickly. As such, this guy didn't hang around much. (It probably didn't help I bought two so I could make the drum last year and use the spare drummer as a skiff guard.) It's worth tracking down to go with Ak-Rev, released just days ago, so you can complete your giant freaking drum.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 817: July 31, 2008