Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 901: Fode & Beed 2-Headed Announcer

FODE AND BEED Pod Race Announcers
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.:
Asst. 84455 No. 84474
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Reporting live from the press box at the Mos Espa Arena, the two-headed Troig Fode and Beed has long been a mainstay at Tatooine Podraces. Renowned for their instant play-by-play commentary, the famous announcers have hosted competitions throughout the Galactic Podrace Circuit. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: As the second attempt at the dual-headed pod race announcers, Fode and Beed were designed on the final models used in the movie and not the concept art-meets-actors in makeup design used a year earlier. The articulation hasn't improved much, so basically what you're seeing here is a figure that intends to improve the look and feel of the character, and performs admirably. For his time, it's an OK release totally lacking in pizzaz as it's largely free of special articulation and all accessories. The designers at Hasbro didn't put their best food forward here, but it's a very competent figure for a fairly unliked character. It's the best announcer figure you're going to get, so be thankful the figure's heads have three points of articulation-- one at the base of each skull, and one where the neck meets the body. Despite this, it does feel lacking, but lacking what I'm not really sure. Perhaps it just proves that not every character needs to be made as a toy, as I'm left wondering what the heck I'm supposed to do with it now that I have one.

Collector's Notes: The figure was in short supply at first, as Hasbro seems to have cracked the code as to how many to produce and satisfy the market. Nobody seems to really want it, even though it was a notable character from the film. As such, don't overpay for this one.


Day 901: November 26, 2008

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