Figure of the Day: Day 976: Imperial Officer (Blonde)

IMPERIAL OFFICER Blonde Version
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84994
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0255
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: n/a
Availability: January 2003
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: The Imperial Officers are cunning, calculating and ruthless. They have survived a grueling training program to earn their rank. Whether he is giving commands on the bridge of a Star Destroyer or leading a garrison of stormtroopers, the Imperial officer is in complete control and rules with an iron fist. Failure means death, as in the service of Darth Vader have discovered. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: While the costume of this Imperial Officer doesn't match that of his packaging, it's still not a bad figure. You see, in 2001, Hasbro made an Imperial Officer and said "we're going to refresh it with two more heads!" Great, right? Well, the two heads weren't cycled in during Power of the Jedi, but rather shipped as very early 2003 releases instead. The body is the same, so the figure still has swivel gloves, swivel biceps, and normal hips, shoulders, waist, and neck. It's the head that's distinctive, as the brim of his hat is pulled down and the figure has blonde hair. The other two versions have darkish brown hair, so this is the one that's the easiest to distinguish-- he also has more notable facial features. Your main reason for buying this figure is to flesh out dioramas or, perhaps in the distant future, some form of playset. You see, we in the distant past year of 2009 have no playsets, so we bought these figures with the hopes one would someday come. Hopefully our patience has rewarded you in the far flung year of 2020.

Collector's Notes: A short release, but not one that proved hard to find. It was also reissued in 2007 in the Saga Legends line with, as far as I can tell, no changes made to the actual toy.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 976: March 11, 2009