Figure of the Day: Day 986: Bail Organa

BAIL ORGANA The Clone Wars
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84830
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0333
Includes: Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi module
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan is a trusted advisor in Chancellor Palpatine's inner circle. An impassioned supporter of civic virtue, Bail regrets that to counter the Separatist threat, the Republic must deploy a newly discovered clone army. Although the Republic garners an equivocal victory at the Battle of Geonosis, it is only the first step in a much larger, carefully conceived Clone War. The noble Senator stands in somber observation as thousands of clone troopers, marching in military formation, board countless warships and disperse throughout the galaxy to new battlefronts. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: We're a funny bunch as fans-- if we can name something, we'll basically demand a figure of it. Sometimes this leads to questionable sellers like Bail Organa here, a figure that came out within weeks of the first-ever super-articulated Star Wars action figure, yet has articulation that would have basically sucked in 1999. While the detail on his garments, jewelry, and arguably head are pretty great, he can't do much. Both wrists are articulated, as are both shoulders. His waist and neck can move, but his long robes make him a pepper shaker with arms. He's not going to do much other than stand there and look cool. Lucky for you, he looks plenty cool. His face sculpt looks a good deal like Jimmy Smitts, but unfortunately his skin is just a smidgen too pale to look right. The beard is basically right on the money, as is the hairstyle.

There's certainly room for improvement, but he's a reasonably minor character with little action. It's rare that you have a character with lines that can't do anything but stand and nobody complains-- but that's what happened here. So enjoy kids, this is as good as it's going to get. This is the only Attack of the Clones-specific Bail Organa figure in production.

Collector's Notes: He sold better than many of his casemates, but he wound up on insta-clearance in many markets due to Hasbro renumbering the basic action figure SKU in early 2004. This caused the figure to become devalued pretty damn quick, meaning this won't cost you too much if you decide you want one now. He has never been reissued. ALso, despite the fact that the figure's hand was clearly sculpted to hold a gun, he does not include one. I started freaking out when I wrote this article because it looked like something was missing. Thankfully, it wasn't.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 986: March 25, 2009