Figure of the Day: Day 989: Tusken Raider (Red Clan Sniper)

TUSKEN RAIDER Red Clan Sniper
30th Anniversary Collection Toys "R" Us Exclusive Battle Packs
Item No.: No. 87378
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $44.99
Availability: Spring 2007
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Native lifeforms on Tatooine must adjust to the harsh desert conditions if they are to survive. The Tusken Raiders have carved a place for themselves in the barren Jundland Wastes, from which they emerge to raid colonist communities with deadly ferocity. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: A TV tray.

Commentary: Originally intended to be an Episode I figure, this Tusken Raider mold saw life as a Power of the Jedi figure and has been repainted a few times since. I like this mold a lot, it'd fit in with original trilogy Tuskens were it not for the missing, erm, canister around the neck. Still, it's great, and because A'Sharad Hett needs an army I'll buy every slightly different Tusken Raider that ever gets made by Hasbro. This version is neat because it works well as a repaint-- take an existing mold, change the color, and presto-- it's a new army builder.

The figure itself is the same as the 2000 version in terms of articulation. That means the shoulders and neck move, one of the wrists moves, and you've got a single swivel elbow. At the time it was fantastic, and it still looks pretty great, especially as part of a Tusken "crowd." The leg movement may as well not exist due to the robes blocking the legs, but hey, maybe you're good at tweaking these things and can repurpose them to gain leg movement. If you like Tuskens, you'll be happy you picked up a "red clan" Bantha with Tusken Raiders battle pack. If not, well, it's pretty expensive for what you actually got in the set by 2007 standards, although by today's standards it might be considered a mildly acceptable deal.

Collector's Notes: This mold was originally released in 2000 as a Power of the Jedi carded figure. In 2002, it was repackaged with a Massiff and sold on a blue Saga card. Come 2004, an Original Trilogy Collection version came out with a pretty awesome paint job looking a little bit like the promotional shots from the first film. In 2007, Hasbro released it again in "tan" and "red" clan variants in the Bantha battle pack. This is, of course, the red one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 989: March 30, 2009