Figure of the Day: Day 1,085: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Cantina Showdown)

OBI-WAN KENOBI Cantina Showdown Cinema Scene
Power of the Force Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 69650 No. 69738
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, additional figures, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: 1997
Appearances: Star Wars

Image: Adam Pawlus' back yard.

Bio: On the run from Imperial stormtroopers, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker enter the seedy Mos Eisley Cantina in hopes of finding swift passage to the planet Alderaan. Inside, among the gallery of criminals are the murderous Dr. Evazan and the brutal Ponda Baba--both of whom are thirsty for a fight with Skywalker. Reaching for their blasters, the villains are suddenly cut off from Luke by the pulsating blaze of Obi-Wan's lightsaber! Will Obi-Wan triumph and save the Rebellion's only hope? (Taken from the figure's box.)

Commentary: I thought I reviewed this Obi-Wan Kenobi ages ago, and it turns out I didn't. It's pretty unremarkable-- the 1997 release was never reused, and it couldn't do much either. Once you got the robes off, it had the standard 6 points of articulation but couldn't sit in a seat due to its pose. The face is basically the same used from 1995 to 2004, and the lightsaber and overall looked was based on that first 1995 figure. Which is to say, it was OK. Nothing special by today's standards, but as Obi-Wan was one of the better initial offerings this figure has a leg up on other releases of its day... as a display piece. It just isn't much of a toy.

With the other figures and the diorama packaging, it's a pretty neat set. It was obviously better when compared against its peers, but as it had the first-ever Dr. Evazan toy it was more popular than it probably deserved to be. But hey, at least it was a decent mix of figures for the money. Just not much to speak of by today's standards.

Collector's Notes: This set was clearanced out for as little as $2-- so don't overspend for it if you have the chance to get one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,085: August 11, 2009