Figure of the Day: Day 1,130: Salacious Crumb

SALACIOUS CRUMB & C-3PO
30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87299
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #3030
Includes: C-3PO, Coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: September 2007
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Image: Adam's TV tray, on Jabba's tail.

Bio: The unfortunate C-3PO is constantly faced with indignities that rattle the worry-prone droid. He is horrified when Luke "gives" him to Jabba the Hutt, not realizing it is part of Luke's plan to rescue Han. In the palace, C-3PO is tormented mercilessly by Salacious Crumb and slathered with revolting slime by Jabba. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: There have been 3 modern era Salacious Crumb figures, but this one is the first to have any meaningful articulation. The first two had a little movement in the tail, and that was it. This one has ball-jointed hips, a ball-joint neck, and swivel arms. It's pretty swell. As far as articulation goes on a figure of this size, this is one of Hasbro's more impressive feats. The sculpt is good, but the deco leaves something to be desired. It's kind of funny to complain about this, because if you got a little sidekick figure in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line, not only was it unpainted but it had no articulation too. So here we are, a couple decades later, and the little sidekick rivals the articulation and deco of a 1980s Star Wars figure. How cool is that? The tail is removable, not jointed, so it isn't perfect... but it's the best one so far.

This little guy was designed to menace C-3PO, and was packaged with him as a tormentor. The added articulation allows him to sit on Threepio's shoulders and basically tear his eye out, which is pretty horrifying if it were happening to anyone but a robot. As it is, it's freaky. Crumb's pose is a little weird and best suited to this purpose, but with a little futzing you can get him to stand up on Jabba's tail or sit on the platform-- if you have one. (May I suggest the 1983 original or the 1999 cardboard version?) It's a nice figure, and while Hasbro can improve it, considering the C-3PO and coin you got with it, it's an excellent value for the money.

Collector's Notes: So far, this mold hasn't been reused or modified so odds are you'll be seeing it again somehow eventually. Perhaps as a pack-in with that Jabba figure which may someday come to pass. Or not. Who knows. For now, get the 2007 issue with the coin, or the 2008 release with the display stand.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,130: October 13, 2009