Figure of the Day: Day 1,233: Wuher

WUHER Mos Eisley Cantina
Original Trilogy Collection Mos Eisley Cantina Screen Series 2, Kmart Exclusive
Item No.: No. 34516
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Bar equipment, glasses
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99, part of a gift set
Availability: Summer 2004
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: On the planet Tatooine, the Mos Eisley cantina, also known as Chalmun's cantina, is the hot spot for entertainment and intrigue. Many species intermingle there, spying and conducting shady business. Bounty hunters frequen the seedy joint, hoping to catch their prey in an unguarded moment. obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker went to the cantina to find transportation off the planet, which led to their first meeting with Han Solo. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Cantina.

Commentary: The 2004 Wuher was a modified version of the 2000 exclusive release in that his hand got resculpted so you could have him hold a cup, or not hold a cup. (The original had a mug molded to his hand, you see.) Aside from the paint, the figures are otherwise largely very similar with the same six points of articulation and the same sculpt. This version, being the new one, benefits from improved decoration with a slightly more gritty head that brings out the detail of the sculpt better than the original version. The figure still keeps the scruffy face, and depending on your taste either the POTF2 or OTC version would be absolutely fine to add to your Cantina diorama. I don't really know which I like better, but I do like the color of the 2000 original's outfit just a little more. This one isn't bad, it's just different-- and because it came with Kikik Keed'kak, at the time, odds are you would buy it just for the then-exclusive alien.

Collector's Notes: This figure was originally planned as a Wal-Mart exclusive for 2003, with an individually carded figure coming with a Cantina section. This never happened, but a few samples got out to the collector's market as Hasbro's factory accidentally squeezed out a few before being told the item would not be produced. This gift set release for Kmart in 2004 was largely identical except for packaging and the level of grime is basically the same-- but you may notice some minor differences.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,233: March 5, 2010