Figure of the Day: Day 1,254: Zuckuss

ZUCKUSS New
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 92968
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD54
Includes: Blaster, breathing gear, droid part
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: Late 2009/Early 2010
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Zuckuss is one of the bounty hunters that Darth Vader tasks with finding the Millennium Falcon. Although he uses the ancient rituals and keen intuition native to his people, Zuckuss nonehteless fails in his mission when Boba Fett locates the ship first. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's yard.

Commentary: Bounty hunters are generally popular, but poor Zuckuss has been way down the pecking order since the modern line kicked off. In 1998, he was the final one of the ESB hunters to get made as a figure. He was one of the last ones to be made as a 12-inch. And he was also the last one to get a resculpt, plus it's arguable if it's better or worse. It's difficult to tell if it's the lighting or what, but this new figure's outfit doesn't quite match the packaging. The figure is a richer, dark brown while the photos seem more tan. With the cloth lower part of his robes, the figure looks somewhat mismatched despite being his most articulated version to date. It strikes me as odd that Hasbro would give him the full 14 points of articulation, as his chest armor piece seems to hinder movement slightly. It's great that he can hold his gun and stand around-- two very important things-- but he just doesn't look or feel quite right. The head doesn't match the picture, and the weird split between the top and bottom part of his costume just doesn't do him any favors. Hasbro certainly improved on the 1998 release, but I expect fans will still be ready to buy another even more improved version in the next five years-- should Hasbro make one.

Collector's Notes: A repaint is already planned in "Kenner" colors as a 2010 Comic-Con exclusive. It seems to look better if you ask me. The standard carded release seems to be shipping regularly as of early 2010, but as he's a bounty hunter he tends to sell. Keep looking!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,254: April 5, 2010