Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,459: Cad Bane (the 2011 one with Todo 360)

CAD BANE and Todo 360
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 26375
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW42
Includes: Hat, two pistols, bag, Todo 360 accessory/figure, stand, card, die
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: January 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Cad Bane and Todo 360 sneak inside the Jedi Temple. Bane has a well-deserved reputation as a ruthless bounty hunter. He is hired by Darth Sidious to steal a Jedi holocron. He and his techno-service droid gain access to the building and break into the well-guarded holocron library. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen, on some box. (Spare. No. Expense.)

Commentary: Third time is the charm, right? Since 2009 we've had three different versions of Cad Bane sculpted and sold to you, the hapless consumer. This figure is, on the whole, the best of them. The wires on the wrists have been simplified so that they no longer get in the way of elbow movement. The wrists are articulated, and the paint job is unquestionably improved. The jacket is a separate sculpted piece, and the hat is removable too. He has two small silver pistols and a bag for explosives or what have you, and this is easily the most detailed version yet. At first glance, it looks more "realistic" when compared to the previous animated releases, particularly take note of his head. The grimace and wrinkles seem quite lively, and it looks like a tiny toothpick may have been sculpted (and painted over) on his mouth. As an added bonus, this figure has jointed knees which make it easier for him to sit now that he has cloth making up the lower part of his duster. It's a lot better than the previous versions, and is easily the best-looking version yet.

However.

My big beef with the Xanadu Blood vehicle is that existing Cad Bane figures won't fit in it well-- and guess what? This one doesn't either, even with the hat off. So we have Cad Bane's ship, and Cad Bane can't fit in it. (Well, that's a half-truth-- the Speeder Bike one can fit if you cram him in without the hat. The others don't really fit.) So if you're a vehicle fan you'll still be disappointed, but as figures go? This is another fantastic entry in the animated line, and I dare say it's so good that if you stuck him in the crowds of your Jabba's Palace shelf diorama, he'd fit right in. Even if you have other Cad Bane figures, I'd still suggest buying this one-- just remember, the only part of Todo 360 that is articulated is his head. (I'll be reviewing him as a unique figure on a future date.)

Collector's Notes: This one just came out-- mine came in the mail from Entertainment Earth last Friday and I was surprised to see it. Other new figures in this wave include Training Gear Hevy, Obi-Wan Kenobi in his new outfit, and R7-P7, Ahsoka's astromech droid. Odds are it'll be hitting in your stores very soon, I'm sure before Toy Fair next month. Or you could, you know, click the "buy this figure" banner and support this blog by buying it or another of many fine items. (Hey, I've written thousands of these things, I should do a plug here and there.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,459: January 17, 2011