Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,489: R2-D2

R2-D2 Resurgence of the Jedi
The Legacy Collection Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87752 No. 93144
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Additional figures
Action Feature: Twist dome to raise or lower third leg
Retail: $24.99
Availability: November 2009
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: The determined astromech droid carries out his secret mission, resulting in a fateful meeting betweenn Luke Skywalker and Ben Kenobi. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' former back yard.

Commentary: There have been many, many R2-D2 figures over the years including a brand new resized one in 2010. Many fans agree that the 2009 version pictured here (itself a repaint of the 2005 R4-G9 action figure) is the best. The subtle dusting on the feet, the silver of his dome, and the big black eye all help to bring what many consider to be the perfect astromech droid mold to life. There aren't any features to gum up the appearance, and the eye isn't too flat or anything. Plus the figure is scale to most other astromech droids, effectively making it the go-to figure. (I doubt they'll ever make more droids based on the 2010 Vintage R2-D2 as a standard size.) So yeah, of the many R2-D2s released since 1978 I would put this one as the overall best in terms of aesthetics. It's a crying shame Hasbro hasn't rereleased it just yet, as the rest of the set (with the upcoming release of another new Luke) may not be worth your trouble.

Collector's Notes: To date, this exact R2-D2 has not been reissued, and it seemed to be tough to get upon its initial release. If you're looking for a deal, stalk eBay and hope people can't spell "resurgence." Just R2-D2 from the set by himself goes for about five bucks, which is a bargain you totally need to buy before people realize just how cheap it is to pick up right now. I should also note, I saw a bunch of these at Ross stores around the middle of January of this year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,489: February 28, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,488: Clone Trooper Gunner

CLONE TROOPER Turbo Tank Support Squad
The Clone Wars Figures and Vehicles Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 91349 No. 92404
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Pistol, rifle, firing cannon, projectile, and a duplicate of everything
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $16.99
Availability: Summer 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Holy cow another Clone Trooper. (Clearly taken from the notebooks of George Lucas.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' puzzle table. Note the puzzle pieces.

Commentary: If you've been reading this column there's no shortage of Clone Trooper figures, like the Turbo Tank Support Squad here. These were part of the "vehicle" assortment which, sadly, quickly became a higher-price version of the Battle Packs with less stuff in it. While arguably a better value than two carded figures, this set gave you two of the same off-white Clone Trooper figure, complete with unique shoulder tampo logo and the 2009-style revised helmet which, as always, looks a little bit better than the 2008 sculpt without the notch in the chin. I thought I reviewed this one, but I guess all I did was make a video for work. But I digress.

The body is the 2008 standard, with swiveling and pivoting wrists and a grand total of 14 points of articulation. He can be posed to man his station, and the station itself is arguably what makes the set neat. The tripod is removable, and can be positioned to stand on its own or plug into the open sides of the giant Turbo Tank vehicle (sold separately). Multiple greys and silvers combine to make a pretty nice-- if ultimately smallish-- weapon that can be used to pimp out your expensive ten-wheeled vehicle of doom. It's awkward to pose the figure with his gun, but it's still worth snagging to add to your army and you'll want the guns for the vehicle. It's not a staggeringly unique figure, but obsessive collectors will no doubt enjoy adding yet another variation to the grand army of the Republic.

Collector's Notes: The set has two troopers, two pistols, two rifles, two projectiles, and two cannons with tripods. It's pretty darned sweet, but as "value" goes it's iffy-- the Battle Packs of its day were about $20-$25 and had four figures with accessories. eBay says that this set is worth about $10-$15 before shipping, effectively meaning that it (after shipping or whatnot) has maintained its original price. I'm a little surprised, but hey, that's good-- you won't have to pay a premium to outfit your Turbo Tank.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,488: February 25, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,487: ARC Trooper (Yellow)

ARC TROOPER and Master Sev
30th Anniversary Collection Order 66 Target Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 87356 No. 87671
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 6 of 6
Includes: Helmet, kama, blaster, rangefinder, Master Sev
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Spring 2008
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: Master Sev is a Jedi general in command of clone troopers aboard a Republic attack cruiser during the end of the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: It never ceases to amaze me how many times Hasbro can repaint the same mold and still have it be interesting. This particular yellow ARC Trooper was inspired by the Clone Wars Adventures comic series, where he shot Sev during order 66. The figure is a pretty accurate realistic interpretation of the armor, and was made by repainting the 2007 ARC Trooper figure with two major changes-- the kama was swapped out with the Commander Bacara mold. (To most of you, I figure, that won't mean anything. But it's real important to us clone dorks.) Also, the lower legs are taken from the first super articulated Clone Trooper figure. So it's mostly a remake of the Alpha ARC Trooper.

It's still great-- he holds his gun fairly well, the helmet comes off just fine, and the head sculpt is a normal, unspiffy take on Temuera Morrison's head minus any scars or fancy-pants haircuts. (Those didn't start appearing on toys until 2006, and this 2007 mold was rooted in the pre-2005 comic book design world.) Because of all the gear, the figure's super articulation is cut slightly short although it's better than not having it at all-- you can get some pretty decent motion out of these guys, and if you like to set up battles and such this is a great addition to your armies. I wish they did more multi-colored movie ARC Troopers!

Collector's Notes: This yellow ARC Trooper proved so popular, Hasbro rereleased it on a Saga Legends cardback pretty darned quickly. You can find it on the blue-and-white Legacy cardbacks, if you're lucky. It's about five bucks. The set with Sev is about $5-$10, and the one I'd suggest you get because Sev is worth owning.

The same basic structure of this figure was used to make ARC Trooper (2007, not identified as Alpha on the box), the black ARC Trooper (late 2007), the red ARC Trooper Alpha (Wal-Mart 2009), this yellow ARC Trooper, the red ARC Trooper Commander (Target 2008), and another blue ARC Trooper (Target 2008). Whew! Sorry if I forgot a few, but I can safely say there haven't been any green ones yet, sadly.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,487: February 24, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,486: Major Panno

MAJOR PANNO Dressellian Commando
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 93131
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD20
Includes: Blaster, cloak, commlink, goggles, droid piece
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: September 2009
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Major Panno is a Dressellian tactician who works with General Crix Madine to plan commando strikes for the Rebel Alliance. He assists Madine in planning the shield generator strike on Endor that helps destroy the second Death Star. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's kitchen.

Commentary: Quality does not always facilitate sales. Hasbro's 2009 Major Panno was a spectacular new character release which sported all sorts of detail. He had super articulation, a commlink that fit into a cloth cloak, goggles, and a blaster. The gear meshed together nicely, and while the goggles were a bit of an awkward fit I'd go out and a limb and say the sum of the parts was still pretty good. This character doesn't have an eye patch (like we're used to seeing), and it's a figure that has been packed with detail. He can stand, he can basically sit just fine, and the sculpting job here was a great example of Hasbro doing its typical good job.

Some other notable details: the commlink fits right into the two sleeves on his cloak. The gold eyes give the figure a strange feel in that it almost seems that he's moving his eyes. The green camo on the pants turned out pretty well, as splotches go. I like this figure a lot in terms of what it turned out to be, despite the goggles being somewhat iffy, but the obscurity of the alien design made it just a little less appealing to your average buyer.

Collector's Notes: In 1998, the first modern Dressel figure came out and he was a different character named Orimaarko. Since the assortment was in shorter supply, he was slightly sought-after. The 2009 Major Panno didn't fare so well. In 2010, the Major Panno legs were reused for the vintage Endor Rebel Commando. The figure itself was a weak seller and could be found on clearance about a year after his release.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,486: February 23, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,485: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER Damaged White Style 2
Original Trilogy Collection Clone Trooper Troop Builder Four-Pack Assortment, Entertainment Earth Exclusive (and others)
Item No.: Asst. 85688 No. 85777
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster Pistol, collectible poster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $34.99 (part of a four-pack)
Availability: Spring 2005
Appearances: Primarily Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars

Bio: Virtually indistinguishable from one another, clone troopers are identical in physical appearance, mental capability and stamina. Part of a clone army, they are grown in the cloning facilities of Tipoca City, a luminescent city of industry emerging from the raging seas of Kamino. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: Back in 2003, fans were still clamoring for more Clone Trooper figures and in early 2005 Entertainment Earth had an exclusive set of clones that basically satisfied demand for the then-hugely-popular super-articulated version of the figure. Rather than crank out all white figures, there were four "rank" figures as well as four "damage" deco jobs, as well as mixes of the two-- this is one of the "damaged" white clones. With a black splotch on his shin and his chest, there's not a lot of damage here, but back in 2005 any sort of damage was a welcome change in our figures. Since the figure's mold (but not deco) is still in circulation, it's no stretch to say that this is some of Hasbro's better work. I don't necessarily think you'll want to pay a premium for battle damage variants given how many hundreds of different Clone Trooper figures have been made since this one hit mailboxes, but hey, it's one more for the armies and for your vehicles if you're so inclined.

Collector's Notes: This deco is exclusive to this set, so shop accordingly.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,485: February 22, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,484: Han Solo (Gunner Station)

HAN SOLO Millennium Falcon Gunner Station
Power of the Force Gunner Station Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 69665 No. 69766
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Gunner station, missiles
Action Feature: Really fires!
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Spring 1998
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Han Solo became caught up with the Rebel Alliance, courtesy of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa, whom he helped rescue from the Death Star. Solo helped Skywalker destroy the Death Star when it attacked the Rebel base at Yavin 4, where they had taken Organa. Solo became an unofficial member of the Rebel Alliance, and fell in love with Organa. He helped destroy the Second Death Star at the Battle of Endor. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam's kitchen.

Commentary: It wasn't until late 1998 where we started getting figures where fans were really starting to scratch their heads. "Is that Han Solo different?" Well, yes-- this model looked astonishingly similar to the PC game figure sold for about $40 later in the year. This one came first, doesn't have jointed knees, and is slightly thinner than most of the "new" Han Solo figures from 1995-1998. He can stand, and he can more or less fit in the Gunner Station accessory with some futzing-- Kenner wasn't huge on figure/playset compatibility in those days, and they're getting a lot better about it lately. By today's standards, the figure is probably worth skipping. Ten bucks? So what, if he can barely stand on his own (he can't) and doesn't even have a gun? Ah well.


Collector's Notes: The figure was pretty common and was also available in the Great Closeout of 2000 at Toys "R" Us and Kay-Bee stores. In short, it's pretty worthless-- in 2007 Hasbro made a new version of this figure using new and old parts, so there's really no need to pick up the 1998 release unless you positively, absolutely, simply must have them all. The 2007 one was also included with the big 2008 Millennium Falcon vehicle/playset. Save your money.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,484: February 21, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,483: Labria

LABRIA Cantina Aliens
Power of the Force Cinema Scene Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84305 No. 84059
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, cape, stand, two more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 1998

Bio: Their remote location makes the spaceports of Tatooine havens for many suspicious travelers from across the galaxy. At the Mos Eisley spaceport, Chalmun's Cantina is a popular hangout for the rough crowd and deadly violence breaks out on a daily basis. Takeel, a Snivvian, is known to dabble in bounty hunting and smuggling. The horned Devaronian Labria calls himself an "information broker," though his information is questionable at best. No one knows for sure what the Morseerian known as Nabrun Leids looks like underneath his breath mask, which he must wear in all non-methane environments. The former fighter pilot will fly anyone or anything anywhere, if the price is suitable. These kinds of patrons have helped make Tatooine's spaceports famous as a wretched hive of scum and villainy. In the days before the Galactic Empire, the spaceport of Mos Espa hosted many similar characters. From the outdoor markets to the junk shops--overseen by the gambling crimelords, the Hutts--Mos Espa was a place where a nine-year old boy like Anakin Skywalker could learn the ways of the universe. (Taken from the Cantina Aliens box.)

Image: Adam's old apartment.

Commentary: The third alien in Hasbro's pretty nifty Cantina Aliens pack from 1998 was Labria, which may or may not be giggle-worthy. The devilish alien was presented in a very pale light, with cream-colored skin and an outfit somewhat lacking in painted detail. Given that it's from before the prequels, it's no real surprise that it's lacking in articulation. Six joints allow this figure to stand, but because of his plastic cape he won't be doing too much sitting anyway. The detail as pretty good for the day and the figure had few problems standing or holding on to his gun. (You see, back in the 1990s, it was generally common for figures to be able to hold on to their gear.)

While time has dulled the excitement of the figure, there's no denying that this represented some pretty remarkable sculpting for the time-- check out the individual teeth and the wrinkles on his smile. As head sculpts go, this is a pretty remarkable example of what Kenner cranked out as Hasbro was rebranded as Hasbro in late 1998. The outfit is good, the cape isn't bad, but that face! The paint job was also pretty good, despite not exactly aligning with generally accepted coloring for Devaronian skin out costuming-- the skin should be redder, the ascot should be browner, the horns should be blacker. As a different character in your dioramas, I'd peg this as a must-buy, it's just that as Labria he isn't quite perfect. It's an odd way to describe it, I admit, but it's rare that figures are executed well but aren't authentic. (Well, maybe not rare as Cantina aliens go.)

Collector's Notes: Labria (and Nabrun Leids) received new life in early 2007 when Hasbro got a repaint wave. Labria had richer coloring, redder skin, and an overall better-looking appearance which would probably make that the version to get, assuming you only buy one. The original 1998 Cantina Aliens set remains worth buying because the Takeel mold has yet to be reused. Also, the current "official" name for the character is the unspellable Kardue'sai'Malloc which has not yet appeared as the main name on the toy packaging.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,483: February 18, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,482: Boba Fett (Animated)

BOBA FETT & BL-17
The Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. 14860 No. 91931
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #3 of 5
Includes: BL-17 figure, pistol, rifle, Dark Trooper jet pack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.00
Availability: July 2009
Appearances: Droids animated series, technically

Bio: In the animated television series Star Wars: Droids — The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO, Boba Fett acquires BL-17, a Battle Legionnaire battle droid creted to serve Mandalorian Protectors during the Clone Wars. The bounty hunter uses the droid on espionage missions while hunting fugitives. (Taken from the figure's package.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: Sometimes a figure turns out exactly like it was planned, and other times you get the 2009 Wal-Mart version of animated Boba Fett. (See notes below.) The figure ended up being a rerelease of the 2007 animated Boba Fett figure, but with the accessories of the 2008 Evolutions Boba Fett figure. The pistol fits in the holster just fine, and the rifle looks like a normal realistic Boba Fett rifle. In short, it's cartoon Boba with movie gear.

The figure has all the successes and flaws of the original 2007 release. The cloth cape is here, the "new helmet" mold which was prototyped and shown to the public still isn't used, and he's super-articulated. If you're like me an are absolutely nuts about Droids (the animated series) this figure and set are no-brainers-- you're going to want BL-17, and you're going to want a slightly different Boba Fett. This is the one that can menace Thall Joben, while the other one tries to screw with Chewbacca on a goo planet. The 2009 animated Boba Fett is the very definition of "just different enough to make you mad," which is a shame because it was at one point intended to be an extremely different-looking repaint.

Collector's Notes: The most fascinating thing about this figure is what it isn't-- the original plan was to put this mold out in Empire Strikes Back movie-styled colors. The funny thing is that the final toy was in stores just a week after its Comic-Con 2009 debut, and the two really don't look anything alike. Given the mold changes (specifically the hands and belt) I think that would have been a much neater way to go, particularly since BL-17 wasn't exactly "toon styled." So for those keeping track, that makes two different versions of the Animated Debut Boba Fett figure that never made it out to store shelves.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,482: February 17, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,481: Jar Jar Binks

JAR JAR BINKS with Gungan Assault Cannon
Episode I Invasion Force
Item No.: Asst. 84205 No. 84368
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rocket, cannon
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Spring 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Gungans produce many of their structures using a secret method that actually "grows" the basic skeletons of many of their vehicles and weapons. The Gungan assault cannon is created from this process and then fitted with electronic components to create a powerful assault weapon. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's former backyard.

Commentary: One of the great challenges in animation is to convey a personality of a figure. This is usually done through things like the pose and facial expression, two areas where this Jar Jar Binks figure opts to bore you. Released long after people knew who he was and what he should be like, this figure looks outright serene, almost bored compared to his low-level manic persona on the big screen. This was a guy who'd scream, jump, and step in a pile of poo-- and this figure? Well, he just looks like he's standing around waiting to film the next take. With a body sculpt that draws from the 1999 basic carded figure, this release has no articulation from below the waist and is actually a little disappointing. As a pack-in with a cannon accessory he's basically acceptable but the cannon isn't exactly a pile of fun either.

Jar Jar can't sit-- at all-- he has no hip joints. This figure's sole purpose is to stand and fire a cannon, or if you wanted to just make him stand, there's that. While this isn't the figure with the least play value of the entire modern line, he's probably in the bottom ten. I wouldn't suggest even considering buying this one unless you're a Jar Jar completist or really want the cannon. (The cannon, I should add, may misshapen with time and gravity so take care when storing it so it doesn't get bent out of shape.) If you have the basic 1999 carded figure, it's better than this one-- trust me.

Collector's Notes: The set was something of a weak seller in its day, and today can be had for under $10. Were this a regular retail release for $10 I think you might find it lacking, particularly when compared to the other "Invasion Force" vehicles which were actually, you know, fun. And the figures could sit. But who's keeping track?

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,481: February 16, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,480: Sandtrooper

SANDTROOPER Escape from Mos Eisley
30th Anniversary Collection Saga Legends, Muddy Release
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 86830
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Grey shoulder pauldron, blaster, backpack, detonator, prod, coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Early 2007
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Jedi mind tricks often work on the weak-minded. Such is the case when a squad of sandtroopers asks Jedi Maser Obi-Wan Kenobi about the two droids that are with him in a landspeeder. Obi-Wan tricks them into concluding, "These aren't the droids we're looking for." (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's former backyard. Man, that place was great for shooting stuff.

Commentary: Sometimes Hasbro is a confusing company simply because there are times where they leave lots of easy money on the table. The Sandtrooper was not one of these times-- after being very stingy with the various variant ranks of troopers and officers in the form of an action figure, they went completely nuts starting in 2005 up until 2008, cranking out figure after figure with slightly different dirt deco and rankings. I applaud this-- it's good for business (reusing parts) and collectors (offering trooper variety). Even if you aren't an army-builder, you'll still want to get several of the same basic figure.

Based on the 2006 Sandtrooper figure (which itself was modified from the 2004 Vintage Stormtrooper figure), this release has one of the most striking paint jobs I've ever seen on an Imperial figure. The clean white body was rubbed over with a layer of brown, which gives the figure a weathered look. While other figures look like a scaled-down movie costume which has been weathered, this one almost looks like it took a turn for the worse in a kid's sandbox. The deco varies slightly by figure, but you can see in the picture that the brown settled in various crevices to bring the figure a distinctive look. Originally it seems the intent was to replicate the look of the extra-filthy grey-pauldron 2005 Evolutions Sandtrooper figure, but it turns out that the figure looks a lot different than what was presumably his inspiration.

If you're buying this line, this figure should be on your short list of figures to get. Since his backpack and pauldron are removable, you have the ability to remove the added gear and wind up with a nifty, dirty Stormtrooper. As such, I'd say buy one or several-- you can mix-and-match the pauldrons and weaponry to come up with a diverse army of troopers using Hasbro's few official releases. This is a great example of one of Hasbro's absolutely best and most inspired repaints.

...having said that, the figure's not quite authentic. The helmet sculpt and lenses don't match the look of most of the Sandtroopers on film, so Hasbro could redo the sculpt if they really wanted to. (They came close to perfection with the late 2009 Dewback figure, which was recarded in 2010 as a Vintage figure.) For army scenes and crowd filler this guy is dynamite, but if you're a stickler for authenticity, Hasbro can do better-- and has. (I still love it anyway.)

Collector's Notes: The deco was available only in the Saga Legends assortments, making it one of the small number of figures unique to the sub-line which today is home to mostly just reissues. Prices will vary, but I can safely say that the figure's look is worth a premium on coolness alone... which is good, because it seems to command a slight premium over the other versions of the Saga Legends Sandtrooper.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,480: February 15, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,479: Warok

WAROK The First Modern Release
The Legacy Collection Battle for Endor Battle Pack
Item No.: Asst. 87752 No. 91805
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Hood, bow, glider, arrows, rocks, additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: Fall 2009
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Rebels and Ewoks attack stormtroopers during the Battle of Endor. The Rebel strike team arrives on Endor's moon to demolish the shield generator protecting the Death Star. The Rebels are captured but a surprise attack by the Ewoks freese them, and a desperate battle ensues. Through the combined forces of the Endorian natives and Rebels, the generator is destroyed. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: You might think that the prospect of a three-figure battle pack wouldn't be compelling, but Hasbro made it work in 2009 with this set including Warok, Luke Skywalker, and Yet Another Generic Imperial. The amazing thing is that all three figures are significantly better or different from earlier incarnations, or in the case of Warok here, the only modern incarnation. Last released in the mid 1980s, Warok was then a grey-furred, reddish-hooded figure with a bow and arrow. Fast-forward to today and it looks like he's brown, wears an orangey-reddish hood, and may be more comfortable in a glider. It turns out a lot of the 1980s Ewok figures may have deviated from the costumes, and at some point, some goon decided that the Kenner names were wrong and assigned to the wrong figures. Why this was decided, I don't know, because it's not like anyone is going to go "What the hell do you mean that wasn't Lumat?" But I digress.

Warok shares body parts with Graak, specifically everything from the neck on down. The figure has ball-jointed shoulders and ankles, plus swiveling wrists, jointed hips, and a twisting waist too. The head sculpt seems to be about as good as any would be for representing Warok, although it seems difficult to tell exactly what the furball should look like. The cardback photo of the 1980s figure seems to be a brown body and a grey face. The original Kenner figure was entirely grey. The 2009 release as reviewed today is brown. So it looks as if technically none of the figures so far are completely authentic to the film design, but the modern one is pretty close. If they repainted it with darker brown fur and a greyer face, I think it would probably work out just fine. In a situation like this I'm not sure if the confusion as to how the character looks is due to an error in the approvals process, an error on the part of the original Kenner team, or just a general sense of people not really caring about such trivialities when it comes to Ewoks as a figure-species.

Since it's the only Warok since the 1990s, it's going to have to stand in for your modern Warok needs. However, I can't say with complete certainty that the little guy complete with his bow and quiver of removable arrows will be a satisfactory update to the Kenner figure-- maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. Because we have no other options and to date Hasbro has only made updates to Wicket and Paploo (since the 1990s/2000s figures), this is probably going to be it. The sculpt is there, but the coloring is not.

Collector's Notes: This battle pack showed up on closeout in late 2010 and early 2011, so the set has basically been devalued by time and abundance. I wouldn't suggest paying more than $15 for the set, although it's fun and neat enough to warrant $25 if you stumble on it and don't feel like searching for the best possible bargain.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,479: February 14, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,478: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI with Freeco Bike
The Clone Wars Vehicles with Figures
Item No.: Asst. 91349 No. 91371
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, Freeco speeder
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: January 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Obi-Wan uses a Freeco speeder to traverse the snow-covered planet of Orto Plutonia while investigating an attack on a Republic outpost. The speeder has an enclosed cockpit designed to shelter the rider from the cold. The Jedi heads into a snowstorm, following the tracks in the snow that will lead him to the perpetrators of the assault. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: Want a super-articulated Obi-Wan Kenobi as seen on The Clone Wars? This is it! The mold takes the basic sculpt of the 2008 release and adds all-new super-articulated legs plus a cloth bit so he can sit. In short, this is the figure you wish came on the blister card. He can stand, sit, and be posed with his weapon quite nicely with what will likely the the Best Body Sculpt this particular costume will ever get. (A less-armored version is coming in 2010.) The only area in which this figure is lacking is the head, as the first 2008 issue didn't look exactly like the character model and neither does this one. It's a little wider and a little less angular, but it hits all the beats of the character design quite nicely.

If you display your figures, and if you play with your figures, this should be an essential figure as it can actually do things like sit. (Sitting is important, which you'll remember me say a lot in this column.) This installment is a little light on details because really, other than the legs, not much here is new and it is, at press time, as good as the character gets in this format. Should Hasbro opt to do a new version with, for example, a place to hang a lightsaber off his belt, or a new head sculpt, or pivoting wrists, I'd say you have a reason to buy a new version of the character. If not, get this one, because you aren't going to do much better otherwise.

Collector's Notes: This is an interesting piece as reuses go. The vehicle was rereleased in late 2010 with a snow Clone Trooper figure, and the same figure was also rereleased in 2010, but packaged with a special Speeder Bike with a sidecar. (I should note, that bike is a damned fun little toy despite your not buying one.) The set as originally sold wasn't especially tough to find, so don't go overpaying for one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,478: February 11, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,477: Jabba the Hutt

JABBA THE HUTT The Big One
The Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: No. 94727
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Oola and Salacious Crumb figures, throne, throw pillows, pipe, bowl, railing
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $34.97
Availability: August 2010
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Jabba the Hutt and Salacious Crumb sit on a throne as Oola dances for the crime lord. The loathsome Hutt is momentarily entertained by the Twi'lek dancer's graceful performance. His monkey-lizard cackles with glee, knowing that Jabba will soon turn to some other amusement, such as throwing another victim to the hungry rancor. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: The box, like immediately after opening last year.

Commentary: One of the big-ticket character updates that Hasbro really dragged their feet on was Jabba the Hutt, which as of last August has more or less been perfected. I say "more or less" because it's my guess you'll never see another new sculpt, although the license is good for another seven years-- maybe Hasbro will do another one or find a new way to improve it. As this is a character which had received little love in the modern Hasbro line, it's nice to see an update that scratches all the itches you had, but unfortunately will not pleasantly surprise you. It's just really good-- which is about all you can ask for when designing an action feature-free toy for mostly adults.

This time around, Hasbro kept most of the significant elements form previous toys that you might want. Rubbery skin and arms with multiple points of articulation are present, as are sculpted details like a little drool, a lot of warts, and Jabba's often-overlooked tattoo. (The 1983 figure had it, so there's no excuse for skipping it in the 1990s.) The big cut in Jabba's tail is also present, which is very rarely represented in the licensed merchandise-- kudos to the sculptor if you're reading, and thanks for doing a really great job. The deco is good, but not fantastic-- it's very close to his movie appearance but it feels like the color changes quite abruptly on his skin. If you keep him in the dark it should be just fine though, as that's how he was meant to look in the first place. He can hold his accessories just fine, and of course he can sit without a problem.

As far as accessories go the pipe, rail, and bowl are reused from the 2004 release, while the throne and pillows are all entirely new. Salacious Crumb is a redeco of a 2007 figure, while Oola is brand new. (We'll examine her in the future.)

Unlike previous attempts at the character, this is more of a collectible than a toy. Jabba has had action features like a moving tail mechanism, a spitting feature, and even a removable tongue for that gross-out kiss with Leia. This time around, he has been designed to sit, to be posed, to be collected-- not to be played with. As such, most adult collectors should really enjoy this one while kids will only be able to enjoy a play feature on the bottom of the throne, and that's the inclusion if wheels so he can watch the Rancor eat. In short, this Jabba and his gear are what collectors have always hoped for with no real surprises. I admire Hasbro delivering exactly what we wanted, but I miss it when they don't sneak in a little more, like a "dungeon" in the throne or another unique and fun feature. Obviously, you should pick this set up at sale prices, and in the future on the secondary market I don't think you would be sorry if you shelled out $40 for a boxed one.

Collector's Notes: The last ROTJ-specific Jabba was released in 2004, and before that, 1983. In 2009 we got a really good cartoon-style Jabba figure. In 1999, there were two toys based on Episode I Jabba (one of which was very ROTJ-esque) and in 1997, we got one vaguely based on the Star Wars Special Edition. This new 2010 Jabba came out at $34.97, was extremely hard to get from about August to October or November, and then was marked down to $19.00 as soon as they started actually being available on a regular basis. Great job, Wal-Mart!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,477: February 10, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,476: Super Battle Droid

SUPER BATTLE DROID Arena Battle
The Legacy Collection Target Exclusive Geonosis Arena Packs 2010
Item No.: Asst. 97645 No. 97646
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #1 of 6
Includes: Obi-Wan Kenobi figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99
Availability: October 2010
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The Jedi Knights rush to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padme from execution. The Jedi brandish their lightsabers against the Geonosian warriors and the massive army of battle droids, super battle droids, and droidekas. All hope seems lost that any Jedi will survive this battle, then Yoda arrives with an army of clone troopers. Although many Jedi are lost that day, others survive this climactic battle that ushers in the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Background from the packaging.

Commentary: This Super Battle Droid was a gem of a mold in 2008, and since then Hasbro has been quietly repainting, remolding, and improving the figure with each release. This one gives the figure a less intensive deco, but improves the legs a little-- while not immediately obvious from the photo, the ankles on this one are articulated which (as some of my figures are hard to get to right now) I believe may be a first for this mold. I'm not sure why the figure was cast in a lighter shade of grey, but it was, and here it is. The red dot is still present, and the figure got some additional paint detail on the gun plus the lower parts of his torso, making it a unique version that's worth buying if you pick up every variety of the Super Battle Droid. If not, well, it's going to be tough to army-build so it might not be quite what you're after. Since it can stand, sit, and generally look cool I think it's a worthwhile purchase and probably the best version of the mold-- not deco, but mold-- so far.

Collector's Notes: Unlike the 2009 sets, this series seems to have sold through quickly. Most stores seemed done with them prior to Christmas, so if you see one in the wild (barring a large second shipment) you should probably grab it while you can. His companion figure was a tweaked Obi-Wan Kenobi which was altered just a bit-- it's probably worth getting if, again, you like different heads, deco, and weapons for figures you have already probably bought. The set was on sale for $9.99 almost immediately after release, so hopefully you got a good deal on it. Also notable: the jointed ankles for this figure were not kept for the 2011 The Vintage Collection release of the mold. A shame! So get this one if you want the best version of the mold, although it's not necessarily the best paint job.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,476: February 9, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,475: Jungle Camo ARF Trooper

ARF TROOPER Jungle Camo
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 20799
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW16
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: Blaster, stand, projectile, cannon
Retail: $6.99
Availability: August 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars movie

Bio: Advanced Recon Force (ARF) clone troopers conduct reconnaissance missions. They are trained in stealth techniques to gather information without being detected by the enemy. Wearing jungle camouflage armor, they are deployed to the planet Teth to scout the location where Jabba the Hutt's son Rotta is being held captive. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: This ARF Trooper was one of the first figures fans started asking for after the movie hit in 2008-- and in 2009, we got the mold to make it. And a repaint. Eventually we got this figure, and on the whole I think that it turned out exactly as well as you might hope. As this is a repainted ARF Trooper, which was a retooled 2008 Clone Trooper, it really does have all the best features a Clone Trooper toy can offer. The ball-jointed hips of the ARF Trooper are present, allowing him to use pretty much any vehicle ever designed for this scale of figure. The pivot-and-swivel wrists are here too, allowing him to use pretty much any gun ever made for this scale. In short, this is a great redeco of an already fantastic figure-- the ARF Trooper is really the best in breed when it comes to Clone toys, so this Jungle Camo version is well worth a look if you don't already have too many of the other ARF toys put out so far.

The main thing that sets this figure apart is the Jungle deco. A little green, a little brown, and the important thing is that it isn't just another white action figure. A little color goes a long way on these guys, and you'll probably want to get two in order to replicate the scouting on Teth seen in the movie. Great stuff, and some of Hasbro's best work.

Collector's Notes: In addition to this version, a plain white version is still in circulation and there's a Geonosis-themed repaint of the mold as ARF Trooper Boil. I'd suggest picking up Boil with his AT-RT first, but this Jungle camo version is easily the second best of the three-- and you'll want a pair of him to replicate the Scout Party from The Clone Wars movie. There's nothing wrong with the white version, it's just not as ornate as the others.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,475: February 8, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,474: Zam Wesell

ZAM WESELL Bounty Hunter
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 97568 No. 24989
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC30
Includes: Blaster, rifle, Clawdite head, human head, goggles, helmet, open veil, closed veil
Action Feature: Swappable heads, swappable veils on helmet
Retail: $7.99
Availability: January 2011
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you! (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: I figured we were done seeing Zam Wesell figures-- we got 2 in 2002, the Sneak Preview one was a slower seller, and the Saga carded version was a mega-pegwarmer in some Phoenix (specifically Glendale) neighborhoods in Fall 2002 to the point of having multiple pegs of just the one character. As such, this release was quite surprising-- although in this age of collector-specific packaging and collector-targeted figures, the audience seems to be a little more receptive to the purple bounty hunter. While the final 2002 release had a really neat quick-draw function and a magnetic arm, well, it wasn't quite enough. What does this one have? Swappable heads, a customizable helmet, and that super-articulation you all love so much.

Without a doubt, this is the best-sculpted version of Zam yet. With two heads, you don't have to worry about fidgeting with an easily lost mask-- just pop off one head and stick on the other. It's worth noting her neck is human flesh colored, so when she's wearing the Clawdite head the skin doesn't quite match. They pop on and off easily and look pretty good relative to the films. I've already received a few comments from fans complaining that the human hair color under the helmet isn't perfect-- actress Leeanna Walsman was seen as having blonde tips in some photos-- but it's not like we saw her hair on-screen anyway. (In short, no, I don't anticipate a variation.)

The neatest feature of this toy is the helmet. This was included, I feel, just to drive us all nuts. How can we decide how to display it with so many options? The sight is articulated, the veil is removable and can either cover the face or hang to the side, and on top of that, there are two heads to choose from. With all those combinations, I'm sure picking how to display her will drive more than a few fans nuts, and it might even lead to the sales of additional figures just so you can have her on display more than one way. The gear all looks fantastic, and she has two guns too. The pistol fits right into the holster (just like the Saga 2002 version) while the rifle is nice and stiff, seemingly not being too droopy or too brittle. Score one for Hasbro improving on this one.

And how is the body of the figure? Also great. The sculpt is fairly true to the film, with silver armor, unique boots, silver gauntlets, and the waistcoat bringing you many shades of purple. She has no real problems standing or holding on to her weapons, making her a big improvement over previous releases. While you may not need a new Zam Wesell figure, this one is fun enough to play around with that I'd suggest getting it in addition to previous releases. Sure, it's going to be eight or nine bucks, but the extra gear makes the whole thing essentially worthwhile. Unlike most figures in this line, there's a lot more to this figure than just posing her-- and I really enjoy seeing that level of fun on my toys.

Collector's Notes: I've seen Zam in the wild a couple of times in the past week, which means you'll probably see her if you head out to the stores more often than once every week or two. Or you can order online at the link below and support this site. (All I'm saying is I wouldn't complain.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,474: February 7, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,473: Commando Droid

COMMANDO DROID Carded Release
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 91231
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW16
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: Blaster stores on backpack
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars episode "Rookies"

Bio: Commando droids land on the Rishi moon to attack a Republic outpost. Designed for surprise assaults, the droids quickly overwhelm the new clone trooper recruits stationed there. With this strategic outpost now in Separatist hands, General Grievous has everything in position to launch a surprise attack anywhere in the Outer Rim. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: This Commando Droid holds an important distinction-- it folds up small. Seriously, I store these things in tackle boxes and you can fold up this droid to fit into the tiniest sized compartment. Amazing! I'm impressed, even the normal Battle Droid isn't quite that flexible. Hasbro did a bang-up job on this guy, and the mold has been used on multiple versions of the droid so far-- this is the basic carded edition, which is probably one of the least common given how common the Rishi Moon Outpost Attack Battle Pack is lately. (Of course, that figure is a little different, so there.)

This figure is the very first version of the robot released, and sports a ton of articulation-- depending on your standards, I'd say this figure qualifies as super-articulated. His wrists swivel, but at the elbow-- so it's the entire arm moving and not just the hand. Even the hips are ball-and-socket joints, so if you want you can pop them off for "battle damage" or just leave them on to enjoy the increased amount of movement and, more likely, safety that they bring to the toy as a plaything. Basically, this is the level of articulation you want (and do not get) on a normal Battle Droid, so be sure to pick up this guy and know that it is (as of today) Hasbro's finest Separatist droid action figure in terms of engineering. It even has a waist joint, and it's well-hidden so you might not even realize that it's there.

The deco is simple, but effective-- there are some bronze/gold markings on the figure as well as white eyes and a red light. When you buy the figure-- and you will-- take care to note the wear and/or tear on the bronze paint as I expect it will rub off faster than other colors. The metallic silvers, bronzes, and golds tend not to last on playthings, but if you leave it in the package or display it you should be OK. Even still, examine it-- some of the recent Iron Man figures look worn even before you open them.

Collector's Notes: The figure was repainted as a blue mercenary as a Target exclusive in late 2010, which is the most distinctive repaint of the droid so far. There were two different repaints in the Rishi Moon Outpost Battle Pack, one has a lot of silver markings and a sword while the other is a basic grunt. The battle pack version has a richer, slightly redder gold and a grey gun rather than a black one, so it's different enough to be worthwhile for army building. The basic carded version, as reviewed here, seems to be worth about 5-10 bucks on eBay lately.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,473: February 4, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,472: Luke Skywalker

LUKE SKYWALKER Jedi Knight/Endor Capture
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 93126
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD16
Includes: Swappable shirt flap piece, handcuffs, lightsaber, droid part
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: September 2009
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Luke boards the second Death Star during the Battle of Endor to face his father and the evil Emperor Palaptine, in a confrontation that determines the fate of all three. Young Skywalker calls upon his Jedi skills to save himself - and his father. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen.

Commentary: Hasbro's increasingly bizarre takes on Luke Skywalker's various Return of the Jedi toys are nothing short of confusing. While this version is fairly straightforward, we've seen them based on deleted scenes and actual scenes with some fairly glaring errors, on occasion corrected and on other occasions we were blatantly told we were wrong and the figure was correct-- despite previous figures, subsequent figures, and movie stills saying otherwise. But I digress, let's talk about this one.

"Death Star II" Luke has been a tough one for Hasbro, since the first version of the character was produced in 1998 we've seen all sorts of tweaks and none of them were really satisfactory. Before the 2009 release, the last memorable one was in 2003 where Luke had the ugliest, meanest face sculpt you've ever seen on the character. This 2009 version was meant as the "ultimate," and while a 2010 release kicked its butt the 2009 one was certainly ambitious. The head sculpt was certainly acceptably Luke-esque, and the articulation was up to snuff providing us with the 14 joints we so crave. Heck, the figure had no problem holding on to his lightsaber and zero problem sitting down. So what was the problem, you ask?

Look at that chest. Despite Hasbro's ingenious decision to include a removable torso piece so you can swap the "open flap" for the "closed flap" (pictured), the chest had one simple problem: it's too big! The toymaker has done a great job getting more human proportions on the bulk of action figures designed since 1998, so this unusually large chest really sticks out-- typically only the female figures are the only ones with oversized chests, and rarely does a fan complain about that. While Hasbro has done removable chests on various droids, this is a rare instance of Hasbro giving fans the chance to change costumes on their own rather than planning a variation down the road to re-sell the same figure with one minor change-- although Hasbro did do an all-new version of the figure in about a year, so maybe they were planning on it all along.

Having said that, I like this figure, and I thought the recently released perfect Death Star II Luke was a little premature, if awesome. The 2009 release had great poses for his fingers, plus he was fun to play with-- which was totally not the case with the 2003 version, or some of the other ones. The cuffs were a nice touch, the costume looked right, and it felt like more of a toy than a top-notch collectible-- maybe that's why fans didn't much care for it.

Collector's Notes: Complaints aside, this figure sold extremely well-- while most movie figures were cycled out of assortments after one wave, this Jedi Luke kept shipping into early 2010. The market has spoken-- it's a good figure. Sure, the 2010 one was more awesome, but this one certainly scratched the market's itch and probably sold better than any other 2009-style packaged action figure in terms of quantity. That's nothing to sneeze at. On the secondary market, the prices are roughly that of original retail. That's not bad when you consider several of those Legacy figures' prices dropped.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,472: February 3, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,471: Clone Commander Stone

CLONE COMMANDER STONE Trooper
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 97638 No. 94078
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW44
Includes: Helmet, rifle, pistols
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: January 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Commander Stone takes part in a mission to rescue Republic hostages being held by Weequay pirates. The clone commander battles the ruthless pirates and dodges sulfuric geysers to help Jar Jar Binks deliver the ransom and free the prisoners. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: The endless parade of Jango's doppelgangers continues with Clone Commander Stone. While not a particularly memorable character (largely due to not recurring on the show much), the figure is of great significance-- Stone marked the debut of the second major body type used on animated-style Clone Trooper action figures. Before him, everybody used the same basic body design since 2008 with different heads, helmets, belts, or kamas to mix things up a bit. Stone was a complete resculpt, with a swivel waist, swivel elbows, and no ankle joints. That's right-- Hasbro took two points of articulation out and simplified several others. The end result is a better looking, more authentic action figure who can't sit worth a damn. Those hip joints suck.

The deco is fantastic, his scruffy bald head looks wonderful under the maroon-accented helmet and matching armor. Both holsters have no problem storing his twin firearms. While many fans dislike the simplified design, I can't deny that it certainly looks nicer. I do, however, frequently feel confused over the true audience for this line-- Hasbro says it's for the kids, but blocking the legs from having meaningful hip articulation seems like something you'd do to collectors and hope they don't notice. It's not conducive to getting the figure inside vehicles, but I suppose if you bother buying Stone you've probably already got dozens of other clones piloting your tanks. While not essential, the figure is significant in the development of The Clone Wars as an action figure property and a meaningful milestone in the evolution of what are essentially the title characters.

Collector's Notes: Like many new characters from the 2009-2010 The Clone Wars line, this one was a little tough to come by and held on to his value-- now he's about ten bucks. He's also off the market, so good luck finding one easily.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,471: February 2, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,470: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI Jedi Padawan Knight
The 30th Anniversary Collection Tins
Item No.: Asst. 87154 No. 87220
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 1 of 6
Includes: Cloak, lightsaber, comm unit
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: 2006
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Though he was but a young Jedi during the blockade of Naboo, he was already a cautious man, who never approached a situation without careful thought. The sudden appearance of a Sith warrior was a huge shock to both him and his master. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen.

Commentary: Since I've (we've? someone's?) forced the phrase "just different enough to make you mad" into the toy collector's lexicon, I think it's worth pointing out that this Obi-Wan Kenobi figure probably isn't different enough to make you mad but it's certainly distinctive enough to tick you off. By combining elements of multiple existing figures, this mishmash is very similar to other versions of the character sold in 2006, but, obviously, it's different. The Sith Lord Ambush Battle Pack Obi-Wan Kenobi sports a different hear, and the individually carded Saga Collection release has a head with rooted hair that's obviously different. In many respects this figure is a "variant" but since it's marketed differently and has its own unique construction, well, it's not a "variant" in the traditional sense. It's a unique figure cobbled together by the parts Hasbro decided to use that week.

The body was originally used in the 2000 Power of the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. The head is a tough call-- it's probably the original POTJ head, but dang if it doesn't look a lot like the Episode I heads. The deco is similar, but it has the blue lightsaber that came with the Episode I Final Duel and Naboo releases. The communicator comes from the 2000 Episode I Jedi Knight release. The cloak is basically the same cloak that's shipped with numerous Jedi for a while now, so you might have one in your toy boxes allowing you to cobble this figure together from parts around the house. There's no real reason to track this particular release down unless you're stalking Ewan McGregor or are collecting all major figures-- this boxed set also includes R2-R9, and this particular R2-R9 remains exclusive to this set. Other, better versions of this character in this costume exist, particularly the one from Fall 2009.

Collector's Notes: The set did show up on closeout shelves so it shouldn't be too hard to get. If you want one, do some searching-- you can probably get it under retail (before shipping) with little or no problems. Given the quality of the set overall, it's worth the $20 or so.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,470: February 1, 2011