Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,511: Emperor Palpatine

EMPEROR PALPATINE Yet Another Repaint
The Legacy Collection Previews Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87924
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Cane, lightsaber, cloak, 5 other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $34.99
Availability: December 2008
Appearances: Crimson Empire comic books

Bio: Accompanied by Darth Vader and surrounded by Royal Guardsmen, Palpatine visits Yinchorr to observe students at the training ground. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: My desk.

Commentary: Since its debut in 2005, this Emperor Palpatine sculpt has had a few redecorations and revisions. This one is, I believe, one of the better releases. The skin tone is nice and pale, the hair is painted, but the personality is a little off for the scenario. In the comics we didn't see Palpatine in a murderous teeth-baring rage, but hey, it's still a slightly improved version of the Revenge of the Sith figure. He's super-articulated and still interacts with the Sith Lightning from the Evolutions Sith Lords set. The figure has no problems standing or sitting, the detail is great, really the only downer is that the hood of the cloak hangs on the figure's head a little strangely. This was present in nearly all releases of this mold, except the 2009 Empire Strikes Back version that incorporates a plastic hood. This figure is of that "just different enough to make you mad" variety, it's more unique than just another variation but it's not so different that you would likely seek it out of its own merits. If you don't have any version of the "Evolutions" Emperor, this is the best one to get with the original head sculpt-- but if you have any of them, they're really all pretty much the same with different skin tones.

If you buy this figure in the boxed set, the main reason to get it are for the trainee guards-- this is just a bit of an afterthought, and Vader's really no different from his other releases of this mold. The set is pretty good, particularly if you like the comics.

Collector's Notes: This set did not prove to be a big seller, and like a few other 2008-era boxed set exclusives, it did show up at other venues for pretty low prices. Today, it should run you anywhere between $20 and $40, which is quite a range.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,511: March 30, 2011