Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,627: Ki-Adi-Mundi Concept

KI-ADI-MUNDI Concept Design
The Legacy Collection Droid Factory Figure
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 91435
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD38
Includes: Lightsaber, droid part
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: October 2009
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith concept art

Bio: In this Episode III concept art by Derek Thompson, Ki-Adi-Mundi wears a cape and has an eyepatch over one eye. This more battle-weary appearance was designed to indicated that the Clone Wars have been raging for years and are taking their toll on the Jedi. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' former back yard air conditioner unit.

Commentary: One really neat (but abandoned) concept for Revenge of the Sith wast o have beaten, haggard-looking Jedi running around showing off the scars of the Clone Wars. One of the really awesome designs revealed to fans in 2005 was Ki-Adi-Mundi missing an eye, with an added bandolier and a unique new Jedi outfit. Back in 2005 the idea of getting a line of figures based on concept art again seemed unlikely, but from 2007-2009 we received about 20 of 'em. How awesome is that? I'm really thrilled this was one of their new designs, because it reminds me a lot of the kind of world-building we saw out of Kenner in the 1980s and 1990s with ALIENS, Robocop, Batman, and other lines-- except that it came out of Lucasfilm. The figure really does look like it belongs in the movies, and has some of the best (if not the best) articulation of any Ki-Adi-Mundi figure to date.

The outfit (and the sculpt) are unique to this release, so I'd say you should get it. Concept figures belong in any collector's stash, and this was an extra-awesome design that really does belong in a toy line. I hope Hasbro can find more adventure-oriented action-packed figure designs to adapt to the toy line, because this was a great way to expand the toy universe while giving collectors something that kids would probably like, too. Well done!

Collector's Notes: Despite being hard-to-find, a lot of figures are basically worthless. This is one of them. It came out at $8 and today... that's about what it'll set you back on eBay. You can probably get it cheaper if you luck into a lot. Get it if you can, it'll go great with your gauntlet-bedecked 2009 Plo Koon. This is one of my favorite figures since the movie series ended, and we've had a lot of great figures since 2005. Do yourself a favor, get one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,627: September 8, 2011