Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,760: Prince Xizor

PRINCE XIZOR vs. Darth Vader
Shadows of the Empire Comic Pack Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 69590 No. 69567
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Staff, Darth Vader figure, comic book
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $11.99
Availability: Summer 1996
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, has instilled terror throughout the galaxy since the beginning of the Empire. His devotion to the Emperor and mastery of the dark side gives him more power than any single individual in the galaxy except for the Emperor himself. Draped completely in black and wielding the ability to take a life with a mere gesture, Darth Vader stands as the incarnation of evil. His dislike of Prince Xizor is intense and his distrust well-founded. Though Vader would gladly eliminate Xizor, Emperor Palpatine has need of Black Sun's shipping operations to speed construction of the new Death Star. Xizor had best watch his back however, as Vader's control of the dark side of the Force makes him a most formidable foe. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen.

Commentary: Back in the 1990s, six points of articulation were impressive, and Prince Xizor was one of the first characters to get two same-outfit figures. Basically similar to, but posed differently than the individually carded release, this figure has a less-crazy weapon. Sort of. Sure, he has a giant staff-- symbolism?-- but the regular one came with two interlocking energy fan blade things which just aren't very cool. Staffs are cool. And as an American, I am required to say guns are good. (Seriously, they'll deport me if I don't.) But anyway, he's also got a robe which you can remove if you really want, it's open in the back like a hospital gown to show off his green spine.

The vaguely Asian armor allows the figure little movement, you can sort of move his legs at the hip and his arms and head turn freely. The waist joint moves a bit... and that's it. The head sculpt is pretty weak-- he's a little leathery, he has two shoots of hair coming off his head-- and it's sort of charming in a 1990s way. Hasbro did better with Xizor in 2008, and that figure was also a remarkably poor seller. You can probably get that one at that crap Wal-Mart a few miles from the good one.

Collector's Notes: It's cheap if you want it-- it's a neat package from the declining years of Kenner, and for those reasons I like it. I wouldn't necessarily say you need it... but if you love the 1990s, you need this.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,760: March 13, 2012