Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,787: Mace Windu

MACE WINDU Order 66
30th Anniversary Collection Target Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 87356 No. 87358
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 2 of 6
Includes: Lightsaber, cloak, and Galactic Marine figure
Action Feature: Squeeze legs for lightsaber swinging action
Retail: $9.99
Availability: March 2007
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Mace Windu puts aside his diplomatic mantle to lend his skill as a powerful Jedi warrior during the Clone Wars. He leads a regiment of Galactic Marine clone troopers into battle to stop the Separatist invasions on several worlds. (Taken from the set's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' old desk.

Commentary: Why do you want this Mace Windu? You probably don't, but if you do this 2-pack includes an exclusive hoodless cloth cloak (which is pretty cool) and a uniquely painted Galactic Marine clone trooper figure, which is arguably reason enough to buy the set. The Mace Windu itself brings little new to the table, I had a couple of spares from finding this set on clearance so one of 'em got sacrificed to the toy gods to get sent to China as a test subject for an action figure stand. That's my way of saying "you won't need multiples of this one."

By 2007 this sculpt had really shown its age. We've seen it a few times, but this one at least had the courtesy of adding a new accessory. The figure was originally released in 2005 for the Revenge of the Sith line, but that version had Sith lightning that could surround him and he could shake off when you squeezed his legs. The sculpt is merely OK, it doesn't look a heck of a lot like Samuel L. Jackson in terms of his general pose and demeanor, but collectors looking for every last major variation of Mace Windu with a new accessory are going to want this. There are many better Mace Windu figures, but sometimes it's less about quality than it is getting one of everything. That's what this figure is. Don't buy it for its own merits, but do get it for the purple Galactic Marine.

Collector's Notes: A boxed sample goes for as little as $3, and oddly, this Mace Windu loose has gone for $4-$6. I don't understand why, you people must be stupid or something. I bought one at $10 and another at about $2 on clearance, and I'd say anywhere in between those is totally worth it for the complete set. The Order 66 2-packs are weird and fun, even if they have nothing to do with the event from the film (and even if some of the Jedi figiures from them basically offer nothing new or valuable.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,787: April 19, 2012