Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,926: Nicanas Tassu

NICANAS TASSU  Arena Battle
The Legacy Collection Target Exclusive Geonosis Arena Packs 2010
Item No.: Asst. 97645 No.  97651  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #5 of 6
Includes: Lightsaber, cloak, Count Dooku figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99
Availability: Ocotber 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: Adam's arena backdrop.  Which I'm pretty sure I chucked.

Commentary: One of the neat things about the fact that this line simply refuses to die is that Hasbro will come up with figures I never asked for.  Sometimes, I'm delighted.  Others, confused.  Nicanas Tassu is more of the latter.   "Don't you want the guy who tosses Anakin and Obi-Wan their lightsaber?"  No, I don't care.   While I can appreciate a figure that seems he was designed from an extra who foreshadowed Nic Cage's Fu Manchu from Werewolf Women of the SS, I have a pretty limited interest in any human Jedi without a speaking role in the movies.   This figure is a Mace Windu redeco with a new head... and that Mace Windu mold does take the paint nicely, but his leg movement is pretty limited.  You get 14 points of articulation and it's still sort of tricky to get a decent pose out of him.  Well, it's not impossible, but it's a little wonky.  

Most of my grousing comes from the fact that I don't care if this figure did or didn't get made.  Obviously, this isn't the benchmark of greatness, but Hasbro's decision to mold the head in brown and paint the face flesh is a little iffy as well.   The figure's face sculpt isn't bad, and he does have a fair amount of personality with those eyebrows, but I gotta say the figure pales in comparison to the excellent companion figure: a Count Dooku with a new head sculpt.  The set is still arguably worth the trouble of tracking down, but Nicanas is a snooze.

Collector's Notes: Despite being tough to find, the going rate of this set is about $10 these days.  The set was on sale during its window of availability in late 2010, which was bizarre.  After these guys quickly sold through, old stock (according to the date stamps) of the first wave of the Arena Battle showed up again and lingered.   $15 or so shipped is a pretty good deal.  Hey, at least it has an awesome Dooku in it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,926: October 31, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,925: Nom Anor

NOM ANOR  Expanded Universe
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  98525
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC59
Includes: 2-piece staff, cloth cloak, removable plastic shoulder spikes
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: April 2012
Appearances: Crimson Empire II

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.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.


Commentary: The fact that we ever got Nom Anor feels something like a miracle, as he was previewed in print ages ago as an upcoming Comic Pack figure and of course that whole thing went down the toilet.  To add insult to injury, Nom Anor was meant to be a late summer 2011 release, and it got bumped to 2012.  And of course, pretty much all 2012 figures are a little tricky to track down, so it really seems as if fate tried really, really hard to make sure you never got this figure.  And to be honest, if we didn't, I don't think I'd have minded too much.

A member of an extragalactic race, a true "other" in a story jam-packed with alien worlds, makes sense for a villain.  Everybody loves a common enemy, and this is one who debuted in the Crimson Empire II comic series and he was later retconned into a Yuuzhan Vong for the novels.  As a figure, he's pretty nasty.  I don't much care for the design in general, but the execution is probably an acceptable one.  It's less a "Hasbro did an iffy job" issue than it is a "I don't think I recognize this figure's right to exist" issue.  The deco on the head with freaky skin, pointy ears, nasty teeth, and tattoos on the head cap off a figure whose bulky form and wonky armor are in line (sort of) with the TLC Yuuzhan Vong figure release.   It looks sort of like an exterior muscle suit, without the bug- or creature-like qualities one may expect.  The cloth cloak is really tough to make look good on this figure, and you'll need to remove a slab of shoulder armor and spikes if you want him to be able to wear it.  A giant two-part staff requires your assembly as it's too large to fit in the vintage blister size, but it would've fit well in the comic pack packaging.

With 14 points of articulation and a fair amount of deco, this is a well-designed and engineered figure.  I just hate it.  After thousands of these dang things I usually can find something interesting to say about anything, even (and especially) stuff I don't like.  Red Darth Vader? I can spend days complaining about it, it's fun.  Nom Anor just kind of is.  It looks like a creature designed to menace Frodo and the Shire.   I love the Expanded Universe, but I would advise against tracking this one down if you're on the fence.  I admit it's just because I don't like it, the pose doesn't do much for me, the cloak hangs poorly, and dammit, it's ugly in a way I don't like.  Couldn't we have just got like a holographic figure again?  Seriously.  When is the last one of those we got, 2008?

Collector's Notes: Generally speaking Expanded Universe figures draw special attention and higher prices on the secondary market if they're the slightest bit hard to find.   This one is, on the whole, pretty cheap on eBay so I would say the market has spoken.  This figure sucks.  Next!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,925: October 30, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,924: Red R2-Series Astromech Droid

R2-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID Red Dome with Silver Panels
Star Tours Droid Factory Customizable Figure
Item No.: No. ???
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Head, 2 legs, torso, central third leg, optional hat
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $10-$12
Availability: 2012
Appearances: n/a

Bio: These figures do not have specific packaging or configurations.  As such, we will be treating each dome as a unique "figure" as that part is the most plentiful.   At this time there are 25 domes and while Hasbro sometimes seems to indicate they are not Hasbro product, they do have Hasbro copyright markings and as such we are classifying them under the Hasbro banner.

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: The Red R2-Series Astromech Droid is pretty slick.   The coloring is very different from other red figures to the point where some people insist it's orange.  I guess it's probably somewhere nicely in the middle.   Of the first year's batch of parts, this is the only R2-series dome to be molded in red, all of the others are basically painted silver.  This one stands out a bit.   With a matching body, it looks more like what someone in the late 1980s or early 1990s would color a droid into, which is really cool.  A bright yellow light under his big black eye gives the figure some added color, the silver and white basically look alike but break up the endless sea of bright red nicely.  The figure has the same basic articulation as all the rest, and of course costs more.

This one stands out quite a bit on the shelf due to his electric colors and uniquely hued dome.  While the figure is essentially a redeco, it's a good one and even though there are other red astromechs out there, I guarantee you they aren't this brightly colored!

Collector's Notes:  This item was a customizable release at Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando, and you can configure them any way you wish.  I liked the red dome with the red body, but hey, maybe you want the white body with red markings?

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,924: October 29, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,923: Republic Commando Boss

REPUBLIC COMMANDO BOSS Opening Pack with Zip Line!
The Clone Wars Basic Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37290 No. 37292
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: CW11
Includes: Rifle, 2 pistols, display stand, backpack
Action Feature: Zip line of sorts, plus backpack stores weapons
Retail: $8.99
Availability: April 2012
Appearances: Clone Wars TV series

Bio:  Republic Commando Boss is the sergeant in Delta Squad, an elite unit of clone troopers. He receives standard clone trooper combat training on Kamino, then is put through additional training that is extremely tough, but it makes Boss an aggressively effective trooper able to survive the demanding missions given to Delta Squad.    (Taken from the figure's product information page.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.


Commentary: The direction of The Clone Wars as a toy line is tough to discern at this stage.  Few new characters are introduced, and few troopers are making the cut.  We did get Republic Commando Boss, which is one of at least five commando figures confirmed to appear on the show so far.  Using this mold, they could probably crank out a few more of these guys, although Hasbro seems less and less keen on doing this sort of thing lately given that there may well be a five or six month gap between new releases in the cartoon style.

A new sculpt, this bulky figure doesn't have the 14 points of articulation you might demand, but it's still quite good.  The detail is clean, the paint job is excellent, and you might not notice the lack of articulation below the hips.   This figure is a more interesting toy than most due to its backpack accessory.   Rather than being a figure with gun, he's got a mission pack with a zipline, plus three guns to blast away at whatever he so chooses.  The smaller accessories all fit in the backpack, and I have to say the backpack itself is an incredibly cool accessory that I hope they consider putting with other releases.  It has little problem standing and as you can see, the orange looks pretty great.  Sadly his brothers Scorch, Sev, and Fixer are not yet available in this format but as long as the line doesn't implode, I would assume they're on the way eventually.

The design is quite similar to the video game character, but the shoulder pads stick out more and there's a little more of a padded feel to the armor.  The arms are thicker, and it does feel more heavily armored than other clones, particularly the skinny 2012 variety.   Next to Phase II Rex, this guy feels like a tank!   I think kids will like it more than most collectors, but the extra gear actually does improve the toy for once.  It's a lot more fun than a firing rocket launcher which the figure can't actually hold, plus it'll  help kids from losing all their guns.   It's a well-thought-out release, and I like it a lot.

Collector's Notes:  This is the first-ever individually carded, non-exclusive Boss figure.  And it's a little hard to find at retail, but not impossible.  Get it if you can!  Given Boss' role in the show was merely a cameo, it's a miracle that even this one figure exists.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,923: October 26, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,922: Sebulba

SEBULBA  Mos Espa Race
Discover the Force Walmart Exclusive Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 38606 No.  38607  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: C-3PO, Anakin Skywalker, Pit Droids, display stands, die, cards, helmets, wrenches
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.96
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Podracers line up at Mos Espa Arena's starting grid to compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace. The mechanically gifted Anakin has built his own Podracer and is assembling the protocol droid C-3PO. The ruthless Sebulba is determined to win the race at any cost. Pit droids are part of the racing teams an eagerly assist with repairs.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo area.

Commentary: The toys to tie in to the 2012 3D Phantom Menace release can best be described as low-budget.  Sebulba is one of the best repurposed figures, taking the release from 2000 and slapping on a fresh coat of paint which improves the figure nicely.   He has a helmet and a spanner, along with an improved, more subtle coloring.  The original had less paint on the head and a paler skin tone, despite being released quite some time after the movie hit theaters.  This release, coming over a decade later, has the luxury of having already paid off the tooling and new paint applications are almost a given.   It looks more like a creature than a figure, keeping a similar texture to the original release while ensuring the colors would fit in with other, more recent figures better.  Has has 5 points of articulation and has no problems interacting with his own accessories.   As a stand-alone thing, it's a nice figure.

In the context of the 2012 toy line, it's a flop.   In early 2012, Hasbro released Sebulba's Podracer as a non-exclusive vehicle sold pretty much everywhere toys were sold.  Sebulba was not included, and only sold in this pack which, while supposedly set to hit in January, saw little or no distribution until about April.  So you have this big $25 vehicle, which lacks a driver figure from the 1999 release, and its one and only driver is exclusive to a store which didn't even have it on time.  To make things worse, Sebulba in 1999 was a much smaller figure.  By 2000 Hasbro realized he needed to be bigger, so the 2012 Sebulba is far too large to fit in the vehicle without intense cramming.  Sure, you can make it fit, but I can make Barbie fit in a Batmobile with the right tools, too.  If you have to squeeze, twist, cram, and stuff a figure into the pilot seat, it's not a good fit.  This is not a good fit.

As most figure collectors seem to care the most about individually carded figures and give little thought to vehicle drivers, odds are you'll never have an issue with this one.  Maybe you won't buy it, or you'll leave it in the box.  As a plaything for kids, it only works as long as you never, ever get it near the vehicle sold as a companion piece to this figure.   As a year, 2012 was filled with a disappointment for every delight, and as this figure embodies both those qualities it really is a great metaphor for the line in its current state.  In short: kids will have problems, collectors may have problems, and the best way to enjoy the line is to ignore big parts of it.

Collector's Notes:  While this assortment of exclusives vanished pretty quickly (often through a quick clearance), samples still persist and have appeared on-shelf at Walmart as recently as last month.  A store near you may still have this set.  Variant collectors, those seeking unique repaints of figures they bought 10 years prior, will find a lot to like in this set and for the sum of its parts, it's a pretty good deal.  The main issue I have is figure/vehicle compatibility, which this line didn't struggle with so much as it ignored it entirely.   Hasbro would have been better served to repaint the "inferior" 1999 pack-in Sebulba from the Podracer, as at least it would easily fit without giving a fuss.    I realize some of you don't think this is an issue, but look at it this way: if Barbie were too fat for  her clothes, or if two LEGO pieces couldn't fit together, that would be a bad toy.  I would put a pilot that can't fit in its vehicle in a similar category, unless there were plans to make a Sebulba which fit, in which case this is just a turkey of a year for Star Wars in general.  And to be honest, it probably will be written as one if/when someone does a history of the line by year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,922: October 25, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,921: Luke Skywalker

LUKE SKYWALKER  Lightsaber Construction
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No. 49687  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC87
Includes: Cloth robe, tool, lightsaber, hilt, optional belt
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: Return of the Jedi deleted scene

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.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's floor.


Commentary: One of the funny things about Star Wars as an action figure line is how Luke Skywalker is on some exponential trajectory toward perfection. It approaches perfection, but will never touch it.  The 2010 Death Star II Jedi Luke is pretty good-- I don't think I'm off saying it may be one of the overall finest Hasbro has to offer.  This 2012 deleted scene model comes tantalizingly close, but oddly falls short.  I know some of you complain I'm too forgiving and others complain I'm too harsh, but let's be honest: this would be a great figure, if the authenticity were ratcheted up a half-notch.

Based on a scene cut from the movie, this is basically Hasbro's chance to go back and redo a "Jabba Palace" Luke with more bells and whistles.   By effectively reusing the arms and legs from the 2010 figure, Luke starts off with great articulation right out of the gate.  You've got your bend-and-swivel wrists and 14 total points of articulation, and new hands make him look just a smidgen better.  The torso is well-sculpted and unlike the 2007 Rancor Pit version, isn't, how do I say this nicely... completely, amazingly, and "how did this get approved?"-ingly wrong.   It looks like his vest, it's not too bulky, it's good.  I approve.

Where the figure breaks down is in the head and cloak.  Ordinarily in a toy line this wouldn't be a big deal, but I take issue with it not because I have to nitpick, but because this is Hasbro's (at least) fifth modern attempt on this costume.  5 times.  Each time there's something a little better and something a little worse, with the exception of the 2004 version which was, by and large, quite good for its day and pretty good today.  The head sculpt is colored well and crafted nicely this time around, but the hair is parted on the wrong side of the head.  Were this the first (or second, or third) Luke figure I'd say "eh, fine, get over it."  But it's a resculpt, and it's a retool, and pretty much all of the existing Luke figures got it right.  As it's essentially the 29th anniversary of Return of the Jedi, it's a detail that really should be right.  The second aspect is his cloak, which is rarely done correctly, be it due to some sort of muscle-memory or just poor perception.   The figure repacks the Revenge of the Sith-era cloth Jedi cloak, which is, obviously, just not right.  The color may be up for debate (some shots look black, some look dark brown) but the thing you can't argue is that the robe is open at the neck and has sleeves.  It closes at the neck, and has no sleeves.  So yeah... no.

As a starting point for another, better figure this is fantastic.  I hope Hasbro retools it, because the lightsaber, tool, and spare belt (so you can choose the look you prefer) are great additions to a figure during an era where they basically start at ten bucks.   With his hair sort of messed up, I would say this would be a better base for Sandstorm Luke than Lightsaber Construction Luke, and maybe some day we'll get another Sandstorm Luke we can swap out with this one.  The figure has all the makings of a quality product with good sculpting, good accessories, and a nice bonus optional part - but a questionable head and robe bring the whole thing down.  I'm not saying don't buy it, but if you're a stickler for authenticity, well, Hasbro can still improve on this one.   (If the hair was right and the robe was left out entirely, you'd have little to complain about here.)

Collector's Notes:  Unlike other figures from 2012 wave 2, this one got carried forward in two other assortments.  This makes it one of the more common figures in this year's line, and during a brief period in early 2012 you could actually stumble on wave 2 for a couple of weeks.   Since all new figures are one per case (and basically have been since late 2010) this may not mean much, as one collector can swoop in and buy any and all new figures at a store without breaking a sweat.   Thankfully the eBay prices are low, usually $10 or less before shipping.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,921: October 24, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,920: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER Series 2
Clone Wars Cartoon Network / Tartakovsky Animated Series Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 85003 No. 85218
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rifle, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Late 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars 2003 series

Bio: Through the creative vision of Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Cartoon Network, the Clone Wars are brought to life in an exciting new series of short animated chapters. A unique animation style captures the drama of this epic period in galactic history along with its outstanding heroes and adversaries. Noble Jedi warriors lead Clone Troopers into battle against the evil Separatist forces and their droid armies. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda and their comrades struggle against the rising power of the dark side and confront personal challenges against a backdrop of war-torn planets.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: You might be under the impression that there are too many Clone Trooper figures, and you'd be right.  This mold alone-- being an obscure one-- has three repaints plus two remolds for a grand total of 6 figures with this basic body template.  The funny thing, I could stand to buy more if the existed.  The plain white Clone debuted as a Target exclusive in late 2004 before rolling out to other stores later.  He is limited in articulation, with a mere 3 joints. The shoulders and neck move, and that's it.  With his bent arm and pointed figure, you can still squeeze some cool poses out of the simple, if elegant, design.  It's super-white and the deco is great-- there's room for improvement, as more panel lines could have really brought out even more detail.  The belt is a little darker than the character art model, but hey-- it's still cool.  The price is right, and for those of you seeking subcategories to collect in their entirety, the 2004-ish animated figures may be the perfect place to go.  I mean, they even filled in lines on their boots!  That's nothing to sneeze at.

Collector's Notes:  It's cheap on eBay.  The recolors in red, yellow, and blue are much tougher to find and received wonky distribution compared to the other figures in this line... I have yet to open mine, as I got them  before a move, and they're in a box somewhere.  Hopefully I'll find them soon!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,920: October 23, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,919: Clone Commander Wolffe

CLONE COMMANDER WOLFFE Phase II Gear
The Clone Wars Basic Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37290 No. 37741
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: CW17
Includes: 2 blasters, display stand, rocket launcher, projectile
Action Feature: Launching lightsaber disc
Retail: $8.99
Availability: April 2012
Appearances: Clone Wars TV series

Bio: This warrior CLONE COMMANDER WOLFFE figure is rendered in careful detail to look just like the character in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film! Arm him with his blasters for all the Star Wars adventures you can come up with, but he's an even greater threat to his battle droid opponents (other figures sold separately) with his firing rocket launcher! Reenact your favorite Star Wars battles or create brand new ones with this cool CLONE COMMANDER WOLFFE figure!   (Taken from the figure's Hasbro.com page.  From the film?  Really?)

Image: Adam's photo hole.


Commentary: It's Clone Commander Wolffe, take 2!  This version has his newer armor, and reduced articulation.  He's built off the buck for the 2012 Captain Rex figure, which features ball-jointed shoulders and elbows, the ball-jointed neck, and swivel joints at the hips and waist.  So we're getting 8 points of articulation, which is a bit of a reduction, but it comes with enhanced deco and a thinner, more cartoon-accurate sculpt.   The removable helmet is sadly gone, but it's still a decent-looking figure and to be honest with you, I can do without the removable helmets.  I'm over that.

Wolffe's antenna differentiates him from Rex, as does his extensive deco.  Now much dirtier in appearance, the figure has Wolf Pack markings and all sorts of nifty grey details.   While Rex and Cody's colorful get-up expresses a little more hope and ties to the past, Wolffe's grim outlook to the future (and loss of his eye) almost foreshadow the nastiness of the Empire which is just around the corner.  He has no problems sitting or standing, and that sculpted helmet looks fantastic.  The helmet may have some visor slop, so be sure to examine the paint job carefully if you have the option to do so.   His twin pistols fit in his holsters, and overall this is a great-looking figure which falls short of his cheaper, more tricked-out ancestor.   Of course, if you want this particular outfit look, you'll probably want to get this one anyway.  I did, and I don't regret it in the slightest.

Collector's Notes: While tougher to find, the figure's higher price keeps the price... low?  eBay samples don't go for much more than retail, so the $9 figure might sell for $12.  I won't promise you'll get your money's worth on this one, but it is a distinctive figure and that helmet has yet to be used with any other Clone character.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,919: October 22, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,918: Eeth Koth

EETH KOTH Jedi High Council
Original Trilogy Collection Screen Scenes
Item No.: No. 32154
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: Scene 2
Includes: Base, extra base, 2 chairs, Stass Allie, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: 2004
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The Jedi High Council is the main interface between the Jedi and the government of the Republic. The twelve High Council members are chosen from the ranks of the Jedi Masters and represent a gathering of great minds who have proven themselves and their abilities in the service of peace and justice.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: There are few figures in this line that I felt were half-assed, and the Jedi High Council tops the list.   Hasbro has amazing sculptors and incredible engineers, all of whom I assume were busy when it got to be time to make Eeth Koth and the other figures in these sets.  The 2004 collection of Screen Scenes for Toys R Us are populated by barely-redecorated, accessory-free figures at higher-than-normal for the time prices.   Eeth Koth and Agen Kolar are in the sets, and it gets confusing.  Try and follow me here.  In 2001, Hasbro made a Power of the Jedi Eeth Koth figure.  It's not bad.  That entire figure was repackaged in this collection as Agen Kolar, but lacked the lightsaber.  That mold was retooled to make this figure, Eeth Koth, which has new arms and new legs.   In many respects, this figure has more going for it because the cloth skirt covers the awkwardly-posed legs, and the new arms drastically alter the original figure's personality.  I intended to dump on this figure, but in terms of sheer laziness, this figure is probably the least lazy in the entire collection.   That isn't high praise, but it's not like this is a subset worth of much adulation.

This figure's sole benefit to you as a collector is to sit in a chair.  The set includes said chair.  If you want an Eeth Koth with a chair, this is the figure to get-- otherwise the aforementioned Power of the Jedi release looks cooler and has a lightsaber.

Collector's Notes: When I got these sets, $19.99 seemed high given most single figures were $4.99 in those days.  Samples on eBay usually sell for about $30 boxed, and as a display piece which you buy, look at, and never touch, it's probably worth it.  But that's boring.  I realize I may be the only 30something collector going on about how so many of these action figures are so not fun, but geez, these things are kid's toys.  A lightsaber or something goes a long way.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,918: October 19, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,917: Count Dooku

COUNT DOOKU Series 2
Clone Wars Cartoon Network / Tartakovsky Animated Series Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 85003 No.     85220
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Late 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars 2003 series

Bio: Through the creative vision of Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Cartoon Network, the Clone Wars are brought to life in an exciting new series of short animated chapters. A unique animation style captures the drama of this epic period in galactic history along with its outstanding heroes and adversaries. Noble Jedi warriors lead Clone Troopers into battle against the evil Separatist forces and their droid armies. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda and their comrades struggle against the rising power of the dark side and confront personal challenges against a backdrop of war-torn planets.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: There's something delightful about Count Dooku, beyond the fact that "dropping a Count Dooku" was synonymous with taking a dump on one of my favorite TV shows, Venture Bros.   This figure is based on the early cartoons and makes a decent display piece-- like his siblings, it's basically a nicely-painted, semi-articulated statue.  On many levels, I think this direction would be a good way to go for this and other collector-driven lines as it emphasizes pose and sculpt over broken promises of playability.  (16 points of articulation doesn't guarantee he can still stand or hold his gun!)  This figure can swing is lightsaber, twist his neck and waist... and not much else.   Given the cheaper figures of his day, the slightly higher price point was tough to swallow at first but if there's one thing I've learned, time is good at correcting the "value" of things.   Despite the high-quality of this figure, made of stiff plastic with a great display stand, it's really cheap on eBay.  Never mind the fact he stands well, or looks good, or is part of a really excellent but small sub-line.  Ah well!  If you've got the scratch, this is worth getting.

Collector's Notes:  Samples on eBay-- loose or carded-- go for as little as $1-$2.  Lots of this line are priced similarly.  Unless you're a cheapskate or a terrible online toy shopper, you can afford this one and probably the entire line for a fraction of what it will cost you to buy a typical Vintage wave these days.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,917: October 18, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,916: Sandtrooper

SANDTROOPER  The One With The Gun
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  39652  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC112
Includes: Blaster pistol, blaster rifle, droid, backpack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: July 2012
Appearances: Star Wars

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.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.


Commentary: This Sandtrooper is one of few figures to get two good takes during the 2010-2012 Vintage line, and is easily the better of the two.  The sad thing about this is that this orange-pauldroned release is going to be much, much harder to get.   Based on the 2010 Sandtrooper, which itself was based on the Walmart-exclusive Dewback pack-in Sandtrooper, this is a pretty solid figure.  The helmet seems sharper this time around, but the 14 points of articulation including ball-jointed hips are about the same.  The most fascinating thing about the figure is its accessories, specifically the little sidekick droid from the Special Edition which may be plugged on his backpack, plus the new smaller blaster.  This time around, the stalk is actually articulated and is made of three moving pieces.  It's sort of like the original Kenner Three-Position Laser Rifle, a quasi-legendary vintage-era roleplay toy.   Seeing the basic form scaled down to 3 3/4-inch action figure size is pretty exciting, and along with the grenade launcher rifle, adds a lot of value to this otherwise similar figure.  Oh, and the dirt is important.  A little schmutz goes a long way, and the bleached-white armor can't hold a candle to the brown, muddy, and frankly sort of gross dusty redeco you see here.

The only place where one could argue this figure falls short, at least within reason, is possibly the lenses.  Prop replica makers are now saying the lenses should be green, which is counter to how I've always pictured the characters.   It's one of those strange details that it seems in the movies, comic art, paintings, and even 501st Legion costumes are left black.  I mean, black makes sense to me, so I would say  Hasbro's interpretation is more or less what I imagine with the armor.  It's one of those weird "Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?" details like Han's blue jacket on Hoth.   Were I designing the figure, I'd have done what Hasbro did here.  It's a nice figure and until we start seeing ball-jointed/bend-and-swivel wrists on Stormtroopers, I assume there will be little to no room to improve on this impressive (and hopefully re-releaseable) design.

Collector's Notes:  How many Sandtroopers is this noww?  We've gotta be scraping 15 or more.  This one, at press time, I haven't seen in stores but I have heard reports of this wave at a few big box stores.  Of course, you can order it online.  (I work for an online toy store.  When you say it doesn't count if it doesn't hit a store in your neighborhood?  That stings a little.)   This figure was available in three different configurations: on a "vintage" Star Wars 1978-style cardback, on a "vintage" "lost line" blue and black cardback, and also in a Comic-Con exclusive Carbonite Chamber box in the "lost line" packaging.  In short, the "lost line" one is unquestionably the most common unless this figure gets repackaged in a special remix wave, which at press time does not look likely.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,916: October 17, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,915: Scout Trooper

SCOUT TROOPER with Speeder Bike
Discover the Force/Darth Maul Line Look Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. A0023
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 Biker Scout pistols, Speeder Bike, 2-piece clear display stand, kickstand, mini tri-pod laser cannon
Action Feature: Sorta floats
Retail: $22.99
Availability: September 2012
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Biker scouts patrol Endor on speeder bikes.  The scouts look for Rebel incursions as they navigate swiftly through the dense forests.  To provide the scouts with heavy-duty firepower, some bikes have blaster cannons that can be removed to create free-standing weapon emplacements.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: The Scout Trooper in this set is, without question, the best-ever Biker Scout to ever sit on a Speeder Bike.  It's essentially a 2006 Vintage Collection release, given some new deco and tooling.  The head, neck, torso, and upper-legs are clearly new tooling, and the deco is pretty different from previous releases.  I daresay the deco is a step down while the sculpting is a step up, so we are at a point where there's no true definitive best Scout Trooper, but as long-term readers have no doubt surmised, I find the entire notion of an "ultimate figure" to be destructive as there will always be room for improvement and new techniques to eventually render that awesome figure you just overpaid for as a junk drawer refugee.  The figure itself has excellent articulation with ball-jointed hips which rotate just right to allow the figure to stand with only a hint of bow-leggedness, and he has no problems whatsoever when it comes to sitting.   He leans forward just right, his knees band just perfectly, and his head has this nifty construction with a peg between the head and the torso which gives the figure a greater range of movement just perfect for biking.  The arms are pretty much the same, minus the fact the deco has taken a step down.  The articulation rings in the shoulders and ankles are now black, rather than white, so they don't blend in very well at all.

Another point where the deco is different is the helmet.  Before, the "mouth" was grey with a black border.  Now it's black, no border.  The straps round the waist were small and grey, now they're larger and black.   There are other minor details which you won't notice unless you put them side by side, but I will say the helmet deco is pretty different immediately.  Given the figure's main purpose is to ride a bike, this is not a huge loss but for $22, I'd love to see it perfect.  Of course, high expectations lead to disappointment.

The bike itself is quite good, with lots of optional parts like a kickstand, a tri-pod cannon which provides extra firepower (I love seeing this on vehicles), plus a two-part clear stand.  I appreciate finally seeing a vehicle stand, and correct me if I'm wrong but this may be the first 3 3/4-inch vehicle stand out of Hasbro.  It's a base and an arm, but the arm is a plus shape which fits in the back... just a little awkwardly.  The stand also raises the vehicle off the ground quite high, which is awesome for displays but awful for dioramas.  The bikes were never 6 feet off the ground, I don't think.   So in short, the figure's good and looks pretty good, but don't throw out your existing Scout Troopers just yet.  The bike is a huge improvement and the snap-on cannon is tons of bonus fun.  Hasbro made sure to put in everything you could possibly want short of a storage compartment for the bonus second blaster, so while it may not be immediately obvious you do get a good bang for your buck here.

Collector's Notes:  This item hit in September and the first shipment sold quickly, because it didn't suck and coordinated nicely with a BOGO 75% off sale.   More should be en route and I have no doubt Hasbro will rerelease this mold in new packaging one or more times between now and when the line becomes unprofitable.  I saw a bunch of it at lunch today, so odds are you can find it if you make a couple of stops.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,915: October 16, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,914: Black R5 Series Astromech Droid

R5-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID Black Dome with Orange Panels and Silver Eyes
Star Tours Droid Factory Customizable Figure
Item No.: No. ???
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Head, 2 legs, torso, central third leg, optional hat
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $10-$12
Availability: 2012
Appearances: n/a

Bio: These figures do not have specific packaging or configurations.  As such, we will be treating each dome as a unique "figure" as that part is the most plentiful.   At this time there are 25 domes and while Hasbro sometimes seems to indicate they are not Hasbro product, they do have Hasbro copyright markings and as such we are classifying them under the Hasbro banner.

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: The Black R5-Series Astromech Droid is an odd duck because it is, on some levels, non-essential.  The two builds here make the most sense with the bodies available, but they vaguely resemble R5-J2 and R5-M2.  Much like the Red R5, the Black R5 is different enough from those two figures where completists will have a good reason to build one (or both) while others probably threw up their arms in nerd rage long ago.  The other droids are more striking, but you're going to need more droids.  You just are.  Admit it, you also have a problem just like I do.

The dome itself is very similar to R5-J2's, minus the bad motivator and removable antenna.  It's black, it has a silver stripe, and it has silver markings on the dome.   It also has orange slices on the top of the dome.   I don't know why they didn't just go with silver, to keep it consistent, but it still looks pretty good on either the black-and-silver or the white-and-black bodies. The body in the foreground of this image is very similar to R4-I9, making the builds at the Droid Factory a decent mishmash of parts we've seen before.   I don't particularly find this dome exciting as we've got figures very much like it, but I'll never turn down a customizable figure kit thing.  Well, rarely.  I've got a closet packed with Xevoz and Glyos and Outer Space Men I can't stop futzing around with, so seeing this sort of thing in Star Wars remains fun... but I wish it were wackier colors.  Let's get some neon yellow up in here.

Collector's Notes:  This item was a customizable release at Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando, and you can configure them any way you wish. Depending on your build preferences, this might be one you can skip if you're on a budget.  (Go for the R6 first!)


--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,914: October 15, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,913: Darth Malgus

DARTH MALGUS  Expanded Universe
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  37513  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC96
Includes: Lightsaber, hilt, removable cape with wire
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: April 2012
Appearances: The Old Republic

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.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: With few A-grade movie characters left-- OK, technically none-- it's a good thing Hasbro is moving on to the video games.  While I haven't played The Old Republic, nor will I, I have to say that Darth Malgus is one fine looking action figure.  Big and imposing, the game's developers came up with a design that looks like an incomplete, but beefy, Darth Vader.  The articulation is pretty much normal with 14 joints, but check out the sculpt and deco. There's a lot of glossy elements, and some simulated "damage" on the shoulders.  OK, the damage looks crappy, but let's get by that and look at the gauntlets.  Each one has several individually-painted lights and switches, bringing his armor to life while his chest remains relatively simple.  The figure's bald, damaged head recalls Anakin Skywalker, while his breathing apparatus seems similar to Darth Vader.  Heck, even his black armor resembles Vader, and the double cape is a nice touch too.  By default, he has a cloth cape hanging off his back, but he has a hooded robe with some wire in it which you can pose for added Sith menace.

It's a neat and fairly well-executed figure, but difficult to find as is the case with most figures this year.  For $10-$20 it's a nice figure, but not really for $50.

Collector's Notes: While these figures did ship to stores, they sold through very quickly and retailers didn't get all that many.  They're de facto online exclusives for the time being, so if you want one you may be best off buying a case or splitting a case with a buddy, as individual figures have reportedly sold for north of $50 over the summer.  eBay usually has it at $20-$30, which is still obscene but it's not as bad as the reported prices at Celebration VI in Orlando.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,913: October 12, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,912: Omega Squad Demolitions Republic Commando

OMEGA SQUAD DEMOLITIONS Elite Forces of the Republic
30th Anniversary Collection Entertainment Earth Exclusive Mandalorians & Omega Squad Set
Item No.: Asst. 87467 No. 87455
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Backpack, rifle, 6 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: Republic Commando novels

Bio:   This elite clone commando squad wears black armor, unlike most other commando squads. They are originally from different squads whose ranks were ravaged during the Battle of Geonosis. Those who survived were combined to form the Omega Squad.  (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's former apartment's lawn.

Commentary: The black repaint used to be cool.  Heck, it's still cool too, but now it's more of a given that you're going to see them.  The Omega Squad member pictured here is basically the 2006 Scorch mold with less color and way, way more black.   Each of the Republic Commando figures from the Elite Forces of the Republic set is a little bit different, but they're all recolors of the existing Commando tools.  The color selection really works, with a black armor being broken up by a grey body glove and some metallic paint on the helmet and blaster to mix things up.  He has 10 points of articulation and does not meet the "super articulated or it doesn't count" mandate of your average fan on a message board.  In and of itself, it's a really neat-looking group of figures, and proved popular enough that I don't recall many (or any) complaints about their right to exist, as with so many other clones or repaints out there.  People love Commando figures, people love black repaints, and together, you get Voltron.

Collector's Notes: These Entertainment Earth exclusives are climbing in price, with single figures commanding $10-$20.  I don't know if I would say this one figure is worth $20, but it shows just how far pricing has come over a few years-- the boxed set started life at $40 for 7 figures, now individually it's going to go for as much as triple that.  People love black repaints!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,912: October 11, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,911: Colonel Cracken

COLONEL CRACKEN  Millennium Falcon Crew
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  49690  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC90
Includes: Big gun, small blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: Return of the Jedi (deleted scene)

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.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: While this is the first figure named Colonel Cracken, a nameless Rebel Trooper from 2006 was modeled on the same basic character.  I really don't get why Hasbro saw it necessary to do a new version of the character, but I won't deny it's a nice figure.  The vest is now sculpted as part of the torso, which eliminates bulk and improves articulation.  The head sculpt is better, but it lacks the communications equipment which made the 2006 version so distinctive.  Both have pretty much the same legs.   Just one look at the new Cracken lets you know it's an improved release, but it does lack the charm, and helmet, of the original.

With a good sculpt and improved deco, his 14 points of articulation make him a good member of the Millennium Falcon's crew.  He includes a more-or-less standard laser pistol, plus a giant gun for reasons not totally known just yet.  It looks like it should be designed to plug in to the big 2008 Millennium Falcon, but as far as I know nobody has actually discovered why this giant gun has a huge peg on it.   It's a decent accessory, but its presence over, say, an alternate head with a headset is unknown.  If you're looking for the best Cracken money can buy, I'd say it's a toss-up.   Be sure to look at both versions because while this one has the best-overall sculpt, the original has a little more personality and more entertaining accessories.

Collector's Notes: This wave made the rounds in February and March, selling through quickly, and for many fans was the last time they saw new Vintage figures on the pegs.  You may still be able to find one online or at your local comic book shop, but for the time being it does not look like it will get improved distribution at big box stores.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,911: October 10, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,910: Mawhonic

MAWHONIC Bounty Hunter
Discover the Force Walmart Exclusive Wave, Vintage to follow
Item No.: Asst. 38601 No. 38605
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #6 of 12
Includes: Rifle, flag, display stand, card, die
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $8.96
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio:   Mawhonic is a Podracer in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace.  He arrives on Tatooine with dreams of glory, but loses control of his Podracer and crashes in the Mushroom Mesa stretch after fellow Podracer Sebulba deliberately rams into him.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: Hasbro announced Mawhonic would be coming on a vintage package way back in 2011, and it's still on the way!  Here's the surprise: the vintage version will lack the flag that came with the Walmart Exclusive version, so loose figure collectors will probably want to chase down the first release to get that accessory.  And packaged collectors, well, we know where your bread is buttered.

As Mawhonic was never seen next to a full-size character, most fans didn't realize he was roughly the same size as little Anakin and Sebulba before his figure made the rounds at retail.  Being a practical effect in the movie, Mawhonic had the advantage of being completed unlike many of his other Podrace cohorts, many of whom exist as a naked maquette.   The tiny figure replicates his movie look quite nicely, sporting 14 points of articulation and some pretty amazing deco.  While his torso doesn't have a lot going on, Hasbro gave him little spots visible on the back of his feet as well as a head covered in veins and spots only visible from the sides or the back.   Most figures look best from the front, but you can really see where the development dollars in Mawhonic went once you pick him up.

While the figure's articulation is smooth, his sculpt is exceptional, and his deco is stupendous, I didn't spend a lot of time with this figure.  He got opened, photographed, and shelved.  It's not a bad action figure, but Podracers are hard to find homes for as their vehicles will likely never see production.  Fans who love all things Gran or anyone looking for a short Ree-Yees substitute will find lots to like in this little guy.  It's rare that Hasbro can make a short figure cost $9 and make it seem worth it, but the amount of effort on this one is pretty apparent once you see him in person.  Get one if you can, unless you're looking to cut costs, in which case wait for the inevitable (I hope) Ree-Yees resculpt around 2016.  I'm guessing.  Who knows?

Collector's Notes: While Phantom Meance-themed anything isn't high on most fan wish lists, this is actually a really excellent figure and it's sort of good to see Hasbro trying to reissue it.  He's in the final (for now) online exclusive vintage assortment and if you're really lucky, a Walmart near you might have him in his 3D glasses-bedecked packaging still. Remember, the Vintage one won't have the flag.  Have you ever been sorry you bought an alien figure you didn't already own?  Probably not.  So go get this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,910: October 9, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,909: Widdle Warrick

WIDDLE Ewok Scouts
The Vintage Collection Kmart Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. A1116 No. A1117
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Hood, spear, knife, Wunka
Action Feature: Removable hood
Retail: $14.99
Availability: October 2012
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: These two Ewoks take over an AT-ST walker during the Battle of Endor helping the Rebels in their fight to seize an Imperial bunker.  With their new friend Chewbacca, the Ewoks hijack the Imperial walker and toss one of the troopers out of the AT-ST while knocking the other trooper unconscious.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: As much as Lucasfilm enjoys trying to gloss over continuity issues, the AT-ST hijackers in the movie and the action figure line have issues.  Widdle Warrick has never been made as an action figure in name before, but a Target-exclusive Wicket from 2007 is clearly meant to represent the character, as his companion Oochee is meant to look like Wunka.  Confused yet?  Basically what you need to know is that this is a "new enough" Ewok and the first-ever new mold Willy/Widdle with a new weapon and unique deco.  The same head was used for Flitchee this year, as well as the body on several other Ewoks.  It's the same 2007 body with 10 points of articulation, which looks great and is an ideal basis for building, well, every last Ewok which qualifies as an adult, really.

Deco is good and clean, with white fluffy cheeks and fur on his upper lip which, when decorated like this, doesn't look much like a moustache.  The figure's teeth and eyes don't look anywhere near as cute and cuddly as the Ewok from Return of the Jedi, but the coloring is on the mark and the hood may be slightly more to the tune of how it looked in the TV movies.  While unquestionably a better figure than the aforementioned Wicket in almost all regards, it could still use some improvements to make it more like either specific Widdle, although this is unlikely to happen.  I'd still say get it anwyay.  His staff/wand/whatever is new and unique to this set, which, with the uniquely colored (and hooded) figure makes for a worthwhile purchase.

Collector's Notes: DON'T PANIC!  Kmart exclusives are generally quite common and wind up on clearance, but are slow to roll out.  Also, Kmart's web site is notorious for filling orders with the wrong products.  I suggest being patient and/or networking here, as the numbers tell us Hasbro made a good number of these and they should be plentiful in the next few months.  I only just found these at retail yesterday and saw at least a full case's worth.   Don't overpay for these on eBay until the future!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,909: October 8, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,908: Black and White R8-Series Astromech Droid

R8-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID White Dome with Black Panels
Star Tours Droid Factory Customizable Figure
Item No.: No. ???
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Head, 2 legs, torso, central third leg, optional hat
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $10-$12
Availability: 2012
Appearances: n/a

Bio: These figures do not have specific packaging or configurations.  As such, we will be treating each dome as a unique "figure" as that part is the most plentiful.   At this time there are 25 domes and while Hasbro sometimes seems to indicate they are not Hasbro product, they do have Hasbro copyright markings and as such we are classifying them under the Hasbro banner.

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: If the R6 dome is the most adorable, then the R8-Series Astromech Droid is the oddest.  This version is cast in white plastic with black markings, and is said to come from the post-Return of the Jedi era of fiction, "seen" in books like Vision of the Future. Based on an illustration which I believe came from Star Wars Adventure Journal, this particular build uses a special repainted R7 body, black-marked white legs,  and of course the dome.  The dome is a bizarre creation in that it's meant to be an evolution of the Astromech design, but the lack of a central eye makes it seem more like a prototype.  If there wasn't already an R1 unit, I would assume this was the R1 unit as the panels and deco looks very 1970s It wouldn't stun me at all to see it in a junkheap somewhere in a Jawa's sandcrawler.

The dome's most notable feature is a sort of a dish on the top of his head, which could just as easily be a place for chips and dip.  There's also a tiny satellite dish off to the left-hand side of his head, which is how I assume it gets most of its visual information.  I would also like you to take note of a black box under the head, right at the top of the body.  In the original R8 illustrations, this is textured to look like a speaker.   This is, no doubt, a reference to some in-universe thing which makes Industrial Automaton droids sound like Apple products, in that Basic speech was listed as a "rumored feature" for these droids on an in-universe Wookieepedia entry.

To call this particular droid distinctive is something of an understatement.  It feels more like a throwback than an evolution forward, of course when you really drill down into droid naming it all starts to fall apart at The Clone Wars and the prequels.  Thanks for nothing, canon fiction!  I really dig this figure and the coloring is perfect, easily the best for this mold.  Be sure you get one.

Collector's Notes:  This item was a customizable release at Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando, and you can configure them any way you wish.  I would consider the picture to  be the best possible build using the parts available today, but obviously you can do whatever you want.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,908: October 5, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,907: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER ARMY Green, Kneeling
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84987
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, 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. Although clone troopers share the same modified genetic code, their genetic structure has been altered to make them less independent than their genetic host, and their growth has been accelerated to twice the normal rate of a human. Grown and trained specifically for military combat, the Clone Army was mysteriously commissioned ten years earlier.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Clone Trooper sergeant was a huge pain in the neck to find.  Because Hasbro is a cruel mistress, they released a deluxe 3-pack of posed soldier style Clone Troopers with limited decoration... and five variations sharing a single SKU.  Even if you ordered cases, and I did, you got pretty random figures which means you had to  be patient and/or resort to eBay.  I waited, never saw the green set, and had to go to eBay and thankfully prices "dropped" to about $10 by then.  Now they're cheaper.  So for all of you whippersnappers who say it's never been impossible to find figures on the pegs and everybody had it so much easier ten years ago, well, screw you.  There were always hard-to-get figures and I guarantee you I can name dozens of figures most fans saw 1 or 2 times tops, if that.   2003 had some real doozies, 2002 had a couple of iffy ones too.   2004-2006 were pretty great, though, I have to admit.

Anyway, this Clone Trooper has limited articulation, which is a diplomatic way of saying "this was an excellent small plastic statue."  I exaggerate, as the gun is molded to his hand and they do have limited arm, neck, and waist movement, but for ann practical purposes the picture is what you get.  These figures are wonderful diorama filler, the kneeling ones stand nicely and are easy to set up.  The standing ones, not so much.  I like putting this sculpt on my gunships, it's nicely designed and the deco is, or rather was, pretty good.  For some reason Gentle Giant decided the "green" was really a brownish color while Hasbro stuck with a bright green, and only now did Hasbro announce a figure with the brownish stripe deco for release in 2013.  Fans were asking for the brownish color-- including me, directly and through intermediaries during certain product developments-- but Hasbro insisted the green was greener on the action figure side.  Wookieepedia has a brown stock image, so I'm guessing that means this figure is technically (due to factual reasons) painted incorrectly.  It's still cool-- I'd buy Clones in this template with other color paint ranks all day long.  Make me an orange one with orange dots, I'll buy it.

I think this is where I give you some sort of shopping advice.  I'd suggest holding off until 2013 and getting the brownish one in The Legacy Collection, as it looks closer to the renders I've seen from the movies.  Of course, if you're like me and love wildly colored figures that may be incorrect, you've got no reason to skip this one-- it has the historical significance of being Hasbro's very first Clone Trooper sergeant action figure.  The next chronological green release, which I nagged a lot of people about during a sort of consulting period in 2004 before I got hired there, would be in the 2005 Entertainment Earth exclusive Clone Packs.   And after that... 2006?  If you like green you'll like this figure.  Great for St. Patty's Day.

Collector's Notes:  There are 5 versions of this set available.  One has 3 white troopers.  Another has 1 green figure.  Another has 1 blue figure.  Another has 1 yellow figure.  And another has 1 red figure.  I never saw yellow or green in the wild, and the yellow and green packs mix up the sculpts by replacing one with a new standing figure with binoculars.   If you're a loose collector, skip the all-white set as those figures repeat in the "color" sets.  Hasbro press photography showed a 3-pack with 3 colored troopers in it, this was never released which is why you won't find one for sale.   I found yellow and green to be the rare ones, but history neutered the secondary market of numerous "rare" Clone Trooper toys.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,907: October 4, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,906: Mace Windu (Prototype, 2003)

MACE WINDU Ultimate Lightsaber Control
Saga Basic Figure Prototype
Item No.: No. n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber blade
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: n/a
Availability: 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: n/a (Taken from the figure's no packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: While going through my boxes to find figures as-of-yet-unreviewed-- which is a trial after the first thousand-- I stumbled on this Mace Windu prototype.  Damaged.  Decaying.  It's not even 10 years old and I never really got to enjoy it-- you might be able to tell, but the arms cracked at the shoulders and a chunk around his wrist is missing, because the arms were made of a very flexible material that, over time, stiffened and crumbled. I got this off eBay from a guy in China a while back because it had one major difference from the retail release-- a plastic, and not cloth, outer robe, which is how it looked in the promotional shots.  The sculpted garment was dumped prior to the 2003 release of the carded figure, but you can see it on the cardback of Mace Windu #0302.

A few test shots got out, some had Hasbro markings or missing parts.  Many had missing lightsaber blades, mine surprisingly included one.  Of course, I'm really depressed because a well taken-care-of figure had, in the span of  few years, started to crumble to pieces.  What was once a treasured collectible is now, basically, garbage in the making.  As of the time I wrote this, I realized I spent about 50% of my life writing about these action figures for you guys on the internet between my various newsletters and the discovery that an item I was excited about is in the process of going to pieces before I could even take the time for a good photo is beyond depressing.  So take care of your toys, kids, enjoy them while you can.

Collector's Notes:  Based on how the materials aged, I suggest you not buy this test shot should one come up for sale.   I have been able to track down my loose sample of the retail release version (with the cloth cloak) and its arms are still flexible and haven't crumbled or cracked yet. I'll be keeping a close eye on it over the next year, of course.  This is also why Hasbro discourages sales of prototypes-- obviously, what I have here isn't something Hasbro wanted to sell, I paid a premium for it off eBay China, and now it's falling apart.  I do not wish for my hobby to remind me of my own mortality.  That's what the mirror is for.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,906: October 3, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,905: Mace Windu

MACE WINDU with Blast-Apart Battle Droid
Saga Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84859 No. 84876
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Battle Droid (red or tan), lightsaber, Force claw/hook, Force blast
Action Feature: Goes to pieces
Retail: $9.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio:   A senior member of the Jedi Council, Mace Windu is a highly revered Jedi Master. He personally leads a battalion of Jedi to the red rock planet of Geonosis in an attempt to rescue Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Padmé.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: I missed this one too?  In 2002 we went from having 2 pretty good figures of Samuel L. Jackson to having numerous Mace Windu toys, each of which tended to have an amusing head sculpt or nifty action feature.  This one packed in a bonus "victim" figure, which was a nice touch.  In 2002 Hasbro (and other companies) were tooting their horns about using real digital scanning as a tool in improving their toy sculpts, and with the 2002 line we did see a pretty good jump in sculpt quality.  Deco, though, lagged behind and things like plastic color or paint could suck the life right out of a face.   Thankfully, this one had an expressive face with good paint, and the fact that he's bald makes sure there's no wonky hair.  (We got a lot of wonky hair in 2002.)  His skin is a little light, but the plastic is just barely translucent enough in spots where you can shine a light and the ears tend to glow a bit.  It gives it a tiny air of realism that I'm not used to seeing.

The figure has a wonderful sculpt in an action pose with only 7 points of articulation, a necessary concession if you're going to cram in an action feature or two.   His right sleeve has a spring-loaded launcher inside, and you can shoot out force blasts in a yellow energy ball or blue hook form.  Neither appeared in the movie, but Hasbro was crazy for visual manifestations of the Force in 2002 and with energy being a big deal in the figures, it was something fans were getting used to.  Naturally, it pretty much vanished by the end of 2003.  His left hand has a magnet inside, which lets him hold on to his lightsaber in a different, and fun, way.  In many ways this figure, with its flexible skirt for sitting, is one of the best Mace Windu toys Hasbro ever made and has one of the finest sculpts.  He's not loaded with articulation, but asymmetrical sleeves and a great pose make this figure far more interesting to look at and play with than his descendants.

Collector's Notes:  This figure started with a tan Battle Droid partner, but later his package (and the figure itself) would be changed to a more movie-accurate red color.   In my hunts, the tan one was far more common and I had to track the red one down on eBay several years later.  Red ones were a bit of a pain to track down, but I got it cheap.  The tan bonus droid version is only worth about a buck, and like the Dagobah Vader I looked at last week it's totally worth snagging for five bucks or less.  Even in 2002, I felt like I got my money's worth at ten bucks.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,905: October 2, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,904: Darth Vader

DARTH VADER  Bespin Battle
Discover the Force Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 37822 No.  37824
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, cape, game stuff, additional figures
Action Feature: Removable cape
Retail: $22.99
Availability: April 2012
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: During his Jedi training, Luke has a vision that his friends are in danger.  He rushes to Bespin to rescue Han and Leia, where he encounters Darth Vader and the bounty hunger Boba Fett.  The Sith Lord's plan has worked: he has lured Skywalker to the planet and intends to deliver him to the Emperor.  While Fett collects his long-sought quarry, Luke battles Vader in a menacing lightsaber duel. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's Bespin playset.

Commentary: I really like this Darth Vader and this entire Battle Pack, available in stores now.  The 2012 line of Battle Packs basically came out stillborn, with wave 1 faceplanting at retail and being purged from Walmart pretty quickly.  This one showed up online in April 2012, but didn't start hitting Target stores until June or July of this year.   The set features brand-new figure sculpts with limited articulation, which seems to make most fans' heads explode.  Which, of course, makes me love them even more.  Spite ist Spiel.

Darth Vader got an all-new sculpt, and that's pretty cool because it has been a while since Hasbro made a 100%-new Darth Vader from Episode V.  The silver armor may not be a perfect fit to the movie, but it looks damned good.  The detailing on the plastic capes-- now something of a novelty-- is fantastic, and the flowing robes look great and fit well.   Their only real flaw is that they get in the way of posing the figure.  He can stand, but he's not going to sit.  As a desk accessory or display piece, this may be my new favorite Darth Vader.  I like it even more than the light-up lightsaber version, or the ball-jointed hip Star Wars Vintage release this year.  It stands well, it doesn't require a lot of fussing, and he holds his lightsaber just fine while extending a menacing hand out at Luke.   A figure posed like this is really interesting to me because the figure itself has some additional personality carved right into the design, rather than relying on the range of movement combined with finding the "sweet spot" that allows a super-articulated figure to stay upright.  It just stands.  It just works.  I love it.

Collector's Notes:  Given his delayed availability and groans at Toy Fair, it's slowly but surely starting to wind up (and hang out at) the big box stores.  I won't say it's an essential purchase, but if you have a soft spot in your heart for old-school, 5-joint figures or just want to see what Hasbro's potentially best Darth Vader sculpt of all time looks like, go ahead and get this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,904: October 1, 2012