Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,927: General Grievous

GENERAL GRIEVOUS Commemorative DVD Collection
Clone Wars Cartoon Network / Tartakovsky Animated Series Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 34542 No.     34577
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 lightsabers, display stand, Commander Cody, Obi-Wan Kenobi figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: Spring 2005
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.   (Yes, this press release was taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: While a smidgen awkward, General Grievous looks really cool as an animated figure.  Due to his evolving style, this version - the later, 3-pack release - looks more like the movie with its red-lined cape and warmer colors. The single-carded release looks cold, while this one looks like a cartooned-up version of the movie character.  I like this one a little more, even if the other one is arguably more interesting due to its overall weirdness.

The figure is a textbook definition of "action pose."  With his giant feet and complete lack of articulation below the waist, the photo is pretty much how he's going to look.  You can get a fair amount of motion out of his swivel waist, swivel shoulders, and ball-jointed neck, but it's still basically going to look pretty close.  The lines are simple and clean, with few extraneous details.  There are lightsabers on his belt, yellow eyes with a red organic lining, and a whole mess of armor under a cloth cape.  It's not easy to see in the picture but the action-packed cyborg is posed hunched over severely, giving him a lot of extra character that is pretty lacking in... well, frankly every other Grievous figure Hasbro has made.   While essentially a statue, it's neat.  I've got a shelf full of these animated guys and I love 'em, and if you're a Grievous fan (or know one) keep in mind that...

Collector's Notes: ...this figure, in all his styles, is close to worthless.  The 3-packs are worth significantly less than issue price and look pretty fantastic.  I get endless emails from fans going on how much they love that 2003-2005 animated Clone Wars cartoon, yet few bought the figures.  They're great.  Let's be honest, most of you aren't playing with these anyway, and they look fantastic.  You've got a desk at work, right?  Get some of these.  You won't be sorry, especially since they're significantly cheaper than the higher-end maquettes Gentle Giant put out.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,927: November 1, 2012