Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,941: Princess Leia (Sandstorm)

PRINCESS LEIA  Sandstorm Outfit
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  49688  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC88
Includes: Cloth poncho, plastic wrap, goggles, plastic hood, pike
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 toy shelf.

Commentary: Since Princess Leia in her slave outfit has moved from a boner-inducing fantasy object of a generation to a tired old convention trope, I have to say it's actually refreshing to see Hasbro's latest take on the outfit.  Covering up Slave Leia may well be the only way to make the costume interesting again, as Hasbro pretty much perfected her in 2009.   This release is, for all intents and purposes, the same as the 2009 release without the optional "sitting" legs and neck chain.

This time around, Hasbro gave the figure some rags to act as wrappings, keeping the sandstorm from a deleted scene out of her face and hair.  A cloth poncho covers the figure, and plastic goggles fit snug over her eyes.  Topping it off is a plastic hood, which, honestly, looks way better than a cloth one would have.  It fits well, and her ponytail pokes out the side.   With 12 points of articulation she looks pretty fantastic, even if she's covered up.  But hey, you've got a shelf full of Slave Leia toys, be thankful we got something different.  Her staff looks cool too, being designed in more than one color gives it a little more life on the shelf and, of course, spoils us for future releases.  Two colors of metal on one accessory?  How can anything less compare?

Collector's Notes:  If you were an active toy hunter in February and March of 2012, you saw these figures on the shelves a few times.  The "Blu-Ray Wave" actually got pretty good distribution if you were there on the right day, Target and Walmart were (briefly) lousy with the things.  That didn't last long, by April you were pretty much out of luck if you wanted to find these at a big box store.  Today you should shop online to find this Leia, or you can try your chances at banging your head into a wall and seeing if that does you any good. 

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,941: November 21, 2012