Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,012: Green R2-Series Astromech Droid

R2-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID Silver Dome with Green Markings
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: Effectively the same basic design as R2-A6 or R2-N3, Disney's Green R2-Series Astromech Droid may be paired with a green plastic body (pictured) or a white body with green markings.  Anything else is an abomination.

The dome is the best build-a-droid dome of this style, as the Royal Starship Droids set's R2-N3 lacks the big red dot under the eye.  (The red dot? Very important to me.)  It adds a lot of character to the robot's face, which has a wonderful big black glossy eye surrounded by a nice rich green.  As such, it isn't identical to your other green R2 units, particularly if you use this unique body with silver markings.  It's wonderful.  The silver is clean, plus a couple of panels on this dome's right-hand side are painted green while R2-A6's were left silver.   Were it not for the option of the green plastic body I would still be delighted by the design, but the choice of a different canister makes it far more interesting.

What's more, he has a hat!  You can pick any hat you would like, but this awful green Yoda cap is one of the most delightful things I've ever seen.  It's based on a real hat sold in the 1980s to fans looking to advertise their chastity to the world around them.  Droids, being chaste, simply look adorable wearing such a thing.  The paint is clean, the logo is perfect, and remember: droids building droids is just perverse.  You need unpaid non-human alien labor to do those kinds of jobs.

Collector's Notes: Arguably not essential, it is a nifty build form the hugely frustrating Disney Hollywood Studios-exclusive Droid Factory line.  I adore the idea.  I abhor the execution.  Extra special thanks to Mike, Shannon, and what I assumed were a few terrified Disney Cast Members in helping me to assemble my set of the first 25.  More are supposedly en route for 2013.  I sincerely hope they either a) get cancelled or b) are bought by some generous soul out there who I can pay back in full (and a little something for their trouble) because it's expensive to go to Orlando when you live in not Orlando.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,012: February 28, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,011: Shock Trooper

Shock Trooper  Movie Heroes
Discover the Force Movie Heroes Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 36563 No. 37284
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH01
Includes: Stand, card, die, rifle, pistol, removable shoulder piece
Action Feature: Squeeze leg for quick-draw attack
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Shock troopers are members of the Coruscant Guard. They keep order on Coruscant, patrolling public places, government buildings and landing platforms on the planet. Coruscant is the political center of the galaxy, where business of every kind is always being conducted, requiring the shock troopers to be constantly vigilant and swiftly reestablish order whenever peace and stability is threatened.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Shock Trooper is, more or less, a rerelease of a 2005 figure with improved deco.  It's a little brighter, a little sharper, and lacking literally one accessory from the original release.  The original 2005 figure had two different shoulder symbols which could be exchanged/lost, one was solid red plastic and the other had an Empire symbol on it.  (The card has a Republic symbol.)  The blank one was left out.

The figure is basically the same mold, with a nifty quick-draw figure.  If you squeeze his legs, his right arm pops up to draw his gun, adding some action to this figure.  An "action figure," if you will.   The figure has 13 joints, lacking a waist joint due to the action mechanism.  It stands well, sits well, and is quite poseable.   The red markings are a smidgen different from the previous release, but not significantly so.  I'd say any version is OK if you're after a Quick-Draw Shock Trooper, as this one keeps the brown "wood" element on the longer rifle.  We've had more articulated Shock Troopers in 2012 in our beloved Vintage Collection, but this one is still pretty nice.  The helmet is good, the proportions are decent (if the shoulders are spread out a bit), and it's quite clean.  Oh, and they painted the bottom of the boots.  That's a plus.   I like this figure, but I wouldn't necessarily suggest it's a required purchase unless you missed previous versions of this clone mold.

Collector's Notes: None of the Movie Heroes from the first wave were particularly rare.  You can probably score this one easily, and I would wager you'll get a crack at it very cheap at some point in the coming year.  It's nice.  I liked it better at $5.24 in 2005, today it's kind of pricey for what it is given how many cracks we had at it.  A nearly identical figure was sold in 2005 on Revenge of the Sith packaging, in 2006's Episode III Greatest Battles subset of The Saga Collection, and I'm no doubt forgetting one somewhere.  Other Shock Troopers were made using other Clone Trooper molds as a base.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,011: February 27, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,010: Clone Trooper Sinker

CLONE TROOPER SINKER 104th Battalion "Wolf Pack" Clone Troopers
Clone Wars Shared Online Exclusive Ultimate Gift Set
Item No.: No. A0793
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster rifle, pistol, rocket, rocket pack, display stand, card, plus Plo Koon, Boost, and Commander Wolffe figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: Fall 2012
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: The famed 104th "Wolf Pack" Battalion serves under Jedi General Plo Koon and is led by Commander Wolffe.  At the Battle of Abregado, the entire battalion was decimated, losing only Wolffe, Sinker, and Boost.  Only luck, ingenuity and the unyielding determination of Plo Koon kept them alive.  The troopers' armor was originally red, but Wolffe, changed it to blue-gray to honor the many comrades who were lost in the battle.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Clone Trooper Sinker is a repaint, one of too few to appear with the animated Phase II armor.  There's Sinker, Boost, a plain white trooper, and... uh... that's it.  Because everybody loves the Wolf Pack, Sinker has the wolf symbol on his helmet, a lot of grey, and a symbol on the shoulder.  It doesn't wrap around the shoulder quite like on the show, but it's pretty close.   The helmet's "nose" visor doesn't seem to quite reach the "mouth," and I'm quite happy to say the figure does not have a removable helmet.  Hey, it's OK if the head IS a helmet.

Articulation is good, 12 points await you with no ankles.  As such, it's about as good as the "Stone" mold which we've been seeing on and off since about 2010.  While clean, the figure does look pretty good as a figure for figures' sake.  It could use a couple extra pennies worth of painted detailing, and the hips aren't really conducive to sitting in vehicles, but since this line seems to be winding down anyway it's hard to get too upset.  Oh, and it's worth noting that the belt is not sculpted the same way as it appears on the trading card.  The episode seems to match the figure, but the trading card matches early animation models.  So I guess it's accurate enough for me.

Collector's Notes: The set came out and the price seesawed for the remainder of 2012, dropping pretty low.  I figure this set will get expensive because of both Sinker and Boost, possibly Wolffe too because hey, who doesn't like Wolffe?  Plo Koon was nothing special.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,010: February 26, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,009: Super Battle Droid

SUPER BATTLE DROID with Yoda's Jedi Attack Fighter
The Yoda Line Class I Vehicles
Item No.: Asst. A0918 No. A0922
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Jedi Attack Fighter, cane, lightsaber, booster seat, Yoda, cloth robes
Action Feature: Removable right arm
Retail: $19.99
Availability: January 2013
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Yoda pilots an attack fighter to blast Super Battle Droids. The fighter is designed for hyperspace capability, which allows the Jedi Master to fly across the galaxy on solo missions. The craft's compact size and two missile launchers make it an ideal attack ship for Yoda to use in battle against the ever-present Battle Droid army. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Super Battle Droid is a redeco with some history.  The mold originally was part of a Deluxe Yoda figure set from 2002, in which this figure had a red blast effect, and a later release had a swappable arm cannon.  This one just has a removable arm and no real accessories to speak of, as the figure serves as a sort of filler.  Hasbro's plan for the 2013 mini-vehicles was to combine the mini-rig vehicle concept with Battle Packs for a $20 price point.  In other words, Hasbro's mad scientists stayed up all night to synthesize the perfect birthday party present... and I think they nailed it.

This particular oddly-posed Super Battle Droid has only 4 joints, plus his right arm is fully removable.  Getting him to stand without assistance is indeed possible, but it is likely that, over time, he'll  need some support.  Several releases of this mold exist, but this is the only one that's grey.  Another was baby blue, and others are basically the metallic blue seen in the movies.   Because it's a different color, and looks good, and is part of a good set, I'd say go ahead and buy it.  The color looks good, and it's different enough to be interesting... albeit tough to troop-build, if you're fond of it.

I love this vehicle to death, as goofy as the idea of Yoda needing an attack fighter may be.   The play concept is solid - you get Yoda, something for Yoda to fly in, and someone for Yoda to shoot all in one gift set.  It's always a little bizarre to view a figure as little more than a victim for another character, but it is what it is.  And it is pretty good.

Collector's Notes: The "Yoda Line" has been scaled way back in the USA, and a few items are appearing to be overseas-exclusives.  (Meaning I'm in trouble.)  Oddly, a  brand-new Super Battle Droid mold (the first since 2008) will be introduced later this year in "Saga Legends," and it should have articulation similar to this release with a far, far less action-oriented pose.   This wave may be one of the last batches of mini-rig-style vehicles you see for a while, unless Hasbro has a surprise in store, so I'd say go out and get one.  Or order online at the Amazon link above or the Entertainment Earth link below. (Heck, after you click it, order anything.  I get a small cut.) Thank you for your support!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,009: February 25, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,008: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID  Geonosis Arena  Battle
Discover the Force/The Clone Wars Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 37822 No. 37826
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, backpack, stand, game cards, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jango Fett
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $22.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio:  The Geonosian arena is rocked by an intense battle. On Geonosis, secret factories are churning out hundreds of battle droids and super battle droids for the growing Separatist movement. Obi-Wan Kenobi fights Geonosian warriors and battle droids that overflow into the arena, as Jango Fett takes on the Jedi and clone troopers. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Battle Droid mold debuted in Target's exclusive Arena packs with giant saucer eyes which were just plain baffling.  The mold, though, was fantastic.  It allowed the figure to be sturdier than usual, it could squeeze down nicely, but there was no getting passed the deco.  The giant eyes were on many of the 2010-2011 rereleases, which had two of this droid (including an officer) on a single Saga Legends package for less than $9.  It was a spectacular deal, as this figure is significantly better than the 2012 carded Battle Droid from Movie Heroes.

With 12-ish points of articulation (as not everyone counts the same way) the figure is excellent.  It's a little chunky, but that's OK - it stands up pretty well and was one of the first times we saw ankles on a droid.  Well, it was when it debuted.  By its re-re-release in 2012 it was pretty normal, and we spoiled fans probably took for granted that the red deco with the correctly-sized eyes was a fairly decent improvement over previous releases.  (The commander antenna was left out.)  He has no problems carrying his blaster and the telescoping neck is a nice touch.  The deco isn't overwhelming, and it looks less anemic than some of the recent tan droids.  I'm still not sure why Hasbro insisted on doing an all-new Vintage  Battle Droid in 2012 when this version was still quite good and, frankly, underserved in the toy market.  I'd have bought this mold in a few more colorways, given the chance.  Ah well.

Collector's Notes: I'd say if the price is right, say $13 or so, this gift set is worth snagging.  It was not particularly popular, as the other figures were not as impressive as the Battle Droid. It's still quite  nice.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,008: February 22, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,007: Republic Trooper

REPUBLIC TROOPER  The Old Republic
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No. 39655
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC113
Includes: Pistol, knife, cannon, helmet, scabbard, pauldron, kama/belt
Action Feature: Holsters for pistol, cannon plus removable helmet
Retail: $9.99
Availability: October 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 hole.

Commentary: As one of precious few figures from The Old Republic so far, the Republic Trooper (much like the Republic Commando figures) looks like a product of its time.  The various angles on the armor, plus the camo and overall chunkiness feels like it came from a post-Master Chief world.   Having not played the game I cannot list off the differences in designs, but as a toy, it's pretty good.  Really good, actually.  With 14 points of articulation, tons of gear, and a good paint job, this is what everybody wants in an action figure.  If a Stormtrooper had this much stuff, or even a Sandtrooper, your mind would be blown and it would cost a heck of a lot more on the secondary market.   His belt and pauldron are removable so you could make a squad look "different," were you so inclined, plus the knife, pistol, and giant cannon could make a squad of the same figure look like an army made of unique individuals.  Well, until you pop off the helmet - underneath is a human head, clone-like in appearance but clearly a different person.  The battle scar and facial hair deco is a nice touch, particularly since most people will display this figure with a helmet on and never see what's inside.

The Trooper's armor is white, clean, and sculpted nicely. His black bodysuit has grooves and subtle detailing, particularly around the belt and the waist.  Heck, even his shoes have more paint than most figures these days.  I have to assume that of the assortment, this figure probably cost the most.  You can see Hasbro put a lot of love and attention here, and held back on making cuts.  You don't need a giant two-handed cannon that's as tall as the figure, but you have one!  How often an you say that?  The helmet fits without being too big, and the head inside looks good without looking like a pea.  There's even an orange buckle around the belt which could've been cut and you'd never notice it.  In terms of execution, this figure was one of 2012's absolutely best releases.  It's a pity it remained exclusive to the Internet... unless Hasbro decides to do another run of them, and I do believe that they should.

Collector's Notes: As the only Republic Trooper you don't need much advice on if you should get it.  Do you want it? OK, get it. There aren't any other versions.   For Star Wars gamers this figure should be considered essential.  For everyone else, if you can ignore it and save a few bucks, I suggest that you do so because money doesn't grow on trees and reissues abound this year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,007: February 21, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,006: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID  The Better One
Discover the Force MTT Vehicle Pack-In
Item No.: No.  37905
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 3 more droids just like it, blasters, Obi-Wan figure with lightsaber, 16 less-articulated droids, MTT vehicle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $129.99
Availability: August 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio:  Battle Droids deploy from massive TRADE FEDERATION MTT vehicle’s motorized troop deployment rack! Includes 20 BATTLE DROID figures: 16 INFANTRY DROID and 4 PILOT DROID figures! 20 blasters! Includes 1 OBI-WAN KENOBI figure with lightsaber. Lights and sounds! Firing missile launchers! Pivoting cannons! Front hatch opens to release troop deployument rack. Side hatch opens to reveal blaster racks. Upper hatch opens to access storage space. Works with Movie Heroes or THE CLONE WARS figures (sold separately).   (Taken from Hasbro.com.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: As Battle Droid figures go, we've had lots of ups and downs with this one being on the happy scale of the lower end.   While some collectors continue to insist a figure must have 14 or more joints to be worthwhile, I beg to differ - sometimes the point of the figure is to be a prop, to fill a seat, or just to be a victim for another figure to destroy.  In the case of this Battle Droid, it was designed as a pilot/gunner for the MTT vehicle so all it needed to do to succeed was sit, hold a gun, or be plugged into a gunner's port.  Armed with a traditional blaster and a backpack, the figure has 5 points of articulation which places it on the lower end of such things.   Still, the sculpt is clean and good, with very thin arms and a slightly wobbly sense of balance.  (Display stands are good if you have them here.)  The level of detail is certainly impressive given the simple nature of the figure, and the eyes are painted well.  Having the figure "clean" and free of damage no doubt brought down the cost, a necessity for a vehicle which includes 21 action figures of varying levels of complexity.

This figure will not impress anyone, but if you're interested in Hasbro's new take on superb sculpts with limited deco and/or articulation, this one fits the bill.  Good, a nice display piece, and honestly if they painted it well I'd hope Hasbro put out a ton of them for $4-$5 each somehow.  (3 for $10?)  Because you need something for your other figures to attack, this is a good figure from a decent vehicles.

Collector's Notes: The figure was redecorated for the MTT Mini-Rig in early 2013, but with  blue pilot deco.   That's worth getting too.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,006: February 20, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,005: Imperial Navy Trooper

IMPERIAL NAVY TROOPER  Star Wars
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No. 37510
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC94
Includes: Blaster, helmet
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: April 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: I've been asked why I review some figures immediately and wait on others, like the Imperial Navy Trooper.   In its case (as of when I write this) I still have some unanswered questions, like why this troop builder was 1 per case in only 1 case so far.   As an update of one of the 12 original figures, I found it surprising that more weren't out there, but its relatively lower secondary market price (compared to other figures with higher runs) may mean Hasbro actually kinda, sorta had the right idea all along.  Or is considering a grey, 1978-style figure.  But I digress.  How's this one?

I had no real problems with the 2007 Death Star Trooper, despite its bulky nature.  It was, to say the least, acceptable.  This one?  Way better.  The thinner sculpt has what feels like more realistic proportions, with a better human face and surprisingly pale hair.  The face has a good amount of personality with glossy boots and gloves over a somewhat unnecessarily shiny outfit.  The Republic-esque symbols on the shoulder seem a little low, but are probably the only part of the figure that isn't really all that fantastic.   Increased distribution and/or slightly better shoulder deco would no doubt have pleased numerous long-time collectors, as the figure is really good!  He can hold his hand, stand, and he has a holster for his appropriately-scaled blaster.

Since it seems less and less likely Hasbro will ever give us a big Death Star or Star Destroyer playset, my own personal need for an army has diminished greatly over the past few years.  One of him is sufficient for my needs, but I'd score one in grey or if there's some sort of troop-builder variant.   Had Hasbro built a large playset or vehicle, I'd probably have bought dozens to populate the various stations... but now?  I'm not sure.  With the announcement of "The Black Series" it's seeming like all of us who picked up the figures for never-made playsets or for a large display probably should have just held off... there's a really big advantage to collecting dead toy lines.  The amount of information you have helps you make better decisions, and it's funny how in 2013 I realize how spoiled I was with the entire original line in the rearview mirror when I was tracking it down at garage sales and collectible toy shows from 1984-1992.  But I digress.  As of now this is the definitive version of this figure.  If you're looking to buy a modern update of every Vintage 1980s figure, this should be on your shopping list until Hasbro puts out a grey one.

Collector's Notes: The figure is sort of an update of the original Death Squad Commander, later Star Destroyer Commander.   (Neither of which were particularly accurate names, but hey, neither was Walrus Man.)   Despite its relative rarity, it's cheaper than the more common (with more coming) Darth Malgus.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,005: February 19, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,004: Green R5-Series Astromech Droid

R5-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID White Dome with Green 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: It's a Green R5-Series Astromech Droid!  I approve of this one because it's fairly distinctive.  With R5-D4, R5-D8, and the red R5 from this very line I was pretty happy to see a very different, previously unseen color enter the mix.  Green!  How novel.  I like it.  There's not a lot to it, it's basically a factory-fresh sculpt sans antenna with a little silver and a green stripe around the top.  I selected a matching body, although a green body (rather than white) is also available.  This one looks vaguely 1970s though, minus the specific shade of green.  The Mrs. has dragged me to a few retro furniture stores and let me tell you, their green plastics from the 1970s? Wow.  This is almost too pretty.  I like how it adds a definite air of personality to the R5 class (which has historically not had a lot of variety) but like with all figures from this line, it's a huge pain in the neck to get.

Collector's Notes: It's funny, I love these more and have more contempt for how they're sold every time I do one.  I got like three more lined up.  I adore the concept, the pricing ain't bad, and frankly I'd be buying these all day long if it were a build-a-droid station in, let's say, Toys R Us.  Heck, even the big one in New York, this would be a nice thing to have there.   Thanks again to the kindness, patience, and general fearlessness of my near-breakdowns from Shannon, Mike, and the fine cast of Disney Hollywood Studios Orlando for helping me with these.  (But seriously, could you just sell a sack of parts so I don't need to dig through bins like some challenge on Double Dare?  I think the last 18 years have proven I don't have much personal dignity when it comes to toy hunting.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,004: February 18, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,003: Ikopi

IKOPI  Swamp Creatures
Episode I Battle Bags
Item No.: Asst. 63349  No. 63353
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Tool, bag, Falumpaset, Kaadu, Mott
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: May 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The ikopi was a fleet-footed ungulate with telescopic legs for fast locomotion. They lived in the plains and swamps of Naboo and its moon Rori and they traveled in herds.  ( Stolen from Wookieepedia. )

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: I'm a big fan of creatures and those of you who know me understand that I'm on a minifigure kick right now.  I dug out my Ikopi and other Battle Bags figures from 1999, and I gotta say I'm somewhat impressed.  I didn't pay the $10 at the time ($2.24 clearance = yes), but by modern standards these small, non-articulated, ambiguously scaled creatures are pretty much worth the asking price on the secondary market.  $5 or less for 4 painted alien creatures?  Yes please!

Either not in scale, or a juvenile example, the 2-inch-ish Ikopi is a fraction of the size that a 3.5-meter-tall adult would be when compared to the action figure line.  The drawings from the super-cool The Wildlife of Star Wars: A Field Guide (which I have and adore)  show this as a very tall creature with a stretchy, frog-like tongue. Freaky!  The Naboo space antelope can stand fairly well and has a little bit of paint.  The figure has black horns, eyes, and hooves with a little bit of brown on his fuzzy body.  As a creature with very few representations in the toy world, I'd suggest grabbing this figure from this set.  If you want a full-size, action figure-scaled toy though... this ain't it.  And there isn't one.

Collector's Notes: Minifigures offer a cheap thrill like no other.  Painted or unpainted, tiny or smallish, they're fun and are great desk toys.  This particular series also happens to not be worth much, so you really have no excuse for not buying these... unless you don't want them.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,003: February 15, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,002: Obi-Wan Kenobi

OBI-WAN KENOBI  Wait, What?
Discover the Force Darth Maul Line Look Vehicle Pack-In
Item No.: No.  37905
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, 16 Battle Droids on the cheap, 4 more articulated droids, MTT vehicle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $129.99
Availability: August 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio:  Battle Droids deploy from massive TRADE FEDERATION MTT vehicle's motorized troop deployment rack! Includes 20 BATTLE DROID figures: 16 INFANTRY DROID and 4 PILOT DROID figures! 20 blasters! Includes 1 OBI-WAN KENOBI figure with lightsaber. Lights and sounds! Firing missile launchers! Pivoting cannons! Front hatch opens to release troop deployument rack. Side hatch opens to reveal blaster racks. Upper hatch opens to access storage space. Works with Movie Heroes or THE CLONE WARS figures (sold separately).   (Taken from Hasbro.com.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary:  When I heard about the MTT being made for release in 2012, my first question was "Really? Why?" My next question was "And why is Obi-Wan Kenobi in here?"  I understand the need for a hero figure in a set like this, but wouldn't Jar Jar Binks make more sense?  Anyway, he's here.  So how is he?  Pretty good.   The figure has 8 points of articulation, with swivel elbows.  Those have been out of vogue for a while, but they make sense when you understand that this body was originally used for a Power of the Jedi figure from the year 2000.  The head was from a CommTech Chip version of Kenobi from 2000.  This combination was previously sold in 2006 with slightly different deco, as the carded SAGA 047 figure in The Saga Collection.  The pants and boots are a smidgen different, complete with the increasingly out-of-date old-style lightsaber.   The "real hair" braid is a good fit for the figure, as it doesn't get in the way of neck movement.  The skirt, though, remains plastic and as such gets in the way if you'd ever have him sitting somewhere.  As he is, he's designed to attack a giant, super-huge tank packed with robots.

This figure is not sufficiently different to warrant the purchase of an MTT, even on clearance.  (I'd argue the MTT itself combined with the droids is well worth it.)  It's not bad.  But it's not as awesome as the five-jointed Obi-Wan from the 2012 Naboo Battle Pack.

Collector's Notes: Clearance is likely for the MTT, so check your local stores for a deal.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,002: February 14, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,001: Nien Nunb

NIEN NUNB  Return of the Jedi
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No. 39653
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC106
Includes: Blaster, rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: October 2012
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

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: I'm super-pumped Hasbro revisited Nien Nunb in late 2012, although it probably wasn't necessary.  The 1997 version was pretty good and pretty cheap, but the 2012 version is quite nice.  Actually, if the head were painted better I'd say it was an unquestionable improvement.  The sculpt was improved greatly, with more detail, a better-looking costume, and (most important of all) the right height.  Lando's co-pilot retains the typical 14 points of articulation and raises the figure a holster for his squared-off 1983-style faux-Kenner blaster pistol.  (A nice touch!)  He has little problem standing or sitting, and fits pretty well in the big Millennium Falcon from 2008.  As an added bonus, his longer rifle is modeled after the 1997 figure, so this is as much a nearly-perfect movie figure as it is a nod to his previous toys.

The face is a little darker and less glossy than I would have liked, browner than gray and lacking in color around his unique jowls.  This just could be a trick of the light in the movie, but I think there's potential here for another redeco should Hasbro opt to reissue this figure for the (I assume) planned rerelease of Return of the Jedi in 3D in 2014.  The sculpt, detail, and personality of this figure is great.  A+.  The deco?  B+.  It's tantalizingly close to perfection!

Collector's Notes: Despite being an online-exclusive, this wave sold out (partially) cheaply on Amazon.  They  had no patience, in a few days it went from full price to a flux price of about five bucks.  I wouldn't suggest paying more than $15 for it if you can help it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,001: February 13, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,000: Jocasta Nu

JOCASTA NU  Figure Debut
The Vintage Collection Brian's Toys Exclusive
Item No.: No.  A0501  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Hilt, lightsaber, purse, Dooku bust, column, holocron
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: January 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Responding with pleasure to the demands of Star Wars fans, we are proud to bring you Jocasta Nu in her very first appearance as a 3.75" figure! As Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives, Jocasta Nu oversees a vast collection of information - and secrets - dating back thousands of years.  A brilliant researcher and archivist, this Jedi Master has trained many Padawans during her long career.  Her devotion to learning is seen by her Ansata-patterned robes, a style worn by many famous Jedi historians.  In the archives, Jocasta is surrounded by bronzium busts of noteworthy Jedi Masters, among them Count Dooku, Yoda and Chon Actrion.  Like the archives, these busts also hold tantalizing secrets for those who search for them.  Take home a part of HISTORY with this exclusive Jocasta Nu figure!  (Taken from the figure's packaging.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: So Jocasta Nu is the first completely new character to hit in 2013 so far.   Given a few delays, it's possible it might stay this way for a while.  (For those keeping track, this isn't necessarily anything new - a few years were populated mostly with revised versions of previously-released characters, or few figures and a big gap.)  Jocasta's pre-production had a long journey, but it's one with twists and turns that I'm pretty sure I'm not at liberty to discuss.  The important thing?  It's here now, and you can buy her.  Sure, she costs twice what you would've intended, but you can blame that on the lavish packaging and excess accessories... which I must confess are quite nice.  They took a vintage-carded figure, stuck it in a giant box with a fifth panel and velcro fasteners, and on top of that tossed in a proof cardback.   That's a lot of cardboard for an online exclusive.

The figure itself is about the quality you would expect from a retail Vintage figure.  The deco and sculpt are good, although the head looks more like Maggie Smith than Alethea McGrath.  She has a swivel  neck rather than a ball-jointed head, which is somewhat unusual for most new figures after 2003.  The portrait is good, and the deco is clean.  If anything, they may have made her look younger than the actress with whites around her eyes and a brighter smile.  The skin and hair colors seem about right, though.   Deco is strong, with a bring on her outfit and excellent sculpting that brings the texture of her Jedi dress to life.  She looks good, and I can't picture her being much better at this size with today's technology and skillsets.  The chopsticks in the hair are a nice touch, a small thin detail that I would be afraid of breaking 10 years ago.  Today, it looks sharp and fairly sturdy.

Articulation is acceptable, but not great.  I almost wish this were a cheaper, de-accessorized, un-articulated quasi-statue.  Her robes over her legs prevent the hip joints from moving, and while she has knee joints she has no ankles.  The tiny hands swivel at the wrists and have no problems holding her lightsaber or hilt, but the Holocron must be cradled with both hands.  She can't grip it, but you can store it in her cloth purse along with the included lightsaber hilt.  The lightsaber itself is a little pale, but it's blue and looks pretty good.  The hilt looks good, at least.

One last thing to mention is the massive Count Dooku bust on a pillar.  It's a 3-piece accessory with lots of deco and separate parts as the bronze head separates from the Pez-like pedestal, hiding a swell Holocron underneath.  It looks good and is a neat idea for an extra, but its inclusion was hardly necessary and no doubt added $5 or more to the price.  I'm glad we got it as it's a neat nod to a deleted scene, although I suppose it also creates demand for the remaining 19 of the "lost twenty" Jedi.   Seeing as this accessory stands a hefty 4 1/2-inches, and the rising costs of plastic, this figure as a $20-$25 set is high.  There's no doubt there.  But it's also probably within the realm of what's normal in 2013, which is significantly different than 2007, when this set would've been $7 or so.  I don't regret paying for her, but I don't think I'd like to see any other figures in this packaging format.

Collector's Notes: After going up for pre-order in summer 2012, the figure started shipping to most customers in January 2013, although some early samples did get shipped out.  (How or why, I do not know.)  At this time the figure is still available.

Other Notes: At this time, she is the most expensive single-carded figure ever sold when it comes to the retail price.  Factor in shipping, and she will probably remain such until Chinese labor prices cause the line to have to be produced domestically.  But that's probably a ways off.  A reduced packaging footprint combined with fewer accessories could probably have brought the cost down, but it is what it is.  And I'd rather have a $25 Jocasta Nu than no Jocasta Nu, although I'd rather have only one $25 single figure in the line, and I'm glad they picked a character with a decent fan following for it.  I just want everything else to be $12 or less from now on, thank you.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,000: February 12, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,999: Jar Jar Binks

JAR JAR BINKS  Again!
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  39649  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC108
Includes: Boomer, staff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: July 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

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: Interesting fact: this was one of 2 Jar Jar Binks figures in 2012, which were the first movie-style figures of the character in ten years.  While technically superior to the Movie Heroes 2012 release, I find myself enjoying that figure a little more.  This Vintage version has more articulation, a pleather skirt piece, and a little more articulation in the neck.  This figure's wrist joints and superior accessories (from a display perspective) work nicely, although the skirt piece appears bulky and awkward.  I appreciate its inclusion so I have the option of putting Jar Jar in a vehicle, but it strikes me as odd that the Vintage "collector" figure is more toy-friendly than the Movie Heroes "kid" figure.  His face is pretty serene, which is sort of out of character for Jar Jar.  Few Binks toys are really wacky, wigged-out in the facial department and that's an area I'd like to see Hasbro experiment more.  Lucasfilm created an insanely expressive character, and the figure is usually about as bored as an alien can look.

So what you have here is the best-articulated Jar Jar Binks ever.  It's well-sculpted and looks good enough... but the Movie Heroes one with its non-ball shoulders may look a little better, depending on your preferences.  I have both, and each has unique features the other lacks.  So... yeah.  Get both?  Oh! And this Vintage one was designed to go with the Comic-Con exclusive Jar Jar Binks Carbonite block, so you'll want this Jar Jar to go with that block.  (For the record, the block, loose, seems to have dropped in price a little.  The carded one is still crazy expensive.)

Collector's Notes: This item was absent from stores for months, but around November of 2012 Toys R Us and other retail stores received it.  The figures were shipping to online stores since about August of 2012.  Jar Jar is one of the less popular figures from the wave, making him easier to get for a fair price.  For $10, he's not bad.  For $5-$6, he's a must-buy.  The spear and boomer are well-designed and will look good with other figures if you choose to display Jar Jar sans weapons.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,999: February 11, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,998: Yellow R7-Series Astromech Droid

R7-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID Black Dome with Silver and Yellow Markings
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: Another figure that seems like an existing release at first, R7-Series Astromech Droid is similar to a figure you may have built... but not.  The yellow is yellower, the big red eye pops nicely, and the black dome really works well with the silver details running around it.  I plopped mine on a yellow R7 body, and boy howdy do I like it!  Articulation is normal - 5 points, but hey, we're buying these because we have obsessive lust for droids, not because we want high-grade collectibles.

2008's R7-Z0 is a slightly greener, easier to find, and more robust substitute for this one. (It even included "arm rockets.")  R7-Z0 has a few more painted spots on the dome too, but it's also yellowish green.  This baby is pure yellow.  I really like this figure and at $10, in a normal retail space, would suggest you buy one.  With the Disney Tax it's tougher to wholeheartedly recommend... but as the previous several hundred days may have shown you, I do not make sensible decisions when it comes to my action figure purchases.

Collector's Notes:  This item was a customizable release at Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando, and you can configure them any way you wish.  In theory. You have to be in Orlando first.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,998: February 8, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,996: Ahsoka

AHSOKA  The Clone Wars
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  38524
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC102
Includes: 2 Lightsabers, 2 hilts
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: October 2012
Appearances: The Clone 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: The 2010-era "Adult" version of Ahsoka in the animated line was a tough score.  She was out very quickly and disappeared from stores fast.  This one never even hit stores.  As I write this, this very figure is the only "realistic" interpretation of Ahsoka as an action figure and I assume it will remain to be such.  The sculpting and deco is really good, the eyes were painted looking up giving the character a different personality than we're used to.  I mean, sure, we've had a lot of dead-eyed stares, so a character looking up like she might jump and slash something is a nice departure from the norm.  The leather-ish shirt is rendered with a lot of detail and texture, with folds and creases throughout.  She has leathery arm bands for some reason, plus long, fingerless gloves.  I have no idea why.  The character is frequently lauded as a great woman character in sci-fi, but she still has a Power Girl-esque cleavage window which I'm pretty sure will negate that for anyone who hasn't yet seen the show.  "This is a positive role model, it's a young teenage Jedi warrior!" "Then why does she have her boobs popping through?"  Eh, I'm old.  I don't understand modern costuming.

The figure has 14 points of articulation and even has a cloth skirt to help her movement go mostly uninhibited.  The sculpt is good, the lightsabers plug into the belt, and this is a fantastic collector-grade figure that it actually saddens me continues to remain elusive for kid buyers.  We're always told that kids love Ahsoka, but Hasbro has not made it easy for anyone without adult collector resources to track her down as of late.   I really dig the whole notion of "real" The Clone Wars figures, particularly when the character has no "realistic" release yet.  For that, I give you my permission to overspend on Ahsoka because, seriously, it's a well-constructed figure with some nice personality in the face department.  I think it helps that she's orange and has unique face markings, as Hasbro has had... difficulty rendering womanly faces in 3 3/4-inch scale.   I think the uniquely-colored make-up provides a handy cheat for humanoid faces, and while the figure doesn't impress it does have the 14 points of articulation which are basically the minimum requirement for a lot of people to even consider buying a toy these days.  (In  my day figures had 5 joints... and we liked it!)

Collector's Notes: This was part of what was billed as the "last wave of Vintage," an online exclusive, quick-to-sell-out assortment of figures.  Oddly, Amazon also had them and the cases were broken up and some individual figures blew out fast.  I remember Ahsoka being pretty cheap for a while there.   As such, she could cost anything from $5 to $20.  (I assume the $5 days are over.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,997: February 7, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,996: Teemto Pagalies

TEEMTO PAGALIES Podracer Pilots
Discover the Force Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: No. 39611
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Packaged with Dud Bolt, Mars Guo, Clegg Holdfast, and Gasgano figures plus display base, flag, removable goggles, Galactic Battle Game card
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $26.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Podracers compete in the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace, a highly competitive and dangerous event held annually on Tatooine.  During the race, Clegg Holdfast and Mars Guo crash their Podracers, victims of sabotage by a fellow Podracer.  Teemto Pagalies falls out of the race when his vehicle is shot  by a Tusken Raider.  Dud Bolt tries to eliminate a Podracer but crashes his own vehicle instead.  Gasgano is one of the lucky ones to reach the finish line, coming in second place after Anakin Skywalker.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: Why re-buy Teemto Pagalies when the 2002 release included not only the figure, but some race debris and a giant droid from a deleted scene for a mere five bucks? ...I have no idea.  The flag, I guess?  This set of Pod Racers debuted about a year ago and is still rotting on shelves, largely because the deco isn't all that different and I don't know how many suckers collectors remain who will buy a boxed set of five figures just for the flags and slightly improved deco.

The sculpt is the same as the 2002 release, with swivel legs, shoulders plus neck and waist joints.  Deco is a little sharper now, his goggles are a clearer plastic, and the strap is a slightly different color.  Paint masks seems sharper with less slop, and his red scar remains on his arm.   I hesitate to use a word like "realistic," but it really is more lively than the original release.   I'm not suggesting you upgrade, because the 2002 figure is close enough where I doubt you would notice unless you have a crazier head for this stuff than me.

The main selling point?  The flag.  The glossy plastic flag is pretty awkward and curls funny right out of the box, but it is unique, colorful, and a nice addition to a display.  It's not as cool as a droid sidekick, though.  You can sort of force the flag into the included black Galactic Battle Game display base, but it's a tight fit and clearly not meant to go there.   Hasbro managed to find a way to compel long-time collectors to buy this set with the new accessory, as its merits do not warrant a subsequent purchase unless you write a column about toys every day.

Collector's Notes: This set did poorly.  Reports of prices as low as $7.50 for the set were heard, which is actually quite a deal.  Originally $26.99, this set is effectively a pretty good price... it's just that the individual releases generally offered more stuff like Pit Droid accessories and lower price tags.  For accessory completists, it's essential.  If you just want a Teemto Pagalies pod racer pilot, the original 2002 figure sells for as little as $1 on eBay and is unquestionably worth it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,996: February 6, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,995: Clone Commander Neyo

COMMANDER NEYO Treachery on Saleucami
30th Anniversary Collection Battle Packs
Item No.: No. 87380
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, 2 speeder bikes, Commander Neyo
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Spring 2007 Wal-Mart Exclusive
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: The planet Saleucami is pockmarked with large craters created by meteors that hit the planet. This barren desert world becomes a place of conflict during the Outer Rim Sieges of the Clone Wars. The Republic ultimately win the battle to secure this hot, dry world, and a small contingent is sent there to conduct mop-up operations, led by the Jedi Master Stass Allie. She and two clone troopers under her command are conducting one of their regular speeder bike patrols when Order 66 is enacted.   (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's former apartment.

Commentary: The very first Commander Neyo was sold in a Battle Pack at Walmart.  Later, he was carded and sold in Saga Legends.  Both figures are pretty much the same.

Neyo is built off the 2003 Clone Wars Clone Trooper body, which was a little chubby.  In 2003 it looked great, it was the best thing ever.  By 2007, we've had a few new Clone Trooper body sculpts and this one was starting to show its age.  By no means is it a bad figure, as its 14 joints and nifty black "damage" looks pretty great.  He can sit on his  BARC Speeder without too much trouble, but it will cause his crotch to stretch a bit.  (Hot stuff, eh?)   The figure is a great example of tooling reuse, as the all-new helmet looks great and a new belt with a shoulder harness adds a lot to the look of the figure.  For its time, this figure hit all the expectations.  The expectation being, of course, that Hasbro slapped a helmet and paint on a figure you've bought 13 times over.

While perfectly acceptable and not at all a bad figure, this is one Hasbro could probably stand to go back and redo at this point.  The Vintage Clone Trooper body could be a great basis for a new, better-for-the-bike action figure plus you could tool up the binocular helmet for the regular trooper figures.

Collector's Notes: Just the figure from Saga Legends, carded, is about ten bucks.  The Treachery on Saleucami Battle Pack runs $20 or so usually, but can go as high as $45.  Be cheap!  It's not good enough to warrant $45.




--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,995: February 5, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,994: Clone Commander Colt

CLONE COMMANDER COLT Includes Blaster!
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 28529
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW52
Includes: 2 pistols, stand, rocket, rocket launcher, backpack, chest armor/pauldrons
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $8.99
Availability: May 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio:      Clone Commander Colt defends Kamino cloning facilities that are under attack by Separatist forces. He commands the elite ARC troopers assigned to this challenging mission. He is an expert in amphibious and ground missions and has a helmet with a distinctive design that identifies his specialized unit.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: As I mentioned yesterday with  Blitz, ARC Troopers are the stuff of toy and fan legends.  We love these guys.  The only single-carded ARC Trooper from the cartoon line was the tough-to-find Clone Commander Colt in 2011, and Hasbro's treatment of the animated ARCs shows a pretty strong desire to not make money.  These guys are hot, sell well, and are worth a bunch of money.  Why are they so hard to get?  Hasbro did 4 versions, 3 of which were exclusive to Battle Packs, I assume just to punish the rest of us.  Well, not me, I shelled out and got mine.

Colt is an exciting release because fans actually knew his name, plus a generic "ARC Trooper" which looked very similar to him came in a previous Battle Pack.  This one fixes the deco with the "teeth" on the helmet, grey boots, stripes on his kama, and other deco changes.  If you want a red ARC Trooper and aren't picky about the specifics, you could go after the Battle Pack, but that's expensive too.  I think it was something of a surprise that this figure came out given Hasbro's treatment of the animated line since the middle of 2010, as they seem to be getting the short end of the collectible stick.  It's a good figure and for $9, you'd have loved it.  Trust me, you would have.  

Collector's Notes: Canadian samples are cheaper, loose or carded ones go for $20ish usually.  Unless you're on Amazon, they cost more there.  It's a good figure. If you can find one in the back of a Walmart or as part of a collection on eBay, get it.  You'll love it.  Unless Hasbro reissues it, this is probably one of the figures today's kids will want to chase down when they give up on life and are enjoying high-paying jobs as dental hygienists, plumbers, or whatever career neither you or I were smart enough to get in on.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,994: February 4, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,993: ARC Trooper Blitz

ARC TROOPER BLITZ Defend Kamino
The Clone Wars Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 35566 No. 35578
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Gun, backpack, stand, more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $26.99
Availability: July 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio:    "Blitz" was the nickname of an Advanced Recon Commando commander who oversaw clone trooper training during the Clone Wars. He wore experimental Phase II clone trooper armor.  (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This ARC Trooper Blitz is one of no fewer than 4 redecoes of the same popular mold we first saw in 2010.  In an insidious bit of marketing, these hard-to-get troopers are hero-worshipped by basic Clone Troopers on the show, elevating their importance and significance to the series despite the fact they don't really do a whole heck of a lot.  It does make them popular, though, and kids (and collectors) are very much aware of how amazing it is to either be or own an ARC Trooper of your very own.

Blitz joins basic troopers Echo and Fives in this nifty gift set, which may (or may not)  be on clearance at a TJ Maxx near you.  Blitz is a lightning-colored figure with bright yellow highlights and stripes, plus some added color on his wrist communicator.  I'm not sure why he has diamond/dalmation deco on his skirt piece there, but it still looks pretty great.  The gun is good, and the rangefinder is colored to match the rest of his garb.  He was part of the era when bend-and-swivel wrists were phased out for merely swiveling wrists, so his 14 points of articulation aren't necessarily as good as those of the lower-ranking clones.

Collector's Notes: For $27, it was a pretty expensive set in its day.  However, it was also one of the best Battle Packs of its time as all 3 Troopers were unique to this set.  The deco on Fives and Echo is fantastic, plus there isn't another ARC Trooper in the line which looks quite like Blitz.  It's unsurprising the set was commanding $50 or more on the secondary market last month.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,993: February 1, 2013