Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,065: Clone Captain Deviss (Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights)

CLONE CAPTAIN DEVISS Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights
2013 Darth Vader Lava Line Look Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. A5769 No. A4968
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 blasters, 3 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones?

Bio: The Jedi launch a rescue mission to Geonosis that ends in a battle between the Jedi and Separatist forces.  The Jedi fly to the planet to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padme Amidala from the Separatists.  Battle Droids and Geonosian Warriors fight the Jedi in what becomes the first battle of the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Commentary: If you were around in 2002, you'll remember we got a red Clone Trooper Captain figure.  We did not get Clone Captain Deviss  because the clones didn't start getting names until 2003, where a few were identified as part of the then-new Clone Wars multimedia marketing malaise.   Deviss existed as a figure in 2005, but the design was excised from the movie so it's not like anybody knew who he was.  He did get a few toys made of him, though, so he's almost an official movie character from Revenge of the Sith. (This started off as a design for Bly.) The whole named clone thing from Attack of the Clones is rather new.

The figure itself is a retread.  The body is a 2003 Clone Wars super articulated trooper with red rank markings.  The shoulder rings are sadly white, while previous carded releases of Clone Captains often had them as red.   The red is darker and a little thicker, but a few spots of white peek through.   He has 14 points of articulation and, surprisingly, painted off-white soles on his boots.   His weapons are similar to those packed with many Vintage clone figures, and are generally smaller and exhibit some silver paint applications.  They're nice.

I wouldn't suggest any long-haul collector run out to get this set for this figure, but it is different enough so that you can identify him easily against your other red Clones.   I'm in no way excited to own this one, but well, there's one more in the pile, I guess, and I can flush a few more dollars down the collection toilet.   If you never received a red Clone Captain, do make sure you get this one.  I like his guns better, but the shoulder issue is tough to get over.

Collector's Notes: I got this at Toys R Us in Scottsdale, AZ in mid-October.  Since then, it appears there has been an endless supply of this set and its companion, although for how long it's tough to say.  Sometimes these sets stick around for a few years, and other times they vanish quickly.

Column Notes: Time to go on break again! I'll be back when something new shows up.  See you next mission!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,065: November 26, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,064: Selig Kenjenn (Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights)

SELIG KENJENN Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights
2013 Darth Vader Lava Line Look Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. A5769 No. A4968
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 Lightsabers, cloak, 3 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones This Set

Bio: The Jedi launch a rescue mission to Geonosis that ends in a battle between the Jedi and Separatist forces.  The Jedi fly to the planet to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padme Amidala from the Separatists.  Battle Droids and Geonosian Warriors fight the Jedi in what becomes the first battle of the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Commentary: The funny thing about Selig Kenjenn is that despite being effectively named for this set, he's less obscure than the other two Jedi in the package.   At no time was this character associated with the Battle of Geonosis, but it's a heck of a toy tuckerism.  The head (new sculpt) is based on Leland Chee, keeper of Lucasfilm's Holocron database for continuity.  The only illustration of the character was seen fighting Stormtroopers with a background packed with TIE Fighters, so I'll leave it up to him to decide how he fits in to the whole sort of general mish mash.  As such, you can place this figure just about anywhere and not be wrong.

I am not sure where his hands come from, but the head is new, the "skirt" is new, and the body was previously a Nikto Jedi from 2010 named Fi-Ek Sirch.  Other than the legacy neck being somewhat thick, the figure actually looks pretty good for an alien adapted into a human.  He has little difficulty holding his lightsabers, and the 14 joints are what you've come to expect.  The outfit is surprisingly well-textured, and there's even a place to plug a lightsaber hilt.  One is not included, but if you find a spare, you know where to stick it.  Due to the behind-the-scenes-ness of the figure, I like it and would suggest you track it down.  I love Hasbro's creations based on real-world people, mostly because the story behind it is far more interesting than "this was another unnamed extra."  Grab him if you can, he's probably the most interesting part of this set.

Collector's Notes: I got this at Toys R Us in Scottsdale, AZ in mid-October.  Since then, it appears there has been an endless supply of this set and its companion, although for how long it's tough to say.  Sometimes these sets stick around for a few years, and other times they vanish quickly.


--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,064: November 25, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,063: Khaat Qiyn (Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights)

KHAAT QIYN Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights
2013 Darth Vader Lava Line Look Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. A5769 No. A4968
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, cloak, 3 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The Jedi launch a rescue mission to Geonosis that ends in a battle between the Jedi and Separatist forces.  The Jedi fly to the planet to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padme Amidala from the Separatists.  Battle Droids and Geonosian Warriors fight the Jedi in what becomes the first battle of the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Commentary: These sets are quite ballsy on Hasbro's part, because nobody knows who Khaat Qiyn is.  In a year where the mainline is filled with remakes, re-remakes, and threemakes, it's great to see any outlet for a figure where we can all look and say "I don't have her, also, who is that?"   This figure suffers two indignities.  One, her left hand is actually the hand that should've gone to Que-Mars Redath, you'll note that it's much larger than her right.  Second, I think she's supposed to be of Asian descent.  The brown hair and peach skin make her look a little more like Leia, and Hasbro made no effort to match the intense make-up from her face.  The sculpt on the head is quite good, though, so I would anticipate a customizer could show us that Hasbro did do a great job with everything here minus deco and assembly.

Ms. Qiyn's body is recycled from Stass Allie, with her right hand originating in Tarados Gon.  Oops.  The lightsaber is green and according to the notes on Wookieepedia, this is correct.  Given the obscurity and lack of reference, I wouldn't fault anyone for having gotten it wrong.   Her unique cloth robe color seems to match the reference shots as well, so Hasbro gave us a figure that is on the low side of authentic but otherwise hits most major benchmarks.  Yes, we get 14 points of articulation.  Yes, we get decent deco.  But she may be the wrong race, and she's got a wrong hand.  It's sort of a spectacular failure, but in all honesty nobody would probably ever have noticed were it not for the likes of Wookieepedia in this era of every last character getting a backstory.  I wouldn't mind seeing Hasbro give her another shot with better head deco and the correct left hand down the road, for now she's fantastic diorama filler - but these bizarre errors are increasingly common in the line.  I can understand some glitches, but this one should have been plain to anyone doing approvals... I assume the hand was a last-minute error at the factory that sneaked its way into production.  I'd say get her as custom fodder or diorama filler as I assume you have no connection to the character.  If you told me this was Han and Leia's granddaughter, I'd believe you.  Why wouldn't I?

Collector's Notes: I got this at Toys R Us in Scottsdale, AZ in mid-October.  Since then, it appears there has been an endless supply of this set and its companion, although for how long it's tough to say.  Sometimes these sets stick around for a few years, and other times they vanish quickly.


--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,063: November 22, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,062: Que-Mars Redath (Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights)

QUE-MARS REDATH Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights
2013 Darth Vader Lava Line Look Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. A5769 No. A4968
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, cloak, 3 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The Jedi launch a rescue mission to Geonosis that ends in a battle between the Jedi and Separatist forces.  The Jedi fly to the planet to rescue Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padme Amidala from the Separatists.  Battle Droids and Geonosian Warriors fight the Jedi in what becomes the first battle of the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Commentary: This is a fun one to nitpick. Que-Mars Redath is a figure that does originate from the films, but is an obscure, background character.  How obscure?  It took a while for him to have a name, and according to most sources Hasbro got it wrong - it should've been labeled "Que-Mars Redath-Gom."  I'm not picking on Hasbro, I didn't know what his name was, either.  The figure is an odd mix of parts and you can se an error on this one - his right hand is significantly bigger than his left.  (Insert joke about handling his lightsaber here.)  The issue is that another figure in this set - Khaat Qiyn - seemingly had her hands swapped with him. They're painted to match the figure, but the molds are backwards.  It's an unusual error, to say the least, and I dare say unprecedented in the thousands of figures we've looked at together over the years.  The smaller hand originally came with Stass Allie, and the figure's body was originally Tarados Gon (Klatooinian Jedi Knight).  The head is, as far as I can tell, new - and he's not even the first Weequay Jedi.  We've also had Sora Bulq and Master Sev.

With 14 points of articulation, Que-Mars is fairly typical for a Jedi figure with the full range of movement you've come to expect from these figures.  It doesn't go above and beyond in any way, but it does look pretty good other than the head being seated a little low on the neck.  The head itself is well-sculpted and exceptionally decorated, with lots of warty detail and a nice paint job to bring out the winkles and creases.   The eyes are big and expressive, while in the movie they were two black voids.  I prefer Hasbro's take in this respect.  His lightsaber blade is green in the source material, so score one for Hasbro there.

With the tiny lady hand and the wrong name, this figure would probably be the subject of fan ire in another year, but 2013 seems to be the year everybody throws their hands up in the air, perhaps because they just don't care.  The set is not selling terribly quickly and as it has multiple new characters I would suggest getting it if you collect Jedi or have a prequel focus.  Everybody else, well, get it if you like it. 

Collector's Notes: I got this at Toys R Us in Scottsdale, AZ in mid-October.  Since then, it appears there has been an endless supply of this set and its companion, although for how long it's tough to say.  Sometimes these sets stick around for a few years, and other times they vanish quickly.


--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,062: November 21, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,061: TC-70 (2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory)

TC-70 Jabba's Protocol Droid
Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: Buildable figure
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio:  n/a (Taken from the figure's cardback.  Oh wait, it doesn't have one.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: When I heard Hasbro was axing its 2013 Droid Factory line, I was mostly OK with it - I was saddened to lose a few Astromechs, FA-4, and TC-70 though.  I have no use for another A-Wing Pilot, but I'll buy every last droid repaint Hasbro deems worthy to release.  I love these things.   TC-70 is based on Jabba's protocol droid from the 2008 The Clone Wars movie, and an animated version of the figure has already been produced.  The movie version seems like such an obscure nod to fans that I'm amazed it exists.

The body mold was used before to make K-3PO and U-3PO, each of which shared this figure's ability to be dismantled.  The head, arms, and legs pop off and can be swapped with other Droid Factory figures like various astromech droids, FA-4, and a couple of Death Star Droid figures.  Customizers have a lot to like here, but please, don't paint the TC-70 parts.  We need these.  This droid gets better deco than the mold has seen so far, with mismatched casing on the right thigh, numerous silver bits, a few stripes, and an expertly decorated head.  I don't think I'm being hyperbolic when I say this is one of the best - if not the best - paint job we've ever and probably will ever seen on a protocol droid action figure.

The animated-style figure has a few red paint marks that Hasbro ignored, and the metallic finish of the 2013 movie version makes it look like a more expensive release.  (Considering what it costs, this is appreciated.)  He has swivel wrists, shoulders, hips, and a head, with the elbows, knees, ankles, and waist having a greater range of movement.  The 2010 Vintage C-3PO has a slightly better range of movement and more moving parts, but this figure looks good and holds together nicely.  I greatly appreciate that Hasbro threw us a bone with at least one more "realistic" figure from the animated series that wasn't a main character, and if you're reading - I implore you - please give us a few more.  Sell 'em for $10 in the Black Series for all I care, I'll take your Astromechs all day long.  And so will these fine readers.  Won't you?  (Back me up, I'd do it for you.)

Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. It is sold with one piece in each of six other carded figures.   The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it.  The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC.  The P/N on the cardbacks are a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself.  As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,061: November 20, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,060: 212th Battalion Clone Trooper (2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory)

212TH BATTALION CLONE TROOPER It's "Different"
Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Big gun, small gun, TC-70 left arm
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio:  Clone Troopers in the 212th Attack Battalion fight in the Battle of Utapau.   Distinguished by their orange-marked armor, 212th Clone Troopers are under the command of Jedi General Ob-Wan Kenobi and Clone Commander Cody.   They accompany Kenobi to Utapau on a mission to eliminate General Grievous.  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I goofed!  Reader Paul Harrison of the Jedi Temple Archives pointed out that I have a terrible memory - because I feel shame, I'm leaving my original, wildly incorrect FOTD commentary below.  The 2011 Utapau Orange Clone Trooper was based on the body seen on figures like the Gelagrub Patrol Clone Trooper and VC15 Clone Trooper (2010).  As such, this 212th Battalion Clone Trooper figure has merit - to an extent.  If you picked up the Vintage-carded 501st Clone Trooper or the VC45 Attack of the Clones clone trooper, this figure shares the same bend-and-swivel wrists plus the thinner build.  This, kids, is why you always check your reference library before writing a column at 2 in the morning.

For this reason, the new orange Clone has more than a little merit - on the plus side, the newer, thinner build looks better.  On the minus side, the helmet deco is still not quite right and the helmet itself feels a smidgen too large.  His guns are the delightful new Vintage variety - smaller, thinner, and painted.  Troop building will sadly not be possible but then again, it's not like we don't already have a bunch of different strains of the chunkier, orange Utapau troopers anyway between exclusives, comic packs, and other releases.  So this one is new deco and kinda cool - if you're the kind of person who wants but one clone, only the best of each squad, this may be the one for you.  If you're a troop builder, well, uh, move along.  Nothing to see here but your tears.

The unedited old version, or yet another scarlet A: I assume your reaction to the 212th Battalion Clone Trooper was similar to mine - "don't I already have enough of these?"  While most figures in this wave differ from other recent releases significantly, this one... well... not so much.  In 2012, we got a Vintage Collection Utapau Clone with the same exact mold.  It's the "Vintage" body, with bend-and-swivel wrists plus ball-jointed hips.  The oversized helmet remains, but the deco is a little bit different.  It's more than a little surprising to see this squad again so soon, particularly since the layman will never realize it's different.   It's figures like this that, at least for 2013, make me wonder how much oversight there is at Hasbro.  (I'm convinced Lucasfilm is fine with anything.)  Aside from the TC-70 arm, there is nothing that makes this guy stand out to an average fan - it really is just different enough to make you mad.

The figure is a smidgen different from the 2012 figure, most obviously in the helmet and damage.  The 2012 figure has slightly more accurate helmet detailing as orange placement goes, but this 2013 release has some pretty spiffy battle damage.  The 2013 figure is much, much paler - leave the helmet on, he looks like he has the flu.  The orange around the upper thighs is more true to the movie, and overall the orange looks more damaged and worn.  The guns are slightly different from 2012, different tooling you'll recognize from figures like the 2013 Clone Pilot (in the case of the smaller rifle).  Both are unpainted, and the end result is a figure that's arguably superior to the last release.  However, we've had several flavors of orange since 2006 and they don't tend to match, so building a matching squad at this point is basically a fool's game unless you shop online or are an executive for a New England-based toy company.  Me, I live in a basement, so I'll add one more Utapau Trooper to my growing, increasingly mismatched squad.  They'll get along just fine.

Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it.  The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC.  The P/N on the cardback is a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself.  As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,060: November 19, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,059: Sun Fac (2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory)

SUN FAC Take Two
Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Geonosian gun, TC-70 right arm
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Sun Fac sentences Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala to be executed in the Geonosian arena after conficting them of espionage.  The ruthless Sun Fac is chief lieutenant to Archduke Poggle the Lesser, and runs the Geonosian Droid Factories with a cold and brutal efficiency.   (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I'll take "Updates Nobody Asked For" for $100, Alex.   Sun Fac was close to being useful - Hasbro could have tweaked the deco some more and just released him as a generic Geonosian Trooper, thus making him worth army building and giving this set a reason to be bought in bulk.  Back in 2010 Hasbro did use this mold for a generic Trooper as part of Target's exclusive Geonosis Arena packs, which benefitted from retooled legs with an added knee joint.  This figure is based on that configuration, with new deco over the kneeless 2006 version which you no doubt have bought by now.

In terms of articulation, this version wins.  In terms of accuracy, Hasbro had it right in 2006.  Sun Fac 2013 lacks the scar on his face, and parts of the loincloth armor seem to be colored less consistently with the digital models from the movie.  The 2006 version had detail that "popped" better, particularly in the red/silver around the waist, and had some exaggerated red in his skin which, I think, better captured the spirit of the movie design.   The lack of the eye scar is somewhat baffling, but Hasbro has made a surprising number of figures that took a step back over the years - which is to say, any.  I'm lazy, I'd just reissue the guy with no changes.

It's different enough to be notable, and there's no doubt why Hasbro decided to push this wave away from retail.  I feel they should have gone the extra mile and just dumped it completely, it's fine for people who haven't gotten Fac-ed yet but anyone with the 2006 version - which also includes a display base and a secondary pole weapon - will see Sun Fac 2013 as a waste of plastic and resources.   Of course, what we all really want is that TC-70 arm so suck it up, people.

Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it.  The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC.  The P/N on the cardback is a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself.  As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,059: November 18, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,058: Black Squad TIE Pilot (2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory)

BLACK SQUAD TIE PILOT First Appearance
Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Two pistols, TC-70 left arm
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: TIE fighter pilots protect the Death Star from a Rebel attack.  Black Squadron is stationed aboard the Death Star when the Rebels launch an assault upon the battle station.  Totally committed to the success of a mission, these elite pilots swarm into space to battle the Rebel fighters in a ferocious dogfight.  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Just different enough to make you mad!   I didn't immediately realize what made the Black Squad TIE Pilot unique.  In addition to his gun, the helmet deco is where this figure is unique.  Some pilots have the "ace stripes" or "clown tears" painted gray on the mask, but this figure is notable in that it has one - and not two - Empire symbols on the helmet.  The right side is blank.  It's possible that this is Backstabber (DS-61-3), a pilot identified as such by a trading card.   The helmet pops off and it has the now arguably inaccurate Jango clone face under the removable helmet.

For those not in the know, this figure started off in 2004 as a "Saga" figure which has been upgraded over the years to include a second holster belt, a removable helmet, a new torso, and new arms with ball-jointed elbows and swivel wrists. The crotch and legs are basically unchanged, which is why the figure has no knees (knees weren't a normal thing in early 2004) and the figure has hips which rotate nicely and allow the figure to sit.   Sitting, of course, has been gradually engineered out of many of these figures over the years.

TIE Fighter Pilots with this construction have been pack-ins with vehicles and parts of gift sets over the years, and were also sold carded in 2010 - but the deco changes a little each time.  This is the only TIE Pilot figure that comes with the squarish barrel gun that was inspired by the original Kenner toy's weapon, and we last saw this particular blaster with Nien Nunb last year.  Overall you could probably cobble together a figure pretty close to this one out of toys you already own, but the one-logo helmet is what makes this one unique in your squadrons.  I should be dumping on this more, but I'm pretty sure I jotted this down in at least two possible exclusive proposals over the years so it's not like I wouldn't have done it.  Points to Hasbro for coming up with a different TIE Pilot, but at the same time it would be nice to see some ankles.  This basic body has been the basis for no fewer than six or seven figures by now.

Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it.  The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC.  The P/N on the cardback is a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself.  As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,058: November 15, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,057: Battle Droid (2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory)

BATTLE DROID Red
Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Gun, backpack, antenna, five other figures, TC-70 left leg
Action Feature: Folds up
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Battle Droids are manufactured in factories on Geonosis. They are built in endless numbers to create a vast army for the Trade Federation and the Separatists.   Carrying blasters, they pour into the Geonosis arena and onto the planet's bare, rocky ground to battle the Repblic's Clone Troopers in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: So another Battle Droid was released, and it shows that by and large this wave was unoriginal and something of a tease.  I appreciate the emphasis on troopers, but none of these are areas I was looking to expand.  Based on the 2012 Vintage Collection Battle Droid (still warming pegs at some Targets near you), the figure is one of Hasbro's best takes on the robot.  It's super-skinny, can collapse completely into a little ball, and has both an antenna and a backpack so  you could easily customize one into a commander.  He's very unsure of his footing, so you'll want a doll stand - not a typical one-peg figure stand - to keep him standing over time.   Gravity and heat will cause him to collapse in a matter of time, be it days or weeks.   He will fall over, take my word on this.

He's easily the best red Battle Droid in terms of articulation and features, so it's sort of a shame to seem him stuck as part of an expensive online exclusive.  On the other hand, it's possible a collector with networking skills can trade a few of these guys away (or keep them)  while breaking up Droid Factory sets as each figure may appeal to a different segment of the collector public.  I was in no way excited to procure this figure, but I can't deny that it's a good figure and a smart use of Hasbro's repainting abilities, making it one of this set's highlights.  It brings something new to the table, but depending on your figure collecting needs it may not be sufficiently different.  There's a little silver "damage" and the eyes - and everything else - are where they should be.   Don't hold back on this one if you're interested.

Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it.  The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC.  The P/N on the cardback is a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself.  As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,057: November 14, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,056: FA-4 (2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory)

FA-4 New!
Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: TC-70 torso, five other figures
Action Feature: Removable limbs
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: FA-4 is Count Dooku's Pilot Droid on board the count's solar sailer, an interstellar sloop and a gift to Dooku from the Geonosians.  When Dooku makes his escape from Geonosis after battling Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda, it is the Pilot Droid FA-4 who operates the controls of Dooku's interstellar ship. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Originally FA-4 was to be doled out in segments as a build-a-droid figure, instead Hasbro just carded him as part of this special set.  I'm OK with that - it's a very nice figure.  Given 8 points of articulation, the figure moves better than I'd have guessed with joints at the hips, elbows, shoulders, and two neck joints.  You can pop off the arms, legs, and head and swap them with parts of other build-a-droid Protocol Droid bodies if you want, and the Pilot Droid arms do look quite nice in that style of body.

There are precious few 100%-newly-sculpted figures in the line this year, and I believe this may be the first completely new character to be released on a single blister card this year.   Thankfully it looks good - the squat little guy comes up to a Stormtrooper's shoulder, with a bronzey paint and a few painted details.  Eyes, some light silver, and a bit of black bring this silvery-grey robot to life.   Were this figure sold in stores, I'd want more of them because the various parts and pieces really are fun to swap with the other build-a-droid bits.  The figure has more moving parts than I'd expect and looks like it would fit perfectly in the Solar Sailer vehicle... that will never, ever be made.

You won't find a lot of excessive detail here, but as the only genuinely new figure in the wave it's the reason you will want to buy this set.  I almost bought one off of eBay until the flood of them made me think better of it, and I'm glad I waited.  $30 is too high for this figure - as is $60 - but the entire set is arguably "worth" it.   Barely.   It's still an expensive and decreasingly rewarding time to be an action figure collector.

Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it.  The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC.  The P/N on the cardback is a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself.  As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,056: November 13, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,055: Sandtrooper (2013 Legacy Collection Droid Factory)

SANDTROOPER Black Pauldron
Legacy Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. - No. A6729
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rifle, pistol, backpack, IM4-099 "Face" droid, clear connector piece
Action Feature: Droid connects to backpack
Retail: $59.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Sandtroopers hunt for two Droids on Tatooine.  Wearing armor modified for harsh desert climates, Sandtroopers search the town of Mos Eisley for R2-D2 and C-3PO.  A Sandtrooper questions "Ben" Kenobi, who uses a Jedi mind trick to make the Sandtrooper agree that "these are not the droids you're looking for."  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Up until about 2008 I was elated each time Hasbro put out a new sorta-different Sandtrooper figure, because the prices were good and the deco was usually quite different.  There were also multiple sculpts and tons of accessories, so it was a scavenger hunt of sorts.   This version is less exciting - it's good, but it's very similar to the 2012 Vintage release (orange pauldron) except they left off the one orange paint app.  Other than that it's functionally identical, with very similar dirt paint (which is excellent), the same three-piece Stormtrooper blaster, a large grenade cannon, and of course the same backpack with clip-on Face Droid from Star Wars: Special Edition.  I'm glad Hasbro was generous with the accessories, but the fact that nothing really changed except one single paint application (and the packaging) irks me a bit.  One different accessory - even the removal of one accessory - would make me think they at least pretended to do a little more work on this guy... of course, that's kind of the theme of this whole wave.  When Hasbro announced they axed the Droid Factory waves, other than the droids themselves I thought that was kind of for the best.

The body is the same as the Dewback Sandtrooper, and pretty much all subsequent Sandtroopers in the Vintage 2010-2012 era.  The helmets of this and the 2012 one are supposedly different, but it's similar enough to me where I'll just say "sure" and move on - it's not significantly interestingly different enough where I can point to what's unique.  Maybe the mouth?  I don't know.  I love the paint job on the body, which is again fundamentally similar to that 2012 Vintage Sandtrooper.  The articulation is about as good as we're going to get at this scale until Hasbro caves in and gives us a 100% new sculpt, and I'm less and less optimistic about this.

If you're a collector, you want this - it's different enough to make you mad.   If you're an army builder, you'll want this - same reason.  If you're looking for the best examples of each trooper or character, and you have the 2012 Vintage release, you can skip this one - it's basically the same, minus the color of the shoulder pad and the droid part.  Oh - it comes with the head of TC-70, Jabba's protocol droid from The Clone Wars movie.  Well, I take back everything - now it's a must buy.  (I loves me some Droids, and Clone Wars, and Jabba.)  The set itself is far more interesting than any of the six figures inside, save for Dooku's pilot droid.

Collector's Notes: I got this figure online from Amazon, and so should you. The packaging is unique for many reasons - not only is it based on the abandoned 2013 "Droid Factory" Legacy Collection concept, but the item is not six figures in a box - it's one figure with six items inside it.  The carded figures have no SKU and no UPC.  The P/N on the cardback is a Part Number, and that "part" that it represents is the actual cardboard piece - not the product itself.  As such this item was designed specifically to be an online exclusive, a retail store would likely never stock an item in the 21st century without a unique UPC unless it sold the entire 6-figure set, in its white mailer box, as a single unique item.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,055: November 12, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,054: Princess Leia Slave Outfit (The Black Series 6-Inch)

PRINCESS LEIA Slave Outfit
The Black Series 6-Inch Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. A4301 No. A5631
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: Black Series #05
Includes: Pike, vibro-axe
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: The notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett prepares to deliver the carbonite-frozen Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt.  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Commentary: Arguably the most influential outfit for the character, the slave outfit of Princess Leia was first to the 6-inch line for some reason - and I wish it wasn't.  It's not a terrible figure, the short release is just a hair over 5-inches tall which is pretty close in scale to Carrie Fisher's 5-foot 1-inch frame, relative to the other figures.  Hasbro and Kenner have taken license with sizing for years, so it's more than a little shocking when they get it right instead of fudging it for our benefit.   As far as I can tell, she's basically the right size, and the figure is somewhere in the field of adequate.  The face is good - not great - the face paint on my sample could have been a smidgen better, but you can see that the sculpt is on the decent side.  Getting joints into a mostly-unclothed human at this size is difficult, although I would argue Mara Jade's 3 3/4-inch release pulled the arms off slightly better, no doubt thanks to things like her gloves and the natural cut points at the shirt.  Leia has the unenviable task of trying to work shoulder joints in to an otherwise nice body, and Hasbro did a pretty good job given the challenge.


The cloth skirt is a bit of a dud.  It's hard to do well, so Hasbro didn't really try here - there's no draping, it's just a sheet of cloth glued to a metal bikini bottom.  It could be worse, and it could be better.  The rest of her outfit is largely good, but I find the chain accessory very lacking - it's a bendy, one-piece plastic choker.  The 2001 3 3/4-inch release has a real metal chain and a similar cloth piece, so in some respects this one isn't quite as good.  Also, this outfit is one place where I'd be more than willing to sacrifice articulation for aesthetics - the best Slave Leia bodies tend to be under-jointed, so swappable arms or swappable lower bodies with that classic sitting pose probably would have made for a better piece.   I guess what I'm saying is that overall, it feels rushed.

Leia's hair braid does not hang well.  It's sculpted nicely, but I have difficulty getting my sample to look good - I don't know if rooted hair at this scale would have been better, but I'm generally not happy with how it turned out.   I was pleased with the two accessories - one weapon is similar to that of Boushh, which is the costume I would have personally loved to have started with.  The other is similar to Skiff Lando/Weequay's signature axe, and Hasbro did a wonderful job sculpting and decorating both weapons.  If memory serves, a prop builder once told me the round end of the axe weapon was made of hacked-up two-liter soda bottle parts... or at least could be fabricated that way.

When it comes to figures, I often tell people who are jumpy for a character to be happy they waited - generally speaking, toymakers get better figures with time.  This version of Slave Leia combines some of the better elements of previous 3 3/4-inch figures with some of the more lacking elements.  Articulation is nice, but if I can't get her to sit right, what good is it?  The chain is acceptable, but for $20 couldn't I get a tiny chain?   I bet that this figure would have looked significantly better had it been put out two or three years from now, but as it is it's just adequate.  It's odd to me that this entire wave has at least one or two "flaws" on each figure which seem surprising given Hasbro's rich history with the brand and track record of generally getting colors and shapes right, but well, here we are.  Slave Leia is correct on paper, but the execution shows this to be a figure that was a smidgen undercooked - normally not an issue, but with a larger figure at a higher price point problems tend to be more visible and more worthy of complaint.

Collector's Notes: I saw this wave in stores for the first time over the weekend.  I got this figure online from Entertainment Earth, and so should you.  The face is better than one might expect, but I bet a customizer could take a paintbrush to her and give you something that would really impress you.  Hasbro did start out great, it just finished a little short of where I would prefer.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,054: November 11, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,053: Boba Fett (The Black Series 6-Inch)

BOBA FETT Episode V
The Black Series 6-Inch Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. A4301 No. A5632
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: Black Series #06
Includes: Blaster rifle, blaster pistol, backpack
Action Feature: Fit gun in holster, repeat
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett prepares to deliver the carbonite-frozen Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt.  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Commentary: I know, you already have Boba Fett.  But if you don't, good news - the basic retail release for $20 is fundamentally identical to the $60 Comic-Con version,  minus the carbonite block, which no sane person would agree is worth an added $40.   The entire package is arguably worthwhile, and Boba Fett himself is a bargain at $20 - so good on you for waiting, just get this one.  The sculpt is quite excellent, and I expect there will be debate on the coloration of his bodysuit and armor.  Should the suit be blue?  It looks grey usually, so there are often discussions over who to trust - reality, or your own eyes?   I know the figure isn't necessarily correct, but it does look like a lot of stills from the movie - I never mentally registered the costume in the film as blue, even though the original 1979 action figure is that color.   So aesthetically it's a winner, even if it's sort of wrong in terms of authenticity.  But hey, look on the bright side - Hasbro's going to give this mold a few spins at retail, most likely, so at least there's a valid reason for another release down the road.

The figure itself is, as the others, tantalizingly close to perfect - sure, we can quibble over the deco, but it meets my needs as good enough.  The thing that surprised me was that the rangefinder on his helmet wasn't articulated - even 3 3/4-inch figures have had that feature on and off since 2001.  It's a little bent out of shape, but generally it's good enough, and the sculpting work is pleasant enough to make me happy I own it.  If Japan had a Figma figure this good and it were $60, authenticity be damned, people would be falling over themselves to purchase it.  For this reason, I can't fault a figure that's really quite good, and even has a decent cloth cape on him.

The guns basically work - his arm articulation is slightly restricted, but the costume does not beget hyper-articulation at smaller sizes.  You can put all of the joints you want on a figure, but sometimes things will bump into the articulation, like Boba's hip pouches or the cuts on his elbows.  You're going to love posing him with his gear, and while the figure is unquestionably superior to and more fun than the gamut of 3 3/4-inch figures (save for 1979) there will pretty much always be limited room for improvement.  Hasbro did a fine job hiding most of the joints within the confines of the costume, and I found myself taking note of numerous features on the bounty hunter I generally didn't think were even there.  It's a winner.  Complain all you like, but this is still a top-notch figure and it's not like anything you can buy is perfect anyway.  Except the 1979 figure, because it is, and shut your pie hole if you think otherwise.

Collector's Notes: I haven't seen him in a store yet.  I got this figure online from Entertainment Earth, and so should you.  Even though it's the same as the one from Comic-Con with fewer accessories, it's also significantly cheaper.  So if the carbonite doesn't matter, get this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,053: November 8, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,052: Greedo (The Black Series 6-Inch)

GREEDO Episode IV
The Black Series 6-Inch Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. A4301 No. A5629
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: Black Series #08
Includes: Removable vest, removable holster, blaster pistol
Action Feature: Fit gun in holster, repeat
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Han Solo has a final showdown with the bounty hunter Greedo in the Mos Eisley Cantina.  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Commentary: I got to fondle the prototype for Greedo at Comic-Con this year since we got to reveal this figure at work, so that was awesome.  It had a strong paint smell, and so does the final release - which, I have to say, is largely excellent.   My favorite Greedo toy may still be that 1990s 12-inch Collector Series release by Kenner, but this one is right up there - it's also the first new mold Hasbro Greedo to include a vest this century.  It comes painfully close to being the last Greedo Hasbro will ever need to make, save for one detail - the eyes.  With Greedo I generally expect the manufacturer of any Greedo item to get the eye color wrong.   It's basically metallic purple, which is as close as we're likely to see in this decade of toy production*, but the shape is wrong for this release - they're basically eggs or ovals, rather than circles, which they have been in every toy since the first one.   Every other nitpick I could make is me nitpicking, but the eye shape is just weird looking.  The ears are great, the warty head is fine, the suction cup fingers are perfect, there's really a ton to love about this figure.  Pointy ears?  Yes.  Perfect sneering snout?  Oh yeah.  But the eyes, howl! The eyes!

Other than that, the head is great.  I love the little protrusions, the mohawk is a separate strip of rubbery plastic which was glued to the back of his skull.  His giant ears really stand out, achieving Kenner's and Hasbro's ongoing high-quality Greedo head sculpts.   I'd say it's one that's difficult to screw up, but... well... eyes.


Greedo's suit has been interpreted numerous ways and this is a pretty good synthesis of previous versions - his shoes here are grey, Gentle Giant's last statue was a lighter yellowish brown, which is close to the stripes on his track suit.  Sideshow's figure looked like it had boots, or hi-tops at least.  This Greedo seems more consistent with Hasbro's recent interpretations with the darker grey footwear, and the suit is generally colored as you would expect - but for some reason has been slathered with a dirty wipe.  He doesn't look dirty in any of the behind-the-scenes shots and the wipe or wash or whatever it is feels like overkill.  You want to see the detail, sure, but it looks like someone dumped a bucket of sewage over the poor guy when what you may have wanted was a more pearlescent sheen.  In most display environments you won't notice, because you'll be too distracted of how the yellow stripes are this great sickly color which almost lets the green show through - just like the suit in the movie.   On, and the quantity of wrinkles and folds you'll find sculpted here are obscene.  I'm not sure how the artisans at Hasbro or Gentle Giant handled it but I assume that if they were hand-sculpted, someone is gonna have some nasty carpal tunnel.  It's remarkable.

Articulation is on par with the entire line minus the Sandtrooper, which is a little bit better.   The arms are basically on the level of the best 3 3/4-inch guys with bend-and-swivel wrists, plus long, rubbery, individual fingers with suction cups.  His trigger finger fits right in the trigger, painlessly.  For me. Heck if I know how the figure feels.  Depending on how you wish to count, you've got a solid 20-24 joints to futz with.  The neck has two joints, allowing him a more than decent range of movement.

Greedo's good and I doubt we'll see any of these guys redone, but I don't think it would be terrible if Hasbro took a mulligan on this first year down the road.   Still, I like it, and I'm elated to see that Hasbro has done 3 of the 9 "21-back" figures already, but only 2 of the "12-back"s.  Suck on that, 1978.   1979 rules.  (1996, 1997, and 1999 can also suck it.)

Collector's Notes: * - this is a nitpick. The only way I think we'll see a better set of eyes is if Hasbro somehow does inset clear plastic eyes in his head which is pretty unrealistic for 2013.   This is what I'm sure Figma or Revoltech would do if they get the license in the next decade or two.  I await the fan-made aftermarket heads and/or upsized Cantina booth seats via the Shapeways.

I haven't seen him in a store yet.  I got this figure online from Entertainment Earth, and so should you.  (The wave is $79.99 with free shipping, you cannot beat it.  If you wait to see it at Target you'll still have to pay sales tax, so just buy the wave of four.)  I appreciate how the wave is really built around Han - his girlfriend, and two people that want him dead.


--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,052: November 7, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,051: Han Solo (The Black Series 6-Inch)

HAN SOLO Episode IV
The Black Series 6-Inch Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. A4301 No. A4634
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: Black Series #08
Includes: Swappable gloved hands, standard holster, Stormtrooper belt, blaster, Stormtrooper blaster, alternate hands with gloves
Action Feature: Swap hands, or belts, also removable vest
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2013
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Han Solo has a final showdown with the bounty hunter Greedo in the Mos Eisley Cantina.  (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!


Commentary: I like the 6-inch figure concept a bunch but the execution is tantalizingly close to perfect - with some amateur mistakes.  Han Solo has an amazing body sculpt, easily the best accessory compliment of any Hasbro figure I remember buying, top-notch articulation, but two bizarre problems.  One, the Stormtrooper belt has this weird peg sticking out of the front which is purely cosmetic - it matches another tab on the Sandtrooper, which also seems to serve no real purpose.  Why?  The other problem is Han Solo's head, which has blue eyes and looks little like Harrison Ford but a lot like Han Solo, if you follow me.  Could they not get a likeness approval?  This is just odd, and over the last couple of decades of Kenner and Hasbro product no longer seems like a quality or skill level and now feels increasingly like a conscious choice.  At certain angles he looks perfectly fine, or at least acceptable, but where's Ford's scar? Why are his eyes the wrong color?  And why is the head set so high on the neck?  It's soooo close to perfect that I assume it's going to inspire fans to mold and make their own Han heads to sell at a premium, because other than the head this is easily the best Han Solo action figure I've ever owned.  Hasbro, if you rerelease it with a new head, I'd buy it again.

The sculpting and articulation prove that you are a chump for owning dozens of 3 3/4-inch figures with varying levels of improvements.  Han can stand, no problem.  He's a hair over 6-inches tall, which matches up nicely with the 6 foot, 1 inch actor.  The wrinkles on his outfit seem about right, and you get the blue pants and red Corellian Bloodstripes and all of that.  The real surprise other than the optional belts - both of which have functioning holsters for their respective blasters - was that the figure would have "gloved" hands you can swap out that aren't posed the same as the regular hands.  The left hand is designed to reach out and fidget with something, or perhaps fondle something.  They look great and help add to the figure's personality, which is ample.  His vest is removable, too, and you can have him sit cross-legged on a 1:10 scale bar section if you have such a thing at your disposal.  I don't, but get on that Shapeways people.

Swapping belts is relatively painless, and the hands pop out fairly easily but not too easily.  Other than the lackluster head (and its questionable eyes), this figure is a marvel and is easily one of Hasbro's finer efforts in terms of execution this year.  Get one.

Collector's Notes: I haven't seen him in a store yet.  I got this figure online from Entertainment Earth, and so should you.  (The wave is $79.99 with free shipping, you cannot beat it.  If you wait to see it at Target you'll still have to pay sales tax, so just buy the wave of four.)  I appreciate how the wave is really built around Han - his girlfriend, and two people that want him dead.


--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,051: November 6, 2013