The Black Series 3 3/4-Inch Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. A5077 No. A5635
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: Black Series #23
Includes: Blaster, headphones
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $10.99
Availability: June 2014
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back
Bio: This Rebel Alliance Chief Communications Officer remains at her post until the final evacuation from Hoth, relaying attack commands to the Rebel Forces. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam's photo lab.
Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!
Commentary: New-to-action-figure characters are scarce. As of wave 4, The Black Series had a grand total of 3 never-before-action-figure characters in the line. Toryn Farr is the first new non-exclusive Original Trilogy figure character since 2012. The last new-to-modern figure was Lumat in late 2012, while the newest all-new original trilogy single-carded figure to never see a toy release before Ms. Farr was the Mon Calamari Rebel Pilot of February 2012, and the last all-new original character to get a toy debut that actually appears in the movies was (Jeepers Creepers) Bom Vimdin, way back around July of 2011. So kids, if we're talking about screen-used original trilogy characters, it has been three years since the last completely new, fresh, unquestionably you-don't-have-it-in-any-form introduction. This, friends, is why the 6-inch line interests me so much.
Believe it or not, Toryn Farr has been requested by some fans over the last few years. She sat at a communication station on Hoth, and she didn't even have a name until Decipher made a card of her in 1996. For this reason, Hasbro wisely took a shortcut when making her and took the Hoth Leia body from 2010 and gave her a new head, new forearms, and a new vest. The hands are un-gloved, and not just Leia's hands painted a fleshy color - kudos, Hasbro. The jump suit is what we old, jaded fans call "close enough." A certain quantity of reuse is more or less expected, so the missing cylinders and a different neck closing are things we just have to deal with - it's probably not worth tens of thousands of dollars to tool new arms and new torsos for Hasbro for a character like this. The head sculpt is new and good - she looks like a cousin of Mon Mothma, and while she doesn't seem quite as youthful as her on-screen inspiration she's still quite good. The headphones are a perfect fit, and the gun is a rough fit in her hands - you can get it in there, but it's a struggle. She can sit, she can stand, she has a 2009 copyright stamped on her person. Overall it's a clever reuse of an existing mold, and certainly more than good enough for my needs. There are so few ladies of which to make toys in the original films, anything is always welcomed. The eye paint on Ms. Farr is arguably the best of the new heads of the wave, and I really think the reddish brown color is perfect. Also perfect: a tiny little badge on her vest. The paint job is tight and clean, worthy of praise and another great new figure. Old school fans won't have long to wait for the next all-new character - Sgt. Doallyn is due in wave 5, and R5-G19 is supposedly still on deck for this year too. And then... who knows? So buy Toryn Farr, trilogy fans, because Hasbro isn't giving you a lot of all-new opportunities to show your support for this great line. Granted, there aren't too many left - that's what happens after a couple thousand plastic men.
Collector's Notes: This figure started shipping from online toy stores late in June 2014. At press time I have not heard of him showing up in big box shops.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 2,087: July 2, 2014
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