Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,110: The Inquisitor (Star Wars Rebels Saga Legends)

THE INQUISITOR  has no actual name yet
Star Wars Rebels Saga Legends
Item No.: Asst. A3857 No. A8646
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #SL03
Includes: Lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: October 2014
Appearances: Star Wars Rebels

Bio:The Inquisitor is a Force-sensitive spy and interrogator for the Galactic Empire who uses a ring-hilted Lightsaber that he spins and throws in combat.  He tracks down Jedi who escaped Order 66 and citizens who exhibit Force abilities. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Commentary: Saga Legends are here - and so are the first single-carded characters from a completely new piece of Star Wars media in North America since 2012.  The last wave was Canada-only with Jedi Luke, a Snowtrooper, Darth Maul, and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Clone Wars).  Darth Maul isn't carried in this wave, but the other three make their US debut alongside The Inquisitor, as do repacks of Jango Fett (previously Mission Series), Darth Vader (also previously Mission Series), and the Clone Trooper (Saga Legends 2013).

This case is better than The Black Series waves on the whole, given that (to most of you) 9 of the figures are new.  Although I do find it baffling that they didn't make a case with 2 each of the 6 Rebels guys, or some mix of just the new characters, at least they're taking into account that there are likely some kids out there who are going to want some movie dudes.

Thankfully Hasbro at least decided to put The Inquisitor in an exclusive boxed set with his TIE Fighter at Target (hitting stores nowish), because he ain't in Wave 5 for some reason.  From where I sit it appears that Hasbro may have exceptionally low expectations for this segment of the franchise, because with no launch, main characters in short supply, and what feels like little or no promotion to fan sites or in general, this entire segment could be swept under the rug pretty easily.  This is a shame, because this is a decent figure.  There are limitations in the "cheap" format, but our nameless villain here makes the most of what the budget allows.  As the third Pau'an action figure that I can name, the figure has relatively shallow grooves on his head unlike previous members of his race.  He has Sith eyes which just confuses me - we've seen them on Anakin/Vader, Darth Maul, and nobody else so far - so what do they mean, really?  The yellow eyes have a black dot in the center and black eyeliner, plus red markings that seem like something Alice Cooper may have found kind of tame.  Overall, it's a good look for him.

The overall feel of the action figure is very 1990s.  It reminds me of some of the later animated Batman toys with skinny limbs, but a very stable build and enough bulk that it feels he could do some damage.  His gauntlets look vaguely like repurposed Clone Trooper gear, and his shoulders each have an Empire symbol on them.  I love this.  The black armor is largely evenly painted, although my sample had a significant gash in it, exposing the grey plastic underneath.

A black marker swipe actually fixed it, and while it's not a perfect match you really have to know where to look to see the problem.  His belt and buckle are painted, as are his black matte boots.  I assume a larger budget would have allowed for shinier shoes, but that's just a hunch - at least we get his cool ring Lightsaber.  It's red clear plastic with a black hilt that fits well in either hand.

I find the Inquisitor to be more than satisfactory.  I bet a more expensive one would be better - a few pennies on deco, a multi-piece weapon, and a mouth with exposed teeth could have made for a much more menacing threat.  This pale, tattooed guy is clearly evil but the animation model's skin is a little more ashen, and his grimace more pronounced.  Plus there's something unsettling about those grooves in the skin that, in this lighter colored plastic, is lost.  If you can get behind a figure that feels like an older toy - and boy howdy, can I - this is one of the good ones.   For the new figures as of this wave (Stormtrooper, Kallus, Chopper, and the Inquisitor) I'd probably rank Inquisitor near the top in terms of just looking like he's worth the asking price the most.  Heck, at $7, he'd still be pretty good.  Don't get me wrong, I love Chopper, but Chopper doesn't impress in quite the same way.

Collector's Notes: I got this from Entertainment Earth.  This wave is starting to show up at Target, Toys R Us, and reportedly elsewhere.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,110: November 11, 2014