Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,720: 4-LOM (Kenner-Deco Zuckuss, The Black Series 6-Inch)

4-LOM Or, Zuckuss in 1982 Kenner Colors
The Black Series 40th Anniversary 6-Inch Figure Amazon/Hasbro Pulse 2-Pack
Item No.: No. E9925
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: July 2020
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio:  When Kenner first produced the 4-LOM and Zuckuss figures, the names somehow got reversed. In this Star Wars 2-pack, the original packaging has been recreated -- switched names and all.   (Taken from Hasbro's marketing copy.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I assume this 4-LOM in Kenner colors (and companion Zuckuss) were originally meant for Celebration or Comic-Con, but who knows?  As a shared 2-pack, making two popular bounty hunters in the colors most older adult fans will remember is an easy, smart move.  This figure (as Zuckuss) was previously a shared item strewn to the retail wind in the wake of Toys R Us' demise - so maybe you got it, and maybe you didn't.  If you didn't, this is a perfectly good replacement.  In the movies he was a little darker, but the still photos look much more like this lighter, tan figure.  And that's fine - this is the one I tried to chase down as a kid in the 1980s.

As with before, the figure has big cloth robes that hinder a lot of articulation.  His rifle is back, held in his left hand.  Articulation seems a smidgen better, perhaps due to thinner soft goods, for this release - but you'll note the robe is still nicely weathered.  Our fine Findsman friend has some marvelous sculpting on his head, and you can get a better idea of just how much work went into every wrinkle and crease thanks to the lighter color with the tiny bit of paint to highlight each part of the craggy cranium.   What's more, the silver eyes and tubes pop right out - even in a darker room.

The names of bounty hunters were largely unclear.  Boba Fett, IG-88, and Bossk were well known, but Dengar was "Zuckass" in some publications.  Kenner swapped 4-LOM and Zuckuss - and a lot of us had no idea until West End Games or various video games showed them with the corrected monnikers.

This is not the first version of a "Kennery" Zuckuss - we got 4-LOM in another 2-pack for Star Wars Celebration a few years ago as a 3 3/4-inch release.  I like this one best, mostly because it meshes my memory of the original toy with how the alien looks in my mind.  Is it accurate?  Does it matter?  He looks awesome and fits in well with everybody else, plus gives Hasbro another easy redeco exclusive that Amazon and Pulse quickly blew through.  Good choice, all around.  Get one if you can.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Hasbro Pulse.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,720: August 27, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,719: Stormtrooper (Carbonzed Graphite, The Black Series 6-Inch)

STORMTROOPER Carbonized Graphite
The Black Series Fan Channel Shared Exclusive 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: No. E9923
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #n/a
Includes: Rifle, pistol
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: July 2020
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio:  Stormtroopers are elite shock troopers fanatically loyal to the Empire and impossible to sway from the Imperial cause.  (Taken from Hasbro's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!




Commentary: When I heard that a  Stormtrooper (Carbonized Graphite) was coming, I was picturing something like Walmart's exclusive and forgotten Sith Jet Trooper. (Admit it, you forgot it existed - it's the only Carbonized figure to be marked down.)   Hasbro rarely made new colored Stormtroopers that have no precedent in fiction, but this silver trooper is a surprisingly good one.  It's shiny, but not mirrored.   It seems to owe more to the likes of Captain Phasma figures than anything else, and it's a good fit - the helmet still has painted details thatm ake it look gorgeous.    The body glove is also painted, but the various dots on the belly armor were left silver on my sample and probably yours too.   Articulation is unchanged from the original release, but you're buying this for the generous slathering of paint.  You're also being charged $5 more for it.

We got a lot of special Stormtroopers lately, from games like The Force Unleashed (two of them!) as well as troopers with battle damage, shadow troopers, and some lunatic even got the red Stormtrooper from an old issue of Topps' Star Wars Galaxy Collector Magazine made.  Can you imagine?  If you've enjoyed this figure in white, black, clear blue with glitter grey, and other colors, the silver one may be the best when it comes to bringing the detailing to life.  The white absorbs some of the painted detail, and while the red looks cool it doesn't do it any favors.  The gleam on the silver makes every belt segment pop, every button or dot leaps out, and even the pegs and vents sing in ways you don't normally see on this mold.

I generally don't care for quasi-commemorative figures, but this one sizzles.  It gives you a new perspective on a popular mold that's been repainted several times - and hopefully this is the last one, now that a new mold is on the way.  If you can get it for a fair price, do - the box is gorgeous.  It reminds me of an aluminum soda can, with a mirrored foil box and some simple-but-great Stormtrooper artwork on the back.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,719: August 25, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,718: Battle Droid (Geonosis, The Black Series 6-Inch)

BATTLE DROID (Geonosis)
The Black Series   6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. E4071 No. E9327
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #108
Includes: Blaster, backpack, antenna pack
Action Feature: Telescoping antenna in backpack
Retail: $19.99
Availability: July 2020
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Rather than use flesh-and-blood warriors, the Separatists prefer tall, thin battle droids to serve as mindlessly loyal soldiers that are easily controlled.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Continuing this Star Wars wave of repaints and retools, Battle Droid (Geonosis) takes the tan droid and redecorates it.  Hasbro could've done a lot less here - if they just took the tan droid and made it red, it would've sold fine and you'd be happy with it.   Thankfully I don't work at Hasbro in the deco department.    The Geonosis edition has distinctive battle damage and wear when compared to the Naboo version, and also is distinctive from GameStop's Heavy Battle Droid version.  I appreciate this.

It's a great figure, skinny and well-jointed with a lot of detail.  I love that the blaster can plug in the backpack, and that the hands are perfectly designed to carry the weapon.  I also dig that it can stand and be posed nicely, or ball up into that cargo mode we saw in the first prequel.   About 24 useful points of articulation let this figure assume a bunch of handy poses, with arms and legs able to bend incredibly well.   Hasbro's humanoid articulation in The Black Series hasn't always been the best, but for these droids it seems perfect.  For a figure of this size at this price, it's above what I would expect.

Finding the figure's center of gravity is tough, and I would assume it's going to fall over with time.  It would have been nice to have Hasbro give the figure some sort of stand that offers support above the waist, but they didn't.   It's a gorgeous figure with marvelous silver paint chips and excellent weathering on the blaster, though, so all I can say is that it's a pity that it came out during a time where it will be difficult to army-build and probably long after anyone sees it and goes "I want to spend thousands of dollars on prequel armies."  I think it's a great figure and I hope Hasbro reissues it on the regular so everybody can buy a few more.   Good job Hasbro!  I never thought it'd be 18 years out from Attack of the Clones and we're getting tip-top nostalgia collectible figures, but here we are.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,718: August 20, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,717: Plo Koon (The Black Series 6-Inch)

PLO KOON 6-Inch Debut
The Black Series   6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. E4071 No. E9328
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #109
Includes: Lightsaber, Robes
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: July 2020
Appearances: Attack of the Clones? or maybe The Phantom Menace?

Bio: A Kel Dor from Dorin, Plo Koon was among the wisest members of the Jedi Order, respected for his level-headed analysis of events and unflappable calm.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: If you've read my Star Wars toy coverage and ramblings over the last 25 years, you know I like to try to keep it clean.  In the case of Plo Koon in the 6-inch line I'm going to break that tradition by just letting you know it and a lot of his wave mates are kind of half-assed.   While Anakin and the Battle Droid are sensible choices to reuse a lot of existing tooling, Plo Koon is actually Mace Windu [FOTD #2,585] with new soft goods, a new lightsaber, a new head, and of course new hands.  Hasbro's factory sewed the cloak shut on the body and added a new neck piece below Plo's head, presumably to help keep you from noticing that it's just a retooled Jedi Master Windu.  Did it work?  I sure couldn't tell from the publicity photos, and there are so few good reference shots of Plo Koon without his robes that it's possible that most fans will never notice or care.   The new parts are all you see in the publicity photos or in an unopened box - so should you care?

The new head, lightsaber, and hands are amazingly good.  The sculpted detail is tip-top, with pointy bits under his chin and nicely painted claws.     The alien mask has been replicated here nicely, with an exceptionally nice level of detail proving that when Hasbro (rarely) decides to make a new classic alien in this scale, they do an exquisite job translating rubber and latex to PVC.  I'm impressed.

The robes are all new here, and seem as if they may be inspired by Sideshow's figure.  The robes are very similar to theirs, and their figure also seems to have a belt and boots that match the other Jedi Master.   Coincidence?  In the absence of good reference, toys often become the de facto source of inspiration so it wouldn't at all surprise me if someone looked at the 1:6 figures - usually reference-quality stuff - and said "eh, good enough."   Plo's Hasbro robes have a hood hanging in the back, which looks great - but if you pull it over his head, it looks ridiculous.

He stands fine, he holds his lightsaber just fine, and if you look at Hasbro's original Power of the Jedi take on this Jedi master... it's fine.  That figure just had a big robe and was basically a chess piece, and if you leave this figure's robes on and just leave him standing, he's fine.  The shortcut makes sense - but we've seen robeless figures from Attack of the Clones and beyond, and the colors and detail are different from this The Black Series release.  We're just now starting to see Hasbro completely resculpt its earlier 6-inch figures from 2013, so when I see Plo Koon I'm not sure if I should tell you to get it because it's all we'll ever see, or to wait for Hasbro to try and do it again from the ground on up.   The Star Wars 6-inch line has largely been good with minimal sharing of tooling (except on troopers or figures where it makes a lot of sense), which is quite different from what we see in Marvel Legends.   Given Marvel's line had build-a-figure parts - but a lot of reused tooling - I didn't complain that the two cost about the same.  If Hasbro is going to start taking shortcuts, I'd certainly like to see some build-a-figure parts introduced, or perhaps more accessories or display stands.   If you never open your figures or remove them from the robes on your shelves, though, this figure is fine and I expect you will have no problems with it.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,717: August 18, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,716: Anakin Skywalker (The Black Series 6-Inch)

ANAKIN SKYWALKER (Padawan)
The Black Series   6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. E4071 No. E9330
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #110
Includes: Lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: July 2020
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: A hero of the Clone Wars, Anakin was caring and compassionate, but also had a fear of loss that would prove to be his downfall.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: While not perfect, Anakin Skywalker is pretty fantastic given a good chunk of him is just the Revenge of the Sith figure from a few years ago.  The lightsaber is a new sculpt and closely models the hilt that got destroyed in Attack of the Clones, which means it looks great.  Unfortunately Hasbro didn't design it to interact with Anakin's retooled  belt, featuring tons of different gizmos hanging off the sides when compared to the Episode III version. 

The figure itself has a new head, the aforementioned belt piece, and a new lower right arm and hand - ungloved this time.  The elbow can bend a little more than the prequel-sequel version on the new arm, but its range of motion isn't as good as some other more recent figures.  He has no problems holding the lightsaber with one hand, but he can't hold it with two hands particularly well.   Standing is also a bit of an issue, more recent figures have slightly smoother movement to the joints but getting this one to stay upright takes a little bit of fidgeting... or a display stand.

The most interesting part is the head.  If you compare the 2013 figures with today's, it's amazing to see just how far we've come.  Skintone and paint have been a problem for Hasbro for years, with some figures turning out perfectly well and some hilariously bad.  This is easily Hasbro's best Anakin - the skin isn't too pale, it has just a hint of a translucency to it, and the face printing is top notch.  The hair feels a little high, but it still looks like Anakin.  More specifically, it's eerily accurate to Hayden Christensen.  I kept taking pictures of it with slightly different lighting at different angles and it just looked so cool - it's a little weird being on the older body, but these new heads are consistently great.  You get the Jedi rat tail.   He's even got sand on his boots - it does get everywhere!  

The prequels weren't everybody's cup of tea at the time, but that generation has grown up and as any fan knows, Star Wars improves when measured against newer entries in the saga.  Some stuff holds up well over time, and some stuff needs some time to gestate before it clicks with pop culture at large.  People used to hate Return of the Jedi!   Now they've got their pick of five new movies to disown from the last few years - while mostly, slowly, clamoring for more prequel toys.   I'm glad they waited to do a decent upgrade on Anakin, and this is worth your while.   Pre-orders are still open online, as are orders, depending on when you read this.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,716: August 13, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,715: Moloch (The Black Series 6-Inch)

MOLOCH Wormie
The Black Series Target Exclusive 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: No. E2821
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #n/a
Includes: Mask, blaster, staff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: July 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio:  Moloch wallows in authority over the lesser thieves of his gang.  Like all White Worms, Moloch is very sensitive to natural light and must wear special protective gear when outside his dank lair.   (Taken from Hasbro's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I sat on Moloch for about two years.  It's been on a shelf that I could see whenever I turned my head for two years.  I really liked the movie, and the 3 3/4-inch figure, but for whatever reason I just let this one sit around.  Target also hung on to this figure far, far past its expiration date.  The good news is that means you can get it cheap if you want one - and you probably should.  It's a good figure for $20, but for $30 there's not a lot to plus him up.

While the figure's accessory count is great and the paint applications are marvelous, the figure itself is a glorified salt shaker.   From the waist on up, it's the best thing you can ever want - the arm joints are nice and smooth. The mask pops off and you can make the worm head inside look up and down and to the sides, plus it's gorgeous.  The Solo aliens are extra-Star Wars-y compared to a lot of the other Disney-era films, and this one has Henson-ian hints with a design that doesn't seem entirely removed from The Dark Crystal.   You can pull off his visor and pull down his mask.  The blaster fits in the holster.  And of course, he can hold the staff.  Everything looks good, is painted well, and moves nicely.

Unfortunately due to his robes and the design being a worm man, there's nothing going on below the waist.  I love the wormy detail with the little legs visible when you flip it over, but it doesn't feel as robust as Grievous or the Gamorrean Guard figures.   The good news is that it stands perfectly because it's basically a statue with articulation on the arms and neck.  This is also the bad news.  With a good sense of heft and really good detail on the alien head, it's hard to knock this one too much.  Other than, you know, not being something people seemed to want.

I assume we got "Moloch" because the name sounded like Indiana Jones' nemesis "Belloq," but I didn't write the script.  As the only Grindalid we got - and are likely to get - I'd say it's worth your while.  He fits right in with Jabba the Hutt, who is lacking in henchmen.  Moloch is good diorama filler and a high-quality design, so unless you  just hate him, you should probably buy one.   I wish we got Solo sequels so we could see him again.


Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target. 

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,715: August 11, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,714: Boba Fett (Carbonzed Graphite, The Black Series 6-Inch)

BOBA FETT Carbonized Graphite
The Black Series Fan Channel Shared Exclusive 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: No. E9927
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #n/a
Includes: Rifle, jet pack, pistol
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: July 2020
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio:  With his customized Mandalorian armor, deadly weaponry, and silent demeanor, Boba Fett was one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy.   (Taken from Hasbro's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I just got my Boba Fett (Carbonized Graphite) in the mail from work, and it's pretty great.   When I was made aware of this figure existing I kind of rolled my eyes a bit - I'm not exactly crazy for the idea of "the same thing, but shiny" because the earliest releases in the format ranged from amazing but rare like Mando, or pretty blah like the Second Sister Inquisitor.  I'm not so crazy about Darth Vader from the pictures, but Boba Fett seems to fall squarely in the same camp as Mando - it works, and it works well.

It helps that Boba Fett is colorful.  Metallic black isn't exactly exciting, but the yellow and green packaging holds a pretty stunning figure inside.  The shiny silver body suit really sizzles, the metallic green looks great, the yellows aren't bad, and the coppers... well, they're OK too.  I love how the red lights and buttons on his gauntlets pop, plus the cape looks and even feels a little bit like mylar.  Articulation is the same as it has been since 2013, and the figure has no problems holding his blasters, standing, or generally looking like the best thing you've bought in months.   The shiny blasters look great, the jetpack has never looked better, and if you only buy one 6-inch Boba Fett this might be the one to get.

7 years and at least a half dozen reissues/repaints later, the mold is still holding up well with the joints on my sample remaining nice and tight.   Maybe it's the paint, maybe it's better equipment, but I will say you won't be disappointed if you pop this one out of the box.

I'm not quite sure why the Carbonized figures vary so much in terms of quality - some will light up even in a dimly-lit room, while others barely look any different than a standard release.  This is one of the best ones, and I hope they keep trying to do some weirdness like this with a gleaming gold C-3PO or maybe even one of the orange Pilot Lukes in this format.   Star Wars is a fun toy line but is sorely lacking in bright color - it's a weird piece, but it's nice to see Hasbro found a way to make it bright without putting figures out in teal or purple or some unprecedented colors.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,714: August 6, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,713: Gonk Droid (Droid Factory Line Look)

COLOR-CHANGING GONK DROID The Droid Factory
Star Wars Disney Droid Depot
Item No.: No. ???
Manufacturer: Disney
Number: n/a
Includes: Power droid, some basins, and no instructions
Action Feature: Top of chassis pops off
Retail: $49.99
Availability: ca. July 2019
Appearances: n/a

Bio: All different types of droids populate the galaxy.  Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors.  Perform diagnostics and change the color of the droids!  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!




Commentary:  A simple color-change redeco that scratches a Kenner itch, this Color-Changing Gonk Droid is going to cost you $50. Or more, because thanks COVID-19.   Always pays on time.  Always fits the bill.  He comes well-prepared.  Cube top, squared-off. Eight corners, 90 degree angles.   Flat top, stares straight ahead.  Stock parts, blockhead.

This mold is a lot like the previous Disney mold, which is a lot like the previous Hasbro mold.   It lacks the wacky eyes of the new 2020 Hasbro version, but has the legs that swing forward and sturdy feet.  He stands, you can pull off the dome and reveal what I assume must be some sort of printer parts or something.  It looks neat, and there's a hole in the top of his dustbin head that allows you to use him on a hook in the included playset.  Or in the sandcrawler.  Or even lets him wear a hat.  It's a hole that keeps on giving.

When heated, it's a pretty blah grey.  There are some nice textures thanks to the color-change paint, which makes it blue enough that it may serve as a stand-in for the 1979 Kenner blue Power Droid that you'll never, ever get from Hasbro at this rate.  I mean, maybe you will, but The Power of the Force '95 kicked off 25 years ago this month and Hasbro/Kenner still haven't completely updated the original line.  I wouldn't hold your breath.

For this reason, I would recommend this figure. It has a little playset thing with tiny fans and places to put water which you can pretend is paint.   It's interesting, but maybe it's just inflation because this seems pricey.  Kenner's vintage Droid Factory was $9.99 in the old Sears catalog around 1980, and that sucker came with parts to build tons of figures.  With inflation, it would be about $30 - and this is $20 more than that, with less stuff in the box.  "Clear box for water" isn't exactly an improvement, but there's a lot more paint and some electronics too.  Well, you decide, I guess.  $50 is a video game and this playset and figure seem more like a souvenir for kids or a collector's thing.  And if you want an old Kenner Power Droid, they're still pretty worthless - which is $20 by modern standards.

Collector's Notes: Mine came from my pal Shannon who picked it up at Disneyland.  Thanks Shannon!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,713: August 4, 2020