Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,010: Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard, The Retro Collection)

LANDO CALRISSIAN (Skiff Guard, Kenner Style)
The Retro Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. F6866 No. F7277
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, staff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $11.99
Availability: February 2023
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: Adjusted for inflation, Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) is pretty expensive compared to one of my favorite childhood action figures' 1983 release. Back then, he was about $2.99 - today, he's $11.99. Adjusted for inflation he'd probably be around $8.99. The figure is just as simple as the original with five points of articulation, a removable helmet, and the classic pike weapon - but the detail isn't as sharp, and the colors are barely different. Unless you had an original to compare side by side, you probably wouldn't notice.  But you would notice that the eyes are painted a little off, that the armor is a lot smoother, and that the figure's sculpt (and flimsy cardback) are just bad enough that I am now assuming this has to be a directive from Lucasfilm or Disney.   If a bootlegger on Etsy can make a more authentic looking product, surely a billion dollar toy company can - and has - so why is this one just off enough to make you go "that ain't right?"

The figure itself looks and feels very close to the original, with painted hands, painted hair, silver armor, and a good amount of sculpted detail. For whatever reason, Hasbro watered it down for this release so the pockmarked chestplate is a little smoother, the wrinkles are a little pushed out and the figure almost looks like it's the tiniest bit skinnier - like someone barely squished it in a bit. It could be my imagination. His colors aren't a perfect match, but it's close enough - and if you've seen enough of these guys over the years, you've seen subtle color variation from different factories or sun damage, too.

 His accessories are pretty good. The helmet is a much tighter fit than an original, and seems to be cast in a slightly darker brown. Meanwhile the pike is a lighter gray and is a little more translucent in parts - an original looks and works better, in either case. I assume a lot of play will result in scraping hair and maybe paint rubbing off the gripping hand's fingers, but most likely fans will buy him, sit him down, and that'll be that.

As one of my favorite Return of the Jedi figures, I'd suggest getting him if you see him - preferably a 1983 original, but hey, this is cheap! Most versions of this character in this costume are good, but you can't go wrong with the original. I hope Hasbro makes a few more Jabba's Palace-specific Kenner figures for the masses, particularly Gamorrean Guards, as we could all use a few more - but this is an excellent figure that's hard to get in really good shape. The genuine article looks even better, but for $12 or so the reissue will do in a pinch for most fans who never owned the original and therefore won't know any better.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,010: March 9, 2023