Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,151: Doikk Na'ts (Dorenian Beshniquel, The Vintage Collection)

DOIKK NA'TS (Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Hasbro Pulse Shared Exclusive Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. F6984
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 7 band members with 2 Kloo Horns, 1 Fanfar, 1 Fizzz, 1 Ommni Box with pedals and stand, 2 drum sticks, 1 drum, 1 Bandfill,
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $89.99
Availability: March 2023
Appearances: Star Wars   

Bio: This 7-piece ensemble of Bith musicians was a common sight at the Mos Eisley Cantina, playing swinging instrumentals for the watering hole’s staggering patrons. (Taken from marketing copy. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: Crowdfunding for the Cantina ends next week. Pledge early, don't forget, because we want to put Arleil Schous in there with a Chinese menu in his hand. That's why we're looking at another band member - go support the Cantina and then come back to read about Doikk Na'ts! If you remember the 1990s, there was a Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina [that's an Amazon ad link too] he was a major player in "We Don't Do Weddings: The Band's Tale." This book had short stories about most of the major Cantina band patrons, ranging from the silly to the perfectly fine. This book - and others like it, but definitely this one - is part of what gives the saga the reputation of every minor character having some elaborate backstory. By the end of the 1990s, every corner of those original films was fleshed out by games, RPGs, comics, prose, action figures, you name it. This one came out in 1995, exactly the same time Kenner started making new action figures again.

Taking a cue from real life, Doikk was a bit smarter than his bandmates in that he actually owned his instrument. He could leave and take another gig if he wanted, Firgrin D'an owned everybody else's gear - in the book. Obviously, these guys have yet to get any on-screen stories and are largely absent from the modern publishing game. The figure includes this instrument, which is a simpler reed instrument called the fizzz (or Dorenian Beshniquel) and doesn't look particularly fancy compared to some of the other stuff. It's no ommni box, at any rate - it just looks like a clarinet. Sort of, ay any rate. It has some painted details - not much, but it doesn't need much and it's not like you're going to get up in there to see it anyway. He has no problems holding it thanks to his excellent articulation. It's worth noting that this figure came from that awkward period before Hasbro did ball-and-socket jointed hips, so while they are extremely posable they're also closer to the shoulders. It's kind of hard to get them just-so, but you can, and once you do they're pretty good about staying put. The figure also has a cut joint mid-torso, which I don't care for, as I prefer articulation to be at the belt or below the shirt - you know, so it doesn't mar the design of the figure. Since the shirt is black, and behind his arms, you're probably not going to notice and I assume this could be the final 3 3/4-inch Vintage band member sculpt that we ever get.

Since it's the same figure seven times over, the different accessories make it something of an army builder. If you own a playset, you probably want multiples - but not necessarily. I bought it because I had a hunch we would, some day, be offered a bigger Cantina and apparently that day is now. If you back the HasLab, it ends and cards are charged on July 8. As such, I'd recommend grabbing your wallet and doing so now if you're going to - just so you don't forget, and so I can hopefully get my other wolfman. If you do support the Cantina, I'd also recommend setting up an eBay alert to monitor the band prices and if it's under $100 shipped (or thereabouts) pounce on it. You'll be glad you have it later, the original going rate was $90 so about $100 is pretty darned fair for seven sold-out action figures.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Hasbro Pulse. Within a week, it went up for sale at other fan outlets.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,151: July 4, 2024