Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,131: Jar Jar Binks (The Retro Collection)

JAR JAR BINKS Just The Way He Was Never Intended!
The Retro Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Target 6-Pack
Item No.: No. G0370
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, plus Battle Droid, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala, Darth Maul, and Obi-Wan Kenobi
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $59.99
Availability: March 2024
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The Star Wars Retro Collection is inspired by 1970s Star Wars figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from the galaxy far, far away! (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: After other recent (and good!) figures of this character, I would not have expected to buy another Gungan. But in The Retro Collection, all things are possible and I got Jar Jar Binks. I would love nothing more than to take a crack at writing a story about him in a post-Empire world, but that's not likely to happen. What is likely to happen is me taking this figure to a bunch of vehicles to see if he'll fit, and thanks to his very long legs it's a mixed bag. He can fit in a Landspeeder or CAP-2 or even (shockingly) the AST-5, but his feet bump into the cannon of the MTV-7 which for some reason still remains on my desk to this day. I don't think that's a failing on anybody's part, he's just a really tall dude.

When translating any new design to the classic Kenner style, it's tough to say if Hasbro did a good job, or not. I think they did a bang-up job of making a good retro-style action figure, but the question we always have to ask is "but when was this figure made?" Is Hasbro tackling the design of a figure that could have came out in 1978 or 1983 or 1985? Usually figures are a pastiche of styles, cribbing details from each era to put something out that's something of an anachronism. For example, Jar Jar's ears being sculpted as big separate pieces is something I don't think you would have seen until 1983 or much later, but the legs having the sculpted "skirt" (and not a cloth one like the 1983 Klaatu figure) is something you could have seen as far back as 1978. The eye are perfectly 1978-ish, but the gripping hand is way better than anything we got in those days. His hands are almost modern, or at least, 1990s-style in terms of how well they grip the Battle Droid blaster. He stands and sits well, like most old figures, and I don't think any modern (read: late Millennial or younger) customer is going to have a problem with it seeming like something really, really old people had as a kid. You know, 40s, 50s, people who have one foot in the grave.

The coloring seems a tiny bit off, and that's where I think Hasbro rightly zagged where Kenner would also have zagged. His skin is molded in dark pink with a light beige for the mouth, nose, and ears - in their position I would have molded in cream and painted pink, but it works well and I don't see any blemishes. Hasbro opted to not include the skin pattern, but most interestingly the colors on Jar Jar figures tend to change a bit. In the movie, his shirt was more of a darker brown, and the vest was often a little darker too. This one has a lighter vest with a lighter brown pants and shirt - it's not as wacky as Walrus Man or Greedo or Hammerhead but it is off-model just enough for me to say "good job." He looks like Jar Jar Binks, but isn't perfect. That's what I want to see here.

Oddly, his hands are pretty much perfect - there's a separately molded trigger finger, which is not the kind of thing you saw from Kenner very much. You might have had fingers wrapped around in a closed loop, but this sort of thing wasn't typical until the 1990s. Also the left hand is interesting in that it's "broken," rotated so it can't hold a weapon and once again looking like something that came out of the 1990s. I can't quite tell what the design decision was here, but it really does seem like a heavily watered-down and somehow better figure than the staff-holding version we got in May of 1999.

Hasbro could've made a $17 (or $25) deluxe Jar Jar Binks in Vintage and it probably would have been great - but this goofball is also really fun. Sure he doesn't have the painted detail we got in 1999, but that's the point. He's a goofy salamander that looks sort of like he might fit in with your old Jabba's Palace or Cantina aliens. I think this is a great way to make me care about some figures I didn't think I would want to buy, and I'd recommend you pick this one up if you liked Kenner toys. Also if anyone out there from Hasbro is reading, consider a wave of Retro dudes for the next Star Wars movie's pre-release line. Don't wait 25 years - off-model figures made from preproduction designs are a blessing in the Kenner line, save authenticity for post-release The Vintage Collection figures.

Collector's Notes: I got my set from Target. It was in a pile of stuff on the "Collectibles" shelves without any real indication as to where it should have been.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,131: May 7, 2024

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,774: Jar Jar Binks (The Black Series 6-Inch)

JAR JAR BINKS 6-Inch Scale Goofy
The Black Series 2020 Line Look Mustard Star Wars The Phantom Menace Packaging
Item No.: No. F0490
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #01 - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Includes: Cesta, Atlatl, Gungan Personal Energy Shield
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: December 2020
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: A clumsy, well-meaning Gungan outcast on Naboo, Jar Jar Binks struggled to prove his worth throughout his life. (Taken from Hasbro marketing materials.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: A figure that will invite controversy merely be existing, Jar Jar Binks is one of very few figures in this scale from 1999's Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Along with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul, and a Battle Droid, it's an interesting choice - but even more surprising given his design hints that the figure may have been finished quite some time ago, and his price point and extra accessories is, to say the least, curious.

Before we get critical of the why and the how, let's talk about what you actually get - a very good figure. This Jar Jar Binks delivers a good collector's release, but seems to exist mostly through the lens of the time during the prequels. The skin pattern is excellent, the colors are spot-on, and the face is decidedly not wacky. I kind of wish he looked goofier, but there's always a chance for another release with a mini Pit Droid and an alternate head down the road. (Personally, I'd love to see him with the numb tongue face and the dopey thumbs-up, like Gentle Giant did for their excellent mini bust.) The team at Hasbro did a bang-up job making sure he looked like the best-possible-for-2019 (despite his 2020 release) Jar Jar Binks figure, taking design cues largely from the 1999 figure. The skin is right. The vest is right. The pants are right. They painted the claws and toenails perfectly. I daresay it looks more lifelike than the very good-for-1999 CGI model on the big screen.

There are floppy - but not too floppy - ears, and two neck joints. It's easy to groan about Jar Jar getting a 6-inch figure before a second Cantina patron got made, but it's impossible to deny just how well he turned out. The arms alone have a glistening texture that looks better than almost anything else we've seen from Hasbro. The articulation is very appropriate for a couple of years ago, with hands that can easily grip the included accessories, stable feet, and for some reason double-jointed knees. Hasbro has started talking about their desire to hide pins in joints, so these are something of an oddity as part of the 2020/2021 line when troopers and Jedi and other releases were designed to have simpler articulation with a deeper cut when it comes to the leg. Nevertheless, it's good. There's really nothing else here they could have done better as articulation goes.

So far he's our only Gungan in this scale, so it makes some degree of sense that he got an energy shield, an atlatl, and a cesta (spear) in the box - but it would have also made a lot of sense to give him zero accessories, or an alternate tongue-out head. The gear in here sort of shoves him off to the Battle of Naboo, and probably increased his price when there's little reason for him to have been this expensive - even the much larger Chewbacca sold for $20.

I think it was a mistake to make him $30 - time will judge, but so far the $30 price point has been used for bigger guys that wouldn't fit in a normal box. Mr. Binks would fit in a normal $20 box, and the extra accessories aren't necessary - and seem kind of out of place here. There's no reason to sell a figure with more accessories than he can carry when Hasbro is inclined to release multiple versions of core characters, especially not for $10 extra. (I think the $30 Boba Fett will sell fine, but it also should've had more in the box or been stripped down to a $20-$23 figure. Unless the paint job is exceptionally gorgeous, of course.) If you can take aside the strangeness of charging so much more for a figure that's not as big as/bigger than Chewbacca, nor seemingly as complicated, I'd say buy it.

It's a very good figure, and unless Hasbro does a Jar Jar 2.0 - and I hope they do, just for alternate head sculpts and a folded-up Pit Droid - this figure is exquisite. I can fault the price point, but I can't fault the quality. Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,774: February 2, 2021

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,999: Jar Jar Binks

JAR JAR BINKS  Again!
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37499 No.  39649  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC108
Includes: Boomer, staff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: July 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you!  (Taken from the figure's packaging.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Commentary: Interesting fact: this was one of 2 Jar Jar Binks figures in 2012, which were the first movie-style figures of the character in ten years.  While technically superior to the Movie Heroes 2012 release, I find myself enjoying that figure a little more.  This Vintage version has more articulation, a pleather skirt piece, and a little more articulation in the neck.  This figure's wrist joints and superior accessories (from a display perspective) work nicely, although the skirt piece appears bulky and awkward.  I appreciate its inclusion so I have the option of putting Jar Jar in a vehicle, but it strikes me as odd that the Vintage "collector" figure is more toy-friendly than the Movie Heroes "kid" figure.  His face is pretty serene, which is sort of out of character for Jar Jar.  Few Binks toys are really wacky, wigged-out in the facial department and that's an area I'd like to see Hasbro experiment more.  Lucasfilm created an insanely expressive character, and the figure is usually about as bored as an alien can look.

So what you have here is the best-articulated Jar Jar Binks ever.  It's well-sculpted and looks good enough... but the Movie Heroes one with its non-ball shoulders may look a little better, depending on your preferences.  I have both, and each has unique features the other lacks.  So... yeah.  Get both?  Oh! And this Vintage one was designed to go with the Comic-Con exclusive Jar Jar Binks Carbonite block, so you'll want this Jar Jar to go with that block.  (For the record, the block, loose, seems to have dropped in price a little.  The carded one is still crazy expensive.)

Collector's Notes: This item was absent from stores for months, but around November of 2012 Toys R Us and other retail stores received it.  The figures were shipping to online stores since about August of 2012.  Jar Jar is one of the less popular figures from the wave, making him easier to get for a fair price.  For $10, he's not bad.  For $5-$6, he's a must-buy.  The spear and boomer are well-designed and will look good with other figures if you choose to display Jar Jar sans weapons.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,999: February 11, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,744: Jar Jar Binks

JAR JAR BINKS Bowcaster Fires Booma!
Discover the Force Movie Heroes Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 36563 No. 37754
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH13
Includes: Stand, card, die, projectile, crossbow
Action Feature: Firing rocket
Retail: $8.99
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Jar Jar Binks uses a bowcaster to fire boomas at battle droids. The Gungans fight the battle droid army on Naboo. Gungan soldiers use weapons that fire exploding energy balls called boomas, which short-circuit the droids. Jar Jar may not be the most skilled warrior, but he is not afraid to fight, and takes out a number of droids during the battle. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.

Commentary: A figure like Jar Jar Binks serves as a stern reminder of just how long we've been in this hobby-- not only do I remember when the first Jar Jar came out, but I remember that the last one based on the movies came out in 2002. 10 years ago. And that was an awful figure. This one is a better sculpt, but the deco in 1999 is, arguably, more authentic. There's a distinctive skin pattern that looks like a series of pink and off-white mazes on his arms and neck, which you can plainly see on pretty much every Hasbro release of the character and most Gungans up until 2009, at which point (I'm guessing) Hasbro assumed nobody noticed or cared and dropped it to cut costs. My guess is most collectors won't notice unless they already own a lot of Jar Jar merchandise, and let's face it-- some of us do. I should also note that in every shot I looked at from the movie for reference, Jar Jar's vest is actually lighter than his undershirt. On this figure, the vest is darker. So while this is a fun toy with a great sculpt, Hasbro and Lucasfilm apparently don't much care if the deco is accurate. I also suspect many fans won't notice or care, due to the nature of the character-- this will probably be something kids notice as they get older, and when they post on forums their discoveries will be shouted down by people demanding the Tonnika Sisters, Sail Barges, and the 2027 rumor of Mattel getting the license from Hasbro. (It's coming.)

The figure itself is actually quite good-- while getting the deco wrong in 1999 is not only excusable but, as the movie wasn't finished, it's expected, in 2012 anything less than B+ work may as well be a failure. Thankfully, this figure was engineered as a toy and as such can do things. The best Jar Jar in terms of articulation before this release was about 6 joints. And this one has 10 joints, an improvement but obviously not super-articulated. This figure, and this entire wave, feels like it was designed out of my playbook-- articulation isn't everything, but the sculpts are good and the figures are largely fun to play with. Jar Jar has ball-jointed knees and ankles, plus a new joint in his neck which increases the range of movement without letting his head pop off easily. His hands are well-suited to both carrying his large, delightfully goofy bowcaster as well as gesturing and pointing. I would argue few figures can gain more personality from their added articulation, but this is one of them-- you can make all sorts of wacky clumsy poses. The sculpt is similar to previous figures, but refined slightly-- so it's better, but not like it's from another planet. The head is also good, the face isn't goofy (unfortunately) but he does have a bit of a cross-eyed problem on my sample which I would say makes it better. He should be a little goofy or confused, and this helps bring that out in his face. (While an alternate grinning head would have been a nice bonus accessory here, it seems it would be difficult to pop it off.)

If you want a good figure to play with, put on your desk, and enjoy, this is it. But as far as accuracy, well, no. If Hasbro got Luke's boots or Qui-Gon's lightsaber wrong, I don't know that we'd let that slide-- yet with Jar Jar, I guess after a decade it's easy to accept less than Hasbro's best, even if it is really good. A repaint of this figure would be really fantastic, as the sculpt is certainly very nice. I like this figure as a toy, but there's enough Hasbro left off-- the skin tone and the goofy grin-- that I could see a good reason to do another, better figure later.

Collector's Notes: This figure is new as of last week basically, and comes at only one per case in this one case so far. Hasbro alluded to a vintage Jar Jar Binks later in the year, but now I'm wondering if they meant the Carbonite one announced at Toy Fair. (In case you missed the announcement, Jar Jar Binks in Carbonite is part of a Comic-Con Exclusive in July.) Anyway. This is the best Jar Jar Binks sculpt to date, so keep that in mind when you see him in the stores-- if you want to upgrade, this is it!

Wave Notes: This is a great wave-- it's a crying shame that Jar Jar Binks and his 5 all-new mold companions weren't part of the debut wave, as these are some of the best toys Hasbro has done since the Hasbro brand appeared on the packaging. The articulation isn't what it usually is, but the sculpts are great and the designs show more than a little thought was put in to how they will function as toys. Jar Jar Binks is the obvious first must-buy, but it's worth noting that Anakin Skywalker and Darth Maul are both excellent, and Queen Amidala is also quite good. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn both feel like real 1980s Vintage figures, as designed in 2012. If you pop off the lower part of their robes, they can sit in vehicles. Even at $9 a pop, this batch feels worth it-- get all 6. If you liked the 2004 OTC Dagobah wave, this is-- in my opinion-- another fantastic themed batch of figures you shouldn't miss. Yes, even if you hate The Phantom Menace, these are fun figures.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,744: February 20, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,681: Gungan Warrior

GUNGAN WARRIOR with Fambaa
Episode I FAO Schwarz Exclusive
Item No.: No. 84369
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Prod, Fambaa
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $75.00
Availability: Fall 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Giant swamp lizards called fambaas are key to Gungan defense on the battlefield. Working in pairs, the forward fambaa's apparatus fires energy into a receiver mounted on the rear beast, creating a bubble-like shield that unites with other fambaa shields to from an enormous canopy of protection over the Grand Army. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's former back yard.

Commentary: The very first Gungan Warrior was packaged with a very expensive, very large exclusive which was sold at a high-end toy store not available in most cities. As an army builder, I found that frustrating-- especially since this one was pretty good. With six points of articulation, the figure was designed to do little more than stand on a platform inside the massive Fambaa, a huge lizard with zero points of articulation which was priced about $30-$40 too high for something that did essentially nothing. It was basically a very expensive version of the cheap hollow vinyl dinosaur toys, but if you wanted one of every action figure? Tough. You had to get a Fambaa.

I will say I like the figure enough that I'm not sorry I made the purchase. The armor was sculpted quite well, and the detail on the figure is very good overall. The skin pattern, specifically on the arms, is quite remarkable and something Hasbro has phased out of Gungans released since 2009 (so far, anyway.) If you get in close, you can see all these little textures on the figure, which does a lot to bring it to life-- granted, another fifteen cents of paint applications could have made him gorgeous, but that was twelve years ago and too bad. If you like Gungans-- and I might take flack for this, but I do-- this is an essential buy as the mold has not yet been reused.

Collector's Notes: After lingering on FAO shelves, the set is now worth about $20-$40. And yes, that's sealed in the box. Much like the Ewoks of old, the Gungans will likely always remain relatively cheap because the collector market won't drive up the prices. I'm not sure how many of these were produced, but there's no shortage of the supply. Don't let that stop you, though-- if you like Phantom Menace stuff, this is a really neat piece, and the entire toy program for that movie is better than people on the message boards would have you think. Having said that, the Fambaa comes in a swell window box (that's good!) and has fewer play features than your average $9 action figure these days (that's bad!) so buyer, be aware! Not "beware." I think you don't need a sense of foreboding when it comes to buying a Gungan and his giant elephant-lizard friend.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,681: November 23, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,581: Gungan Warrior

GUNGAN WARRIOR First Carded Release
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84274
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/q
Includes: Shield, atlatl, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The Gungans are an amphibious species who live in underwater cities hidden in deep lakes on the planet Naboo. Although Gungans have a strong warrior heritage, a series of treaties has long kept them at peace with each other. During emergencies, all territories unite to form the Gungan Grand Army. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's old back yard.

Commentary: While troop builders are usually something Hasbro does right out the gate, this Gungan Warrior came out over a year after making his first appearance on the big screen. I'm glad Hasbro waited, because at the time this was a pretty great figure-- and by today's standards, it ain't bad. The skin has this wonderful texture painted on it, which is lacking from the super-articulated 2009 release of this character. (You'll want both, of course.) The figure has a moist look, and his pose works well with his atlatl (the energy ball thing) and the energy shield. Hasbro did a great job sculpting the armor and painting it the right color, plus this Gungan's serious expression is appropriate for the character. You may not like Gungans, particularly ones which only have about six points of articulation, but this is a quality release and a great trooper. If you're on the fence, get it-- and if you hate Gungans, I doubt you made it this far.

Collector's Notes: This figure was repackaged in a Toys R Us exclusive gift set around 2004, but without all the accessories. You should buy both versions, as this one has the most gear, but the other one has a swell exclusive Kaadu with Captain Tarpals. The single-carded figure is worth about five or six bucks these days, while the Naboo Final Combat set is harder to get a read on as few come up for sale. You should be able to score it for under $30, though.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,581: July 6, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,481: Jar Jar Binks

JAR JAR BINKS with Gungan Assault Cannon
Episode I Invasion Force
Item No.: Asst. 84205 No. 84368
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rocket, cannon
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Spring 2000
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Gungans produce many of their structures using a secret method that actually "grows" the basic skeletons of many of their vehicles and weapons. The Gungan assault cannon is created from this process and then fitted with electronic components to create a powerful assault weapon. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's former backyard.

Commentary: One of the great challenges in animation is to convey a personality of a figure. This is usually done through things like the pose and facial expression, two areas where this Jar Jar Binks figure opts to bore you. Released long after people knew who he was and what he should be like, this figure looks outright serene, almost bored compared to his low-level manic persona on the big screen. This was a guy who'd scream, jump, and step in a pile of poo-- and this figure? Well, he just looks like he's standing around waiting to film the next take. With a body sculpt that draws from the 1999 basic carded figure, this release has no articulation from below the waist and is actually a little disappointing. As a pack-in with a cannon accessory he's basically acceptable but the cannon isn't exactly a pile of fun either.

Jar Jar can't sit-- at all-- he has no hip joints. This figure's sole purpose is to stand and fire a cannon, or if you wanted to just make him stand, there's that. While this isn't the figure with the least play value of the entire modern line, he's probably in the bottom ten. I wouldn't suggest even considering buying this one unless you're a Jar Jar completist or really want the cannon. (The cannon, I should add, may misshapen with time and gravity so take care when storing it so it doesn't get bent out of shape.) If you have the basic 1999 carded figure, it's better than this one-- trust me.

Collector's Notes: The set was something of a weak seller in its day, and today can be had for under $10. Were this a regular retail release for $10 I think you might find it lacking, particularly when compared to the other "Invasion Force" vehicles which were actually, you know, fun. And the figures could sit. But who's keeping track?

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,481: February 16, 2011

Figure of the Day: Day 1,335: Gungan Warrior

GUNGAN WARRIOR 2009 Edition
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 92870
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD07
Includes: Atlatl, Gungan Battle Horn
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Gungan warriors emerge through the misty swamps to the battlefield where they'll take on the Trade Federation's droid army. A Gungan blows a battle horn to signal the solemn beginning of this crucial fight to free the planet. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: So close! The Gungan Warrior in 2009, the first new one since The Phantom Menace shriveled up and went away as a marketable brand for Star Wars, has the greatest sculpt of any Gungan ever. That's the good news. The bad news is that they cheaped out on the deco. The sculpt is a vast improvement over the Power of the Jedi release with added articulation making it a super-articulated release. His battle horn fits into his belt for support while he holds it, and he even has a holster for his Atlatl (boomer stick thing). The only issue I have is that the figure should have a really nifty pattern on his skin, and instead Hasbro gave it a solid color. They got it right on Jar Jar and other Gungans, but for some reason left it off here.

Odds are you aren't building an army of Gungans, but if you were to do so, this is the best mold so far. The coloring is a little more muted than the earlier releases, and it's more fun to play with, but the skin is just off enough that it may irk you-- or not! It's really up to you. I like it enough to recommend it, and I think most people won't be as anal about the skin tone as I am. It's still a quality figure.

Collector's Notes: This one came and went, but seemed ultimately findable. You may even still be able to find one at retail.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,335: July 27, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,327: Jar Jar Binks (Animated)

JAR JAR BINKS Animated
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 87957
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #24
Includes: Cloak
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: Spring 2009
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: It's up to Jar jar Binks to save the day when Padme Amidala walks into a trap set by the Separatists on the planet Rodia. Donning a Jedi robe, Jar Jar hopes that the threat of dealing with a formidable "Jedi" will force Padme's captors to release her. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: After a nearly seven year hiatus, Hasbro did another Jar Jar Binks figure in the animated style which some of us have embraced and others still don't like. The figure was around for one assortment and quickly went away, which makes sense given that it's not particularly thrilling as toys go. It is a nice figure though-- 12 points of articulation, a good sculpt, and a lot of personality were worked into this one. Unlike the 2002 version which we just looked at, this one seems to have been designed by someone who actually understands the nature of the bumbling character with his lanky body and slightly awkward mannerisms. The "borrowed" Jedi cloak is a nice touch too, so he can be a bombad Jedi or whatever. No weapons were included-- which is reasonable, given he doesn't have a signature weapon-- but this does take a little "action" out of the figure. It's odd to think that a figure from the kid-driven line seems to be designed with collectors in mind, but it honestly felt to me that this is what Hasbro did on this one.

The cloak has a wire in the neck, so it can cling to him just fine. Hasbro did a great job here, even adding that scarf thing and a little purple to give him an added sense of old-school importance. (Purple was once a color of royalty, you see. Ask your Egyptian history buff buddies.) The figure is a couple of knee joints away from perfection; as it stands it's just merely a high point in Hasbro's cartoon catalog.

Collector's Notes: Due to his being in short supply and limited window of availability... he actually is worth something. People are paying a premium for this one. I have to wonder if Hasbro is doing this on purpose to drive collectibility in this segment. If you can find this one for $10 or less, I'd suggest grabbing him because he is a really nice figure and a great, unique character in the line. Hasbro did a good job here, so it's nice to see something of quality command a slight premium. It was only sold on the blue-and-white packaging to date, and were I a betting man I would not expect to see it in the next several months to a year. Possibly ever.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,327: July 15, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,324: Jar Jar Binks (Senator)

JAR JAR BINKS Gungan Senator
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84821
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0224
Includes: Pole, electric bolt for pole
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Now a Senate representative from Naboo, Jar Jar wears the elaborate Gungan outfit deemed proper for the ceremonial grandeur of the Senate. In a twist of fate, Jar Jar is manipulated to propose the motion that gives Chancellor Palpatine the powers of an emperor. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen.

Commentary: While Jar Jar Binks doesn't get a break from fans for his character, and this is expected, one would think that a little more love would be lavished upon his toys. One would be wrong. Aside from the animated-style Jar Jar figure in 2009, this 2002 release was the final one. Actually, at press time, Hasbro hasn't made another one in the basic action figure movie-style line, and this one was a real stinker to go out on. Hasbro makes great figures-- and this is not one of them.

Jar Jar has an awkward pose, not seen on film. He has a weapon, not seen on film. As far as I know this wasn't the result of some excised scene, but rather Hasbro trying to make a character fans hate into something exciting. The end result is something that isn't true to the movie and isn't fun to play with, his big bulky robes prevent him from doing anything but looking awkward. His shoulders, neck, and poseable have articulation you can exploit but all you can have him do is "fight." It's kinda dippy, which is unfortunate because I'd like to have a Jar Jar in this outfit that, you know, just kinda stands around and looks OK. The sculpting and deco of this figure are quite good, but the problem here is that the pose and personality of the toy are all wrong. I can admire them for taking some license with it (and this very figure was on my desk for most of the past 7 years), but it really could have been a little more collector-friendly by not trying to amp up his combat-readiness.

Collector's Notes: Got a nickel? You can afford one of these. (Just like I can afford your mom. For a nickel.) But seriously, you can get one of these for next to nothing. As such, don't pay retail, get it in a lot or better still, get it from someone dumping their stash. As of today Hasbro has not confirmed a new Jar Jar based on any of the movies, and if you want the character in this costume it's literally your only choice.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,324: July 12, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 813: Captain Tarpals

CAPTAIN TARPALS with Electropole
Episode I Collection 3
Item No.: Asst. 84105 No. 84121
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Armor, pole arms
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Image: Adam Pawlus' living room on some step thing.

Bio: A military leader with little patience for the exploits of Jar Jar Binks, Captain Tarpals helped lead the Gungan Army against the invading trade Federation forces. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: Like many figures released including a movie launch window, like some you no doubt bought recently, Captain Tarpals cardback is pretty vague. Of course, when we all saw the movie, we found out there wasn't much to his character other than to act as a competent foil to Jar Jar Binks with the added benefit of amphibious facial hair, for lack of a better description. With six points of articulation, this isn't a remarkable toy, and it's about on par of what you'd expect prior to the year 2000 when it comes to figures from the saga. The armor is nicely detailed, the face is painted well enough, and there's a lot of color in his costume. It's just that it's not exciting. He can hold his weapon with both hands, and yeah, there's some neat coloring on the arms and armor. Since the figure is basically Jar Jar with a nicer head and less annoying personality, there's not a lot to go on about here. Do you like how it looks? Get one. Or get the 2004 version with jointed knees, if you're feeling saucy.

Collector's Notes: This particular Tarpals was around briefly in 1999 and then was removed from the line. No rereleases of this figure exist but a retooled and repainted version with knee joints was sold in a Toys "R" Us exclusive gift set in 2004. Go get that one, as it's worth your money, even at a slight premium. (The set has a Battle Droid, Tarpals, a new Kaadu, a Battle Droid, a Gungan Warrior, and a Naboo Security figure. A good deal, surely, especially for its initial $20 asking price.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 813: July 27, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 490: Jar Jar Binks

JAR JAR BINKS with Kaadu
Episode I Beast Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 84125 No. 84094
Number: n/a
Includes: Boomer staff, Kaadu beast
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The kaadu are nimble creatures from the planet Naboo. Often used by the amphibious Gungans as steeds, they carry Gungan warriors like Jar Jar Binks into battle against the seemingly unstoppable Trade Federation army. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: With loads of articulation (more or less) and a goofy facial expression, this version of Jar Jar Binks is easily one of the better ones in the past eight years. In addition to the then-traditional six joints, he had knee joints as well as a swivel on one of his arms which made him slightly more mobile. His added articulation and goofy pose helped make this figure a little bit more fun than the rest, and it really does need something to set it apart given that almost all the Episode I-era Jar Jar figures all used the same basic sculpt with a few modifications. The textures aren't anything too fancy, but the coloring on the skin remains impressive and his wide-eyed stare still looks pretty good. The figure has no problem sitting on his Kaadu, a dinosaur-like steed which features leg moving action and has some problems standing on its own because of this.

Collector's Notes: It's cheap (about five bucks or so), and it's fun, so you should get one. Still, Hasbro hasn't made a new Jar Jar Binks from 2002, and hasn't made a new Phantom Menace version since 2001-- so if you want a Jar Jar for your collection, why not this one? You could do worse, and yes, we'll be looking at "worse" in the coming months of this very column.

Day 490: September 8, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 364: Captain Tarpals

CAPTAIN TARPALS Naboo Final Conflict
Original Trilogy Collection Toys "R" Us Gift Sets
Item No.: No. 34514
Number: n/a
Includes: Kaadu, feathers, shoulder armor
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Captain Tarpals served as a leader in the Security Forces of Otoh Gunga. He was one of the leaders of the Battle of Grassy Plains. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: Due to the hard-and-fast marketing gambit for Episode I, everybody pretty much burned out on the flick in a few months-- meaning that very few toys would follow the initial burst. Thankfully, Toys "R" Us took on this set which featured a partially retooled Captain Tarpals, which was actually a pretty cool character. From the waist-down, the figure has been given new knees so he can sit on the heavily retooled Kaadu, which is also pretty cool. The figure isn't exactly loaded with detail, but there's loads of color and paint that makes this figure look like a lot more work went into it than actually did. So what you have here is about 8 points of articulation, a good (but not great) sculpt, and a figure designed pretty much specifically to sit on top of a medium-sized creature. The figure works well as far as its purpose goes, but you might want to get the regular carded version-- you know, the one with an actual weapon-- for the purposes of dioramas or other forms of play.

Collector's Notes: The main reason this figure is exciting is it comes in a good gift set, with a retooled (and action feature-free) Kaadu, a redecorated Battle Droid, a Gungan Soldier, and a Naboo Soldier. For $20, it was a killer deal-- and hopefully Hasbro will reissue this four-pack (plus beast) as a Battle Pack some day as it really is a fun set of toys and for $20, is a great gift item. Even though it's Episode I.

Day 364: May 5, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 226: Jar Jar Binks (Tatooine)

JAR JAR BINKS Tatooine
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84257
Number: n/a
Includes: Folded up Pit Droid, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Summer 2001
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Rescued by Qui-Gon Jinn from the Trade Federation forces, Jar Jar leaves Naboo and joins the Jedi on a mission to deliver Queen Amidala to Coruscant. An emergency detour to Tatooine leads them to Watto's junk shop. There, Jar Jar's insatiable curiosity gets him into trouble when he actually activates an excitable pit droid! (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Poor Jar Jar Binks, always the punchline, but never funny. (Well, maybe on that one Colbert Report episode.) From 2001, this was the last Jar Jar figure based on Episode I, and it was the best overall. With ball-jointed shoulders and a tongue sticking out, the figure could express contempt as only he could-- and it really does show off the figure's personality quite well. After all, Jar Jar is childish, and the pose represents this quite well. The arm textures and deco are on par with other versions of Jar Jar from the film, so there's really nothing to write home about here aside from the fact that this seems to be the only Jar Jar figure that really captures the alien's personality-- he's goofy, not serious, awkward, not precise, and most important of all... he's a spaz. He shouldn't have a giant staff, a cannon, or anything sharp. As far as Jar Jar figures go, this is an easy favorite-- you're going to want at least one of this Gungan menace in your collection, so it may as well be this one. Besides, the bonus tiny collapsed Pit Droid is worth getting even if you hate Jar Jar.

Oh, and a warning-- the tonuge? Not removable. What you see is what you get, so take care not to tear it off.

Collector's Notes: Hasbro made a deluxe Jar Jar with a cannon, a regular one, a swimming one, and some others-- but this one is best. The real draw is the droid accessory, but the figure's nifty appearance and giant tongue make it a distinctive, stand-out figure in the line and part of what made the entire Power of the Jedi range so fun and unique. Today, the figure is basically worthless-- five dollars or less on eBay. At least he's affordable! As the last Episode I-based Jar Jar figure, you might ask if it's worth doing another one. I would say there's potential to do one with better articulation and multiple heads so you can change his expression. Jar Jar has never been made with a big goofy smile, and as it's somewhat telling of his character, I would very much like to see one last really good Jar Jar figure. And that'd be the last one.

Day 226: December 18, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 106: Boss Nass

BOSS NASS with Gungan Staff
Episode I Collection 3
Item No.: Asst. 841105 No. 84119
Number: n/a
Includes: Staff, cloak, CommTech chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Boss Nass is the leader of the amphibious Gungans who live in the Naboo underwater city of Otoh Gunga. He initially resists the Jedi's pleas for help against the Trade Federation invasion, but later comes to realize that the fate of the Gungans and Naboo are intertwined. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: In 1999, Hasbro released this figure of Boss Nass based on the various renderings seen in publicity materials and, I assume, little else. The figure really looks just like the publicity images, and as such, upon release, most fans thought this figure was fine-- actually, he was considered by many to be one of the better figures developed by Hasbro for the first prequel. With only three quasi-meaningful points of articulation due to his giant robe, this figure looked good and sometimes needed a little help staying together-- note the rubber band in the image to the left.

Flash forward to 2000, Hasbro lets the world know they're redoing this figure from the ground up. Fans were confused, but as you saw in a previous entry, the upgraded Boss Nass (Gungan Sacred Place) was a heck of a nice figure, and looked much better (and bigger) than this release. But I digress. The Episode I Boss Nass is more or less a good artifact, but not much of a collectible or a toy. Since this figure was rendered obsolete in about a year after its release, fans don't have a lot of nice things to say about it and due to its scale, it really doesn't serve a purpose in a diorama if you have the newer, better figure.

Collector's Notes: Today, this figure is largely worthless-- and we mean that in a variety of ways. It's not that it's bad, it's just that it's been outclassed by its successor to the point where this is practically a figure of the 1970s compared to most modern figures. It's an awesome curiosity, and those who collect them all no doubt already have one. But for everyone else? You can skip this particular version of the Gungan boss.

Day 106: August 20, 2006

Figure of the Day: Day 27: Boss Nass (Gungan Sacred Place)

BOSS NASS Gungan Sacred Place
Power of the Jedi Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84455 No. 84473
Number: n/a
Includes: Force File (not shown or really an accessory)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99-$6.99
Availability: Fall 2000

Bio: The stern but fair ruler of the underwater city Otoh Gunga, Boss Nass is the most powerful Gungan authority on the planet Naboo. He alone can summon the Gungan Grand Army to battle, which he does to aid the Naboo in their battle against the Trade Federation. (Taken from the figure's Force File.)

Image: Toy shelves, again. Big surprise.

Commentary: In 1999, Hasbro released the first version of this Gungan ruler, which made it a huge shock when, at a convention in 2000, Hasbro told me they had plans to do a new version of Boss Nass. At the time, the original version was considered to be pretty good. His sculpting was decent, and he looked a lot like the CG renderings in all the books we were sold, so what's not to like? Turns out, he was too short, and his face wasn't at all expressive. (And he had a staff which, well, apparently had no real purpose.) This upgrade has improved sculpting, more articulation where it counts, and something most figures don't have-- a great personality. The bulk of figures have extreme poses, but their faces do nothing to enhance the character's look, or to give hints as to what they're like. Hasbro went all-out here, taking the big stern frog man and making him look like he's ready for a hug, recreating a pivotal moment from the film which really had no hugging in it.

His legs aren't too moveable, but they're solid. His neck is a faux ball joint so he can look up, he has joints at the shoulders and elbows as well. He isn't much of a toy, because he can't sit or do anything, but as a sculpture of sorts, he's incredible. It's almost like Hasbro took a CG file, dumped it into a mold, and made a toy out of it. (Well, I'm over-simplifying things, but you get the idea.) Just looking at this figure makes me happy-- he's big, affable, he can stand on his own, and it's hard to imagine Hasbro ever doing a better job. This is my favorite prequel action figure to date, and as such, I would advise you pick one up.

Collector's Notes: Everybody hates Gungans-- this poor fella goes for under $6 on eBay and can probably be had for less than that if the auction starts low enough. Packaged for a short period of time before being phased out for more Trilogy product, this Gungan upgrade was a fantastic, underrated quality work of toy making. Plus, the character was voiced by Brian Blessed (IMDB), a fantastic actor who you may know from serious acting jobs, or more likely Blackadder and Flash Gordon.

Day 27: June 2, 2006