Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,170: Tusken Warrior (The Retro Collection)

TUSKEN WARRIOR 12-back redux
The Retro Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. F6874 No. F8566
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Gaffi Stick, Robe
Action Feature: Removable cloak
Retail: $11.99
Availability: December 2023
Appearances: Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett

Bio: The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a 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 Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I was excited when I heard they were doing The Book of Boba Fett Kenner figures. I was not entirely thrilled when I heard one of them was the Tusken Warrior, if only because I was sitting here hoping for Peli Motto, Cobb Vanth, or the revised Boba Fett. But looking at the wave, I can see where they're coming from. The Ahsoka wave threw a jacket on Ahsoka and gave us six all-new molds, while The Book of Boba Fett delivered four new molds and four "but she's got a new hat!" figures. Of those four retreads, this is the best. It's effectively a remastered version of one of the original 12 Kenner action figures!

If old-school Kenner kids still ran Star Wars, I would assume this is a fan's pet project. I don't know if there's a story behind it because Hasbro really doesn't talk about design or anything when it comes to their lower price points - so I just have to imagine someone saw there was a Vinyl Cape Jawa and a Cloth Cape Jawa and said "hey, why didn't they go back and redo the other vinyl cape figures?" In 2022 we got a new Vader with a cloth cape, and in late 2023 we got this cloth robed Tusken. This is the one I wish they made when I was a kid so we could really play with it, or have them steal vehicles. (And ride that Bantha we never got!) The gaffi stick is pretty much the same as an original. The figure itself i a dark brown color with a slightly tweaked paint job on the head. His gloves are now light tan, while the belt pouches are partially painted this time. As repaints go, it's nice to see something different on a troop builder that's arguably a big improvement.

What really got me was the robe. I have a lot of old figures, including a junker Tusken that made its way to my desk - I've been touching up his metal silver parts and off-and-on looking for a replacement cape. I didn't want a vinyl one, I was hoping to get something, well, like this - I wasn't expecting the shoulder part, but it's distinctive. I wish it didn't block the breathing gear on the neck, but aside from that the color, texture, and range of motion is excellent. You can raise his arms with no problems, it hangs well, and it's frankly better than most of the soft goods robes or cloaks we've seen on "modern" figures. Were this a variant from the old days, I'd have tracked one down because it really is distinctive, like the Blue Snaggletooth or Vinyl Jawa. I'm not saying it's perfect - the softer head details don't look as good as a Kenner original - but it's as good and interesting as we're going to get without Hasbro shelling out for improved tooling. If you have to reuse old tooling to save money, this is how you do it - one recreation of something old, and one new spin on a classic.

There is no reason to get back to army-building at my age, but if I saw these in stores (especially on sale) I'd throw down a few bucks for more. I'd love to see Hasbro do another riff on this figure and package it with a Retro Bantha (I've got fifty bucks, Hasbro. Or more!) Rethinking the vinyl cape is something I never expected to see, and I would love to see Hasbro consider doing the same with other figures like Obi-Wan Kenobi or Lando Calrissian some day. Will it happen? No. But it's funny to see that Hasbro could probably put out versions 1.5 or 2.0 of retro figures and make a compelling case for me to give them more money.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth. The first (and only) sighting I've had outside an online toy store or a brick and mortar store that wasn't supplied by EE Distribution was a Ross in September 2024, nine months after release.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,170: September 10, 2024

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,112: Tusken Chieftan (The Black Series)

TUSKEN CHIEFTAN Big Retool
The Black Series 2023 Window Box Line Look The Book of Boba Fett Packaging
Item No.: Asst. E8908 No. F9984
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #06 - Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett
Includes: Staff, cloak
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: December 2023
Appearances: Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett

Bio: The leader of a tribe of Tusken Raiders, the Tusken Chieftan captured Boba Fett after his escape from the Sarlacc in the Great Pit of Carkoon. (Taken from the box packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: Despite having a very small line, The Book of Boba Fett for The Black Series is mostly made of old molds and/or figures from other shows. The Tusken Chieftan hides it well - but you can't hide the C2142 on his foot. And I know you know what it means - it's the SKU for the 2017 Tusken Raider [FOTD #2,382] figure. The arms and legs are reused, but the head, cloak, skirt, torso, necklaces, and accessories are new. And that meets my standards of "new figure." While I would vastly prefer Hasbro treat its "premium" line as such, I know tooling is expensive and sales on action figures seem a little rocky. (That's no secret, check Amazon or eBay to see what the free market decides what new releases are worth.)

As of my writing this, it's still selling for SRP - which means Hasbro probably made a hair too many for the needs of the market, which is largely par for the course for a lot of figures lately. I'd go as far as to say this one feels a bit better than a lot of recent rleeases, with painted robes, extra neck accessories, and a very nice staff. They sculpted new lower robes - honestly, they didn't have to - you can tell because they're nice and clean, not tattered like the 1977-style figure. The chest is new, without the bandoliers. The painted elements look superb, but the sculpting seems a little soft and the brown plastics on the chest and feet are just the tiniest bit opaque. It would work great for skin, but for clothing, you don't want there to be any indication that light is passing through meat. Still, it's dark, and it more or less works great except under bright light.

The head looks great, better than the 3 3/4-inch one and painted well to boot. The painted wrappings look good, and so do the faux metal and leather bits. They did a nice job - the textures on the head are excellent overall. The breathing tubes hang on his neck strangely, but the necklace looks acceptable. I think it could look better, but I also assume someone is making an argument about "value" and may not be taking into account that a Tusken Chieftan without the lady warrior or the prisoner Rodian or Suns-bleached Boba may not be a compelling argument, regardless of relative quality. You can really see that they made a figure with shortcuts that doesn't feel like they took the cheap route, which is great, but I think we all get to a point where you want to see some savings when you see reused parts so often. That ship has likely long since sailed, so the real question is... can this guy be worth the $25?

I'd say "yes but." I love aliens, and things related to Tatooine and adjacent to original trilogy stories - and I love building alien cultures out in the toy box. This ticks all the boxes for me, but if we didn't get a new body I'd be a little grumpy, and if they didn't give us a new staff I'd be furious. If it were a $20 figure I'd be singing its praises and its cleverness, and at $25 I'd say I like it a lot more than many recent arrivals. (It takes me a while to get through these things as I write them up as I go.) With so few figures from The Book of Boba Fett I can't say it's a rewarding line to collect, but if you accept that you're just going to get a few and have an anemic collection? This is a good one, this is one to get. You should get it.

He can stand, he can hold his staff, but he can't sit and it's not like you were going to put him in a ship anyway.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,112: February 29, 2024

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,108: Tusken Raider (Dark Robes and Stripes, The Vintage Collection)

TUSKEN RAIDER (Dark robes, brown marks on head wrappings)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Hasbro Pulse and ShopDisney Shared Exclusive Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. F8301
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 4 figures with cloaks, rifles, gaffi staffs
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $59.99
Availability: August 2023
Appearances: The Book of Boba Fett
Bio: Survival in the unforgiving desert of Tatooine requires strict training and discipline for the members of a Tusken tribe. Led by a chieftain, each member of the clan must learn to be useful. (Taken from marketing copy. There is 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!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: While not bad, it can be hard to muster excitement for the Tusken Raider army pack - $60 (or $15 per figure) is not at all a good value, and I assume recolored figures may not float your boat the way individually carded figures might. It's not terrible either, as the figures have good articulation, decent accessories, and for three repaints and a newish guy deliver the goods as "good enough." Looking at the stills from the show, the Hasbro people did a good job applying the unique markings on this figure's head wraps. A new body would be nice, but Hasbro seems to be disinterested in new molds if there's an adequate tool in China that can get the job done. I don't blame them, especially for a trooper pack.

What makes this figure interesting are, unsurprisingly, his colors. Most previous Tuskens have been in the classic tan robes, but we've seen a little variation here and there with the Hetts and a reddish group for Toys R Us sold long enough ago that it could have a driver's license. This figure's decision to use tan arms, a dark, dark brown chest and robes, and dark brown pants makes for a satisfying - and more importantly, different - figure to add to your ranks. Boba can hang out with these guys, but there's nobody for them to fight just yet.

Our Tusken pal is pretty good, with swivel wrists (not exactly modern) an rocker ankles (very modern.) The hip joints have great "gee I wish he had a new Bantha" levels of mobility, making for a satisfying figure whose soft goods robes do a great job hiding the points of articulation. The material is a little stretchy, and it looks nice and hangs well. I can't fault it. He can easily hold his rifle, which seems to be made out of the kind of plastic used for green army men. The good stuff, I mean - it has a nice feel to it and it isn't quite as gummy as some PVC while being flexible enough to not easily snap.

This is a good figure for standing around and filling dioramas. Due to the nature of what it is - and the lack of other figures from these scenes - it's not exactly going to inspire a lot of play or combat. It can stand and look cool, or build out other clans, or fill stadiums. I guess he can also dance, if you like, as the set has a couple of rifles and a couple of gaffi sticks to mix up how they can look or be posed. Hasbro did a nice job with the resources at hand, but that is sort of the flavor of the line as a whole right now. It's heavy on old tooling and familiar faces, and while Hasbro isn't churning out terrible figures to turn fans away, I don't know that they're putting out amazing things to keep lifers on board as the old guard eyes 50, 60, and beyond and the younger fans don't really have a prayer to ever "collect them all" given current toy store conditions. I do not presently regret this purchase, but as I have written thousands of figures up and have dozens - maybe a hundred or more just sitting around the office waiting to be opened and reviewed - you could probably accurately insinuate that I have some sort of a problem.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,108: February 15, 2024

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,101: Boba Fett (Dune Sea, The Retro Collection)

BOBA FETT (Dune Sea)
The Retro Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. F6874 No. F8564
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rifle, Gaffi Stick, Robe
Action Feature: Removable cloak
Retail: $11.99
Availability: December 2023
Appearances: Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett

Bio: The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a 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 Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now! 

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: It's funny to think that other than Krrsantan (a comic book character), every figure in this wave previously appeared in a small-screen Star Wars series. Heck, Boba Fett (Dune Sea) appeared in (and was sold as a figure from) The Mandalorian already, so it's interesting to see Hasbro take two years put out what a wave of mostly The Mandalorian characters for a The Book of Boba Fett wave. It's not a bad wave at all, and it's really telling that with this Dune Sea version - after a Prototype, regular version, and Morak re-armored version - Boba Fett technically has more figures than Han Solo and Princess Leia in The Retro Collection. Heck, if Hasbro had the desire they could keep it going with Empire Strikes Back deco, white proto armor deco, Holiday Special/Droids cartoon deco, and even proper The Book of Boba Fett revised armor. And he'd sell.

Upon reveal Hasbro seemed to take care to obfuscate the plastic figure under the cloth robes, which feel similar to that of the Jawa. They look nice, but have a giant hood like a lot of the older Jedi figures. It's a good accessory, and Hasbro should be lauded for it. The rifle seems to be an all-new one, and the gaffi stick is basically the same 1978 Kenner one we all know and love. (If you don't know it and love it, go get some Kenner figures.) Much like the bulk of the old line, none of these accessories are painted. it's kind of amazing to have a Kenner Boba Fett figure that has exactly zero elements of the classic 1979 Boba Fett figure.

Boba seems to be all new tooling, but in this era of digital sculpting you can see some shared digital sculpting elements with Boba Fett (Morak) [FOTD #2,935]. The legs are incredibly similar, retaining the holster loop for a blaster that isn't included - but they removed the knee pads. The sleeves seem to share similar wrinkles to the elbows of that figure too, but the hands and gloves are new. The scarf-like neck also shares elements with the Morak figure, but the shoulders have deeper grooves and, of course, no pauldrons. To top him off, his all-new head actually looks a lot like Temuera Morrison... just a little botoxed out. Very subtle traces of scars seem to be left - maybe it's my imagination - but everything got just a little too smoothed out. His expression looks right, and his eyes seem appropriately old-Kenner-esque.

This is not the figure I expected - I was assuming we'd get a new version based on his revised armor, or the white prison suit, not the Tusken garb. (Memo to Hasbro: I would like to buy those other costumes, too.) I was excited to see how he looked under the robe, and I was not disappointed. Hasbro did a nice job with the texture on the torso, but weirdly, the rest of him looks a little smoothed out. (Before Maul was revealed, I was wondering if they would share parts. I'm glad to say they don't.) Whoever did the soft goods really gets how to do them correctly, but I would've loved to see a bend in the elbow or a slightly different posture on the plastic figure. But I'm nitpicking - Hasbro did a job that's consistent with the rest of the line, so if you like those I expect you'll like this too. As a younger fan I was obsessed with the stories and concepts fo the unmade post-The Power of the Force toy line that never came to be, particularly with things like a Bantha (which would still be nice) or Grand Moff Tarkin (which we got in 2019.) A "Boba Fett that survived" figure (TWO of them, at that) would have been a lot of fun back then. I'm a lot older now, but the figure is just so much fun to play with and shows that (at least to me) style and personality go a long way. My The Vintage Collection nomad Boba is in a display case... but this one? We've been having fun. I just wish we could have another wave of thees guys.

Vehicle Notes: I think I'll start doing these for Retro as appropriate. Boba Fett (Dune Sea) can fit in the original and Shadows of the Empire Kenner Slave I pilot seats. He does fit nicely in the Attack of the Clones/OTC model. He is too thicc to fit in the pilot's seat clips of the XL The Clone Wars and The Vintage Collection version - it spits him right out. He fits just fine in the 2012-2015 "Saga Legends/Mission Series" mini version of the Slave I.

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

Unsolicited Wish to Hasbro: I would love to see more figures from this series. For example: the R0 droid drummer, a new or reissued Max Rebo, the Rancor Keeper, a revised Boba Fett with the new costume (and removable helmet?), Cobb Vanth, Lortha Peel, more Tuskens... I could go on. Everything about this show looks like a fun toy. I'd also love a Retro Bantha.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,101: January 23, 2024

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,069: Tusken Raider Warrior (Single Card Edition, The Vintage Collection)

TUSKEN WARRIOR single carded version
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Deluxe Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. F7311 No. F6878
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #279
Includes: Gaffi stick
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $16.99
Availability: June 2023
Appearances: The Book of Boba Fett

Bio: A female[3] Tusken Raider warrior was a member of a tribe of Tusken Raiders on the planet Tatooine. When the prisoner Boba Fett attempted to escape the tribe's camp, the warrior defeated him in a duel, allowing the rest of her tribe to recapture their captive. After Fett killed a sand beast, he was accepted to the tribe. The warrior instructed Fett how to fight with a gaderffii stick. (Stolen from Wookieepedia. There is 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!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Click here to buy it at Walmart now!

Commentary: This Tusken Warrior figure manages to make you feel like a schmuck, even if you like it. Hasbro did a single-carded release, and then a store exclusive deluxe boxed one with a Massiff, and both are partially retooled Rey figures from 2016 with a few new parts. If we were still paying $10 or $12 for these things, I'd be fine with that - but at $17 you might want something a little bit better than Rey's bare biceps molded in black and barely hidden under some Tusken shoulder armor. You might recognize Rey's gloves and wrappings under the breathing apparatus. For a figure that took 18 months to make it to market after we saw the show, it's an effort that's half-baked and at best, acceptable. Hasbro did a nice job on the new parts, but for $17 it should be all new parts.

If you pop the figure's head off, you can easily take her apart for those Dark Rey customs you wanted to do - it looks like an easy head swap. Her head easily comes off and you can see the Rey elements much more easily - but the average fan might not notice. The carded collector will, since the figure stands right next to a full-body photo where you can look at it and go "wait, this doesn't seem right." The arms are, mercifully, good ones - the range of motion is good, and they can easily hold a gaffi stick.

I've got nothing bad to say about the new parts - the head sculpt is good, with separately molded "hair" wrappings draping down. The tabbard looks cool, with lots of painted detail. The (I think) new shoes and lower legs look great, and the shoulders are also excellent. They just needed to give her a new body. I'm sure someone at Hasbro may be rolling their eyes at this, but for a premium priced product it's at best a 7 out of 10. And we had the same problem with that Endor Raid Han, and the Bespin Guards, and others... if the budget isn't there to make more great figures, I'd settle for fewer figures period, and maybe we just have to wait a bit longer. Or maybe someone did the math and said "fans say they hate the show so much, let's do the best we can at a budget and call it a day." I don't know.

But I do know the figure looks decently, and I'm a sucker for Tusken toys. I loved when Toys R Us got that variant "red clan" boxed set with a Bantha, and I dig this too. Variety in the familiar faces is an exciting addition to any line, and I'd rather have an undercooked Tusken Warrior than no Tusken Warrior at all. Maybe we'll get the kid Tusken that Jimmy Kimmel's nephew played some day. I'm glad they're trying these things out, but as fans I certainly would like to see the level of quality go up (or the price go down) for new releases. Heck, I'm pretty miffed that reissues from 10 years ago are suddenly nearly twice as expensive.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,069: October 3, 2023

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,061: Tuken Chieftan (Tusken Raiders, The Vintage Collection)

TUSKEN CHIEFTAN (Tusken Raiders)
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Hasbro Pulse and ShopDisney Shared Exclusive Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. F8301
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 4 figures with cloaks, rifles, gaffi staffs
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $59.99
Availability: August 2023
Appearances: The Book of Boba Fett   

Bio: Survival in the unforgiving desert of Tatooine requires strict training and discipline for the members of a Tusken tribe. Led by a chieftain, each member of the clan must learn to be useful. (Taken from marketing copy. There is 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!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: I'm surprised they debuted the Tusken Chieftan in this set. As a recognizable character and a cool design, this is the very kind of thing I want in my Star Wars action figures. It's familiar, and it's new. It's a recognizable character. It's distinctive. And somehow, it didn't kick off on a cardback in stores.

While mostly new parts, our Chieftan does re-use the arms from Walmart's exclusive Tusken Raider [FOTD #2,860] from 2021 - but since they're under the robes, you'll never see it. He has a new torso, a great new robe with printed dark brown on it, a nice new head with distinctive mask, a unique torso, and startlingly good leg joints. They swing forward without obstruction, and they have those swivel thigh cuts. This is as good as it gets! Well, a Bantha would be better, but this is still great. The sculpted chest with bones looks wonderful, but overall, it could be better. This figure's colors are a little more saturated than what we saw on-screen, and the mask could be improved. The "mouth" has vertical lines on it on the TV show, and it's a bit wider than what we seem to be getting with the figure. There's a black fade at the bottom of the figure's head that seems to mimic some of what we're seeing on the show, but it's too stark. The extra stuff on the shoulders of the costume are missing on the figure too - the painted detail is better than nothing, but there's still room for improvement. The staff, though, is excellent.

I don't know if this is the Chieftan or a Chieftan yet. It's good - certainly better than nothing - but you could see Hasbro reissuing it with one or two more alterations within the next year and people like me will buy it again, begrudgingly. If that does not happen, this is a must-get figure set and just a cool addition to your clans, even if the price isn't a deal. It's OK. It's good enough - but most importantly, right now, it's new and interesting and the kind of reason we are in this hobby in the first place. "Here's a new figure of a guy you remember from that show!" is important in keeping me from completely quitting and selling my collection. The rest of the set isn't as distinctive - but we'll get to them soon enough. $60 is a lot to pay for just one specific character (and some trooper buddies) but I made no complaints when I pulled out my credit card to get this, and I don't think you will either.  

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,061: September 5, 2023

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,050: Tusken Raider (The Retro Collection)

TUSKEN RAIDER (Kenner Style)
The Retro Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Shop Disney / Hasbro Pulse Exclusive Set
Item No.: Asst. F7649 No. F7649
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Gaffi stick, cape, Jawa, R2-D2, C-3PO, Death Squad Commander, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $69.99
Availability: May 2023
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and eatures original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a 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 Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: At this point you can probably write my review before I do. "It's not as crisp as the original." "The paint is perfect but the flaws in the originals gave them character." "It's like time travel, but not!" I'd say the same about the Sand People, or Tusken Raider figures. And I hope you like this mold, because they're reusing it for The Book of Boba Fett figure later. It looks like it might have been designed by copying details from one of the variants from the middle of the run. The eyes aren't quite as sunken in and the holes are painted, and the cheek tubes are not hollow. I'd say the eyes are the most jarring change of the new release, as they're shallower and brighter. Through deeper cuts in the sculpt, Kenner was able to fudge black centers to the eyes without spending for another paint application. They just used nice, cheap shadows.

As with most of these figures, all the landmarks are here. The colors are really close to my old Kenner figure, but the gaffi stick is a lighter shade of brown in 2023 and the 2023 cape seems to have a hint of more yellow to it. (I would have expected the opposite.) I think a lot of people would be fooled if you swapped out the new accessories on an old figure, so educate yourself in case some unscrupulous seller does so.

The figure itself has been updated in the many ways you don't want. On the good side of things, the old copyright marks on the leg are gone so it's easy to tell a new figure from an old. What you might not like are the generation loss on the sculpted details. Many of the tattered edges are still there, but they're diminished ever-so-slightly. You won't know at first glance, but by comparing one to an original I assume what one wants is the real thing - the genuine article! There's a subtle texture on the 1970s figure that is smoothed out and shiny in 2023, but the tan plastic absorbs most of the detail so you might not notice. What you will notice is the dark brown paint over the face and bandolier. The pouches look fine, but the orignals are sharper and frequently painted in a sloppier way that sometimes leaves traces of unpainted plastic between them, helping them pop. Th brown wrappings around the mouth lost a lot of detail, but there are still sculpted elements there - it's like a new sculpt was made by someone who didn't quite understand the original figure or costume. The painted silver detail is incredibly shiny, and the eyes and "nose" look just a little off. In an era of AI upscaling and digital copies losing fidelity once you scan a copy of a copy, it seems like nobody went back in to improve those imperfections. Then again, your eyesight might not be what it was in 1983 so you'll just look at it and go "Looks great" and get on with your day.

For those looking to build their armies or add a new "variant" to an old Kenner collection, this is a great figure. It's just different enough to be interesting. I don't think it will be hard to authenticate an original given the changes, and you can throw this one at a kid or anyone you don't want touching your originals. It's a great set, and I hope Hasbro does more six packs like this to fill out the line between now and whenever the license finally becomes unprofitable. I'm guessing 2027, what about you?

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,050: July 27, 2023

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,860: Tusken Raider (2.0, The Vintage Collection)

TUSKEN RAIDER Now with Better Elbows
The Vintage Collection Walmart Exclusive
Item No.: No. F3118
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #199
Includes: Gaffi stick, blaster rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.93
Availability: August 2021
Appearances: Star Wars
Bio: Fearsome desert savages inhabiting the Jundland Wastes, Tusken Raiders are the foremost reason Tatooine colonists do not wander far from their isolated communities. (Taken from the web site. There is no packaging copy.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: At first glance it seemed as if the Tusken Raider offered at Walmart this year was little more than a repaint - thankfully, this was not the case. The partial retool of The Saga Collection Vintage figure from 2006 is a big improvement, and fixes a couple of the complaints we all had about the original figure - and some we didn't think to ask about! If you can get a few of this one, you should, it's a decent army-builder. It's not perfect, but it's much improved.

If you have the original release, this one improves on it with a new head, new arms - with better non-swivel elbows! - new soft goods, and coloring which seems to be more in line with the original 1977 film. (The bad news is that most of the other appearances of the Tuskens seem more in line with the lighter, cream-colored figures.) There was a lot more contrast on the original Kenner toy and subsequent movie appearances - this one is darker, greyer, more Earthy. It's a dirtier, more lived-in costume that even has silver caps on the rebreather. The "face" looks truer to the cardback photo minus some missing brown paint around the mouth mask, and the soft goods are much less bulky. The most exciting improvement are the aforementioned elbows - now they can bend and swivel. The 2006 ones just swiveled, and were prone to falling apart inside the sleeves. The one thing about the new figure I disliked were the "frozen" wrists, which may be fixed by heat and the boiling water trick at your own risk.

The legs and torso are more or less the same, with improved deco. Since he has old-fashioned hips the figure can't sit on a Bantha very well, so a wholly new 100% sculpt would still be welcome - be it from a classic film or their The Mandalorian appearances. With the different colors, it's like a whole new clan of these guys - and since it's truer to the first film, you've arguably got a reason to buy one or two. I might recommend waiting for a rerelease to troop build due to the aforementioned mask issue, but if you don't notice it being off, just stock up now if you can. I mean, you're not going to find them on pegs anyway, but if you did you could potentially stock up.

Collector's Notes: I got mine form Walmart.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,860: September 30, 2021

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,382: Tusken Raider / Sand People (The Black Series / 40th Anniversary)

TUSKEN RAIDER "Sand People" on the 40th Cardbacks
The Force Awakens / 40th Anniversary The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. C2142
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #41
Includes: Cloth cloak, 4 different gaffi stick pieces, rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: May 2017
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio:   Fearsome desert savages inhabiting the rocky Jundland Wastes, Tusken Raiders are the foremost reason Tatooine colonists do not wander far from their isolated communities. Extremely territorial, Tusken Raiders will attack with very little provocation. (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:  I always want to be impressed or surprised, and this new Tusken Raider delivers.  I think the last new version of the figure was possibly almost ten years ago, so this 6-inch debut is a long-awaited step in a new direction.  The last "vintage" version, you'll recall, had only swivel elbows.  This one has real elbows, rocker ankles, bend-and-swivel wrists, and a customizable gaderffi stick.   You can pluck out the bottom, pointy part and swap in one that looks like the classic movie/Kenner version and two other ones I am mildly ashamed to admit I do not immediately recognize.   I love that they gave fans an options like this for army building (or just for variety's sake), allowing you to have up to four differently equipped raiders from just one figure with no modifications needed.  This  is a good thing.

The hands are sculpted as well as most others, allowing him to hold a rifle or the gaffi stick with both hands.   The mixed media figure is a decent one, with a cloth skirt inhibiting movement of the legs (boo) but cloth robes over it so it looks good (yayy).  It's a functional release, but it would have been awesome if they could have allowed for more leg movement - as it is, it's a gorgeous figure with decent functioning legs.  I love how the bottom of the robes are clearly multiple layers, with a tattered, dirtier outer layer complete with extra grime and frayed edges.  That's really the tops.

The sculped texture feels fantastic, and the factory picked some really great fabric for the outer robes.  If you like fondling your figures, you're going to like this one.  The head wrappings are similarly fantastic, and hte head sculpt is exactly what it should be - a pile of garbage.  Metal bits horns, and the weird let's say mouth are represented perfectly, as are the pouches on his belt with all the little buttons and/or snaps.  It's a gorgeous figure.

Available in standard The Black Series or 40th Anniversary faux-vintage packaging, Hasbro gave fans plenty of options with this one.  You can display it, or keep it packaged any way you want.   I'd love to have had more leg movement but I can't have everything.  It's good, get one if you can - get more than one if you're feeling greedy.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,382: June 28, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,623: Female Tusken Raider

TUSKEN RAIDER Female
30th Anniversary Collection Bantha with Tusken Raiders Battle Pack
Item No.: No. 87378
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Staff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $44.99
Availability: Spring 2007
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Tusken Raiders are fierce desert savages that keep to themselves, and are a terrifying presence to the colonists that live on Tatooine. Swathed from head to toe in rags and robes, Tusken Raiders brandish their bladed clubs called gaderffii sticks with menacing skill. Also known as Sand People, these aggressive nomads dwell in the rocky Jundland Wastes of Tatooine and ride single file on banthas to conceal their numbers. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen.

Commentary: If you can't get enough of the Tusken Raider culture, this female of the red clan may be of interest. The red isn't overtly red, so you might not even notice it's different at first glance. Her shoes and lower body are different from her other releases, but the top part is pretty close. (The arms are different as well.) I wouldn't put this at "just different enough to make you mad," but odds are if Hasbro sold it individually you'd be pretty uninterested. As part of the gift set she was pretty neat, but she's basically still a statue. There's not a lot of action in this figure beyond her ability to carry a gaffi stick and haul around a child in a large pouch on her back. The design is neat and I appreciate the new color, but she's a little less exciting than the other recolors in the box. I'd still go out of my way to get one, though.

Collector's Notes: The clans did well depending on the region-- which is a nice way of saying it was rare in some areas and a horrible seller in others. Today the set is $40-$50ish, depending on the week.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,623: September 2, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,570: Tusken Raider

TUSKEN RAIDER Red Clan "Vintage" Adult
30th Anniversary Collection Bantha with Tusken Raiders Battle Pack
Item No.: No. 87378
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Cloak, gaffi stick
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $44.99
Availability: Spring 2007
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Tusken Raiders are fierce desert savages that keep to themselves, and are a terrifying presence to the colonists that live on Tatooine. Swathed from head to toe in rags and robes, Tusken Raiders brandish their bladed clubs called gaderffii sticks with menacing skill. Also known as Sand People, these aggressive nomads dwell in the rocky Jundland Wastes of Tatooine and ride single file on banthas to conceal their numbers. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's floor.

Commentary: This Tusken Raider is the great 2006 Vintage figure with new deco and new fabric elements. Rather than the wrinkly, bunched-up tan material we now have flat red material covering the figure. It looks less realistic, but it appears completely different from the previous release. The gaffi stick is a great accessory, and the sculpted elements of the figure's body are now a dark reddish brown color while the head is pretty much the same thing. The articulation is identical to the Vintage release.

I like this figure-- and set-- less than I like what it represents. I'm so totally excited when Hasbro can expand the Star Wars universe with its toys, so things like Mini-Rigs (when done well) or the creation of this new clan of Tuskens is just something that makes me smile. I hope we see grey or black clans some day too, or even more of the reds would be nice. I don't think most fans are going to want these, but I find the whole thing quite exciting. Get them if you like fun!

Collector's Notes: If memory serves, Hasbro said there was an even split between the "beige clan" (i.e., original colors) of the Tusken Raider battle packs and the "red clan." The red clan was the second release, and I saw plenty of both spread across multiple cities in the southwestern USA. The red clan Tuskens have not been repackaged or sold elsewhere as of yet.

Day 1,570: June 21, 2011

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,552: Tusken Raider Child

TUSKEN RAIDER Tusken Child
Saga Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84864
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0208
Includes: Gaffi stick, Tusken Mother
Action Feature: Toddler fits into pouch on back
Retail: $4.99
Availability: April 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Also known as Sand People, these dangerous savages live in the rocky Jundland Wastes on the planet Tatooine. The Tusken Raiders engage in an inevitable confrontation with Anakin Skywalker after he tries to rescue his mother from their camp. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Jabba shelves.

Commentary: I'm not quite sure what the deal with this Tusken Raider Child's pose is, but the sculpt is pretty good. A simple figure, this one is jointed at the shoulders and is designed to sit in a pouch on the back of his (or her, they all dress the same) mother. For a figure from 2002 the deco is quite good-- I don't think they could do a much better job today. There are numerous shades of brown, a wipe, and a black visor painted on this tiny figure.

The sculpt is great, there is plenty of detail, and it stands without a problem. This is one of those rare, great figures that Hasbro probably couldn't be expected to do a whole heck of a lot better, plus it's a weird one. One of my favorite sub-segments of the line (along with astromech droids) is collecting every different flavor of Tusken Raider I can get, so I'm jazzed they made women and children. And Jedi. And ones you can decapitate. Now that I think of it, the only thing for Tusken Raiders that I'd really love to see (but never got) is some sort of action feature one. If you could push a button and it raised its arms and could yell (or I could yell) that'd be awesome. Did you know the sound of a Tusken Raider is some sort of donkey or mule thing? (But I digress.)

This is a great little figure. I consider it essential because it's so unique, so be sure to add one to your collection. And his mom too. But man, these little dudes are neat, aren't they?

Collector's Notes: This one has been released twice-- the original carded figure in 2002, and a Battle Pack with a Bantha and some Tusken Raiders for Toys "R" Us a few years later. If you're after loose figures, it should be cheap. Collectors also take note that there's a red redeco from a variant of the Battle Pack.

Day 1,552: May 26, 2011