OBI-WAN KENOBI Jedi Duel
Episode I Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84085 No. 84073
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, CommTech Chip
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 3, 1999
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Although young and headstrong, Jedi apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi will become one of the greatest Jedi to ever protect the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Back in 1999, fans were thrilled that Hasbro upped the ante with tons of articulation and in many cases, better sculpting and deco than we were used to. We got figures which seemed great, like this Obi-Wan Kenobi with a whopping 10 points of articulation, a display base, and a lightsaber which had multiple colors of paint on the hilt. Eight years later, it's still pretty good, and for better or worse it's probably the best Episode I-themed Kenobi for this costume Hasbro ever made. It certainly has the most articulation and the most range for poses, but it could certainly benefit from a less squared-off set of shoulders, a new head, ball joints, and of course a lightsaber hilt. The old likeness is decent, the texture is OK, and the inclusion of wrist joints-- uncommon for the time-- was pretty gosh darn cool. You probably want this figure, just because Hasbro has yet to do much better.

Collector's Notes: While fans are out there hoping for a new set of Obi-Wan Kenobi figures, like an Evolutions pack, it doesn't seem likely in the short term. While I'd flip out over super-poseable versions of this figure, the Episode II version, and a Clone Wars armor version, well, I've found it good not to get too excited for such things. Who knows what the future holds, though? ( MORE IMAGES )

Day 518: October 6, 2007