IMPERIAL DIGNITARY JANUS GREEJATUS Death Star Procession
The Saga Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84861 No. 84842
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0335
Includes: Display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Emperor Palpatine surrounded himself with coterie of dignitaries, chosen by the Emperor for their complete subservience to him and their willingness to betray anyone who questioned the Emperor's authority. The Imperial dignitaries were with the Emperor as he arrived on the Death Star II as the Battle of Endor was about to commence. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: Sometimes you get what you ask for, and sometimes you don't. After years of asking for an update to the vintage 1980s Imperial Dignitary, Hasbro shocked fans by releasing not one, but two of them in 2003-- and neither of them look like the original old man. Janus Greejatus was an old, pale guy in purple, but not the one in the big tall hat that fans were expecting. Surprisingly, he still hasn't seen an update after nearly 25 years. No, this is a new character, previously unmade as a toy. This release was better than one might expect. With three points of articulation on each arm and a slightly moveable neck, the figure managed to be more than the expected salt-and-pepper shaker that we could've had. Each hand has individual fingers that can be posed to interlock, and Janus' robes are loaded with texture and detail. While there's very little paint on this figure, that's OK-- he's basically wearing just very dark things anyway. The figure is everything it needs to be. Sure, it'd be nice if he could sit, but it's not like he has a lot of places he could sit, anyway. The sculpt is good, the deco is crisp, and the figure stands as a shining example of one of Hasbro's finest figures before fans demanded most figures had 12 or more points of articulation.

Collector's Notes: In addition to being released on a regular card in 2003, the figure was repackaged with a Kmart exclusive Death Star Battle Pack in Fall of 2005. The body was given a new head and reused to make another Dignitary a few months later. (MORE IMAGES)

Day 654: February 19, 2008