OBI-WAN KENOBI Jedi vs. Separatists
Revenge of the Sith Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 85554 No. 85724
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, four additional figures
Action Feature: Squeeze legs for lightsaber strike, magnet in hand attracts lightsaber
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Summer 2005
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Obi-Wan is a fearless Jedi Knight whose years of lightsaber training and knowledge of the Force serve to protect and guide him as he fights the Separatist forces. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's toy shelves.

Commentary: Sometimes it's hard to tell a "new" figure, and this is one of the ones where some fans might argue. This figure takes the body of the 2002 pilot edition of Obi-Wan Kenobi with the head from the 2003 Outlander Club version, and calls it a day. You see, the 2002 pilot figure had a sculpted headset microphone thing on, plus a cloth cape and a whole mess of accessories. This one decided to drop most of the extras, but it kept the saber-slashing feature and the magnetic function. The sculpt is, obviously, a bit on the old side. The figure has limited articulation with only 10 points, plus he has some pretty gnarly shoulders. When you get right down to it, this figure and the bulk of figures based on the second prequel for this character more or less suck. As part of a set, it's pretty decent-- I mean, Kenobi looks like the character from the movie, he holds together well, and he has an action feature which you'll either find charming or irritating. The problem is Hasbro hasn't released an Obi-Wan figure from either Episode II or Episode I that you might call "great." If anything, this version of the figure from the battle pack is a neat variation or a curiosity-- it won't add much to an otherwise robust collection. But the magnet in the hand is still cool, because let's face it-- not enough action figures can "use the Force."

Collector's Notes: This particular version of Obi-Wan Kenobi was packaged in a set called "Jedi vs. Separatists," which featured Jango Fett, Darth Maul, Mace Windu, and Anakin Skywalker. As a cohesive whole, it doesn't make a lot of sense, but as something you sell to kids or parents as a gift it's quite sensible. You get what is essentially the only Phantom Menace character that matters plus another Fett and a trio of Jedi. For a kid, it's a great set. For a new collector, it's pretty great too. If you're a fan with hundreds of figures, though, you may find this lacking and may be better served paying more for other individual releases.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 676: March 12, 2008