WEEQUAY Battle Above the Sarlacc
The Saga Collection Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87503 No. 87117
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: Force Pike, 4 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: 2006-2007
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Luke Skywalker has escaped his scheduled execution in the Great Pit of Carkoon, home of the terrifying Sarlacc. Boba Fett temporarily captures Skywalker using his rope-firing wrist gauntlet. The Jedi and his Friends, however, have luck on their side, especially when Han Solo accidentally activates Fett's backpack and sends him tumbling into the Sarlacc's digestive system! (Taken from the set's box. Note, no mention of the Weequay. I bet he feels loved.)

Image: More carpet.

Commentary: I often use the phrase "just different enough to make you mad," and that's a great description of this Weequay for a variety of reasons. First, let me tell you why. The figure itself, ignoring the rest of the set, is pretty good. It takes one of Kenner's strongest modern-era sculpts from 1997 and updates it with the modern (2004) Force Pike and new paint. This sort of face lift did wonders for Barada, and the resulting Weequay is also pretty good. This is maddening because he came in a gift set with four other action figures, all of which were missing one or more significant accessory from a previous release, thus making you buy an entire set of "extra" figures if all you wanted was the upgraded Weequay. This, of course, sucks.

As I just mentioned, the Weequay is a 1997 figure and one of thee best 1997 had to offer. Kenner's team did a great job packing this figure with detail, giving his face little wrinkles and markings in addition to the day's normal articulation. In the Battle Pack, Weequay is arguably the weakest in terms of joints, with only the basic six points of articulation. On the bright side, his head and arms don't fall off, making him a better toy than his boxmates. While he may look identical to the 1997 release at first, the added dirt on his outfit, the blue added to his shoulders, and the extra brown paint on his head set him apart from the original. You could have both Weequay figures in a diorama and probably not be too worried about someone making a "clone" joke. While some were fuming that the set didn't include a brand new sculpt Weequay, it is what it is-- decent. If you don't have any of the figures in the set, it's worth picking it up for the price. Even if you do, it's not like it'd kill you to have a spare Han Solo.

Collector's Notes: The Battle Above the Sarlacc was the first in a batch of post-Revenge of the Sith Battle Packs, but it kept the 2005 line look. The set was not repackaged for 2007 and beyond, or at least, has not yet been repackaged.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 736: May 11, 2008