POTE SNITKIN Skiff Guard
Power of the Force Collection 3
Item No.: Asst. 69705 No. 69863
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Kenner
Includes: Blaster, Pike, Freeze Frame, Tunic
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Late 1998/Early 1999
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Pote Snitkin worked as a helmsman for Jabba the Hutt. The Skrilling piloted one of Jabba's desert skiffs before foolishly battling Jedi Luke Skywalker over the Great Pit of Carkoon. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's shelves, weapons not shown.

Commentary: It's really hard to express how great this figure is against how little people cared about it. Unceremoniously dumped to the Fan Club as an exclusive due to lagging sales (but sold elsewhere in the world normally), Pote Snitkin was one of four figures that basically ended the Freeze Frame line and, at the time, were the some of the last known new Trilogy characters to be produced for a year or even more. As such, it was really important that Pote, Hoth Leia, the Death Star Droid, and the AT-AT Driver not suck. Part of the problem came from Leia and the AT-AT Driver being carded retooled versions of figures we already had, so it was up to Pote and the droid to carry the burden of awesomeness. Mr. Snitkin delivered.

The sculpt is amazing for 1998, thanks mostly to the detail in his arms and the cloak. By 2008 standards, this is a very nicely sculpted figure with lots of bumps and ridges, some subtle dirt, and unique, alien hands. He's a big, gnarly, freaky guy and he's got six points of articulation. Which, you don't need me to tell you, was normal for the time. There's so much to love about the figure in and of itself that it's easy to look over a few minor flaws, like an orange undershirt that pokes out from under his removable garment. If you have two Pote Snitkins and display one without the robe, it's almost like you have two unique figures. Unfortunately, you're unlikely to do this because the figure had very limited distribution in the USA. If you do Jabba's Palace figures, oh man, you gotta get this one. If Hasbro reissued it today, all they could really do is tweak the orange shirt and maybe modify the deco a little. The original is so good, I can't imagine them improving on it a great deal. Figures like Pote Snitkin are the reason I enjoy writing this column-- this figure truly is a lost gem that hasn't been given the attention or praise it deserves.

Collector's Notes: Distribution for this one was weird. Initially, it showed up internationally in many markets as a regular figure. For the USA, he was bundled with another figure and sold by the Fan Club for $10. And in the year 2000, extra inventory of all four were dumped at Toys "R" Us-- as many Fan Club exclusives were, between Kay-Bee and TRU-- for supremely cheap prices. Pote could be had for $1.98 if you lucked out, and I didn't. ( MORE IMAGES )

--Adam Pawlus

Day 744: May 19, 2008