Bio: The aloof and solitary Voolvif Monn is one of the few Jedi to survive the Battle of Geonosis. During the Clone Wars, Monn confronts waves of battle droids on Muunilinst in an all-out fight to stop the wealthy InterGalactic Banking Clan’s support to the Confederacy. With a sweep of his lightsaber, Monn cuts down several droids at a time. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: Oh man, I love Clone Wars toys. So much. It was so great to see Hasbro announce Jedi after Jedi from the 2003 and 2005 animated series. Proving the old saying "better late than never," Hasbro delivered Voolvif Monn-- a character fans voted on to appear in the cartoon in a small role-- in late 2007. With 12 points of articulation, a great sculpt, and the kind of attitude you want from a werewolf with a laser sword, this is one truly fun toy. It's not every day that Hasbro gives a non-movie (or even a movie) Jedi a lot of articulation, so it's really wonderful to see ball ankles and elbows plus swivel wrists on a fairly minor character. Seeing him sell quickly proves that everybody likes a nice weird alien figure, especially if the detail work is as stunning as it was on this release. The detail in the mouth alone shames most modern action figures, giving fans a painted face, painted teeth, and painted "negative space" in the mouth to better highlight the teeth. Kenner and Habsro generally just left this area unpainted, but adding an extra paint application really helps show off his sharp fangs. The hybrid armor/Jedi robes look awesome, giving this figure a unique flavor you won't see elsewhere in the line. Yet, anyway. He can hold his lightsaber with both hands, he looks great on a shelf, there's really a lot to like here. Odds are if/when a vehicle comes about for this figure, he'll have problems sitting in it due to the odd leg designs and the long Jedi robes which hang in front of the hip joints. It's a good, fun figure that you should buy if you like the look of it. I hope Hasbro does more "realistic" figures from the cartoons just like this one.

Collector's Notes: Released late in 2007, this figure has not been pegged for a rerelease at press time although it would make sense to see it again in late 2008 or at some point in 2009 in light of Hasbro's new Clone Wars-themed line of reissues (coming later in 2008) or to tie in with the ongoing new television series. If you can't find one, don't panic yet-- but don't be a cheapskate if you see it for seven or eight bucks.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 771: June 15, 2008