ADMIRAL ACKBAR with Comlink Wrist Blaster
Power of the Force Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 69605 No. 69686
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Wrist Blaster, Freeze Frame (1998)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Summer 1997-1998
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Bio: A respected member of the Mon Calamari species, Admiral Ackbar serves as a senior Rebel Alliance adviser. He commanded the attack on the second Death Star from aboard his personal flagship during the Battle of Endor. (Taken from the figure's 1998 cardback.)

Commentary: Everybody loves a lobster man! Admiral Ackbar wasn't a bad figure, and improved on the 1983 original quite a bit. The coloring was better and the outfit was more detailed, plus he has a waist joint now! With six points of articulation, the figure isn't going to impress too much in 1998. Still, as the only modern-era Ackbar, it's pretty good. His skin has a nifty pattern painted on it, his webbed hands are nice and big, and Kenner decided not to sculpt his hands in a weird gripping position but rather sculpted his accessory to snap-on to his left arm. In short, they made good. The figure can sit or stand with no problems, and his face has a decent amount of personality sculpted in it, with loads of wrinkles and a decent grin. There's still a lot of opportunities to improve the figure with added articulation, a more accurate skin color, and a little less beef in his body, but still, it's pretty good. Actually, it's as good as you can hope for right now, so until Hasbro works it into a future Return of the Jedi assortment in two or six years, I wouldn't get your hopes up for a new version. Just get this one, it's cheap.

Collector's Notes: The figure was considered one of Kenner's better efforts for its time, and has yet to be reissued, resculpted, or revisited. The basic sculpt was used to make the 2000 Mon Calamari Officer.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 801: July 15, 2008