Have you see this year's Gentle Giant Holiday Bust for Star Wars? It's Jar Jar Binks with a nifty santa hat and electronic lights! Numbered and limited to barely over 200 units, this particular version does not include Wald as a companion piece, but there is a swell magnetic base which masks the bust's "on" switch. There are multiple light blinking modes, and yes, we've got a video after the jump.

Oddly absent from Gentle Giant's line for years, we're now able to get a crack at the Gungan and his short companion via Gentle Giant's web site or if you're on a list, there's this individual promotional bust. Based on the company's description of the item, I am not certain if the regular version lights up too. (If you know, leave a comment!)

As a promotional item with a run of 220, it's pretty nice. It may well be the best Jar Jar Binks collectible I own and it's evidence that sometimes the best stuff comes when you wait ten or more years. As one of the last items to be released in this exceptionally odd year, it's really appropriate to have an upbeat, bewildered, and slightly shaken character as a metaphor for all of us as we move into the coming year.

I haven't tried to pry the lights off (nor do I intend to) but the cloth Santa hat comes right off. It's actually a little tricky to situate just right, but when it fits it looks great. As Gentle Giant busts go, I defy you to find one with more personality.

I was delighted that he was done up in his outfit from The Phantom Menace in, really, the only pose anybody should ever do for the character. His tongue dangles out of his mouth and he gives a crooked smile while gesturing a thumbs-up. It's also sensationally ugly, and for that I have to say it may be worth getting from the regular run with Wald. It's due soon and the set is a mere $119.99.

--Adam Pawlus

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