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2009 Fans' Choice Poll10-14-2009The websites that participate in the Q&A sessions with Hasbro ran polls within their communities this summer to collect the top 30 characters the community members wanted to see in action figure form. Each site submitted those lists to Hasbro where they were collated along with ToyFare magazine. We now know the top 30 characters from those lists and with the release of ToyFare magazine this week, and soon on their website, we'll be able to vote for our fan favorite. Check out the list below (in alphabetical order)
The BreakdownThe list contains 11 Original Trilogy, 11 Prequel Trilogy and 8 Expanded Universe characters. Source material for the characters has an interesting distribution across all six films, novels, video games and comic books. Based on first appearances, the list breaks out as follows:
Twenty six characters on the list would be new while four are re-sculpts of existing figures. The four re-sculpts are:
Three of the characters, Darth Sidious Senate Duel, Rebel Fleet Trooper and Weequay Skiff Master could possibly be considered re-sculpts but could also technically be new characters, especially the RFT which should end up with a new head, so we counted those as new characters. A true Senate Duel Sidious figure has yet to be released even though Hasbro has released a couple Palpatine figures that internally they may have considered to be the correct version. It's interesting to note that both Kitster and Wald apparently had decent fan support since Hasbro and ToyFare combined them and listed them as one choice. The CommentaryAs usual with fan lists, this includes a couple of choices that are pretty obvious and Hasbro would probably get to them even without prompting. Those include a new ANH version of Grand Moff Tarkin and the Senate Duel Darth Sidious. A few others could be argued as obvious choices as well including Barriss Offee and maybe Dr. Evazan. Cliegg Lars has popped up on some relatively reliable rumor lists for 2010 but the format that he'd appear in hasn't been. Would he be a carded figure or in a battle pack (or some other format) where it would be easier to pack his chair? Based on previous statements by Hasbro, that they weren't interested in doing Cliegg, his presence on the list is a positive thing in case those rumors don't pan out. Unfortunately, here at the Holocron it's our opinion that nearly half of the list, about a dozen characters all told, are quite obscure and rather boring. Boring in the sense that they aren't action oriented characters in and of themselves, and, unlike Bane Malar for example, don't inspire the imagination to include them as bounty hunters or secret rebel soldiers or what have you.
Pellaeon has a long list of appearances in the Star Wars universe including novels, games and comics. However, he's an Imperial Officer. An "old guy" in a suit. In the funky alien category we have Tzizvvt and Cane Adiss. Tzizvvt is a Mos Eisley denizen while Adiss was a static puppet who appeared briefly in Jabba's Palace. The fact that Tzizvvt is basically a fly head on a body is both creepy and boring. Adiss is just plain boring. Taym Dren-Garen and the Weequay Skiff Master are both henchmen from Jabba's Sail Barge and both do have some action in ROTJ, but neither is exciting. Of the 12 characters on our boring list, these two have the most arguments in favor of them being made, but that still doesn't make them great choices. Female characters have been notorious bad sellers. The selection above, including two Naboo Queens, two Handmaidens and a librarian, do nothing to excite. With the exception of Jocasta Nu, the librarian who also happens to be a Jedi, these female characters would mostly be "salt shakers." They have no real action scenes and their film appearance wardrobe consisted of long dresses, which Hasbro usually sculpts as solid pieces with only partial legs. Historically these types of figures are not hot sellers and only are attractive to a small segment of collectors and kids. Forget for a minute that Tey How is also a woman, fact is she's a Neimoidian pilot from The Phantom Menace and Neimoidians have also not been hot sellers. Besides, other than the funky facial attire, this is another character in a "dress." Speaking of characters wearing a dress, Sim Aloo. Okay, Sim is a man, but seriously, other than the fact that he would be an update of a vintage Kenner Imperial Dignitary figure, old guy. Wearing a dress. Most of the other names on the list seem to be decent choices, characters that outside of a poll like this had little to no chance at seeing action figure form. Bastila Shan is a Jedi and comes from the popular "Knights of the Old Republic" video game. There have been calls for her as an action figure for several years and Hasbro could do worse than her. Ben Quadinaros, Bom Vimdin, and Sgt. Doallyn fill the funky alien and generic soldier type slots in the line. Adding to the pod racers from TPM is never a bad thing, nor is filling out the Mos Eisley cantina. Doallyn falls into the same category as Bane Malar, a henchman with a generic enough look that he has play value as a toy in multiple roles or filler for your Palace diorama. Darths Caedus and Plagueis along with Joruus C'baoth fill some powerful bad guy holes from the novels (and brief ROTS mention for Plagueis). While there are plenty of generic soldier types from the saga films and novels, the named bad guy list still has a lot of open slots and these three characters fill some of those slots. We're already scheduled for a Jacen Solo figure in 2010 but adding his alter ego would be a nice choice. The art for Joruus C'baoth, who got his start in the awesome "Heir to the Empire" novel, is interesting and would make a fun action figure. Dash Rendar is a smuggler and Rebel hero who saw his first action figure in the Shadows of the Empire line. He could do with an update and would make for a nice figure, especially since his role in the EU has expanded and been added to since his first appearance over 12 years ago. Toryn Farr would make a good choice for a few reasons. She's somewhat of an action oriented character from Hoth, she's obviously a woman and because her outfit could be used to also give us an updated Hoth Leia figure. All that would be needed is a head and vest change and Hasbro could knock off two figures from the ESB. Besides, our Hoth Rebel ranks could do for a couple of additions where it comes to ground troops. Kitster and Wald make interesting choices for the fact that they're kids, and we don't have many of those in the Star Wars universe in figure format. Plus they had cute rolls in TPM and when you look at our collection of figures, that film could use some more coverage. Guri is another character from the Shadows of the Empire that would be a fun choice. She almost made it as a figure along with Dash Rendar but was passed over. She has expanded her roll in the EU since SotE was first released plus she's another action oriented female character. Jaxxon is a throwback to the Marvel comics where he made several appearances. His status in the EU has gained some momentum lately with appearances in some online comic strips and chatter on the forums. Basically a space rabbit, he could have an interesting look in action figure form and, like Doallyn or Malar, could make for a fun toy. The Wrap UpAny time there is a list of characters that fans want to see as an action figure there are some winners and some questionable choices. How those questionable choices made it to the top 30 list this year is anyone's guess; they really have that much fan support, they have the "joke" push from forum members (this happened with Willrow Hood), or there was some list spamming going on. At this point it's not really important, the list is out. We here at the Holocron would welcome either Guri or Jaxxon from this Fans' Choice Poll. Guri is an ass-kicking, hot chick who started as an assassin for the Black Sun before ending up working with Dash Rendar as a mercenary. She nearly made it into figure form during the release of the Shadows of the Empire line of toys. It would be a good time to correct that oversight. Jaxxon, on the other hand, is a character introduced in the Marvel comics of the 1980's. He's an interesting character with as goofy of a look as any EU or background cantina or Palace denizen with his green fur, buck teeth and rabbit ears. Hasbro has said before that they would most likely never do an action figure of Jaxxon. A win here would guarantee that release. Even though Hasbro has gone on to make many of the characters from the last Fans' Poll list, Jaxxon would probably still not get made if he loses. If you want to see Jaxxon in action figure form, take this chance! The Fans' Choice Poll is now live on WizardUniverse.com so head over and cast your vote. |
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