Orrimaarko (Prune Face) - TVC - Basic (VC114)

Hasbro is really becoming more and more clever with how they are reusing previously existing, yet excellent sculpts in the basic figure line. One of the action figures in the “final” wave of The Vintage Collection is one of these said figures, and while he looks a lot like the figure from which he is based, Hasbro’s ability to make “old” action figures “new” again is uncanny. Some might even claim their skill is mind-blowing. Back in the very popular Legacy Collection, Hasbro released the excellent Major Panno (BD20) figure. When he was released, collectors were definitely excited to receive him, but we were slightly perplexed that he was chosen in favor of a much-needed update to Orrimaarko (Prune Face). Back then, over a decade had past since the first modern Orrimaarko (Prune Face) was released and it was high time for an update. But Orrimaarko wasn't in the plans for that time to see revision and Hasbro waited until The Vintage Collection to do so. We're glad they made us wait. Prune Face may not be your first choice for an update in the basic figure line, but there is no way that you can say what Hasbro has created here is an absolutely incredible action figure that borders on masterpiece status. Unbelievably, Orrimaarko (Prune Face) has become one of our most favorite figures in wave 16 of The Vintage Collection. As we’ve said, “old” is made “new” thanks to some rather simple (yet clever) changes to bring us a completely different character.

Hasbro took 2009’s LC Major Panno (BD20) figure and gave it an all-new head sculpt and new hands. They then repainted it specific to the colors of Orrimaarko (Prune Face). And that’s all. Impressively the figure looks all-new thanks to a spectacular paint job. The great thing about using the same sculpt to create another member of the same species is that relatively identical heights (as well as proportions) are preserved. The integrity of the scale is maintained. But there are even more reasons to be thrilled with Orrimaarko. We’re perhaps most impressed with the soft-goods cloak. Yes, we’ve seen something similar with Major Panno, but Hasbro has not only used a new fabric to dress this Dressellian, but we’re quite sure that they treated the fabric in some way to help it maintain its shape. It’s especially noticeable here because the gathering and wrinkles of the fabric don’t really disappear and the silhouette it creates around the figure is very sleek and holds closely around the figure. Hasbro also added some “wear and tear” on the outside of his cloak to give it that perfect “lived in” look. The cloak looks incredibly amazing. The same communicator from Major Panno has been carried forward to Orrimaarko (Prune Face) and you better be sure to secure it in the elastic storage pockets sewn onto the front of the figure’s cloak otherwise it will be lost foever due to its miniscule size. Fully outfitted, Prune Face is perfect. Honestly, he looks just amazing and he is fully worthy of a place in The Vintage Collection. The packaging just drives this point further home. But, the packaging clearly doesn’t need to sell this figure. It can sell itself based on its own merits.

Another impressive aspect of Prune Face is his head sculpt. It’s actually a much better sculpt that Major Panno. What’s ironic about this is that we’re pretty certain it’s mostly based on Major Panno’s head sculpt and has just been tweaked to include a few new details in the face and the addition of the eye patch, but the details in the front of the face show that this figure was made in this era of collecting and not a few years ago. The wrinkles, the snarl and the expression in his one visible eye are just simply stunning and his eye patch makes him unmistakably familiar to that vintage figure that peg-warmed the shelves in 1984. Hasbro ensured that Orrimaarko (Prune Face) received a state of the art paint job all around. Check out the details in his chest tools and ranking badge. Check out his belt and the pouches that sporadically hang around it. And then let’s not forget about the beautiful camouflaged pattern Hasbro added to his pants. Even the 2010 TVC Rebel Commando (VC26) figures can’t even claim to have pants that look this cool (and they’re the same exact sculpt)! We honestly didn’t expect to fall for Orrimaarko (Prune Face) as hard as we did. He may have not been as long-awaited as wave mates Nien Nunb or the Emperor’s Royal Guard, but now that we realize how much effort Hasbro put into it, he’s risen quickly to the top as one of our most favorites. We encourage you to inspect this figure carefully because you’ll definitely want one. Orrimaarko (Prune Face) will surprise you on every level. Please trust us!