Obi-Wan Kenobi - TLC - Basic (BD 9)

Added: June 4th 2009
Category: Legacy Collection, The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Obi-Wan Kenobi
Collection: The Legacy Collection
Number: BD 9
Source: Clone Wars (Volume 1: Chapter 8)
Availability: August 2008
License: Hasbro

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Obi-Wan and his clone troopers go up against Durge and his IG lancer droids on the planet Muunilinst. The Jedi general and the Separatist bounty hunter engage in an explosive jousting match the pits two powerful warriors against one another.

It's no secret that we are huge fans of the original Clone Wars series. From the incredible amount of action placed within the story shorts to the amazingly beautiful animation, the series was a perfect bridge between many of the events that transpired in between Episode II and Episode III. And it was the platform from which we got some of our favorite characters that remain so poignant even still today. Asajj Ventress, Padmé Amidala (in her unforgettable Ilum snow bunny gear), and now this version of Obi-Wan Kenobi are all fondly burned in our brain. And for many, these images are as powerful as the ones of our favorite characters in the Original Trilogy and Prequel Trilogy. The original Clone Wars series indeed left that strong of an imprint for many and we are happy that it did with Hasbro too, for they are the ones who have given us this nice wave of figures. It was a fantastic way to open up the brand new 2008 The Legacy Collection action figure line. It took us quite a while to get the action figure of Obi-Wan Kenobi (General) to the caliber of this figure. The first attempt was 'almost' cool (for the time), but now can best be described as pitiful. Sometimes time is just harsher to some actions figures than others. That first figure got released in 2005 in one of the first Battle Packs we ever got from the Revenge Of The Sith toy line, and it had terrible clone armor snap-on pieces and an armor/robe combo piece that just didn't work. Limiting what an action figure could do and look like, it was nearly a complete failure. Additionally, the figure has an action feature that just doesn't pass the most discriminating collectors' standards. (We will always state that action features should be left off figures and only included with the accessories they come with instead.) There are no worries here, however, so put your fears or concerns to rest. Hasbro has manufactured a perfect action figure specimen here, and we doubt you will find anything to complain about it. And if you do complain about Obi-Wan Kenobi, well, probably nothing will make you happy as far as an action figure is concerned.

While we waited almost five years to get a definitive Obi-Wan Kenobi (General) action figure and let us just reiterate that it was more than worth the wait. Obi-Wan is perfectly interpreted into realistic style, and aside from a portrait that could have been tweaked a little bit more before its final release, he has everything and more you could want in an action figure. As an aside, for those of you who remember, the second wave of The Legacy Collection was supposed to be the third wave of 2008's 30 (77-07) line (yes, this is very confusing). Originally, it was temporarily “canceled” to prepare for the Hasbro re-launch (the blue and white era as some call it) of The Legacy Collection. Hasbro tantalized and tortured us with this figure because it should have technically been available at retail a long time ago. But for some reason, they found it was more important to make us wait longer for him. Obi-Wan Kenobi is an all-new figure from head to toe and has the standard 24 points of articulation (what we expect for armored figures by today's standards) and is able to be placed in almost any position. But most importantly, he comes with ball-jointed hips which of course allows for the ultimate mobility in a 3.75” action figure. He can be posed in almost any configuration and has great balance in multiple positions. He is a total accomplishment, and we hope Hasbro approaches future action figures in the same fashion. Instead of a "cheesy" armor/robe accessory that goes over his head and Jedi clothed body, Obi-Wan is outfitted in real clone trooper armor with a soft-goods cape and removable helmet. Obi-Wan comes prepared with a lance and lightsaber, just like in the animated short, and he has a perfect look of grit and determination on his face; although different samples can vary the intensity of his expression and how well it translates into the action figure. Some samples have much better paint ops on the face, clearly resulting in some breakdown at the factory level. But with a little more than a cursory review, you should be able to come by a sample that meets your standards.

Obi-Wan looks fantastic when posed by himself as well as when posed next to Durge from 2008's TLC Anakin Skywalker/Durge (2) Comic Packs set. Durge and Obi-Wan look particularly neat together. The IG Lancer Droid (BD13) figure was also released in the same wave, and this character played a major role in the pivotal BARC Speeder scene when the clones and droids were lancing each other. The entire storyline of this episode included some of the most exciting scenes in the Clone Wars micro-series. And it is so wonderful that we have so many options to have Obi-Wan Kenobi interact within your dioramas. As amazing as Obi-Wan Kenobi is and even though we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him in our collections now, we still think Hasbro needs to delve in a few more characters before saying their final goodbyes to the original Clone Wars series. While we have received a plethora of amazing characters, we still think that there are a few glaring omissions and are waiting patiently while holding our breath to see if Hasbro will finally create and release them for us. Although we are unable to assume if there is an unknown amount of pressure from Lucasfilm to only focus on Filoni’s version of The Clone Wars, we're hoping a few more of the original characters are in Hasbro's parking lot and make it out in the near future! But if Hasbro decided to never attack another character from the micro-series again, this Obi-Wan Kenobi figure was a great way to go out with a bang. Even if you don’t like the Expanded Universe, Obi-Wan is a must-have purchase for every collection. He really is one of the best figures yet in The Legacy Collection and you will most likely feel the same way. And we truly hope that Hasbro will incorporate his awesome ball-jointed hips in future Episode II and Episode III clone troopers. Ball-jointed hips are essential for army builders! Come on Hasbro!

Collector Notes

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Status: Obi-Wan Kenobi is an all-new figure.

Articulation Count: 24 points (14 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), swivel left wrist (1), swivel right wrist (1), swivel waist (1), ball-jointed left hip (2), ball-jointed right hip (2), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)

Accessory Count: 4

Accessory Details: lightsaber, vibrolance (2 pieces), removable helmet

Original Droid Factory/Build A Droid Part: R4-J1 left leg

Date Stamp: 2008

Assortment Number: 87608/87535

UPC: 653569312703

Retail: $7.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.















Obi-Wan Kenobi

The Legacy Collection Wave 2

Obi-Wan Kenobi (BD 9)

Clone SCUBA Trooper (BD 10)

Saesee Tiin (BD 11)

Padm é Amidala (BD 12)

IG Lancer Droid (BD 13)

Mon Calamari Warrior (BD 14)

Quarren Soldier (BD 15)

Clone Trooper (BD 16)

R4-J1 (Build A Droid)

R7-T1 (Build A Droid)



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