Mara Jade - TBS [PP] - Six Inch Figures

Mara Jade was once Emperor Palpatine's Hand, his most trusted assassin. Five years later and now a successful smuggler, the last thing Mara expected was to stumble upon her former arch-enemy: Luke Skywalker.

Well, how do you describe an action figure that looks so good even though it’s 75% reused parts? That’s how you’d perfectly sum up The Black Series Mara Jade figure from the Publishing Program sub-line, the 6-inch figures packaged in mock novels. Mara Jade has a gorgeous portrait, but the figure is strewn with problems, most notably the improper reuse of parts. Hasbro took the torso, belt, and legs of 2017’s TBS [P3] Jaina Solo (Legends) (56) figure, gave it the new portrait and arms, and then repainted it to make it look like Mara Jade. This assessment means we have a new character with antiquated articulation in the legs and other details dismissed because of the inherent differences in the outfits between the two characters. Where are the beveled knee armor pads? Where are the indistinguishable details in the outfit? But perhaps the most egregious omission is the lack of an interchangeable portrait of Mara Jade wearing the hat and goggles. That would have been a cherished inclusion here, but Hasbro again went cheap on us. The paint operations look great overall, but you may find an imperfection or two here and there. However, the figure seems excellent, and we’re most taken with the waviness in the gorgeous red hair. You’re going to love what Hasbro accomplished here. Hasbro included a blaster and a lightsaber that breaks down into hilt and removable purple blade. You can stow the hilt onto a clip on the right side of the belt. It hangs beautifully when not in use. Another bone of contention here is the price. Mara Jade is $29.99. That’s laughable for a figure with this many recycled parts, without any necessary additional parts like the interchangeable portrait we previously described. Fans have been waiting so long for Mara Jade that they’ll probably overlook the figure’s sins, but this laziness is getting old, and Hasbro is in danger of disengaging its market, which would be a terrible thing to waste.