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Name: Wooof
Collection: The Vintage Collection
Number: VC24
Source: Return Of The Jedi
Availability: November 2010/April 2023
License: Hasbro
It might be easy to accuse Hasbro of intentionally making us wait for 1983’s ROTJ Klaatu vintage Kenner figure to get updated in the modern toy line. Twenty-seven years is a very long time to wait for an updated action figure, and we can’t figure out how this character missed Hasbro’s radar all these years. Three decades have passed, and the figure gets a re-release; it's the second time in the lineup. They originally (and incorrectly) announced that Wooof was part of the 2009 Legacy Collection basic figure line but quickly recounted it as they accidentally confused Giran (BD21) instead. And it’s almost moot bringing this up because Klaatu (now known as Wooof) entered the basic figure line in 2010 as part of an incredible wave of figures celebrating Return Of The Jedi, much to the joy of collectors. Now that Hasbro re-released the figure for Return Of The Jedi 40, they tweaked a few details. No matter its release, it is a figure that unequivocally equals the flawless design of Giran, yet perhaps is more desired thanks to its membership in the original 1983 Return Of The Jedi vintage Kenner line. One of the most important goals for long-term collectors (as well as Hasbro) is to complete modern updates to all of the original vintage Kenner figures, and we are getting closer than we ever have, especially in the last few years, thanks to a new, and slightly refocused mission by Hasbro. We couldn’t be happier that so many vintage Kenner figures are either being updated or made for the first time since the line picked up momentum in the articulation department, where it started changing for the better with TVC 2.0. But even in recent years, right before Hasbro relaunched The Vintage Collection, their figures achieved a new, improved level that is just wowing collectors consistently. Action figure-making is where it needs to be now, and it truly isn’t a better time to be a Star Wars action figure collector!
Still, a figure like Wooof, despite whose tooling was designed over a decade ago, holds up well against the more advanced action figure in the line.Wooof is another collector’s dream. It brings everything to the table that Giran did, yet goes maybe a step or two beyond. An all-new figure (yes, even including an all-new head), Wooof offers collectors a fresh (but familiar) perspective on another green Nikto. Hasbro has not been shy about trying out new soft-goods formats, and with Wooof, we get another “first-time” fabric utilized for his skirt. Looking slightly like cowhide, the notably soft skirt has a beautiful natural drape and is thick looking and fuzzy without being overbearing. Wooof is superbly sculpted as well. The leg wrappings look fantastic, and Hasbroe designed them so beautifully that the articulated knees remain hidden until you decide to pose them. Wooof doesn’t have a crazy widespread stance, and you can pose the figure very naturally to make your Jabba’s palace dioramas better than they’ve ever been! The same is true for the figure’s elbow joints. Like Giran, Wooof has much more articulation than is immediately seen with the eye. It will require you to play with this figure to appreciate how much thought made this action figure as great as it is. Like many other figures in the line, Wooof also has a separately sculpted bandolier that fits perfectly around the torso. And the paint job, while a little clean and unnatural, is truly gorgeous. In our assessment, we think Wooof’s skin color is a little too bright green for our liking. We would have preferred to see a skin color similar to Giran’s. But there aren’t enough reference materials to confirm whether Hasbro nailed the green shade on Wooof or just “guesstimated.” They held back on some of the "yellow" wash on the portrait for the re-release.
Wooof has a loose-fitting head covering/helmet on the head. It doesn’t fit like a glove, but you’ll have little to worry about to get it to stay in place. It seems as if Hasbro wanted collectors to have some extra flexibility for display purposes, perhaps, but it’s pretty impressive how well it stays, even though it appears like it isn’t at all. Hasbro has designed an all-new force pike for Wooof that is not only incredibly detailed and well made, but Hasbro has utilized a robust plastic that will ensure this accessory keeps its shape! (Thank the Maker!) We make the same assessment for Wooof’s skiff guard blaster. Interestingly, both accessories are colored bronze and have silver details. It’s startling to see this color used for these weapons, but upon further research, we see why Hasbro decided to take this bold direction with them. The long and short of it is that this figure shines from head to toe, and Hasbro accessorizes it perfectly. And it knocks 1983’s ROTJ Klaatu figure off of our wish lists! What more could you possibly want? Wooof is one of the all-time highlights in The Vintage Collection. We are crossing our fingers that Hasbro continues to delve into the various Jabba’s palace scenes in Return Of The Jedi and releases more of this vile retinue. We understand Hasbro’s reluctance to call this figure Klaatu, but we must admit that this choice slightly saddened us. The Vintage Collection will blossom if Hasbro stays on target to re-release more Jabba’s palace aliens or skiff guards. How they name the characters is almost irrelevant. But as long as we get them, that’s all that matters to us! We're thankful to see Wooof re-released with other excellent action figures to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Return Of The Jedi. Keep them coming, Hasbro!
Editor's Note: Hasbro re-released The Vintage Collection Wooof (VC24) figure in April 2022 with a significant number of changes. Updates include: (1) revised paint operations/deco including Photo Real, (2) brighter green skin complexion with less yellow wash (3) mildly revised color palette of outfit, (4) half-toning detail added for leg texturing (5) refreshed 2023 packaging, and (6) different placement of action figure and accessories in bubble
Review Status Update: The original publication date of this review is November 21, 2010. It was subsequently updated with a new Photo Gallery and revised General Analysis and republished on August 16, 2023 after Hasbro reissued the figure.
Status: Wooof is an all-new figure. Hasbro re-released the figure in 2023 with significant changes.
Articulation Count: 22 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), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), 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: removable helmet, removable bandolier, blaster, electro staff
Date Stamp: 2010
Packaging Details:
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
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