Here's
a first look at the just released Tusken
Raider Premium Format Exclusive 1/4
scale figure from Sideshow Collectibles. As usual, the level of detail does
not dissapoint. Click
through for additional photos, thoughts, and details!
This
Tusken
Raider Premium Format figure is expertly crafted in multimedia
materials, including a linen underskirt and cloak, leather harness,
and polystone head, hands, feet, body, and weapons. While
excellently sculpted and detailed, the figure lacks a bit in its
pose. The
stance of this figure, while very stylized, is clumsy and awkward. A
more erect stance would have served this figure much better, and
would have also been more authentic to its appearance in Star
Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
The figure also
comes posed with an open left hand, and while it is very neat to see all the
details of the fingers and palm, it doesn't seem necessary. The open
hand is a pose that really works best with Darth Vader. Great attention
was paid to all the nooks and crannies on the gloves of the costume, so proper
credit must be given to the sculptors for this. And
while the mouth portion in cast in polystone, it is finished in a beautiful
paint job that makes it look very leather-like, just like it appears in the
film. It is quite cool that Sideshow attempted a "background" character
to immortalize in the 1/4 scale collection. It will look fantastic set
next to your Luke Skywalker PF figure.
The four points
atop its head are stunning and sharp-looking. And the devices used for its
eyes are perfectly sculpted and set on the head for a stunning and true likeness.
These details reiterate the dangerous nature that these wasteland denizens
will impose on any vagabond ignorant enough to walk alone on
a desolate section of Tatooine. The
head wrappings are so realistic, you will be convinced that they are made of
a soft-goods material. And while the costume and head are cast in different
materials, great care was taken to make sure everything matches and seamlessly
falls into place.
The costume
on this figure is flawless. It is the perfect color, looks rugged and
dirty, and has a very authentic drape to it. The bottom of the outer
robes are frayed to exacting detail. It would be amazing to know if these
frayings were done by hand, or if the creators have a special tool to create
this effect, but they all look unique and they bring life and realism to the
final product. The base is completely amazing and looks as if a small
section of the Tunisian desert has been used to create it. The
Tusken Raider stands strong and confident on top of it.
This figure
is currently in stock as of this posting at Sideshow
Collectibles. Having a low edition size
of only 500 pieces for this exclusive version, be sure not to wait too long to pick this up. Also of importance, for those of you who ordered
the exclusive version, a factory-level error was made at the warehouse and
the regular gaderffi stick accessory was not packed in the box. Sideshow
Collectibles has started a replacement list for these missing attachments with
an expected due date of April 2009. Be sure to contact customer
service if your box is missing the regular edition arm attachment. (Mine
did.)