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'06 | #51 Dud Bolt & Mars Guo - Episode I TPM (Reviewed 10-15-2006) 

Includes:
• Blaster Rifle
• Blaster Pistol
• Removable Helmet
• Removable Goggles
• Base 

Click thumbnail for large image Spice: I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was the turn of the century and I was staring at Trilogy characters on the back of a Power of the Jedi card. It was a one of the first times I was let down as a Star Wars collector. It was characters like Dud Bolt and Mars Guo that were left behind. I could never understand why Hasbro was so fast to stop making prequel figures only to rehash the older Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo, Chewbacca and such. Why we had just seen Sio Bibble and a Pit Droid 2-pack and a few other figures that had you thinking the Episode I line was just starting. You have to be somewhat grateful for the Saga collection for going back and giving us a few newer figures that we've never seen before. Even if they are of better quality and detail than anything we ever seen out of the Phantom Menace collection.

Click thumbnail for large image It is sort of odd that I did reference the Pit Droid 2-pack because that was one of the few times we have seen two for one out of Hasbro. The colors are the first thing that grabbed my attention on both of these figures. The aqua blue of Dud Bolt is superbly blended from head to toe. I really couldn't believe how much detail was in the gauntlets and gloves. I guess for doing the dirty work of Sebulba you'd need something for your hands! I found both of the figures to be somewhat difficult to pose. I guess it would be sort of difficult to articulate too much due to the small size of both figures.

Click thumbnail for large image It was another surprise to see the removable head gear on both characters. Mars Guo is just pretty flimsy so I'd wager they weigh together what one figure would, otherwise Hasbro would have them on separate cards. It is a shame that we are saddled with things like the so called "Greatest Hits" collection that is preventing more figures like this from being released sooner. I guess the only thing I really didn't care for was the fact neither seems to have the ability to aim his weapon. While these characters didn't do too much and were barely seen, I think the true collectors would much rather see a two for one value opposed to seeing yet another figure they already own in a different wrapper. It is definitely a step in the right direction, now maybe we could see some new podracers to go along with our new two-pack!

Spice - Overall I really like seeing new action figures no matter what the size. I really like getting more characters for background scenes. These figures do look so much better than some of the other podracers that were done before such as Gasgano or Ody Mandrell. I realize those figures had removable accessories too but the paint is far superior on the newer molds. Big Thumbs up!

(Figure '06 | #051, Asst. No. 87086, Item No. 85770, Backing Card P/N 6495804300, Window Insert P/N 6597310000) 

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