From Wookieepedia :
Klaatu was one of several Kadas'sa'Nikto who served Jabba the Hutt. He was Barada's main assistant, in charge of repairing the skiffs.
Klaatu was noted as a gambler, and would try his best to make his way to Jabba's throne room to view executions by Jabba's rancor.
During the Battle of the Great Pit of Carkoon, he was present on the top deck of the Khetanna when Luke Skywalker reached the place. The Jedi approached Klaatu and cut the Nikto's weapon in half, and then Klaatu fled to the inside of the sail barge with another guard, dying in the explosion that followed.
Klaatu was noted as a gambler, and would try his best to make his way to Jabba's throne room to view executions by Jabba's rancor.
During the Battle of the Great Pit of Carkoon, he was present on the top deck of the Khetanna when Luke Skywalker reached the place. The Jedi approached Klaatu and cut the Nikto's weapon in half, and then Klaatu fled to the inside of the sail barge with another guard, dying in the explosion that followed.
Hit it while the metal is still red hotty! That's what I'm into right now at this merry-go-round toy collecting stage. It is back to Star Wars 3.75" figures, and specifically - The Vintage Collection's (TVC) Jabba's skiff guards/goons figures.
Klaatu (VC135) was purposely bought couple weeks back for making this blog entry possible. But!, But!, I already have 2 carded bought couple years back. They are in storage and have no intention to mess that all up - to maintain and keep the positive "chi" lol!! Honestly, this figure is so good I don't mind getting a 3rd one. It is also way underrated that the price of a new carded figure has stayed at S$15/- a piece for as long as I know. A standard MSRP for a TVC figure is at S$29.9/- (here in Singapore).
Klaatu (VC135) was purposely bought couple weeks back for making this blog entry possible. But!, But!, I already have 2 carded bought couple years back. They are in storage and have no intention to mess that all up - to maintain and keep the positive "chi" lol!! Honestly, this figure is so good I don't mind getting a 3rd one. It is also way underrated that the price of a new carded figure has stayed at S$15/- a piece for as long as I know. A standard MSRP for a TVC figure is at S$29.9/- (here in Singapore).
As usual with the rest of his 3.75" brethren goons, Klaatu is a challenge to pose and thank goodness for the gashapon foot peg stand saves a lot of frustration. Hasbro should consider putting something like that with the figures. I'd trade a secondary weapon for that foot peg anyday. More details on the articulations and other standard categories below.
Sculpting - 5/5
By now, it is a mandatory requirement that the headsculpt need to be up there at the top level of details and Klaatu comes out meeting this requirement and with some more to spares.
The real commendation lies in the sculpting of the "fabric" on his garb. The flow, the bagginess of the pants, all done in high standards and looks natural.
Full score on sculpting.
Painting - 4.5/5
A figure become great with good painting. A figure with mediocre sculpting can be lifted to another level with good painting. Here Klaatu has a plainish all white fabric garb but the washes really add levels to it.
The leather collar is another worthy point to highlight. It is not just a simple brown paint application, there are also black washes along the edges. 2 tone really pops the part.
Only nit picking is I feel the skin tone is too green. Green with a tinge of brown base should be better, like a lighter Olive Drab. But that's just my own preference. Because of this, 0.5 points off.
Articulation - 5/5
I need to first explain the full score here when earlier I mentioned that it is a challenge to pose. By having excellent articulation does not directly equate to ease of posing - I think this statement is correct, or is it?
For a small 3.75" figure, it has all the articulations that a 6" figure have.
Klaatu has 2 additional points of articulations that none of his other brothers had.
1 - thigh swivel. 2 - Legs can kick sideways (due to a hip hinge).
An improvement can be had for future figures that a groin piece to have ball joints similar to gunpla kits.
Accesories - N/A
Decided not to give score to this category for Klaatu. He has what he needs. However the leather head cape are not removable. Not an issue for me at all.
By now, it is a mandatory requirement that the headsculpt need to be up there at the top level of details and Klaatu comes out meeting this requirement and with some more to spares.
The real commendation lies in the sculpting of the "fabric" on his garb. The flow, the bagginess of the pants, all done in high standards and looks natural.
Full score on sculpting.
Painting - 4.5/5
A figure become great with good painting. A figure with mediocre sculpting can be lifted to another level with good painting. Here Klaatu has a plainish all white fabric garb but the washes really add levels to it.
The leather collar is another worthy point to highlight. It is not just a simple brown paint application, there are also black washes along the edges. 2 tone really pops the part.
Only nit picking is I feel the skin tone is too green. Green with a tinge of brown base should be better, like a lighter Olive Drab. But that's just my own preference. Because of this, 0.5 points off.
Articulation - 5/5
I need to first explain the full score here when earlier I mentioned that it is a challenge to pose. By having excellent articulation does not directly equate to ease of posing - I think this statement is correct, or is it?
For a small 3.75" figure, it has all the articulations that a 6" figure have.
Klaatu has 2 additional points of articulations that none of his other brothers had.
1 - thigh swivel. 2 - Legs can kick sideways (due to a hip hinge).
An improvement can be had for future figures that a groin piece to have ball joints similar to gunpla kits.
Accesories - N/A
Decided not to give score to this category for Klaatu. He has what he needs. However the leather head cape are not removable. Not an issue for me at all.
Klaatu was the guy charging at Luke onboard the Sail Barge and was easily put down by the Jedi Knight. He is not on either of the skiff so technically he isn't a "Skiff" guard per se. But he could be on the skiff on some other occassions so... oh well, not dwelling further into this ha!
I just want to reiterate to local collectors that this figure is still available to buy at 50% below MSRP. It's just $15 bucks so go get it for the sake of getting a TVC carded figure. It is too good for the asking price.
And here he is in his seconds of fame and it is good enough, in a Star Wars movie, to have its very own action figure made.
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