Star Wars: The Black Series Padme Amidala

 

 

Taking a minute before we leave for our second day at Star Wars Celebration 2019 to take a look at one of the most recent Wave of Black Series figures, Padme Amidala as she appears in Episode II: Attack of the Clones. It has been stated at some point in the not too distant past that the line would take time in 2019 to focus on the Prequels, since this year marks twenty years since The Phantom Menace was released.  (I think we will talk about The Phantom Menace in the not too distant future here as well, just not right now. –mr)

This is, quite surprisingly, the first Black Series Padme that has been released, and is also one of the few Prequel figures in the line as well. While that has been getting better, and whether or not one counts multi packs of online exclusive figures as actual Prequel-focused releases, is up to the individual, but the fact remains that the line has a massive slant in favor of both OT characters and NT characters, for pretty obvious reasons. This means that, in terms of toys, the Prequels are really just . . . there . . . and receive only occasional promotion. Yet while this is the first Padme, it could be argued that it is also the least version of Padme.

Depicting Padme prior to the battle of Geonosis in Episode II, this figure is wearing the white battle jumpsuit that she changes into en route to the secluded and desolate planet inhabited by chittering insectoids. She has the usual Black Series articulation and joints, with the usual female figure thin and worrisome arms. As usual, some care is taken when bending her at the elbows, even though it may not really be necessary. (I’m always careful, at least. Maybe it’s just a me thing. –mr)

                                                    

The face sculpt is pretty good, looking like Natalie Portman, but also looking somehow not like Natalie Portman. Hard to explain, but Padme has the face of the actress who portrayed her, yet has that deadened face and thousand yard stare that all action figures have. Another good example of the new paint process that Hasbro is employing, and hopefully it will continue.

Surprisingly, it' not just a bad picture. The blaster is that bland and flat.

Padme comes with a droid blaster and a smaller, crappier blaster. The droid weapon is what the Separatist battle droids carry, and the smaller one is that little blaster that was hidden in the chairs on Naboo in The Phantom Menace.   The blasters are two noticeably different sizes, and so Padme comes with two different right hands to accommodate them. The droid blaster requires a wider grip to wield, and if you really stop and think about it for a minute, in Attack of the Clones, Padme looks like she’s having a hard time holding the weapon in one hand, so maybe this is more for screen accuracy. The droid blaster, which will start appearing in a few more Coffin articles in the not too distant future, is a really nice weapon, with a very detailed mold; the Naboo blaster is really bland and nondescript, although the lack of detailing could also be due to its size. The Naboo blaster fits into a holster on her hip, so it can be kept out of the way, if you prefer that.

Also included is a plastic cape part, which can be removed from the figure, a development that seems to be a running thing with the line. This is a pretty great development, as it provides several looks for a figure: Padme can have the cloak removed and fight in the Geonosis arena, or put it on and be captured . . . for the Geonosis arena . . . but she still gets some option. A few more Black Series figures will feature this fashion versatility, as well. But, in order to realize the capeless look, you have to pop off Padme’s head so the piece can be removed.The cape is all sculpted and detailed, with folds and creases and texture.

It is kind of shocking how few Prequel Trilogy characters exist in the Black Series to this point in time, again unless multiple Clone troopers satisfy your collection, which for mine, they do. But real, face characters have been in somewhat short supply. The question of why this version of Padme was released, and not a more recognizable or maybe important version first, seems to be something that confuses me, but I think it is because the Padme I want in my collection is Episode I Padme with the large, lavish dresses. Queen Amidala, if you will. Certainly, the soft goods for a figure like that would far outstrip the standard retail price of the figure; so if we are to get a Queen Amidala in the future, she will probably be a store or online exclusive, not due to hesitancy over demand, like the Gamorrean Guard maybe, but due to the cost to produce what would totally have to be a very elaborate outfit. And that’s cool, because I would order or buy one. When this Padme was announced, my wife asked if it was going to be Queen Amidala, because she would want a Black Series version as well. If I had to bet, I’d say that a 6” Queen Amidala is only a matter of time, but this year is the 20^th anniversary of The Phantom Menace and this weekend is Star Wars Celebration and there has been no word of such a figure, and this would be the perfect time for an announcement, so. It may still be a little way off, but a Queen Amidala is probably in the pipeline somewhere.