Momaw Nadon - TSC - Basic (SAGA 031)

You know, sometimes there are some sculpts in the basic figure line that just mesmerize collectors due to the simple fact of how amazing they look. This doesn’t mean that the action figure has the perfect amount of articulation, but sometimes we might have to take an amazing sculpt with super-articulation. (Well, there will always be some that will never see this point.) This however is exactly how we feel about Momaw Nadon from The Saga Collection. Hasbro sure knew what they were doing went it came time for Momaw Nadon to be revisited in the basic figure line. Hasbro has an affinity for this character or so it seems and nearly every version of Momaw Nadon has thoroughly impressed collectors whether it was 1996, 2004 or now. Accepting that he comes to collectors under the similar philosophy of figures from The Power Of The Force “2” or Power Of The Jedi era (and by this we mean limited articulation only), Hasbro more than makes up for it with the most unbelievable sculpt you’ll probably ever see for this fan favorite Ithorian. Momaw Nadon (or Hammerhead if you’ve been collecting for a while) may just be proof that articulation just isn’t everything. He obviously isn’t perfect and many collectors want the flexibility of having him able to sit at a table in Chalmun’s Cantina, but overall we love this version of Momaw Nadon and don’t see an immediate need to have him updated in super-articulated splendor at least right now. He's aging quite well. Loaded with accessories and cast in a stunning pose, Momaw Nadon is absolutely one of the finest specimens produced in The Saga Collection.

Momaw Nadon comes with a clearly limited six points of articulation. In an era of super-articulation, it seems ridiculous that he would be an acceptable action figure for us in 2006, but he is. And if you have already closed your mind that he only comes with this many points, then you’re shooting yourself in the foot because this is a figure to not overlook. Hasbro steps up to the plate with his sculpt and their attention to detail is nothing short of amazing. Great care was made to develop an evenly proportioned body, an accurate head sculpt and an expression that is ripped right out of the film. And what’s more, his outfit is an exact replica (of what we can see in the film as well as what can be gathered from various source materials too) of the actual costume used. Expert crafting was employed for Momaw Nadon and simpler features like his fingers are so intricare and wonderfully sculpted that you’ll surprise yourself how much they draw your attention to his captured mannerisms. Keep in mind that Momaw Madon was merely a head, arms and part of a torso, so Hasbro deferred to the original Kenner figure and a few other sources as well for inspiration on how to complete him. He comes with a staff (not seen in the film) and some interesting bar stool and/or a table) and a drinking glass. The drinking glass is interesting in and of itself because three unique versions have shipped with this figure. The first version was opaque teal blue with a white rim, the second was all clear and the last was clear with tinted blue to represent the beverage of choice filling it. All three glasses are acceptable for this action figure. In fact, collecting all three variations keeps things interesting.

Momaw Nadon is an actually figure you’ll have a hard time diverting your attention away from because of how awesome the entire package is. The Saga Collection brings collectors many excellent sculpts, but even if a figure lacks articulation (or if an older sculpt was used), Hasbro has made up for the shortcomings by including a plethora of accessories. As time moves on these accessories can be brought along and put with better made figures down the road. But Momaw Nadon is the exception. He may have limited articulation, but the sculpt is flawless and he comes with a ton of accessories. There is no losing at all with this purchase. If Hasbro is able to approach a new Momaw Nadon figure at a later date, we would highly encourage them to start with this sculpt. This is the way to attack a new action figure. Momaw Nadon is just in need of better articulation. But as far as details in the sculpt, the paint job and the accessories are concerned, we wouldn’t want anything else. Momaw Nadon is the type of action figure that makes you forget about articulation for the moment and allows you to focus on the beautiful sculpting. Would we like Momaw Nadon with ball-jointed shoulders and ball-jointed knees? Yes, we absolutely would want that. Star Wars collecting has become about getting the most definitive versions of characters that we can. But let us also say that if the line ended today, we’d have a pretty darn fine 3.75” scaled interpretation of this Ithorian. And until he gets a revisit, this is one figure with limited articulation we’ll endlessly praise. And if the line ended today and no new Momaw Nadon figure was made, all would still be well in the Star Wars universe.