Marty Feldman was the inspiration behind Major Panno.

Only about a month and a half ago, we reviewed VC114 Orrimaarko, the OG Prune Face.  That figure is, of course, a repaint/retool of this one.  But along with the Kenner and POTF2 versions, Prune Face / Orrimaarko had 3 action figures.  This is the only time Hasbro has produced a non-Prune Face prune face.  I mean, all Dressellians are prune faced, are they not?  What made Orrimaarko so special that he got the nickname that would technically apply to everyone from the species?  Did Mon Mothma turn to General Madine and whisper, “Yo, Crix, check out those three prune faces over there.  What a bunch of freaks!”  We’ll never know.

So you pretty much already know what I think of the figure if you read the Orrimaarko review.  It’s great that Hasbro made this character at all.  Interesting choice to make Major Panno first, and then repaint it later, instead of the other way around.  This figure has a completely different skin color and shirt color, so it is clearly a different character.  The only real difference in the sculpt is in the hands.  Major Panno has hands that grip the accessories nicely, whereas the retooled Orrimaarko has hands specifically meant to hold the rifle, which is not included here.  Instead of that rifle, Major Panno has a pair of weird goggles.  Surprisingly, they fit fairly well over his head, which does not have an eye-patch.  As for accessories, the cape is also a different color, but has the pockets to hold the same communicator device. 

Major Panno has standard super-articulation, which seems to work fine for this character, since he basically just stands around listening to the Alliance leaders drone on about Bothans and sanctuary moons.  According to his Wookieepedia page, it is possible he is also briefly seen boarding the shuttle Tydirium, but I can’t confirm that myself because I don’t feel like doing the work.  In the gallery above, I added a scene in which the Rebel strike team takes out an Imperial Scout.  The team was going to shoot, but Panno told his comrades to hold back and cover him, while he took care of business.  After he successfully snuck up behind the scout and silently snapped his neck, he whispered to himself: 

When you got Panno, you don’t need no ammo.

(Panno had an ego that made him almost unbearable to be around.)

The figure is excellent, and I’m always a fan of a new character made in figure form.  He helps fill out the Home One briefing scene.  The chances of Hasbro ever making that third prune faced Dressellian are close to zero, but I believe Meat Loaf when he said that 66.6% is acceptable.  The figure is definitive, a character debut, and an OT background alien.  What’s not to love?  9 out of 10.

Build-A-Droid 

Major Panno contains the dome and third leg for the astromech R5-C7, which could be seen (with freeze frame) wandering the depths of Coruscant, passing in the background of the alley in which Obi-Wan and Anakin attempted to question the Zam Wessel, the galaxy’s newest amputee.  Source:  Attack of the Clones.

Verdict: No Action 

Like his pal Orrimaarko, carded samples of Major Panno can be had on eBay for around $30-35 if you’re patient.  It’s a definitive figure, so no update is necessary. 

Verdict Guide:
Re-sculpt = The figure is not definitive, and a new version should be developed.
Re-issue = This version is definitive (or close enough), and shows sufficient secondary market demand to warrant a straight repack.
No Action = This release does not require new attention.