Editor’s Note:  This review has been updated with our second look at TVC…

Original Review:  Bret - 6/25/10 03:42 PM

When the biggest complaint you can muster about a figure is the fact that the index finger appears a little long, you know it’s probably something special.  It feels like Hasbro really left everything out on the field with this one.  I’ve often accused Hasbro of purposely leaving a little room for improvement with their figures so they can justify going back to the well a few years down the road.  Not so in this case.  Bang the gavel.  Sound the alarm. Close down the three ring circus.  This is the only Dengar you will ever need.  All the requisite points of articulation are there.  The details in both the sculpt and paint apps are amazing.  The backpack alone looks like it was borrowed form a premium format figure.  If this figure is re-released down the road in the Legends line, you could see the paint apps scaled back.  Hasbro has really come out with guns blazing in the Vintage Collection line. 

Updated Review

Here’s our first look back at The Vintage Collection figures, as we check to see how they’ve aged.  As you can see in the original review below, we were a little less wordy years ago.  But we gave the figure a perfect 10 back in 2010.  So how does it hold up?

This is an excellent figure, although in 2018 there is some room for improvement.  But first, one thing that cannot be improved upon: the removable codpiece.  How awesome is an action figure where you, the collector, can decide if you want the crotch hidden or exposed?  This can’t be any better.  Anyway, the hips and wrists are swivel, rather than ball-jointed, so movement could be improved.  The accessories are a tad loose (the backpack falls out pretty easily, as does the pistol from the holster.  Also, the THWG is made tough because his left hand is sculpted a little too tightly closed,

So, do we need Dengar to have Jedi caliber articulation?  Since he’s standing still for the 3 frames in which he is visible in both ESB and ROTJ, it’s probably okay that this remain the definitive Dengar figure, even if it might not be a perfect action figure in 2018.  Also, we get to peripherally mention the Sail Barge here, as while Dengar was not actually visible on the Khetanna, nor was he present in either new canon or old EU, he was present at Jabba’s Palace.  So while you won’t need a Dengar figure for your Khetanna diorama, you might consider picking up a second VC01 Dengar, since your first one is most likely hanging out on the Executor. 

The only really weird thing about this figure was Hasbro’s choice to launch the amazing TVC line with Dengar as VC01.  If it is reissued, Hasbro already stated that such figures would maintain their original number, so we may see VC01 on the pegs again someday down the road.

This figure does command a decent premium on the secondary market.  It might be worth a repack at some point, especially because it’s been 8 years since release.  Dengar’s appearance in ROTJ in a Khetanna-adjace (aren’t I cool?) capacity might also increase interest. 

Verdict:  No Action 

A definitive figure in 2010.  Although there is room for very minor improvements, this figure is still definitive in 2018.  Demand is low to moderate with that moderate demand likely coming from carded collectors.  The secondary market can bear that demand. 

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.