I’m not a toy guy. I don’t buy toys.
I had action figures growing up. I liked the Mega Man and Dragon Ball Z figures and would have fun fighting my friends’ figures. As I got older that time passed, and I left them with all my other things at my parents, not having the heart to part with them completely and donate/sell them. (My favorites tucked into a shoebox bed because they were alive when I wasn’t looking and that seemed like the right thing to do.)
That is until Bob and MJ mentioned the Black Series Force Ghost Obi-Wan figure exclusive at Walgreens.
While I’m not a toy guy, I am a Star Wars guy (I saw The Last Jedi at 10 pm on Thursday. Biggest complaint: no Obi-Wan). I like Star Wars because of how huge its galaxy is. There is so much to know about. With the expanded universe (overwhelmingly expansive when I was considering jumping in) no longer being canon, I can feasibly consume all the Star Wars canon media and then keep up with it. The thought of delving into that galaxy far far away and all those lives lived in a world so unlike our own is exciting to me.
But, out of everything in Star Wars, Obi-Wan has always been my favorite character. I’m not sure what it is exactly, to be honest, but it has always been the case. I actually have an old Obi-Wan figure because of my father, who did collect some Star Wars and Star Trek toys, actually, let me open his. But, I was torn on whether to open up my wallet or not for this figure.
Me: Toys aren’t my thing.
Also me: But this is really cool.
Me: Do you really need this?
Also Me: They are going to sell out of them if you keep waiting.
Me: It’s $20.
Also me: But it’s Obi-Wan.
This debate went back and forth in my mind for a few days, until I eventually broke down and bought it. It was the last one at my Walgreens and in my experience, there is no such thing as luck.
I think there are two reasons why I eventually bought my first action figure as an adult.
1. The figure is honestly cool. Alec Guinness’s portrayal of Obi-Wan is captured in good detail with this figure. On top of that, you have the clear hands, blue fade on his robes, and the added blue-mesh cloak to give it the force ghost feel. It is a more elegant figure, for a more civilized age.
2. The passion of the junkies. It’s hard to be around so many passionate people and not catch that spirit. Hearing Bob and MJ geek out over figures they want and seeing the hundreds of posts a day from the junkies out there, it eventually wins you over. The force is strong here.
So, I did it. For the first time as an adult, I bought an action figure. I don’t think I could have chosen better than my favorite character from one of my favorite series. Now all I need is Obi-Wan to start showing up in Star Wars properties again. I’m looking at you, Disney. Make that Obi-Wan movie. Make him a playable character in Battlefront II, at least.
Until that happens, I’m off to the Dagobah system, let me know in the comments if you have this figure and what you think of it.
Hey! One last thing! Evan writes from a diner at the edge of the universe with surprisingly good wi-fi. Tweet at him @Indiecomicblog and look out for more of his Noob articles HERE on AFJ.
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