Also, tonight from the archives, let’s celebrate the Magic of Willow with this Queen Bavmorda (Evil Sorceress)!
So, the biggest problem with the Willow toy line wasn’t the character selection, paint applications, or availability at brick-and-mortar retailers. These are all frequent issues plaguing modern toy collectors. However, the main issue was the (lack of) articulation.
The line can’t really be called “action figures.” They more resemble tokens from a role-playing or board game. Just a solid plastic mold on a metal base. A generation earlier, may have been fully content with solid green plastic army men. In the years since, toy lines tying into the latest summer blockbuster have featured at least five points of articulation. This trend has persisted for more than a decade, at least since 1978’s first wave of Star Wars figures from Kenner.
This figure of “Queen Bavmorda (Evil Sorceress)” captures the likeness of the film’s chief villain well enough. However, I feel it could have benefited from some sort of magic lightning effect. It shouldn’t look like she was wielding a silver banana.
The Willow film turns 37 years old next week. I figure there’ll be a new Willow item from my collection to share here for the rest of the month. Happy 37 years to the Magic of Willow!
Dale's Toys 