Retro Mandalorian (non Beskar) Review

 Time for a change of pace, and I thought I'd throw in a figure from the wave that inspired me to go back to doing Kenner reviews, the Retro Mandalorian 1st wave! Today I'll go over what I like and don't like about the figure. The likes outnumber the one thing I don't like about this figure.

Din Djarin makes his Kenner style debut and comes with 3 accessories: his disintegration long rifle, pistol and removable vinyl cape. He has the standard 5 POA (head, 2 arms, 2 legs) and has a very well done paint job. On the surface, he looks as he would had he appeared in the 1980's Marvel Comics Star Wars monthly series. Naturally he has no removable helmet. He isn't onscreen accurate (his VC and Black Series versions are), which is fine with me. But the paint apps are clean, no smears, no smudges at all. Noticeably absent is a molded jet pack, which of course Din didn't wear or use in early Mandalorian episodes as this is his non Beskar version. But for fans of Kenner figures he's a welcome addition to the collection and perfectly interacts with classic Kenner figures.

Now one nitpick is the vinyl cape. While it is made out of a sturdier material than its 1978 counterparts, it just feels out of place here. For Return of the Jedi Kenner went to cloth instead of vinyl and Din really could have used a cloth cape instead of a vinyl one. They used a vinyl cape for Moff Gideon too. The Beskar Mando does have a cloth cape. Which brings me to whether or not this figure is essential and sadly, no it isn't. Don't get me wrong, I love this figure! However the vinyl cape, and lack of jetpack make him non essential. But if you like the early Din Djarin look then pick this up. Some online stores might have this figure in stock, and eBay prices for him loose aren't too bad, but on card prices are a little high, but you won't spend more than $30 including shipping.