Kithaba was originally mistaken as Barada in the Kenner line, but Hasbro has updated the red trousered Klatooinian Skiff Guard for The Vintage Collection and I'm happy to see him. He's not perfect, and there are a couple of flaws in the design, but overall the figure is a winner. With two more Skiff Guards planned later this year that are both representative of their Kenner counterparts, that ideal Sarlaac Pit scene of your dreams will nearly be complete.

VC56 KITHABA (SKIFF GUARD)

Appearance: Return of the Jedi
Sequence: VC56
Asst. 98527/37499
Includes: DL-18 Blaster Pistol, Force Pike, Removable Shoulder Strap
Retail: $9.99

Released: April 2012

Cardback:  Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you! [MORE IMAGES]

SCULPT/PAINT: This is a nicely detailed sculpt that blows away the POTF2 and Saga Collection Barada. The head has great details with fine and clean paint application on the eyes and teeth.  His removable shoulder strap exposes a groove to hold it in place that looks unappealing with the strap off. From the character reference, the strap also appears to be on the wrong shoulder. This isn't a quick fix since it lays on the left shoulder with that groove. Curiously, for the cardback, Hasbro photoshopped the classic Barada photo seen on the Kenner card and positioned the strap on the left shoulder like the figure. This really isn't a dealbreaker for me, just like which side Lightsaber Construction Luke's hair is parted, but it may bug some of you.

The weathered "desert" paint app works well on this figure and Hasbro added nice touches to the detail with sculpted wrinkles and folds to give it a little more dimension and realism. He's aesthetically proportioned, though adding a slight hunch to his gait would have been superb.

ARTICULATION: Kithaba has 14 points of articulation including ball joints on the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles. His wrists swivel and head attached to a ball peg for good range of motion.

ACCESSORIES: He's armed with a standard Skiff Guard DL-18 Blaster Pistol that's painted with a silver accent and a Force Pike. The Force Pike is the same mold used for Slave Leia. Again, while the shoulder holster is removable, it's best to leave it on and probably meant to stay on with that groove.

CARDBACK: Since this figure was supposed to have been released last year, his cardback doesn't feature the 2012 "14 back" style. That POTF Kenner Barada card does look great on the cardback, though. Hasbro used the same photo of Barada for the card front of Kithaba, but photoshopped to look like Kithaba...with the strap on his left shoulder.

TOPPING THINGS OFF: Despite some inaccuracies and flaws with the shoulder strap, which doesn't bother me but it may you, I welcome an all new Kithaba that's an echo from that classic Barada figure from 1985. Other than the shoulder strap, he's well designed and sculpted with good articulation for battle poses or being dragged down and digested by the mighty Sarlaac. Now, where's my Jabba's Sail Barge Hasbro??

RATING: MOST WANTED