Week 18: Walrusman

Walrusman….not Ponda Bonda or whatever he is called these days.  However, as a kid I remember calling him many names such as “butt face” for example…there were others too.  Actually, if you want to get severely technical, it’s Walrus Man…two words.  However, I have always spelled it as one word and will probably continue to do so…bad habits…..  Anyway, this figure is one that just screams the 70’s with his bright orange and blue paint scheme and those flippered feet are just hilarious.  Looking at the figure now, he also holds his gun a little cock-eyed….kinda in a gangsta’ pose or something.  lol

Again, this figure is a result of the Sears Cantina Adventure set (see Snaggletooth TOTW).  He was packaged in a box with Hammerhead.

Like the rest of the Cantina Aliens, Walrusman’s carded debut was on the 20/21 back cards.  I found a neat article about the picture used for the Walrusman card and it can be checked out here: 

http://www.toysrgus.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=48253 

Also like the other cantina aliens his run ended with the ROTJ line and he didn’t make it to the POTF series, but proofs do exist.

Here are the known card back releases according to Kellerman's book Star Wars Vintage Action Figures: A Guide for Collectors:

 SW 20-Back E w/Fett offer

SW 20-Back G w/Fett offer and “offer extended until 3/31/80” sticker

SW 21-Back A

SW 21-Back C w/”Secret Figure” offer

SW 21-Back E w/”Secret Figure” offer and round “offer extended 12/31/80” sticker on upper part of card

SW 21-Back E  (same as above with sticker on lower part of the card)

SW 21-Back F  (same as 21 back E but includes a rectangular offer extended as well as the round one)

ESB 21-Back G w/”Secret Figure” offer

ESB 21-Back H w/”Secret Figure” offer

ESB 31-Back B

ESB 32-Back A

ESB 41-Back A w/Survival Kit offer

ESB 45-Back A w/Display Arena offer

ESB 47-Back A w/4-LOM offer

ROTJ 48-Back D w/Nien Nunb offer

ROTJ 77-Back A

ROTJ 79-Back A

 And of course, I found some foreign moc pictures for your viewing pleasures.  (all images from www.12back.com, www.toysrgus.com, www.brianstoys.com) as well as a few Google searches:

Canadian ESB Walrusman:

Palitoy (UK) SW Walrusman:

PBP (Spain) ROTJ Walrusman w/ “1 Figura Gratis” offer:

Harbert (Italy) SW 20 Back Walrusman:

Clipper (Netherlands) ESB Walrusman:

Meccano (France) 20 back Walrusman square card:

Loose Variations:  The only major loose variation that I am aware of (aside from minor coo variations) is the mouth color.  The color of the mouth can be found in white or varying shades of pink:

Pictured above is the two figures I have.  One with a very pink mouth and the other a little off-pink.  Both have the same coo (Hong Kong).  In our Snaggletooth TOTW thread, forum member Billy Boy shared some pictures of his Pal and Tri variant Walrusman figures:

Looking at this pic, you can really see the differences in these figures.  The white and pink mouths, etc.  The Tri variant (on the right..white mouth) is especially interesting because of the darker blue and green paint applications and his eyes appear to be very yellow.  Other than that, I can’t elaborate much more as most of the variations I am hunting are from south of the border and European variants are not my thing…yet, but hopefully Bill will enlighten us some more on these variants in our forum discussions.

 Walrusman Prices:  A loose Walrusman is pretty common…finding one without a lot of wear in the mouth area can be a little challenging, but a loose mint complete figure shouldn’t cost more than $10.  Looking at Ebay, it looks like the Walrusman mocs are running about the same as a red Snaggletooth.  $150 for SW carded and much less for other cards.  This all of course depends on condition, grade, rarity, etc.

 Thanks for reading!