Wild-haired Saddam joins doll firm's line

By Meredith James
Baltimore Sun

This Christmas, you can boast — just like Iraq administrator L. Paul Bremer III — "We got him!"

Even as U.S. troops were cleaning and interrogating a disoriented Saddam Hussein this past weekend, the artists at Herobuilders .com were rushing to add a "Captured Saddam" action figure to their line of political dolls. Connecticut-based Herobuilders is a 21-month-old company that makes good-guy, bad-guy dolls ranging from "Babbling Osama the Dirty Terrorist" to "The Governator," an Arnold Schwarzenegger doll.

On Sunday morning, just after news of the capture broke, Hero-builders owner Emil Vicale was calling his staff to start the creative process. By Sunday night, a mold was set and production of the hand-painted dolls began.

The new 12-inch figure, complete with ratty hair and wild beard, barely resembles the company's "Insane Saddam" doll, dressed in military green, with sunglasses and a beret. But for those who would like to further humiliate the former dictator, Herobuilders sells a pink dress and hip-hop outfit.

Captured Saddam, $29.95, is available online at www.herobuilders.com. Shipping is free in until Dec. 31.