A New Hope
Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, is presented in this set with the scarred, mishapen head of his younger self, Anakin Skywalker. This is an original take on Darth Vader, since he was never seen in this manner in Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope.
The body is taken from the 2005 Evolutions Asst. Darth Vader action figure, and the head, while similar to 2005′s Rebuild Darth Vader Deluxe Asst. set is not the same head (notice the breathing apparatus and mechanical looking doodads that we not present on that figure’s head). Bridging the gap between Hayden Christiansen‘s Darth Vader appearance and Sebatian Shaw’s turn as Darth Vader works in this context — let’s just hope Lucas doesn’t get any ideas.
Princess Leia is the most recent figural version of the iconic heroine from Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope. This figure was first presented in the Wal*Mart exclusive Early Bird Kit, and it appears unchanged in any significant manner. Some collectors complain that the figure lacks articulation, but the sculpt is impeccable.
C-3PO, the fussy-but-loveable Protocol Droid, is 2004′s Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope Vintage Original Trilogy Colelction version with no noteworthy deco or structural changes (as of this writing).
This figure isn’t exactly a collector favorite, and many fan reviews deemed it unworthy of inclusion in the Vintage style packaging.
The Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope 30th Anniversary Collectible Gift Tin also features a unique Sandtrooper action figure. Built around the top-notch body of the 2004 Vintage Original Trilogy Colelction Stormtrooper body, this figure now features a removable helmet (the newer sculpt seen on the George Lucas (Stormtrooper Disguise) action figure, not the POTF2 era helmet) and a new headsculpt. The figure is similar to the currently released Sandtrooper from The Saga Collection, but it is not (NOT!) the same figure. This figure is also the first ever representation of a ‘clean’ (no sand weathering) Sandtrooper, which makes this figure a bit more versatile, and it can be substituted for a Stormtrooper by removing its pauldron and backpack.
The Empire Strikes Back
Chewbacca is a collector favorite, and this figure truly does justice to his noble race from the planet Kashyyyk.
This action figure features the mighty Chewbacca letting out a distressed roar on the ice planet Hoth after his mate Han Solo destroys an Imperial Probe Droid. The figure is built around the supremely sculpted Vintage Original Trilogy Collection body by sculptor Paul Brooke (read interview) with a newly sculpted head.
The figure also features a snowy white powdery-snow deco around Chewbacca‘s feet and a more refined Empire Strikes Back paint job for the figure’s torso and arms.
Chewbacca‘s counterpart, Han Solo (Hoth) is a fairly straightforward reissue of 2003′s Saga Han Solo (Hoth Rescue) figure with his brown-not-blue costume deco. (Whether or not he has a button and an action feature remains to be seen. Assume that it’s there until informed otherwise.)
Luke Skywalker (Hoth) is based on Saga‘s 2004 Luke Skywalker (Hoth Attack) action figure. The head sculpt and deco has been changed to remove the bruising and blood present after the Wampa beast tore into Luke Skywalker‘s frozen mug.
The Empire is represented in this set by an Imperial Snowtrooper. Like the Sandtrooper above, this figure features a removable helmet, which is unique to this action figure. The base for this body is the 2003 Snowtrooper (Battle of Hoth) figure from the Saga line.
The Snowtrooper‘s helmet/hood is incorporated masterfully with this figure, and the soldier’s head underneath doesn’t suffer from the ‘pea-sized’ head problems seen on a few Clone Troopers from recent years.
Return of the Jedi
Often overlooked by collectors, toys based on Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi just seem to get the short shrift. This set doesn’t exactly get the all-star treatment either, but for three refreshed figures and one that you probably own several times over, it’s not the worst.
Princess Leia, is the one female character that no one can claim is underrpresented. This Endor Princess Leia figure is actually a very subtle, but very nice refresh using parts and techniques from past figures. All in all this Princess Leia seems to be based on the POTF2-era model. The figure has ‘real’ hair added, a technique culled from 1998′s Princess Leia Collection and a soft-goods skirt, which works nicely overall with the figure. The head sculpt may look new, but it’s largely more refined paint ops on the POTF2 head.
The Endor Rebel Soldier figure in this set features a totally new head sculpt with removable helmet topping off a POTF2 Endor Rebel Soldier body with notably new paint deco. It’s a fresh twist on an old favorite. Articulation may be a little light compared to the two upcoming Endor Rebel Soldier figures, but this is a guy who lurks in the background. He doesn’t really need super articulation, does he? This is also the first time Hasbro has issues a trooper of any sort with a seriously receded hairline. (He looks curiously like David Ogden Stiers, the Dad from Better Off Dead, doesn’ t he?)
The Biker Scout, always a collector favorite, is probably the highlight of this set. The figure is essentially The Saga Collection‘s Vintage Biker Scout with a new flip-up visor, which isn’t identical to the Biker Scout figure currently shipping as a pack-in with the AT-AT Walker. If you aren’t happy with this figure in general, I recommend that you start collecting Littlest Petshop immediately. No, really!
Probably the only complete dud in this whole bunch is the Return of the Jedi tin’s Darth Vader. The figure appears to be a straight reissue of 2005′s 500th Edition Darth Vader, which was upstaged by the Evolutions Asst. Darth Vader later in the year. Whether or not this figure features a removable helmet or other changes remains to be seen.
Tins, especially lunchbox style tins, are actually a pretty cool way to market bundles of action figures, and with composite metal being cheaper than some plastics right now, it makes economic sense, too. The 30th Anniversary Collectible Gift Tins are obviously appealing to a larger market who will suddenly find Star Wars retro-cool (again) for it’s Big 3-0, but collectors shouldn’t pass up these sets either. There are some really great figures being offered to us (despite the ROTJ Vader). It would be a shame to see such beautifully presented sets languish on retail shelves. Expect these and the Prequel Trilogy sets at select retailers just in time for the holiday rush.
August 18th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Awesome! After seeing the Comicon pics I was hoping someone would break each figure down like this. Looks like there are at least 2 winners per set. I love that they’ve tweeked Chewie’s head to match ESB. Now we need them to re-use this sculpt again to give us a good ROTS version. If anyone doesn’t already have the Vintage or Early Bird Chewies, do yourself a favor and get the ESB set.
I’m sure the Jango-faced stormtroopers will raise some eyebrows and some complaints, but I like the added play value and variety.
August 18th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
A couple more things…
I don’t get why they put two Vaders in this series. Seems extra redundant (especially since there always seems to be some version of him on the pegs in the regular line). Would have been nice to get an updated or repacked Obi-Wan or Lando instead. At least Hasbro didn’t treat these like the DVD sets and just do straight repacks of stuff most of us already have and don’t want.
And again, Hasbro, take this Chewie body and put a ROTS-style head on him. And throw in a Yoda to ride on his shoulders, too. Give us a decent Tarful while you’re at it. PLEASE!
August 18th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Thank you very much for clarifying the Vader issue. It’s at least good to know it is the Evo Vader in the ANH tin… unlike the Evolutions line, these tin sets are a real mixed bag. In Canada, they’re apparently going to sell for $40 which is an insane price that I personally would refuse to pay when only 2 figures out of the entire set are really worth getting. Why couldn’t these all have been better kitbashes with improved articulation I ask?
I’ve got no problem spending $40 for 4 good figures (the tin is incidental to me to be honest) but this smells too much like Hasbro pulling a "toss in one or maybe two must-have figures and sucker punch the collector with some PotF2 sculpts or repacks for the rest." ugh! Sadly I will have to protest this by voting with my wallet (that is, by not buying it). In an otherwise great year and with great stuff coming for ’07, this has been my biggest disappointment sadly.
August 18th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Thanks for the super break down on these Adam! It is looking like the troopers alone may be enough for me to buy the sets. I agree with Gus that a 2nd Vader (and the crappy 500th one to boot) was a bad choice. Many other choices would have been better for collectors. But Vader sells and that’s what the people buying for kids want. Adam, will the Cantina Band tin be the same ol’ band members with with soft goods cloaks or are there other changes too?
August 19th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
I agree with Tom_Yee.As a collector on a budget I simply can’t keep up with all the rehashes.I can no longer afford to “collect them all” especially when Hasbro makes slight changes to one or two figures in a set of four.I too must boycott these figures.On another note,Adam I love the blogger.Between this and Adam P.’s Q&A and figure of the day I’m happy to say Galactichunter is my first stop when I go online.Thanks and keep up the great work!
!
August 20th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
I was wondering where all of these figures came from. Thanks for helping out! Love the blogger by the way, lots of good info and stories here.
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:05 am
The second Vader is the VOTC- notice the ball jointed shoulder.
I wouldnt mind having a few of the stormtroopers and scout troopers from these sets, but Im not paying $25 for one figure that I want and three pieces of custom fodder. This might be an example of Hasbro being a penny wise and a dollar foolish. Each of these set has 1-2 desirable figures. Most people are not going to shell out that kind of money for that low a yield. If Hasbro replaced just one dud from every assortment with something good (updated Ben Kenobi kit bash is one great idea that has been mentioned) I think a lot more people would buy. As it stands, I figure these to be major peg warmers. Perhaps theyll take up residence besides those hideous DVD 3 packs in my Walmart’s clearance aisle.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:18 am
what kind of articulation are we getting with the Biker Scout?
I really dont mind the jango faces…they’re easy for hasbro to do, instead of coming up with all new sculpts. as far as continuity goes, ive always heard that the imperial ranks are comprised of clones and conscripts and volunteers. why not jango faces?
at the high price point, i might have to just wait and pay a higher price-per-figure once they show up on ebay.
August 22nd, 2006 at 11:05 am
As noted, the ROTJ Vader is the VOTC, not 500th. So that’s a slight bonus. It’ll also include the Vader hilt, which was kinda separated from the sets at Comic Con, overlooked to the side of one shelf while the Hasbro guys set up the figures. But everyone’s got plenty of that hilt thanks to VTSC X-Wing Luke, right? It should be noted that photos show that Han now has the long-scope ANH blaster with silver muzzle, as VTSC Endor Han had, rather than the short-scope ESB/ROTJ version from previous Saga editions. Decent sets, but I think ANH & ROTJ are all I’m going for.
August 22nd, 2006 at 12:24 pm
I have to say it is a bit dissappointing to see some of these character selections, especially on the ESB set.But the presentation is fairly nice. For my limited budget, it will be a "wait and see" with some of these.The ANH set looks pretty nice, I (for various reasons) missed the Evo Vader and Early bird sets so there are two big draws there, C-3po isn’t impressive, but more troopers (especially an easily convertable one like this) is always appreciated. Only change I would make would be removing 3PO for an Obi Wan figure.As said above, the ESB set is overall a bit dissappointing. While a decent Chewbacca, we’ve already seen a LOT of decent versions of him as of late. The Snow Trooper is a disappointment, I mean, Hasbro could have made this set special with just a new Snowtrooper alone. The Luke and Han fill the "core quota" for this set, but I can’t help but wish that Hasbro might have included a Bespin Luke (since we have gotten a Bespin Vader in the regular line) or maybe the VOTC Lando or Boba Fett figuresRotJ is generally solid except for the Vader. This is what, the 4th, 5th? time this figure has been released in under a year’s time! He is also QUITE redundant in the face of a superior figure being included in the ANH set. Why not an Ewok? While not a fan of Ewoks, a reissue of Wicket would go well with the Leia version included and spice up the set a little bit.As is, I think the ANH set will the better recieved set, but on a whole, I think the prequel sets got a better selection of characters, versions, and changes. While I understand the need for reused figures, for an anniversary set, I think fans expected something with a bit more "bang for the buck" than 1 or 2 decent figures, and some OLD rehashes.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:26 pm
Thanks for doing this breakdown, Adam! I’m still trying to decide which of these are must-buys and I appreciate the time that you took to do this. I love galacticblogger in general – you always seem to be covering interesting topics or something I had forgotten entirely.
Any chance that a follow up blog will happen with the prequel and cantina sets? I for one would love to read it.
August 23rd, 2006 at 5:56 am
First off thanks for the more indepth report on what we’re going to be getting.I was planning on picking these up no matter what.Most of the figures I’m pretty happy with but…..TWO Vaders?We’re already getting three stuffed down our throats in the regular Saga Collection.
Why not a Boba Fett with removable helmet and a Jango head?