One of the eye catching design features of the new Original Trilogy Collection cardbacks are the cool movie backgrounds nicely framing the action figure and giving the presentation an added dimension. While  Hasbro played around with the background "terrain" inserts concept when Saga launched in '02, the OTC backgrounds are part of the cardback design and are specific to that character's scene in the movie. It's another great reason to collect a mint on card set, which a lot of collectors are already planning to do.

Making a quick re-entry after being released earlier this year are the Saga TIE Fighter Pilot and Bossk. Both are straight reissues with no significant variations in the paint and include the same accessories. The same is true for the Power of the Jedi IG-88 (first released in 2000), which was also reissued late last year as part of the TRU Ultimate Bounty 4 Pack. 

The action figure with the most significant update in today's preview is Luke Skywalker OTC26 (from The Empire Strikes Back). Hasbro gave him a nip and tuck makeover and left out the wear and tear seen in the Saga Bespin Duel Luke. Other than the new paint ops and Hasbro leaving out the weather vane accessory, Luke comes with the same action feature, lightsaber, blaster, and tourniquet as the first release. The bloody stump, alas, is no more.

OTC# 21 TIE FIGHTER PILOT

Film: A New Hope
Item No.: 85371/84715
Includes: Blaster, Base
Retail: $4.99
Availability: July '04
Comments: Originally released in 2004's Saga Collection as TIE Fighter Pilot (Battle of Yavin).

TIE fighter pilots are part of the evil Empire's combat forces. These dedicated warriors fly into battle against the heroic Rebels. Completely loyal to the Emperor, they are trained to ignore their personal safety for the sake of their mission. As the Rebel pilots attempt to destroy the Death Star, the TIE pilots battle to save the Empire's deadly weapon. (MORE IMAGES)

OTC# 26 LUKE SKYWALKER

Film: The Empire Strikes Back
Item No.: 85376/84715
Includes: Lightsaber, Tourniquet, Blaster, Base
Retail: $4.99
Availability: July '04
Comments: Originally released in 2002's Saga Collection as Luke Skywalker (Bespin Duel). Figure has updated paint deco with "cleaner" look and less battle damage. Weather vane from previous release not included.

The Rebel hero Luke Skywalker interrupts his Jedi training with Yoda to fly to the Cloud City if Bespin, to rescue his friends who have been captures by the evil Imperial leader, Darth Vader. As he fights to free his friends, Luke battles Darth Vader in a lightsaber duel and discovers that this terrible villain is, in fact, his own father. (MORE IMAGES)

OTC# 27 IG-88

Film: The Empire Strikes Back
Item No.: 85371/84715
Includes: Blaster Rifle, Base
Retail: $4.99
Availability: July '04
Comments: Originally released in 2000's Power of the Jedi Collection as IG-88 (Bounty Hunter).

The droid IG-88 works as a bounty hunter throughout the galaxy. He is hired by the evil Imperial leader Darth Vader to capture the Millennium Falcon and its crew of Rebel heroes. He is a dangerous and deadly droid that is feared by all. In the end, IG-88 fails to capture the Falcon's crew first, losing the contest to the bounty hunter Boba Fett. (MORE IMAGES)

OTC# 28 BOSSK

Film: The Empire Strikes Back
Item No.: 85378/84715
Includes: Blaster, Base
Retail: $4.99
Availability: July '04
Comments: Originally released in 2004's Saga Collection as Bossk (Executor Meeting).

Bossk is a fearsome and heavily armed bounty hunter who tracks his quarry throughout the galaxy. He is hired by the evil Imperial Lord Darth Vader to capture the heroic Rebels who escape in the Millennium Falcon. Even though he is notorious in the galaxy for being a skilled hunter, he does not succeed in capturing han Solo and the other Rebels. (MORE IMAGES)

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