Figure of the Day: Day 645
2/10/2008 12:24:05 PM - Adam

LUKE SKYWALKER Heir to the Empire #5
30th Anniversary Collection Comic Pack Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 87504 No. 87522
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #10
Includes: Lightsaber, Helmet, blaster, bandolier, Mara Jade figure and accessories, comic book
Action Feature: Removable helmet, blaster fits in holster
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Summer 2007
Appearances: Heir to the Empire

Bio: Five years have passed since the Battle of Endor. Luke Skywalker is the first Jedi in the fledgling Republic, but the dark legacy of Emperor Palpatine still threatens him. The smuggler Mara Jade has long wanted to find Luke and kill him because of his role in the death of her former master, the Emperor. Her chance to strike arrives at last, but events cause her to join forces with him to escape Imperial forces. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room. Display base sold separately.

Commentary: Ever since the 1980s, Kenner wanted to do post-Return of the Jedi versions of Luke Skywalker. We got one in 1998, and this one in 2007, and there's one more on the way. Considering the post-trilogy timeframe is positively loaded with Luke stories and adventures, it's more than a little surprising that this is only the second one we've ever seen come out of our favorite toymakers. While it's a welcome figure to have, fact is that it's not as exciting as it should have been. Sure, it's likely that some of the coolness this figure could have had were removed due to cost considerations, but it'd be nice to have it include a little more. In short this figure seems like a first attempt, like Hasbro might have a second version planned down the road.

Hasbro really did some nice work on this figure, but it's just not as perfect as it could be. The all-new helmet looks cool and plugs into his belt, but lacks any dirt or damage that one might have expected. The lightsaber is Obi-Wan Kenobi's from the POTF2-era, which, frankly, is inaccurate as well as insulting. At least color the blade green. The blaster pistol and bandolier holster, on the other hand, both work and work well. Yes, the gun is a little big, but as fans always complain about weapon size I'm not going to gripe too much. It fits, that's what matters.

The sculptors in Rhode Island did a decent job sculpting this figure. Luke looks strong, but not too beefy. The pilot pants were created with texture that looks pretty solid, and the same can be said about Luke's shirt. The head looks like he did in Return of the Jedi but a smidge older, which is exactly what you might want. In short, the sculpting of the figure is one of Hasbro's finer efforts, it's just that it breaks down when it comes to articulation. Thankfully, this figure manages to meet all my minimum requirements. The figure's hips can indeed be moved so he can sit in a vehicle, and with 12 points of articulation, it's nothing to sneeze at. The problem sets in where Hasbro had existing super-articulated Luke Pilot legs and did not reuse them here (boo), and that the arms' articulation is a little wonky. The perpendicular swivel elbow is just lame, but I must say I do appreciate the ball-jointed ankles and elbows. Overall, the figure is pretty good-- considering he costs $10 and also includes a Mara Jade figure, this is an excellent figure for what you pay for it. Unfortunately, the lightsaber is really hard to get past and I know I expect more (or less) when it comes to elbows-- it's just odd to have them bent in a position which allows for him to recreate The Great Cornholio so easily. Still, it's a solid figure-- if you have lots of extra weapons, this is a figure well worth adding to your collection. It's a good figure, but it falls just shy of great, which is almost more maddening than the figure being awful.

Collector's Notes: This set has been shipping in heavy rotation since its introduction in 2007. As such, you should have no problems getting one today at retail, or in the future on eBay.



Day 645: February 10, 2008


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