Figure of the Day: Day 798
7/12/2008 10:06:05 PM - Adam

LUKE SKYWALKER in Endor Gear
Power of the Force Light Vehicle Assortment
Item No.:
Asst. 69760 No. 69651
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, blaster, Speeder Bike
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Early 1997
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Image: Adam Pawlus' garbage pile.

Bio: Luke Skywalker was raised on Tatooine in solitude to hide from Emperor Palpatine and his father, now known as Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith. A chance purchase of two droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, led to him meeting Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, and receiving Jedi training from Obi-Wan Kenobi. Skywalker later destroyed the first Death Star and joined the Rebel Alliance. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Commentary: Fans couldn't get enough vehicles in the early days, so Kenner wisely repackaged the Speeder Bike with Luke Skywalker to increase sales. This particular version of the figure was designed especially to sit on the bike, but had accessories uniquely suited to his wider hands-- let me explain. This figure has 8 points of articulation, the basic 6 plus knee joints. His hands were sculpted wider than usual to grip the wide handles of the original Speeder Bike vehicle. As such, his lightsaber and blaster have extra-large grips so this figure-- and pretty much only this figure-- can hold them.

His poncho was painted quite well, his helmet was sculpted nicely, and his body was still too beefy. (It was the 1990s.) Even his head was still the same basic goofy face we've come to love in the early days of the line, and as the first modern take on an Endor Poncho Luke, it's pretty great. He looks normal when he's standing off of his vehicle, and he is able to assume a decent variety of poses due to his knee joints. The rubbery brown poncho is easily removed, leaving you yet another muscular Luke figure underneath. It's worth noting that it's not completely authentic because he's not wearing his robes over his shirt under the poncho, as was the case in the movie. As far as I can tell.

Collector's Notes: A one-timer, the basic mold was reused to make some other releases, but it isn't a figure fans are itching to track down these days. For its time, it was a good deal, and by today's standards is a ridiculously good deal. A a piece of history, it's neat, and odds are we'll see a new version of Luke on a new Speeder Bike some day in the next few years. Until then, this is your best bet.

--Adam Pawlus



Day 798: July 12, 2008


Galactic Hunter.com
http://www.galactichunter.com/