by Adam Pawlus

Which figures will have different weapons than previous versions?
Since packaged samples of all toys have yet to surface, this is not known. Chewbacca will include both the tools from the original releases in addition to the POTF2 Bowcaster. Princess Leia from A New Hope (OTC09) is pictured with the POTJ-style revised Stormtrooper Blaster, but a packaged sample shows her with the same weapons she’s always had. While many figures are not pictured with certain accessories, or they may not be immediately visible in packaged samples, it should be noted the new packaging is roomy and has room for them. As such, they may be in there.

Which figures are being painted differently?
Darth Vader from The Empire Strikes Back (OTC29) is similar to the version released in Toys “R” Us’ exclusive Imperial Forces set, but now has snow on the bottom of his boots and cape. Luke Skywalker from The Empire Strikes Back (OTC26), otherwise known as Saga’s Bespin Luke, seems to have been repainted with less dirt and blood. Luke Skywalker from A New Hope (OTC05) no longer has his teeth painted, and other minor deco changes are expected through the line.

Have they changed any molds for the repackaged figures?
While rumors to the contrary are floating around, it appears all re-released figures are identical to their previous releases in terms of sculpting, the presence of magnets, and so forth.

Will all figures include the grey rectangular bases?
It looks like it, except for the four Dagobah action figures and Boba Fett (OTC13) so far. Those wanting more of the clear bases will need to purchase the repackaged figures in Saga packaging.

What’s with the Rebel/Imperial thing? Where’s the yellow nonpartisan logo?
Hasbro seems to be keeping it simple with the binary options of good or evil being represented by Rebels and Imperials. While putting the Jawas in the Imperial category doesn’t seem especially fitting, it was probably done to avoid too much confusion.

With Saga, Hasbro indicated the name of the figure, the scene it was from, and often the outfit too all on the package. Now, all figures of the same character seem to be just “Luke Skywalker” and not “Luke the Pilot” or “Wormie in the Swamp.” How can we tell them apart on a list?
This is where the numbering system comes in to play. So far, there are four Luke figures each with unique numbers. OTC01 is the new Dagobah Luke, and the other figures are numbered up the ranks to make sure collectors have a way to describe them as different, easily. It is unfortunate the names were lost, though. For the purposes of Galactic Hunter keeping them straight, we will refer to them by number and a previously used name in Saga or POTF2.

Are those nameplates stickers or something else?
Those are stickers, meaning customizers can easily convert existing packaging to new characters if they were so inclined.

How long will the OTC last?
The OTC ran from May/June 2004 through early 2005, but more special releases in this style of package are expected down the road.

Why are they changing the packaging again for such a short window?
While this doesn’t happen every year, Hasbro and Kenner often freshen up the look of the line to tie in to a new promotion. For the 20th Anniversary of Star Wars in 1997, gold foil stickers were added to the cards. For Shadows of the Empire in 1996, they released a mini-line. For the Clone Wars, well, you know the story. The new look of the line is to promote the DVD releases of these films, and since the next big event is the third prequel, it only makes sense to freshen the line once again.

Are we getting more Jedi Master Points?
Apparently not—these seem to have been completely removed from OTC packaging. Remaining Saga product should continue to sport the points but as they are now pretty much without value, it’s not like it really matters.

Will Hasbro only release 38 figures in the basic OTC assortment?
39 figures-- 38 plus 1 exclusive Holographic Emperor-- were sold with the OTC logo. 16 more releases (some were repackaged OTC releases) were sold in 2005 without the logo.

Will there be any prequel trilogy items in the new packaging?
Yes-- five were sold in 2005 during the Post-OTC period before Revenge of the Sith.

Will there be Collection 1 and Collection 2 figures?
No, there are no plans to designate figures in separate collections. The designations between these were dropped during the 2004 Saga assortments.

What’s the deal with Dagobah Luke and his variant head and arms?
Hasbro made it so this new Luke Skywalker figure has two ball-jointed heads as well as two sets of arms in each pack. While the headstand packaging has yet to show up in Hong Kong or in stores, a photo surfaced in Lee’s Action Figure News web site, and as such, it is expected to come along shortly.

Is it true that the Vintage assortments don’t contain all the figures from a specific series?
According to the assortments we’ve seen so far, it seems that for the Empire Strikes Back series of OTC Vintage figures, one case ships with no Lando figures and the other has no C-3PO figures. As such, the figures may not hit all at once.