Tag: Luke Skywalker

Categories
Action Figures Science Fiction Star Wars (Kenner)

Star Wars Action Figures Wave 2 (1979)

Star WarsClick here to see the videoWhat could be better than a dozen action figures from the Star Wars universe, such as it was in 1978? Nothing could be better than almost a dozen new figures in 1979, and what made this possibly the best second wave of any range of action figures ever was the fact that only one of the new figures was a differently-costumed version of a character from the first wave.

What fascinated most of us about Star Wars back in 1978? Two things: aliens ‘n’ droids. The second wave of the original Kenner Star Wars line focused on these, with a few other pleasant surprises thrown in too. … Read more

Categories
Action Figures Science Fiction Star Wars (Kenner)

Return Of The Jedi Wave 1 (1983)

Anticipation mounted over the first four months of 1983 as what was supposedly the final sequel to Star Wars was being completed. Even without the Internet, rumors abounded: Jabba the Hutt would be seen at last, Luke and Darth Vader would engage in one final battle (and Yoda and Obi-Wan might help), and there would be a second Death Star.

The movie was, of course, Revenge Of The Jedi. … Read more

Categories
Action Figures Science Fiction Star Wars (Kenner)

The Empire Strikes Back Wave 1 (1980)

1980. New wave was in. Early video games were about to reach their apex. And best of all, Star Wars was back – not the original, but a new movie following up on the original, taking us to new places and new adventures. Life was truly good. And so were the first figures from that sequel.

The Empire Strikes Back had such a diverse spread of locations and climates and environments that the first figures – released just prior to the movie – left you wondering just what the heck was going on if you, like me, were a kid whose only bona fida spoiler about Empire consisted of the TV commercials advertising the movie. … Read more

Categories
Action Figures Science Fiction Star Wars (Hasbro)

Star Wars: Power Of The Jedi Final Wave (2002)

Star WarsAhhhh, the Power of the Jedi. As awkward and out-of-place as was the name of Hasbro’s oft-maligned range of Star Wars figures with no specific movie in mind, I think it’s sometimes shortchanged by the fans and collectors who are overlooking the unique and eagerly-awaited characters it brought to our toy shelves. … Read more

Categories
Action Figures Science Fiction Star Wars (Hasbro)

Star Wars: Expanded Universe (1998)

Star WarsWell, “Shadows Of The Empire” sold, so why not? Actually, truth be told, I was more than happy to snatch up as many of the scarce Expanded Universe action figures as I could, while I never even considered the “Shadows” toys seriously. The Expanded Universe characters originate from the novels and comics that appeared in the early 1990s, and even a couple of figures from the Dark Forces video game. … Read more

Categories
Action Figures Science Fiction Star Wars (Hasbro)

In The Palace Of Jabba The Hutt

Star WarsIf the cantina scene from the original Star Wars was a gold mine for moviegoers’ imaginations as well as toy collectors, the opening scenes of Jabba the Hutt’s boisterous inner sanctum from Return Of The Jedi were even more so. … Read more

Categories
Action Figures Science Fiction Star Wars (Hasbro)

Star Wars Flashback & Classic Commtech (1998-99)

Star WarsAt around the same time as the first theatrical trailer from Episode I hit theaters, Hasbro started riding the Phantom Menace horse very hard – including the new Flashback figures, which not only included the classic trilogy characters in new molds, but also a “flashback” photo which, depending on whether or not you pulled out the paper strip, would show each character either as he appeared in the Episode I era, or alongside the closest character (for instance, Princess Leia is compared to Queen Amidala, and Aunt Beru to Shmi Skywalker). … Read more

Categories
Action Figures Star Wars (Kenner)

Star Wars: Wave 1 (1978)

1978 Kenner Star Wars action figures - photo copyright 2007 Earl Green / theLogBook.comThese puppies were the beginning of my toy collecting fetish, all those 21 years ago. And now, despite the fact that I am allegedly an adult, they still sit proudly on a display shelf in my home.

By default, they’re also the best-known and researched line of toys in history, with the possible exceptions of Barbie. G.I. Joe and Hot Wheels, so I’m not going to waste space repeating the facts everyone knows so well, but just show off my collection instead. … Read more