Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) with pop-up Lightsaber (POTF 1985)

 



 

Kenner production team meeting:

Guy 1: Hmm…how can we milk more out of figures we have already made?

Guy 2: What about sparking torso C-3PO?

Guy 3: No – too obvious. How about a Leia in disco suede?

Guy 1: No – too many design changes. How about a new R2?

Guy 2: Yeah, but what hasn’t been done? The third leg?

Guy 1: Oh, we did that in the Droid Factory so not many people could get it. What about a lightsaber that can come out of his head, like in the Tatooine scene?

Guy 3: Yeah, but let’s use an Endor scene photo on the package!

All three: Brilliant!

Alright, so many it didn’t go quite like this, but with a “premium” line like the POTF one, why could there have been a really new figure? Why an R2 with one little feature. Heck, the lightsaber doesn’t even really pop out – it rises as you turn his head. I want a mother----ing saber that shoots out his head right into my Jedi Luke’s hand! Is that so much to ask?

Well, anyway, this R2 comes on a POTF card, making it rarer. It comes with a green lightsaber that rise from his head as you turn it, and is removable. As any POTF figure, it comes with a coin, but inexplicably, it shows a photo – not of R2 shooting out the lightsaber – no, it shows him short-circuiting at the Endor bunker. Go figure.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Maybe you could rig a pen spring in there and make it really shoot.

2. Makes up for Poncho Luke not coming with a lightsaber. Partially.

3. Adds credence to the line, “Is that a lightsaber, or are you just happy to see me?”

4. Gave hope that they would finally get R2 right. Oh, wait – the line just ended.

5. A real coup, since your parents are probably saying, “Don’t you already have one of these?”

Backstory:

The backstory has been covered in my original R2 post, and here is the link to the R2 with sensorscope, and the Droids R2

Full story? Wookieepedia article

10th in alphabetical order

 

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (SW 1978-79)

R2-D2, part of the original 12. This is one of those figures that my opinion of changed over time. I liken it to Garfield comic strips. When I was a kid, they were hilarious. As I got older though, I realized just how unfunny it was. I cannot figure out if my sense of humor became more refined, or that Garfield kept repeating the same jokes over and over (okay, you like lasagna and hate Mondays - can we move onto something else!). My point being, when I was a kid I liked this figure, when I got older however...

Yes, R2-D2 is a core character, and yes, I realize that the detail on his body could really only be accurately done with a decal. But still, when I got older, I realized this character kind of, well, sucked. First of all, where is the third leg? The only way to get an R2 with a third leg in the original line was to buy the Droid Factory Playset. He used that third leg most of the time in the movies! Second, the head detail only vaguely resembles his real head - and they never changed it. Not when they made Sensorscope R2 and not when they made Lightsaber-popping R2. Can you even put the R2 figure in an X-Wing? No! That feature is already built in. You had to wait until the Y-Wing was produced during ROTJ before you could put an astromech droid in a vehicle.

Okay, after all that, why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. It's R2, despite all his flaws, he's a core character. Who's going to shut down the trash compactor on your Death Star playset?

2. You can let Jawas shoot his ass.

3. That shiny, shiny head. I like shiny objects. Tin Man's my favorite.

4. His head clicks when turned, kind of like that barn door on your Fisher-Price farm set that "mooed."

5. R2 figure vs. Yoda figure in a no-holds-barred knockdown fight over Luke's X-Wing kit lantern! Who will win: the swiss-army droid or the 900-year-old Jedi Master? You decide!

Backstory:

R2, like most astromech-class (so-called because they could plug into many starships and aid with navigation and other duties) was built by Industrial Automaton maybe around 33 years before the first movie (age debated). At the time of "The Phantom Menace" he was owned by the Royal Engineers of Naboo, and the rest is history. He saved the Queen, ended up with Anakin, then Bail Organa, a bunch of owners (in the cartoon series Droids), then back to Bail, then to Luke and so on. In the novels after the movies, R2 eventually reveals details and footage of Anakin and Padme to Luke and Leia, since he never underwent a memory wipe like C-3PO did. In stories about Luke's descendants, R2 was still in use at least 137 years after the first movie's events.

Want the full story? His Wookieepedia article

8th in alphabetical order

 

Anakin Skywalker (POTF 1985)

This figure, like many before it, was first available from Kenner only as a mail-away. In the POTF line, however, it was put on a card with a coin. Anakin did not come with any accessories, because, well, it is a figure of a ghost. It really wouldn’t make sense to give him any accessories. This figure is one of only 15 figures that were only released on the POTF cards.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. The only ghost you get to own from the vintage line.

2. Re-create his action-packed smiling! The slight nod to Luke!

3. Change the scene a little: Luke: “Oh, so you guys can appear here too? Well, thanks for all the help everywhere else you bastards!”

4. Another thing you can put in the Ewok Village – besides Ewoks!

5. Those stylish robes!

Backstory:

It is interesting - since the last change in the “Special Editions,” Hayden Christensen has replaced the previous actor as the ghostly Anakin. This change essentially means that this figure never existed. However, soon before this final Special Edition, a figure 3-pack of the Force ghosts, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda were put out in the 1990’s line.

Full story? His Wookieepedia article

7th in alphabetical order

   

Amanaman (POTF 1985)

Why should you get this figure? I'll give you SEVEN reasons this time:

1. It is the one of the most "alien" of the Star Wars aliens. That cowl, those extended arms, the stubby legs. This isn't just some actor with make up, this is a whole different being.

2. Any character that has little to no speaking part and that you have to point out where it is in the film to other people is automatically considered cool.

3. It comes close to being first in alphabetical order (yeah, I know, Admiral Ackbar beats its out).

4. The staff with the three heads (possibly shrunken) and the severed hand. Three freakin' severed heads and a hand! If your mom actually looked closely at the package, would she have bought this for you? No freakin' way! Who cares it doesn't have a blaster or a lightsaber - freakin' severed heads, man!

5. It only has two different variations - the U.S. card and the overseas "tri-logo" card.

6. Despite barely on screen, he has his own coin, damnit!
7. For all these reasons it has been one of my personal favorites.

Backstory:

Amanaman had very little screen time, appearing in Jabba's throne room in Return of the Jedi. It's species is Amanin, a primitive culture from the planet Maridun. While they have the aforementioned stubby legs, they are able to curl up in a ball and roll at quite fast speeds. Their skin secretes a poison which deters predators and acts as a natural moisturizer. Their native habitat is typically rain forest, preferring to live in trees (not unlike Wookiees). It is unclear exactly what motives Amanaman had (he may have been a bounty hunter), or who his head decorations were when they were alive, but it is fairly certain that Amanaman died when Jabba's sand barge exploded.

Note: "Amanaman" is often the nickname for the Amanin species.

Full story? His Wookieepedia article

6th in alphabetical order

Admiral Ackbar (ROTJ 1983-84)

It's a trap!

I thought shellfish only got that red after you cooked them. Anyhoo, Admiral Ackbar was the first alien Rebellion member of any significance. Sure, we found out later when they fleshed out more backstories that some more aliens we saw were part of the Rebellion, but Ackbar was the first to be a leader.

Ackbar came with a omigod, omigod, omigod : a command stick! In the later 199o's+ releases he came with a gun, but he was never shown using any weapon (or command stick for that matter) in Return of the Jedi. He only came on an ROTJ card, but he did have one variation - his vest was originally more grey and later became a cream color.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Those huge plate-sized eyes! Can't you just get lost in them?

2. That Captain Stubing-like white suit. Classic.

3. Three words: command-freakin'-stick! Where else are you going to get one?

4. Take inspiration from the figure as you practice your Ackbar impression: "It's a trap!"

5. Mmmmmmm, Mon Calamari rings.

Backstory:

Ackbar was born on his homeworld of Mon Calamari (yes, the reference to seafood here is not lost on any of us) about 44 years before the destruction of the first Death Star. He became a leader among his people, and with the rise of the Empire organized resistance against it. He was captured and was going to be given as a gift to Governor Tarkin, but was rescued by Rebel forces. When he returned to Mon Calamari, he was made Admiral of their space forces, and successfully repelled the Empire.

He quickly rose in ranks in the Rebellion and became Admiral of their fleet, and was instrumental in developing the B-wing fighter. He was a major player in the battle of the second Death Star, helping to defeat the Imperial forces there. After the fall of the Empire he became Supreme Commander of the New Republic Defense Force, the highest rank.

Ackbar led the way to final defeat of the lingering Empire, and numerous other battles fought during his career. He passed away of old age at 74 years old. He did not have children of his own, but two of his nieces did become Jedi.

Want the full story? His Wookieepedia article

5th in alphabetical order

Action Figure Collector Cases (SW, ESB, ROTJ)

The first in this line of rectangular figure cases was actually labeled on the front "Mini-Action Figure Collector's Case," but collectively these are known as Action Figure Collector Cases. The structure of the case stayed the same, but the artwork changed for every movie, sometimes twice. Since all the places to put the figures were pretty standardized, there were always those who wouldn't fit (curse you Rancor Keeper and Gamorrean Guard!) or those you could fit two to a section (R2 and a Jawa for example).

4th in alphabetical order

A-Wing Pilot (Droids 1985)

Yes, you guessed it – this is the exact same figure with the exact same gun with the exact same coin (except tinted gold this time) as the POTF line, just on a different card. Those Kenner bastards! Next, you’ll be telling me they re-used molds on playsets…oh, wait. They did. This figure came with the same blaster pistol as the B-Wing pilot (did they have them in the locker room?) and the AT-ST Driver.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. The second coolest of the Droids figures – mainly because it was already produced in the original line and didn’t look so…cartoonish.

2. Gave you hope that your parents would get the vehicle to go with it.

3. A lush, verdant green to accentuate your love for the planet.

4. Practice you’re a-Wing pilot yell right before your crash into the Super Star Destroyer.

5. To every vehicle its pilot.

Backstory:

A-Wing pilots had to be very skilled due to the vehicle’s high speed, feather-touch maneuverability, and weapons systems without the aid of an astromech droid. Because of the initial hand-built nature of the A-Wings, many pilots even added personal touches such as wooden interiors. Some pilots (or their mechanics) also modified the guns to swivel 360 degrees, increasing their surprise against trailing enemy fighters. One of the more prominent A-Wing pilots was Tycho Celchu, an Alderaanian and member of Rogue Squadron.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

3rd in alphabetical order

Todd McFarlane's Spawn

Todd McFarlane's Spawn

Ultra Detailed action figure

Todd McFarlane's Spawn is one of the most popular comic book characters outside of the characters created by the big two (DC and Marvel) in the american superhero comics industry. It's popularity has spawned a movie, an animated T.V. Series, and a revolutionary toyline. The origins of this character can be tied to the emergence of the superstar comic book artists driven fan base during the early 90's (which prior to that time, comic book sales rely more on the characters than the creative teams). The early 90's saw the mutiny of Marvel's top comic book artists to form their own comic book company which they called Image Comics. Todd McFarlane was one of them. He got his big break with Marvel Comics doing art chores for Spiderman. When he formed Image Comics, his first character contribution was Spawn. Spawn would be his ticket to fame as it's popularity opened up a lot of merchandising opportunities, chief of them, is the growing action figure toy collectibles demand. McFarlane would revolutionized the action figure industry by producing highly detailed action figures that were never seen before during it's time. Starting with his very own Spawn, his toy company would nab key licenses on movie, music (like my previous post The Beatles), sports, and other pop culture figures which grew his business from comics to action figures. But despite all of his success and current endeavors apart from Spawn, it will still go back to the character that started it all, SPAWN

The Hellspawn

Character Bio: Spawn was a creation of a being from hell called Malebolgia. Before he became Spawn, he was a mortal called Al Simmons. Simmons worked for the C.I.A. as a covert mercenary before he was killed during a mission by a fellow mercenary. Because of his past transgressions as an assassin, Simmons was sent to hell where he tried to make a deal with the devil. Malebolgia wanted to make Simmons a Hellspawn (Hell's soldiers) and had him lead the rest of his fellow Hellspawns in a war. Simmons agreed to be turned into a Hellspawn but under one condition, he wanted to see his wife for one last time. He would get his wish  and was sent back to Earth but Malebolgia had already turned him into a Hellspawn with little memory of his past mortal life. He would see his wife for one last time but was broken to see that she had already remarried and bore a daughter with his new husband. He was emotionally shattered and was torn between fulfilling his part of the bargain or not. This marks the start of his adventure as he became an anti-hero targeting criminal elements. Spawn's existence is some sort of a cliche. Though he was created by a demon to lead an impending war, his actions to rebel against his creators would cause him to be hunted down by the demon's minions themselves. Complicating matters, the realm of Heaven would also send their Battle Angels to hunt him down and end his existence. Spawn battles for survival as he tries to stay alive from the attacks of Heaven's soldiers while finding ways to return to Hell to fight against evil.

Powers and Abilities: Spawn's core powers comes from the necroplasm that makes up his body. This substance grants him superhuman strength, speed, agility, endurance, and healing. This substance also grants him the necro-magic, which gives him flight, teleportation powers, phasing, resurrecting the dead, and necro-energy blasts. He also can summon the energies of evil men and dark animals to enhance his powers. His suit is a symbiote that he can mentally control to make himself shape shift to any form that he wants. He also carries a vast variety of military arsenal, being a soldier in his previous life. 

Weaknesses: Although Spawn is an immortal, he can still be easily killed when he is struck by a weapon that comes from heaven or from his own necro power. He also looses his immortality when he reaches places that are beyond the influence of hell.      

Spawn ready to do battle

Spawn 3: Ultra Action Figure

The Action Figure: The first series of Spawn action figures (though highly detailed) was more in line with the popular 90's action figures of it's time. But  as time progressed, sculpting details became the top priority, sacrificing the articulation of the figures. Majority of the Spawn action figures released by then were more statue like than toys that you can actually play with. It features close to none or limited articulation, thus limiting the figure's playability factor. It took a rival toy company by Marvel Comics called Toybiz thru it's action figure toyline Marvel Legends to up the competition. McFarlane toys would release a highly detailed and highly articulated Spawn action figure which they dubbed as the 10th Anniversary Spawn action figure in honor of the character's 10th year in existence. I don't own that figure because it is quite too pricey for my budget. But what I have instead is the SPAWN 3: Ultra Action Figure. This figure is the second best highly articulated Spawn action figure that was ever released. I think this was McFarlane's first attempt to create a highly detailed action figure with a decent amount of articulation. I got it at a very good price. The figure's sculpting details is quite amazing. It features articulation on the neck (swivel), shoulders (swivel), elbow (pivot), Wrists (swivel), hips (swivel), and knee (pivot). 

Spreading the wings

Green glowing eyes

 The cape also has a springing action. Press the skull sculpted belt buckle and the cape springs up like a wing. This makes the figure look intimidating when displayed together with other 6 inch action figures. The cape has some holes on it, and it's shape makes it look like a bat wing. The figure also come with an axe, a Bat and an Owl (both not pictured). The figure's green eyes also lights up if you raise his right arm. The figure's tons of gimmicks makes it a very neat figure. My only qualm for this figure is that the plastics used is not as sturdy as I think. But the details are really good. Of course, I think the 10th anniversary figure still is the best Spawn Action Figure ever created, and although there are other impressive Spawn figures released in this line, in terms of overall sculpt and playability, this figure ranks second to the 10th anniversary one. The price that I got it for makes this figure even worthwhile. Sad thing though is that this figure might be displayed by it's lonesome in my display shelf as Image action figures aren't as many as DC and Marvel's and is hard to track down nowadays. But finding a Savage Dragon (Erik Larsen), Shadow Hawk (Jim Valentino), Wild C.A.T.S. (Jim Lee), Wetworks (Whilce Portacio), Youngblood (Rob Liefeld) and Cyberforce (Mark Silvestri) might help this Spawn find it's rightful place in my display shelf (the names mentioned are the other rebel artists and their respective creations that joined Todd Mcfarlane in creating the Image Comics imprint).  

A-Wing Pilot (POTF 1985)

The A-Wing pilot came in a stylish dark green jumpsuit, with non-removable (like most figure in the vintage line) helmet. He came with a blaster pistol that was common to many of the other “pilots” and “drivers” in the POTF and ROTJ releases. Pictures of an actual pilot in the movie are pretty hard to come by, since they are really only seen in the cockpit. This might explain why the card shows a picture of the ship and not the pilot. This, however, is fairly common in the Kenner pilot and driver figures.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Cooler than the Droids release based on the cardback alone.

2. There weren’t too many POTF-only releases, so why not get them all?

3. For the love of the green.

4. Practice your hellish screaming as you ram your A-Wing into the control tower of a super star destroyer.

5. Holds out hope that you’ll actually get an A-Wing.

Backstory:

A-Wing pilots had to be very skilled due to the vehicle’s high speed, feather-touch maneuverability, and weapons systems without the aid of an astromech droid. Because of the initial hand-built nature of the A-Wings, many pilots even added personal touches such as wooden interiors. Some pilots (or their mechanics) also modified the guns to swivel 360 degrees, increasing their surprise against trailing enemy fighters. One of the more prominent A-Wing pilots was Tycho Celchu, an Alderaanian and member of Rogue Squadron.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

2nd in alphabetical order

A-Wing Fighter Vehicle (Droids 1985)

The A-Wing – sleek and fast looking. Streamlined. The best vehicle from the Droids line…mainly because it was in Return of the Jedi. And it was never produced until now. Hey, but now we have it!

The A-Wing only comes in a Droids box, and when you produce a very popular toy in a waning line, it instantly becomes rare and valuable. I hope you got this one while you could. It featured a cockpit for one figure, retractable landing gear, swiveling side-mounted laser cannons, and electronic sound. The color scheme was also painted on and not decals like an X-Wing or TIE Fighter. Overall, a pretty cool ship – just very hard to get a hold of.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:
1. This was the fastest ship in the fleet – not the Millennium Falcon.

2. Look at this thing – it just sweats cool.

3. You got the A-Wing pilot – now get the real deal.

4. Your only real reason to get something from the Droids line.

5. The coolest ship to play with – and probably easiest to hold.

Backstory:

The RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptor was a fast ship – engines with a cockpit. It was a descendant of the Jedi starfighters seen in the prequel movies. However, not having an astromech port made the fighter hard to control at high speeds (unless you’re a Jedi) and control the weapons which could often fire 360 degrees. It also had 2 concussion missile launchers, which held 6 each. They were originally developed by the Alliance and made through Allaicne Underground Engineering, so each was more handbuilt, resulting in a higher maintenance schedule. However, enough of them were made by the Battle of Endor to make a difference and turn the tide of that battle. Later models were made by Incom Corporation.

Early designs of the A-Wing had blue stripes, but these were changed to red for blue screen filming. Also, while the fighter had an “A” shape, the original A-Wing fighter name may have come from the production staff calling the two new ships “ship A” and “ship B” (the B-Wing fighter).

Want the full story? Its Wookieepedia article.

1st in alphabetical order