Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) - TVC - Basic (VC175)

Can you believe it took Hasbro TEN years to get the definitive modern replacement for 1983's ROTJ Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) figure into The Vintage Collection? A decade transpired from the line launch in August 2010 before Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (VC175) began arriving into collectors' hands. If you were a collector during the original run, you probably remember the first carded releases of Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) (VC23) figure. It wasn't a "Jedi Knight Outfit" version of Luke Skywalker, and Hasbro quickly saw the error and changed the figure to Luke Skywalker (Endor Capture) (VC23). But many current TVC collectors remember the original release well. Throughout the years, that original VC23 figure went through quite a metamorphosis, and it eventually brought us Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (VC175), but the journey was rough and bumpy. In 2012, Hasbro recycled the VC23 tooling to being us Luke Skywalker (Lightsaber Construction) (VC87) figure. Hasbro added a vest, a new head sculpt, and a few other surprises to the figure. But because it was part of a "Deleted Scenes" wave, Hasbro gave the figure updated card art, and the modern replacement for the 1983 Kenner figure remained unproduced for Star Wars collectors. Seven years later, Hasbro surprised most collectors of The Vintage Collection with the 2019 TVC Luke Skywalker Jedi Destiny Set (Stormtrooper Disguise/X-Wing Pilot/Jedi Knight) Special Action Figure Set. It included three definitive updates, one from each Original Trilogy film, of the beloved Luke Skywalker. Luke Skywalker in Jedi Knight gear was one of them.

For us, the pride and joy of the Luke Skywalker Jedi Destiny Set (Stormtrooper Disguise/X-Wing Pilot/Jedi Knight) Special Action Figure Set was the Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) figure. It's not perfect when you look at it today, but it still holds up exceptionally well. Hasbro repainted the figure with better Photo Real applications and a few other changes and singly released this figure as Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (VC175). As we look back into this figure's history, we truly feel obligated to shake our heads incessantly. Hasbro either left out the cloak, included a cloak with sleeves that was the wrong color, and missed important details that would prevent its classification as definitive through the many iterations of this character in the line. Incorrect colors and the wrong drapes and styles weren't the only problems. Hasbro screwed up the figure's hair color, or the likeness was terrible. But now they finally got it right. Hasbro designed a brown cloak with a stunning and perfect drape that clings to all the figure's right areas to help accent its silhouette. It appears that the fabric they used was put through some liquid treatment to hold its shape better on the figure. Taking it off and on will result in the same drape. Hasbro took 2012's TVC Luke Skywalker (Lightsaber Construction) (VC87) figure and tweaked the figure from head to toe. Most of the body is nearly identical to the VC87 figure, but you'll see different score lines, differently shaped bumps and wrinkles, clearly proving that Hasbro tweaked the original sculpt here and there.

But most importantly, Hasbro eliminated the terribly-shaped hands with deformed bumps on the wrists. Tooling all-new hands, Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) hasn't looked better. Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) also has a brilliant new head sculpt with a corrected hair part, and it's a stunning likeness of Mark Hamill. Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) comes with the previously mentioned removable soft-goods cloak, a skiff guard blaster (also with a spectacular paint job), and the character's signature lightsaber. We're disappointed to report that the silver paint on the lightsaber's hilt isn't affixed well to the plastic. It rubbed off with relative ease, and by the time we were done with our photoshoot, most of the silver paint was gone leaving a translucent green plastic behind. Despite any perceived problems with this figure, it feels incredible that we finally have a modern update to this figure, on the correct Kenner card back, and officially entered into The Vintage Collection as one of the most important figures. Hasbro updated the card back art a little bit with this release. The original 1983 ROTJ Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) figure has the Ishi Tib character's head "airbrushed" out of the image (for reasons unknown). For The Vintage Collection release, Hasbro omitted this airbrushing. Admittedly, the 2020 reference image looks significantly better than the 1983 version, but we'd be lying if we said it wasn't bittersweet that they didn't copy what Kenner did back in 1983 the same. Regardless, it's a fantastic feeling having Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) added to The Vintage Collection officially.