Tag Archives: Bespin

Welcome to another entry in our The Vintage Collection: The Ninety Six column. Hasbro recently committed to collectors that they will be “focusing” on characters in The Vintage Collection that fall under “The Ninety Six” banner. If you’re new to this, it means that there needs a modern counterpart for every classic Kenner figure. Between 2020 and 2021, Hasbro’s made an admirable effort by focusing on these characters. But there is more work to be done, and we’ll figure out where we are step by step. Today we assess three versions of Bespin Security Guard [A].

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Welcome to another entry in our The Vintage Collection: The Ninety Six column. Hasbro recently committed to collectors that they will be “focusing” on characters in The Vintage Collection that fall under “The Ninety Six” banner. If you’re new to this, it means that there needs a modern counterpart for every classic Kenner figure. Between 2020 and 2021, Hasbro’s made an admirable effort by focusing on these characters. But there is more work to be done, and we’ll figure out where we are step by step. Today we assess Lando Calrissian.

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Welcome to another entry in our The Vintage Collection: The Ninety Six column. Hasbro recently committed to collectors that they will be “focusing” on characters in The Vintage Collection that fall under “The Ninety Six” banner. If you’re new to this, it means that there needs a modern counterpart for every classic Kenner figure. Between 2020 and 2021, Hasbro’s made an admirable effort by focusing on these characters. But there is more work to be done, and we’ll figure out where we are step by step. Today we assess Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues).

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Welcome to another entry in our The Vintage Collection: The Ninety Six column. Hasbro recently committed to collectors that they will be “focusing” on characters in The Vintage Collection that fall under “The Ninety Six” banner. If you’re new to this, it means that there needs a modern counterpart for every classic Kenner figure. Between 2020 and 2021, Hasbro’s made an admirable effort by focusing on these characters. But there is more work to be done, and we’ll figure out where we are step by step. Today we assess Leia Organa (Bespin Gown).

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2020 has come and gone, and that’s good for many reasons, of course. But it’s bad for others. One reason in particular that it’s not good is because of how Hasbro treated The Vintage Collection for The Empire Strikes Back’s 40th Anniversary. (more….)

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Here’s the review to The Vintage Collection Carbon-Freezing Chamber playset. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Bespin Security Guard [B]. It didn’t come in standard Trilogo packaging. Instead, it was packaged in what the collecting community deems as “Trilogo Hybrid” packaging. The card front is nearly identical to the Kenner Return Of The Jedi Bespin Security Guard [B] figure, while the back features the Trilogo logo and figure group shot. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1982’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Bespin Security Guard [B] figure HERE.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit (Twin Pod) Cloud Car Pilot. It didn’t come in standard Trilogo packaging. Instead, it was packaged in what the collecting community deems as “Trilogo Hybrid” packaging. The card front is nearly identical to the Kenner Return Of The Jedi Cloud Car Pilot figure, while the back features the Trilogo logo and figure group shot. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1982’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (Twin Pod) Cloud Car Pilot figure HERE.

Chewbacca is our next The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Visual Guide update. Click below for our full Visual Guide. We also have our full review of this figure posted in our review database right here.

Up next for our The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Visual Guide updates is Boba Fett. Click below to check out our Visual Guide for the latest release of this figure, and make sure to stop by our full review for additional details and photos.

The best-looking 6″ version of Chewbacca is part of the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. This is a must-have figure for your collection. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

Hasbro has released the 6″ Boba Fett many times in many different ways. Now Boba Fett is back to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Will you add this to your collection? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Lobot. Lobot’s Trilogo card art features an alternate image used nowhere else in the classic toy line. Interestingly, Lobot is out of focus in the utilized image. Lando Calrissian (off-screen) is the character in focus in the uncropped film-out. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1981’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Lobot figure HERE.

You saw our The Pathway To The Vintage Collection Special Report published on August 6th. Now let’s revisit the figures that set The Vintage Collection in motion. Let’s continue moving ahead with 2004’s VOTC Lando Calrissian figure in our newly updated review, complete with new text and photos and Visual Guide.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Ugnaught. The Ugnaught’s Trilogo card art features an image with a lighter color scheme. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1981’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Ugnaught figure HERE.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Bespin Security Guard [A]. Bespin Security Guard [A]’s Trilogo card art is unique because it’s a hybrid. The front of the card looks like a standard Trilogo Return Of The Jedi figure, while the back shows all of the figures in the Trilogo line. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting the 1980’s STAR WARS Bespin Security Guard [A] figure HERE.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Lando Calrissian. Lando Calrissian’s Trilogo card art is notably different than its American Kenner counterpart. The image of Lando Calrissian is horizontally flipped and they added bright orange flooding of light that covers most of the character, presumably to imitate the reflection of the orange Bespin sky. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting the 1980’s STAR WARS Lando Calrissian figure HERE.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues). Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues)’s Trilogo card art is a significant departure from the American Kenner packaging. In fact, no other vintage Star Wars card art utilizes this image except for the Trilogo version. It features an alternate take (and different pose) of the “close up” shot Kenner utilized for the running change image, and it’s also flipped 180 degrees horizontally. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting the 1980’s STAR WARS Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) figure HERE.

In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Princess Leia Organa (Bespin Gown). Princess Leia Organa (Bespin Gown)’s Trilogo card art features the same image from the first version of the original Kenner card art, but this time the background was changed to a gradient orange and white, perhaps to give a contrasting background to Leia’s milky skin. The character’s name also changed, as Kenner and related companies attempted to standardize the way they described Star Wars characters. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting the 1980’s STAR WARS Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) figure HERE.

There are a number of changes made to the re-released The Vintage Collection Han Solo (Bespin) (VC50) figure. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 80-image gallery complete with comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the 2011 version from the 2020 new release in the Collector Notes. The breakdown is that this is the best version of this action figure to date. You’ll need MANY of them! You can probably find Han Solo (Bespin) (VC50) at your local TARGET and WALMART stores now. If not, orders should begin shipping to the “Fan Channel” shortly. As with many other re-released figures, there’s more difference here than you may think. The Photo Real technology worked well here.!

There have been a significant number of changes made to the re-released The Vintage Collection Luke Skywalker (Bespin) (VC04) figure. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 80-image gallery. The new gallery includes comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the 2010 version from the 2020 new release. (Do you believe a decade transpired in between their respective releases?) You can probably find Luke Skywalker (Bespin) (VC04) at your local TARGET and WALMART stores now. If not, orders should begin shipping from the “Fan Channel” shortly. There are more differences here than you may believe. Be sure to acclimate yourself to the many changes!

Our last Visual Guide update from wave 2 of The Black Series The Empire Strikes Back 40th anniversary line is the repacked Lando Calrissian. Click below to visit our full Visual Guide. We also have a full review of this figure right here.

Out of all the 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary figures, Hasbro got Lando Calrissian close to perfect. There is almost nothing negative to write about this figure. Or is there? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In 1983, Mexico’s Lily Ledy toy company released a line of Return Of The Jedi action figures under the La Guerra De Las Galaxias: El Regreso Del Jedi line look. This range of Lily Ledy Star Wars figures is interesting for two specific reasons. Firstly, the original 1978 versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO were released in this lineup. Secondly, for each figure, Lily Ledy chose a never-before-utilized Lucasfilm reference image of the characters and these images were used nowhere else in the Star Wars toy line (for any other company including Kenner and Palitoy). Featured on 30-Back, the reverse of the card back features hand-drawn images of the line of 30 action figures in addition to a few other related toys including the Millennium Falcon and Jabba the Hutt.

Today we revisit Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2). The 1978 version Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) was packaged for this line and the packaging features an exclusive image of the character.  Its name is Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (Ar-tu-ri-to). The reference used is an official publicity image of the character against a hallway within the Bespin set. This Lily Ledy release is the only way to obtain this unique character image on the card art. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) figure HERE.

The Empire Strikes Back Retro Collection updates continue with the addition of our Lando Calrissian Visual Guide. Click below to visit the main guide page, and click here to check out the review.