Tag Archives: Return Of The Jedi

We’re about a year and a half out from the Retro Collection Return Of The Jedi figures, so that means that Hasbro is planning the assortment as we speak. What six candidates do you want to see realized in this assortment of 5POA action figures? We think we’ve picked the 12 most popular characters, but you may have different feelings about this. Let us know in the comments! If you need some help recalling the original Kenner RETURN OF THE JEDI figures, click HERE.

The Vintage Collection Admiral Ackbar (VC22) re-released figure looks pretty good, albeit a little too dark. Unfortunately, Hasbro didn’t correct the color of the nameplate and figure backer. (NOTE: This gallery is incomplete. Only the new figure is shown. We will update the gallery at a later date and post an update.) Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

The Vintage Collection Han Solo (Endor [In Trench Coat)]) (VC62) figure is a frustrating release. But, we have to give Hasbro credit. They made this figure look as good as it likely ever will unless they tool a new figure. The Photo Real updating is excellent, and the new color of the trench coat is great. But Hasbro changed a long-running name on this figure which will upset Kenner purists. It has many other enhancements as well. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 80-image gallery complete with all versions (2006, 2011, and 2021) featured, comparison shots, diorama shots, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

The Vintage Collection Emperor’s Royal Guard (VC105) has never looked better. And it has more than just a couple of enhancements. The Photo Real on this figure is excellent. And the new soft goods are perfection with newly fitted proportions and new beautiful drape. Hasbro also updated the red color of the figure. The subtle orange hue is now gone. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 84-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 and 2021) featured, comparison shots, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

Sigh. I shouldn’t have walked away from Hasbro Pulse’s Fan Fest online event saying “Why does Hasbro hate The Vintage Collection collecting community so much? Why are they completely disengaged from its needs?” But I did. And between the sorry repacks confirmed, to the desperately needed repacks they’re dangling over our heads, I understand why people are fleeing from this scale left and right. The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was the announcement of the re-released Han Solo (Endor) figure. Does Hasbro store any record-keeping of their releases? Do they go to discount outlets? Do they have any indication of what fans want? (more….)

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After Hasbro followed JTA’s advice and updated The Vintage Collection Boba Fett figure from Return Of The Jedi, they mentioned that some units in the earliest production run would feature the original and abominable card art (seen below) featuring the orange nameplate and figure backer and a zoomed-in image of the on-screen character. To date, no units have appeared for sale or arrived at retail. Was Hasbro incorrect, or are they forthcoming from a FILO method of distribution?

That’s a wrap! We concluded our Research Droids Reviews on The Vintage Collection Wave 29, including the long-awaited Return Of The Jedi Boba Fett. If you missed any, be sure to catch up. The carded images are finally updated.

After getting to spend some quality time with my new The Vintage Collection Boba Fett figure from Return Of The Jedi, I noticed two details I missed earlier, although one might be a defect on my sample. The first is that Boba Fett’s head sits a double ball-socket joint, but the point here is that it’s a geodesic sphere, something we first saw on The Black Series [Phase I] Darth Vader (#26) figure. Also, Hasbro tooled a partial head, including a chin, and the lower sides of the jaw. Then I was playing with the jet pack and noticed it splits in half and has an interior that is sculpted as well. But again, this might be a defect on my sample. Check out both images by clicking below, and see even more images of this fantastic figure RIGHT HERE in our Research Droids Reviews! Please leave any comments on our Boba Fett RDR page!

Wow. If Hasbro didn’t do anything right for The Vintage Collection for the rest of 2021 (which is likely at this point), we probably won’t care. Boba Fett (VC186), based on the character’s appearance from Return Of The Jedi, is the best 3.75″ super-articulated action figure of the year. It’s that good. 177 TVC figures separate the first ROTJ Boba Fett from this one, so we waited a LONG TIME for this update. Oh, and it has one tiny issue. Do you know what it is? Check out the rough gallery and the final review. Some updated images coming soon!! (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

Christmas 1983 was one of the greatest years for Star Wars toys. The Return Of The Jedi line included some of the most incredible Star Wars toys ever produced by Kenner. As we quickly approach the 40th Anniversary of the film, we’re going to offer some suggestions for you to produce for us to relive those wonderful days of old. Our next suggestion is The Vintage Collection Sy Snootles And The Max Rebo Band. Kener didn’t release these characters separately in the basic figure line. Instead, they created a special multipack so young kids could acquire the band in one fell swoop. We’re thinking this method would be best for the modern line as well. Either in a specially-boxed multipack or a Special Action Figure Set, we hope Hasbro gives us Sy Snootles And The Max Rebo Band in The Vintage Collection (and all based on the original version of the band, NOT the Special Edtion) for the 40th Anniversary. We should also note that Hasbro must include a puppet version of Sy Snootles!) Special thanks to JTA reader Joey P. for the mock-up artwork!

Well, here is something a little shocking. Did you know that The Vintage Collection TIE Fighter Pilot (VC65) REISSUE is really a new character in the lineup, and shouldn’t be counted as a reissue of the original VC65 figure from 2011? For unknown reasons, Hasbro repacked Lieutenant Oxixo as the 2021 TVC TIE Fighter Pilot reissue instead of the figure with the solid black helmet. Will there be a running change? Because this is incorrect. Lieutenant Oxixo needs a new VC number and new card art – it’s a new character for the line. If Rebel Fleet Trooper gets both a VC52 and a VC183 number and it’s the same figure, then a generic TIE Fighter Pilot and Lieutenant Oxixio need two unique numbers between them! The figure received a couple of other enhancements aside from the obvious. The Photo Real on this figure is not bad. But there are other things. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 76-image gallery complete with both versions (2011 and 2021) featured, comparison shots, and a breakdown of what separates the two releases in the Collector Notes. Check out this confusing re-release in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

Thank you for getting Paploo into The Vintage Collection, Hasbro. As one of the main Ewoks in Return Of The Jedi with tons of screen time, it’s awesome to get an update as well as another Kenner 96 release checked off in our collections. But as usual, you have some work to do. Click through for more.

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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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Yak Face. The Trilogo version has a darker wash. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Yak Face 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Imperial Dignitary. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Imperial Dignitary 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit A-Wing Pilot. The Trilogo version features brighter colors of a horizontally-flipped reference image when compared to the Kenner release. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE A-Wing Pilot 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Lando Calrissian (General Pilot). The Trilogo version features brighter colors, but with more saturated hues. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Lando Calrissian (General Pilot) 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Warok. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Warok 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit EV-9D9. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE EV-9D9 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Luke Skywalker (Imperial Stormtrooper Outfit). The trilogo version features a horizontally-flipped reference image of the character and a few coloring changes. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Luke Skywalker (Imperial Stormtrooper Outfit) 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Han Solo (In Carbonite Chamber). See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Han Solo (In Carbonite Chamber) 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Imperial Gunner. The card art features darker color tones with a pink wash over the entire graphic. Kenner “airbrushed” an image of a new helmet over existing image. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Imperial Gunner 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Amanaman. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Amanaman 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures, and there weren’t any coins provided with them. Today we revisit Romba. Do you notice anything strange? The Kenner version of Paploo shows an image of Romba. And the Trilogo version of Romba shows an image of Paploo. (We should also mention that the Trilogo version of Paploo shows Romba as well, but the Kenner POTF Romba shows the correct character.) See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Romba 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.

We are finishing the Trilogo line up with the final 15 The Power Of The Force Kenner figures. There weren’t any coins provided with these figures. Today we revisit Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) with pop-up Lightsaber. The card art features a horizontally-flipped image of the Kenner version that is darker and features a more complete image of C-3PO. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1985’s THE POWER OF THE FORCE Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) with pop-up Lightsaber 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 Paploo. Just like the Kenner version, the Trilogo card art also erroneously features a reference image of Romba instead of Paploo. Also, the name “pill” humorously has the subtitle of “Action Figure” added. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1984’s RETURN OF THE JEDI Paploo figure HERE.