Tag Archives: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

The Vintage Collection wave 26 Visual Guide updates continue tonight with Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper) (VC169). Click below to check out the full Visual Guide page for this figure. You can also check out our full review right here in our review database.

Well, color us surprised. Hasbro redid the Photo Real application on this Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper) figure. We had no idea they intended to update it with any changes at all. It’s an excellent 3.75″ super-articulated action figure. We have a definitive version of this character finally. Are you repurchasing it for your collection? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

In Italy, Star Wars figures were released under the Harbert company label. The name of the line for the first Star Wars figures there was called Guerre Stellari. The card back didn’t vary all that much for the ones produced by Kenner, but there are obvious differences as you inspect and compare. Featured on 20-Back, the reverse side of the card features the same toy images in colored blocks made famous by Kenner, in addition to a few other related toys, including the Millennium Falcon and the X-Wing Fighter among others.

Today we revisit Power Droid. The figure wasn’t made available in the Trilogo line, so we’re representing it on the Italian Guerre Stellari packaging for our update today instead. Note the alternate card art, exclusive to this packaging. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Power Droid figure HERE.

In 1984, the new packaging design 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 Death Star Droid. The Trilogo card art doesn’t vary much from the original Kenner card image. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Death Star Droid figure HERE.

In 1984, the new packaging design 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 R5-D4. In the Trilogo line, the figure was renamed Arfive-Defour (R5-D4). The Trilogo card art doesn’t vary much from the original card image. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS R5-D4 figure HERE.

In 1984, the new packaging design 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: X-Wing Pilot. In the Trilogo line, the figure was renamed Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Fighter Pilot). The Trilogo card art doesn’t vary much from the original card image, save for more yellowing this time around. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot figure HERE.

In Italy, Star Wars figures were released under the Harbert company label. The name of the line for the first Star Wars figures there was called Guerre Stellari. The card back didn’t vary all that much for the ones produced by Kenner, but there are obvious differences as you inspect and compare. Featured on 20-Back, the reverse side of the card features the same toy images in colored blocks made famous by Kenner, in addition to a few other related toys, including the Millennium Falcon and the X-Wing Fighter among others.

Today we revisit Walrus Man. The figure wasn’t made available in the Trilogo line, so we’re representing it on the Italian Guerre Stellari packaging for our update today instead. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Walrus Man 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 Snaggletooth. 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 Snaggletooth figure, while the back features the Trilogo logo and figure group shot. You’ll notice that the card art for this version is significantly “darker” than the first STAR WARS version. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Snaggletooth 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 Hammerhead. 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 Hammerhead figure, while the back features the Trilogo logo and figure group shot. You’ll notice that the card art for this version is significantly “darker” than the first STAR WARS version. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Hammerhead 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 Greedo. 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 Greedo figure, while the back features the Trilogo logo and figure group shot. You’ll notice that the card art for this version is significantly “darker” than the first STAR WARS version. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1979’s STAR WARS Greedo 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 the Death Squad Commander, which was known in the Trilogo collection as Star Destroyer Commander (Commandant de L’Etoile Noire). This figure, like the Jawa, is one of the rarest figures in the Trilogo line. A common misnomer, many believe that this figure wasn’t released in the Trilogo line, but this isn’t true. The figure only came mis-carded on the AT-ST Driver packaging. Interestingly, card art was designed for Star Destroyer Commander (Commandant de L’Etoile Noire) figure but was never released. We created a mock-up utilizing the original card art created, and then also added the AT-ST Driver packaging to show how the figure arrived at retail The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Death Squad Commander figure HERE.

It’s the last one from the first wave! Do you recall how Hasbro treated 3.75″ super-articulated collectors when it came to celebrating the 40th Anniversary of A New Hope? The Titanium Series Han Solo is another one of the ways to remember how we got to celebrate the four-decade landmark. (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 Tusken Raider (Sand People) (Homme des Sables) which doesn’t vary much from the classic Kenner card art, except for the name. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Sand People figure HERE.

Remember how Hasbro treated 3.75″ super-articulated collectors when it came to celebrating the 40th Anniversary of A New Hope? The Titanium Series Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the ways to remember that nightmare. It was a disappointment on MULTIPLE levels. (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 the Jawa which is one of the rarest Trilogo figures in the entire 70- figure run. The Jawa’s Trilogo card art features a heavy revisiting and reimagining of the original Kenner card art. The reference image of the Jawa is reversed. And they “airbrushed” heavy black “filling” around a cropped version of the character. These “black blotches” on the artwork were created for Kenner’s 1978 Toy Fair catalog for clear placement of the action figure. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Jawa 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 Han Solo. Han Solo’s Trilogo card art features an alternate image of the character with a background of the halls of the Death Star. For one strange reason or another, Kenner neglected to finish the image below Han Solo’s wast, resulting in a “pink underwear” reveal. The artists at Kenner “airbrushed” the bottom half of the character that didn’t exist in the original publicity shot. Most of the background is “fake” and also part of the “airbrushing” technique of the early eighties. It was also used for the running change American Kenner Return Of The Jedi figure. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Han Solo figure HERE.

Happy 43rd Anniversary to the film that started it all: Star Wars. It debuted in 32 theaters across America 43 years ago today! We’d also like to say Happy 37th Anniversary to Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi!

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 Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi. Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi’s Trilogo card art features an alternate “portrait style” image of the character with a background of the Millennium Falcon inside of the Death Star. The artists at Kenner “airbrushed” the bottom third of the character and added a lit lightsaber that didn’t exist in the original publicity shot. Most of the background is “fake” and also part of the “airbrushing” technique of the early eighties. It was also used for the running change American Kenner Return Of The Jedi figure. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi figure HERE.

In 1984, a new packaging design of Star Wars packaging 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 Stormtrooper. The Stormtrooper’s Trilogo card art varies quite a bit from the standard cart art image of the Kenner release. Plumes of bright orange and yellow smoke as well as blackened areas were airbrushed onto the image. The altered card art came from a 1978 Kenner Toy Fair catalog so that the figure could be seen against the background image. The new detail added to the card art provided the background for the figure in the catalog The packaging also comes with the name Stormtrooper (Garde Imperial) printed on the name “pill.” The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Stormtrooper figure HERE.

Let’s finish up the last two days of Research Droids Reviews with some cool releases. First up is the Cantina At Mos Eisley (With Sandtrooer & Patrol Droid) 3-D Display Diorama. It’s essentially perfect! See a host of images in our review today!

In 1984, the new packaging design 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 Darth Vader. Darth Vader’s Trilogo card art doesn’t vary much from the original card image. It’s interesting, however, that they didn’t use the running change Death Star II Darth Vader image instead. The packaging also comes with the name Darth Vader (Dark Vador) printed on the name “pill.” The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Darth Vader figure HERE.

The Star Wars “Saga” line gave us “Troop Builder” sets. Let’s finish up with the Rebel Trooper Builder Set which was also a Fan Club exclusive in 2002. See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

The Star Wars “Saga” line gave us “Troop Builder” sets. Let’s check out the Stormtrooper Troop Builder Set which was a Fan Club exclusive in 2002. See more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.

On May 4th several Star Wars toy photographers released a rather impressive project: an action figure recreation of A New Hope. It’s a joint effort of nine people, sadly, the project is not quite finished, maybe 90% is done, but even so, there are more than 250 images, using the full range of action figures, TBS, TVC, SHF, Bandai model kits and even Kenner, plus some custom figures and dioramas. The entire portfolio makes for one very ambitious and excellent photo novel. Projects like these show what can be achieved with a clever combination of both 1/12 and 1/18 scale figures, custom dioramas, and off the shelf vehicles. Maybe the photography bug may bite you as well when you see the excellent photos that recreate iconic scenes from the movie. Click through for a couple of highlights!

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The Power Of The Force “2” Detention Block Rescue playset is great, albeit imperfect. See it in detail in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.