Tag Archives: Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

The Vintage Collection Luke Skywalker (Hoth [Outfit]) (VC95) still needs new tooling, but the re-release is a major update. It looks good thanks to Photo Real updating and fixing matching elbow joints in the arms. It has many other enhancements as well. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 108-image gallery complete with both versions (2012 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.

Let’s go back in time and check out the Jumbo Vintage Kenner Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear) figure. It’s pretty darn awesome (more….)

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Check out the latest Milestone Statue from Gentle Giant: Darth Vader, as seen in The Empire Strikes Back. Click through for the full gallery over on the Gentle Giant Facebook page.

There is mixed reception with Princess Leia (Bespin Escape) (VC187) figure. But it’s not as bad as you think. Hasbro released the last version 20 YEARS ago. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? This version has a lot of new tooling. See what Hasbro did! (more….)

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Tonight’s Visual Guide update features one of the first basic figure releases from the Disney Parks Droid Depot line. Click below to check out 4-LOM. Make sure to also stop by and check out our full review of this figure.

The best 3.75″ super-articulated 4-LOM action figure that money can buy is a Disney Parks exclusive in the Droid Depot line. We say that admitting the deco isn’t accurate. Forget about The Vintage Collection version — it’s pitiful by comparison. See why you’re going to want this new 4-LOM action figure, and perhaps in multiples for your collection. If Hasbro is smart, they’ll ask Disney to borrow this tooling and get it into the reborn TVC lineup stat. (more….)

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The worst wave of The Vintage Collection repacks of all time is now hitting your local Walmart store. JTA reader and friend Russ T. found the wave at his local Walmart in NJ. Let us know of your store finds too in the comments!

The Black Series Archive Han Solo (Hoth) figure is a significant upgrade to the original release. But does it meet definitive status? We’re not so sure. (more….)

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A new wave of The Black Series Archive figures is beginning to hit. Let’s look at Luke Skywalker (Hoth) from that wave. (more….)

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Happy Holidays! Our The Black Series Holiday Edition Visual Guide updates continue. Today we are adding the Snowtrooper (Holiday Edition) to the guides. Click below for our full Visual Guide page. Click here to check out our full review of this figure.

We’re moving forward with our six-day run of holiday-themed Star Wars collectibles. Today we’re going to look at The Black Series [Phase IV] Snowtrooper (Holiday Edition) figure. We identify where all the parts come from for you. The detailed review is the same for all five figures that are part of this assortment, but each character has a unique Photo Gallery. Oh, and be sure to check out the reference image in each review featuring the digital manipulation prowess of JTA reader and friend Alientek You’re going to love them! (more….)

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The Black Series [Phase IV] 6″ Rebel Trooper (Hoth) figure is a wise repack for the line. But why didn’t Hasbro include two alternate faceplates with this version? Bad, Hasbro! Bad! (more….)

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The Yoda Galaxy Of Adventures 5″ figure is awesome! (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

We have another repacked figure from The Black Series [Phase IV] for tonight’s Visual Guide update. Click below to check out the full Visual Guide for Darth Vader (TESB01). You can also check out our full review of this figure right here.

Tonight’s Visual Guide update adds the repacked Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) (TESB02) figure from The Black Series [Phase IV]. Click below to check out the full Visual Guide page. You can also revisit this review right here in our review database.

5POA is never OK, but at least Hasbro did something good with the Celebrate The Force multipacks, a parting gift for collectors as they close the tooling archives on these figures forever. The Bounty Hunters set includes a new take on R5-P8 that uses the same tooling as a The Vntage Collection figure. This character first saw release in Disney’s Droid Factory line. The rest of this multipack is a waster Are you buying these sets for your collection? (more….)

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5POA is never OK, but at least Hasbro did something good with the Celebrate The Saga multipacks, a parting gift for collectors as they close the tooling archives on these figures forever. The Galactic Empire set includes a new take on R2-Q5, a figure we haven’t seen Hasbro release is 19 years. And the included TIE Fighter Pilot and Snowtrooper sculpts are better than their current super-articulated counterparts. The rest of the set is “meh.” Are you buying these sets for your collection? (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!

Today we revisit 4-LOM. 4-LOM wasn’t part of the Trilogo line. We’re showing one of the foreign Return Of The Jedi card back instead. 4-LOM was a late release in 1982 because it was first offered as the line’s mail-away figure that year. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1982’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 4-LOM figure HERE.

Here is the basic figure release of The Black Series [Phase IV] Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) figure. Are you buying it again to complete the mural? (more….)

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It’s just a straight repack, but will you get it for your collection? The Black Series [Phase IV] Darth Vader is a dang-nice figure. (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 Zuckuss. Zuckuss has card art that’s nearly identical to the Kenner release. See the full Trilogo card art and additional notes by revisiting 1982’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Zuckuss 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 [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.

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 AT-AT Commander. AT-AT Commander has card art that’s nearly identical to the Kenner release. See the full Trilogo card art and additional notes by revisiting 1982’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK AT-AT Commander figure HERE.