By now every collector in town would've known that Hasbro has ended the Vintage Original Trilogy Collection (VOTC) line to pave way for the Black Series line for both the 3.75" and the all-new 6" line. These new Black Series packaging is a departure from the retro VOTC look and now we get the action figures packed in a black/orange-ish package design. Well, technically these are still an extension of the VOTC figure line but what in God's name was them folks at Hasbro thinking when they opted to shelf the VOTC style for such a modern look? I thought every single Star Wars collector were content with the VOTC run and none wanted Hasbro to change the retro look to the 'black' packaging? I guess the marketing guys at Hasbro know something that we don't.
Whatever it is, the Black Series packaging doesn't really invoke any nostalgic feeling in me and I take it that this is just one of Hasbro's packaging gimmick 'phase'. As soon as I've snapped some pictures of the packaging. I immediately took Luke out from his plastic cell. That's how much 'nostalgia' I have for the new packaging....nope, no guilty feeling whatsoever for not keeping it MOC for the sake of the 'beautiful' cardback.
So with the gripes on the packaging out of the way, let's take a look at this new Black Series 3.75" Luke Skywalker (Yavin Ceremony) action figure!
For the record, I had only set my eyes on this figure from Wave 1 and I managed to stay focused by getting just that (although was mighty tempted to snag that 'blast-shielding' Vader many a times too! STAY ON TARGET!). Since I'm an OTC (Original Trilogy Collection) nut, then this figure is ever so essential for my collection.
Honestly if you ask me, the previous Yavin Luke from the TAC Collection in '06 (or was it '07?) badly needs an update since that one doesn't even look like Luke Skywalker/Mark Hamill. I only have the POTF Yavin Luke (the one released in the late 90s) so I'm thankful I totally skipped the TAC version and went straight to this one! We've already got the so-called 'ultimate' Episode IV Han Solo from Episode IV (VC42) and it's only fitting that Hasbro gives us a better Luke as well.
Seriously, if ya ask me, Hasbro is not churning their Princess Leias fast enough. I mean, where are the various versions of Princess Leia? They have been giving us endless versions of Padme Amidala so why can't they give some attention to Leia? Our medal ceremony won't be complete without having an updated version of her. I'm still gonna hold on to my POTF version from yesteryear until that one eventually comes out.
Anyway, back to Yavin Luke. He has all of the standard articulations we've come to expect from previous VOTC figures save for that ball-jointed hip joints that we yearned so badly from a Star Wars figure. That is probably gonna be the main stumbling block from making this figure perfect in most collectors' books.
Han: "Sheesh...she's so due for an update! POTJ sculpt is so yesterday!"
Luke: "Tell me about it Han..it took them almost a DECADE to update me in this uniform since my POTJ days!"
Luke: "Haha...mine's bigger than yoursss!"
'Yavin Luke' (so much easier on the mouth ain't it?) comes with an ignited lightsaber, an'unlit' lighsaber hilt (though no hole exists on Luke's belt to peg in onto!) and a blaster.
Honestly if you ask me, the previous Yavin Luke from the TAC Collection in '06 (or was it '07?) badly needs an update since that one doesn't even look like Luke Skywalker/Mark Hamill. I only have the POTF Yavin Luke (the one released in the late 90s) so I'm thankful I totally skipped the TAC version and went straight to this one! We've already got the so-called 'ultimate' Episode IV Han Solo from Episode IV (VC42) and it's only fitting that Hasbro gives us a better Luke as well.
Obviously, Yavin Luke comes with a removable medal and you can opt to display him without it. Although this 'scene-specific' Luke is specifically depicted as how he looked like at the end of Episode IV, you may allow your imagination to run wild and pretend that he's in an 'alternative' uniform while he pilots his X-Wing or something.
While not exactly the best Luke Skywalker likeness, the head sculpt has very sharp features and at par with the VOTC offerings. I think adult collectors will appreciate this more than the kids as we strive to find the 'ultimate' version of Luke for our collection.
Seriously, if ya ask me, Hasbro is not churning their Princess Leias fast enough. I mean, where are the various versions of Princess Leia? They have been giving us endless versions of Padme Amidala so why can't they give some attention to Leia? Our medal ceremony won't be complete without having an updated version of her. I'm still gonna hold on to my POTF version from yesteryear until that one eventually comes out.
Anyway, back to Yavin Luke. He has all of the standard articulations we've come to expect from previous VOTC figures save for that ball-jointed hip joints that we yearned so badly from a Star Wars figure. That is probably gonna be the main stumbling block from making this figure perfect in most collectors' books.
The paint on my Yavin Luke is pretty good. No obvious slops or bleeding anywhere. If this is the type of QC shown on the Black Series figures, then I think we're in for a treat! Kudos Hasbro!
Again, coming back to the articulation thing....what a waste of action figure! He could've been so much more if Hasbro had just given him the ball-jointed thing for his hips. But I guess Hasbro just wanted us to use him for the medal ceremony eh? Just standing around pretty while waiting for Princess Leia to award both him and Han for their bravery.
Still, I'm thankful that we even get these in this age where Hasbro even produced the 5-point of articulation action figures (I don't even know what they're called but they're clogging up the shelves right now!). I heard that those 'retro' articulated figures were Hasbro's response to parents who complained that the 3.75" line were a tad bit expensive to buy for the kids. I'm totally avoiding that one. Funny thing is, The Black Series figures seems to be lesser in quantity than the 5-POA figures on retail shelves...is Hasbro moving away from adult collectors? Point to ponder.
THE REBEL'S VERDICT: I'm anxious to see what other new figures come out from the 3.75" Black Series line after this. I've set my mind on a couple from Wave 2. Definitely gonna pick and choose from now on as my main focus is on the 6" line these days. However, I love it when Hasbro gives us the updated versions of scene-specific characters. Now how about a 'medical frigate Luke' update dear Hasbro? Complete with the bacta-tank perhaps? Yavin Luke is an absolute must for youse OTC hardcore collectors, especially if you wanna complete your medal ceremony diorama/display. I may be biased here as I've been waiting for this figure for quite some time now. Despite the ball-jointed hip shortcomings, I'd still say that he's worth your money and I recommend you to pick him up next time you see him. He's fast disappearing from retail pegs here in Malaysia, so that's saying something about him.
*Scroll down for a few more pictures of him*
Han: "Sheesh...she's so due for an update! POTJ sculpt is so yesterday!"
Luke: "Tell me about it Han..it took them almost a DECADE to update me in this uniform since my POTJ days!"
Luke: "Haha...mine's bigger than yoursss!"
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