Figure of the Day: Day 241: Luke Skywalker (Endor)

LUKE SKYWALKER Battle for Endor
Post-The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 86950
Number: 044
Includes: Stand, blaster pistol, belt, lightsaber, helmet, poncho
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2006
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Luke at first volunteers for the mission to Endor out of his native idealism, but when he senses the presence of Darth Vader aboard the Executor, he reaches a critical decision that nearly renders futile all of the work of the Rebel Alliance. Surrendering himself to the Imperials on Endor, he is taken by Vader to the Emperor, in whose presence he learns the final lesson that allows him to truly be called a Jedi Knight. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: The computer desk of Adam Pawlus.

Commentary: Initially, fans assumed that this Luke Skywalker was just the 2004 Jedi Luke with a new hand and new accessories. Turns out this is totally wrong. The figure does have a retooled hand, but also has retooled legs-- check out the knee joints when you get this one, as there are new and different joints that don't feel nearly as flimsy. The figure has no problems standing, can be posed in a variety of ways, and is (by modern standards) fairly loaded with accessories. Due to the large-ish gun, the ease of which the helmet can be removed, and the simple cloth parts, this feels like more of a toy than a collector figure, which is a nice change of pace. While not the best figure of 2006, it's a great revision of an old favorite, and every time a nice new figure comes out from Endor I get a little spring in my step. Hopefully a new (and by new, I mean all new) Leia from the same scene isn't far behind.

Collector's Notes: Since it's a new figure, it's a little hard to tell how much of this is hearsay, but a lot of people reported problems finding this figure upon its release in the second half of 2006. It was packed a smidge shorter than other figures initially, and since figures were fairly hot, well, you get the idea. This figure also happens to be the first carded modern version of Luke in this outfit. It's also worth mentioning that an Endor Poncho Luke was one of the illustrious Power of the Force collection from Kenner in/around 1984, which are widely regarded as the hardest-to-find figures from the original movie line.

It's also worth noting that the 2004 Jedi Luke on which this figure was based was reissued in a Battle Pack around the same time as Endor Luke was released. This Battle Pack figure is significantly inferior, with horrible paint, bent limbs and, on my sample, a very loose wrist joint that flops around like crazy. Maybe Hasbro retooled the Endor Luke for reasons beyond aesthetics, eh?

Day 241: January 2, 2007