Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,142: Luke Skywalker (Epic Hero Series)

LUKE SKYWALKER New Kids Line, Jedi Master
Epic Hero Series Basic Figure
Item No.: Asst. F9405 No. G0102
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Backpack, lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: January 2024
Appearances: The Book of Boba Fett   

Bio: Luke Skywalker rose from humble beginnings to become on of the greatest Jedi the galaxy had ever known. (Taken from the packaging)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

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Commentary: If we got this Luke Skywalker in the 1990s, I would be giddy. For all intents and purposes, it's a modernized version of the 1983 Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker minus the cape and blaster - instead, you get a lightsaber and a backpack. It could be a bit fancier, but Hasbro didn't cut all the corners in this not-quite-4-inch take of the character that was Mr. Star Wars forever.

This is, of course, not Luke from Return of the Jedi but rather a The Book of Boba Fett version complete with backpack and big belt buckle. And the glove. This line slightly exaggerates his features with larger hands, slightly fluffier hair, and bigger boots - but that's typical action figure stuff. The design choices are really interesting on this one - sure, he's got a ball neck, that's no surprise. 

What struck me were the shoulders being cut on a slight angle so when they swing forward, they also go out a bit - this gives him better dueling poses or, if you prefer, allows him to emote the size of the fish he just caught. His legs swing forward, but a couple of plastic strips hang off his belt and will go forward with them. This might be bad if he spends a lot of time sitting, but with no Luke vehicles in this line as of yet, it might not matter for the average kid. I wish they just integrated these parts on the leg sculpt.

One of the more improbable things is that this Luke figure has a better face - or at least, one I believe more easily - than the digital mask we saw on TV. It's not a dead ringer for Mark Hamill, but the eyes glisten a bit and the eyebrows look good. The hair is nicely sculpted and all the textures look appropriate for a toy action figure. It feels legit - and the clear green lightsaber feels right.

But that's not all! You get a weird little backpack that looks like a bike basket, and it plugs in his back with tiny straps hanging over his shoulders. It's sturdy, but those straps do look a little comically short. It's easy to remove, though, unlike the ribbed locking mechanisms we had from Kenner in the 1980s and The Retro Collection. This is a good execution of the idea and Grogu easily fits inside. It's actually a little loose, so he doesn't quite stay in there if you flop him around. If I were Hasbro I would've put a foot peg in there, but as it is, it's a fine accessory that's appropriate to the episode.

Luke is by no means amazing but he's good. I don't think a kid will get him and be upset - the limbs move, he can hold his accessory, he stands well and he looks good. Hasbro picked a nice, cheap outfit with minimal decoration to help keep costs down too. I doubt you need more Luke figures in your life, but I'd nudge you to consider this one. I'd love to see more original trilogy characters in this style if they're roughly as good as this one, and I hope the line continues to take off so we can maybe get an X-Wing or R2-D2 or Boba Fett of some sort.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,142: June 13, 2024