Figure of the Day: Day 52: Luke Skywalker Bespin

LUKE SKYWALKER The Empire Strikes Back
Original Trilogy Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 85376
Number: OTC-26
Includes: Lightsaber, Bacta Tourniquet, Blaster, Display Stand
Action Feature: Removable Right Hand, push button for dueling action
Retail: $4.99-$5.99
Availability: Fall 2004
Appearances: Primarily Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The Rebel hero Luke Skywalker interrupts his Jedi training with Yoda to fly to the Cloud City if Bespin, to rescue his friends who have been captures by the evil Imperial leader, Darth Vader. As he fights to free his friends, Luke battles Darth Vader in a lightsaber duel and discovers that this terrible villain is, in fact, his own father. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Traveling off-course from Dagobah, Luke explores the vast uncharted regions of the fridge in my kitchen.

Commentary: One of the finest molds from 2002, this Luke Skywalker came out in 2004 repainted and revised for a new market. Before, he was sweaty, bloody, and included a weathervane from which he could hang. This version cleans Luke up a bit, makes him a bit more presentable, and drops the weathervane while adding a display base. As far as basic Luke figures go, this is one of the best, with 12 points of articulation, the ability to sit, stand, slice, dice, and exploit magnets as well as a working holster. You can "hack" off his hand, and he displays well. It's shocking that this figure came out before the 2003 "Death Star II" Luke who looks like a cross between He-Man and a hunchback. This figure is superior to the 2002 Bespin Luke in terms of deco, but it's missing the giant accessory. As such, we would have to advise you to buy both.

Collector's Notes: Shipping for a very short time, this figure isn't too easy to find but, thankfully, is still somewhat cheap. As such, it's worth running out and buying. The packaging is also excellent as it recreates a scene completed by 2006's Bespin Darth Vader. Also notable, the 2002 Bespin Luke had three unique hand variations. For those who keep track of such things, this one uses the "bloody Luke" mold, but it is not bloody. (As far as the 2002 version goes, a non-magnetic version was released, as was a "metal peg" version that was, you guessed it, not bloody.) Another worthless note, I got into an argument with Mike in 2002 over what was the better figure: the original release of this figure, or Ephant Mon. (I still think this was a bigger milestone.) Luke was one of the first figures to have this much articulation-- and action features-- this well executed.

Day 52: June 27, 2006