Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,403: Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master, The Last Jedi Line Look)

LUKE SKYWALKER Jedi Master
The Last Jedi Basic Figure Orange Assortment
Item No.: Asst. C1503  No. C1509
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Cloak
Action Feature: Force Link sounds
Retail: $8.99
Availability: September 2017
Appearances: The Last Jedi

Bio: Luke Skywalker was a Force-sensitive human male Jedi Master who was instrumental in defeating the Galactic Empire and the Sith during the Galactic Civil War. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  I'm sure this comes off as jerky, but I'll say it.  Hasbro - you should have released this Luke Skywalker figure in 2015, or at the latest early 2016.   There's no reason that this The Force Awakens costume couldn't have been released any time since the movie's release, or sooner, since all of us old farts are frothing at the mouth for new versions of Han (January and May 2016), Leia (May 2016 only so far - her main costume remains unproduced), and Luke from The Force Awakens.  Like, it's friggin' Luke Skywalker.  Even though all he did was show up and collect a check on a mountain, this is arguably the most important thing in the line.  We're here because we love these characters more than is healthy, and it's a tremendous shame to not see them come out after ample available opportunities.  Having said that, we're very happy to have him now.

This Luke figure is one of very few to not include a weapon.  Off the top of my head, I can name two - the Power of the Jedi (and later reissues) X-Wing Pilot costume had no blaster or lightsaber, and the Bacta tank version included his tank, a computer, and an Action Diaper.   This one has a cloak - which, so far, is consistent with the movie.  A Porg would be nice, since we don't know which (if any) weapon he'll use in the new film yet.  Unless that cane is a lightsaber, in which case, oh well, spoiler alert for Galactic Heroes.  The cloak is one of Hasbro's better efforts, and would be 100% welcome on a new Return of the Jedi Jabba's Palace Jedi Luke figure.  Heck, maybe even this exact one - it hangs on his shoulders with the hood down.  It's plastic, and it's perfect.  I love it.

The snotball jerk in me has to say "Hasbro made me wait two whole years, so this had better be good."  It is.  The sculpted detail on the robes is exquisite, with wrinkles and folds rendered perfectly.  White paint slathered over off-white plastic really pops nicely, and the texture for his various garments is incredibly good.  The costume coloring isn't that far off from  his farmboy togs, but applied to Obi-Wan Kenobi's garments.  Visually, it's very obvious who this character is (supposed to be.)   He can stand.  He can sit pretty well too, all things considered.  The hands are nice - one robot, one flesh - and the head sculpt is really great.  The hair's even good.  As Luke figures go, I'd say this is one of the better faces Hasbro has ever done.  I'd be curious if their sculpt/scan data could be applied to doing more good "classic" figures at this scale, and I'd hope we're about due for more.   Luke's good.  You'll want a Luke.

Force Link quotes include: "May the Force Be With You."  "Trust your Instincts." "Come. I'll show you the true meaning of the Force."  If you shake it, it makes a "whooshing" thunderous burst followed, eventually, by "Leave this place!"  I can't actually tell if it's Mr. Hamill or a soundalike.

I'm not going to mince words - you want this figure. I hope you already got one.  You'd probably stomp stores to get one, behaving boorishly and swiping it out of a back room if you had the chance.   It's Luke.  It's Old Man Luke.  You don't need more convincing than that.

Packaging Notes: The basic cardback is lighter and has less material than before, and is much easier to open than the last two films.   There is no bio on the packaging - a shame - and no co-sells.   There are photos of the figure on the box, though, which have been absent for a few years.   I know I say this a lot, but this may be the worst overall 3 3/4-inch packaging for a single basic figure yet - it's about 70% warning labels.and Force Link upsells with no other figures, vehicles, or toys being promoted.  The movie's title "The Last Jedi" is absent from the packaging.  The last time this happened was in 1999 with The Phantom Menace.

Assortment Notes: The basic 3 3/4-inch assortments are split in "Orange" and "Teal" assortments.  There is no orange and no teal on the packaging or cartons - it's sort of like a more obtuse version of "Collection 1" and "Collection 2" or "Jungle/Space" and "Desert/Snow," if you catch my meaning.   This allows stores to be more nimble in their ordering of assortments while giving more product shelf space to 3 3/4-inch action figures.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,403: September 5, 2017