The Retro Collection Target Exclusive 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Set
Item No.: No. G1082
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: SE-14C blaster, DL-21 blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $59.99
Availability:
Appearances: Star Wars
Bio: The Star Wars Retro Collection features design and detailing inspired by the original 1970s Star Wars figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from a galaxy far, far away. (Stolen from the marketing copy. Packaging has no bio.)
Image: Adam's photo lab.
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Commentary: The first figure of this set I opened was Dr. Evazan. I thought it was going to be Walrus Man, but no - this one gave me a lot of questions I needed answered. This is the first new licensed Kenner-style Cantina resident since the 1970s. That's kind of a big deal, and the kind of thing that invites excessive scrutiny because this style of figure is kind of a big deal to those who celebrate. If you're a guy my age who is me, this is an essential addition to any collection even though Dr. Evazan wouldn't have been the first - or fifth - Cantina figure I'd have asked for.
The figure's sculpt is very good. If what you're hoping is for a figure that fell out of a time warp, it's close. I don't think anyone is using the same tools, budgets, and limitation of Kenner in the 20th century unless your name rhymes with Beven Feddes. The details are not as sharp as authentic original Kenner figures, but it seems less soft than most modern Retro figures. The head in particular has some solid grooves around the nose and mouth, but some softer scarring around the eyes. The hair is much more accurate than I would have guessed, with a slightly receding hairline, and such notable features as ears. If you look at your 1970s humans, the ears are not exactly prominent. I like the one white eye and one normal eye, plus the gray eyebrows are nice. I was almost going to complain about the head seeming small, but Han Solo's first head in 1978 was tiny and we loved him.
The body, arms, and legs are similarly a bit better. The left arm has that famous claw-like hand, which can sometimes hold an accessory but may or may not have been designed to do so. The right hand can grip a blaster easily, so he can hold both if you wish. The arms bend away from the body a little more than I feel was normal for my older figures, but that's OK. I mean, the line died 40 years ago, and it's never going to be exact. Different sculptors have different takes, and this one as a feel that's asymmetrical (like the old days) but not quite as dynamic as some of the poses Kenner gave us. But, it's also significantly more lively in his body language than Cad Bane. There's no unique knee or ankle bend like some of the older figures have, but the feet go out at different angles. The wrinkles on the pants are a bit more distinctive. The painted shirt looks good. I'm not sure how I feel about the exposed chest yet - but there isn't another Kenner figure of that vintage showing that much skin. So I can't say it's wrong, either.
The deco is simple, arguably better than most of this figure's hypothetical peers. Dr. Evazan has purple pants - a choice, I assume, to be intentionally weird against the traditional gray Evazan trousers - and I love it. It's subtle, with a figure that's mostly all business from the waist up and a little more Kennery below the belt. I'm surprised Hasbro painted the holster and the strap around his thigh - most old Kenner figures didn't go through the trouble - and also painted the belt buckle. Some Han figures have a painted buckle, but some don't. The black boots look good too. The figure isn't nearly as glossy as actual 40-47 year old Kenner figures, but it has enough shine that I think it's good enough to fit in on most displays. It reminds me a bit of the first figure from 1997, paradoxically being both more primitive and more authentic. There is less paint here. The head sculpt is more accurate. The pant color seems intentionally silly. But the holster and belt buckle look great. Taken for what it is, it's a nice figure.
What puts this figure over the top are his accessories. The black blaster - a SE-14C - is what we saw him draw in the movie. It's also what we saw on the floor next to Ponda Baba's severed arm. So the question is, did Ponda have one too, or was this Evazan's, dropped to the ground? The Vintage Collection/The Black Series 3 3/4-inch Ponda Baba included a version of this weapon too, but most collectible Ponda Baba figures include a DL-21, the gray blaster in this set. This opens up a world of play and display opportunities, and if you have an extra old Walrus Man missing his blaster? You now have an extra gun to give him. Making toys that interact with other toys is what makes collecting fun - you want figures for your vehicles and playsets for your figures - and having gear you can share between figures is enjoyable too. I appreciate that this figure adds options to your Walrus Man needs.
If this were sold individually for $10, I'm convinced you'd never see it. A new Cantina guy, plus a blaster for your old guys? That's incredible. You no doubt have a few Evazan figures, but if you never could get over the old Kenner style? You'll want this one. You may even prefer this one. If Hasbro left off the silver on the belt I think it would feel more lowercase-v "vintage" but it's still very excellent, with a lot of personality, and a step in the right direction. If you have a chance to buy the set, I'd say go for it.
Packaging Notes: Hasbro confirmed the stickers are a lower-tack, easy-peel so they come right off. Fans have observed that some cards were stickered with the bubble on top of the label. My Dr. Evazan was made this way, and somehow it slid right out from under the bubble with no tears or fuss. So if you're the kind of person that wants to devalue your unpunched, packaged figure by removing part of it, so its next owner gets damaged goods while you can't play with it, you may now do so without ripping the cardback. I was really surprised the sticker slipped out from under the bubble.
Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target. My first pre-order got canceled. My second random middle-of-the-night order took a week.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 3,249: June 12, 2025
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