Endor With Ewok - POTF2 [FF/TKC] - Complete Galaxy

The Endor star system was long thought to be an insignificant, removed cluster with few planets and no major travel routes. For that reason, it was considered the ideal construction site for the second Death Star battle station and in turn became the location of the Galactic Civil War's final battle. The Battle of Endor resulted in the destruction of the Death Star, the slaying of Emperor Palpatine, and the scattering of the Imperial fleet.

Endor's moon (Sanctuary Moon) is home to vast forests of giant trees, many predator species and the tribal Ewoks. The tree-dwelling Ewoks are curious creatures; they stand about one meter tall, rely on primitive spears and bows for hunting, and dwell in village clusters built high within the forest's giant trees. Their understanding of forest survival skills are extremely advanced and came in quite useful during the Battle of Endor where they helped a Rebel strike force destroy the Death Star's force field generator.

Collectors are mostly open to anything new Hasbro creates for them. Bringing figures to us in different ways has always been a welcomed notion. But sometimes new sub-lines reintroduce many characters we already have. And because of this, it bogs down the excitement for these new toys, when they should be enhancing the basic figure line instead. Take for instance the Complete Galaxy line. Sure, the updates to characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader are noteworthy, but we have received a “ton” of them already in the line. Should they be the focus of a brand new sub-line like Complete Galaxy? Or what about the Yoda in the Complete Galaxy line. Although a new sculpt, it’s nearly the same as the basic carded figure released in 1996. However, when Kenner/Hasbro creates a set like Endor With Ewok, our tone changes dramatically. Out of all the sets in the Complete Galaxy line, scene-specific outfit differences aside, the Endor With Ewok set is the only one that brings us an all-new character: an unnamed Ewok. Based on the hang glider included, we’re inclined to believe the Ewok might be Retah, but that’s a name that is found nowhere within Star Wars canon and only uttered by actor Felix Silla, the man who played this Ewok in the film.

The Endor With Ewok set may be the most intricate and most outside-of-the-box of them all. Outside you’ll discover a globe that looks a lot like planet Earth. On the inside lower half you’ll find a micro diorama of Endor including a taken-down AT-ST complete with lush green trees and the bunker. The paint operations inside are beautiful, and many colors are incorporated here. In the upper half, you’ll see an attachment for the hang glider and Ewok. You can lock the wings of the hang glider down thanks to a clever locking mechanism created by Kenner/Hasbro. Or you can spread the wings to show the Ewok in flight. The “skin” of the hang glider’s wings are woven from a silky and satiny fabric dyed to look like animal skin. It’s sewn in place and attached to the “wooden” parts cast from firm plastic. We’re happy that Kenner/Hasbro added a removable feature to the hang glider. It creates an unlimited amount of play value for kids and collectors and allows us to keep the globe separate from the Ewok and its accessories if we choose not to display them together. Also included with the Ewok and hang glider is a pair of rocks (permanently joined together) which serve as “bombs” to the Galactic Empire or any other enemy threatening takeover or harm to Bright Tree Village.

The Ewok figure is an interesting figure. Kenner/Hasbro took the Wicket figure from 1998’s POTF2 [FF/TKC] Ewoks: Wicket & Logray two-pack and significantly retooled it. The head/torso section of the figure is completely new, even though they kept the same shape and features of Wicket present. But this time the figure has a cowl (or hood) that is part of the tooling (and not removable) and some added details to the torso including a belt. But the arms and legs are the same as what we see on the Wicket figure. Also, Kenner/Hasbro completely repainted the Ewok in a cream color making it look opposite of Wicket. Also, on the back of the figure, there is a backpack of sorts with a hole in it. This extra feature is present so you can attach the figure to the hang glider and fly him through battle. It took Kenner/Hasbro three years to get out the first Ewok in the basic figure line. It’s nice to see them add a “new” Ewok character into the line the same year they introduced the species in the basic figure line. The Endor With Ewok Complete Galaxy set is indeed the nicest of all the sets released. But with only four produced, it doesn’t have much competition. We think that by not including a Hoth or Bespin Complete Galaxy set in the line was a huge misstep, but this one is certainly one to enjoy in lieu of the latter.