Luke Skywalker (Bespin) - TBS [TESB40] - Six Inch Figures

After 2017’s The Black Series [Star Wars 40] lineup, most collectors first assumed then anticipated that Hasbro would follow suit to celebrate 40 years of both The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi. Right on time, Hasbro produced a collection of ten 6” figures placed in vintage Kenner-inspired packaging to not only celebrate 40 years of The Empire Strikes Back, but also do some homage-paying at the same time. 1980’s ESB Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) started us down this path. One of the most popular figures from the early 80s, Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) manifested itself as the consummate hero that all of us wanted to imitate and emulate. Years later, Hasbro released the first modern vintage Kenner interpretation of this character as 2007’s VTSC Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues). The figure was warmly received by 3.75” collectors, but over time the figure lost its luster. Only a few short years later, Hasbro created The Vintage Collection and released 2010’s TVC Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) (VC04) figure. A tremendous upgrade from when compared to the 2007 release, it’s considered the definitive interpretation of the character to date. Now that we’re living in an era where the focus on The Black Series 6” line, Hasbro reinvents the classic Kenner card back for the 6” figures and release Luke Skywalker (Bespin). We’re happy to see a line of figures celebrating 40 years of The Empire Strikes Back, but Luke Skywalker (Bespin) has some issues when it comes to packaging. And we're particularly annoyed at Hasbro revising the subtitle in the nameplate.

First and foremost, 6” collectors will adore The Black Series [The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary] Luke Skywalker (Bespin) figure. There is no way you’re not going to want multiples of this figure for your collection. Although Hasbro took most of 2014’s The Black Series [Phase I] Luke Skywalker (#11) figure, the tooled an all-new head sculpt (with separate hairpiece – non-removable – and a fantastic Photo Real paint job on the face. The rest of the figure is completely repainted as well. But most importantly, Luke Skywalker (Bespin) no longer has the rubbery texture of the 2014 version. Whatever plastic they used back in 2014 is no longer used, and now the figure has a solid, rigid, and unbendable characteristics by comparison. We hope the days of loose and jittery weak plastics are no longer a thing with Hasbro’s Star Wars action figures. Let’s talk about the new portrait a little more. It’s stunning. And the use of Photo Real makes this likeness favor Mark Hamill very much. If you don’t see the similarities to Mark Hamill in our Photo Gallery, you’ll see it in person. Luke Skywalker comes with a lightsaber, which breaks down into a hilt and a blade, and a blaster pistol. For the 40th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, it would have been nice to get some new accessories with this figure, like a Jedi training backpack, or a lamp, or a case of rations. Come one, Hasbro! You have to think outside of the box!

Unfortunately, Hasbro DESTROYED the card back art for Luke Skywalker (Bespin) figure. It’s dreadful beyond words. We honestly don’t think we’ve seen a worse interpretation of the Kenner card back of any classic Kenner figure than this one. The ORIGINAL images exist on Google, so we don’t know why Hasbro didn’t do the proper legwork and locate the images to be exact to the 1980 ESB Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) figure. Whether or not they found a workable and properly sized image to recreate the card art is unknown, but what they did here in its place is almost unforgivable. Besides, this release would have been the perfect opportunity to release the alternate card back of Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) with the blue background and the close-up image of the character holding the blaster. There are so many missed opportunities here. It’s crushing to the heart. Whatever they did, the character reflected in the artwork looks “fake.” While the silhouette of the character is nearly identical to the artwork of the vintage Kenner figure, the finer details, like the face and head angle and expression, the position of the hands, and the details of the outfit are ALL-NEW, and it ruins the nostalgia of the original release and artwork. If you can get past the packaging, Luke Skywalker (Bespin) is an excellent update to an action figure in need of a dramatic update. We finally got that much-needed update, and we have the figure in vintage Kenner packaging.