Luke Skywalker (In Hoth Gear) - POTF2 [R/G] - Basic

Height: 1.75 Meters
Status: Jedi in Training, Rebel Pilot
Classification: Human
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance
Weapon of Choice: Lightsaber, Blaster Pistol

You could tell that Kenner/Hasbro was still riding the learning curve of human character by the time The Power Of The Force “2” line upgraded to the green card back style. One of the earliest figures that year, Luke Skywalker (In Hoth Gear) was exciting because it was the first modern version of the classic 1982 Kenner release, but once collectors added him to the ranks of their collections they began to realize that this modern update was a far cry from what they expected. Still borrowing details and features from some of the earliest POTF2 Luke Skywalker figures, it felt like we were getting the same figure over and over in a different outfit. And without sounding smart, that’s exactly what we WERE getting. The Luke Skywalker (In Hoth Gear) action figure is not without merit. Kenner/Hasbro, for the first time ever, has updated the coloring on this version of Luke Skywalker and clearly illustrates just how off the vintage Kenner figure is. But until the can create a face sculpt and more streamlined proportions, collectors like us will only be pining for better.

The shoulders are too wide and the waist is too small. After all, Luke Skywalker doesn’t have that “V” shape that built men do, so it makes the aesthetics of the figure wrong in our eyes. The scarf contains no articulation so if you choose to pose this figure upside down, the scarf is going to defy gravity. That would have been one way to upgrade the figure in a way that has “never” been done to date. Luke Skywalker (In Hoth Gear) comes with six points of articulation. There isn’t anything earth-shattering here obviously, but the figure’s strengths lie in its paint job. It is truly nice to see this character finally get (for the most part) the correct color palette because collectors are about screen accuracy. Now we have a screen accurate (for the most part) Luke Skywalker (In Hoth Gear) figure. Hasbro decided to have the goggles rest on the brim of his cap which actually looks great. It’s a pretty standard look for the commander and unless it is a separate accessory we think the “goggles up” style is the best.

Luke Skywalker (In Hoth Gear) comes with two accessories: a lightsaber and a blaster pistol. Either hand can hold either accessory, but for the best fit the left hand is for the lightsaber and the right hand is for the blaster. The blaster is obnoxiously large and it makes us scratch our craniums over how Hasbro is unable to make appropriately sized guns for these Star Wars figures. The deco on this figure is not bad. On our sample there are a few instances of sloppiness and overspray, but for the most part this figure is right on par with most of the others in this line. Generally speaking however, we feel that many collectors won’t find Luke Skywalker (In Hoth Gear) to be an acceptable modern update to the classic Kenner figure. Between the disproportionate frame and the poor likeness, collectors just aren’t going to be satisfied with this figure until sweeter treatment is given to this character. Always a popular figure in 1982, Kenner/Hasbro is going to have to do more in order to get us giddy about this release. This figure just doesn’t cut it.