It's only February and I've already purchased as many Star Wars: The Black Series figures this year as
I did last year! The number for both years is only two (and only three in 2023), which is more of a critique of the line and my interest in it for last year, I guess. This year started off with all new versions of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa from Star Wars: A New Hope and I really wanted both of them. It doesn't get much more classic than these two and it really was time for a new version of the Skywalker siblings from the original film.
The first Black Series Luke in his Tatooine gear was released in 2016 in the Phase III line and it was just OK, even back then. Hasbro tried to go for soft goods for Luke's tunic; it was a decent choice, but the execution wasn't perfect nor was the headsculpt one to write home. Collectors will debate until the end of time about why Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford have likenesses that seem to be so difficult to capture but Hasbro has been improving, especially since they've been using the face printing work on their figures for better details. I remember how impressed I was when I upgraded my POTF2 Luke Skywalker (He-Luke!) to the Luke from the Purchase of the Droids cinema scene, and that was only about a 2 year gap. Heck, remember the "Flashback" Episode I tie-in Luke Skywalker with his rifle, floppy hat, and binoculars from 1999? He had elbow joints. Elbow joints! This new Black Series Luke feels like a worthy upgrade, so let's check him out after the break...
The Facts:
Height: 5 3/4 inches
Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, swivel/hinge knees, ball jointed hips, ball jointed waist, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ lateral "butterfly" joints, swivel biceps, swivel/ hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck, and a barbell jointed head.
Accessories: Lightsaber hilt with removable blade, belt pouch, and macrobinouclars.
Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars
The Positives:
* Overall, I think this is just a better looking figure thanks to the plastic sculpted tunic versus the rubber tunic. Soft goods can be done well in this scale, but they tend to work better on items like capes, trench coats, ponchos, and the like. Luke's tunic just didn't drape right on the previous figure. This one looks excellent, however. The main body of the tunic is an overlay made from a softer rubber. The belt is also a separate (but non-removable) piece while the bottom of the tunic is also separate, but the waist joint is hidden by the belt, so you don't realize the tunic is split into two pieces. The colors look excellent to my eyes and the fit seems correct. It's not a form fitted garment and almost looks oversized on Luke's slender frame. Luke's a very atypical hero when you think about it as he's not particularly muscular or confident at the beginning of his journey, and this figure does capture this Jedi Master's humble farm boy origins quite well.
* Hasbro's headsculpts for actors have really come a long way since 2016 when they first started using the Photoreal technology and face printing. I think Mark Hamill as Luke is so embedded in our minds that anything the slightest bit off is noticeable but I think this is a pretty darn fine portrait of younger Luke. The eyes, the face shape, and the chin all look spot on. I think the hair is pretty good, too. Hasbro, Kenner, and most other companies have always struggled with getting Luke's hair color correct, but this is about as close as I've seen.
* Luke's tunic has been approached many different ways, too. This isn't a removable piece but it does lay over the body and there is a clear separation between the overlapping sides of the front of the tunic. Making it sculpted enhances the appearance here while also keeping everything lined up perfectly, something tough with soft goods, especially in this scale.
* Luke's boots are kind of complex. They're boots, yeah, but they're also covered by leg wrappings, presumably to keep the sand out. It does get everywhere, you know, and I'm sure Luke hates when that happens. This is a really nicely detailed part of the figure. There isn't a boot swivel joint but where the pants meet the wrappings is a separate piece, allowing for different colored plastic and a clean divide.
* The articulation on this figure is very different than the Phase III Tatooine/ A New Hope Luke. Some joints the earlier figure had are missing, but there are some new joints present and re configured. There's no reuse here from that figure, by the way. Rather than double jointed elbows with a bicep swivel and double jointed knees with a thigh swivel, Luke has swivel/hinge joints that have a pretty nice degree of motion and flow more with his baggy outfit. He's also sporting a balljointed waist hidden by his belt. The head and neck movement is excellent and, thanks to the lateral shoulder hinges, he achieves holding his lightsaber with both hands quite well.
* On the back of Luke's belt is a long, rectangular pouch that is actually removable. Not sure why but it has a little hook that fits over the belt. Actually, I'm guessing it comes off so you can place him seated in a vehicle like the
Landspeeder more easily.
* Luke's lightsaber is nothing new as we've seen them since the line began. The blade is still detachable (and I still wish we received a regular lightsaber and just a hilt piece) though the peg is much sturdier looking than before. It really completes Luke's look, even though he doesn't use his lightsaber all that much in A New Hope.
* Luke also comes with his MB450 macrobinoculars. These are very slick. They're hefty and it's a bit of work to get them in his hands, but it can be done. The paint details are all impressive, especially for being a relatively small accessory.
* The lightsaber has a loop on it so it can hang from Luke's belt. It's a fairly sturdy hook and the loop fits over it well, keeping it securely in place.
* There's a notch on the bottom of the macrobinoculars which also allows them to be stored on the same hook as the lightsaber. You'll have to work it a bit but it does work. By the time Luke is outside the Lars Homestead after it has been attached and burned by the Empire, he's wearing the lightsaber where he kept the macrobincoulars earlier in the film, so this does make sense to only have one item at a time.
I'm really quite glad that Hasbro has went back and revisited this version of Luke Skywalker in the Black Series. The original figure was never all that impressive so this one really is a huge leap forward. He's a bit light on accessories, but that's kind of par for the course for the Black Series. Fortunately, between the
Landspeeder Luke with his hat, poncho, and rifle, and the
"Skywalker Strikes" Luke with his helmet and training remote, we've had most accessories I want. An alternate Stormtrooper belt would have been cool with this guy. Figure-wise, this is an excellent Luke. The design is excellent, the articulation should allow you to get most poses you'd want, and the likeness is better than most other A new Hope versions of Luke in this scale. This is a Great and a 1/2 figure and a retread of a design we've already received that's definitely worth revisiting. I actually sold my A New Hope Luke, Leia, and Han Solo last year when these were announced and now I'm glad I did.
Looking for more of Luke Skywalker? Then swing by
Tosche Station for all of my Luke Skywalker reviews.
For more Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV reviews check out the following:
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