JTA Presents: Evolutions - Biggs Darklighter (X-wing Pilot)

Welcome to our inaugural entry for our JTA Presents: Evolutions feature. This new column focuses on how close or far we are from having a definitive Hasbro 3.75″ action figure for the featured character. Today we look at Biggs Darklighter in his X-wing pilot outfit. Hasbro made great strides forward with this character, but have we arrived at definitive status yet? Weigh in and let us know what conclusion you’ll come to by clicking through.

Biggs Darklighter is an endearing character for many longtime Star Wars fans. While we didn’t get to see all of the scenes he was in throughout A New Hope, we do learn rather quickly his relationship with Luke Skywalker, and how meaningful their friendships were. Seen only in his X-wing pilot outfit in the final cuts of Episode IV, Hasbro released three unique sculpts of this particular version of him, and each release has its charm. But do we have a definitive version? Before assessing this, check out each version in our RDRs (links are listed below) and refresh yourself with what Hasbro has done with him to date.

Biggs Darklighter from 1998’s The Power Of The Force “2” [Green/Freeze Frame] line.

The very first iteration of Biggs Darklighter came with very little articulation and no removable helmet, much to the chagrin of eager Star Wars collectors. He did, however, come with a Freeze Frame action slide which we imagine was to make up for the figure’s lack of features. Still, it was exciting in 1998 to finally get Luke Skywalker’s best friend in the basic figure line, but it also felt like it came at a cost. And by cost, we mean that the most significant approach for the figure wasn’t taken. With a minimum six points of articulation, Biggs Darlighter was a bittersweet release. And it would take Hasbro nearly a decade before they’d get to updating him.

Biggs Darklighter (Rebel Pilot) from 2007’s 30 (77-07) line.

After Hasbro released 2004’s Star Wars [Saga – Phase III] Dutch Vander (Gold Leader) (Battle Of Yavin) (’04 #13) figure, they had a pretty good base body to utilize for future X-wing pilots. Aside from tooling an all-new sculpt, it was a significant upgrade from previous X-wing pilot action figures. It would take three years, but Hasbro finally took the Dutch Vader figure to create Biggs Darklighter (Rebel Pilot) for 2007’s 30 (77-07) line. This version of Biggs Darklighter (Rebel Pilot) was far from perfection, but many collectors felt it was a great “hold us over” version until they tooled a definitive all-new release.

Biggs Darklighter from 2013’s The Black Series [Phase I] line.

All of us should probably assess The Black Series [Phase I] Biggs Darklighter (#04) figure as definitive (or pretty darn close). And for all intents and purposes, it is. But sadly the figure comes with a much-too-pale complexion, and an oddly color flight suit, much different in color than most of our orange-clad X-wing pilot uniforms usually look. The figure is, however, super-articulated, and can attain a variety of poses which is always a good thing. He can also pilot an X-wing fighter and interact with other figures in this scale beautifully. He could use one more update, and we’d ask that Hasbro just redo the coloring of the deco and clean up some of the applications, because that’s about all he needs to be perfect.

Biggs Darklighter (X-wing Pilot) Group Shot

Questions for discussion:

1. In your opinion, do we have a definitive version of this figure?

2. If we don’t have a definitive version of this figure, should Hasbro tool a new figure from the ground up again, or should they tweak a current sculpt to perfect it instead?

3. If the figure ranks as definitive for you, do you want to see it repackaged in vintage Kenner packaging (The Vintage Collection) if it isn’t already?

4. Add any other points of note or interest in the comments about any of these versions of Biggs Darklighter action figures.

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