Luke Skywalker - TBS [P2] - Six Inch Figures (#12)

Hasbro has royally surprised us and exceeded our expectations with The Black Series [Phase II] Luke Skywalker [Stormtrooper Disguise] 6” figure. We have to be honest. The line has been dull for much too long. The figures are quite cookie cutter and quality and content is diminishing rapidly. But when it comes to Luke Skywalker (Hasbro dropped the “Stormtrooper Disguise” designation in favor of foreign text), it appears as if they are realizing the error of their ways and are hopefully coming back to the 6” lines roots which began with excellence (and plenty of accessories for the 6” figures). Luke Skywalker isn’t loaded with his own accessories, but the total of three unique pieces added here are noteworthy in that they’re as relevant as they are necessary. Together, they complete Luke Skywalker beautifully and who is definitely one of the highlights of the entire The Black Series 6” line to date. We don’t say that lightly either. Hasbro has added plenty of wonderful base figures into the line like the Sandtrooper (#03) and the Stormtrooper (#09). They could have just added a new head sculpt to these existing sculpts like they basically did for Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise) (#09). But they didn’t. And for this we credit them greatly. We admit that we are all over the map emotionally with The Black Series 6” line. It is way too inconsistent and that drives us mad. But figures like this stoke the burning embers into a raging fire. Thankfully, our interest is renewed.

During the NYCC Preview Party in 2014, Jedi Temple Archives learned that Luke Skywalker (who was only in its infancy prototype stage) would be coming with a retooled torso to make him “a little short for a stormtrooper.” It was hard to tell from what was displayed, so we were wary whether or not this was going to happen or not. We’re happy to report that what was told and engineered into this figure has come to pass and the results are quite remarkable. Luke Skywalker has an all-new torso. Not only does this give him the necessary shortened height (yet keeps him proportionate to Han Solo in the same gear), this removes the obnoxious hole on his back that makes even some of my closest collecting friends fall to pieces in an inconsolable manner. (That’s sarcasm folks and you know who you are.) The ball-jointed waist is extra tight most likely due to the newly tooled parts and clicks with each movement and locks the figure into place as needed. It’s a wonderful articulation system. Also newly tooled is an all-new utility belt. It has a “holster” for the included comlink accessory, but there is other gear on the back of the belt that we saw Sideshow Collectibles first capture on their highly sought after 2009 San Diego Comic Con exclusive Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper Disguise)/Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise) 1:6 Scale Figure two-pack. It’s nice to see Hasbro capture similar detail on the 6” scaled version now. It’s these little details that prevent figures to start looking like clones of each other in the same scale (as ironic as that may sound, especially for the Clone Trooper figures in this line).

Just like the other figures that utilize stormtrooper armor, Luke Skywalker comes with an astounding 30 points of articulation. The use of premium insert-molded ball-jointed articulation coupled with both ball-socket and double hinge-jointed articulation gives Luke Skywalker a wealth of articulation for all your articulation needs. Even swivel articulation has been worked into the biceps and thighs to give the figure incredibly human like movement when posing it. Luke Skywalker has a very nice portrait too. From both front view and side view this looks very much like Luke Skywalker. You will most likely be as thrilled with the results as we have; we’re sure of it. Our sample has a few paint operation issues in the eyes, but it isn’t terrible. We still think that the price of this line commands perfect specimens, but until Hasbro fully resolves factory issues, we will just have to be patient (and boiling mad at the same time). Once again, and for reasons unknown, Hasbro believes that Luke Skywalker has auburn hair. Interestingly, the color of this figure’s hair isn’t as off as the Luke Skywalker (#03) figure (the one based on his Jedi Knight outfit). Still, we think the hair color is something you may be able to overlook because overall Luke Skywalker shines a whole lot more than he stinks. And we honestly don’t feel he stinks in any way possible. When posed with Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise) (#09) and Chewbacca (#04), Luke Skywalker couldn’t be a more viable figure in The Black Series 6” figure lineup. We’re extremely pleased with how he turned out. Now let’s keep up this strong pace Hasbro. This is the way to do it!