Jedi Luke Skywalker & Bib Fortuna - POTF2 [R/G] - Collector Series (Exclusive)

Bib Fortuna, a member of the Twi'lek people, became one of the foremost "clandestine exporters," or smugglers, of the addictive chemical ryll. This chemical and its profitable trade caught the attention of the Empire, as well as smugglers and slavers. Bib Fortuna's "business" eventually brought enslavement and death to some of the Twi'lek people.

Angry at the injustice, the Twi'lek brought Fortuna in front of a court of his peers and sentenced him to death, but the clever Fortuna escaped promising one day to take his revenge.

Bib Fortuna then received an interesting offer. The Tatooine ganglord, Jabba the Hutt, wanted in on the spice smuggling trade and asked Fortuna to perform and his production and transport agent. Unfortunately, the Imperial Navy began to intercept the spice shipments, and Jabba began to get angry. The demanding boss had no patience for mistakes and tended to exterminate anyone who might do so, so Fortuna decided to request a higher position in Jabba's organization and was surprisingly granted one.

Bib Fortuna became a lieutenant, helping to conduct business and bowing his head and tails whenever necessary. Jabba was impressed with the Twi'lek's organizational and management skills and brought him into the inner circle of Jabba's chosen few. Eventually, after presenting Jabba with a gift - an enormous rancor beast, and the untimely death of another lieutenant, Fortuna became Jabba the Hutt's majordomo.

Unfortunately this position did not last long.

While trying to save Han Solo from the grips of the Tatooine gang lord, Luke Skywalker played a Jedi mind trick on Fortuna, forcing him to allow the young Skywalker entrance. Luke threatened the obese Jabba with destruction if he didn't set the Jedi's friends free. Jabba tried to feed Luke to his rancor, but watched in disbelief as the young Luke defeated the beast. Jabba, in anger, then scheduled the execution of Skywalker, Solo and Chewbacca, but failed and the Rebels launched their escape. In fear, Bib Fortuna raced to his skiff and was never seen again!

Authentically styled straight from Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker features his highly detailed Jedi uniform complete with lightsaber and Bib Fortuna features his jumpsuit, chest plate and cloak! This special edition set, available for the first time ever, is destined to become a classic collectible.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

One of the most sought-after exclusives of 1997 was the Jedi Luke Skywalker & Bib Fortuna Collector Series two-pack. An FAO Schwarz exclusive, they could barely keep up with the demand for this set. They developed a “pre-order” waiting list where collectors patiently awaited the set’s arrival. The two-pack arrived in November 1997, and it exceeded most collectors’ expectations. With two all-new figures based on characters from Return Of The Jedi, the Jedi Luke Skywalker & Bib Fortuna duo provided collectors with two excellently designed 12 Inch Figures. They're part of the Collector Series line and they still hold up well despite improvement made to the line. Jedi Luke Skywalker was a long-awaited 12” figure before this release came to be, and Kenner/Hasbro designed an excellent interpretation of the character. Complete with a removable tunic and cummerbund, you can convert Luke Skywalker in both ways he appeared in Return Of The Jedi. The figure comes with a lightsaber as well, which breaks down into a hilt and blade. Bib Fortuna is the star if the set. The figure has a stunning likeness to the on-screen character. And Kenner/Hasbro added layered soft-goods to recreate the costume. The coloring more closely resembles the vintage Kenner Bib Fortuna figure, but the final product is gorgeous. Kenner/Hasbro instituted a running change on Bib Fortuna. The first version came without finger gloves; the second version corrected that error by adding teal paint recreated the missing “accessory.” Reserved as an FAO Schwarz exclusive, the set had an MSRP of $59.99. That is a high price in 1997, but many collectors didn’t think twice plopping that cash down for this two-pack.