Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - TLC - Commemorative Tin Collection (2 of 3) (Exclusive)

If the 30 (77-07) Kmart exclusive Commemorative Tin Collection sets lacked vision, then The Legacy Collection Kmart exclusive Commemorative Tin Collection sets lack complete reason. We have to wonder that after the near complete failure of the TAC exclusive Commemorative Tin Collection sets why Kmart would gamble and take the risk to offer three more sets in the new The Legacy Collection line with more figures that collectors had already secured for their collections in other ways. In fact, this particular set is almost half of a wave of the 30 (77-07) line with no new updated paint operations, no new tooling or kit-bashing in the least. It’s a good bet that there will never be any more Commemorative Tin Collection sets made for collectors again after this wave. This is a complete shame for us, because had Hasbro continued the trend of adding something “new” to these multipacks, it would have generated enough interest to keep this exclusive format running strong. These were a niche but neat sub-line of exclusives. It seems like they should have had more life. But with costs rising and revitalizing exclusive concepts fading, it seems that we’re heading in a direction of the incessant repack era, which is as sad as it is frustrating. This isn't the worst thing Hasbro has put together, but perhaps a few hard to find figures and cool background droid repaints may have been better options here.

The Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (2 of 3) set is visually pleasing to the eye. There is no denying that. You may want it for that reason alone. It’s colorfully bright with striking details and pops out at you the moment you see it. But with the exception of one action figure, this set is essentially a repack of many of the figures from wave 2 of the 30 (77-07) line. Luke Skywalker, Biggs Darklighter and Death Star Trooper all made up this wave in early 2007, but here they are again a little more than a year later is new packaging and a corresponding tin (which has also not been updated in anyway sadly). (Editor's Note: All figures have been updated. 2013's TBS Luke Skywalker (#05) updates Luke Skywalker. 2013's TBS Biggs Darklighter (#04) updates Biggs Darklighter. 2011's TVC Stormtrooper (VC41) updates the Stormtrooper. And 2012's TVC Imperial Navy Commander (VC94) updates the Death Star Trooper.) Admittedly, the new packaging harkens back to the vintage Kenner era (a little) so that may be the selling point. But if you’re an opener, there is probably no reason at all for you to remotely consider this set. And if matters couldn’t be worse, the elevated MSRP is just way too high for what collectors are getting in this set. We know prices continue to rise, but man, this just isn’t worth it. Besides, you technically get less in this tin set than you did if you bought these figures individually carded for their original MSRP. (And you would still save money!)

Luke Skywalker is a straight repack of 2007’s TAC Luke Skywalker (30 12) figure. If you think he looks different that the figure in your collection, well, it’s probably because he is different. You may not be aware, but Hasbro ran a subtle running change to 2007’s TAC Luke Skywalker (30 12) figure. Hey updated his hair (to an inaccurate shinier reddish brown color) and they added the missing black details to the included Darth Vader’s lightsaber hilt. So maybe this particular figure looks different to you, but it was originally available in the TAC basic figure line. Biggs Darklighter is a straight repack of 2007’s TAC Biggs Darklighter (Rebel Pilot) (30 14) figure. It’s unfathomable why Hasbro couldn’t have taken this opportunity to utilize either the VTSC or TLC Evolutions sculpts to update this character. Biggs Darklighter is officially dated. And while he has a decent likeness, it’s time for a major overhaul. The Death Star Trooper is a straight repack of 2007’s TAC Death Star Trooper (30 13) figure and obviously no differences exist. And lastly, the Stormtrooper is a straight repack of 2007’s TAC Imperial Stormtrooper (30 20) figure. Hasbro could have done a lot better for us here. But if you need these figures, here is your second chance. (Editor's Note: It's evident that all fo these figures are now obsolete. All have better sculpts now, but in retrospect, these weren't the worst first offerings we received of these characters.)