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Name: Bespin Luke Skywalker
Collection: The Power Of The Force "2" [Freeze Frame/The Kenner Collection]
Number: N/A
Source: The Empire Strikes Back
Availability: January 1998
License: Hasbro
Sensing his friends are in critical danger, Luke Skywalker ventures to Cloud City before finishing his Jedi training. Unbeknownst to him, Darth Vader has prepared an elaborate trap with the darkest of intentions.
Fans began wondering by the end of 1997 when Kenner/Hasbro would make one of the most iconic interpretations of Luke Skywalker in the modern line. Of course we’re talking about the staple Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) figure from 1980 that still has a special place in all of our hearts even today. Sure, they thought outside the box and brought us the interesting, but not well made, Luke Skywalker (In Dagobah Fatigues). Really a “Jedi training” version of Luke Skywalker, he was intended to be filthy looking and not wearing his jacket. It served a great purpose in the basic figure line, but collectors wanted an equitable modern update. Thankfully The Power Of The Force “2” Freeze Frame line made this a reality for all of us. With better proportions (i.e. no steroid usage here), a slowly inclining better likeness and a feature that just makes fan boys’ knees buckle, Bespin Luke Skywalker would become the premier “Luke Skywalker” action figure the line had seen to date. And in all honesty, it does look pretty good, albeit not perfect, of course. Hasbro addressed a few key things on Bespin Luke Skywalker. Although the likeness isn’t yet perfect, it’s a huge step forward when compared to some of the earliest POTF2 Luke Skywalker figures. Let’s face it; modern Kenner/Hasbro have difficulty with getting human likenesses right. It may take a few more tries before we see complete success in that area.
But perhaps the crowning achievement is the inclusion of a swivel/removable right wrist which not only allows for more articulation, it helps recreate a screen accurate moment during the climax of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. We absolutely adore this feature and think it was one of the simplest things Kenner/Hasbro could have done to propel this action figure into collectors’ favor. Why it took a collector’s “eternity” to get this version of Luke Skywalker out to us in the modern line is something of a quandary. But regardless of the wait period, Kenner/Hasbro delighted collectors everywhere because Bespin Luke Skywalker really came out “beyond our expectations” better. Not everything is perfect on him. His accessories, especially his blaster pistol, are abnormally large and even though the lightsaber is much less obtrusive, it is missing key black details which define it as Luke’s. Even with simple articulation, Bespin Luke Skywalker had the ability to stand unassisted, sit unencumbered and he can be articulated in ways that look extremely authentic and screen accurate. What more could you want from a simple action figure like this? Bespin Luke Skywalker also has a very nice paint job. He may not be as filthy as Luke Skywalker in Episode V appeared as he wandered through the halls of Cloud City, but Hasbro did manage to add a bit of wear and tear to his outfit and we think the attempt is admirable.
Bespin Luke Skywalker’s legs are not positioned side by side. He has been tooled in a slight “foot forward” position. This however does not affect his center of gravity at all. As a result, he can stand up unaided brilliantly well. Likewise, he can hold his accessories well and appears to be as screen accurate as possible. His uniform is dirty in spots and the detailing in the creases, hems and pockets have been done very, very well. But we have to reiterate how pleased we are with the removable hand feature. It’s not all too often that Star Wars collectors are afforded the opportunity to “dismember” their action figures. Overall, we have to say that we’re quite pleased with how Bespin Luke Skywalker has turned out. There isn’t too much we can complain about here and it isn't as if we are bringing up any negatives; it’s honestly just nitpicking. As part of the very first wave of “Freeze Frame” figures, Bespin Luke Skywalker (as well as his wave mates) have the distinct attribution of costing a dollar more than all previous basic figures in the Star Wars line. The opening Freeze Frame wave marks collecting history as the first wave to flirt with a price increase. Sadly, it was a price increase that would stick. Included with Bespin Luke Skywalker is an awesome pack-in premium: a Freeze Frame Action Slide. There really is no “action” to be had with them, but these extras work in a real slide projector. We have to say that we’re quite impressed. They have a true collectability of their own.
Status: Bespin Luke Skywalker is an all-new figure.
Articulation Count: 7 points (7 areas of articulation)
Articulation Details: swivel head (1), swivel left shoulder (1), swivel right shoulder (1), swivel right wrist (and removable hand) (1), swivel waist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1)
Accessory Count: 2
Accessory Details: lightsaber, blaster pistol
Date Stamp: 1998
Collection: 1
Freeze Frame Details: Luke Skywalker ventures into Vader's web on Bespin's Cloud City.
Assortment Number: 69570/69713
UPC: 076281697130
Retail: $5.99 USD
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
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