Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) - TVC - Basic (VC158)

Whenever Hasbro reissues a figure from The Vintage Collection, it often experiences a metamorphosis of sorts, most times for the better. But when it comes to the Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) (VC158) reissue, we don’t see much change at all, and perhaps that’s a good thing. Aside from a notable “tightening up” of Photo Real details in the face, not much else separates the 2019 version from the 2024 re-release. So, if you were on the fence about this figure and don’t care about the upgraded card art, this may be one of the few reissued figures you can easily pass on and save your money. We’re thrilled to see the updated nameplate and stiffer card stock. And, of course, we’re excited about the tighter paint operations, but you may not be able to see all of the differences here with the naked eye. The more significant takeaway here is that Hasbro is fervently focusing on characters from the Original Trilogy, specifically Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. After one dreadful Disney Star Wars release after another, it’s refreshing to see them get back to basics and release or re-release the characters that matter. Not only are we getting reissued classics, but they’re also updating past releases with all-new takes on the figures. Again, it’s lovely to see all this attention given to the Original Trilogy once again. Hasbro also updated the font to Avant-Garde on the nameplate, something that Jedi Temple Archives has lobbied for since The Vintage Collection’s return. We’re thrilled to see it corrected after so many seemingly futile attempts.

When first released, Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) was part of the Luke Skywalker (Jedi Destiny) Special Action Figure Set, a significant convention exclusive. Later, Hasbro included the figure single-carded in the first wave of action figures that focused on Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker. It was the best figure of wave 23, the wave for Triple Force Friday. Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) has been a mainstay in the Hasbro Star Wars line for as long as we can recall. This is now the third effort to card the character in modern vintage Kenner-inspired packaging. The first, 2006’s The “Vintage” Saga Collection Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot figure, didn’t fully meet the expectations of the Star Wars collecting community with its inaccurate head sculpt, but Hasbro did tool a super-articulated body that made most of us happy. Then, they released the first version of this action figure. Now, thanks to technology, we have the best-looking Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) action figure that we’ll ever receive from Hasbro. With Photo Real deco technology, enhanced super-articulation, and a likeness that rivals all previous versions, it’s fantastic to finally check out the “Vintage versus Modern” counterpart for Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) in our Star Wars collections. Nothing differs from the figure in the Luke Skywalker (Jedi Destiny) Special Action Figure Set or the first single-carded release. So, if you have one or the other, rest easy knowing it’s the same figure. It’s the packaging that sets the two apart (mostly).

Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) takes all previous versions of the character in this outfit and instantly makes them obsolete. Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) has NEVER looked better, and Hasbro should be pleased and PROUD of what they accomplished with this figure. If we had to direct any criticism to them about the figure, we’d comment that the flight suit’s straps around the thighs are much too tight and inhibit the full range of movement of the joints. With a little finagling, you can put them up over the joints and take advantage of the articulation, but it’s a bit time-consuming, and the figure doesn’t have as much fluid lower body movement as we’d like to have seen. Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) comes with a helmet that was designed to go over the head of 2019’s TVC Rey (VC156) figure. This is a fact not too many collectors know. Lastly, a blaster pistol is also included with the figure. The figure doesn’t hold it as well as we’d hoped, but it is functional, so it’s ultimately a non-issue. It’s fantastic to have Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) as a single-carded figure in The Vintage Collection again. The card art looks great, too. The 2006 figure came with a dark blue nameplate and figure backer. Now, Hasbro has updated those areas on the card back in light blue (the correct color of 1979’s STAR WARS Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Fighter Pilot original vintage Kenner figure). The reference image looks cleaned up, and the reverse side of the card features the latest graphics.

Editor's Note: Hasbro re-released The Vintage Collection Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot) (VC158) figure in June 2024 with a significant number of changes. Updates include: (1) slightly revised paint operations/deco, (2) tightened up Photo Real application (3) refreshed 2024 packaging and updated naemplate, and (4) different placement of action figure in bubble

Review Status Update: The original publication date of this review is September 19, 2019. It was subsequently updated with a new Photo Gallery and revised General Analysis and republished on June 26, 2024 after Hasbro reissued the figure.