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Name: Chewbacca
Collection: Star Wars [Shadow Of The Dark Side]
Number: SL18
Source: The Empire Strikes Back
Availability: August 2010
License: Hasbro
Chewbacca and Han investigate a strange signal picked up by the Rebel base on Hoth. They alert Echo Base when they discover it is an Imperial probe droid. The Wookiee attracts the droid's attention, and Han blasts the droid, trying to destroy it before it sends a message to the Empire.
Your attention please! There are a few technically "new" figures in the 2010 Saga Legends line each year. Not "new" as in we haven't seen them before, but new as that their paint jobs slightly vary and that they're available for the first time on a basic card. Were you aware? The Saga Legends line since its inception has given collectors a few surprises each year. Hasbro always manages to include a "new" figure or two in the mix which really invigorates the sub-line. For 2010, otherwise known as the year of The Empire Strikes Back, Hasbro has again given us a "new" figure for the Saga Legends line. And this time it is Chewbacca as he appeared on Hoth during the Imperial probe droid scene. First seen in the 2008 TLC Hoth Recon Patrol Battle Packs set, he now gets the privilege of becoming a basic carded figure in the Saga Legends line. Chewbacca for years now has been a mainstay in the Saga Legends line and with each release, Hasbro has changed him up to be a new and unique of him throughout the various scenes he appears in the films. In the 2007 TAC Saga Legends line, Chewbacca was based on his Episode III appearance. In 2009, the Saga Legends Chewbacca (SL15) jumped ahead two episodes as Hasbro utilized the 2007 TAC Betrayal At Bespin Battle Packs figure. It came with the mynock hunt gas mask which made him very scene specific. The first version however was an error, as the 2008 TLC Chewbacca (BD 3) Return Of The Jedi deleted scene sculpt and was used instead (but quickly replaced). Hasbro now takes another stab at Chewbacca for the 2010 Star Wars [Shadow Of The Dark Side] collection, but this time they used the 2005 TSC Early Bird Figures Chewbacca and splattered him with "snow" to recreate his appearance taking on the probot. This is the same figure that was released in 2008's TLC Hoth Recon Patrol Battle Packs set with some barely noticeable paint variances.
This was a great sculpt for Hasbro to use for Chewbacca, but believe it or not, a repaint of the "sandstorm" Chewbacca may have been the better choice simply for the fact that his hair is windblown in that release. The 2010 Saga Legends figure really looks more like Chewbacca as seen in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope with white specks on his face and fur. So in other words, Chewbacca looks a little too neat and kempt to be in the middle of a snowstorm on Hoth fighting the Empire's droids. But now that we stated our opinions on the figure, how well does this new version of Chewbacca stack up? The last time we got a basic carded version of "Hoth Chewbacca" was in 1998's The Power Of The Force line. That figure was pretty great for the time. He was a little bit short, but he too had a windblown look to the fur on his face. This is certainly an important trait of his appearance on Hoth. The new figure unfortunately just doesn't capture this. The next "Hoth Chewbacca" didn't come until 2003's SW The Battle Of Hoth multipack that was a Toys R Us exclusive. That Chewbacca was in better scale and the figure wasn't half bad, but again, Chewbacca had his hair combed back nice and neat. Another version of "Hoth Chewbacca" was released in 2006's TAC Episode V Commemorative Tin Collection. But that figure was a debacle. It looked like he was wearing white mittens and booties while someone smacked him in the back of the head with a bag of flour. It was a mess. Still, one of the best "Hoth" versions of Chewbacca remains the one found in the Hoth Recon Patrol Battle Packs set (and this is essentially the same exact figure. The paint job now is slightly different and the snow deco looks a little more pronounced, but it is essentially the same figure and it's nice to get him on a single card. You know we always like to point out the differences on seemingly identically repacked figures, so here you go!
Hasbro is so close to creating the definitive "Hoth Chewbacca". We'd encourage Hasbro to try using most of the 2008 TLC Chewbacca (BD 3) figure with the legs of the VOTC figure and paint it in a darker brown. This way we can get that windblown look without the battle-damaged leg and it will give us the most accurate base sculpt for Chewbacca just as he looked in this scene of the film. And then go lightly over him with a white dusting to imitate the snow and ice collecting on his fur. We think then and only then will we get the most accurate version of Chewbacca on Hoth. We bet then and only then will be truly get a definitive "Hoth" interpretation of Chewbacca. The first two waves of the 2010 Saga Legends line has an extremely heavy focus on action figures from The Empire Strikes Back. Since The Vintage Collection is running concurrently with the Saga Legends line, many of our favorite characters are missing out on the glory of being placed on a vintage card. This of course is a shame as we would have loved to see many (most) of these figures make it to a vintage card back. But that doesn't appear to be Hasbro's intention. The Empire Strikes Back is nonetheless getting love everywhere in all facets of the Star Wars brand and that is truly the most important thing for collectors. And we really hope that Saga Legends continues to give us the sporadic surprise figure every now and again. It really changes things up a bit and we love all the different takes they give our favorite Star Wars action heroes (and villains)! Chewbacca may just be a tad more than a repacked figure from a Battle Packs set, but we have to admit that it is pretty cool that he is now released a single basic figure now.
Status: Chewbacca is a slight repaint of the Chewbacca figure from 2008's TLC Hoth Recon Patrol Battle Packs set.
Articulation Count: 25 points (15 areas of articulation)
Articulation Details: swivel head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), swivel left wrist (1), swivel right wrist (1), ball-jointed torso (2), ball-jointed mid-section (2), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)
Accessory Count: 2
Accessory Details: bowcaster (2 parts)
Date Stamp: 2004
Assortment Number: 21397/21115
UPC: 653569528241
Retail: $7.99 USD
Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on listings.
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