The Target-exclusive 9-figure Special Action Figure Set from Hasbro's
The Vintage Collection is hitting stores this week, bringing on instant nostalgia for the original Kenner toy line, as the classic 3-packs are some of the rarest sets produced. This new set includes three 3-packs featuring characters from
The Empire Strikes Back...which is fitting since it's the 30th anniversary and all!
The three sets are packed together inside a unique cardboard sleeve that folds over the sets and locks them into place. No need to worry about the sets slipping out through the sides here...they are all safe and secure.
Although the figures themselves are the best representations of the characters done to date in the modern line, the packaging design is true to the old Kenner sets, right down to the background colors. The three sets included in this set are as follows:
HOTH REBELSThese Rebels defend the secret Hoth Rebel base against insurmountable odds.
Han Solo (Hoth Outfit):
 | The figure included in this set is a repack of the Han Solo figure from the Wal-Mart exclusive Han Solo & R-3PO Droid Factory set from 2008. This is a good move, since that figure sporteda blue jacket, which we now know wasn't screen-accurate, but it IS Kenner-accurate!
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Hoth Rebel Trooper:
| This figure is a repaint of the Hoth Rebel Trooper from 2008's The Legacy Collection figure line, now with a blonde beard. This same figure is also part of the Defense of Hoth set, so you have a choice where you can pick him up. It's worth noting that this release does not include the rifle the original did.
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FX-7:
| A figure that REALLY needs to be released on a single card, this figure is a repaint of the 2001 FX-7 figure from the Power of the Jedi line. It's an amazing figure, with quite possibly the most points of articulation than any figure in the history of Hasbro! This version is cast in a darker grey plastic, and the deco details are brighter and darker, depending on the color. Also, several of the arms include red details that are very crisp, whereas the original is much more subtle...although it's possible that the older figure may just have seen the paint worn off over the years.
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BESPIN ALLIANCEThis trio represents key characters as they appeared on Bespin, an energy planet.
Bespin Wing Guard:
| This figure is not 100% true to the Kenner set, which was the original white Bespin Security Guard. Since Hasbro has yet to update that particular character, this is a nice substitute, since the original release of Bespin Wing Guard (Utris M'Toc) (an alien who wasn't even IN the movie!) from the Legacy Collection earlier this year was very limited and many fans missed out on picking him up. The deco on the face is much more subtle than the original release, which gives him a less splotchy look.
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Lando Calrissian:
| The original 2004 VOTC Lando Calrissian was notorious for being a major pegwarmer, so it's probably wise to steer clear of mass-producing Lando figures to a large extent. But it somehow wouldn't feel right to leave Lando out of TESB's 30th anniversary celebration, right? There is a minor eye color difference in this version, and the swivel arms really stick out to be updated to ball-hinge joints, but this is still the best version of Lando Hasbro has done to date, so it's good to get him out this year at last.
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Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues):
| This figure is essentially the same exact Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) from The Vintage Collection, so if for some reason you haven't picked up yet, here he is again. Without a doubt, the best figure in the entire set.
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IMPERIAL SETThis fearsome group's goal is to seek and destroy all Rebel forces in the galaxy.
4-LOM:
| While this figure is true to the classic Kenner set, it seems strange to include him here since he's also available on a single card. As before, it's a repack of the 2007 4-LOM (Bounty Hunter) from The 30th Anniversary Collection, which actually features more articulation that the real-life costume did!
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AT-AT Driver:
| Another repack, this time from 2009's Legacy Collection, the AT-AT Driver still has the missing paint details the original did. But if super-articulated Imperial pilots with removable helmets are your thing (and you know they are!), here you go!
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Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot:
| This figure is a repack of the pilot from the Walmart-exclusive Evolutions: Imperial Pilot Legacy II set. Or the Target-exclusive Imperial TIE Fighter vehicle...take your pick. It's curious why this particular version was chosen, since it includes the "ace" stripes that the Kenner figure did not.
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So to sum it all up...
9 figures total (3 in each set)
6 are straight repacks
2 have subtle minor deco changes
1 is repainted
At $49.99 for the set, this breaks down to just over $5.55 per figure....NOT BAD!
If you can't find this set on the shelves, then try the DPCI#, which is 087-06-1620.
Hasbro has already revealed that there are plans for a second set in this style, included 3 more 3-packs. By taking a look at the complete set of Kenner 3-packs over at
The Star Wars Collectors Archive, you can see there are over a dozen more to choose from...care to speculate on which three we'll get?
 | Han Solo (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)")
 | Hoth Rebel Trooper (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "Hoth Rebel Trooper")
 | FX-7 (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "FX-7")
 | Bespin Wing Guard (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "Bespin Wing Guard")
 | Lando Calrissian (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "Lando Calrissian")
 | Luke Skywalker (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues)")
 | 4-LOM (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "4-LOM")
 | AT-AT Driver (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "AT-AT Driver")
 | Imperial TIE FIghter Pilot (2010 Special Action Figure Set) "Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot")
