Editor’s Note:  This review has been updated with our second look at TVC…

No review given at time of release.

Updated Review: 

Quick note about the author: I suffer from CRS (Can’t Remember…“Stuff”).  So it probably did not surprise my colleague Chris when I texted him that not only could I not find this figure anywhere in my figure bins, but I had zero recollection of it even existing.  When I pulled up the original gallery from years ago, it was almost like I was seeing the figure for the first time.  Well, after a bit of digging, you’ll be pleased to know that I found it.  Not only that, but it’s a pretty cool figure, even by today’s standards.

This figure is a standout in an otherwise strange and subpar wave of TVC.  The head sculpt immediately jumps out as one of the better ones you’ll find of young Luke. It’s really well done, and kind of captures his boyish sense of wonder.  The outfit sculpt is well done, with includes the stormtrooper utility belt.  There is a bit of soft goods for the lower part of the tunic, which allows the ball jointed hips a full range of motion.  The articulation allows for many action poses. 

The hip joints on my sample have a tendency to want to be at rest when the legs are tight together, making the figure look awkward.  I managed, with some difficulty, to avoid this in the shots for the gallery, but the ball-jointed hips could use a slight design upgrade.  Due to the nature of the ball jointed shoulders, this figure can’t perform the slightly awkward and amateurish two-handed grip that he performs when firing the blaster angrily at stormtroopers on the hangar deck, but a standard THWG for the blaster is achievable.

For accessories, Luke comes with a stormtrooper blaster, which fits nicely in the belt’s holster.  He also comes with a grappling hook.  The rope is not attached to the belt, which is fine by me, as it would detract from the figure.  Most surprisingly Luke has the comlink, which he used to speak with C-3PO.  It fits in his hand, and also tucks away nicely in the hole in the belt. 

Overall, this is a really nice figure. I can’t (well, actually I can) believe that I didn’t remember this figure.  It’s pretty awesome, and I’m not sure that we should expect much better with this scene-specific Luke.  If you don’t have this in your collection, go get one! 

Verdict: No Action 

It’s pretty much the definitive Death Star Escape Luke Skywalker, so Hasbro need not worry about a resculpt.  I’m surprised to see that eBay prices are relatively low, as compared to most of the TVC figures we’ve revisited so far.  As such, you should take your chances on the secondary market.  As good a figure as this might be, it doesn’t seem to warrant a re-release.  Hasbro can safely move on to something else.

Verdict Guide:
Re-sculpt = The figure is not definitive, and a new version should be developed.
Re-issue = This version is definitive (or close enough), and shows sufficient secondary market demand to warrant a straight repack.
No Action = This release does not require new attention.