May the Force and Collectibles Be With You
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The galaxy may be far, far away but, here on Earth, we’re lucky enough to have many amazing Star Wars collectibles close at hand. From action figures to vintage memorabilia, Star Wars holds pride of place in many fans’ collections.
Nearly 50 years ago, A New Hope (subsequently Episode IV) changed cinema and science fiction forever, with its epic scale, incredible music, and compelling characters. The story of the forces of good and evil battling for dominance across the galaxy has enthralled fans in its many forms ever since. Star Wars transcends time and generations. There is no right or wrong answer to “Which Star Wars movie or TV series do you like best?” or “Who’s your favorite character?” New movies and shows further expand the lore, history, and geography of the galaxy, enmeshing fans ever more deeply in the fabric of this incredible franchise.
It’s no wonder so many fans want to capture and immortalize the thrill and emotion Star Wars embodies. Action figures are as popular now as ever and represent the growth and dedication of not only fans but the toy industry. Kenner released the first line of Star Wars toys in 1978 and, with A New Hope’s unexpected and unprecedented success, the action figures were immediately in huge demand – demand that often exceeded supply! Kenner continued to expand their line with the release of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, adding creatures, playsets, and vehicles to their catalog. In 1991, Hasbro purchased Kenner and, with George Lucas’ announcement of a planned prequel trilogy, revitalized the Star Wars line with brand-new figures, including some articulated figures. Unfortunately, despite its financial success, this line wasn’t well-received by many fans due to flawed character design and awkward stances that prevented figures from sitting in vehicles or ships.
Thankfully, Star Wars action figures and other collectibles continued to improve with time. Super-articulated toys accompanied the 2002 movie Attack of the Clones and marked the beginning of a new era of Star Wars. In 2013, Hasbro released Star Wars The Black Series. With its incredible detail and impressive articulation, The Black Series boasts some of the best Star Wars action figures of the last decade. The sculpting is second to none and fans love how poseable the figures are, making them perfect for play or display.
Many other companies now offer a wide range of Star Wars collectibles and memorabilia. Bandai’s model kits include not only character action figures such as Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, C-3PO, and R2-D2 but also many of the vehicles, ships, and machines from the movies and TV series. Funko, of course, is renowned for its clever, instantly recognizable depictions of beloved characters. Gentle Giant, Medicom, and Beast Kingdom are all proud producers of some excellent toys – there’s no shortage of choice for fans of all ages.
Speaking of fans of all ages, LEGO Star Wars sets are some of the most popular collectibles across the board. LEGO’s detailed and interactive designs are a perfect mix of creativity and nostalgia. Building vehicles, characters, and iconic settings from the franchise, such as the Millennium Falcon and the Death Star, is a favorite pastime for many fans and a great opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. And with new sets being released regularly, the possibilities for LEGO Star Wars collectors are endless. We featured one such set in a previous Finds of the Week article: the Tantive IV buildable playset from Episode IV: A New Hope, which celebrates not only 25 years of LEGO Star Wars but also the iconic scene where Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers board the Tantive IV in search of Princess Leia. The set has connectors that allow fans to attach other LEGO sets to it, thus extending the corridor and building out the ship that was so pivotal in the Rebel Alliance’s efforts against the Empire.
Of course, action figures aren’t the only collectibles from the Star Wars universe. The Geeki Tikis mugs have long been a popular choice. They offer designs based on characters from across the movies and various TV shows, including the Mandalorian, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Jawas, and many more. Comics, books, board games, glassware, lamps, and keychains are just some of the memorabilia available, not to mention clothing, video games, and art. Fans who want collectibles for display, fans who want collectibles for play, and fans who want collectibles for everyday use will never be disappointed with the variety!
Despite early action figures’ flawed designs and lack of articulation, the original Kenner line remains the Holy Grail of Star Wars collectibles. Finding a “carded” figure (one still in its original packaging) is a dream many fans share but few will have the chance to fulfill. The figures, particularly unboxed ones, are scarce and sell for high prices. Errors and variants only make them more valuable! In 2019, Hasbro released their Star Wars Retro Collection inspired by the original design and detailing. Unsurprisingly, the collection is hugely popular among fans, especially those with fond memories and a strong attachment to the original trilogy. We featured the Retro Collection in our Finds of the Week 012 with a 6-pack of figures that includes Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and a Stormtrooper. They capture the look and feel of the original Kenner toys perfectly, even down to the slight variations between figures.
In the same way that there will always be an audience for Star Wars movies and TV shows, there will always be a demand for Star Wars collectibles. From the original, vintage action figures to the more recent lines, toy companies are constantly pushing the bounds of design, articulation, and posability. LEGO sets, comics, board games, and video games allow fans to immerse themselves in the Star Wars universe, while other collectibles are part of fans’ everyday lives in the form of mugs, glasses, clothes, and even salt and pepper grinders! The creativity and affection of these companies are only matched by that of the fans, who keep the Force alive and strong nearly fifty years later.
If you want to get your hands on Star Wars collectibles from Hasbro, Funko, and many more, check out Entertainment Earth and use code ThyGeek at checkout to get 10% off plus free shipping on orders over $75.
Do you own any Star Wars collectibles and, if so, which ones? Let us know in the comments section below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, for all things collectibles, pop culture, online deals, and more.
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