Wampa (Hoth Attack)

Recommended music: Les Wampas – Wampa

We’re still in the Wampa Cave this #StarWarsSaturday, and today from The Saga Collection, it’s the Wampa!

Despite being over two meters tall, the Wampa is able to sneak up on Luke during The Empire Strikes Back, kill his tauntaun, and drag Luke off to its cave to be a future meal.

This “Ultra” deluxe Hoth Attack version of the wampa includes an ice base that can attach to Luke’s ice base to create a set piece for your Hoth display. Besides the base, he also includes a large piece of meat on the bone (likely Luke’s tauntaun) and a removable arm (with a bit of visible blood deco) that can be popped on and off depending on whether a Jedi decides to fight back instead of becoming lunch.

Hasbro did put out an updated Wampa 14 years later that added some welcome articulation in the elbows, knees, and ankles, but I actually prefer the sculpt and look of this Saga version and the light yellow wash used to break up the bright white of the snow beast.

The Empire Strikes Back turns 45 years old this month! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!

#EmpireStrikesBack45

Just a reminder, next Saturday I will NOT be in the wampa cave, I’ll be an exhibitor at the Retromania Collectibles Show May 17th & 18th in Aurora! So stop by table 79 (or one of the other hundred tables) for some fun stuff!

https://www.heritageeventcompany.com/denver-retromania.html

Luke Skywalker (Hoth Attack)

Recommended music: Diana Ross – Upside Down

Let’s leave Echo Base this #StarWarsSaturday for the Wampa Cave. From The Saga Collection, it’s Luke Skywalker!

During The Empire Strikes Back, Luke is attacked by the wampa, who then drags Luke off to his cave and somehow uses its hot breath to melt ice around Luke’s legs, coat part of Luke’s body in saliva, and sticks Luke into the ice ceiling of the cave. This never really made sense to me, but anyway, Luke wakes up upside down with his feet stuck in the icy ceiling.

This “Hoth Attack” version of Luke recreates the scene by including his bloodied face and an icy base. A separate “Ultra” deluxe version of the wampa includes the base that attaches to Luke’s ice piece to truly hold him upside down in your display. Luke comes with his goggles (which are too big and fall off) and his lightsaber for play outside of the ceiling. His scarf has full rotation, so you can pose him right-side up or hanging. The biggest drawback to this 2004 release is the articulation. While Hasbro included joints in the neck, shoulders, waist, and hips, they forgot the knees and elbows. Beyond wielding his lightsaber against his furry captor, poseable limbs would make a big difference when Luke is hanging in the cave.

Next week: THE WAMPA!

The Empire Strikes Back turns 45 years old this month! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!

#EmpireStrikesBack45

General Rieekan

Recommended music: Johnny Cash – General Lee

On this #StarWarsSaturday, we’re in the command center in Echo Base during The Empire Strikes Back. From the Star Wars Saga Series, it’s General Rieekan!

When (Commander) Han checks in with his commanding officer, it’s a guy who likes to flip some switches and has a rank badge that looks like the Purina logo.

This General Rieekan (Hoth Evacuation) from the 2004 “Ultra” assortment of the Saga Series marked the first time the character was made into an action figure. The highlight of this release for me was the inclusion of the Hoth Tactical Screen. Army building the General through this release provides an easy way to get some set pieces for your Echo Base dioramas. I just wish future Rebel officers included some of the other computers and machines seen in the film. The pointing finger on the right-hand looks fine if he’s giving instruction, but looks a bit silly when you have several of these standing with other figures in your Hoth diorama posed to not be pointing for the group.😉

“A death mark’s not an easy thing to live with. You’re a good fighter, Solo. I hate to lose you.” – General Rieekan

#EmpireStrikesBack45