Tag: The Empire Strikes Back

Ralph McQuarrie Ion Cannon concept art

Recommended music: John Williams – The Rebels Escape Again

We’re on the ice planet of Hoth this #WhateverWednesday, and today we’re taking a look at my print of Ralph McQuarrie Ion Cannon concept art!

25 years before it was known as the V-150 Planet Defender in a Star Wars video game, the ion cannon was just a concept for a weapon due to appear in The Empire Strikes Back, first visualized by artist Ralph McQuarrie. McQuarrie was the concept designer for the original trilogy and even appeared briefly on-screen in Empire as a general in Echo Base.

With a range of 180,000 KM, this cannon could fire from the frosty planet surface into space to disable Imperial ships orbiting the Hoth system. I was able to pick up this print of McQuarrie’s art at Star Wars Celebration one year and was glad to find a piece that Ralph signed before his passing in 2012. The signature on this piece is a simple “RMQ,” which he used later in life when a longer form of his autograph became increasingly difficult.

This large, beautiful art is the perfect size to serve as a backdrop for one of my Hoth action figure displays. It fits into the diorama much better than I imagine a scaled-down three-dimensional version of the weapon would.

The Empire Strikes Back turns 45 years old today! Happy 45 years of ESB!

#EmpireStrikesBack45

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