Following his appearance at the end of The Mandalorian Season 2, and the subsequent scenes during the Book of Boba Fett, Hasbro have brought us a new updated Luke Skywalker in his New Republic-era Jedi Master robes. The figure was released in early 2023 as part of the Galaxy Collection Wave 10. The figure is number 30 in the Mandalorian Series with the side artwork lining up to figures on either side as is now the norm. Wave 10 was the first general wave to come in plastic-free packaging so the box uses a relief artwork of the figure on the front and some additional content detail on the left-hand spine to show what is included.
Luke is a fulyl new figure and is based on his appearance on the Imperial Light Cruiser in the Mandalorian Season 2 finale. Luke is wearing an outer soft goods robe that is hooded and this is one of the better soft goods cloaks we have seen in recent times in terms of how natural it does sit on the figure and over the head as a hood. It appears to be similar, if not the same, as the one included in Jabba’s Palace Luke from 2019 although now coloured black rather than brown. There is still a bit too much fabric in the hood and it takes a bit of time to get it positioned how you would want it to look. The robe is also different to the one shown in the promo image with a stitch at the collar for a closed robe look, not the open version seen in the first images. What we get is accurate to his appearance and the only downside is it takes a bit more work when posing in any dynamic stances with arms coming outside of the robes.
Under the cloak is a Luke that has a very similar look to the one from Endor/Jabba’s Palace with a black tunic over black trousers and knee-high gloss black boots. The parts are all cast in the base colour with decor added minimally around the belt section. The tunic piece is a rubberised sleeve that fits over a plain torso and executing it this way allows some variation in the black finish without adding paint - also providing a neater finish between the differing shades.
The head is also new and represents the de-aged Mark Hammill while also looking slightly older than the existing heads from Empire or Return of the Jedi. The photo-real face application furthers the likeness and adds the usual realism to the eyes in particular and the skin tones and shades. The hair too is accurate to the scenes and is a darker brown than seen previously on Luke with what looks to be a very subtle wash to add definition.
Luke comes with his lightsaber, the green one he builds for Return of the Jedi. This comes in two parts as usual and I am pleased to see the design has been updated and no longer has a terribly weak point just beneath where the blade connects. The hilt has a built-in hook that works with a small hook on Luke’s belt to allow the saber to be slung. It will then fit into either or both hands for a number of saber-wielding poses ready to take apart a few Dark Troopers. The hands for Luke do look to be reused and Hasbro are still including a trigger finger on figures that use saber rather than blasters, while not as pronounced as some others we have seen - the right gloved hand does see the finger stick out a little when holding the saber.
Articulation is set at 21 points at the higher end of the Black Series for moving pieces. Luke benefits from a boot cut swivel, butterfly joints at the shoulders, and a two-part neck joint as well as the usual line-up of torso, arm, and leg articulation. The body is pinless and the joints are designed to look like part of the outfit adding much more to the look of the figure while allowing a considerable range of motion for Luke allowing collectors to use anything from a neutral stance to very dynamic levels of combat - particularly if you were to employ an aftermarket stand.
The release is a step up from the previous Luke Skywalker iterations we have seen and while it is accurate specifically to The Mandalorian scenes, it would work well enough as a Jedi Luke from Return of the Jedi, or indeed for a Jedi Academy Luke from The Book of Boba Fett until the revised version arrives later this year packed with Grogu. The figure ticks most of the boxes including looks, articulation, and accessories with just a minor question still over the soft goods execution and why Hasbro still don't seem to get this quite right. The packaging being plastic-free will be disappointing to in-box collectors, and not being able to see the figure does run the risk of damages, poor paintwork, or even theft/swap-outs. Despite this, Luke is still a recommended purchase for collectors of the Black Series and certainly exceeds all the previous versions of the character, even if this iteration is not taken directly from the Original Trilogy.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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