The Jabba the Hutt Dungeon Action Playset (ROTJ)

What do you do when you run out of the will to make something unique? Why dig up something old and re-use it. That’s what Kenner did for Jabba’s Dungeon, reusing the base from the Droid Factory. It was remolded, however, so you couldn’t see that there were spots to put a bunch of little pieces. The base of the hook was also moved a little.

The Dungeon was a Sears exclusive, and had two different version (one for each year it was out). The first one had a grey base and came with 8D8, Klaatu (Skiff Guard), and Nikto. The later one had a brown base and came with EV-9D9, Amanaman, and Barada. It only came out in an ROTJ box. The hook was the only implement of torture – or the movable part – in the whole thing. It is interesting to note that anything that ever came with figures in the original line was some store’s exclusive. Hmmm.

Why should you own this set? Five reasons:

1. You got left out of the Droid Factory craze.

2. You want these three/six figures, but are too lazy to buy them separately.

3. Get it for it’s play value? Oh, wait, it sucks.

4. Can use it as a display stand, because that’s about all it’s good for.

5. You can fit it in the full-size Jabba’s Palace you’re building. You nerd.

Backstory:

Jabba’s real dungeon had grimy cells, and the droid torture rooms were pretty much one big room and didn’t resemble this at all. This is pretty much a lazy excuse to come out with another toy in my humble opinion.

Power Droid (SW 1977-79)

Saying “Gonk” and walking. That was the big scene for the Power Droid in the movie. A few different Power Droids are seen in the movies (well, in SW and ROTJ), but the model for the figure was probably the one in the Jawa sandcrawler.

This figure comes with nothing. It came on SW, ESB, and ROTJ cards. It could, possibly, rank right up there as the most boring vintage Star Wars figure to play with. Really. No accessories. Had almost no screen time. Was not pivotal – at all – to the plot. Boring. Still, I have to convince you:

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Nothing says “gonk” like a Power Droid.

2. Surprise your manager with a Power Droid instead of an ink cartridge.

3. Mascot to the box manufacturers of the world.

4. Goes great with a Jawa sandcrawler.

5. Recreate a droid office party. The Power Droid is the guy no one talks to.

Backstory:

The model of the figure is most likely an EG-6, manufactured by Veril Line Systems. Other models in the films were the EG-4, and the GNK. They were basically walking batteries and served all sides. A Power Droid can be seen getting tortured in Jabba’s dungeon in ROTJ.

MLC-3 (ESB)

The MLC-3 is supposed to stand for “Mobile Laser Cannon” and was one of Kenner’s many mini-rigs. It maneuvers on treads (wheels) and has two laser cannons that move in tandem, up and down. The cockpit has a transparent bubble to see through. Basically, it looks like a small, white tank.

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. C’mon – how many tanks can you get from the Star Wars universe?

2. Small, cheap, fits a figure.

3. Two large-ish guns! Yeah!

4. With that bubble, looks a lot like some retro-future design that would look great as a decoration.

5. Could double as a G.I. Joe tank for Snow Job.

Backstory:

Never seen in the films (because Kenner made it up) but it can probably be considered part of the Star Wars universe. It did appear in an issue of the Marvel Star Wars comic, however. However, vehicles like this would usually have repulsorlifts instead of treads, and “laser cannons” are being generous. Guns this small in the SW universe are usually blasters, and laser are usually on larger things. It could also be taken as just a lower tech vehicle that the Rebels had to work with.

Lumat (last Ewok!) (ROTJ 1983-84)

The Last Ewok - I think that was a kid's movie starring Steven Segal. Lumat, just like Warok, came with a bow, a quiver, and a cowl. He also came on both ROTJ and POTF cards. By this time I don’t think I need to tell you which one is rarer. He was not a prominent Ewok in the movies, so I can’t just say “he was the one who…” It doesn’t really matter with Star Wars figures, however, since many of the characters made into figures did not have any lines, or were on screen for about 15 seconds.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Own a piece of history as they change his origin (see Backstory).

2. Too many Ewok things, so few Ewoks to man them.

3. Your girlfriend likes the Ewoks. Your girlfriend sucks.

4. Relive the harrowing moment when Lumat discovers his stormtrooper bloodlust!

5. You’ve got serious Ewok fever, and it can only be quenched with…Lumat!

Backstory:

Lumat was the chief woodcutter for the Ewok tribe. In the movies he was just one of many background characters. The Customizable Card Game now shows Lumat as a different Ewok, with stripes. No word yet on if this figure will ever be redone in the new line, and if it will be the original grey or stripes. Do we really care?

Rebel Transport Vehicle (ESB)

The Rebel Transport was based on the vehicle shown in the Rebel Fleet and in the background on Hoth, particularly when many of the X-Wing pilots are shown outside packing up. The scale of the ship, like many of the big ships in Star Wars, is naturally scaled down from the movies.

The entire top half of the ship can come off, revealing a lot of space for figures, and two guns mounted on the back. The back also has a separate hatch in case you don’t want to take the whole top off. The black pod on top serves as the locking mechanism for the whole thing. If you give it a turn, you can pull the top off, or lock it down. In the movie this pod is featured near the rear of the ship and not in the middle. The toy also features an exit hatch at the bottom. It also came with Hoth Rebel backpacks and asteroid gas masks that were also mail-aways in the “survival gear” pack. It only came in an ESB box, with either a blue or yellow background (it had two variations).

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Just another weird and wacky SW ship to display.

2. Doubles as a carrying case.

3. The guns in back can be fired from the ship (with the hatch off) or removed and fired from the ground.

4. When you tire of it as a toy, it can serve chips and dip (not recommended).

5. Good club for hitting intruders with.

Backstory:

The GR-75 medium transport was a favorite transport among the Rebels, because of its adaptability and cheap price. However, it was often needing repairs. The command pod on the upper rear housed a cramped crew of six. It was manufactured by Gallofree Yards, Inc (which sounds suspiciously like Doctor Who’s home planet), and had standard twin fire-linked laser cannon turrets (in keeping with the toy).

Teebo (ROTJ 1983-84)

Yep, another Ewok – there is one more after this one. Teebo comes with a boar-like cowl, a stone axe, and a satchel that may also be a horn. In ROTJ, he probably was the most frightening looking Ewok. Of course, with those black, dead eyes, they can all look a little scary close-up.

Why should you buy this figure? Five reasons:

1. That toothed-cowl. Kind of menacing.

2. The Ewoks had a lot of stuff – you need figures to man them all.

3. His striped fur reminds you to change your underwear every now and then.

4. Wicket’s best friend! No seriously.

5. You don’t mess with an Ewok with teeth on top of his head.

Backstory:

Teebo was the son of Warok, and best friends with Wicket. They shared many adventures together (in the cartoons), and he was also an apprentice to Logray for some time. He helped the Ewoks in their battle against the Empire. His cowl was made from the head of a gurreck, a powerful, four-footed Enor carnivore.

Warok (POTF 1985)

Oh good gravy there are a lot of Ewok figures! Within the next four days I’ll finally have gotten through the last of them from the original line. Warok is simply another one of our fine furred friends, and he comes with a bow, a quiver slung over his shoulder, and a removable cowl. He only came on a POTF card with a coin, so he is still rarer and more collectible than some other more likable characters.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. One of the few coin figures, he’s simply more collectible.

2. No one can help hijack an AT-ST like Warok.

3. His name sounds like a He-Man figure or something. Hey, just saying.

4. Wow! A bow! A quiver! I’m an archer, so I must have this! (Disclaimer: I am not an archer.)

5. You have to populate that Ewok village with somebody.

Backstory:

Warok was on of the two Ewoks that helped Chewbacca hijack an AT-ST. He was also father to Teebo (tomorrow’s figure, and featured in the Ewoks cartoon). Supposedly he was also one of the tribe’s best Glider pilots.

Droid Factory (SW)

If you were one of the people to actually have this, good for you. If you are one of the few to still have this, and with all the pieces – I stand up and applaud you friend. Bravo! There is no other single playset or vehicle in the original line that includes so many small and disparate pieces. Heck, you have one younger sibling, you can all but guarantee some lost pieces.

The Droid Factory came with many interlinking parts, enabling you to build various droids (duh!). All the parts fit into notches molded into the orange base. A crane could also help you “lift” the various parts. This was only released in an SW box. The British Palitoy version inexplicably had a different molded base and did not have the crane. Why? Who knows? This was also the only way, in the original line, you could get an R2-D2 with a certain third appendage. The base was also re-used later as Jabba’s Dungeon.

Why should you get this playset? Five reasons:

1. First and foremost, the only way you could get an R2-D2 with the middle leg.

2. Despite its questionable canonicity, it was fun to construct droids.

3. The box picture with Jawas streaming all over – funny because they are scavengers, not builders.

4. Robots with treads, with wheels – this was actually kind of weird and different.

5. Probably the closest you’ll get to the droid factories on Geonosis. Oh, don’t remember that? Watch Attack of the Clones. Okay, don’t. No one’s forcing you to.

Backstory:

Not much backstory, since it is just a playset made up for the toys, and no real basis in the Star Wars universe. Of course, one could always argue that a droid factory like this does exist..somewhere…since the SW universe is so vast.

Sorry about the delay this week...

...but that's what happens when you have a kid.

Emperor’s Royal Guard (ROTJ 1983-4)

The Royal Guard looked to be real bad asses. The red helmet with the “I won’t take any s---t from you” stare. The robed standing-at-attention stance. The big lances. Then, during the movie, they did…nothing. Nothing! The Emperor gets killed, and they do nothing! Sure, he sent them away, but even the Secret Service has tabs on the President all the time. Apparently, there may have been a deleted scene where the guards confronted an admiral, but that has not been publicly shown.

The figure was only released on ROTJ backing, and included a force pike as a weapon. The red cloth robe was attached at the base of the helmet, with a slit for one arm to come out and grasp the pike. Neither the robe nor the cape could be removed – except by wrecking the figure.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Despite their movie inaction, it still looks bad ass.

2. Great red figure for ex-Soviet lovers.

3. Goes great with an Imperial Shuttle.

4. Create a scene where the Guards actually do something, like Grevious’ robot guards in Revenge of the Sith.

5. The force pike makes a great limbo pole for all the figures.

Backstory:

They were first formed as the Red Guard for the Republic Senate after Palpatine claimed rumors of corruption in the Senate. They later became the Emperor’s personal guard. They were handpicked from among the best stormtroopers, and underwent rigorous and grueling training. To keep in fighting form, some were always rotated out on combat missions, so some survived the destruction of the second Death Star. These remaining Guards were chronicled in the graphic novel series Crimson Empire, where they fought for supremacy. They also came back together to protect the clone Emperor in Dark Empire, but one of their own had sabotaged the Emperor’s clones so he would not live long.

Dagobah Action Playset (ESB)

“Well he lived in a swamp down in Dagobah, where it bubbles all the time like a carbonated soda. S-O-D-A , soda. “ (sing to the tune of Lola).

Relive the exciting, muck-filled location where not a single shot was ever fired! Yes, Dagobah! Despite the apparent lack of action on that planet, the playset still has some interesting play abilities, including:

- Spongy “swamp,” that can swallow a figure (R2-D2) up

- Use a lever disguised as a rock and “levitate” some cargo containers (on top of some thin reeds)

- A lever through the tree house can “levitate” R2

- Use the moving pedestals to have a fight between Luke and dark side mirage Vader.

Later releases of this playset also included a backpack that Luke could wear and Yoda could sit in. This set only came in an ESB box. Owners of this set have now come to release that touching the spongy material this late in its life causes it to disintegrate into a sticky substance that clings to anything. For pete’s sake, don’t touch it!

Why should you own this set? Five reasons:

1. Really the only time you can demonstrate the Force in the original line.

2. It’s Yoda’s home. Have a home don’t you?

3. Recreate that first interesting month Yoda settles down on the planet after Revenge of the Sith – “What the f--- is there to do around here?”

4. Probably the most play you’ll get out of your R2 figure.

5. Keep it around until about 25 years later when they finally make a darkside-Darth/Luke-apparition figure.

History:

There were several instances of people happening upon, or surveying Dagobah, but most met with tragedy and failure due to various circumstances. Hundreds of years before the Clone Wars, a Sith was defeated by a Jedi, and his dark energies dispersed into the planet. This may have given the tree from ESB its dark side aura.

Yoda chose it as his exile planet after being defeated by Palpatine because it was missing (along with Kamino) from the Jedi Archives. It was also teeming with native life, and had a dark side spot, all which helped mask his presence from Palpatine and the Empire.

After the downfall of the Empire, Dagobah was used a few times by various students training to be Jedi to meditate, or stay in seclusion.

Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band Action Figure Set (ROTJ 1983-84)

While other figure packs were made, they were department store exclusives and featured figures already sold separately. The Sy Snootles set was the only figure set from the original line where all the figures were only available through the set. The set is also interesting, since this band got made into figures, but the Cantina Band from the first movie was never made into figures in the original line.

The set included Sy Snootles with a microphone, Droopy McCool with chidinkalu flute and microphone, and Max Rebo with a piano-like nalargon. Kenner would later do another 3-figure set in their G.I. Joe line, the characters from Cobra-La.

Why should you own this set? Five reasons:

1. Three figures! Get a whole band at once!

2. You can make them sing “Lapti Nek” as much as you want – screw the “Special Editions” that cut that out!

3. Does Sy…I think she does…does she have naked breasts?

4. The icons of a generation of aspiring musicians.

5. What? A blue elephant playing a round piano? I’ve got to get this!

Backstory:

Max Rebo (real name Siiruulian Phantele) [an Ortolan from Orto], Sy Snootles [a Pa’Lowick from Lowick], and Droopy McCool (real name Snit) [a Kitonak from Kirdo III] were the only three members of the band in the original trilogy. In the “Special Edition” there were at least three more members – but we are only talking about the original, vintage line here. They had a fourth member, but when invited to play at the Mos Eisley Cantina (Chalmun’s bar), Figrin D’an (a cantina band member) tried to have them killed. The unseen fourth member was the only one who died.

Sy Snootles let max Rebo act as leader of the band, while secretly controlling their actions. However, while auditioning for Jabba, she was unable to stop him from accepting his form of payment – all the food they could eat. They narrowly escaped death, jumping off of Jabba’s exploding barge. Rebo eventually wound up playing for Rebel troops and opening a successful chain of restaurants. Droopy wandered off into the desert, despondent at not having others of his kind around. Sy got addicted to spice and never enjoyed a very prosperous solo career.

Ewok Village Action Playset (ROTJ)

Our Weeko of the Ewok concludes with that biggest accessory of Ewok ingenuity, the Ewok Village playset! Relive every exciting Ewok-filled moment from Return of the Jedi! Throw a net on our Rebel friends! Swing a big rock into an AT-ST! Other things to do on here include:
- A branch and twig elevator for figures
- Roast a figure over the firepit on a spit
- Levitate C-3PO on his “throne”
- Hide a figure in an alcove!
- Drop a figure into the hole in one part of a tree and it comes out the other below!
- Drum!

While we never got to see a tree village playset from the Star Wars Christmas Special, we got the Ewok Village. Maybe they’ll finally make a tree village set from what little we got to see of Chewbacca’s home planet in Revenge of the Sith. This playset was later given some plastic green foliage and used as the Sherwood Forest playset in Kenner’s line of action figures from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Why should you own this set? Five reasons:

1. Where else to store your many, many Ewok figures?

2. Relive the almost fatal BBQing of Han Solo and the bunch.

3. Well, if you get enough Lukes in Stormtrooper disguise, you can make the stormtrooper helmet drums on the railing.

4. Marvel at how the Ewoks can build an elevator! And a drum!

5. Know in your heart, that this is the closest you’ll come to getting a Chewbacca-home playset.

Backstory:

Simply a recreation – on a smaller scale – of the Ewok’s home village. To make it more interesting, Kenner has put all the Ewok moments here as well. From the Ewoks cartoon we learn that this particular village is called “Bright Tree Village.”

Lady Gorneesh (Ewoks)

Probably the most boring figure out of the Ewoks line, since she came with absolutely no accessories, and in the cartoon she was mainly relegated to staying in the Dulok camp. However, she is the only female from this line (of 6 figures), and one of the few females from the entire vintage line period.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line (yes, I reused this one - again).

2. The closest to having a Tammy Faye action figure that you’ll come to.

3. You need someone to ride the king at every opportunity.

4. Every village needs a nag/hag.

5. They never released an Ewoks Kneesah figure, so this is about as girly as it gets.

Backstory:

Urgah was simply the queen of this particular tribe of Duloks (no word on exactly how many there were), and wife to King Gorneesh. She sported a nose ring, which was quite the thing in the 80’s I hear.

King Gorneesh (Ewoks)

Gorneesh comes with a big club, and a little more detail than the other Duloks. This is still not saying much, since they all come from a cartoon series.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line (yes, I reused this one - again).

2. He’s the king, baby!

3. Big club – smack those Ewoks. Smack ‘em, smack ‘em!

4. If you were the kind of person that got Gargamel, than you probably got this figure.

5. It’s not easy being green.

Backstory:

Gorneesh was king of his Dulok tribe in the Ewoks TV series. Like dozens of other TV series (like the Smurfs) he was always looking for way to defeat his good guy enemies – the Ewoks. He had a “crown” of some kind of animal backbone (no idea how that balanced on his head), an eye patch (not explained), a large club, an animal skull necklace, and what appear to be turtle-shell shoulder pads.

Ewok Battle Wagon Vehicle (POTF)

The original Power of the force line produced some of the rarest Star Wars collectibles on the planet, including…an Ewok Battle Wagon? While it was never seen in ROTJ, it was featured prominently in at least one episode of Ewoks (although not with all the features). This vehicle was only released in POTF packaging.

The features of the Battle Wagon included:

- A front-lowering ramp

- Battering ram

- Ladder

- Large animal skull on top for a protective “cockpit”

- Portable jail for (pictured) stormtroopers and bad guys

- Wheels

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Despite it being Ewok, it is the coolest Ewok thing you’ll ever own.

2. The POTF packaging says it all: rare, rare, rare.

3. The best proof that Ewoks are badasses – they killed something with a skull that size

4. One of the few wheeled vehicles in the whole Star Wars universe. That means you don’t have to keep holding it to simulate floating. That is soooooo tiring.

5. Could be substituted as some middle-ages device.

Backstory:

Built by one of Wicket’s ancestors, the Battle Wagon helped the Ewoks gain dominance over the Duloks and win their “civil” war. Wicket rediscovered it neglected in the forest, the Duloks captured, it was soon recaptured by the Ewoks, and they again thwarted the Duloks. Some people have speculated about the “Bantha” skull on top, but Banthas are native to Tatooine, not Endor, plus it only vaguely resembles a Bantha.

Logray (Ewoks)

Logray has the distinction of being only one of two actual Ewoks produced in the animated Ewoks line of figures. More were scheduled for the second wave, but it fizzled out before that happened. If you want to see what figures would have been produced in the second wave, there are pictures in Steve Sansweet’s book, Star Wars: the Action Figure Archive.

This version of Logray is so far removed from the movie version it’s laughable. In the cartoon he looks like a wise sage, complete with a long beard. In ROTJ he has the outfittings of a medicine man, but doesn’t look that far removed from the rest of the Ewoks. He comes with a plainer staff too (it looks more like a dreamcatcher), not the funkified one the ROTJ figure comes with, nor the satchel of removable headdress. In fact, the only thing the same between the two figures is the headdress, but on this one it’s not removable.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line (yes, I reused this one - again).

2. That twitchy left eye? Keep him close to keep a watch on him.

3. Could be substituted for a cheap Native American souvenir. Well, it would have to be a pretty corny one too.

4. The only Ewok you’ll ever own that wears blue.

5. Someone’s got to protect the village from “evil spirits,” as Logray calls virgins.

Backstory:

Logray’s backstory is the same as the ROTJ figure, available here.

Ewok Combat Glider (ROTJ)

Those nutty Ewoks! First, they have an obnoxious amount of traps ready for all the AT-STs (which the one driven by Chewbacca seems to avoid), then they have flying contraptions. All this for a bunch of primitive furballs.

The Ewok Combat Glider lets you attach your favorite Ewok (or similarly-sized figure) to a hang glider-like thing that was somehow light enough to carry two small boulders and a passenger.

Why should you own this…vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Like the Catapult, you can’t resist that it comes with two balls.

2. If you’re an Ewok fan, you have to get it.

3. If you’re not, get it as proof of the ineffectual nature of the Ewoks. Did this really help them?

4. All the good Star Wars vehicles were sold out.

5. This was on a clearance rack.

Backstory:

It’s remarkable that the Ewoks mastered flight at their stage in cultural advancement, yet somehow they did. The Ewok Hang Glider (as other sources refer to it) was simply skins of various animals tanned to a tight and light leather, supported by a framework of strong but light wood.

Dulok Shaman (Ewoks)

Another Dulok, huh? The second of four Dulok figures, it came with a skull-topped staff (but not a cool one like Amanaman) and a string tied around his neck (near as I can figure it). Four Dulok figures, and only two actual Ewoks – from the animated Ewoks show? Oh, well.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line (yes, I reused this one - again).

2. Pretend he’s the puny Hulk.

3. Your sister collected those asinine Smurfs. But you showed her – you got a Dulok!

4. For those people who really don’t like other people to know what figure they own.

5. Those red eyes? You can pretend he’s from the movie 30 Days Later. Yeah, that’s it.

Backstory:

This figure is of the Dulok Shaman, Umwak, who was King Gorneesh’s right-hand man. It is questionable if he actually had any magic (anyone in the Star Wars universe that has "magic" has some Force powers) or was just a huckster.

Ewok Assault Catapult Accessory (ROTJ)

One of several Ewok toys produced, but not as satisfying as playing with a real catapult. Seen in the movie, but proves pretty useless against heavy artillery. Against ground troops they seem to do just fine. Only came in an ROTJ box, and even though it wasn’t actually produced for the Ewoks line, it is featured on the back of the cartoon figures.

Why should you own this accessory? Five reasons:

1. Just add a good spring somewhere, then you can do some real catapult action.

2. Reenact hitting AT-STs and merely pissing them off.

3. Have a contest - which is more effective: the catapult against AT-STs or the Radar Laser Cannon against AT-ATs?

4. Ewok catapult! No, really – catapult an Ewok.

5. Comes with two balls. Yeah, you heard me right.

Backstory:

The development of the Ewok Catapult goes back to the thinktank labs of the Bright Tree Village braintrust…no, I’m just kidding. It’s just a catapult – the Ewoks must have developed it sometime in their history. It is featured both in the movie and the cartoon.

Dulok Scout (Ewoks 1985)

(Give me a day on the pics - they seem to have disappeared from my flash drive.) Wow, a real Dulok. And look, he comes with a club. Awesome. For those unfamiliar with the Dulok species, they were the main rival to Ewoks on Endor, lived in swampy areas, and were quite warlike and slightly taller than Ewoks. They spoke a language that was very similar to what Ewoks spoke because they could understand each other. They may have even been distantly related. The Dulok Scout figure simply represents a generic Dulok, like a Stormtrooper figure represents any stormtrooper.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:
1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line (yes, I reused this one).
2. Dulok Scout! That’s way better than…wait, what’s a Dulok Scout?
3. So green you can hide it in a Jello mold.
4. Can be collected by people of the green movement.
5. Club and a coin? What a bargain!

Backstory:
The Duloks were only featured on the Ewoks animated show, but since most of the show is considered canon, we can assume they were just laying low during the events of ROTJ. One is shown on Coruscant during the Clone Wars animated series, however. No clue on how it got there.