Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) (ESB 1980-82)




What do you bring to wear when you're meeting an acclaimed Jedi Master? Why your best brown, of course! Like Han and Leia, Luke is afforded many a change of outfit throughout the trilogy (sorry Chewie!). This outfit, which we actually see first on Dagobah then on Bespin, has a lot of pockets for all your survival needs. You will also notice that a deactivated lightsaber is hanging from Luke's utility belt.

This Luke comes with a lightsaber (in yellow, and not the true blue) and a the same blaster pistol that Han carries. The figure has a variation in the hair coloring - it got darker blonde later in its run. Bespin Luke came on two ESB cards (they changed the background photo) and an ROTJ card.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:


1. This and Jedi Luke are the essential dueling figures.

2. You can't visit the Dagobah or Cloud City set without Bespin Luke.

3. Comes with a lightsaber and a blaster! How can you go wrong?

4. Sorry - a detraction - his hand does not come off (at least, not until the new Bespin Luke in the 1990's).

5. Recreate the harrowing hanging-by-his-knees-under-Cloud-City ordeal. Wait...his knees don't bend. Damnit!

Backstory:

I'll refer you to the Wookieepedia article for Luke's full story, and just add that in this outfit he not only gets trained by a Jedi Master, he also fights one and loses his hand. Keep this outfit for nostalgia, man!

106th in alphabetical order

Monday, August 30, 2010

Luke Skywalker (in Battle Poncho) (POTF 1985)




Seriously? “Battle Poncho?” This is, in all probability, the only time you will associate battles with ponchos. Han gets a cool trenchcoat on Endor, and Luke gets a effeminate battle poncho. It’s for camouflage, but who doesn’t want to look cool while trying to infiltrate a secret Imperial shield bunker?

BP Luke comes with the same pistol (molded in black) as Jedi Luke does, and a cloth poncho with a utility belt to cinch it. His helmet is not removable, but under the poncho is the same black outfit as the Jedi Luke figure (when I do the Jedi Luke posting I’ll retroactively link it here). Where is the frickin’ lightsaber? I mean, really, he cuts a speeder bike in half while it’s flying! BP Luke comes only on a POTF card.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. The only chance to get a Luke figure without a lightsaber. Wait. That’s no reason…

2. Your excuse to get another speeder bike.

3. Poncho fever – catch it!

4. The only Luke figure goofy enough to be seen in the Ewok Village.

5. POTF – rare, collect them all!

Backstory:

Well, Luke is obviously wearing this outfit for Endorflage, but his full Wookieepedia article is here.

105th in alphabetical order

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Luke Skywalker (Star Wars 1978-79)




Not much I can say here that most people don’t already know. This is the original Luke in his Tatooine clothes - how he looked throughout most of the first movie. This figure came on cards for all three movies, including another ROTJ card with a different background picture (he’s seated at the control of a Millennium Falcon quad-gun). His only accessory is a built-in lightsaber, which Kenner inexplicably made yellow, instead of the blue hue it was in the film. Maybe to differentiate it from the Obi-Wan’s lightsaber which was also blue. His hair was sometimes yellow, sometimes a light brown.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. C’mon! He’s the main character of the original trilogy!

2. Simulate the whining! “But I wanted to go to Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!”

3. For my money there is no finer pilot…of the Landspeeder.

4. Have him fight Darth Vader! I know I did – even though they barely even saw each other in the original film.

5. Have your Han figure bitch-slap him for complaining all the time. “This ain’t like dusting crops boy! Now STFU!”

Backstory:

Born in Revenge of the Sith, raised by his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru on blue milk, joined the Rebel Alliance, overthrew the Empire, killed his dad, and became a Jedi Knight. In the novels, after the movies, he eventually marries a fellow Jedi named Mara Jade (who used to work for the Emperor) and they had a son named Ben. He had many adventures which are too numerous to go into here.

Want more? His full Wookieepedia article

104th in alphabetical order

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Logray (Ewoks 1985)




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.
Want more? His Wookieepedia article

103rd in alphabetical order

Friday, August 27, 2010

Logray (Ewok Medicine Man) (ROTJ 1983-4)



What can I say, another Ewok. Love ‘em, hate ‘em, they’re still part of the Star Wars universe, and everyone needs to just lighten up. Besides, if you were going to get an Ewok figure, Logray wasn’t such a bad way to go. He wasn’t as small as Wicket, so you didn’t feel as cheated. He came with probably the most accessories: the bird skull headdress, the satchel, and the shaman staff. He only came on a ROTJ card.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Like I said, the most accessories out of any Ewok figure.

2. Actually, the figure is very accurate to the Ewok shown on film.

3. Who else are you going to get to call C-3PO and the rest “evil spirits?”

4. Someone needs to stand there while you roast Han on the Ewok Village BBQ spit.

5. Everyone loves a chanter (unless it’s some crazy next to you on the subway).

Backstory:

In his early years, Logray was a warrior, but was captured by a Jedi witch. After that he became a shaman after learning her ways and finding he had Force sensitivity. During the Ewok cartoon, he was the wise old mentor. However, in his later years he started turning to the dark side. When Luke and the bunch were captured, he decried them as evil and tried to get them killed. After C-3PO used his “magic,” Chief Chirpa banished Logray and he was not welcomed back to the village.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

102nd in alphabetical order

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Lobot (ESB 1980-82)




While the people who lived in Cloud City seemed to have finer tastes in clothes, Lobot exemplified it. Look at those sleeves! Look at those pantaloons! Look at that headgear! Apparently Lobot didn’t have room for toupee with his cybernetic implant.

Lobot came on both ESB and ROTJ cards with a standard Cloud City figures pistol (Lando and the Bespin Security guys come with the same one). My personal favorite of anything said about this figure was in the Star Wars: The Action Figure Guide: “Lobot is not very tall, and his height has been translated well to the action figure.” Seriously – that is the only thing it says about the figure itself. Basically “right height.” Ha!

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Disco fans – check out the duds!

2. Hearkens back to the late 70’s/early 80’s time of bulky headgear.

3. If you don’t want two Pilots for the Cloud Car, you can put him in the other pod.

4. Someone needs to make hand gestures to Cloud City people.

5. Mascot to the mute (well, he just didn’t have a speaking part).

Backstory:

Lobot was the son of a slaver, who, after being raided by pirates, ended up at Cloud City stealing for a living. He was caught and sentenced to community service to the city, and also given cyborg enhancement. He became the city’s computer-liason officer, staying on even after his service ended. He basically controlled the city, more than the Administrator.

He secretly helped Lando win Cloud City, since he knew Lando would elevate its status. Lobot was the one who told R2-D2 about the Falcon’s hyperdrive and how to fix it. He continued to administrate over Cloud City despite its changing owners multiple times, but 17 years after the Battle of Yavin he began helping his old boss Lando out with various missions. Usually these missions required some kind of cybernetic liason. He would later return to Cloud City, the last place he is mentioned to be.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

101st in alphabetical order

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) (ESB 1980-82): 100th!




Ah, Leia. What must be in your closet? And where in the heck is it? Does she just keep picking stuff up along the way or does Han have a special cargo container in the Falcon for her outfits?

This is the outfit she wore on Bespin (duh), sometime after she landed and before she was captured by Vader. She comes with the same pistol she did in her white gown. The figure comes in two variations – one with a neck painted to match the gown and one with it flesh-colored. The flesh-colored is more accurate to the film. The vinyl cape on the figure is pink with designs, whereas the one in the film was a grey/off-white. She also comes on 3 cards – two different ESBs (they have different background photos) and an ROTJ. Most self-respecting boys did not get this figure because it was as close to Barbie as you could get.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Most self-respecting girls would get this figure.

2. It ain’t a dinner party without some Force-blocked blaster bolts and Leia in a dress.

3. poster girl for Braids ‘R Us.

4. The only time you will get an SW figure with a print on their vinyl cape.

5. Re-create the smooth moves Lando puts down for Leia. Oooooh, yeah.

Background

Leia changes her outfits many times, and her hair as often.

Want more? Leia's full Wookiepedia article 100th in alphabetical order!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Leia (Hoth Outfit) (ESB 1980-82)



This is the first of Leia’s three wardrobe changes in ESB, and probably the warmest. Except you’d think she might wear a hat like most of the other personnel on the base. The figure comes in two variations, one with light brown hair and one with dark. She comes with the same gun that her original figure did – the one she shot a Stormtrooper with right before she was captured. She doesn’t actually fire a shot in ESB (except at the end in Cloud City), but it would have been boring to package her without a gun.

Hoth Leia came in both ESB and ROTJ packaging, but her nameplate was changed to the full “Princess Leia Organa (Hoth Outfit)” with the ROTJ release.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. You need someone to run away screaming from mynocks.

2. Re-enact some of the character’s wimpiest moments!

3. You can play smoochy face with Bespin Han…if you like that sort of thing.

4. Goes great with your bowl-full-of-vanilla-ice-cream recreation of Hoth. I’m sorry I used all the ice cream, Ma!

5. Collect all of Leia’s many hairdos!

Backstory:

Leia changes her hairstyle.

Want more? Her full Wookieepedia article.

99th in alphabetical order

Monday, August 23, 2010

Klaatu (Skiff Guard Outfit) (ROTJ 1983-4)




Soooooo, we’ve got Leia in all her various outfits. We’ve got Han in several different costumes and in Carbonite. Luke’s got several different versions too. Who else could we make a different outfit for? Oh, I know, Klaatu! The most beloved character from ROTJ! How awesome and rad (this was the 80’s) is that?

In actuality, there are several different Klaatus (the name of the race) in ROTJ, so this really isn’t the same Klaatu, but some guy who worked as a skiff guard. He comes with a force pike that is actually a unique mold and not one of the pikes that comes with Skiff Guard Lando or Nikto. He was only released on an ROTJ card, which was probably enough, given his I’m-just-here-as-cannon-fodder-status. He is darn stylin’ in his beige jumpsuit though.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. You need something to feed your Sarlacc. Feed me Seymour!

2. Populate your Skiff with people you can throw off.

3. Are those Zubaz he’s wearing? He can come to my Superbowl party!

4. Get the other Klaatu and have a Klaatu civil ceremony.

5. One more figure to get blown up in your faithful recreation of the Sand Barge explosion.

Backstory:

Klaatu is a Kadas’sa’Nikto (the other “Klaatu” is really named Wooof) who was paying off a large gambling debt to Jabba. He basically worked as an indentured servant, mainly helping to repair skiffs. Like many in Jabba's palace, he had plans to off the big guy himself, but was beaten to the punch by Luke and the gang. Of course, he was killed by Luke on the deck of Jabba's sail barge before it blew up.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

92nd in alphabetical order

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Klaatu (ROTJ 1983-84)




Klaatu is an exceptional character only for the fact that he is the only character besides the main ones who really had two different outfits - the "regular" one and the skiff guard outfit. Now, granted, there was more than one of his race there, so it could have been a different "Klaatu" as well.


The Klaatu character came with a bladed force pike. Since we never really saw it in action, we can only guess he used it as a cudgel and a pistol. His loin cloth was also one of the few actual soft goods used in the original figures. The loin cloth came in two variations, thicker and thinner. Some Klaatus also had tan arms. The card back came in only two variations, one with a mail-away Emperor offer and one without.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Klaatu's name was inspired by the movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still," where the main character utters the phrase "Klaatu Barada Nikto" to his robot. This phrase was used again in other popular media, most notably a couple of scenes in "Army of Darkness" where Ash forgets the words and unleashes an undead horde. Ah, good stuff.

2. Because of you need this figure, plus Barada and Nikto, to complete a "set." In the later 1990's line they were offered as a 3-figure set.

3. He came in two outfits, so you might as well get one of them.

4. You have to throw someone down the Sarlacc pit.

5. That alluring loin cloth. I'm not gay, but if I were...

Backstory:

Wooof (his real name) is a Kadas'sa'Nikto was a pilot for Jabba's many spacecraft. He was killed when Jabba's sand barge was blown up.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

91st in alphabetical order

Saturday, August 21, 2010

King Gorneesh (Ewoks 1985)




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. The figures are thus...cartoony.

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 instead of the Smurfs, 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 (e.g. the Smurfs) he was always looking for a 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. I'm sorry, Endor-turtle shoulder pads.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

90th in alphabetical order

Friday, August 20, 2010

Kez Iban (Droids 1985)




Another mohawked being on another planet in the Droids line – what a surprise. Also weird that three figures in a row are alphabetical and from the Droids line. The figure comes with a satchel and a blaster from the same mold as the original Stormtrooper blasters. It is molded in black however, and not the navy from before. He sports some interesting facial hair and a lovely shade of purple skin. The eyes are rather large and the loincloth is just a touch larger than Tarzan’s.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Only one of twelve – get the whole line.

2. Where else are you going to get a purple-skinned alien? Not from the movies, that’s where!

3. Mascot to slave laborers.

4. Mascot to guys with interesting soul patches and sideburns (Joe Mauer from the Twins?).

5. Could be mistaken in a dark alley for grey-skinned aliens.

Backstory:

Kez-Iban was the alias used by Mon Julpa, a Gundy and the rightful prince of Tammuz-an. He had his memory erased by enemies of the throne, and sent away. He was helped by Jann Tosh and Jann’s uncle Gundy eventually get back, reclaim the throne, and regain his memory. Another figure based on his prince appearance was prototyped but never released due to the line fizzling out.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

89th in alphabetical order

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Kea Moll (Droids 1985)




Another mohawk? What is with the Droids series and mohawks? I would think if droids could have hair than C-3PO and R2 would have had mohawks during this series too. Kea Moll was the only woman figure produced during the Droids run. She came with a blaster pistol that was ubiquitous during the ESB figure run – Lando had it, Bespin Security figures had it, etc. Even another Droids figure had it. While nice looking on screen, her looks did not translate well to the figure and she looks rather, hmm, how shall I say? Butch. She also has a rather thicker neck and a horrible green sash molded on – but I am no fashion critic.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Why? Eh. She’s only one of twelve in the line, so why not?

2. A bit of a mascot for women who play for the other team, if you get my drift.

3. With two different shades of green, she can be an Irish mascot too.

4. The only Star Wars figure ever produced that had hair that hung down (except for Weequay’s braid).

5. Another punk rocker figure. Although it’s a little hard to swallow now.

Backstory:

Kea Moll was a native to the planet Annoo, and a resistance fighter to the Empire and gangs. When she was tasked with finding a new weapons satellite built by the Fromm gang, she discovered its hiding place, and helped Thall Joben and Jord Dusat escape getting killed at the same time. She eventually helped destroy the satellite, and get the two speeder racers to the Boonta race. She continued following them to gain access to information from manufacturers loyal to the Empire. She later formally joined the Rebellion and helped found the New Republic Intelligence.

Want more? Her Wookieepedia article

88th in alphabetical order

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Jord Dusat (Droids 1985)




That funky mohawk means it must be Jord Dusat…or one of the other three figures with mohawks in the Droids line. What’s up with that? Like Jann Tosh’s weapon, Kenner again went back to the ESB well for Jord’s accessory – in this case the same gun that came with Zuckuss (now 4-LOM). Also, like all the other figures from Droids, he came with a gold coin and his own card front, but the card back on all of them were the same.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. The closest Star Wars has come to an action figure of Randy from My Name is Earl.

2. With that Mohawk, he is the Star Wars mascot to all punk rockers.

3. His speeder looked suspiciously like a Colonial Viper. Enough reason to get the figure, eh?

4. Only twelve figures in the line, might as well get them all.

5. That blue and purple color scheme? The best figure for the color blind.

Backstory:

Jord Dusat was a speeder racer and designer from Ingo who, along with his friend Thall Joben, found the droids while out testing their speeder. He decided to keep the droids, who had just been dumped by their previous master, since his new speeder required an astromech droid. Jord and the droids became involved with an agent, Kea Moll, and her attempt to find a weapons satellite being built by the Fromm gang to eliminate all the other gangs. The good guys succeeded, and Jord went on to a probable job with the Zebulon Dak Speeder Corporation.

Want more? Wookieepedia article

87th in alphabetical order

Monday, August 16, 2010

Jawa (SW 1978-79)




Can’t trust a Jawa. Those beady eyes. Always after your ipod. The gun that looks like part of a muffler. Actually, did you ever see that scene in John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” where Kurt Russell uses the hot end of that flamethrower testing people’s blood? Yeah, the gun looks like that, only without a backpack. But that is neither here nor there.

The Jawa came with a “blaster pistol,” which was really more of a portable ion gun to neutralize machinery. It’s the same one used on R2 to take him down in the first movie. The gun looks like it has been warn down, but it is really lacking any good detail. Most Jawa figures also came with a cloth cape, but the earliest release had a vinyl cape, making it pretty rare. Underneath the cape on the figure itself is printed bandoliers (which were actually over the cape in the movies). The Jawa came on a SW, ESB, ROTJ, and POTF card. It was one of the original “12-back” figures. I have two left to do from the 12 – can you figure out which ones?

I have said this before and I’ll say it again, I was always miffed by the short figures when I was a kid. They seemed like such a rip off. At least when they came out with Jawas in the 1990’s line they made it a two-pack. No cloth cape though. The Jawas afforded a special place of honor as both the Remote-Controlled Sandcrawler and the Land of the Jawas Playset was made with them in mind.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Finally figure out what’s underneath that hood. Ah-hah … wait … damnit!

2. Line up three and turn on your recording of the Lollipop Guild song from The Wizard of Oz.

3. Cloth cape = Jawa strip tease.

4. Get a heap of them and re-enact that little Jawa bonfire C-3PO and Obi-Wan got going.

5. Addendum to number 4: re-enact the missing scene where the Stormtroopers fight the Jawas. Sure, they can take out a sandcrawler full of Jawas, but they can’t take out some frickin’ Ewoks? The Empire deserved to die.

Backstory:

Jawas are native to Tatooine, and are very passive compared to other natives such as Tusken Raiders. They are descendants of race that once lived on the very habitable Tatooine, but was mercilessly bombed by a rival race, turning the planet into a desert. The climate change eventually created a divergence in the species: Jawas and Sandpeople.

Jawas live in tribes, scouring the desert for discarded junk and debris from colonists and space. The sandcrawlers they travel in are abandoned ore haulers; left behind when it was realized the ores of Tatooine weren’t worth the cost.

The Jawas were most prominent in capturing the two droids and selling them to Luke and his Uncle Owen. That tribe was killed because of that, but there are many more on the Tatooine landscape.
Their appearance is a mystery, since they wear special cloth strips over their faces to keep in moisture. That, and no one likes their smell.

Want more? Wookieepedia article

86th in alphabetical order

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Jann Tosh (Droids 1985)




That open shirt with the ripped chest and abs? It’s He-Man, I mean, Jann Tosh! With his fondness for red vests and headbands, Jann Tosh comes with a blaster rifle just like IG-88’s, except molded in black. He also has different colored wristbands, completing his 1980’s “let’s get physical” ensemble.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Hey – Jann isn’t just a girl’s name anymore.

2. That dashing headband, that bulging chest.

3. The only other guy that could pilot the A-Wing, I mean, R-22 Spearhead.

4. The idol to headband-wearing guys everywhere.

5. You actually go for those kind of looks.

Backstory:

Jann Tosh bought the droids from an abusive owner, as well as an alien (who later turns out to be a prince) in disguise. He eventually takes the alien, Kez-Iban, back to his homeworld to reclaim his throne. Jann is then made captain in that world’s space navy. At one point in the show, he is shown piloting an A-Wing fighter, but since those weren’t supposed to exist until after The Empire Strikes Back, this has been retroactively converted (retconned) to an R-22 Spearhead. Along the way he was helped out by the two droids. Afterwards he joined the Rebel Alliance.

Want more? The Wookieepedia article

85th in alphabetical order

Saturday, August 14, 2010

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 versions (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.

Want more about Jabba's Palace? The Wookieepedia article

84th in alphabetical order

Friday, August 13, 2010

Jabba the Hutt Action Playset (ROTJ)




In name, this is a playset, but it can be argued that this is a two-figure set with some accessories.

The major player here is Jabba, with movable torso, arms, and tail. When you moved the torso it made the tail move – rather nifty at the time. Accompanying him is his cackling court jester, Salacious Crumb. Crumb has no movement, and is only formed to sit on Jabba’s throne. However, this doesn’t prevent your from trying to imitate his laugh.

The throne features all the accoutrements:
-Trapdoors to simulate Jabba’s dungeon.
-A hookah with pipe and water bowl (for a tasty Klaatoine paddy frog snack)
-A slave collar and “chain”

To be honest, this was probably one of the best figures I ever had.
Why should you own it? I’ll supersize-it with 10 reasons!

1. Jabba’s eyes. No, this isn’t romantic – the figure had really cool lifelike glassy eyes!

2. Where else are you going to find a toy that so blatantly advertises smoking?

3. The detail is actually really good for the original line, down to the little Cyclops faces on the front of the throne.

4. The inside of Jabba’s throne is another one of those “Mom doesn’t know what she’s buying me” things. There are skeletons in there and a random jawbone and everything!

5. Doing the Jabba Shuffle – move the tail back and forth and watch him do the twist.

6. Make Salacious Crumb cackle incessantly at your younger sibling.

7. The slave collar and chain gave you hope that they would make a Leia in Slave Girl outfit figure. This, however, did not come until the 1990’s line.

8. The figure set up on the box, other than Luke wearing the collar, is actually fairly representative of the characters on the scene in the movie.

9. Jabba’s trap-doored throne dungeon is a good place to give time-outs to your figures that have been naughty.

10. Perfect to place next to your Han in Carbonite (either the figure or the accessory from the Slave I ship).

Backstory:

His full name was Jabba Desilijic Tiure, a Hutt who, at only 80 (he was about 622 years old when he died), started his crime empire on Tatooine. His palace is actually an old B’Omarr monastery (the big spider thing you see in the palace? That’s a B’Omarr monk).

He rose to power through gambling, spice smuggling, and other sordid endeavors. He attracted various lowlifes of the galaxy, including bounty hunters, various yes-men, and his majordomo, Bib Fortuna. He picked up Salacious Crumb, a Kowakian spider monkey, on one of his rare off-world excursions. Crumb had been a pest on a space station and hitched a ride on Jabba’s ship, one step ahead of exterminators. Crumb so humored Jabba with his antics that he kept him on as a jester, but only if Crumb made him laugh at least daily.

Jabba’s overconfidence led to his downfall when Luke and the gang, attempting to rescue Han, killed Jabba and much of his entourage by blowing up his sand barge (technically Leia strangled him with the slave chain before that). Crumb died in the explosion.

After Jabba’s death, the B’Omarr monks took their monastery back by force, overcoming whichever of Jabba’s followers were left. Jabba’s father, Zorba, put a price out on the people who killed his son, but ended the bounty once Leia was elected to head of office, to avoid any conflict.

Want more? Jabba's full Wookieepedia article

83rd in alphabetical order