AST-5 Armored Sentinel Transport (ROTJ)

The AST-5 (Armored Sentinel Tranport) is one of the many mini-rigs featured in the Kenner Star Wars line. Unlike many of the mini-rigs which took their inspiration from bigger vehicles in the movies (compare the mini sand skiff to the full sand skiff), the AST did not seem to have a larger counterpart. It was also one of the few mini-rigs never to be featured in any Star Wars novel, cartoon, or other media ever again. In fact, forget I ever mentioned it.

Why should you own this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. Because of its odd design, you can easily fool your friends into believing its from any one of a number of different toy line. Just hide the box.

2. It features not one, not two, but three different positions! "Sentry mode" (folded together standing up), "attack mode" (engine at a 90 degree angle), and "pursuit mode" (engine folded behind the cockpit).

3. It inspired today's folding cell phones. Maybe.

4. For those who missed that "just right" shade or red/orange that the Cloud City Pod Car came in.

5. It has two obvious guns, and when folded up it looks like one of the suits of Cobra armor from G.I. Joe... made by Hasbro...which bought Kenner...wait a sec.

Backstory:

The only backstory the AST has is provided by the box. It looks like it was used by Jabba's guards. Maybe for chasing down escaped prisoners. Maybe for manning the lifeguard stations at Jabba's private beach. Who knows? All we can suppose is that they kept it off-screen during ROTJ - maybe in the garage. Wookieepedia article

12th in alphabetical order

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) Now! with Sensorscope (ESB 1908-82)

How do you make more variations of a figure when he doesn’t actually wear different outfits? Anyway you can of course! Kenner was provided with this opportunity when R2-D2 showed two more talents in The Empire Strikes Back. Not only did he show a little “radar” dish that could extend from his dome on Hoth, but he also had a periscope that he used on Dagobah. Kenner went ahead and built one of these features in, but call it the wrong accessory. The “Sensorscope” was what R2 used on Hoth to scan for Luke, but the feature on the figure more resembles the periscope he used on Dagobah. C’mon people! One little detail and you mix it up? Granted, Kenner could have been working with details not fully fleshed out before the movie actually premiered, so I’ll let it slide. Of course, the fastest way to make another R2 would have been to add the third freakin’ leg! Okay, rant over.

The ESB card read “ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2)” and the ROTJ card read “Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (with sensorscope).”

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:
1. R2 with a little plastic piece that pops out? I am sooooo there!

2. While Han is sticking Luke in your slit-belly Tauntaun, you can have R2 sensing. Awesome!

3. Stick it to C-3PO: “You know over 6 million forms of communication? Well, can you do this? No? In your face!”

4. Use this R2 in your Dagobah playset. Submerge him in the foam “swamp” and stick the periscope up. Now that’s entertainment!

5. “Sensorscope “ sounds oddly sensual. Ooooooooh, yeah.

Backstory:

R2 has a lot of pop-out attachments, only three of which are shown in Empire, a couple more shown in ROT J (unless you count the scene where he gets electrocuted), but most shown in the prequels. You think they could have at least made the little claw arm he used on Yoda too. For the rest of R2’s backstory I will refer you to the Wookieepedia article.

11th in alphabetical order

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) with pop-up Lightsaber (POTF 1985)

Kenner production team meeting:

Guy 1: Hmm…how can we milk more out of figures we have already made?

Guy 2: What about sparking torso C-3PO?

Guy 3: No – too obvious. How about a Leia in disco suede?

Guy 1: No – too many design changes. How about a new R2?

Guy 2: Yeah, but what hasn’t been done? The third leg?

Guy 1: Oh, we did that in the Droid Factory so not many people could get it. What about a lightsaber that can come out of his head, like in the Tatooine scene?

Guy 3: Yeah, but let’s use an Endor scene photo on the package!

All three: Brilliant!

Alright, so many it didn’t go quite like this, but with a “premium” line like the POTF one, why could there have been a really new figure? Why an R2 with one little feature. Heck, the lightsaber doesn’t even really pop out – it rises as you turn his head. I want a mother----ing saber that shoots out his head right into my Jedi Luke’s hand! Is that so much to ask?

Well, anyway, this R2 comes on a POTF card, making it rarer. It comes with a green lightsaber that rise from his head as you turn it, and is removable. As any POTF figure, it comes with a coin, but inexplicably, it shows a photo – not of R2 shooting out the lightsaber – no, it shows him short-circuiting at the Endor bunker. Go figure.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Maybe you could rig a pen spring in there and make it really shoot.

2. Makes up for Poncho Luke not coming with a lightsaber. Partially.

3. Adds credence to the line, “Is that a lightsaber, or are you just happy to see me?”

4. Gave hope that they would finally get R2 right. Oh, wait – the line just ended.

5. A real coup, since your parents are probably saying, “Don’t you already have one of these?”

Backstory:

The backstory has been covered in my original R2 post, and here is the link to the R2 with sensorscope, and the Droids R2

Full story? Wookieepedia article

10th in alphabetical order

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (Droids 1985)

As clear an indication as you can get that Kenner did not want to go back to older models : the R2-D2 figure for Droids came with a pop-up lightsaber, the same as the last produced R2 figure in the POTF line. Now, keep in mind, nowhere in the actual Droids show did R2 actually use this feature. Arrgh ! The R2 featured on the card picture is sporting about half a dozen appendages, but they use the one that he doesn’t use.

This version of R2 does not come with any accessories except the aforementioned lightsaber. His dome is also matte grey instead of silver, and his decal is much more simplified to reflect his cartoon persona. All this combines to make it an uglier R2.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:
1. Only twelve figures in the line- might as well get them all.

2. You want an R2 that looks like a knock-off without actually getting a knock-off.

3. That POTF lightsaber-popping R2 is just too damned expensive.

4. The series is called Droids. You should probably get an actual droid figure.

5. The very last R2 figure and still no third leg – buy it and burn it in protest.

Backstory:

Everyone now knows that R2 and C-3PO were taken by Bail Organa at the end of Revenge of the Sith, and the Droids series takes place between that time and A New Hope. Supposedly the droids get accidentally jettisoned during a ship drill, and go through a series of masters before ending back up with Bail.

Want his full story? Wookieepedia article

9th in alphabetical order

Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (SW 1978-79)

R2-D2, part of the original 12. This is one of those figures that my opinion of changed over time. I liken it to Garfield comic strips. When I was a kid, they were hilarious. As I got older though, I realized just how unfunny it was. I cannot figure out if my sense of humor became more refined, or that Garfield kept repeating the same jokes over and over (okay, you like lasagna and hate Mondays - can we move onto something else!). My point being, when I was a kid I liked this figure, when I got older however...

Yes, R2-D2 is a core character, and yes, I realize that the detail on his body could really only be accurately done with a decal. But still, when I got older, I realized this character kind of, well, sucked. First of all, where is the third leg? The only way to get an R2 with a third leg in the original line was to buy the Droid Factory Playset. He used that third leg most of the time in the movies! Second, the head detail only vaguely resembles his real head - and they never changed it. Not when they made Sensorscope R2 and not when they made Lightsaber-popping R2. Can you even put the R2 figure in an X-Wing? No! That feature is already built in. You had to wait until the Y-Wing was produced during ROTJ before you could put an astromech droid in a vehicle.

Okay, after all that, why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. It's R2, despite all his flaws, he's a core character. Who's going to shut down the trash compactor on your Death Star playset?

2. You can let Jawas shoot his ass.

3. That shiny, shiny head. I like shiny objects. Tin Man's my favorite.

4. His head clicks when turned, kind of like that barn door on your Fisher-Price farm set that "mooed."

5. R2 figure vs. Yoda figure in a no-holds-barred knockdown fight over Luke's X-Wing kit lantern! Who will win: the swiss-army droid or the 900-year-old Jedi Master? You decide!

Backstory:

R2, like most astromech-class (so-called because they could plug into many starships and aid with navigation and other duties) was built by Industrial Automaton maybe around 33 years before the first movie (age debated). At the time of "The Phantom Menace" he was owned by the Royal Engineers of Naboo, and the rest is history. He saved the Queen, ended up with Anakin, then Bail Organa, a bunch of owners (in the cartoon series Droids), then back to Bail, then to Luke and so on. In the novels after the movies, R2 eventually reveals details and footage of Anakin and Padme to Luke and Leia, since he never underwent a memory wipe like C-3PO did. In stories about Luke's descendants, R2 was still in use at least 137 years after the first movie's events.

Want the full story? His Wookieepedia article

8th in alphabetical order

Anakin Skywalker (POTF 1985)

This figure, like many before it, was first available from Kenner only as a mail-away. In the POTF line, however, it was put on a card with a coin. Anakin did not come with any accessories, because, well, it is a figure of a ghost. It really wouldn’t make sense to give him any accessories. This figure is one of only 15 figures that were only released on the POTF cards.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. The only ghost you get to own from the vintage line.

2. Re-create his action-packed smiling! The slight nod to Luke!

3. Change the scene a little: Luke: “Oh, so you guys can appear here too? Well, thanks for all the help everywhere else you bastards!”

4. Another thing you can put in the Ewok Village – besides Ewoks!

5. Those stylish robes!

Backstory:

It is interesting - since the last change in the “Special Editions,” Hayden Christensen has replaced the previous actor as the ghostly Anakin. This change essentially means that this figure never existed. However, soon before this final Special Edition, a figure 3-pack of the Force ghosts, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda were put out in the 1990’s line.

Full story? His Wookieepedia article

7th in alphabetical order

Amanaman (POTF 1985)

Why should you get this figure? I'll give you SEVEN reasons this time:

1. It is the one of the most "alien" of the Star Wars aliens. That cowl, those extended arms, the stubby legs. This isn't just some actor with make up, this is a whole different being.

2. Any character that has little to no speaking part and that you have to point out where it is in the film to other people is automatically considered cool.

3. It comes close to being first in alphabetical order (yeah, I know, Admiral Ackbar beats its out).

4. The staff with the three heads (possibly shrunken) and the severed hand. Three freakin' severed heads and a hand! If your mom actually looked closely at the package, would she have bought this for you? No freakin' way! Who cares it doesn't have a blaster or a lightsaber - freakin' severed heads, man!

5. It only has two different variations - the U.S. card and the overseas "tri-logo" card.

6. Despite barely on screen, he has his own coin, damnit!
7. For all these reasons it has been one of my personal favorites.

Backstory:

Amanaman had very little screen time, appearing in Jabba's throne room in Return of the Jedi. It's species is Amanin, a primitive culture from the planet Maridun. While they have the aforementioned stubby legs, they are able to curl up in a ball and roll at quite fast speeds. Their skin secretes a poison which deters predators and acts as a natural moisturizer. Their native habitat is typically rain forest, preferring to live in trees (not unlike Wookiees). It is unclear exactly what motives Amanaman had (he may have been a bounty hunter), or who his head decorations were when they were alive, but it is fairly certain that Amanaman died when Jabba's sand barge exploded.

Note: "Amanaman" is often the nickname for the Amanin species.

Full story? His Wookieepedia article

6th in alphabetical order

Admiral Ackbar (ROTJ 1983-84)

It's a trap!

I thought shellfish only got that red after you cooked them. Anyhoo, Admiral Ackbar was the first alien Rebellion member of any significance. Sure, we found out later when they fleshed out more backstories that some more aliens we saw were part of the Rebellion, but Ackbar was the first to be a leader.

Ackbar came with a omigod, omigod, omigod : a command stick! In the later 199o's+ releases he came with a gun, but he was never shown using any weapon (or command stick for that matter) in Return of the Jedi. He only came on an ROTJ card, but he did have one variation - his vest was originally more grey and later became a cream color.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. Those huge plate-sized eyes! Can't you just get lost in them?

2. That Captain Stubing-like white suit. Classic.

3. Three words: command-freakin'-stick! Where else are you going to get one?

4. Take inspiration from the figure as you practice your Ackbar impression: "It's a trap!"

5. Mmmmmmm, Mon Calamari rings.

Backstory:

Ackbar was born on his homeworld of Mon Calamari (yes, the reference to seafood here is not lost on any of us) about 44 years before the destruction of the first Death Star. He became a leader among his people, and with the rise of the Empire organized resistance against it. He was captured and was going to be given as a gift to Governor Tarkin, but was rescued by Rebel forces. When he returned to Mon Calamari, he was made Admiral of their space forces, and successfully repelled the Empire.

He quickly rose in ranks in the Rebellion and became Admiral of their fleet, and was instrumental in developing the B-wing fighter. He was a major player in the battle of the second Death Star, helping to defeat the Imperial forces there. After the fall of the Empire he became Supreme Commander of the New Republic Defense Force, the highest rank.

Ackbar led the way to final defeat of the lingering Empire, and numerous other battles fought during his career. He passed away of old age at 74 years old. He did not have children of his own, but two of his nieces did become Jedi.

Want the full story? His Wookieepedia article

5th in alphabetical order

Action Figure Collector Cases (SW, ESB, ROTJ)

The first in this line of rectangular figure cases was actually labeled on the front "Mini-Action Figure Collector's Case," but collectively these are known as Action Figure Collector Cases. The structure of the case stayed the same, but the artwork changed for every movie, sometimes twice. Since all the places to put the figures were pretty standardized, there were always those who wouldn't fit (curse you Rancor Keeper and Gamorrean Guard!) or those you could fit two to a section (R2 and a Jawa for example).

4th in alphabetical order

A-Wing Pilot (Droids 1985)

Yes, you guessed it – this is the exact same figure with the exact same gun with the exact same coin (except tinted gold this time) as the POTF line, just on a different card. Those Kenner bastards! Next, you’ll be telling me they re-used molds on playsets…oh, wait. They did. This figure came with the same blaster pistol as the B-Wing pilot (did they have them in the locker room?) and the AT-ST Driver.

Why should you get this figure? Five reasons:

1. The second coolest of the Droids figures – mainly because it was already produced in the original line and didn’t look so…cartoonish.

2. Gave you hope that your parents would get the vehicle to go with it.

3. A lush, verdant green to accentuate your love for the planet.

4. Practice you’re a-Wing pilot yell right before your crash into the Super Star Destroyer.

5. To every vehicle its pilot.

Backstory:

A-Wing pilots had to be very skilled due to the vehicle’s high speed, feather-touch maneuverability, and weapons systems without the aid of an astromech droid. Because of the initial hand-built nature of the A-Wings, many pilots even added personal touches such as wooden interiors. Some pilots (or their mechanics) also modified the guns to swivel 360 degrees, increasing their surprise against trailing enemy fighters. One of the more prominent A-Wing pilots was Tycho Celchu, an Alderaanian and member of Rogue Squadron.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

3rd in alphabetical order

A-Wing Pilot (POTF 1985)

The A-Wing pilot came in a stylish dark green jumpsuit, with non-removable (like most figure in the vintage line) helmet. He came with a blaster pistol that was common to many of the other “pilots” and “drivers” in the POTF and ROTJ releases. Pictures of an actual pilot in the movie are pretty hard to come by, since they are really only seen in the cockpit. This might explain why the card shows a picture of the ship and not the pilot. This, however, is fairly common in the Kenner pilot and driver figures.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Cooler than the Droids release based on the cardback alone.

2. There weren’t too many POTF-only releases, so why not get them all?

3. For the love of the green.

4. Practice your hellish screaming as you ram your A-Wing into the control tower of a super star destroyer.

5. Holds out hope that you’ll actually get an A-Wing.

Backstory:

A-Wing pilots had to be very skilled due to the vehicle’s high speed, feather-touch maneuverability, and weapons systems without the aid of an astromech droid. Because of the initial hand-built nature of the A-Wings, many pilots even added personal touches such as wooden interiors. Some pilots (or their mechanics) also modified the guns to swivel 360 degrees, increasing their surprise against trailing enemy fighters. One of the more prominent A-Wing pilots was Tycho Celchu, an Alderaanian and member of Rogue Squadron.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article

2nd in alphabetical order

A-Wing Fighter Vehicle (Droids 1985)

The A-Wing – sleek and fast looking. Streamlined. The best vehicle from the Droids line…mainly because it was in Return of the Jedi. And it was never produced until now. Hey, but now we have it!

The A-Wing only comes in a Droids box, and when you produce a very popular toy in a waning line, it instantly becomes rare and valuable. I hope you got this one while you could. It featured a cockpit for one figure, retractable landing gear, swiveling side-mounted laser cannons, and electronic sound. The color scheme was also painted on and not decals like an X-Wing or TIE Fighter. Overall, a pretty cool ship – just very hard to get a hold of.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:
1. This was the fastest ship in the fleet – not the Millennium Falcon.

2. Look at this thing – it just sweats cool.

3. You got the A-Wing pilot – now get the real deal.

4. Your only real reason to get something from the Droids line.

5. The coolest ship to play with – and probably easiest to hold.

Backstory:

The RZ-1 A-Wing Interceptor was a fast ship – engines with a cockpit. It was a descendant of the Jedi starfighters seen in the prequel movies. However, not having an astromech port made the fighter hard to control at high speeds (unless you’re a Jedi) and control the weapons which could often fire 360 degrees. It also had 2 concussion missile launchers, which held 6 each. They were originally developed by the Alliance and made through Allaicne Underground Engineering, so each was more handbuilt, resulting in a higher maintenance schedule. However, enough of them were made by the Battle of Endor to make a difference and turn the tide of that battle. Later models were made by Incom Corporation.

Early designs of the A-Wing had blue stripes, but these were changed to red for blue screen filming. Also, while the fighter had an “A” shape, the original A-Wing fighter name may have come from the production staff calling the two new ships “ship A” and “ship B” (the B-Wing fighter).

Want the full story? Its Wookieepedia article.

1st in alphabetical order

Yoda [1995, POTF2]

...With Jedi Trainer Backpack and Gimer Stick!

How can we make Yoda more exciting. Hmmm...more accessories! Like, hmmm, a stick!

Yes, before the prequels, one of Yoda's most exciting accessories was...wait for it...a stick! Not only that, it is a Gimer stick! We also get the backpabk Luke carried him in. In the vintage line this was only available through a mail-away accessory pack. Yoda is a decent figure, but it is hard to say whether this was much of an improvement on the vintage figure.

Five reasons to get this figure:

1. Backpack, backpack. Backpack, backpack, yay!

2. "I don't care if your Darth Vader comes with a lightsaber, Timmy. My figure has a Gimer stick! Suck it!"

3. Accessorize with your own Dagobah hut baked in a kiln and foam sinkholes for a swamp.

4. Won't your Luke look stunning in this turquoise bag!

5. Easiest figure to smuggle through Customs.

Backstory:

Yoda left his home planet (never revealed, nor his race - even though we see another of his race in Episode I) almost 900 years before the Battle of Yavin. He crash-landed with a human friend on a swampy planet (possibly Dagobah) where a Jedi Master revealed them both to be Force-sensitive and trained them. They were rescued after their training.

About 100 years later Yoda started training his first student, and was a teacher and master since that time. Yoda became a member of the ruling Jedi Council, and in Episode I through III saw the rise of Anakin to Vader, and barely avoided detection, escaping to Dagobah during the Jedi purge. He was found later by Anakin's son Luke, who he trained before passing away, and becoming one with the Force.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

Tusken Raider [1995, POTF2]

...with GADERFFI STICK BATTLE CLUB.

Okay, now we're getting somewhere POTF2 line. No bulging muscles. No extra huge guns. No non-canonical hidden weapons (I'm looking at you R5-D4). Authentic sculpting and detail. Authentic weapon. What more could you want? Oh, yeah, that it be called a Sandperson! Why, because most sources, when describing this race, say "Also known as Tusken Radiers." Okay, so this should be the back-up name, not the first. Would it have killed you Kenner to put "Sandperson" in parentheses at least? Nope - nowhere on the package.

Later in this line a Sandperson/Bantha package is released. The figure in this set features hinged knees so it can ride the Bantha.

Five reasons to own this figure:

1. You know after watching Star Wars you took a stick on did the howl while holding it up in the air with both hands - admit it.

2. Who else is going to wantonly destroy a landspeeder?

3. Get to ride a hairy elephant (Bantha). Not a sexual metaphor.

4. Finally, a figure that is supposed to tear off C-3PO's arm.

5. Another excuse to play in the sandbox.

Backstory:

Sand People were an offshoot of a people indigenous to Tatooine for millennia. When a global disaster struck the planet, this civilization eventually evolved into Sand People and Jawas. Much later in their history, after a series of raids which forced out the colonists in the town of Fort Tusken, the Sand People became known as Tusken Raiders.

Unlike the Jawas, Sand People disregarded most technology. For attack and defense they used gaffi sticks, or gaderffii. They do occasionally gather enough metal scrap to make rifles, however. These can be seen in SW and Episode I. Sand People stay covered from head to toe to keep in moisture and protect them from the harsh desert climate. They roam in small tribes, and domesticate native banthas for transportation. Like the Jawas, they subsist mainly on native hubba gourds for nutrition and hydration.

About the only things that Sand People truly fear are krayt dragons, a large carnivore indigenous to Tatooine. In fact, the howl that Obi-wan makes in the first movie to scare the Sand People was a krayt dragon roar. The skeleton that C-3PO passes in the desert was that of a krayt dragon (the prop of which was left there and is still there today).

Want more? The Tusken Raider Wookieepedia entry

TIE Fighter Pilot [1995, POTF2]

...with Imperial Blaster Pistol and Rifle!

Now, granted, I'm sure, in a TIE fighter, just like our current fighter pilots, they carry some kind of firearm. However, do you honestly think they are carrying the blaster pistol and a rifle? My guess is that Imperials would cut down on costs by giving them one small firearm, considering most of what they do IS IN SPACE! Do you think the conversation with command is going to go like this:

Pilot: "Yeah, my TIE is disabled, so I'll just wait here until pick-up after the battle."
Command: "Eject, and start firing with all those guns we included."
Pilot: "Sorry Command, last message sounded funny, could you repeat?"
Command: "Eject and start firing at those Rebels!"
Pilot: "You do understand that I could maybe get one shot off, any firearm would likely be ineffective against a vehicle designed to go into combat and withstand the rigors of space, and the one shot I do get off would likely cause me to go spinning off into deep space because of the laws of momentum."
Command: "Eject and..."
Pilot: "Sorry - radio just got shot out, can't receive any more."

Like all the initial POTF2 figures, the TIE Pilot is a bit beefier than his picture, otherwise it is an accurate portrayal.

Five reasons to get this figure:

1. Cooler than a Stormtrooper - gets to wear black.

2. More dangerous job than a Stormtrooper. Not only are you in space battle without shields, if you eject safely you're still wearing an all-black uniform IN SPACE. What rescue ship is going to see that?

3. Land, pop out of ship with huge gun in each hand.

3. Wear black, fly black ship, hang out with eco-crowd because you have solar panels.

4. Gets to slap people with black gloves.

5. 15 minutes of combat, maybe once a week. Oh, yeah.

Backstory:
Only ten percent of recruits that joined the TIE pilot program actually made it into the TIE fighter corp. Others were dispersed to do other military functions. TIE pilots had a full life-support system uniform, because TIE fighters didn’t actually have life-support. Unlike a ship such as an X-Wing, TIEs were ferried to their location by a supporting ship, like a Star Destroyer, so their actual flying time tended to be short. However, if they were shot down, their survival tended to be minimal, thus they were normally not given personal weapons or rations.

In the subsequent novels, there were a couple of TIE pilots that got a few pages, Baron Soontir Fel, and a TIE pilot that crashed during the original Battle of Yavin. He was discovered years later by Han and Leia’s kids when Luke founded a Jedi Academy on Yavin. Obviously inspired by those Japanese soldiers on remote islands that thought WWII was still going on for years.

Want the full story? Wookieepedia article

Tatooine Stormtrooper [1995, POTF2]

...with CONCUSSION GRENADE CANNON.

Tatooine stormtrooper - one of those figure from the original trilogy that people always wonder - why didn't they make one of that? Realistic weathering (it is Tatooine after all), the detailed pack, the large gun, the shoulder pad - all there. To be honest, you couldn't ask for a much more realistic representation of this figure.

When Kenner released the next wave on green cards (and re-issued a lot of the orange ones on them too) this figure was renamed "Sandtrooper," which I guess sets the precedent to call others "Snowtrooper" and the like. Another Sandtrooper with the grey shoulder pad was included a little later in a Dewback 2-pack.

Five reasons to get this figure:

1. Admit it, since seeing the first movie, you wanted this figure in addition to the regular Stormtrooper.

2. No longer do you have to airbrush your own figures! Kenner has now done it for you!

3. Shoulder pads are no longer for the ladies. In the 80's.

4. Have you seen the gun? Huge. Have you seen the pack? Big. Do you know what the pack is for???!!!! No idea.

5. "But Honey, I can only play with this figure in the sandbox. You understand, right?"

Backstory:

Very similar to a regular Stormtrooper, but with different training and equipment. The full entry is here.

Stormtrooper [1995, POTF2]

...with Blaster Rifle and Heavy Infantry Cannon!

I'm really loving how all these first wave descriptions end with exclamation points. So dramatic! So in your face! If only they would have put EVERY WORD IN ALL CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here we have the iconic Stormtrooper, a bit more dynamic than the no-neck vintage figure, more detailed, more accurate gun, action pose, a cannon. Another cannon. A bit muscular for armor, but in keeping with the POTF2 figures.

Five reasons to get this figure:

1. The head moves! The head moves!

2. Finally, a big honkin' gun to go with the more bad-ass look.

3. Every needs at least 20 of these for many Star Wars scenes.

4. C'mon! You want to be the only person out there with out one?
You: "No, I never got one of those."
Your friend: "You are a a pariah and will be shunned all you days."

5. Anyone can pull off bright white after Labor Day when its body armor.

Backstory:

Stormtroopers grew out of the surviving clone troopers that served in the Clone Wars. By the time of the first movie, about 1/3 of stormtroopers were from Jango Fett's original DNA, the rest were from other DNA sources and humans recruited in the traditional manner.

A stormtroopers armor was made of a plastoid composite fitted over a black body glove. This gave some protection from blaster shots (obviously not a lot given the movies' body count) and protection against most climates. In fact there was a limited air supply built in and troopers could survive in the vacuum of space for short periods. The E-11 blaster rifle was standard issue for most troopers (the one that came with the figure).

When not in the white armor, stormtroopers wore a black dress uniform, seen mainly in the first movie aboard the death star. About the only variation that stormtroopers had were the shoulder pauldrons to show rank (see the stormtroopers on Tatooine in the first movie), otherwise the Empire wanted an across-the-board uniform appearance.

The stormtroopers were a feared force...until Endor. After their defeat by a handful of Rebels and primitive natives, two things changed. One, the stormtroopers were no longer seen as such an imposing force, and two, stormtroopers finally got some camouflaged armor - white was a glaringly obvious target.

Want more? His Wookieepedia article