Yoda (ESB 1980-82)

Yoda, like the Ewoks that succeeded him, was a figure released a little later during the ESB line to preserve the surprise of the character. Oh, and for all of you who, for some reason, are reading this site and have not seen The Empire Strikes Back: Vader is Luke's father.

For a little guy, Yoda had several variations. First, he came in slightly different shades of green. Hmm, Yoda, Kermit - both green. Second, his cane went from one shade of brown to a darker one. Third (and fourth I guess), his snake went from orange to brown, and also got sculpted slightly differently.

Card variations include ESB, two ROTJ cards (one had the original ESB background photo, the other had more of a profile shot), and a POTF card. Starting with the ROTJ card the name changed from "Yoda" to "Yoda The Jedi Master." Hmph, building an ego, big shot? Next thing you know he'll be showing off his lightsaber or something. He also comes with a utility belt - not the cool Batman kind, but a little belt that has what looks like a little pouch, a pan flute, and that little light he fought R2 over. Oh, there's also his cloth robe. Jeez, this guy has a lot of stuff.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Yoda, frickin' Jedi Master, dawg.

2. The figure is the only time you will see Yoda smile. In the movies he's always harshin' Luke's buzz.

3. Re-enact the R2 / Yoda featherweight bout! In this corner, a scrappy little tin head! In the other corner, a guy who can lift an X-Wing and land it on your head!

4. He's got his own playset - who else is going to levitate those containers? Luke? I don't think so.

5. Create the always dreamed-about-but-never-realized Yoda versus Salacious Crumb Ulitmate Fighting Challenge, winner take all!

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

179th in alphabetical order

X-Wing Fighter (SW)

Ah, the X-Wing Fighter! If you played with Star Wars figures and had one vehicle, chances are it was this one. And chances are, if you still have it today, you've lost the wing guns. That's okay, someone is always selling spares on Ebay.

The X-Wing is one of the first Star Wars vehicles to come out, evidenced by the "12-back" cards from the first figures that advertised it. Although not truly to scale (the nose is stubby and it is a little too small compared to the figures - if you look at the movie) no kid really noticed. They were just excited to have something to fly around the room and shoot at things.

The X-Wing featured wings that could open (press down R2's head) and close (move the blue toggle switch next to R2) and electronic shooting noises and light (other blue button next to R2). Of course, toy technology being what it was, the noises weren't movie-authentic, but then again, what kid truly cared? The front landing skid could be put down or up, and the cockpit could be opened or closed to accommodate one figure. Unfortunately, Luke in X-Wing outfit was the only X-Wing pilot made in the original line. There wasn't even a Wedge until the new line, and he starred in all three movies!

The initial X-Wing was molded in white, but in subsequent releases for ESB and ROTJ, it was molded in gray and included battle-damage decals. The black wing guns could be taken off to simulate it getting damaged or whatever scenario your little mind could imagine.

Why should you get this vehicle? Five reasons:

1. It's the X-Wing! You get a TIE Fighter and you're all set for one hell of a dogfight.

2. The first vehicle-designed figure came out for THIS vehicle. Hell, the TIE pilot didn't even come out until ESB.

3. Yes, it sucked that you couldn't put your R2 figure in the socket, but you just had to love pressing that head to make the wings go up and down. Up and down. Up and down.

4. Electronic action! A light! Bitchin' flame decals, I mean, battle-damage decals!

5. Even though the emphasis was on the wing-guns, they still managed to add the torpedo-launchers as a detail on the underside. Yeah, I didn't notice this either for quite awhile after having it.

Backstory:

The Incom T-65 X-Wing was a versatile fighter for the Rebel Alliance (all the designers for it defected to the Rebellion rather than let the designs fall to the Empire). Precursor fighters can be seen in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, in the opening battle. Unlike TIE fighters, X-Wings possessed both shields and a hyperdrive (for quick hit-and-run sorties), and proton torpedo launchers. It also had a socket for astromech droids to help with navigation and ship operations. The X-like wings could be closed or locked open (s-foils, short for "stability" or "strike" foils) for various maneuvers. Variations of the X-Wing were in operation for quite a while, and, of course, was the vehicle instrumental in destroying both Death Stars.

Want more? Its Wookieepedia article

177th in alphabetical order

Wicket W. Warrick (Ewoks 1985)

Both the Ewoks and Droids cartoon series of figures continued the inclusion of coins with the figures. The characters that were duplicated from the Star Wars line had different coins that depicted their cartoon image rather than their movie appearance. The figures were also, obviously, cartoonish in nature rather than their movie appearance, and Wicket was no exception.

Cartoon Wicket, like his ROTJ counterpart, just comes with a spear, and some kind of hairy kewpie doll look on his face.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. With only six figures, it’s pretty easy to collect this whole line.

2. Have a pretend fight with Wicket vs. his evil, cartoonish clone.

3. There were 4 bad guys in this line, and only two good guys. You need Wicket to try and make things right.

4. Look at those big eyes! The creep factor alone is worth getting it.

5. It’s either this or go back to collecting all 101 Smurfs.

Backstory:

Well, I just talked about him in the last post, but if you want more: His Wookieepedia entry

176th in alphabetical order

Wicket W. Warrick (ROTJ 1983-84)

Wicket is, in my humble opinion, the worst deal for your money in the history of Star Wars figures. Why? It is the smallest, and for an accessory we just get the one little spear he poked Leia with (not in the Biblical sense). If you picked this card up by the back you might not even realize it had a figure attached – that’s how small it is. This is the only figure that needed a magnifying glass instead of a coin in the POTF line.

Wicket, the Ewok that inexplicably comes with three names, came on an ROTJ and a POTF card. The ROTJ card came in two variations: spear on right and spear on left.

Why should you own this figure? Five reasons:

1. Despite its miniscule size, its arms and legs are still articulated.

2. It is a very accurate figure compared to the character.

3. Your dog chewed your other figures, but he swallowed this one. Wait, is that a plus?

4. Finally, a figure that can fit in your “fifth” jeans pocket. And get lost in there.

5. When you rigged the Ewok catapult for full launch capability, Wicket went the farthest.

Backstory:

Wicket Wystri Warrick was born to Deej (father) and Shodu (mother) in Bright Tree Village. His close friends were Kneesaa, Teebo, and Latara. He was probably about 12 years old when Empire built the second death star over his home planet of Endor. Prior to that time he had many adventures with his friends in the wilds of Endor (as shown in the Ewok animated series and the two Ewok movies). During ROTJ he befriended Leia and helped the Rebellion defeat the Empire. After ROTJ Wicket eventually married Kneesaa and succeeded Chief Chirpa as head of the village.

In the movie he was played by Warwick Davis, who went on to play him in the two Ewok movies. He also starred in another Lucas film, Willow. Wicket was originally supposed to be played by Kenny Baker, but he was sick that day. Baker then played Paploo, the one that stole the speeder bike.

Want more? His Wookieepedia entry

175th in alphabetical order