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Topic:
Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
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Blur
Registered:
Aug '99
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Date Posted:
5/29 6:13am
Subject:
Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
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I haven't seen discussion on the underrated Hasbro 12" line for a long time - it seems that the 12" Sideshow SW figures have unjustly overshadowed the Hasbro versions. I know a lot of collectors really dislike these figures - though I agree not all of the figures look that great, overall, I feel this was an exceptional line.
I remember when the first 12" Hasbro figures came out in late summer 1996. I had missed out on most of the 12" Kenner figures from the late '70's/early '80's (and then that line got cancelled), so I was very pleased that these were coming out again, and felt they were much improved over the Kenner versions.
The first four 12" figures to come out were: Han Solo, Obi-wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and Luke Skywalker (all from ANH). Though the DV figure didn't look that great (it was the same height as the other figures, and the head was too small), Obi-Wan looked fantastic, as did Han Solo. The Luke looked slightly better than the Kenner version. But, I was so glad to have these figures at all that I overlooked their flaws.
In the first half of 1997, it was great to finally see a 12" Lando Calrissian figure (that looked slightly like B. Dee) w/velvet-like cape - this had been rumored in the Kenner line, but had been cancelled before being produced.
The 12" Sandperson (Tusken Raider) was incredible, and I was surprised that they actually made this character.
Also, I thought the 12" Princess Leia looked exceptional, and the 12" Stormtrooper, though it could've been better, looked very good.
In late Summer/early Fall 1997, the 12" Store exclusives came out. Most were very tough to track down, and I had to wait until Fall 1998 to find the 12" Han Solo Hoth/Tauntaun (TRU),
12" Luke/Wampa (Target), and the 6 12" Cantina band members
(Wal-Mart).
In 1998, two excellent figures released were the 12" talking Darth Vader w/removable helmet (a great improvement over the 1996 version), and the 12" talking Boba Fett (Kay-Bee exclusive).
Also very impressive was the 12" talking Emperor w/Royal guard (Target exclusive), and the 12" Han Solo in carbonite (Target exclusive).
The 6" sub-line that was initially comprised of Yoda, R2-D2, and R5-D4 was fairly well-done.
Though I never really got into the 12" TPM figures as much, I did enjoy the Watto, 12" Darth Maul w/Sith Speeder, and the 12" Captain Tarpals w/Kaadu (Target).
The sub-line of the 6" Pit-droids and green R2-unit were good as well.
After the prequels came out, the focus was not on the OT figures as much - but, some good OT 12" did come out during that time, including a 12" Garindan (the elephant-nosed spy in Mos Eisley), the rest of the 12" Bounty Hunters (Bossk, Denger, 4-LOM, Zuckuss, and IG-88), and the 12" Biker Scout w/Speeder Bike (which I unfortunately couldn't find). I did find the Luke w/Speeder Bike, though, which was a superb set.
Also worth noting is the excellent 12" Dewback w/Sandtrooper - this is a set I saw numerous times at TRU but never got - something I still regret.
Some of the last figures released were two of the alien female Jedi from ROTS in 2005 - Barriss Offee and Shaak Ti - both of these were excellent figures as well.
Post any thoughts/reminisces on the line here.
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DarthWormie
Title: Former CR, Massachusetts Imperial Syndicate
Registered:
Jul '04
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Date Posted:
5/29 7:41am
Subject:
RE: Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
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I was really into this line when it first came out and collected it up until the release of AOTC. The last 2 I bought were the Dooku (best looking 12" Hasbro has ever made IMO) and the Ultimate Jango.
I just recently came to the decision to sell my collection of these off. It just takes up too much space and I've started to focus on the SS 12" line.
-----signature-----
"What's so wrong about wanting power converters?" "...and so shines a good deed in a weary world."—W. Wonka Scavenging the Collectibles Galaxy: http://www.thejawa.com
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Blur
Registered:
Aug '99
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Date Posted:
8/27 3:27pm
Subject:
RE: Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
- Date Edited:
8/27 3:31pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Blur
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As can be seen from my recent post to the Sideshow 12" figures thread, I am a very recent convert to the Sideshow 12" figures - overall, these figures are MUCH more impressive than the 12" Hasbro figures. As a result, I am looking at my 12" Hasbro collection with a much more critical eye.
However, that being said, I will admit that the headsculpts of these two 12" Hasbro figures are much better than the headsculpts of their their Sideshow counterparts: 12" Leia Boussh (1998 Kaybee three-pack exclusive), and the 12" ANH Leia (1997).
The faces of the Hasbro Leia's are excellent, especially Leia Boussh, which is one of the best head-sculpts on any SW human character, period. But, what really puts them over the top is the life-like hair (this especially looks good on the 12" Leia Boussh) - compare this to the painted-on/sculpted hair on the Sideshow Boussh and ANH Leia.
Granted, the outfits on the Sideshow figures may be better, but the Hasbro outfits aren't terrible.
Also deserving of honorable mention are:
- 12" Leia Hoth (1998 Service Merchandise exclusive) - also with life-like hair, and a great outfit.
- 12" Portrait Edition Queen Amidala figures - in black, red, and purple outfits (1999 and 2000). Truly superb, and it would be tough for SS to top these.
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Robimus
Registered:
Jul '07
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Date Posted:
8/27 10:40pm
Subject:
RE: Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
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I love what I have of the line. The Ceremonial Leia is her best figure. Mace Windu, Vader, Palps, Obi-Wan are all wonderful. I think my favorite is the IG-88 figure. Great stuff!
-----signature-----
I am forever seeking the damutek of Hooley Krekk
Oh, woe! Oh, misery! Oh, unhappiness. Hooley Krekk where are you?
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DarthMak
Registered:
Jan '01
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Date Posted:
9/4 9:32pm
Subject:
RE: Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
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I love these 12 inch figures. The great thing about them is they are a steal on Ebay because everyone wants Sideshow now.
-----signature-----
I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die.
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RedSeven
Registered:
Jun '07
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Date Posted:
9/10 3:24pm
Subject:
RE: Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
- Date Edited:
9/10 3:26pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
RedSeven
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One of my favorite memories was during my 11th birthday, when my Godmother sent me 2 AOTC 12" figures: the Clone trooper Captain (a KB Toys exclusive) and the Electronic Obi-Wan. I love both of these figures a lot, because they were my first 12" Star Wars figures! I also bought the 12" Luke OTC Figure in 2004 for Christmas. I had a lot of fun with that one too, that is until his head broke (I'm still trying to figure out how to put the head back on the figure!)
-----signature-----
May the Force be With You!
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Blur
Registered:
Aug '99
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Date Posted:
9/17 7:59am
Subject:
RE: Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
- Date Edited:
9/17 8:08am (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Blur
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Just to add some exceptional figures from this 12" Hasbro line:
- C3PO - Great versions of this character - I had always wanted the Kenner version.
- 12" TC-14 - Another great droid, and I liked the fact that had a voice-chip from the film.
- 12" Greedo - Great figure! JC Penney exclusive in '97, and then later wide-released in '98.
- 12" Luke Jedi w/Bib Fortuna two-pack (Fao Schwarz exclusive) - Though the Sideshow versions of these characters are superior to these Hasbro figures, at the time the Hasbro figures were great. The 12" Luke Jedi w/robe is especially very well-done, and probably has the best face-sculpt of any of the Hasbro 12" Lukes.
- 12" DS Droid (POTJ) - An unusual choice for a 12" figure, but a good one. Though this character was only seen for an instant on the DS, he remains one of the most memorable droids in ANH.
- LS 100th Action Figure deluxe figure - great figure, and though I had most of the outfits/accesories from previous versions, it was good to see all of them packaged at once. I also liked the inclusion of the grappling hook/belt, and am not sure this had been included in any previous figures.
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cathiecat
Title: Tucson FF Historian
Registered:
Mar '05
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Date Posted:
10/7 2:50pm
Subject:
RE: Nostalgia for the Hasbro 12" SW figure line (1996 - 2005)
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I'd love a Padme' from ROTS in 12" I also agree with who said the Ceremonial Leia was a nice figure. I love mine.
-----signature-----
" I don't know where you get your delusions laser brains" "Why you low-down, stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder" "you came in that thing. Your braver than I thought." http://www.tucsonfanforce.com
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