Should Redmond’s Forge Launch with a Kenner, Palitoy, Hasbro, & Funko Exhibit?

When planning and shaping the launch vision for Redmond’s Forge, one question and big decision keeps coming up: should the opening collection focus solely on LEGO, maybe with a particular emphasis on LEGO Star Wars, or should we go broader and include a dedicated section for Kenner, Palitoy, and Hasbro action figures and ships?

On the one hand, LEGO Star Wars has been the heartbeat of modern collecting for more than two decades. Its Ultimate Collector Series, iconic minifigures, and display-worthy dioramas make it the most consistent, recognisable, and family-friendly way to bring the galaxy far, far away into a retail or museum-style setting. A LEGO-only opening would be clean, cohesive, and instantly relatable to fans of all ages.

Yet on the other hand, the heritage of Kenner and Palitoy’s vintage figures and the continuing innovation of Hasbro’s Black Series and Vintage Collection tell an equally powerful story. These lines don’t just complement LEGO, they represent the very roots of Star Wars toy history. From the Vinyl Cape Jawa and rocket-firing Boba Fett prototypes, to Palitoy’s cardboard Death Star and Hasbro’s crowdfunded Razor Crest, action figures and vehicles offer a tangible timeline of nostalgia, innovation, and cultural impact.

So the question for Redmond’s Forge is this: should the launch spotlight remain firmly on LEGO, the modern icon, or should it weave in the wider tapestry of Star Wars collecting, beginning with Kenner, Palitoy, and Hasbro’s legendary lines? The answer may shape not only the tone of the first exhibition, but also how visitors experience the balance of play, history, and nostalgia that makes Star Wars collecting so unique.

Without Kenner, there would be no LEGO Star Wars, and based on where LEGO was in 1998 financially, without LEGO Star Wars, would there still be a LEGO?

The Kenner Era (1977–1985): Where Star Wars Action Figures Began

When George Lucas struck his unprecedented deal with 20th Century Fox in the mid-1970s, retaining merchandising rights in exchange for a lower director’s fee, few could have predicted that those rights would fuel the most successful toy line in history. Enter Kenner Products, a Cincinnati-based toy company that would forever cement itself in pop culture lore with the release of its Star Wars action figures.

For collectors, Kenner’s Star Wars line represents the purest distillation of childhood wonder and the beginnings of an empire of collectibles. For historians, it marks a turning point in the way Hollywood and the toy industry collaborated.

The Birth of the 3.75” Scale

Kenner revolutionized the toy market by introducing Star Wars figures in the now-standard 3.75-inch scale. Before Star Wars, the dominant action figure size was 12” (think G.I. Joe or Mego superhero dolls). Larger figures limited vehicle playsets, you couldn’t reasonably fit a Millennium Falcon or X-Wing in the same packaging aisle.

Kenner’s decision to scale down made vehicles, ships, and playsets financially viable. The 3.75” format allowed for the Millennium Falcon, Slave I, AT-AT, and Death Star Playset to become centerpieces of play, not impossibilities.

From a collector’s standpoint, this shift is genius: it established a line-wide cohesion that allowed kids to create their own Star Wars galaxy on a bedroom floor. To this day, Hasbro’s Vintage Collection continues the same format.

The Legendary Early Bird Certificate Package

The lore of Kenner begins with the Early Bird Certificate Package of 1977. Star Wars mania swept the world faster than Kenner could tool, manufacture, and distribute figures. With Christmas approaching, the company opted for a clever workaround: instead of selling actual toys, they sold a promise. Parents could buy a cardboard display stand, stickers, and a mail-away certificate that guaranteed the first four figures, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2-D2, and Chewbacca, shipped directly to the child once available.

This “IOU” gift has become one of the most iconic collectibles in toy history. From a review perspective, it’s both brilliant marketing and a testament to just how unprepared Kenner was for the tidal wave of demand.

The Original 12 (1978)

By spring of 1978, Kenner delivered the first 12 figures, now dubbed the “Original 12”:

• Luke Skywalker
• Princess Leia Organa
• Han Solo
• Chewbacca
• R2-D2
• C-3PO
• Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi
• Darth Vader
• Stormtrooper
• Jawa
• Sand People (Tusken Raider)
• Death Squad Commander (later renamed Star Destroyer Commander)

Collectors today see these figures as holy relics. The sculpts are crude by modern standards, blocky limbs, stiff poses, limited articulation, but their accessories (telescoping lightsabers, vinyl capes, blasters) are among the most sought-after variants in the hobby. The infamous vinyl cape Jawa, quickly replaced by a cloth cape, is a grail-level collectible, with loose versions commanding thousands and carded ones selling for eye-watering sums.

Expansion Waves (1979–1981)

As The Empire Strikes Back loomed, Kenner expanded the line:

• Characters like Greedo, Hammerhead, Snaggletooth, and Walrus Man fleshed out Mos Eisley’s cantina.
• Boba Fett arrived as a mail-away figure in 1979, heavily hyped with the promise of a “rocket-firing” backpack. Safety concerns killed the gimmick, but the legend of the canceled rocket-firing Fett persists.
• The Empire Strikes Back line (1980) brought in Lando Calrissian, Yoda, Bossk, IG-88, and iconic vehicles like the Slave I, Rebel Transport, and the massive AT-AT.

From a collector’s review lens, this was when Kenner hit its stride. The sculpts improved, character selection widened, and playsets like the Dagobah swamp or Hoth Ice Planet provided immersive backdrops.

Return of the Jedi and the Line’s Zenith (1983–1985)

By the time Return of the Jedi released, Kenner was producing figures at an astonishing pace. Ewoks, Jabba the Hutt’s palace denizens, Imperial Guards, and Rebel commandos filled toy shelves.

The Sail Barge skiff, Jabba playset, Ewok Village, and B-Wing became crown jewels of the line. Vehicles were now massive, intricate, and collector-worthy even back then.

Kenner’s innovation also extended to marketing: multi-packs, mail-away offers, and special edition variants like Anakin Skywalker’s spirit (a mail-away figure in 1985) kept fans hooked.

The Power of the Force (1985)

Kenner attempted to extend the line beyond Jedi with the Power of the Force (POTF) wave in 1985. These figures introduced collector coins packaged with each character, making them more “premium.” Unfortunately, interest in Star Wars waned as kids moved on to Transformers, G.I. Joe, and He-Man. The line fizzled, with some figures produced in low numbers.

Today, the POTF figures (Yak Face, Anakin Skywalker, Imperial Gunner, Amanaman) are some of the rarest and most valuable Kenner releases. Yak Face, in particular, never saw U.S. release and became a UK/European exclusive, skyrocketing its desirability.

Collector’s Perspective: The Kenner Legacy

From a modern reviewer’s standpoint, Kenner’s line is both dated and timeless. The sculpts lack realism, the paint apps are basic, and articulation is minimal, yet the charm, historical importance, and nostalgia are unmatched.

• Pros:
  • Defined the 3.75” action figure scale
  • Wide variety of characters, vehicles, and playsets
  • Deep nostalgia value for collectors
  • Early marketing innovations (mail-aways, coins, Early Bird set)
• Cons:
  • Limited articulation and detail compared to modern figures
  • Fragile accessories (easily lost, capes and sabers prone to damage)
  • Some characters never produced (e.g., Tarkin, Rebel Fleet Trooper, and many background aliens)

Still, every collector I’ve met agrees: the Kenner line feels like magic in plastic form. Holding a carded 12-back or a complete Jabba playset is holding a piece of childhood wonder.

Transitional Impact

When Kenner wrapped up in 1985, Star Wars toys entered what collectors call “The Dark Times.” But the Kenner line had already established a foundation: 3.75” as the standard, vehicles as central to the play pattern, and Star Wars as more than a film, it was a galaxy you could own in your hands.

It’s impossible to overstate: without Kenner, there would be no Hasbro Vintage Collection, no Black Series, no Star Wars toy juggernaut. The Kenner line was the spark that lit the fire.

Palitoy and the European Variations (1978–1985)

While Kenner’s Cincinnati headquarters was churning out the figures that would define an era, the Star Wars toy line’s success in Europe rested largely in the hands of Palitoy Ltd., a British toy company based in Coalville, Leicestershire. Palitoy had already established itself as the UK’s home of Action Man (licensed from Hasbro’s G.I. Joe) and other toy imports. With Star Wars, they became the gateway through which a whole continent would experience George Lucas’s galaxy in plastic.

For collectors, Palitoy is a treasure trove of subtle differences, quirky packaging decisions, and rare variants that often carry higher prestige than their American counterparts.

Packaging: The Palitoy Cardbacks

Perhaps the most immediately recognizable distinction between Kenner and Palitoy is in the cardbacks.

• Early Palitoy figures featured cardbacks that mirrored Kenner’s U.S. designs, but with the Palitoy logo replacing Kenner’s.
• Unlike Kenner, which used a bubble with a cardboard backdrop inside, Palitoy initially used a fully sealed bubble without the inner cardboard support. This made the cards more prone to bubble collapse, a frustration for collectors but also a signifier of authenticity.
• Palitoy continued to experiment with packaging layouts, meaning UK carded figures often have different bubble shapes, logo placements, or sticker overlays compared to their U.S. counterparts.

Today, Palitoy cardbacks are highly prized, not just because of rarity (fewer survived in Europe) but because they represent unique design choices that diverged from the American standard.

The Vinyl Cape Jawa & Other Early Variants

One of the most famous Kenner oddities, the vinyl cape Jawa, has an equally famous Palitoy story. In the UK, Palitoy initially shipped figures with the vinyl cape intact before switching to the cloth cape. Because of smaller print runs, Palitoy’s 12-back vinyl cape Jawa is arguably even rarer than Kenner’s.

Palitoy also introduced subtle paint and mold variations across figures, often due to different factories and plastic blends. Collectors note:

• Slightly different flesh tones on human characters.
• Variations in Stormtrooper helmet sculpt sharpness.
• Different shade plastics for Luke, Leia, and Han.

These aren’t just nit-picky details, for serious collectors, these “Palitoy variants” can significantly increase a figure’s value.

The Death Star Playset: A European Original

If Kenner defined the 3.75” scale, Palitoy pushed the boundaries of creativity. The Palitoy Death Star Playset is perhaps the most iconic UK-exclusive Star Wars toy.

Unlike Kenner’s U.S. Death Star (a tall, plastic, truncated tower), Palitoy’s version was a cardboard hemisphere with printed diorama scenes. It featured the trash compactor, control room, and gunnery stations in bright, colorful panels.

For kids, it was cheaper, lighter, and, frankly, more imaginative. For collectors, it’s now a grail piece, often commanding thousands in good condition. Because it was cardboard, few examples survived intact.

Vehicle Differences

Palitoy also localized vehicles and playsets:

• Land of the Jawas Playset: featured a vacuum-formed plastic desert base, slightly different in tone to Kenner’s.
• X-Wing Fighters sometimes shipped without electronic features (lights/sounds disabled) due to UK safety or cost constraints.
• Packaging art often carried slightly different photography, sometimes cropped differently or with altered backgrounds.

These quirks make Palitoy vehicles a fascinating sub-collection in their own right.

Distribution Across Europe

While Palitoy dominated the UK, other companies licensed Kenner’s molds for different territories:

• Meccano (France): Famous for minimalist card designs and some unique backer card photography.
• Cliper (Spain): Produced extremely scarce packaging runs, today among the rarest carded Star Wars figures.
• Harbert (Italy): Released lines with slightly different logos and instructions, now highly collectible.
• Takara (Japan): While not Europe, it’s worth mentioning, Takara produced some of the most unusual packaging styles, including Japanese-language blister packs and tin wind-up R2-D2 toys.

Collectors today often chase a “full international cardback run,” which includes Palitoy, Meccano, Cliper, and others. Completing this set is both expensive and thrilling, as many of these cards survive only in handfuls.

Power of the Force and Beyond in Europe

When Kenner tried to extend the line in 1985 with the Power of the Force (POTF) coin series, Palitoy distributed some but not all of the figures. As demand dropped, Europe became a dumping ground for overstock, meaning some rare figures lingered longer on toy shelves.

This distribution quirk created collector oddities, such as Yak Face, which was not sold at all in the U.S. but saw limited release in the UK and continental Europe. As a result, the Palitoy Yak Face is considered one of the ultimate holy grails of the entire Star Wars figure line.

Collector’s Review: Palitoy’s Unique Legacy

• Pros:
  • Distinct packaging variations (Palitoy logos, bubble styles, cardback differences).
  • UK-exclusive playsets like the cardboard Death Star, unmatched in charm.
  • Access to rare figures like Yak Face, making the region’s toy history essential to collectors.
  • Paint/mold variations that enrich the collecting experience.
• Cons:
  • Packaging fragility (collapsed bubbles, torn cardbacks) makes mint examples scarce.
  • Limited production runs mean higher costs for today’s collectors.
  • Slightly inferior play features on some vehicles (lack of electronics).

Still, many collectors hold the view that Palitoy gave Europe the most creative and characterful take on the Kenner line. The cardboard Death Star alone is enough to cement Palitoy’s place in toy history, but when you layer in the international cardback variants, Palitoy becomes essential for any serious Star Wars collection.

Transitioning Beyond Palitoy

By the late 1980s, with Star Wars interest waning, Palitoy itself began to decline. The company was absorbed into Hasbro in the mid-80s, marking the beginning of a global consolidation. This paved the way for Hasbro’s eventual revival of Star Wars in the 1990s, when a whole new generation of fans would rediscover the galaxy far, far away.

But before we get there, the Palitoy era remains a fascinating subchapter, not just a mirror of Kenner, but a parallel collector’s world with its own quirks, rarities, and grails. For some, Palitoy isn’t a side note; it’s the pinnacle of vintage Star Wars collecting.

The Dark Times (1986–1994): Before the Power of the Force Revival

When Obi-Wan Kenobi described the galaxy’s fall into shadow, few phrases could more aptly describe what befell the Star Wars toy line after 1985. After nearly a decade of dominance, Kenner’s once-mighty action figure line withered away. Children had moved on to Transformers, G.I. Joe, He-Man, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, leaving Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader to gather dust in bargain bins.

For almost a decade, there were no new 3.75” figures, no vehicles, and no playsets. This became known to fans and collectors as “The Dark Times.”

The End of Kenner’s Run

The final wave of Kenner’s Power of the Force line in 1985 limped into stores with limited distribution. Figures like Yak Face, Amanaman, Anakin Skywalker (spirit), and the Imperial Gunner were produced in such low numbers that many children never even saw them. Toy shelves rapidly emptied. Retailers heavily discounted unsold stock, a heartbreaking thought for collectors today who see the same figures fetch hundreds or thousands on the secondary market.

By 1986, Kenner had shut down Star Wars toy production entirely. It was the end of an era.

A Galaxy Without Toys

From 1986 to 1994, Star Wars seemed to retreat into myth. Lucasfilm itself wasn’t producing new films, and the Expanded Universe hadn’t yet found its stride. Collectors who had grown up with the toys faced a desert:

• No new figures or playsets.
• Few to no roleplay items for kids.
• Star Wars presence at toy fairs and catalogs was virtually nonexistent.

In a pre-eBay, pre-internet world, hunting down vintage Kenner toys was nearly impossible outside of flea markets, garage sales, and small ads in collector magazines.

Bend-Ems: A Flicker of Hope

The first faint light in the darkness came from Just Toys’ Bend-Ems line in 1993. These were cheap, rubbery figures with bendable wire skeletons inside. They were crude compared to Kenner’s classic sculpts, but for fans starved of anything Star Wars on the shelves, they were a revelation.

Released in waves, Bend-Ems covered major characters, Luke, Han, Vader, R2, C-3PO, and even experimented with holographic collector cards. While not particularly collectible today, they represent a significant milestone: the first sign that Star Wars toys could make a comeback.

Role of the Expanded Universe

The Dark Times were not entirely devoid of Star Wars. A few significant events kept the flame alive:

• 1987: Star Tours ride opened at Disneyland, complete with limited Star Tours merchandise.
• 1991: Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire novel reignited interest in Star Wars storytelling.
• 1992: Dark Horse Comics launched Dark Empire, introducing bold new storylines.
• 1993: West End Games continued producing its Star Wars RPG, maintaining fan engagement.

While none of these produced action figures, they seeded demand. By the early ’90s, children of the original trilogy had become young adults, nostalgic for their Kenner figures. A new generation was ready to collect.

Collector’s Review: What the Dark Times Meant

From today’s perspective, the Dark Times are both tragic and romantic:

• Pros:
  • Created a hunger that made the 1995 Hasbro revival explode in popularity.
  • Cemented vintage Kenner toys as “classics,” since nothing replaced them.
  • Allowed the Expanded Universe to expand the mythos, preparing the ground for toy adaptations.
• Cons:
  • A barren market, no 3.75” figures produced for nearly 10 years.
  • Children of the late ’80s grew up without new Star Wars toys.
  • Collecting vintage was difficult, with little organized infrastructure for buying/selling.

For many collectors, living through the Dark Times gave them an emotional connection to the saga that younger fans sometimes don’t fully grasp. It felt as though Star Wars was gone forever, and when it came back, it was like a rebirth.

Foreshadowing the Return

By 1993–1994, Lucasfilm began licensing Star Wars more aggressively. A new trilogy of films was rumored. The Bend-Ems, while crude, tested the waters. Hasbro (which had acquired Kenner in 1991) took notice of the growing nostalgia. Plans were laid for a full-blown revival.

And in 1995, with the Power of the Force 2 line, Star Wars toys would roar back into toy aisles in a way that stunned even Lucasfilm.

The Obi-Wan Analogy

Just as Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke of a galaxy plunged into shadow, the Star Wars toy landscape endured nearly a decade of silence. But as Yoda himself might have said: “Always in motion is the future.”

The Dark Times remind us that Star Wars collecting is not just about plastic figures; it’s about resilience, patience, and the thrill of rebirth. When Hasbro reopened the floodgates in 1995, it wasn’t just another toy launch, it was the return of the Jedi, in blister-pack form.

The Hasbro Revival: Power of the Force II (1995–1999)

After nearly a decade of silence, 1995 marked the triumphant return of Star Wars action figures to toy aisles. By this time, Hasbro had absorbed Kenner, inheriting not only the legendary brand but also the responsibility of reviving a dormant franchise. With Special Editions of the Original Trilogy looming in 1997 and the long-awaited Prequel Trilogy on the horizon, Hasbro launched what fans now call the Power of the Force II (POTF2) line.

For many, this era is a mixed bag, it brought Star Wars back to a new generation and flooded stores with product, but its exaggerated figure designs remain divisive among collectors. Still, it was the spark that reignited the toy line and ensured Star Wars remained a cultural force.

The First Wave: Beefy Heroes and Bulky Villains

In July 1995, the first wave of POTF2 hit shelves with a modernized look. The figures were sculpted with superhero-like physiques, reflecting the toy market trends of the ’90s (influenced by lines like Masters of the Universe and Spawn).

• Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Gear) had bulging biceps and a broad chest, more resembling a pro wrestler than Mark Hamill.
• Han Solo looked like he had been training with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• Darth Vader and Stormtroopers were chunkier, heavier, and more imposing.

Collectors today jokingly call this the “He-Man era” of Star Wars figures. At the time, however, kids loved the muscular, action-ready aesthetic.

Packaging & Branding

The early POTF2 figures were packaged on green and red cards with a holographic foil logo, giving them a flashy, ’90s-appropriate look. The line later transitioned to an orange card design, then back to green, before experimenting with variations like Freeze Frame slide inserts (tiny film cells included with the figures).

These packaging variations have become mini sub-lines for collectors. For example:

• Long Saber vs. Short Saber: early Luke and Vader figures came with oversized lightsabers that were quickly shortened, creating a collector variant.
• Hologram Sticker Variants: some cards featured foil character holograms, now harder to find.

Vehicles and Playsets Return

Hasbro knew that Star Wars wasn’t just about figures, vehicles were central. The revival included reissues and updated versions of Kenner classics:

• Millennium Falcon (1995): A direct re-release of the vintage mold, with updated electronics.
• X-Wing and TIE Fighter: slightly retooled with better proportions and modern plastic.
• Slave I and AT-AT returned, bridging old molds with new packaging.

Playsets were also reintroduced, though often criticized for being simplistic. The Death Star Escape playset and Cantina Aliens cinema scenes gave fans diorama opportunities, but they lacked the grandeur of vintage Palitoy or Kenner play environments.

Character Expansion

As the line grew, Hasbro began covering the saga with greater depth than Kenner ever achieved. By 1997, obscure aliens and secondary characters made their way into plastic for the first time:

• Cantina aliens (Wuher, Lak Sivrak, Ponda Baba)
• Jabba’s Palace guards and creatures
• Expanded Universe figures (Shadows of the Empire tie-ins)

This era also gave us figures inspired by the Special Editions, such as the updated Han Solo with vest, and Luke in his black Jedi outfit with modern articulation.

Collector Market Impact

For collectors in the mid-’90s, POTF2 was nothing short of revolutionary. After nearly a decade of nothing, suddenly there were figures everywhere. Stores like Toys “R” Us dedicated full aisles to Star Wars.

• Pros:
  • Brought Star Wars back to toy shelves after 10 years.
  • Offered deeper character selection than vintage Kenner.
  • Vehicles and playsets made a nostalgic return.
  • Packaging variants gave collectors something to chase.
• Cons:
  • Exaggerated sculpts alienated some fans.
  • Overproduction meant many figures remained common, reducing secondary market value.
  • Some vehicles were rehashes with little innovation.

Today, many POTF2 figures are worth only a few dollars loose or carded, a sharp contrast to Kenner’s vintage grails. But their cultural value is enormous, without POTF2, the line might never have come back at all.

Freeze Frame and CommTech Chips

By 1998, Hasbro added innovative pack-ins to keep the line fresh:

• Freeze Frame slides (1998): Each figure included a tiny film cell from the trilogy. Fans could project these with mini viewers, adding a collectible multimedia element.
• CommTech Chips (1999): Small plastic bases embedded with microchips that, when placed on a reader, played voice clips from the films. Though gimmicky, they were groundbreaking for their time.

These pack-ins represent Hasbro’s attempts to add interactive value in the pre-digital toy age.

The Shadow of the Prequels

By 1997–1998, excitement for the upcoming Phantom Menace was building. POTF2 figures were the bridge between the vintage era and the modern, prequel-driven renaissance. Collectors were hungry, children were engaged, and Hasbro was perfectly positioned.

By 1999, with Episode I: The Phantom Menace, the Star Wars line exploded once again, this time with an entirely new generation of kids entering the fandom.

Collector’s Reflection on POTF2

Looking back, the Hasbro revival is remembered fondly, even with its flaws. The sculpts may look cartoonish by today’s standards, but the line reestablished Star Wars in toy culture.

To this day, POTF2 has its defenders. For many millennials, these were their “Kenner figures.” Entire childhoods were built around orange and green cards, Freeze Frame slides, and bulky Lukes with too much muscle.

In many ways, POTF2 was a reboot of Kenner’s magic, proof that a galaxy far, far away could still dominate toy aisles.

The Prequel Trilogy Era (1999–2005): A New Generation of Star Wars Toys

When George Lucas announced a brand-new Star Wars trilogy, Hasbro knew it was sitting on a goldmine. After the success of Power of the Force II in the late ’90s, anticipation for The Phantom Menace reached fever pitch. Toys weren’t just merchandising anymore, they were events. Midnight toy launches, massive marketing blitzes, and aisles of Star Wars product turned toy shopping into pop culture history.

This six-year stretch (1999–2005) gave us some of the most innovative, and overproduced, Star Wars figures ever made. For collectors, the Prequel Trilogy era is a mix of nostalgia, frustration, and hidden gems.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999–2000)

The toy launch for The Phantom Menace on May 3, 1999, weeks before the film premiered, was branded “Midnight Madness.” Fans lined up at Toys “R” Us and Walmart locations across the world to grab the first new wave of figures in years.

• CommTech Chips: Every figure came with a plastic base that doubled as a chip, unlocking dialogue when placed on a CommTech reader. While gimmicky, it was innovative for its time, adding interactivity.
• Character Selection: Hasbro went deep, releasing not just Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Darth Maul, but background aliens from Watto’s junk shop, Podracers, and even obscure Jedi Council members.
• Vehicles: The line gave us sleek Prequel ships like the Naboo Starfighter, Sith Infiltrator, MTT, and Royal Starship.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Unprecedented hype, great sculpt improvements over POTF2, wide variety of figures.
• Cons: Overproduction meant many Episode I figures were “peg warmers.” Even today, you can find carded Jar Jars and Ric Olies for a few dollars.

The Phantom Menace toy line was historic, but like the movie, divisive.

Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002–2003)

By 2002, Hasbro had refined its approach. The Attack of the Clones line introduced:

• Dynamic Action Features: Many figures came with “Force-action” gimmicks, spring-loaded slashes, magnetic arms, or quick-draw features. While fun for kids, collectors often disliked the clunky mechanisms.
• Clone Trooper Mania: For the first time, an army-builder craze hit hard. Fans bought dozens of Clone Troopers, sparking a collecting trend that still thrives today.
• Vehicles: New ships like the Republic Gunship, Jedi Starfighters, and Slave I (retooled) became must-haves. The Gunship especially became a centerpiece, designed to hold squadrons of clone figures.

Hasbro also began experimenting with screen accuracy, producing multiple outfit variations for Anakin and Padmé, as well as battle-specific droids.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Army-building boom, fantastic vehicle lineup, more accurate sculpts.
• Cons: Action features compromised articulation, figures often locked into awkward poses.

For collectors, Attack of the Clones was the first time Star Wars figures became true troop-builder armies rather than just a character-driven line.

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

By the time Revenge of the Sith arrived, Hasbro had perfected its formula. The toy line was massive, with waves rolling out before and after the film’s release.

• The “Sneak Preview” Wave (2005): Four figures were released early, including General Grievous, teasing fans before the movie hit theaters.
• Figure Line: More than 50 figures launched in the first year alone, covering every major character, clone variant, and background alien.
• Vehicles: The highlight was the ARC-170 Starfighter, Jedi Interceptors, Turbo Tank, and Republic Gunship variants.
• Packaging: A distinctive lava-and-flame motif, echoing Anakin vs. Obi-Wan’s Mustafar duel, made this line visually striking.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Broad character depth, high-quality sculpting, clone variants galore, a cinematic packaging theme.
• Cons: Some figures still saddled with gimmicks, overproduction of lesser characters (poor Mon Mothma warmed many a peg).

The Revenge of the Sith line sold phenomenally well and represented the peak of Prequel-era toy collecting.

Sub-Lines and Experiments (1999–2005)

Beyond the main movie waves, Hasbro experimented heavily during this period:

• Saga Collection (2002–2004): A mixed line covering Prequel and Original Trilogy figures, often with diorama-like bases.
• Clone Wars (2003–2005): Animated-style figures based on the Tartakovsky cartoon, later expanded into realistic-style Clone Wars figures.
• Deluxe Figures: Larger-scale packs with extra accessories, like deluxe Darth Maul or Clone Trooper with jetpack.
• Unleashed (2002–2005): 7” hyper-detailed, statue-like figures aimed at collectors rather than kids.

Each sub-line gave fans different ways to engage, from kid-friendly gimmicks to collector-grade sculpts.

Collector Market Today

The Prequel Trilogy figures, once mass-produced, now sit in a strange middle ground:

• Many Episode I figures remain dirt cheap, with the exception of rarer carded variants.
• Clone Troopers from Episode II and III are highly sought after, especially rare paint variants (Commander Cody, ARC Troopers).
• Vehicles like the Republic Gunship and ARC-170 have become expensive collector pieces, especially complete with accessories.

For collectors who grew up in the early 2000s, these lines are as nostalgic as Kenner was for the previous generation.

Legacy of the Prequel Era

The Prequel Trilogy era cemented Hasbro as the undisputed guardian of Star Wars toys. While Kenner had introduced the 3.75” scale, Hasbro modernized it with digital sculpting, character depth, and sheer volume.

• It created the Clone army-builder phenomenon.
• It delivered some of the best Star Wars vehicles ever made.
• It experimented with packaging, gimmicks, and sub-lines that shaped future toy marketing.

For collectors, the Prequel era is remembered fondly. Even if some figures are awkward or overproduced, this period represents a golden age of variety and availability.

When the Prequels ended in 2005, Star Wars toys didn’t fade like they did in 1985. Instead, Hasbro pivoted seamlessly into collector-focused lines, leading to The Vintage Collection and Black Series.

The Vintage Collection & 30th Anniversary (2006–2012): Star Wars for Collectors

By the mid-2000s, Hasbro had weathered the Prequel Trilogy toy storm. Kids had clone armies and lightsabers, but adults who grew up with Kenner were looking for something more, something nostalgic, detailed, and worthy of display. The result was a new era that redefined what Star Wars toys could be: collector-grade action figures.

This period (2006–2012) gave us two landmark lines: the 30th Anniversary Collection and the Vintage Collection, both of which remain beloved by fans today.

The Saga Collection (2006): A Transitional Phase

Before diving into anniversary lines, Hasbro launched the Saga Collection (TSC) in 2006.

• Packaging: Clean black cards with character-specific graphics. Many included miniature display bases.
• Character Depth: Covered figures from all six films, bridging the Prequels and Original Trilogy.
• Collector Value: Some fan-favorite obscure characters, like General Veers and Chief Chirpa, got standout releases.

The Saga Collection was important as a transition line, a signal that Hasbro understood collectors wanted display-worthy figures alongside kid-friendly toys.

The 30th Anniversary Collection (2007–2008)

To celebrate 30 years since the release of A New Hope, Hasbro unveiled one of its most ambitious lines ever: the 30th Anniversary Collection (TAC).

• Packaging: Sleek angular cardbacks with a bold 30th logo and stylized character art. Each figure came with a collector coin, a nostalgic nod to Kenner’s 1985 Power of the Force coin series.
• Scope: The line pulled from the entire saga, the Expanded Universe, and even concept art designs.
• Notable Figures:
  • McQuarrie Concept Figures: stylized versions of Luke, Vader, Chewbacca, and Stormtroopers based on Ralph McQuarrie’s early artwork. These became instant hits.
  • Expanded Universe characters like Quinlan Vos, Darth Revan, and Darth Malak.
  • Film-accurate figures like Luke in Stormtrooper disguise or Clone Commander Gree.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Gorgeous packaging, diverse lineup, included Expanded Universe figures, coins added collectability.
• Cons: Some figures still had gimmicky articulation; coins added bulk for MOC storage.

The TAC line struck a near-perfect balance between nostalgia, modern sculpting, and broad franchise coverage. For many, this was the best Star Wars line since vintage Kenner.

The Legacy Collection (2008–2010)

Following TAC, Hasbro launched the Legacy Collection, another premium-style line.

• Build-A-Droid Feature: Each figure came with a piece of a droid. Collecting all pieces allowed fans to assemble rare droids like R5-A2 or HK-47. This innovation became a beloved aspect of the line.
• Packaging: White-and-blue stormtrooper helmet card design, clean and futuristic.
• Notable Releases:
  • Expanded Universe staples like Spacetrooper and Darth Krayt.
  • Background aliens like Leesub Sirln and Yarna d’al’ Gargan, proving Hasbro’s depth of commitment.
  • Excellent sculpts of popular clones and bounty hunters.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Build-A-Droid was fun and encouraged set completion, excellent articulation upgrades.
• Cons: Packaging lacked the vintage nostalgia, some figures were harder to find due to uneven case distribution.

The Legacy Collection cemented Hasbro’s reputation for collector-centric innovation.

The Vintage Collection (2010–2012)

Then came the crown jewel: The Vintage Collection (TVC). Launched in 2010, TVC was Hasbro’s love letter to the original Kenner line.

• Packaging: Retro-inspired cardbacks with the original Kenner logo. Each figure was blister-packed on a classic-style cardback echoing the 1978–1985 originals.
• Scope: Covered all six films, offering definitive versions of major and minor characters.
• Articulation & Sculpt: TVC figures were highly articulated, realistically sculpted, and tailored to adult collectors.

Notable Highlights:

• Slave Leia (VC64): a collector favorite, often cited as one of the best modern Leia sculpts.
• Gamorrean Guard (VC21): incredibly detailed and bulky, a far cry from the Kenner original.
• Expanded Universe entries like Shae Vizla and Bastila Shan thrilled hardcore fans.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: The definitive modern Star Wars 3.75” line, nostalgia packaging, strong articulation.
• Cons: Some figures were short-packed and became scalper bait. Collecting sealed TVC runs quickly became expensive.

For many, The Vintage Collection is the Star Wars toy line of the modern era, carrying Kenner’s spirit into the 21st century.

Vehicles & Exclusives (2006–2012)

During this era, Hasbro also released standout vehicles and exclusives:

• Big Millennium Falcon (2008): An oversized, highly detailed Falcon with lights, sounds, and room for dozens of figures. Often called the greatest Star Wars vehicle ever made.
• AT-TE (2008): Huge Republic walker designed to hold clone squads.
• Slave I (2010, TVC): A premium re-release tied to the TVC branding.

Exclusive box sets from retailers like Toys “R” Us and Walmart gave fans rare repaints, multipacks, and clone battalions.

Collector Market Today

This period has aged incredibly well. Unlike the overproduced Episode I toys, many TAC, Legacy, and TVC figures are now highly valuable:

• McQuarrie concept figures fetch high premiums.
• Vintage Collection rarities like Ahsoka (VC102) or Darth Malgus can command hundreds.
• The 2008 Falcon remains a “holy grail” vehicle.

For collectors, these lines represent a golden era of quality, variety, and depth unmatched in most other toy franchises.

The Legacy of 2006–2012

Looking back, the 2006–2012 period did three crucial things:

1. Nostalgia Reborn: It connected modern collectors to Kenner through The Vintage Collection.
2. Innovation: It experimented with coins, Build-A-Droid parts, and Expanded Universe coverage.
3. Collector Legitimacy: It proved Star Wars wasn’t just for kids. Adults were, and remain, a core market.

This era laid the foundation for Hasbro’s long-term strategy: a balance between kid-driven lines (Clone Wars, roleplay) and adult collector lines (TVC, later Black Series).

In many ways, 2006–2012 was the collector’s golden age, the sweet spot when nostalgia, innovation, and availability all lined up.

The Disney Era (2015–Present): The Age of The Black Series and Streaming-Driven Collecting

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, fans knew Star Wars was about to re-enter the cultural spotlight in a massive way. By the time The Force Awakens premiered in December 2015, Hasbro was already gearing up for a new toy boom. Midnight toy releases, waves of new figures, and a shift in strategy toward collectors defined the modern era of Star Wars toys.

From 2015 to the present, Hasbro has navigated sequel films, spin-offs, and Disney+ shows, while balancing nostalgia-driven lines like The Vintage Collection with collector-grade Black Series 6” figures. It has been an era of both expansion and controversy.

The Black Series (2013–Present): Hasbro’s Collector Flagship

Launched just before the Disney buyout but truly thriving afterward, the Black Series line became Hasbro’s crown jewel.

• Scale: For the first time, Hasbro focused heavily on 6-inch figures, abandoning the all-in bet on 3.75”. This scale allowed for more detail, articulation, and premium presentation.
• Packaging Evolution:
  • Early waves (2013–2014): clean black-and-orange boxes.
  • Disney era (2015 onward): numbering system, making it easy for collectors to track.
  • Modern waves: color-coded packaging by media source (red for Original Trilogy, purple for Clone Wars, etc.).
• Notable Figures:
  • The Force Awakens launch wave (Kylo Ren, Rey, Finn) in 2015.
  • 40th Anniversary of A New Hope (2017) retro-style carded 6” figures.
  • Deluxe Boba Fett, Moff Gideon, Mandalorian variants which were huge collector hits.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Premium sculpts, realistic face printing (after 2018), incredible articulation, deep coverage across movies and Disney+ shows.
• Cons: Rising retail prices (from $19.99 in 2015 to $24.99–$27.99 today), exclusivity headaches (Target/Walmart exclusives often scalped).

The Black Series redefined Star Wars toys as adult collectibles, not just kids’ playthings.

The Sequel Trilogy Era (2015–2019)

Hasbro launched its new lines alongside Disney’s sequel films. Each movie had its own dedicated wave:

• The Force Awakens (2015): Midnight “Force Friday” toy release echoed 1999’s Phantom Menace hype. Rey, Finn, Kylo, BB-8, and the First Order Stormtrooper dominated shelves.
• The Last Jedi (2017): Figures included Praetorian Guards, Luke (island robes), and Supreme Leader Snoke (deluxe). Reception was mixed, mirroring the film’s divisiveness.
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019): Final wave introduced Sith Troopers, Dark Side Rey, and Knights of Ren.

Vehicles were limited compared to earlier eras, a sign Hasbro was leaning away from bulky ships due to rising production costs.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: New characters expanded the toy universe, Force Friday events generated excitement.
• Cons: Overproduction of peg-warmers (Zuvio became infamous), weak vehicle support, sequels’ polarizing reception dampened secondary market interest.

Today, Sequel Trilogy figures remain some of the least valuable in Hasbro’s modern runs, with exceptions like early Black Series Rey or Kylo commanding nostalgia-driven interest.

The Vintage Collection Revival (2018–Present)

After a hiatus, Hasbro revived The Vintage Collection (TVC) in 2018 due to overwhelming fan demand.

• Packaging: Faithful Kenner-style retro cardbacks returned, now covering not just the films but Disney+ series.
• Highlights:
  • Rogue One’s Scarif Troopers and Death Troopers.
  • The Mandalorian line exploded with Mando, Grogu, and Bo-Katan.
  • Reissued classics like Slave Leia, Gamorrean Guard, and Yak Face thrilled long-time collectors.

TVC regained its reputation as the definitive 3.75” line, keeping the Kenner spirit alive.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Nostalgia packaging, screen-accurate sculpts, wide franchise coverage.
• Cons: Increasing scarcity, Walmart exclusives notoriously difficult to obtain, higher prices.

The Vintage Collection proved Hasbro could still serve both nostalgic collectors and new Disney-era fans.

Disney+ Era (2019–Present): Streaming Drives Toys

The arrival of The Mandalorian in 2019 transformed the toy landscape. Grogu (“Baby Yoda”) became a cultural phenomenon, fueling unprecedented toy demand. Hasbro scrambled to produce Baby Yoda plushes, animatronics, and figures after the character’s secretive reveal.

Disney+ shows created new toy waves:

• The Mandalorian (2019–Present): Endless variants of Mando armor, Grogu multipacks, Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, Dark Troopers.
• The Book of Boba Fett (2021): New Boba armor, Fennec Shand, Cad Bane.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022): Duel of Vader vs. Kenobi figures.
• Andor (2022): Cassian, Luthen, and Mon Mothma.
• Ahsoka (2023): TVC and Black Series Ahsoka, Thrawn, and Sabine Wren became must-have releases.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Streaming shows expanded toy diversity, Grogu revitalized mass toy sales.
• Cons: Heavy reliance on exclusives, too many repaints/reissues, some collector fatigue.

The Disney+ era has made Star Wars collecting an ongoing drip-feed rather than a once-every-few-years movie burst.

HasLab and Crowdfunding

One of the biggest innovations in the Disney era has been HasLab, Hasbro’s crowdfunding platform for high-ticket collector items.

• 2018: Jabba’s Sail Barge (The Khetanna): A $500 crowdfunded project that delivered a 4-foot-long Sail Barge for TVC figures. Considered the holy grail of modern Star Wars collecting.
• 2020: Razor Crest (The Mandalorian): Another massive success, fully detailed interior, destroyed on-screen shortly after shipping to collectors.
• 2023: Ghost (from Ahsoka / Rebels): Funded successfully with multiple tiers of exclusive figures.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Delivered dream projects that retail shelves could never support.
• Cons: High cost, limited availability, and occasional failures (Black Series Rancor project was cancelled due to lack of backers).

HasLab redefined how premium Star Wars items are produced, essentially crowdsourcing dream toys.

The Collector Market in the Disney Era

The Disney era has created an odd split:

• Vintage Collection figures often rise in value quickly, especially exclusives (Clone Trooper variants, Ahsoka-related figures).
• Black Series remains strong but flooded, making most common figures affordable. Only short-run exclusives (501st Clone Troopers, convention exclusives) spike in price.
• Grogu items became mass-market hits but saturate quickly.

Collectors face constant waves of product, making completionism nearly impossible. The modern strategy is pick-and-choose favorites rather than “collect them all.”

Pros & Cons of the Disney Era

• Pros:
  • Black Series and Vintage Collection provide premium quality.
  • Disney+ ensures a steady stream of new characters.
  • HasLab makes dream vehicles possible.
  • Face-print technology improved likeness dramatically.
• Cons:
  • Price hikes frustrate collectors.
  • Retail exclusives are notoriously difficult to secure.
  • Some waves oversaturate shelves (Rey/Sequel peg warmers, too many Mandalorian variants).

The Legacy of the Disney Era

The Disney era has cemented Star Wars toys as a collector-first franchise. Kids still buy lightsabers and plush Grogu dolls, but the beating heart of the toy line is now adult collectors investing in premium figures, crowdfunding projects, and nostalgia-driven Vintage packaging.

From a toy history perspective, Disney’s era is the most commercially ambitious since the Kenner original. Whether one sees it as “too corporate” or “a golden age of variety” depends on perspective, but there’s no denying it: Star Wars toys are thriving in the streaming age.

Beyond Hasbro: Star Wars Collectibles Outside the Mainstream

While Kenner and Hasbro have carried the Star Wars action figure torch for nearly 50 years, they’ve never been the only game in town. The galaxy far, far away has inspired a vast ecosystem of toy makers, model builders, and collectible companies, each catering to different corners of fandom. From ultra-premium sixth-scale figures to micro-scale ships, Star Wars collecting has expanded far beyond Hasbro’s aisles.

For many fans, “going beyond Hasbro” means moving from playthings into display-grade art pieces. For others, it means exploring quirky niche lines that capture Star Wars in ways Hasbro never could.

Hot Toys (2009–Present): The Sixth-Scale Gold Standard

If Hasbro rules the 3.75” and 6” scale, then Hot Toys reigns supreme in the 1/6 scale (12”) figure world. Based in Hong Kong, Hot Toys creates hyper-detailed, film-accurate figures with real fabric costumes, lifelike head sculpts, and an abundance of accessories.

• Highlights:
  • Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight), and The Mandalorian with Grogu.
  • Clone Troopers in endless battalion variants, fueling premium army-building.
  • Ahsoka Tano from both The Mandalorian and Clone Wars.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Incredible realism, museum-quality sculpts, unmatched accessories.
• Cons: Expensive ($250–$400 per figure), fragile, take up significant display space.

Hot Toys turned Star Wars into luxury collectibles, no longer toys, but centre-piece art.

Sideshow Collectibles: Premium Formats and Statues

Before Hot Toys dominated, Sideshow Collectibles pioneered high-end Star Wars statues and sixth-scale figures.

• Premium Format Statues: Large, mixed-media statues (often 1/4 scale) of iconic characters in dynamic poses.
• Sixth-Scale Figures: Early sixth-scale Obi-Wan, Jedi Luke, and Stormtroopers before Hot Toys took over.
• Life-Size Busts: Massive, hyper-realistic busts of Vader, Yoda, and more.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Striking centerpiece pieces for serious collectors.
• Cons: Extremely pricey ($500–$1,500+), require huge display space.

Sideshow remains a go-to for collectors who want art, not articulation.

Gentle Giant: Mini-Busts and Jumbo Retro Figures

Gentle Giant carved its niche with mini-busts and statues, but also became famous for its Jumbo Kenner line.

• Mini-Busts: Highly detailed busts of characters like Boba Fett, Darth Maul, and Clone Troopers.
• Jumbo Figures: Upscaled 12” reproductions of Kenner’s 3.75” figures, complete with retro cardbacks. Holding a foot-tall vintage-style Luke or Vader is surreal.
• Collector Club Exclusives: Gentle Giant catered directly to adult collectors with limited runs and exclusives.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Retro Jumbo figures capture Kenner nostalgia in a fresh way. Busts are display-friendly and stylish.
• Cons: Some pieces feel redundant alongside Sideshow or Hot Toys.

Gentle Giant thrives by blending nostalgia with artistry.

Jazwares (2022–Present): Micro Galaxy Squadron

In recent years, Jazwares has entered the Star Wars market with its Micro Galaxy Squadron line, small-scale ships paired with tiny pilot figures.

• Highlights:
  • X-Wings, TIE Fighters, Slave I, and the Razor Crest.
  • Chase “rare” variants like battle-damaged ships or limited paint schemes.
  • Blind-box Starfighter Class ships (tiny, collectible one-offs).

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Affordable, space-efficient, fun chase variants.
• Cons: Some distribution issues, “chase” rarity frustrates completists.

Jazwares tapped into what Hasbro moved away from: vehicles at scale. Collectors who lack shelf space for a HasLab Ghost can still build a fleet with Micro Galaxy Squadron.

LEGO Star Wars (1999–Present): Bricks, Minifigures, and UCS Glory

Though not “action figures” in the traditional sense, LEGO Star Wars is a massive part of the franchise’s collectible ecosystem.

• Minifigures: Iconic in their own right, LEGO minifigures of Boba Fett, Darth Vader, and Ahsoka are now prized collectibles. Some exclusives (Chrome Vader, Cloud City Boba) sell for thousands.
• Ultimate Collector Series (UCS): Giant brick-built masterpieces like the Millennium Falcon (75192), Imperial Star Destroyer (75252), and Razor Crest (75331).
• Playsets: From Death Star dioramas to modular Hoth bases, LEGO lets fans “build the galaxy.”

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Highly displayable, interactive, crossover appeal beyond toy collectors.
• Cons: Expensive, space-hungry, fragile if built for long-term display.

LEGO Star Wars is arguably the most successful Star Wars toy line ever, running continuously since 1999 without hiatus.

Other Players

• Kotobukiya: Japanese company producing stylized ArtFX statues and model kits.
• Bandai Tamashii Nations: S.H. Figuarts highly articulated figures and Model Kits rivaling Hasbro in detail.
• Funko (2011–Present): Funko Pop! Star Wars became a phenomenon, with bobblehead vinyls covering nearly every character.
• Hallmark Keepsakes: Annual Christmas ornaments that double as mini-collectibles.
• Mattel: While Hasbro owns the figure rights, Mattel has produced Hot Wheels Star Wars starships, another micro-collectible line.

Collector Market Beyond Hasbro

These non-Hasbro lines have carved their own collector ecosystems:

• Hot Toys figures often increase in value quickly due to limited runs.
• LEGO UCS sets regularly appreciate, especially retired ones.
• Jazwares Micro Galaxy Squadron has started a chase-collector frenzy.
• Funko Pops have flooded the market, but rare convention exclusives (like holographic Vader) command premiums.

For many fans, mixing Hasbro figures with one or two centerpiece items (Hot Toys, LEGO UCS) creates the ultimate Star Wars display.

The Future Beyond Hasbro

As of 2025, Hasbro remains the mainline steward of Star Wars action figures. But the broader collectible ecosystem ensures that Star Wars thrives at every scale and price point:

• Kids: Roleplay lightsabers, plush Grogu, Jazwares ships.
• Collectors: Hasbro’s Vintage Collection & Black Series, Gentle Giant busts.
• Premium Fans: Hot Toys sixth-scale figures, Sideshow statues, LEGO UCS.

The galaxy of Star Wars toys has expanded into tiers of collecting, from $10 figures to $1,000 statues, ensuring every type of fan can participate.

Beyond Hasbro: Final Review

• Pros:
  • Variety across scales, styles, and budgets.
  • Premium realism from Hot Toys, nostalgic retro vibes from Gentle Giant, and creative building from LEGO.
  • Competition pushes Hasbro to innovate.
• Cons:
  • Fragmented collecting landscape.
  • High costs for premium items.
  • “Chase” distribution (Jazwares, Funko) frustrates completists.

Still, beyond Hasbro, the Star Wars collecting world is bigger, more diverse, and more creative than ever before.

Funko Star Wars: Vinyl Icons in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

When people think of Star Wars toys, their minds jump first to Kenner, Hasbro, or LEGO. But in the 2010s, another unlikely contender carved out an empire: Funko. Known for its stylized vinyl figures with oversized heads and minimalist features, Funko turned nearly every pop culture property imaginable into a collectible line. Star Wars was no exception, in fact, Funko’s Pop! line became one of the biggest Star Wars collectible franchises of the Disney era.

The Birth of Funko Pop! Star Wars

Funko began as a small company in 1998 making quirky bobbleheads and Wacky Wobblers. But in 2010, the launch of Pop! Vinyl Figures changed everything. With their uniform chibi-style design, affordable price, and wide accessibility, Pops became an instant sensation.

Star Wars Pops debuted in 2011, only a year after the first Marvel and DC waves. Because Lucasfilm required all Star Wars figures to be bobbleheads for licensing reasons (to avoid conflicting with Hasbro’s action figure license), Star Wars Pops stand out with their springy heads mounted on black display bases.

Early releases included:

• Darth Vader (#01)
• Yoda (#02)
• Han Solo (#03)
• Princess Leia (#04)
• Stormtrooper (#05)
• Chewbacca (#06)

These “blue box” Pops are now grails in the Funko world, fetching hundreds if not thousands on the secondary market depending on condition.

Explosive Growth in the Disney Era

When Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, Star Wars toy licensing exploded, and Funko was perfectly positioned. Pops covered every new release:

• The Force Awakens (2015): Kylo Ren, Rey, BB-8, Finn, Poe Dameron.
• Rogue One (2016): Jyn Erso, K-2SO, Director Krennic.
• The Last Jedi (2017): Praetorian Guards, Luke (Ahch-To), Porgs.
• Solo (2018): Young Han, Lando, Qi’ra.
• The Rise of Skywalker (2019): Sith Trooper, Dark Side Rey.

Disney+ series fueled even greater growth:

• The Mandalorian (2019–Present): Grogu Pops became a cultural phenomenon. Dozens of variants exist: Grogu with cup, Grogu with frog, Grogu with control knob, and even a 10” supersized Grogu.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, Ahsoka: Each series has full Pop! waves, ensuring fans can collect every new character almost instantly.

Funko’s speed to market outpaced Hasbro, making Pops the go-to line for fans who wanted quick representation of new characters.

Exclusives and Variants

A huge part of Funko Star Wars collecting revolves around exclusives and variants.

• Retail Exclusives: Walmart, Target, GameStop, Hot Topic, and Amazon regularly carry unique Pops (different paint jobs, poses, or accessories).
• Convention Exclusives: San Diego Comic-Con, Star Wars Celebration, and New York Comic Con often debut limited-run Pops, highly sought after by collectors.
• Chase Variants: Randomly packed rarities, often featuring glow-in-the-dark lightsabers, holographic finishes, or alternate sculpts.

Examples include:

• Holographic Darth Maul (2012 SDCC): One of the rarest Star Wars Pops, commanding prices over $2,000.
• Shadow Trooper (2011 SDCC): Another grail, limited to just a few hundred pieces.
• Chrome variants (2019): Released for Star Wars Celebration, featuring chrome-painted Boba Fett, Vader, and Stormtroopers.

Collectors’ Review:

• Pros: Wide variety, constant new releases, fun chase hunting.
• Cons: Overwhelming volume, exclusives often scalped, display uniformity can feel repetitive.

Supersized, Rides, and Dioramas

Beyond standard Pops, Funko has produced larger-scale Star Wars lines:

• 10” Pops: Oversized versions of Vader, Stormtrooper, and Grogu dominate shelves.
• Pop! Rides: Characters paired with iconic vehicles, Luke in X-Wing, Vader in TIE Fighter, Han in Millennium Falcon.
• Movie Moments: Diorama-style Pops depicting famous scenes like Han vs. Greedo or Luke vs. Vader.

These expanded the line beyond simple figures into miniature displays, giving collectors more variety.

The Funko Star Wars Collector Community

Star Wars Pops created one of the most active sub-communities in Funko collecting.

• Completionists: Some collectors aim to own every Star Wars Pop, a monumental challenge given there are now 500+ unique releases.
• Themed Collectors: Many focus only on one area (e.g., Boba Fett variants, Sith Lords, Mandalorian Pops).
• Investors: Early Pops skyrocketed in value, leading some to treat them as investments. However, oversupply in later years cooled speculation.

Unlike vintage Kenner or Hasbro Black Series, Pops appeal to casual collectors too. Their affordability ($10–$15 retail) makes them accessible, while rare exclusives create high-end chase appeal.

Funko Star Wars Market Today

As of 2025, Funko Star Wars is both thriving and saturated:

• Common Pops: Most retail between $10–$15, and many drop in value after release.
• Exclusives & Retired Pops: Older vaulted Pops (no longer produced) hold strong value. For example, Blue Box Vader and Leia still fetch hundreds.
• Convention Grails: Pieces like Holographic Maul and Shadow Trooper remain crown jewels for Funko collectors.

The secondary market fluctuates, but serious fans often treat their Pops as display collections rather than investments.

Funko vs. Hasbro: Different Audiences

While Hasbro targets adult collectors with articulation and accuracy, Funko focuses on style and breadth. Pops aren’t about realism; they’re about owning a little piece of Star Wars charm.

• Hasbro’s Black Series: Aimed at display accuracy, with lifelike sculpts and articulation.
• Funko Pops: Simplified, uniform style that makes every character collectible, from Jabba the Hutt to obscure cantina aliens.

In practice, many collectors buy both. Hasbro satisfies the need for authenticity, while Funko fills shelves with stylized fun.

Collector’s Review of Funko Star Wars

• Pros:
  • Affordable entry point ($10–$15).
  • Huge breadth, nearly every character exists in Pop form.
  • Fun chase/exclusive hunting adds excitement.
  • Highly displayable with uniform design.
• Cons:
  • Oversaturation, too many variants can overwhelm collectors.
  • Exclusives and convention Pops fuel scalping.
  • Uniformity means less individuality in design.

Despite criticisms, Funko Star Wars remains one of the most accessible and collectible lines in the franchise’s history.

Legacy of Funko Star Wars

Funko’s place in Star Wars history is secure. In just over a decade, Pops became the modern equivalent of trading cards, cheap, fun, and infinitely collectible. Unlike Hasbro’s cycles of highs and lows, Funko has maintained a steady pipeline of new Pops for every movie, series, and even animated spinoff.

For a new generation, Funko Pops are their Star Wars figures, just as Kenner was for kids in 1978 and Hasbro’s Power of the Force was in 1995.

Top 10 Most Valuable Kenner & Hasbro Star Wars Figures (1977–2025)

(Values approximate as of 2025; fluctuate by condition, packaging, and rarity.)

Kenner Vintage Era (1977–1985)

1. Vinyl Cape Jawa (1978)
   • Loose: $2,000–$3,000
   • Carded: $15,000+
   • Quickly replaced with cloth cape, making vinyl cape variants incredibly rare. Holy grail of early Kenner.
2. Double Telescoping Lightsaber Luke Skywalker (1978)
   • Loose: $5,000–$7,000
   • Carded: $20,000+
   • Early run of Luke had a two-piece lightsaber blade. Only a handful exist carded.
3. Boba Fett (Rocket-Firing Prototype, 1979)
   • Prototype only, never released to retail.
   • Value: $100,000+ depending on condition.
   • The single rarest Kenner Star Wars figure; cancelled due to safety concerns.
4. Yak Face (1985, POTF)
   • Loose: $500–$800
   • Carded (Palitoy/European release): $2,000+
   • Never released in the U.S., Yak Face became a European exclusive — a late-line rarity.
5. Anakin Skywalker (Mail-Away, 1985)
   • Loose: $300–$500
   • Sealed mailer: $1,500+
   • Kenner’s final “original trilogy” figure; low distribution makes it a desirable grail.

Hasbro Modern Era (1995–Present)

6. POTF2 Freeze Frame Weequay Skiff Master (1998)
   • Loose: $30
   • Carded: $1,000+
   • Due to distribution issues, the Freeze Frame version became one of the rarest Hasbro figures ever released.
7. POTF2 Short Saber Variants (1995)
   • Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan with long sabers (early run)
   • Value: $200–$500 carded
   • Packaging mistake created collectible short-run versions.
8. Black Series SDCC Exclusive Boba Fett & Han Carbonite (2013)
   • Loose: $200–$300
   • Boxed: $600–$1,000
   • The very first Black Series exclusive. Convention-only, limited run, high demand.
9. Black Series 6” Clone Commander Cody (2015 Walgreens Exclusive)
   • Loose: $100–$150
   • Carded: $300–$500
   • A tough-to-find exclusive that became the centerpiece of clone collecting.
10. Vintage Collection Ahsoka Tano (VC102, 2012)

• Loose: $200–$300
• Carded: $500–$1,000
• Released late in TVC’s original run, with low distribution. Exploded in value after Ahsoka’s popularity skyrocketed on Disney+.

Collector’s Takeaway

• Kenner Era: The big three grails are Vinyl Cape Jawa, Double-Telescoping Luke, and Rocket-Firing Boba Fett.
• Hasbro Era: Chase variants, exclusives, and late-run figures dominate value.
• Trend: Nostalgia + rarity = value. The rarer the distribution, the stronger the long-term demand.

For toy history, Kenner pieces are untouchable grails. For modern collectors, convention exclusives and late-wave figures are the new treasures.

Top 10 Most Valuable & Iconic Funko Pop! Star Wars Figures (2025)

(Values approximate, based on secondary market trends; condition and packaging significantly affect price.)

1. Holographic Darth Maul (2012, SDCC Exclusive)

• Value: $2,000–$3,000
• Released as a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, limited to 480 pieces. Considered the holy grail of Star Wars Pops.

2. Shadow Trooper (2011, SDCC Exclusive)

• Value: $1,500–$2,000
• Another early convention-only Pop, produced in very limited numbers. Highly coveted by Funko completists.

3. Blue Box Darth Vader (#01, 2011)

• Value: $800–$1,200
• From the very first wave of Star Wars Pops. Early “blue box” packaging versions are far rarer than later reissues.

4. Boba Fett (Droids Animated, 2013 SDCC Exclusive)

• Value: $900–$1,200
• Based on the animated look from the Droids cartoon. Unique color scheme makes this one stand out.

5. Luke Skywalker (Hoth, Glow Chase, 2014)

• Value: $400–$600
• A glow-in-the-dark chase variant from the Hoth line. Short-run, with a cult following among Luke collectors.

6. Star Wars Celebration Chrome Boba Fett (2019)

• Value: $300–$500
• Released in multiple chrome colors (green, blue, gold). The green variant, limited to Celebration, is the most valuable.

7. Yoda (Glow-in-the-Dark Spirit, 2014 SDCC Exclusive)

• Value: $350–$500
• Glow-in-the-dark Yoda based on his Force ghost appearance. SDCC exclusives always command higher premiums.

8. Han Solo in Carbonite (2013, SDCC Exclusive)

• Value: $300–$450
• Part of the Black Box SDCC set with Boba Fett. Unique sculpt makes it one of the most distinctive Star Wars Pops.

9. Ahsoka Tano (#130, Rebels line, 2016)

• Value: $250–$400
• Released in limited numbers during the Star Wars Rebels era. Value surged with her Disney+ appearances.

10. The Mandalorian with Grogu (Chrome Beskar, 2021 Exclusive)

• Value: $150–$250
• While newer, this exclusive captured peak Mandalorian hype. Chrome finish and Grogu combo ensures lasting popularity.

Collector’s Takeaway

• Early SDCC Exclusives (2011–2013) dominate the top tier, especially Holographic Maul and Shadow Trooper.
• Blue Box originals (2011–2012) continue to rise, as they were the first Star Wars Pops produced.
• Modern characters (Ahsoka, Mando + Grogu) show how demand tracks with Disney+ hype.

Funko Pops are less about realism and more about breadth and exclusivity. From grails worth thousands to commons under $15, the Star Wars Pop line proves just how wide the galaxy of collecting can be.

Closing Statement

In the end, whether through LEGO bricks, vintage Kenner sculpts, Palitoy rarities, Hasbro’s modern innovations, or Funko’s vinyl charm, Star Wars collecting has always been about more than plastic. It’s about memory, imagination, and the joy of holding a piece of a galaxy far, far away in your own hands. At Redmond’s Forge, the challenge, and the opportunity, is to decide how best to share that story: do we launch with LEGO as our cornerstone, or embrace the full spectrum of collecting history from Kenner to Hasbro and beyond? However the journey begins, one truth is clear: the Force of Star Wars toys will always be with us, and Redmond’s Forge will be a place where that magic lives on.