'Star Wars' Collectibles & Toys Review: 'Star Wars The Black Series' Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape)

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© 2018 Hasbro, Inc. and Lucasfilm Ltd. (LFL)
Six years ago, Pawtucket, RI-based Hasbro introduced its ongoing Black Series of licensed Star Wars-related action figures, vehicles, games, and other toys and collectibles that celebrate the characters and situations from Lucasfilm's space-fantasy saga set "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away."

Although the Black Series has followed Kenner and Hasbro's 41-year-old tradition of producing the 3.75-inch action figures that revolutionized movie-based merchandise for kids and adult collectors alike back in 1978, it also introduced larger and more detailed 6-inch scale action figures that feature more articulation points, accurate detailing, and photorealistic sculpts that make them resemble their onscreen counterparts more closely than ever.

Since 2017, I've acquired a modest number of these larger figures. I don't plan to go out and collect them all; I don't have unlimited amounts of either display/storage space or disposable cash, but every so often I like to splurge on select figures just to scratch that itch.

Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape)

 Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape) was released in May 2019 as part of the year's new product line as a Target exclusive. It was unveiled at the New York Comic-Con and uses the body from the earlier Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper Disguise but adds a new utility belt and a more photorealistic sculpt for Luke's face.

 In a brave attempt to rescue Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker disguises himself as an Imperial Stormtrooper and infiltrates the detention center of the Death Star. - Packaging blurb, Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape)

 Somehow, many of these Target exclusives got into "the wild" (via individuals who buy consignments from store employees or managers before they hit store shelves, usually), because I bought one of these Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape) figures on Amazon last month for a reasonable price.  (In fact, if you go to Target.com and try to order this figure direct from the store, you can't. It's "sold out.")


 Kids and fans alike can imagine the biggest battles and missions in the Star Wars saga with figures from Star Wars The Black Series! with exquisite features and decoration, this series embodies the quality and realism that Star Wars devotees love. Star Wars The Black Series includes figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the Star Wars galaxy that includes the Star Wars comics, Star Wars movies, and Star Wars animated series. - Hasbro promotional blurb

 What's In the Red-and-Black Package?
  • Luke Skywalker Action Figure
  • Stormtrooper Helmet
  • BlasTech E-11 Blaster
  • Comlink
  • Display Base
My Take

I've been a Star Wars fan since the fall of 1977. As a result, the original 1977 film is my favorite entry in the saga and Luke Skywalker is my favorite major character. So it should be no surprise that when I saw this new version of Luke in Stormtrooper Disguise, I just had to get it. 

Even in the red-and-black Star Wars Black Series packaging, this variant of Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape) is impressive due to Hasbro's painstaking attention to detail. 

You can tell, for instance, that the Luke Skywalker you see depicted in this figure has just emerged from the Death Star's trash compactor; his hair is slicked back and dark as if it were wet; the 2015 Star Wars Black Series release shows Luke's hair in a drier and shaggier 1970s style, and in a more golden hue due to its being dry. 



When Hasbro designed the 2015 #12 Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper Disguise), they had planned to release it with both the released head and the wet head featured on the (Luke Skywalker Death Star Escape figure). Lucasfilm licensing shot the idea down.

Hasbro also did a magnificent job by adding many points of articulation to this figure; the company has always strived to make action figures more lifelike ever since it acquired Kenner in the 1990s and with it, the product license to manufacture Star Wars toys and collectibles. The larger 6-inch figures benefit greatly from the extra joints, which allows collectors to pose them in more life-like stances. 

I also like the fact that this figure comes with a display stand for additional support. I probably will keep my Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape) figure in its original packaging, but it's nice to know the stand is there in case I change my mind and decide to pose the figure on a shelf in my study. 

From the Target.com page: 


  • STAR WARS MOVIE-INSPIRED DESIGN - Fans and collectors can imagine scenes from the Star Wars galaxy with this premium Luke Skywalker figure, inspired by the Star Wars: A New Hope movie.
  • MOVIE-BASED CHARACTER-INSPIRED ACCESSORY - This Star Wars The Black Series action figure comes with a blaster accessory like the one Luke fires off in the trash chute scene in Star Wars: A New Hope!
  • PREMIUM ARTICULATION AND DETAILING - Featuring premium deco and multiple points of articulation for high poseability (4 fully articulated limbs)
  • LOOK FOR OTHER FIGURES FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY - Look for other Star Wars The Black Series figures, inspired by the Star Wars movies, to collect a 6-inch scale galaxy of Star Wars figures. (Additional figures each sold separately. Subject to availability.)

Photo Credit: Target.com. © 2019 Hasbro, Inc. and Lucasfilm Ltd. (LFL)

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