X-wing Luke arrived at Minas Miami today. Regular version, here.
*** Disclaimer: I have always wanted an "X-wing Luke" figure in my collection.
Here's my first impression and a quick review of the figure:
1. The shipping and figure boxes are really compact compared to the usual SS figure releases. It immediately gives the impression that not much is included.
2. Removing the figure from the plastic clamshells only reinforces the fact that the figure is bare-bones when it comes to accessories.
3. The figure stand/base is very cool. It definitely looks good and provides a "Yavin 4" look to the figure being displayed. Would have been great if there was a fuel hose, lighting effects or other small detailing added to expand on the display potential.
4. The figure itself looks fantastic. There is no denying that it's Luke Skywalker in the X-wing pilot outfit. I wanted to display Luke bare-headed and holding his helmet and based on the previously posted pics, had trepidations about it looking good. But once set up, it's definitely the way it will stay displayed for me.
5. Head sculpt looks good. THIS was my main concern and my fears proved unwarranted, for the most part. It may not have the Hot Toys paint apps but it really is a huge improvement on previous SS paint apps. There's no "suntan" on mine. The tone is fine and the detailed paint is subtle. The eyes are well done. The hair piece could use some blonde highlights to lighten it up a bit but it's not a big deal as is. Do make sure to adjust it as far forward as possible. It really does help the look of the sculpt.
6. Outfit is fantastically detailed and HT would have a hard time improving on it.
7. Helmet is really nice. The clam-shell design works well. I too thought that it was unwarranted over-engineering and perhaps so, as it probably would have been easier (though probably more costly) to simply include two sculpts; one with the helmet and one without. But the design doesn't detract from the detailing or look of the helmet. No real issue here.
8. 5 gloved hands and 1 and a half hair pieces. That's it for accessories. (the helmet is part of the outfit, as far as I'm concerned.) Extremely bare-bones and a few extra hands wouldn't have broken the bank. The glove/hands do look great and perhaps HT could have taken a lesson from SS on how to design the same for their Vader figure...
I was hoping to have "10" breakdowns but the figure doesn't come with much... ...and that is what leads me to my last observation.
This figure really does look fantastic on display. I was initially going to pass on it due to the pricing but took the plunge when I was able to order it for roughly $40 less through the Timewalker Toys sale. I still feel a little bothered with the fact that it comes with so little accessories. The argument for that may be that it's "X-wing Luke" and he didn't have much in accessories in those scenes. That may indeed be true, but SS could have at least lowered the pricing or provided a super-detailed stand/base to justify the higher price point. Final analysis for me is that I finally have a very good X-wing Luke in my collection. Terry, you were right, my friend...
Here are a few pics:
