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The Empire Strikes Back Action Figures were released in 1980 and were based on the second movie, or Episode V, of the Star Wars saga and as such are considered original Vintage Star Wars action figures.
There were either 27 or 29 The Empire Strikes Back Action Figures depending on whether you consider C-3PO with removable limbs and R2-D2 with an extendable periscope feature to be new and distinct figures rather than variants of their 1977 originals.
The original Empire Strikes Back action figures consisted of 29 carded figures.
The first wave of 20 were displayed with the original 21 on a 41-back card.
All of the original Star Warsaction figure line got their own new Empire cards, whether they were in the movie or not.
The remaining nine, in the second wave, turned up on the later 48-back cards.
It should really have been 50 but Kenner omitted the more basic versions of Artoo and Threepio from the back to avoid confusion, even though they did get released on Empire cards in the first wave before being effectively replaced on shelves for the remainder of Empire and then Jedi by their periscope and removable limb-sporting successors.
Notably Zuckuss the insectoid bounty hunter ended up with the wrong name of his similarly insectoid droid bounty hunting partner 4-LOM and vice versa.
Three creatures for collectors to add to these are the Wampa ice creature, the Imperial Probe Droid and of course the faithful and comfortable Tauntaun.
All the original Star Wars figures were re-released with Empire Strikes Back cards, nineteen were reissued with Return of the Jedi cards and six made it to the fourth line which was called The Power of the Force.
As for The Empire Strikes Back Action Figures twenty seven of them were reissued on Jedi cards and two (3PO and Yoda) were in the Power of the Force.
This level of re-carding figures and keeping every one available on shelves as long as possible maintained kids ever-growing collections and helped give even the most obscure characters a level of early geek cache.
1. Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) [Blonde/Sandy Hair]
2. Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) [Flesh Collar/Turtle-neck]
3. Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)
4. Bossk
5. IG-88 [Grey/Metallic]
6. Rebel Soldier
7. FX-7
8. Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)
9. Lando Calrissian [Standard Face/White eyes and teeth]
10. Bespin Security Guard (White) [Medium/Long Moustache]
11. Yoda [Orange/Brown Snake]
12. Leia (Hoth Outfit) [Dark Brown/Reddish Brown Hair]
13. Rebel Commander
14. AT-AT Driver [Scarlet/True Red Logo]
15. 2-1B
16. Imperial Commander
17. Ugnaut [Lavender/Green/Blue Apron]
18. Lobot
19. Dengar
20. Han Solo (Bespin Outfit)
Variants from now on are less well-known than those earlier gaffs and most involve slightly different colour details.
Please note that all prices mentioned on this site are for informational purposes only and are NOT a solicitation or offer to buy any of the items quoted.
When researching for these articles I use many different online and offline retailers and auctions to get an average value AT THE TIME of writing the article.
As such they will almost definitely be incorrect as the prices and values are in constant flux and change.
Please check my articles and videos on how to grade and value your action figures for up to date prices.
How to Grade Your Action Figures
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