Star Wars Episode I (AKA The Phantom Menace) 12 Inch Dolls (Hasbo)

Star Wars Episode I (AKA The Phantom Menace) 12 Inch Dolls
Hasbro
1999 - 2000

Two posts for this Thursday!

We've had numerous requests to post up an article about Hasbro's 1999 line of 12 inch dolls / over-sized action figures based on Star Wars Episode I, The Phantom Menace. Here for your enjoyment is that very article.

 We touched on Episode I merchandise on our original post pertaining to the highly popular 3 3/4 inch line "HERE". However, we really didn't touch much on the movie itself - Not that we really needed to. There's not much to say beyond these few facts - The film hit theaters in 1999, was the most highly anticipated film of the decade, and left fans split down the middle as to whether or not it was a worthy entry into the Saga.

Personally, we like the Prequels. and we'll leave it at that.

By the time Episode I merchandise hit toy isles, the world was in full swing of gobbling up Star Wars merchandise. Hasbro had found major success with a line of 12 Inch Collector's Series Dolls / Over-Sized Action Figures, and was looking to capitalize on that with the all new items based on The Phantom Menace.

The first wave of dolls came packed in what became the standard form of packaging for these particular items towards the mid era of the 12 Inch Collector's Series - I.E. a black window box. Much like its predecessor, there were both 12 inch and 6 inch characters to collect.

Battle Droid*Darth Maul*Jar Jar Binks

Obi-Wan Kenobi*Qui-Gon Jinn*Watto

Anakin Skywalker*Pit Droids*R2-A6

When the second wave of items started hitting store shelves, Hasbro updated the packaging to the more visible full window box. They also incorporated a background behind each character as a way to make the packaging "pop" on store shelves.

Anakin Skywalker*Battle Droid Commander*Boss Nass

Mace Windu*Qui-Gon Jinn*Sebulba

Chancellor Valorum and Coruscant Guard

Darth Maul and Sith Speeder

The series included a fair amount of electronic versions of numerous characters. All of them incorporated a talking feature which included phrases from the film.

Electronic Talking C-3PO*Electronic Talking Darth Maul*Electronic Talking Jar Jar Binks

Qui-Gon Jinn*TC-16

We initially included this particular item in our 12 Inch Collector's Series post, but the fact is that the Aura Sing Masterpiece Edition was actually released around the Episode I period of Hasbro's toy production. As such, we've included it here as well.

Aura Sing - Masterpiece Edition

***BONUS***

Star Wars Episode I (AKA The Phantom Menace) Queen Amidala Collection
Hasbro
1999 - 2000

Though not technically part of the above collection, we didn't want to leave out the Queen Amidala Collection out of the mix. It was a set of four dolls which featured the Queen in her various garbs as seen in the film. It was also the only way that one could get her in 12 inch form to incorporate into the above line.

 Beautiful Braids Padme*Hidden Majesty Queen Amidala

Ultimate Hair Queen Amidala*Royal Elegance Queen Amidala

***BONUS***

Star Wars Episode I (AKA The Phantom Menace) Portrait Edition
Hasbro
1999 - 2000

Last, but not least, we also wanted to incorporate the Portrait Edition Queen Amidala dolls. These dolls were marketed towards the Adult Collect of Star Wars specifically, and came with a price to match. These particular dolls are more so in line with Barbie as opposed to the above 12 inch ones.

Each doll was packaged in a beautiful box akin to that of the Princess Leia Collection released in prior years. It featured a small circular window to showcase part of the doll, and a fold open lid which hid the full window view. They were definitely eye catching.

 Black Travel Gown*Red Senate Gown*Return to Naboo

The last item released in the Portrait series was the two pack Qui-Gon Jinn and Queen Amidala - Defense of Naboo. The style of the package was more so geared towards the Queen Amidala Collection, and is easily mistaken as part of it. The only tell that it is not is that in the nameplate of the package it actually says, "Portrait Edition".

Qui-Gon Jinn and Queen Amidala - Defense of Naboo

We hope you've enjoyed this look at the 12 inch items from The Phantom Menace. We know that this particular post has been one of numerous requests from our readers. As always, we want to thank our readers for being a part of The Toy Box. We will always try to accommodate all requests for particular posts, so don't hesitate to send them in.

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Star Wars - Power of the Jedi 12" Legacy Collection (Hasbro)

Power of the Jedi was the line that attempted to mash the Trilogy and Prequels together in one line. While it had some great items, it somewhat failed to blend the two together while at the same time appease fans who weren't necessarily looking to collect every figure out there.

Much like the prior two lines (Power of the Force 2, and Episode I), Power of the Jedi saw a release of 12 inch dolls. Though unlike the prior two lines, the series was confined to very limited releases.

The series ran from 2000 to 2001, and saw no more than eleven items released under the banner.

The first collection released in 2000 was quickly a fan favorite due to the inclusion of nothing but Bounty Hunters. The "Hunters" in the Star Wars universe have always included characters surrounded by mystery and lore that attracts even the most casual Star Wars fan.


4-LOM, Bossk, IG-88

The 2000 assortment was rounded off with two multipacks which weren't all that popular among collectors. By this point, several fans had taken the stance of not wanting to buy multiple versions of the same characters anymore, leaving only the select few of the "100% Club" willing to buy them.


Sith Lords (with Darth Vader and Darth Maul)
Captain Tarpals and Kaadu

Much like the 2000 multipacks, the 2001 wave of "dolls" failed to impress. The Death Star Droid was probably the most unique character to be produced, and as a result sold the best out of all three.


Death Star Droid, Death Star Trooper, Han Solo (in Stormtrooper Disguise)

The 100th 12 inch doll was released during the Power of the Jedi period, and was rather impressive. Yes, it was just another Luke Skywalker rendering, but the amount of gear, accessories, and clothing packed into the box were both impressive in quality and quantity. It also came with a fantastic checklist, something that prior and future toy lines have seriously been lacking.


100th Figure Luke Skywalker

A vehicle two pack of a Speeder Bike with Luke Skywalker in his Endor Poncho was released in 2001. The bike was no different than the prior released version, and the doll was simply redressed from prior Luke Figures.


Speeder Bike with Luke Skywalker

The final 2001 release was the two pack of Luke Skywalker and Yoda. Unlike the prior released dolls, this particular one was released in a tube packaging, giving it a nice 360 degree visual.


Luke Skywalker and Yoda

12 inch dolls still come and go in the Star Wars world, but very infrequently, and without much notice to collectors who are not plugged directly into any form of Hasbro pipeline (be it direct or indirect connection). Sales appear to be hit or miss with them, so we can understand Hasbro's reluctance to commit much to a line of this nature - Especially after the oversaturation that the Power of the Force 2 line produced.

Join us Friday as we continue our Star Wars 35th anniversary celebration with our look at Droids!

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Star Wars - Super Deformed (Hasbro)

With the Power of the Jedi line up of 3 3/4 action figures running strong, Hasbro was eager to continue branching out into further Star Wars based areas. One of these extensions was the Super Deformed, or Palm Talkers.

The concept was designed to look like over exaggerations of each character, making them almost cartoony, a popular art style of this period thanks to several shows running on Cartoon Network, as well as several monthly comic book titles from independent artists.

Each non-posable character had little metal studs at the bottom which when placed in the palm of ones hand would activate sounds and voices from the films.

A total of six Super Deformed characters were released under the Power of the Jedi line; Boba Fett, C-3PO, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, R2-D2, and a Stormtrooper.


When the Revenge of the Sith line was released, Super Deformed characters made a reappearance, now known simply as Super D.

The majority of the eight characters released were simply repacks of the now first series. The only two new figures produced were Darth Maul and Yoda.

The packaging was redesigned to be a carded bubble as opposed to the first figures which were released in mini window boxes.

Much like the Power of the Jedi wave of deforms, the Revenge of the Sith line found little success in the toy isles. Characters like Boba Fett, Darth Vader, and occasionally the droids and Stormtrooper were picked up, but for the most part the majority of the line eventually made its way to the clearance isles.

In a world where there seems to be an overabundance of Star Wars merchandise, it's difficult to gauge which items will rocket into people's collections, and which will die a stagnant death in stores. Unfortunately Super Deformed figures were the latter.

**********BONUS**********

Tomy released similar deformed characters for the Episode I Palm Talkers. They were essentially the same concept, though contained a much more Japanese look and feel to the packaging in hopes of grabbing the attention of the Otaku crowd. Much like the other retail versions, they didn't impress many.



Still, much like anything, Super Deformed Star Wars "figures" have their homes in certain collections where they remain treasures. Due to their lack of collectability, or rather, the desire for them to be collected by the majority of fans, they also offer a great conversation piece for their uniqueness. They weren't bad item’s, they just weren't the next best thing.

Join us Friday as we continue our Star Wars 35th anniversary celebration with our look at Power of the Force 12" Collector's Series!

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Star Wars - Episode I (Hasbro)

We continue our month long celebration with a look at the figures based on the highly (over) anticipated film Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Ever since word broke that Lucas was working on a new Star Wars Trilogy, fans clambered to get insights, merchandise, and rumor milled tidbits of what exactly the film was going to be about.

Prior to the film's release, the toys hit stores hard, and Star Wars fans everywhere went nuts down their local toy isles.

BASIC FIGURES

Between 1999 and 2000, Hasbro (who recently acquired the rights to produce the toys in a merger with Kenner Toys) produced forty-nine basic figures. Each figure came packaged with a Comm Tech Chip which when used in conjunction with the reader would produce voices and sound effects from the film. The Comm Tech Chips also doubled as a figure stand.

Coupled with the hype of the film which was only days away from a movie theater premiere, Hasbro, in conjunction with Toys R' Us planned a huge midnight event. The first three waves, as well as several vehicles and accessories were made available on day one.


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Electronic Comm Tech Chip Read
Anakin Skywalker, Battle Droid, Battle Droid (Rusted)
Battle Droid (Slash Marks), Battle Droid (Blast Marks)

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Jar Jar Binks, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Padme Naberrie, Queen Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn

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C-3PO, Darth Sidius, Ric Olie
Watto, Senator Palpatine

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Boss Nass, Chancelor Valorum
Gasgano, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Mace Windu

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Captain Tarpals, Ody Mandrell with Otoga 222 Pit Droid, OOM-9


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Destroyer Droid, Nute Gunray
R2-D2, Rune Haako, Yoda

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Darth Maul (Tatooine), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Naboo), Queen Amidala, Qui-Gon Jinn (Naboo)
Adi Gallia, Anakin Skywalker (Naboo), Captain Panaka, Naboo Royal Security

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Anakin Skywalker (Naboo Pilot), Darth Maul (Sith Lord), Darth Sidius (Hologram), Naboo Royal Guard
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Knight), R2-B1, TC-14

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Destroyer Droid (Battle Damaged), Jar Jar Binks (Naboo Swamp), Pit Droids
Qui-Gon Jinn (Jedi Masters), Quen Amidala (Battle), Sio Bibble

HOLOGRAPHICS, 2-PACKS AND TROPHY EDITION FIGURES

There were three sets that Hasbro started, but could never get enough interest from collectors to continue.

The Holographics, which were a Walmart exclusives were designed to look like holographic images on display stands. The bases would light up, and give the illusion of a holograms (with a little stretch of the imagination).

The two pack Final Lightsaber Duel with break apart Darth Maul was an interesting idea, but so laughable at the same time.

The Trophy Edition figures which were actually planned out for an additional three figures never panned out. Containing a repacked figure and a micro sized vehicle packed together may have seemed like a good idea on paper, but didn't catch on with fans.


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Darth Maul (Hologram), Qui-Gon Jinn (Hologram)
The Final Jedi Duel
Darth Maul with Sith Infiltrator

DELUXE FIGURES AND ACCESSORIES

The deluxe figures for Episode I was far from the quality of the Power of the Force ones. They contained a simple figure with a lightsaber attachment that when attached to the figure would cause the arms and/or waist of each figure to flail whipping its lightsaber around.

While not typically something you would see with a 3 3/4 figure line, the smaller accessory packs were actually pretty awesome. They offered clothing, accessories, and even bits and pieces of vehicles that incorporated well with the figures.


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Darth Maul, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn
Gungan Catapult Accessory Set, Flash Cannon Accessory Set

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Tatooine Accessory Set, Tattoine Disguise Set, Underwater Accessory Set, Hyperdrive Repair Kit
Rapel Line Attack, Podracer Fuel Station, Naboo Accessory Set, Sith Accessory Set

CINEMA SCENSE AND CARRY CASES

Three cinema scene three packs were created for the Episode I line, but sadly two out of the three contained Anakin Skywalker figures.

The R2-D2 Carryall Playset was an interesting piece in and of itself. While it was a carry case, it also converted into a playset, and included an exclusive rolled up Battle Droid. Though in the long run, it didn't hold many figures.


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Mos Espa Encounter, Watto's Box
Tatooine Showdown, R2-D2 Carryall Playset

CREATURES

Most of the creatures came packed with a figure. The Jabba the Hutt with 2-Headed Announcer was the most difficult one to track down out of them all. Being released at the tail end of the Episode I line, it was the one released in the lowest quantities.

Expensive, but yet so cheap in quality was the FAO Schwartz exclusive Fambaa with Shield Generator and Gungan Warrior. At a retail $75.00, it was one of the most expensive toys in the Episode I line.


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Kaadu and Jar Jar Binks, Jabba the Hutt with 2-Headed Announcer, Ammo Wagon with Falumpaset
Eopie with Qui-Gon Jinn, Opee and Qui-Gon Jinn
Fambaa with Shield Generator and Gungan Warrior

VEHICLES

Several vehicles were produced for the line, and were broken up into two categories. The first being the Invasion Force which comprised of the first (top) for vehicles in the photo below, and then all the others were simply categorized as vehicles.

Most of the vehicles (including the Invasion Force) included packed in figures.


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Gungan Scout Sub with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gungan Assault Cannon with Jar Jar Binks, Armored Scout Tank with Battle Droid, Sith Attack Speeder with Darth Maul
Stap and Battle Droid, Sith Speeder and Darth Maul, Flash Speeder
Sebulba's Podracer, Anakin's Podracer

One of the most expensive, and impressive toys produced in the entire Star Wars toy line to date is the three feet long Electronic Naboo Royal Starship. The thing was massive, had incredible detail, and was a ton of fun to play with.


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Electronic Naboo Fighter, Droid Fighters, Trade Federation Tank
Electronic Naboo Royal Starship


PLAYSETS

Only two playsets were created for the line, and both were based off the final battle in Naboo.


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Theed Hanger Playset, Theed Generator Complex (with Battle Droid)


There's nothing wrong with the Episode I toy line. The figures are well sculpted, the vehicles match their overall design, and they were a whole lot of fun to collect. But by the end of its run, it felt (to me) like it never really reached its potential. There were so many possible figures that never got produced. Was it because the result of the film brought all aspects of it crashing down when people finally saw it? Or was Hasbro just eager to move on to a new line? We'll never know for sure.

Join us September 7, 2011 for an in depth look at Star Wars - Power of the Jedi!

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