The Padawan Collector

On August 14, 2008, Star Wars: The Clone Wars opened in Germany and Australia, a full day before fans in the USA & UK.  Introducing movie audiences to Anakin Skywalker’s new Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Little did fans know how important she would become to the future of Star Wars.

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These are super rare to find in good shape today.

FEATURED ITEM: 1977 Star Wars 8mm Reel by Ken Films

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The original Star Wars film was first released on the VHS, Betamax, LaserDisc, and CED formats in 1982, a full five years after its original theatrical release.

Prior to this, the only way that fans could see the film onscreen was through the numerous theatrical re-releases of the period, or through these now-obscure Super 8mm reels released by Ken Films.  The super 8 versions included color film and sound.  There were black and white 8mm versions that had no sounds and silent film subtitles to explain the story. 

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On August 13, 1997, Dark Horse Comics released Star Wars: The Special Edition Box Set, collecting all three Original Trilogy Special Edition trade paperbacks in one slipcased set. Here's a piece of 1997 Star Wars history collectors may have forgotten!

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On this day in 2008, Star Wars: The Clone Wars had its Hollywood red carpet premiere, introducing Ahsoka Tano to the world. It also launched an unforgettable era of Clone Wars collectibles from Hasbro. Did you collect the 2008 line? 

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In the book “Tales of the Bounty Hunters” from 1996, IG-88 attempted to upload himself into the Death Star to become the ultimate killing machine. 

FEATURED ITEM: 1980 IG-88 - ESB 41-E Back

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IG-88 (Bounty Hunter) was first released in 1980 for the Empire Strikes Back line of toys by Kenner, on the first wave of the 31A cardbacks and comes with a blue Imperial Blaster and a blue unique rifle called the IG-88 rifle.  

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On August 7, 1996, Dark Horse released Shadows of the Empire #4! Han Solo in carbonite, Boba Fett, rival bounty hunters, and one of the greatest Star Wars multimedia projects ever. Bonus collector fact: Kenner even released a full toy line tied to the series!

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This is the smiling Lando. You can trust him. This figure would also get released in the 1983 Return of the Jedi line of toys. 

FEATURED ITEM: 1980 Lando Calrissian - Smiling Variant - Kenner Canada 41-Back

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Lando Calrissian was first released in 1980 on Wave 1 of the Empire Strikes Back line of toys by Kenner on the 31B Cardbacks and comes with a gray vinyl cape and a Blue Bespin Blaster.  Early versions of Lando came with unpainted teeth and eyes.  Then, starting on the ESB 41-Backs white paint was added to the teeth and eyes, although both versions can be found on the 41-Backs.

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On August 6, 1997, Dark Horse Comics released X-Wing: Rogue Squadron #21, beginning the In the Empire's Service storyline and introducing the legendary Imperial ace Baron Soontir Fel to Star Wars comics. Discover why this issue remains a favorite among Expanded Universe and Dark Horse collectors.

What was your favorite Rogue Squadron comic?

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Sir Alec Guinness brought Obi-Wan Kenobi to life in the original Star Wars trilogy and helped shape one of cinema's greatest franchises. From his Academy Award nomination to one of Hollywood's most famous profit-sharing contracts, his impact on Star Wars history is unforgettable.

What is your favorite Obi-Wan moment?

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This is considered one of the best selling and most popular toys of the 1980’s.

FEATURED ITEM: 1983 Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) - Palitoy Tri-Logo 70-B Cardback

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Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) was released in 1983 for the Return of the Jedi line of toys by Kenner on the 65A cardbacks in the USA and 70A Palitoy tri-logo cardbacks in the UK.  It comes with either a blue or green lightsaber, a grey or brown Palace Blaster, and a snap-on or pullover soft-goods cloak. It was also re-released for the Power of the Force cardbacks in 1985. Other variations come in the body sculpt and head paint apps. 

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Classic Star Wars #1 Changed Comic History

On This Day in Star Wars History – August 4, 1992 - Classic Star Wars #1 was published by Dark Horse Comics, bringing the legendary Star Wars newspaper strips to a new generation of fans and collectors.

Written by Archie Goodwin and illustrated by the legendary Al Williamson, this issue reprints the first half of The Bounty Hunter of Ord Mantell—but it wasn't just a straight reprint. Williamson created new artwork, additional panels, an all-new story page, and an original cover, making it a unique collectible even for fans who owned the original newspaper strips.

For collectors, this series is an important piece of Star Wars publishing history. It helped preserve some of the franchise's earliest expanded adventures between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, long before the modern comic era. Today, these issues remain a favorite among fans of classic Star Wars artwork thanks to Al Williamson's timeless style.

Do you have any of the Classic Star Wars comics in your collection?

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The Star Wars Novel Fans Still Love | Starfighters of Adumar (1999)

On this day in 1999, X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston was published, becoming the ninth novel in the legendary X-Wing series.

Set in 13 ABY, the story follows Wedge Antilles, Tycho Celchu, Wes Janson, and Hobbie Klivian as they're sent on an unusual diplomatic mission to the neutral world of Adumar. There's just one problem... the Adumari only respect fighter pilots, so diplomacy quickly turns into high-flying action, political intrigue, and some of the funniest moments in Star Wars Legends.

📚 Collector's Fact: The original Bantam Spectra paperback released on August 3, 1999 was among the final X-Wing novels published before Del Rey took over Star Wars publishing. Original first printings remain popular with Legends collectors, especially those assembling the complete Bantam-era Star Wars bookshelf.

⭐ Fun Fact: Many longtime Expanded Universe readers consider Starfighters of Adumar to be one of the funniest Star Wars novels ever written thanks to Aaron Allston's unforgettable dialogue and character interactions, particularly among Rogue Squadron.

Did you read the X-Wing novels? Which Rogue Squadron pilot was your favorite?

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Her name would be changed to Princess Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) for the Return of the Jedi cardbacks in 1983.

FEATURED ITEM: 1980 Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) - ESB 32-B Cardback 

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Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) was released in 1980 on the first wave of the 31B Back Empire Strikes Back cards. It comes with a highly decorated vinyl cape and a blue Leia blaster.  This figure has a slew of variants that come in the hair color, cape pattern, and neck variants, one of which is the “crew neck” Leia that came out on the 32B figure. This figure was re-released on the ROTJ cards, but was never released on the POTF cards. 

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Star Wars Clipper action figures with the catalog are VERY rare. These European toy releases were distributed by the Dutch company Clipper during the original trilogy era, featuring unique regional packaging for the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. On the Mexican Lili Ledy figures she comes with either a blue or grey Leia Blaster.

FEATURED ITEM: 1984 Clipper Princess Leia Organa (In Combat Poncho) - 70 B-Back - Mint On Card

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Princess Leia Organa (In Combat Poncho) was released in 1984 on the 77A Kenner cardbacks in the USA and comes with the Blue/Gray Endor Blaster, a removable helmet, a soft goods camo poncho, and a 2-notch black belt. She would also get a re-release in 1985 on the Power of the Force cardbacks.  She was also available in a Speeder Bike pack in the UK.   On a personal note, this was the last figure my mother bought me before she passed away. 

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This figure is only one of 2 figures in the vintage line to have accessories meant for another figure to use. What’s the other? Learn below…

FEATURED ITEM: 1985 C-3PO (With Removable Limbs) - POTF 92 Back - AFA 80

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C-3PO (With Removable Limbs) was first released in 1982 in the 4th Wave of the Empire Strikes Back 47A Cardbacks by Kenner in the USA and on the 45A Backs by Palitoy in the UK.  This figure would also get released on the Return of the Jedi and the Power of the Force cardback series. This figure dissembles into 5 parts and also comes with a black vinyl backpack.  This figure is only one of 2 figures in the vintage line to have accessories meant for another figure to use.  The other? R2-D2 with pop-up saber, made in 1985. 

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On this day in 1975, George Lucas completed the third draft of The Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Starkiller—a major turning point in the creation of the galaxy far, far away.

This draft brought us much closer to the film we know today. Ben Kenobi emerged as Luke's wise mentor, Han Solo evolved into the space pirate we all recognize, and the Clone Wars were mentioned for the very first time in Star Wars history. Even Annikin (spelled with two "n"s) appeared as Luke's father years before the famous twist in The Empire Strikes Back.

For collectors, original reproductions and facsimiles of these early scripts have become fascinating pieces of Star Wars history. They're a reminder that the greatest stories are rarely perfect on the first draft—and that some of the saga's biggest ideas evolved one rewrite at a time.

What's your favorite piece of Star Wars lore that almost turned out differently?

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This toy is commonly found loose, though typically incomplete, thanks to the harpoon feature.

FEATURED ITEM: 1980 Rebel Armored Snowspeeder - Mint in Box & Complete with inserts.

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Released in 1980 by Kenner, The Rebel Armored Snowspeeder vehicle is notable for its front guns, which light up and emit sound effects, as well as its pop-down landing gear feature. It also included a "harpoon" accessory attached to its rear, which is often missing from loose examples.

The toy is commonly found loose, though typically incomplete. Boxed versions are more collectible, and Kenner produced two distinct box designs for the Snowspeeder. The initial version featured a pink background, while a later release used a blue background with a different photo. The blue box variant is significantly rarer. Additionally, in 1980, a "Special Offer" version was made available to larger retailers, including a free Rebel Soldier figure and marked with a yellow sticker on the box.

In the mid-1990s, Hasbro reused the molds for a newer rendition of the vehicle, but they included modifications that distinguish it from the original Kenner release.

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