Review : Luke Skywalker (Hoth)
Star Wars Black Series
Wave/Series : Centrepiece (Statue) Collection
Released : September 2017
Price : £54.99* (UK price)
Pro's : Nicely detailed Luke figure. The AT-AT foot base is well executed down to the lying snow
Con's : The lightsaber does not light up despite the item have a light up option. Costly at full RRP
Luke Skywalker is #02 in the new Black Series Centrepiece collection. Arriving initially on Force Friday 2 (2017) alongside the Darth Vader Centerpiece, the Luke set is packed in a closed black box with the Star Wars Black Series header and the new Circular Centerpiece logo. Across the front is an image of the figure itself set against a red band that includes images from The Empire Strikes Back consistent with the Battle of Hoth - although unlike the Vader set, these seem to be illustrated rather than be screen captured.
Keeping with the same theme as the standard Black Series line, the right side spine is gloss red with a bold #02 at the top and a smaller Centerpiece logo at the base.
Round the back is another image of the set, this time from a different angle and with extra figures added. To the side of this is some background red text and to the right are some close up images of the Luke figure from the set and the light up plast effects.
The other side spine carries the Gregory Titus grey lined artwork - a lovely head and shoulder shot of Luke in his Snowspeeder Helmet.
The set opens from either of the sie panels and inside is a cardboard sleeve and a single plastic tray containing all the parts for the diorama.
There is a neat black and red instruction booklet included to aid in assembly.
The set takes three AAA batteries which are not included. It is best to fit these before assembly by opening the screw on the base of the main part and flicking open the battery panel. While this can be done later, when the set is assembled it is more difficult to hold the full piece while changing batteries.
We start with the largest piece, the AT-AT foot. This is shaped as though buried in sand. Into this slots the two side panels. These click into place, and when inserted are actually articulated should you wish to adjust their position within their hinge.
We then have two "snow" sections, cast in a light weight plastic. For now we will use the smaller one and this pushes up against the AT-AT foot to hide the bottom section. This snow piece doesn't so much clip in place, but rather sits next to the other piece.
The next thing to add is Luke himself. He comes as a single piece, sculpted and cast in a single pose as though leaping across the fallen AT-AT foot with his lightsaber brandished. Luke's forward right foot has a large peg which slots into the base. The trailing left leg goes behind the AT-AT foot with a smaller peg that slots in here to hold Luke securely in two places.
While you could arguably display Luke without it, the way the piece is designed indicates Luke has a lit lightsaber as he leaps over the fallen AT-AT and therefore a blue transparent blade is included. Like the Black Series sabers, this slots into the hilt on the figure.
The final addition is the blast FX. This large orange explosion goes to the left of the diorama as you look at it. It clips into place neatly covering the final exposed workings of the base.
Once assembled it is time to stand back and admire the piece. Starting with Luke and the flght suit is a vibrant orange but with a subtle level of weathering to look like it has seen some action. The flight straps and vest are in place as are the padded boots. The helmet is weathered as well and comes with crisp lines and the Rebel symbol to either side of the main crest. The visor is a transparent piece, but with yellow tinting. Under this is a decent likeness to Luke.
The AT-AT foot is really well done with a grey base colour, but loads of washing and panel lines. It even has patches of snow that has fallen into the various ledges and crevices.
The snow piece is plain white, but has quite a bit of sculpted definition so the shadows and lights that fall on the various rises and falls do their bit to make it look realistic.
The final part, the explosion, is really well done being cast in a transparent orange but then with dark paint added to the tops of the explosion. This is the piece that lights up on the statue and this is operated by a circular button to the side of Luke's foot. The explosion looks brilliant lit up, and the only shame is that the light wasn't used somehow to light the lightsaber also.
Unlike the Vader statue, the Luke Centerpiece has two display options to choose from. This is achieved by making two pieces of snow available. We've seen the smaller version, which works if you are displaying the piece with Luke on his own.
There is then a larger version which is sculpted with some footprints into the snow complete with a hole in each footprint. If you flip the piece over you will find a row of pegs on the other side. These clip out and go into the holes on the other side to create the pegs for Black Series figures.
While any Black Series figure will fit, the most contemporary to the Battle of Hoth are the Snowtroopers (which we have used) or potentially the AT-AT driver. The base will comfortably take two figures in a coupe of differing poses. The foot pegs work well with the Troopers, but make sure you use them on both feet to stop them starting to lean over time.
The scene you create with Luke leaping over the AT-AT foot to strike down the Imperials is not one we saw on screen. But like Vader it is something that could have happened off camera.
While Luke is a statue and the Snowtroopers actual articulated figures, the two do not look at odds displayed this way.
In fact the only issue is really how to display the set. It doesn't take up a huge amount of shelf space thankfully, but you have to decide to focus on the front of Luke - and then have the back of the Troopers to look at - or to look over Luke's shoulder to the advancing troops.
Which ever way you choose the button for the light up option remains thankfully in reach unless you have this right at the back of a shelf and loads of other figures in front.
Collectors have been asking for diorama pieces for their Black Series figures for a while. I am not sure this is the answer, but it is a step in the right direction and a step up from the basic diorama bases we've seen recently on Force Awakens, Rogue One and Last Jedi pieces.
One of the reasons the Centerpiece line has not quite found every Black Series collector to be an immediate fan is the price. When you consider this started at circa £55 here in the UK. For that price you get one figure, a base and a light up feature - or you could arguably buy two or three articulated figures?
I got my set at £26 in an Amazon sale, and that feels about right for what you get. This is not a premium piece by any means, there are no extra paint apps or sculpted detail and the FX element is basic to say the least. I do like the options of different snow bases on this one to have Luke displayed on his own, or expanding the set to include other figures - that is a nice touch. But for over £50 I'd want some extra bells and whistles, not least a light up saber.
At full price, this is a 3 out of 5 set at best
If you can get this release for under £30 then it becomes a 4 out of 5 item.