"... And I vow to take care of you. Travel the stars with me, and together we will reclaim every last orphan of Alderaan."
In 2015, Marvel Comics published a Princess Leia comic book miniseries of 5 issues that focused on Leia and the events between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back as she dealt with the destruction of her homeworld. The comic featured alternative looks for Leia outside those synonyms with the films and that has led to the 2022 Black Series release of Princess Leia from this comic series in the 2nd wave of Publishing figures.
As is now standard, the Publishing figures use a book-inspired closed box packaging with an opening front cover. The cover artwork for the figure is taken directly from Issue 5 of the Princess Leia series, while further comic book art is found around the box sides and rear. Inside the inner cover is another comic illustration, some short background text, and the figure itself set behind the usual window.
This new Princess Leia is a tweaked figure based on parts from other Black Series releases. The body is from the Hoth Princess Leia and was also used on the Bespin Escape version and it is that figure that also donates the head, albeit with a new hairpiece at the rear. The lower arms, lower legs and gun-belt all appear new, while the cloak is from the Padme Amidala release. The main body of the suit is simply cast in an off-white finish with sculpted quilting and paneling up the legs and across the main torso. The boot sections are a dark gloss brown while the long-sleeved gloves are coloured in a sandy brown which is a similar tone to the cloak - this is textured throughout with a tough hessian-like finish that is more evident on the coloured version vs the original white seen on Padme.
The head is a good likeness to Carrie Fisher with the comic book release still realised in a full real-world setting and using facial printing to maximise the look. The hair piece is complex - as is standard for Leia - and is plugged into the back of the main head and incorporates both a plaited bun but also plaited loops that sit down over the top of the cloak. The cloak is removable and gives the option of a different look for Leia in her white jumpsuit.
Leia is armed with two blasters, an E-11 blaster rifle in plain black plastic, and her more elegant Defender sporting blaster pistol we see her first use in her early appearance during A New Hope. The pistol features limited sculptural detail, but does include a silver end to the barrel. Both blasters fit into Leia’s right hand and the pistol can be holstered on the belt when not in use.
Articulation is 16 points in total with the body featuring the older format pinned double-jointed knees. Without the cloak, Leia has a full range of motion with each joint working well and holding most poses. With the cloak in place, the leg movement is more restricted to upright posing while the shoulders can’t quite be extended too far upward before they begin to push against the cloak.
Princess Leia Organa from Marvel Comics is a canon release in terms of the current Star Wars saga so unlike some of the other Publishing releases, she can fit straight into a display alongside other comic book releases from the same Marvel Series such as Doctor Aphra & her droids, and the Luke Skywalker Strikes release. She is a great-looking figure and a much more dynamic look for Leia vs her elegant robes from A New Hope demonstrating a transition outfit that will eventually fit in with her uniform on Hoth.
Keep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...