Review: Star Wars Retro Collection Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary box-set including Yakface and Mon Mothma
- Mephitsu
- 9 minutes ago
- 6 min read
In 2022, the Star Wars Retro Collection from Hasbro created its first 6-figure boxset. This A New Hope set would simply repack the first 6 A New Hope figures, each individually carded, but into an outer box and sold solely as a set. In 2023, this format would take another step forward with the 40th Anniversary Return of the Jedi boxset. The ROTJ set would include five figures from the original Kenner line, notably the first Last 17 retro figure in Yakface. The final slot would be taken by the third Original Trilogy new figure, Mon Mothma, who was never released by Kenner during their 1977 to 1983 run. The set was a general release but sold out particularly fast in 2023 and would go on to get a re-release in 2025, with the UK stocks not arriving until February 2026.
Like the A New Hope Set, the Return of the Jedi box keeps things simple in terms of design with a black base colour with faux foxing around the sides. The original Kenner Return of the Jedi logo is then used to head up a blue centre panel, trimmed in the tramline silver, and containing an image of the six included figures. To each corner, we have different logos with the 40th Anniversary to the top left, and the original Kenner logo to the bottom right. The two side panels are simply black with the ROTJ logo, while the back of the box is a repeat of the front albeit with some additional legal and copyright wording. The top of the box is the only part to include stills from the movie for each of the six characters, each image different to th eone used on the backing card.
The box opens from either side, revealing the packed six carded figures within. These are staggered so the blisters sit side by side, and a pair of figures sit back-to-back. With no internal packing, there is some level of warping to the cards.
Each of the figures replicating the original Kenner releases is packed onto a reproduction card using the same artwork, tramlines and Return of the Jedi logo. Like the box, each card features fake weathering and carries the Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary logo to the top corner, and the Kenner logo bottom right, rather than that of Hasbro. Each figure also carries a sticker confirming it as a modern Retro collection reproduction; these can be removed if desired.
Yakface was originally released on the Power of the Force card and on a Tri-logo European release using the Return of the Jedi logo. This Retro version uses the same artwork as these cards, but aligns it as a standard Return of the Jedi release, so it mirrors the other figures in the set and in the wider collection. As a new figure in the Kenner style, Mon Mothma’s card is drawn up as we might have found it in the 1980s, including a still image of her from Return of the Jedi.
While the front of each card is a good recreation of the Kenner figures, the back strays away from the classic checklist design and instead is text only, first detailing the principles of the Hasbro Retro Collection as being “inspired by 1970s Star Wars action figures”. It then has a red panel which lists the six figures in the set, but without any images.
While the set provides us with the opportunity to own a modern retro reproduction of figures like Wicket, the Gamorrean Guard, Admiral Ackbar, and the Imperial Royal Guard, these are all figures that are relatively easy to obtain as original Kenner figures. To that end, I have not opened these. Like many, I purchased the set as a route to an affordable Yakface, and adding Mon Mothma into the collection alongside other new creations from the Original Trilogy like Grand Moff Tarkin and Luke Skywalker Snowspeeder Pilot.
Mon Mothma takes inspiration from robed figures, particularly the ROTJ releases of the Emperor, Anakin, and the Imperial Dignitary. The robes recreate the outfit worn as she addresses the alliance, with a two tone finish. The upper robes that flow to her knees are a pale off-white, adorned with sculpted pendants painted in silver. These robes cut off at the knees, with a darker grey robe underneath. This grey also presents at the cuffs of her sleeves.
The head is in keeping with the Kenner style, passable as Mon Mothma, but simplistic in design and paintwork as we got in the 70s and 80s. The only facial details painted are the eyes in black, and the eye brows an orange finish that matches the hair.
Mon Mothma has five points of articulation, again as per the Kenner line, with simple joints at each shoulder, the hips, and a rotation at the neck to move the head. Despite never being seen with a blaster in the movie, the Retro Collection adds a retro reproduction of the original Leia blaster in black plastic. This sits in her right hand only.
Yakface is a faithful reproduction of the original 1985 POTF figure, with a light sandy vest with blue sleeves and blue trousers. The vest comes with sculpted grey fur lining that goes around the neck and then continues down the front of the vest.
The same colour and fur effect are used on Yakface’s boots. The head and hands are a light cream, with a skin texture and facial markings built in to mimic the original figure and, of course, the original mask. The only paint on the head is a pair of black gloss eyes.
Yakface has the same 5 points of articulation, allowing basic movement in the arms and legs and a rotation at the neck. He features the original staff weapon that came with the POTF figure, cast in grey and able to fit into either of Yakface’s hands.
This second 6-figure set was still created at a time where the Retro Collection was finding its next direction and was the first to feature a brand new character to the line, a move that has now become a staple of these sets with the most recent A New Hope set, and the recently announced follow up, both featuring a majority of new figures rather than replicating the old ones. It is also the only set to include a POTF figure, which are perhaps what figure collectors would desire more of in the future, considering the price of the original Kenner Last 17 figures.
At circa £60, the set works out at a tenner per figure, although in truth the perceived value is predominantly in Yakface and Mon Mothma, and if you have sole interest in the other carded figures like Ackbar and Wicket, the secondary market should see you able to grab these at a reduced price.
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About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...
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