Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape) — Star Wars The Black Series
The Black Series Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape) — Target exclusive, May 2019. $19.99. Rework of 2015 Stormtrooper Luke. 23 joints. New head sculpt, new armour weathering, new belt with non-removable grappling hook — no back hole. Photo-real face fantastic. 4 accessories: Stormtrooper helmet, commlink (belt clip, feels small in hands), blaster, display stand (firm press needed). Neck seal not removable. Slightly shorter than Han.
Overview
Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape) is a Target May 2019 exclusive at $19.99 — a rework of the 2015 Black Series Stormtrooper Luke (id=2398), the infiltration disguise Luke wears while rescuing Princess Leia aboard the Death Star. Three specific improvements over the 2015 version: a new head sculpt, new weathering on the armour, and a differently moulded belt. 23 joints — ball-jointed dual-axis neck, swivel neck, ball-jointed shoulders, swivel biceps, double swivel joints above and below elbows, ball-jointed wrists, ball-jointed waist, hips, swivel thighs, swivel joints above and below knees, ball-jointed ankles.
Key Differences from the 2015 Version
New head sculpt with photo-real face printing — described as fantastic in person. The 2015 version used older technology; this is a meaningful visual improvement.
New belt — differently moulded with a non-removable grappling hook sculpted into the back. Significantly, this figure’s armour has no hole in the back — nearly all Black Series 6” Stormtrooper releases up to 2019 had a display stand peg hole in the back. This version omits it, giving a cleaner silhouette.
New weathering — dirty paint applied mainly to the front with a few spots on the back.
Four Accessories
Stormtrooper helmet — a nice fit over the head.
Commlink — clips onto the belt. Luke can hold it but it feels too small for the hands — a fiddly accessory.
Blaster — fits the holster adequately; holds well in both hands.
Display stand — functions but needs the shoe pressed firmly into the holder for it to stay. Luke balances well on his own without it.
Scale Note
Luke is slightly shorter than Han Solo in Stormtrooper disguise — accurate proportionality to the characters as portrayed on screen.
Secondary Market
Target, May 2019. Verify four accessories. The commlink is the smallest and easiest to lose on a loose set.
Verdict
Death Star Escape Luke is a worthwhile upgrade over the 2015 version — photo-real face, new grappling-hook belt, no back hole for cleaner display, and better weathering. The commlink fiddliness is a minor note on an otherwise solid ANH Luke disguise figure.
Part of Star Wars The Black Series | Phase 3 Red Line. Related: Luke Skywalker Ahch-To P3-EX-TARGET-AHCHTO | Luke Skywalker Skywalker Strikes P3-EX-LWSS.