Star Wars Action Figures - Collector Guides
When George Lucas looked for a company to make toys for his new movie, Star Wars, in 1977, most weren't interested. But Kenner, a small toy company known for toys like Easy Bake Oven and Lite Brite, took a chance. They decided to make Star Wars figures smaller, just 3.75 inches tall, which let them make more accessories and playsets. This made Star Wars toys more fun to play with than other toys. It started with a promise of new Star Wars figures for Christmas in 1977 and the Early Bird Certificate, which gave fans the first four figures. The rest came out in 1978, changing the world. Kenner's new ideas for action figures and toys changed how toys were made and sold forever.
The initial retail wave in 1978 introduced 12 figures, followed by an additional eight. The final release was the mail-order “Rocket Firing” Boba Fett in 1979, bringing the total to 21 figures. This expansive lineup was complemented by numerous accessories, vehicles, and playsets. Even today, the original Star Wars action figure line stands as the epitome of a successful toy collection, with each item cherished as a coveted piece by collectors worldwide.
First 12 Star Wars Figures released by kenner (1978)
The initial series comprised a total of 12 figures. Initially, four were part of the Early Bird Package and later re-released on standard cards. Referred to as “12 Backs,” these initial figures earned their name from the number displayed on the back of the card.
This article focuses on the first 12 action figures released by Kenner in 1978, marking the dawn of Star Wars collecting.
1. R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo)
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back
Assortment No.: 38200
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
"Clicking Head" feature
Market Value:
Carded: $500 - $700
Loose: $30 - $50
Insider Info:
R2-D2, also known as Artoo-Detoo, was shipped on all cards from the STAR WARS 12 back to The Empire Strikes Back 48 back. It overlapped its replacement Artoo-Detoo R2-D2 with Sensorscope on The Empire Strikes Back 47 and 48 back cards.
R2-D2 was among the first 4 figures released with the Early Bird Package, then re-released as a regular carded figure in 1978. The early bird version of R2-D2 is identical to the later carded version with his turning, clicking dome, and movable legs.
2. Luke Skywalker
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38180
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Yellow Telescoping Lightsaber
Market Value:
Carded: $1,100 - $1,500
Loose: $80 - $120
Insider Info:
This figure was included in the Early Bird Set but made its first carded appearance on the Star Wars 12 back card.
Luke was among the first 4 figures released with the early bird package, then re-released as a regular carded figure in 1978. The big difference between the two is the early bird version had a longer “telescoping” lightsaber with a tip on the end. The carded version didn’t have that, making the early bird version much rarer and more expensive.
Variations:
Luke Skywalker figure has more variations than most other figures in the vintage line. The major variations are the color options on the figure’s head. This figure is mostly available with yellow hair but also shipped with dark brown hair (primarily in North America) and light brown hair (primarily in Europe), as well as the ultra-rare ESB release of the orange hair version.
3. Chewbacca
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Power Of The Force, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38210
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Bowcaster Rifle
Collector’s Coin (POTF)
Market Value:
Carded: $450 - $600
Loose: $30 - $50
Insider Info:
This figure was included in the Early Bird Set but made its first carded appearance on the Star Wars 12 back card.
Chewbacca was among the first 4 figures released with the early bird package, then re-released as a regular carded figure in 1978. The faithful co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon and bestie to Han Solo, Chewie comes with his faithful Wookie Bowcaster and molded on bandoleer.
Variations:
Chewbacca has no major variations. There is often talk of a green-limbed version of this figure but it is popular belief that it is discoloring due to plastic deterioration.
4. Princess Leia Organa
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38190
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Leia Blaster
Vinyl Cape
Market Value:
Carded: $700 - $900
Loose: $70 - $100
Insider Info:
This figure was included in the Early Bird Set but made its first carded appearance on the Star Wars 12 back card.
Princess Leia was among the first 4 figures released with the early bird package, then re-released as a regular carded figure in 1978. Despite the double issue, there were no major variations on the Princess Leia figure. As far as likenesses go, this one really wasn’t that bad, especially since Kenner only had 3.75 inches to work with.
Variations:
Princess Leia Organa has no major variations.
5. C-3PO (See-Threepio)
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back
Assortment No.: 38220
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories: None
Market Value:
Carded: $500 - $700
Loose: $40 - $60
Insider Info:
C-3PO aka See-Threepio shipped on all cards from the STAR WARS 12 back to The Empire Strikes Back 41 back. It overlapped its replacement C-3PO With Removable Limbs on The Empire Strikes Back 47 and 48 back card. This figure first appeared on the Star Wars 12 back card.
The shiniest figure in the Star Wars line, this figure was special. Who in their right mind didn’t want a C-3PO action figure? The sculpt on this figure was actually really good as Kenner nailed all the little details that make C-3PO so lovable. In fact, when you put him next to R2-D2, it’s no contest. R2 has a cheap sticker wrapped around him and 3PO is intricately carved with tons of detail.
6. Darth Vader
Date Stamp: 1977
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Power Of The Force
Assortment No.: 38230
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories: Red Telescoping Lightsaber, Vinyl Cape
Market Value:
Carded: $750 - $1,000
Loose: $40 - $65
Force Fact:
This figure first appeared on the Star Wars 12 back card.
The plastic weapon would pop and rise from the hollow arm of each figure then a thinner piece would pop out. However, these figures proved difficult to manufacture and also breaks easily thus it was cut from production by the time the second wave of Star Wars was released.
Darth Vader was among the best-selling figures of this line, for obvious reasons. He was the bad guy that everybody loved to hate, not to mention he was completely awesome looking! Vader comes with his red slide-out lightsaber and removable vinyl cape. There were no known variations of Vader during his Star Wars run.
7. Stormtrooper
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Power Of The Force
Assortment No.: 38240
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Stormtrooper Blaster
Market Value:
Carded: $700 - $900
Loose: $40 - $60
Force Fact:
This figure first appeared on the Star Wars 12 back card.
Insider Info:
This was the original army building figure for the Star Wars line and I think most kids (and adults) had multiple Stormtroopers for their collection. The great thing about these guys is that you can literally never have too many of them. The Stormtrooper design went though many different looks over the years, but this is the Stormtrooper figure that will always be close to my heart.
Variations:
The only major variation is the scarce Japanese Takara version, though in a similar stance, is an entirely different sculpt. It is easiest to spot by looking at the head. Also of interest with the Takara version is the bolt on the figure’s back, not unlike any See-Threepio (C-3PO) or Death Star Droid figures.
8. Han Solo
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38260
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Smuggler Blaster
Market Value:
Carded: $850 - $1,100
Loose: $65 - $90
Insider Info:
Han Solo came in two variations, and both involved the size of his head. The more common variation had Han with a “small” or normal sized head while the other had him with an abnormal looking “large” head. The large head version is the harder to find. The variation was due to Kenner changing the molds towards the end of the initial production run.
Variations:
Han Solo figures major variation is in the “Big Head” sculpt. For reasons often speculated upon, though Kenner has never publicly stated, the figures rather diminutive head was replaced with a head that though sporting a better likeness to Harrison Ford seems almost too big. The Big Head Han is truly the ugliest figure in the entire line.
9. Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Power Of The Force, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38250
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories: Blue Lightsaber, Vinyl Cape
Market Value:
Carded: $450 - $600
Loose: $30 - $50
Insider Info:
Old Ben Kenobi once went by the name, Obi-Wan Kenobi, back when he was a younger man fighting in the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan was also Anakin Skywalker’s mentor before he turned to the dark side. Fun fact: Obi-Wan Kenobi looked exactly like Ewan McGregor when he was younger.
Variations:
The Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi figure's only major variation in the figure itself is the hair color. It was available with either white or gray hair.
10. Jawa
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Power Of The Force, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38270
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Jawa Blaster
Cloak (Cloth/Vinyl)
Market Value:
Carded Cloth: $450 - $600
Loose Cloth: $40 - $60
Loose Vinyl: $1,500 - $2,500
Insider Info:
The Tri-logo version is one of the scarcest carded pieces in the entire vintage line.
Jawa came in two different versions with the very early ones having a brown vinyl cape instead of the brown cloth cape that most of us have seen. The vinyl caped Jawa is definitely a “Holy Grail” type item due to a very limited production run and extremely hard to track down.
Variations:
The original Jawa figures first hit the shelves outfitted with a thin vinyl cape, thus named “Vinyl Cape” Jawa. By the Jawa figure’s second release, the vinyl cape was replaced with a cloth robe.
The authentic carded vinyl cape Jawa sits in a blister unique to this variation with a flat clear piece of plastic behind the figure.
11. Sand People
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38280
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Gaderffii Stick
Vinyl Cape
Market Value:
Carded: $450 - $600
Loose: $30 - $50
Insider Info:
Originally named Sand People on the Star Wars card, this figure was also named Sandpeople on The Empire Strikes Back cards and changed names on The Return of the Jedi card to Tusken Raider (Sand People). Finally, the Tri-logo card lists the figure as Tusken Raider (Sand People) (Hommes des Sables).
Variations:
The Tusken Raider’s only major variation was a slightly resculpted head with hollow cheek tubes. The hollow tube variation has only appeared on cards from Return Of The Jedi.
12. Death Squad Commander
Date Stamp: 1977
Release Date: 1978
Carded Availability: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi, Tri-logo
Assortment No.: 38290
Retail Price: $1.99
Weapons and Accessories:
Stormtrooper Blaster
Market Value:
Carded: $400 - $550
Loose: $30 - $50
Insider Info:
This figure was renamed to the Star Destroyer Commander on The Empire Strikes Back cards and has stayed as such on every card printed afterwards.
In case you don’t recognize this guy, he was on the Death Star, assigned to protect Grand Moff Tarkin, at least that’s the official description of this very generic-looking character.
The original line of Star Wars action figures from the seventies remain the gold standard of successful toy lines. Each one of these figures are holy grail items for most Star Wars collectors and are highly sought after.
These figures represent the genesis of a cultural phenomenon, igniting the imaginations of generations of fans worldwide. Coveted by collectors, each figure is a cherished piece of nostalgia, embodying the magic and excitement of the Star Wars universe. As timeless icons of pop culture, they continue to captivate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on toy history.