Archives: Kenner

The Automatic.

The Automatic. (Vintage 2-1B, Vintage C-3PO)

The Automatic. (Vintage 2-1B, Vintage C-3PO)

Thirty years ago the 2-1B action figure didn’t present a lot of game for me. That character in the Empire Strikes Back only had one or two spoken lines and his main gig was poking at dead Tauntauns and a near-dead Luke Skywalker. Kind of horrifying actually.

Now (much as I’ve done with all 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-string action figures) I’ve forgiven 2-1B all shortcomings and granted him unconditional rad toy status. His feats of medical derring-do are celebrated here in one of my personal favorite pics to date. Sock it to ’em One-bee!

This is the last post for 2009. Thanks to everyone for making this a really fun first year.

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Hammerhead.

Hammerhead. (Vintage Hammerhead)

Hammerhead. (Vintage Hammerhead)

Most of the time with these pics I like finding the right selection of figures, typically in groups of 2 or 3. The interplay creates either agitation or harmony in the frame, and a new narrative starts to spill out. That’s exciting. And then other times its just one expressive character that refuses to share the light.

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The Sand People Strike Back.

The Sand People Strike Back. (Vintage Sandpeople)

The Sand People Strike Back. (Vintage Sand People)

I loves ’em all. But let’s face it, nothing triggers an emotional response quite like the original group of 12 Star Wars action figures that were released in early 1978. Were the awesome Sand People part of all that biz? Oh, hell yes they were. Now seriously — can I get an “AROOOO”!?!

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· 4 Comments

Wired for Evil.

Wired for Evil. (Vintage 8D8)

Wired for Evil. (Vintage 8D8)


OK, this guy’s good. 8D8 is not only a droid that’s bent on torture. He’s a droid that’s bent on torturing other droids! I’m sorry, it just doesn’t get any colder than that. The 8D8 action figure, with a vaguely skeleton form and an icy white stare, pays fine tribute to the Return of The Jedi character of the same name and wicked ways in general.

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