WOLF REVIEW. 17th November 2024
Interesting and factual information may be provided, but our review aims to deliver insight from the perspective of a Wolfs mind and eyes.
An obscure but simple set to collect, but why would you?
A New Hope
When the original trilogy concluded with the Return of the Jedi in 1983, Lucasfilm had few if any plans to extend their highly lucrative franchise. While the Kenner action figure line continued to sell on toy shelves, their popularity naturally declined and within a few years Star Wars was suddenly uninteresting. The Droids animated series was released in 1985 as an effort to revive things but was unsuccessful and only lasted a single season with 13 episodes.
Who are these guys?
The Toys
The new cartoon series was an opportunity for more merchandise and Kenner were quick to release a series of toys. Relevant to the TV show, Kenner produced a dozen figures, two ships and two light-sabers. This review focuses on the action figures without packaging which have generally remained unknown and in the shadows of toys from the first three films.
Boba Fett & A-wing Pilot seem rather out of place.
Twelve or Thirteen?
Of the 12 figures released by Kenner, C-3PO, R2D2, Boba Fett and A-Wing Pilot were cast from the same moulds as those from the main original line. C-3PO and R2D2 had new colours that matched their cartoon screen appearances but unfortunately, no such attempt was made with Boba Fett and A-Wing pilot. Those look to have been taken directly from the main Star Wars line and repackaged. Curiously this made them rather unpopular which ironically led them to be quite rare and collectible today.
The remaining ten figures are all cast from new moulds being new characters never seen in the original films. They are further distinguished by having brighter colours to match their animated screen appearances.
Vlix (Tig Fromm’s henchman) is the 13th figure and was only released by Brazilian toy manufacturer Glasslite who purchased moulds from Kenner. Kenner had him in mind for a second wave of toys that was abandoned due to poor sales. Very few Vlix figures were made, and even less were sold which makes Vlix the rarest of this series and potentially one of the rarest of all Kenner Star Wars action figures.
Uncle Gundy with his frumpy clothes looks closer to home than a galaxy far far away.
A bunch of backs.
Cost cutting
As mentioned previously, some of the figures were recycled from original moulds with Boba Fett and A-Wing Pilot in particular coming straight off the original production line without any modifications. Some figures were also packaged with lower grade cardboard that was less glossy on the rear. A further cost saving measure was with the accessories which mostly were reissues. They were cast from old moulds though in some cases, as with Vlix, Uncle Gundy and Jan Tosh the plastic colour was changed (to black).
Cast from old moulds
Uncle Gundy had a Ree Yees rifle but in black rather than gold.
The Droids series C-3PO has removable limbs as he was cast from the same Empire Strikes back C-3PO with removable limbs.
A complete collection
Collecting a full set of Droids animated series figures is something that most collectors tend to do once they have exhausted their quest to complete their collection of figures from the original trilogy. With Vlix being a “Holy Grail” figure, most collectors are happy to live without one or settle for a replica. Similarly, Boba Fett and A-Wing pilot would often form a part of the original trilogy so there are only ten figures to consider, and most collectors consider these ten figures as a full set. We’ve never heard of someone collecting the animated series without also having a collection from the original trilogy, but if they were to do so it would be relatively easy to collect all ten.
This is technically a complete collection with all 13.
Collectors don’t always include Boba Fett and A-Wing Pilot as part of a complete set since they normally already have them as a part of the original trilogy figures. Most will also exclude Vlix as he was never released by Kenner and is extremely expensive.
Apart from Vlix all figures came with a gold collectors coin.
Heros & Villians
Putting Boba Fett aside there were three bad guys altogether. Sise Fromm was the leader with a Godfather like presence and came only with a purple robe. His thinner son Tig Fromm came with the same staff that was originally issued with the 2-1B Medical droid. Excluding Vlix, Sise Fromm is considered the rarest of the animated series.
The Good guys consisted of two droids (R2D2 & C-3PO) and a random group of humans which included three guys (Jann Tosh, Thall Joben & Jord Dusat) and a girl (Kea Moll). Kez Iban was the only not earth-like character with his purple skin and yellow hair.
Bad guys
Father & son
Were MoHawks the rage in 1985?
Availability and desirability.
Although this series is obscure with only a dozen figures, that is not reflective of their values which we find surprisingly high. Both droids in mint condition can fetch over Aust $1000 each. R2’s pop up light-saber is identical to the one from the Power of the Force line and is worth its weight in gold. Sise Fromm is the rarest of the Kenner releases and commands over $2000 for a clean example. His Son Tig is no bargain either and has been known to sell for $500. Uncle Gundy isn’t far off at $400+.
As these figures are really only interesting to die hard collectors, they are likely to always be an afterthought so from time to time you can grab them for a bargain. Rarities like Vlix for however, are in a class of their own and will always be extremely hard to find and afford.
Funky 80s hair styling
Collecting.
As with most Vintage Star Wars figures, condition and originality is important. This was not a popular series so most figures were rarely played with and that means that there are not as many beaters as you find with figures from the original trilogy. Despite that, reproductions still exist so collectors must know how to authenticate and tell the differences, especially with the accessories.
Vlix, C-3PO and R2 have been reproduced to near exact standards and these are suitable to those that can’t justify paying the high prices that the originals command.
C-3PO has a raise bar where the Country of manufacture stamp normally goes
Be weary of reproduction figures and light-sabers.
Word of the Wolf.
The Droids Animated series is indeed an obscure set of toys which the average person is unlikely to recognise as belonging to the Star Wars universe. For Star Wars collectors in the know they often are the second last lot of figures to collect. The honour of last probably goes to the animated Ewok series figures. For die-hard collectors they are a must have with Vlix being a most prized possession. The cartoon series itself is actually quite entertaining and is even said to have a cult following. Had the timing of the series been closer or withing the time frame of the original movies we may very well have seen more figure released.
Disclaimer
The information in this review is intended for informational or educational purposes to provide readers an understanding of how something may be seen from a certain design perspective. In this case it is from the view point of WOLF DESIGNS. As design is subjective this review should only be considered as an independent opinion. Information further to being of an opinion is provided to the best of our knowledge based on our own research at the time of doing the review. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies and reserve the right to change or update any content as appropriate.
The final responsibility of the design resides with the original manufacturer.