For those interested in a brief history of star wars action figures from a galaxy far far away ...
1978 to 1985 - Kenner's first run of the star ways toy line based on the classic trilogy ('vintage collection')
1985 - Kenner issued vintage figures under 'Power of the Force' brand
1995 - Kenner's relaunched of core characters followed by other vehicles and beasts ('modern collection'). After this time, Kenner would become Hasbro after a buyout. Hasbro issued 'Power of the Force 2' figures on 'red card' i.e. large red laser stripe on carbacks. POTF2 line would last up to 2000.
1996 - Hasbro changed the cardbacks to feature a green stripe i.e. 'green card'.
1996 (summer) - Hasbro released figures from 'Shadows of the Empire'; a comic and novel-based story set between ESB and ROTJ. The cardbacks featurea purple laser stripe and the 'shadows' logo.
1997 - Hasbro issued 'green cards' with holographic foil stickers overlaid on the character photo on the package to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Star Wars.
1998 - Hasbr replaced character photo on green cards with a 'freeze frame' i.e.a slide of a scene from one of the movies featuring the figure's character. A mail away Luke's 'slide viewer' binoculars can be used to view these slides. Hasbro also released nine characters from 'expanded universe' brand" featuring a 'pop up' mini scene on the back of the card.
1998 (late) - Hasbro issued the 'flashback' figure line; figures of characters with ties to the upcoming 'Episode 1' film. A small frame with a convertible picture would show a character picture from the original trilogy that would change to a picture from 'Episode1' with the pull of a tab. 'Episode 1' line would last from 1999 to 2000.
1999 (early) - Hasbro introduced 'commtech' figures. Figures that came with a stand with a 'voice chip' that would quote lines the figure's character said when a device was waved over it.
2000 to 2002 - Hasbro introduced 'Power of the Jedi' line.
2002 to 2004 - Hasbro introduced 'Saga' line.
2003 to 2005 - Hasbro introduced 'Clone Wars' line.
2004 - Hasbro introduced 'Original Trilogy Collection' line.
2005 - Hasbro introduced 'ROTS' line.
20006 - Hasbro introduced 'The Saga Collection' line.
2007 to 2008 - Hasbro introduced '30th Anniversary Collection' line.
2008 - Hasbro introduced 'The Clone Wars Collection' line.
2008 - Hasbro introduced 'The Legacy Collection' line
Beyond - It's a never ending hobby ....
(Partially adapted from CollectoRama News: A Guide to Hasbro Star Wars Figures and Toys from 1995 to 1999 and Jedi Temple archives)
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