Kennor Endor Figures Review

 As we get closer to the actual anniversary of Return of the Jedi, I am at the final spot for non-main characters who get action figures. This post covers the Rebels and Imperial Endor action figures, which have a large Rebel presence, and a minimal Imperial one. Some of these figures are among my favorites in the Kenner line! The alien figures, troop builders, they're all here!

Galactic Empire

AT-ST Driver

There really isn't much about this figure, really. He's a very basic figure, and if you had the Kenner AT-ST you only needed one figure to drive it as the cockpit was big enough for one figure. He has the 5 basic articulation points, can hold his blaster decently and fits in his vehicle. That's all you need him for. If you don't have the AT-ST then you don't need this figure at all. But there is great detail in the sculpt  especially the helmet and the goggles are dark, just as they are in the movie. Some of these drivers are seen in the scene where the Emperor's shuttle arrives. Most of the time many Kenner figures are essential, this one isn't it unless you have the vehicle.

Biker Scout

Another Imperial figure who interacts with a vehicle. However, this one you don't actually have to own the Speeder Bike in order to get this figure. The Biker Scout, or Scout Trooper can be an excellent troop builder figure as years later these guys got many uses. Originally intended as forest troopers, much like the Snowtroopers were specialists to cold planets, these figures were to be forest specialists. But, they got paired with Speeder Bikes and these guys got to drive them, so they became Biker Scouts. The modern VC line has them as their original intended purpose as Scout Troopers. They come with an enlarged version of their blaster pistol, which was made larger to better fit the figure's right hand. He has the basic 5 articulation points, and can fit on the Kenner or POTF2 era Speeder Bike (both are the same) since it has a T-shaped bar that the legs can fit under. The sculpting detail that went into this figure is amazing for 1983, and in my opinion if the line continued into the late 1980's would have fit in quite well with figures made that time. Like the Imperial Stormtrooper figure, customizers can create many different versions of this figure, so he's an essential figure for not only his pilot feature, but also for troop building and custom options. He can also hold a Stormtrooper blaster if you don't like his pistol.


Rebel Alliance

B-Wing Pilot

Honestly, this isn't a bad figure. But he falls into that non essential category unless you scored a Kenner B-Wing and with the prices on ones in decent condition this is an okay figure to skip. Now if you're a diorama enthusiast, you need him for the Rebel briefing scene. There's also a new flight helmet that was sculpted for this figure, and the arms and legs of this figure would be used for the POTF A-Wing Pilot in the 1985 POTF wave of figures. The B-Wing Pilot comes with a blaster and has the 5 basic articulation points.

Nien Numb

Nien Numb was a B-Wing pilot until Lando Calrissian picked him as his co-pilot on the Millennium Falcon. His outfit is quite similar to the B-Wing Pilot, although he wears a vest, gloves and different color boots. He has the 5 basic articulation points, and rocks one of the best Kenner era sculpts! The detail on this figure after 40 years is still impressive! His only accessory is a blaster pistol which fits in his right hand. He is your top essential Endor Rebel figure because you need him to co-pilot the Falcon with Lando. But a friend of mine kept Han and Chewie in the Falcon and put him in either the B-Wing or the Y-Wing so he wouldn't lose him. In the  modern lines, this has been one figure that Hasbro has done a good job on, even if some paint applications aren't film accurate. His 2015-2016 5 POA figure and his soon to be repacked Vintage Collection figures are essential to any modern collection you have as well!

General Madine

If there is such a title as 'Most Boring Figure' then General Madine wins it. I acquired this figure in 1987 at a grocery store that had a few figures on clearance (Madine, Endor Leia, Prune Face and Nikto) were split with me and my brother. When he wanted to give them away, I took in the ones he didn't want. But yeah, as a figure Madine is quite boring. He only speaks during the briefing scene and then is rarely seen during the Endor Battle. He has the 5 basic articulation points, and like the actor has what looks like a combination hair and beard piece glued onto his face (Madine had a fake beard in the film). His only accessory is a "battle stick" which I thought as a kid was used to slap troopers who fell asleep during the briefing. Like the Imperial Dignitary figure he just kind of stands there. But unlike the Dignitary he has lines, and serves a purpose. While he is an excellently sculpted figure, he is boring. Ackbar is essential, Madine, well, isn't. Sorry General Madine fans!

Prune Face

For many years, I assumed Prune Face was one of Jabba's goons. I should have paid more attention to the card image, but as a kid I was drawn to the figure more than the package. And this is quite a figure! He has a uniquely shaped head, and is the only Kenner figure that wears an eye patch. He comes with 2 accessories: a cloth robe which fits very well on him as you can see, and a standard rifle. Now he can only hold it like a battle staff, but he can hold most blaster pistols or blaster rifles. The sculpt on the figure overall is damn near perfect. He looks as much as his onscreen counterpart as 1983 sculpting technology would allow. In fact  he's the most film accurate Kenner ROTJ Rebel Alliance figure. And you better believe he's essential!!

Now I would be failing if I didn't mention his Robot Chicken sketch which is how many of you may know him. "Once you go Prune, then action goes BOOM!" And after his cool intro which shows him kicking @$$ and scoring with alien babes, you find out he was the Rebel Alliance's copier repairman. But how many copier repairmen get action figures?! I sadly passed on the VC version, and regret it. But I still have the figure from way back when, although I used the robe more for Jedi and Bespin Luke than for Prune Face.

Endor Rebel Soldier

This figure means that only Star Wars is the only OT movie without a Rebel soldier or trooper in the Kenner line. Although had the POTF caught on, Kenner could have made one. But they didn't. The sculpting on this figure is incredibly well done. But  you may notice the lack of camouflage paint on this figure. While Hasbro's GI Joe A Real American Hero line had figures like Stalker who had camouflage paint, Kenner didn't have that capability as back in 1983 they were separate companies. Despite that, it's still a great figure. He comes with a lot of detailed sculpting! His helmet and backpack are sculpted onto the figure. He has the standard 5 articulation points and comes with a newly sculpted blaster rifle that fits in both hands, which is neat since if you're troop building it would make sense to have a few Southpaw's in your Rebel lineup. Most Kenner figures are right handed weapon holding figures. The rifle also has a shoulder strap and as you can see, it stays on well if you display this figure loose. Modern versions have used different races to offer more diversity in the Endor Soldiers, and many collectors hold out hopes for a new battle pack which has Nik Sant (is he or is he not Captain Rex from the Clone Wars and Rebels?!) and 3 other figures. Whichever version you get, this figure is essential for your collection!

All images except unrobed Prune Face are from Galactic Figures. Unrobed Prune Face from Dallas Vintage Toys. Thanks for reading!

My next Kenner Review will be Emperor Palpatine and Royal Guard! Posting that review ASAP!