Rebel Commando Carded Samples
Carded figure samples were created primarily for purposes of presentation, whether it be internally or to outside buyers. In most cases, an early example of the figure, in hardcopy, firstshot or full-production form, was applied under a bubble to either a proof card, or a production blister card of arbitrary choosing, simply as a means of determining how it appeared and functioned in its packaging. Both of these types are pictured above. On the left, an Empire Strikes Back, 48-back Zuckuss blister was used, while on the right, the figure has been applied to a Return of the Jedi Rebel Commando proof card (easily distinguished here by the squared-off corners.)

Interestingly, the ROTJ piece is probably the earlier of the two, the figure being a first shot with a hand-rendered paint job and no foot-holes in its feet. Aside from the novelty of its featuring an incongruous figure/package combination, the ESB piece is interesting in that its bubble has square corners.

All in all, packaging prototypes of this type can provide alot of insight into how the look of the finished product was developed.

Description by: Ron Salvatore
Photo: Rob Johnson
From the collection of: Rob Johnson
Country:United States
Film:Return of the Jedi
Licensee:Kenner
Year:1983
Category:Prototypes / Action Figure Related


  


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