The
Prides of Nexu Museum
Exclusive Single-Carded Hasbro 3-3/4" Action
Figures
2005-2009
During the five year span of 2005-2009, Hasbro released some fantastic exclusive single-carded 3-3/4” action figures through various retailers. I personally consider 2002-2012 to be the Golden Era of Hasbro Star Wars action figures, and 2005-2009 the Golden Era of exclusive single-carded figures. I hunted these exclusive figures with a feverous passion, and had a blast doing so. Keep in mind that back then, the hunt was fun, typically easy, and came with an extremely high success rate. Yeah, there was some sprinting through the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center involved, and a little drama outside a Target once, but only the Walmart exclusive 501st Clone Trooper proved extremely difficult to find (it took me over a year and a half of hunting). Many of these figures have a story attached to them, which makes them nostalgically dope as well.
This
small, yet dynamic, collection of figures features wonderful imagination,
artful craftsmanship, and many great display pieces. It blends together the
Star Wars films & TV, the Expanded Universe, concept art, and real-world
(i.e. Lucas, the 501st, Make-A-Wish). Additionally, Hasbro sold the
majority of these figures with the clear plastic protective case included,
often customized. Of the twenty seven figures I own, nineteen came in cases,
two in the white mailaway boxes, and only six were ‘cards on pegs’.
Here's
a look at the twenty seven exclusive single-carded Hasbro 3-3/4" action
figures from 2005-2009 currently in the Prides of Nexu Museum collection.
Contents
I
– Full list of figures
II
– Breakdown of figures
III
– Photos, points of interest & stories of each individual figure
I
Revenge
of the Sith 2005
01
Darth Vader Lava Reflection (Target 50,000 Exclusive)
02
Saleucami Clone Trooper (Target Exclusive)
03
Utapau Shadow Trooper (Target Exclusive)
04
Darth Vader - Lava Reflection Duel at Mustafar (Target Exclusive)
05
Obi-Wan Kenobi - Lava Reflection Duel at Mustafar (Target Exclusive)
06
Holographic Yoda (Times Square NYC Toys R Us Exclusive)
07
Holographic Emperor Palpatine (Toys R Us Exclusive)
08
Covert Ops Clone Trooper (StarWarsShop.com Exclusive)
09
Celebration III Talking Darth Vader (Celebration III Exclusive)
The
Saga Collection 2005-2006
10 Separation of the Twins [Obi-Wan & Infant Luke] (Walmart Exclusive)
11
Separation of the Twins [Bail Organa & Infant Leia] (Walmart Exclusive)
12
501st Legion Stormtrooper (2x Versions - SDCC & Hasbro.com
Exclusives)
13
Demise of General Grievous (Target Exclusive)
14
George Lucas as Stormtrooper (Ultimate Galactic Hunt Mailaway)
15
Shadow Stormtrooper (StarWarsShop.com Exclusive)
The
30th Anniversary Collection 2007
16 McQuarrie concept Luke Skywalker (Celebration IV Exclusive)
17
McQuarrie concept C-3PO and R2-D2 (Celebration IV Exclusive)
18
McQuarrie concept Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi (San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive)
19
Concept Art General Grievous (StarWarsShop.com Exclusive)
20
R2-KT Droid for Make-A-Wish (SDCC/Hasbro/SWShop Exclusives)
The
Clone Wars 2008-2009
21 Captain Rex (Mailaway Exclusive)
22
Senate Security Clone Trooper (SDCC & SWShop.com Exclusives)
23
Commander Fox (Target Exclusive)
24
Holographic General Grievous (Toys R Us Exclusive)
25
501st Legion Clone Trooper (Walmart Exclusive)
26
Nahdar Vebb (Mailaway Exclusive)
27
Commander Ponds (Toys R Us Exclusive)
II
Most
by Line
9
– Revenge of the Sith [2005]
7
– The Clone Wars [2008-2009]
6
– The Saga Collection [2005-2006]
5
– The 30th Anniversary Collection [2007]
Most
by Character
*Total
of 31 as there are four figures are 2-packs
8
– Clone Troopers
3
– Vader / Anakin
3
– General Grievous
3
– Obi-Wan
3
– Droids
2
– Stormtroopers
2
– Yoda
2
– Luke Skywalker
1
– George Lucas
1
– Emperor Palpatine
1
– Nahdar Vebb
1
– Bail Organa
1
– Leia Organa
Most
by Year
11
– 2005
5 – 2007
5 – 2008
4 – 2006
2 – 2009
III
Revenge of the Sith
Darth Vader Lava Reflection (Target 50,000 Exclusive)
2005
Of all the Target exclusive figures during this era, the Darth Vader Lava Reflection was the only one I did not find on a Target store shelf. I came across it at a local comic shop in their one tiny case of Star Wars toys/collectibles, for only ten dollars. Nowadays I see them a handful of times a year at the monthly toy swap meets I attend. Makes me wonder if there were truly only 50,000 produced…? Haha!
Revenge of the Sith
Saleucami Clone Trooper (Target Exclusive)
2005
I originally picked up this figure at one of my local Target stores in 2005. In December of 2019, at a monthly toy swap meet, I came across a Saleucami Clone Commander version in a $5/each bin. It was a figure I had never seen on any checklist, reference guide, or collecting website database. Thinking I might have stumbled across some rare/unknown variation, I quickly gave dude five dollars and was on my way. I then began asking around and sharing photos to see if anyone knew what it was. A fellow collector suggested I check for any signs of tampering, so I did. It was extremely well done, but sure enough, the figure had been carefully opened, customized with a commander pauldron & accessories, and then finely re-sealed. So it wasn’t anything special, but for five bucks, it just adds more range to the collection of clones.
Revenge of the Sith
Utapau Shadow Trooper (Target Exclusive)
2005
I’m a huge fan of this figure. The body is a re-paint of the Revenge of the Sith 2005 Super-Articulated Clone Trooper #III-41, which is one of my all-time favorite figures. So like #III-41, it’s a sturdy build, durable, and super posable. And the color-scheme & paint job are dope. It was also one of the first Expanded Universe clone trooper figures released.
My acquisition of this figure has an interesting story. I arrived at one of my local Targets a half hour prior to the store opening on the morning of this figure’s release. I was the only one there until about ten minutes before the doors opened when a father and his two sons arrived. Long story short, I ended up having to confront and check the dad. But both of us were calm and cool about it, so the situation didn’t escalate. A few minutes later I was walking out with three of the Utapau Shadow Troopers, and the dad & his sons were walking out with the figures they had come searching for. He and I even exchanged a smile and a head nod before getting in our vehicles. All’s well that ends well.
Revenge of the Sith
Darth Vader - Lava Reflection Duel at Mustafar (Target Exclusive)
Obi-Wan Kenobi - Lava Reflection Duel at Mustafar (Target Exclusive)
2005
I found these figures on different days at different Target stores. During the entire time ROTS product was on shelves, I never saw these figures together at the same time in the same store.
Revenge of the Sith
Holographic Yoda (Times Square NYC Toys R Us Exclusive)
Holographic Emperor Palpatine (Toys R Us Exclusive)
2005
I believe the Yoda was initially a Times Square store in NYC exclusive, but I was able to grab one easily online later on. I don’t recall who had them though, HasbroToyShop.com, Toys R Us, or StarWarsShop.com?
Revenge of the Sith
Covert Ops Clone Trooper (StarWarsShop.com Exclusive)
2005
Not only is this a very cool figure, it has gorgeously dope cardback. The cardback and packaging design is distinctly unique from all other carded figures (basic & exclusive) in the Revenge of the Sith line, but is the same as the box packaging design on the three Commemorative DVD Collection action figure 3-packs.
Since this figure really doesn’t have a story, I’ll take the opportunity to fondly reminisce on just how dope StarWarsShop.com was. In all the years they existed I never had a problem, only countless pleasant shopping experiences. Every exclusive I wanted I could get, no problem. They were constantly adding new items, and one never had to worry about pieces selling out. And they carried toys and collectibles in a plethora of different categories, so it was an amazing hunting ground I never had to leave my house to enjoy. MTFBWY SWShop.com.
Revenge of the Sith
Celebration III Talking Darth Vader (Celebration III Exclusive)
2005
This is a bad-ass piece. The cardback and packaging vividly pops, and with Vader on that cool base, it’s simply a fun piece to look at.
I didn’t begin attending Celebrations until IV in 2007, so I snagged this figure somewhere else. But for the life of me, I can’t remember where? Back in 2005 I only recorded/cataloged the pieces in my collection. It wasn’t until years later when I added a column to track where pieces were obtained. Thus, I don’t have record.
The Saga Collection
Separation of the Twins [Obi-Wan & Infant Luke] (Walmart Exclusive)
Separation of the Twins [Bail Organa & Infant Leia] (Walmart Exclusive)
2005
The only two figures from The Saga Collection released in stores in 2005. The rest of the line didn't start until 2006. I always found it strange that these two figures weren't just a part of the Revenge of the Sith line, seeming as they are from ROTS and were released the same year as the film & the action figure line. Regardless, they are a very dope set of figures. The Obi-Wan & Bail are just ROTS re-packs, but infant Luke & Leia, coupled with the cardbacks & packaging, make them great collection pieces.
Oddly enough, I came across these two Walmart exclusives (in great condition), sitting by themselves on a shelf in a Target in 2006. I have no idea how they got there, but since the UPCs were the same as the basic figures in The Saga Collection line, Target's system recognized them when scanned, and I was able to purchase them. I never did see them on a shelf in a Walmart, before or after I found them at Target. The Force works in mysterious ways. Haha!
The Saga Collection
501st Legion Stormtrooper [Version 1] (San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive)
501st Legion Stormtrooper [Version 2] (Hasbro.com Exclusive)
2006
What can I say? The figure, the banner accessory, the 501st logo on the packaging, the trading card, what this figure represents, and what it meant at the time. Just a fantastic piece!
I ordered the Hasbro.com exclusive from Hasbro.com (obviously), and the SDCC exclusive from StarWarsShop.com. There was also a third version from the 2007 Rose Parade, but I believe those were a limited run, and I never did pick one up.
The Saga Collection
Demise of General Grievous (Target Exclusive)
2006
It’s obviously an extremely scene-specific figure, but it’s a fun one.
The Saga Collection
George Lucas as Stormtrooper (Ultimate Galactic Hunt Mailaway)
2005
The Maker, the myth, the living legend, George Lucas, in Stormtrooper armor, on a vintage Kenner style Stormtrooper cardback…What more could a Star Wars fan ask for? And the mailaway component was a fun, added bonus. The head/face sculpt of George is incredibly well done. All the way around, this is simply a fantastic piece.
The Saga Collection
Shadow Stormtrooper (StarWarsShop.com Exclusive)
2005
I was excited for this figure as it was the first Shadow Stormtrooper action figure. They’d existed in the EU for years, so it was nice to be able to add one to the collection. Compared to most other Stormtrooper figures (which in many different lines are flimsy), it has great sculpting and articulation.
16-17
The 30th Anniversary Collection
McQuarrie concept Luke Skywalker (Celebration IV Exclusive)
McQuarrie concept C-3PO and R2-D2 (Celebration IV Exclusive)
2007
These were the first figures released in the Ralph McQuarrie Signature Series sub-collection of the 30th Anniversary Collection. The first of what is an immaculate collection of figures. There was a lot of hype behind the release of these figures, and collectors’ were salivating. They didn’t disappoint. I’m a big fan of these figures.
It’s Thursday, May 24, 2007. The Los Angeles Convention Center. Opening morning of Celebration IV. After standing in line outside, for about three hours, the doors finally opened. And when they did, it became this crazy all-out sprint for the Exhibition Hall. I saw people get pushed, tripped, fall and get stepped on, etc. It was pretty bad [just one of the many reasons Lucasfilm hired Reed Pop to take over starting with CV. Haha!] But it felt like everyone was trying to get to the Hasbro booth. I ran myself (out of necessity, not by choice), and reached the Hasbro booth without incident. The line moved quickly and in minutes I had my figures (along with a ton of other stuff). Buying these figures was the very first thing I did at my very first Celebration. So it definitely makes them memorable.
The 30th Anniversary Collection
McQuarrie concept Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi (San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive)
2007
The 30th Anniversary Collection
Concept Art General Grievous (StarWarsShop.com Exclusive)
2007
The 30th Anniversary Collection
R2-KT Droid for Make-A-Wish (SDCC/Hasbro/SWShop Exclusives)
2007
This is a rather remarkable figure. It’s a collaboration between Lucasfilm, Hasbro, the 501st Legion, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It celebrates the life, spirit and memory of Katie Johnson, daughter of 501st Legion founder, Albin Johnson. And it was a shared exclusive, available at Hasbro.com, StarWarsShop.com, and San Diego Comic-Con. Cool piece.
The Clone Wars
Captain Rex (Mailaway Exclusive)
2008
This mailaway exclusive came as a single-carded figure in an all-white Hasbro shipping box. It’s the same as The Clone Wars basic figure Captain Rex #No.4 from 2008, but the mailaway version featured clean armor (#No.4 has dirty/battle-worn armor), and the cardback unfolds into a 3D diorama display.
The Clone Wars
Senate Security Clone Trooper (SDCC & SWShop.com Exclusives)
2008
This figure was a shared exclusive between San Diego Comic-Con and StarWarsShop.com. Stickers for both can be found on the packaging.
The Clone Wars
Commander Fox (Target Exclusive)
2008
From his first scene in The Clone Wars Movie, I was a Commander Fox fan. Thus, I was excited for this figure. On release day I found two at the first Target I went to. I even talked a Target employee into letting me have the two Commander Fox end-cap cardboard displays. It was a good hunt day!
The Clone Wars
Holographic General Grievous (Toys R Us Exclusive)
2008
The Clone Wars
501st Legion Clone Trooper (Walmart Exclusive)
2008
This was the hardest figure of the bunch for me to find. I’m talking a ‘following leads to Walmart stores on the other side of the city at two in the morning’ type of hunt. No luck at Walmart stores, no luck at comic/toy shops, no luck at conventions. Finally, in the fall of 2009 at a tiny little one-day convention a dealer had one on a peg in his booth. We negotiated down to fifteen dollars, which was more than double retail at the time. However, at that point I didn’t care and was just happy to add one to the collection, and at long last cross it off the hunt list.
The Clone Wars
Nahdar Vebb (Mailaway Exclusive)
2009
The Clone Wars
Commander Ponds (Toys R Us Exclusive)
2009
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