1979 TO 1981 ESB FIGURES:The year 1979 saw the release of the first mail away figure Boba Fett which had upto that time only appeared in the Holiday Special.
In 1980 the much anticipated sequel to Star Wars was created, after three years of waiting with no new figures, they released more figures, there was a run of 20 all new figures, followed by 9 more figures in the year 1982.
BOBA FETT
INFO: This figure first appeared in a White Box as a mail away offer, however his first appearance on a card was'nt until the SW21-Backs.
The original Boba Fett figure was dangerous, you could take your eye out with the firing missile, so Kenner changed the figure to the one we now know.
BESPIN SECURITY GUARD
INFO: This figure first made his appearance ESB31-Back card.
BOSSK
INFO: Originally offered as a "Secret Star Wars Action Figure" mail away offer.
This figure didnt make its first appearence until the ESB31-Back card.
FX-7
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
This figure was referred to as FX-7 (Medical Droid) only on The Empire Strikes Back cards. It was simply called FX-7 on Return of The Jedi and Tri-Logo cards.
HAN SOLO - HOTH OUTFIT
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
Originally this figure was named Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) on The Empire Strikes Back card back, only to be changed on the Return Of The Jedi card back to Han Solo (Hoth Battle Gear), and remained so on the Tri-logo card as well.
IG-88
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
This figure had the name IG-88 (Bounty Hunter) on the Empire Strrikes Back card. The name was shortened to simply IG-88 when it was packaged on Return Of The Jedi and Tri-logo card backs.
IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER - HOTH BATTLE GEAR
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
Actually even though all the collecting world know him as Imperial Snowtrooper he never appeared on any card with this name, it was always Imperial Stormtrooper - Hoth Battle Gear.
LANDO CALRISSIAN
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
LUKE SKYWALKER - BESPIN FATIGUES
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
The image has changed three times for this figure's card back. The first image was switched out for the second on The Empire Strikes Back 32 back card and was later switched again on the Tri-logo card back.
PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA - BESPIN GOWN
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
The image of this figure's card back was quickly changed. The first image, a profile shot, was switched out for the second, a straight on shot, on The Empire Strikes Back 32 back card. The second image remained on all subsequent card backs.
REBEL SOLDIER - HOTH BATTLE GEAR
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB31-Back card.
HAN SOLO - BESPIN OUTFIT
INFO: This figure was included in the Cloud City Playset, however this figure fist appeared on The ESB32-Back card
This figure also appeared as Han solo (Cloud City Outfit) on a Canadian exclusive skin wrapped card*.
This figure was also packaged on the Dengar version of this card and sports a sticker over top of Dengar's nameplate. To date, there is only one known example of this variation.
YODA
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB32-Back card.
The figure’s name was changed to ‘Yoda The Jedi Master' on the Return Of The Jedi 65 back card. During the Return Of The Jedi 65 back releases, the image on this figure's card was replaced with a new image.
Though known examples indicate that the switch took place during the 65C production run, It is possible that earlier examples could exist.
The original photo made its last appearance on the Return Of The Jedi 65C back. Note that the distinction of 65D and 65E cards is the Anakin figure offer stickers, the 65C was the last printed 65 back variation. The new image was used on all other cards after including The Power Of The Force and Tri-Logo cards.
2-1B
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB41-Back card.
This figure was originally package as 2-1B on The Empire Strikes Back 41 back card. The figure was renamed as Two-Onebee (2-1B) on the The Empire Strikes Back 48 back card and then again to Too-Onebee (2-1B) on the Return Of The Jedi 48 back card and every card back after.
AT-AT DRIVER
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB41-Back card.
The AT-AT Drivers really have it made. Not only did they have exceptionally well designed outfits to look cool whilst staying warm and toasty in their easy chairs, but they got to drive what is arguably the most incredible vehicle in the Star Wars universe.
DENGAR
INFO: This figure was included in the Cloud City Playset, however the figure fist appeared on The ESB41-Back card.
This figure also appeared on a Canadian exclusive skin wrapped card*.
IMPERIAL COMMANDER
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB41-Back card.
This figure was produced with both a skinny head and a round head.
Interestingly enough, the two head sculpts are just different enough to look like two different officers. The Skinny Head figure seems to resemble Captain Piett while the Round Head figure looks more like General Veers, who, judging by the photo on the card, the figure is based on. The chances of these likenesses being intentional are unlikely.
LOBOT
INFO: This figure was included in the Cloud City Playset, but made it's first carded appearance on The ESB41-Back card.
This figure also appeared as Lobot (Lando's Aid) on a Canadian exclusive skin wrapped card*.
The original card image featured on the Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi cards was swapped out for another image on the Tri-logo card.
PRINCESS LEIA ORGANA - HOTH OUTFIT
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB41-Back card.
This figure fist appeared as ‘Leia (Hoth Outfit)’ on The Empire Strikes Back 41 back card. Its name was changed to ‘Leia Organa (Hoth Outfit)’ on the The Empire Strikes Back 47 back card, and once again it was change, this time to ‘Princess Leia Organa (Hoth Outfit)’ on the Return Of The Jedi 65 back card. The last name change was kept on all cards to follow. The image was changed when the figure was released on the Tri-Logo card back.
REBEL COMMANDER
INFO: This figure fist appeared on The ESB41-Back card.
The image on The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi cards was cropped, hiding the character that the figure was based on. The Tri-Logo card image is not cropped and the proper character can be seen to the right.
UGNAUGHT
INFO: This figure was included in the Cloud City Playset, but made its first appearance on the ESB41-Back card.
This figure also appeared on a Canadian exclusive skin wrapped card*.
