I have to admit, I have a weakness for early Star Wars knock-off items, as my sporadic posting of such pieces here will prove. It’s pretty rare to come across early examples of toys that were directly inspired by Star Wars but unsanctioned by Lucasfilm, and even more rare to come across toys I’ve never seen. Happily, in the rich universe of Star Wars collecting, you never know what you’re gonna find on the dark side of Yavin’s fourth moon.
What makes this set so interesting, aside from its obvious flirtation with infringement, is the accessories each figure comes packaged with. In addition to “Vader’s” space sword, gun, and shield, he gets an interchangeable mechanical arm. Ok, not a stretch. But how about the C-3PO knock-off — a “TV Camera” and “TV Walkie Talkie”? The quasi-Wookiee is also endowed with a mechanical arm and TV walkie talkie, along with a somewhat pointless “Space Pack”. Don’t even get me started on the space sword and pistol the astro-quack gets.
Check out the few examples of loose and mint-on-card figures currently posted at eBay.
Tags: Humor
I hope Astro Quack gets his own episode of The Clone Wars! Or at least a cameo on Duck Dodgers!
These look really Battlestar Galatica “inspired” too. Then again Battlestar used to be a Star Wars knock-off back in the day.
They wouldn’t have been inspired by Battlestar Galactica — not in 1978.
In the Power of the Force series after Return of the Jedi, Kenner released a version of Artoo with a pop-up lightsaber – no doubt inspired by this Astro-Quack.
Cool storm trooper… it IS a storm trooper, right?
These look really familiar. I think I had one or two of them!
I know this is absolutely ridiculous unless wormholes in time really do exist, but don’t some of those chest decals remind you of KotoR armors?
Interesting.
Matt
Maybe in the Knockoffverse the characters were part of a documentary film crew and that’s why they have cameras. Their version of Star Wars chronicles their efforts to shoot, edit and distribute a searingly honest tell-all portrait of life in the Rebel Alliance.
Star Wars knock-off merchandise makes my stomach churn.
I am kindof…wow. I dont have much to say on this matter as it is so weird and unfamiliar!
I am kindof…wow. I dont have much to say on this matter as it is so weird and unfamiliar!
I have to agree with Matt, the “storm trooper’s” armor looks just like armor you could get on KotOR. Nice!!!