Star Wars Vintage Action Figure Bootlegs - EP 73 - The Padawan Collector

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

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[@GOLF4METOO]

I just found you on KZbin and I started to binge watch all your previous episodes. I too am a Palawan and I'm learning so much and I can't thank you enough for all the insight that you are providing. In my early years I had so many carded Star War figures but unfortunately I got rid of them so I was hoping to reconnect to my youth and start collecting them all over but to my dismay I didn't realize the price of these pieces so I've decided to collect the lose figures instead. I want to thank you again for the content of your videos, which I'm learning so much in order to be a smart buyer. 😊

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hi Golf!! Welcome to the channel and I am honored to have you watching! Thank you for your comment that means a lot to me :)

[@PaulBloomlittledevil]

I love your level of detail, and you explain everything really clearly. I have been a vintage collector for decades and no one has ever explained the history of bootlegs like this. Awesome work, please keep doing this show.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thank you Paul I really appreciate that! And thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@MattsCollection]

I actually did a video on the 4-L0M/Zuckuss naming a while ago. I love that in the modern line Hasbro paid homage to the names with a special to-pack back in 2010. They even made the figures look like their vintage counterparts! Another great story about Vintage figures that make this hobby so much fun!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I need to check out your zuckuss video then!!!! I would also love to see that two pack! Thanks for the info Matt and thanks for watching!

[@jasonbelcher6161]

Very informative episode. I really enjoy that you keep everything clean so I can watch this with my daughter. Thank you

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Jason! Yes I make these rated G intentionally so parents can watch these with their children. I don’t curse in real life anyway, so I would definitely not do it here, so the language is always curse-free, the topics are always toy related, and children friendly. Thank you for noticing, and I hope you and your little one can enjoy this channel :). Thanks for watching my friends

[@garyjones9946]

Joey, seriously your research and attention to detail is second to none. Loved this episode! Regards Gary

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Gary! There is always more to uncover and this is only a scratch in the surface so I’m looking to do more research in bootlegs and one day get one of my own! Thanks for watching my friend!

[@JorgeRodriguez-ex5rr]

Great show. I love the story behind the bootlegs. When I was a kid we traveled to El Paso, where I now live, so we went over the border for cheaper food and merchandise. We were very poor as I was growing up and was a necessary. So I had a few bootleg Mexican figures. I wish I still had them, as they were very special to me. Unfortunately they were lost with some other toys in a move. Thanks for taking me back. Cheers

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Wow that’s cool that you actually had actual bootlegs as a kid! I recently saw some Mexican graded bootlegs for about 125 and almost bought one just to say I have one! I will one day. Thanks for watching my friend!

[@ZfromTX]

Great episode! Polish bootlegs are definitely my favorite. I love the different colors they come in. Keep up the great work!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Z! I would love to one day own a polish or Turkish bootleg!

[@CollectingStarWars]

Joey, My Friend. Your videos continue to impress. Each one better than the last. Excellent Work! You were made for this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Dude thank you Steve O! That is an honor coming from you!

[@scotthildebrand3148]

Zuckuss was first released on the ESB 47 back(free 4-LOM offer)👌😉. His weapon was unique only to him in the regular Kenner figure line, but it also came with a figure called "Jord Dusat", a character from the Droids cartoon line👍

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I need to do all my fact checking through you before I hit upload! Thanks Scott!

[@scotthildebrand3148]

Anytime bro👊I was really impressed that you mentioned the part about what 4-LOM stood for 👍Most people don't know that about Kenner made that.

[@highsociety7677]

You got me from 0 to 60 on bootlegs in < 20 minutes, thanks! And my Wampa falls over a lot, too :)

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hahaha! Thanks HS! I have since picked up the wampa! She may had too much to drink lol

[@philipashley1]

Top job. Really enjoying watching these.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Phil! And thanks for watching

[@ashjp01]

Thanks for the video Joey - so looking forward to the convention videos !!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Ashley!! I had a blast! Thanks for watching!

[@Jday63617]

It was awesome to meet you. Sorry i got a little nervous when the camera came out. But had a blast at iccc Great pics at bon jovi hope you had a great time.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

It was SO rad to meet you!!!

[@retroforce6919]

I heard of the bootleg Star Wars figures before but I never did any research on them. I find the story very interesting, thanks for sharing bro. You told it very well. 👍

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Retro! It was interesting to research it and I’m glad you got a little something something from it!

[@MoparMcNeer]

Hope you had a blast at ICCC. Loved this episode on Bootlegs. There are so many classic ones that our community has come to love dearly (hence the crazy prices some can fetch). There's definitely enough out there that you could do another episode or two on Bootlegs should you choose. Always a fun & interesting topic for me. As for your display 4-LOM, we've all overpaid at some point, thankfully your situation was on the lower end of costly mistakes, but a good lesson none-the-less.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Mopar! I did have a blast! The con just ended and I am wiped out tired!!! Thanks for your awesome comment and advice!

[@xdd_fishlips2333]

Awesome Joey! I’ve never really been interested in the bootlegs. But your video explaining them makes me more interested. Cool Zuckuss mate. One of my favourites! Take care dude hope you are enjoying the toy fare 🤘

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks XDD! Just got back! I’m glad this episode resonates with you! I want to get 1 bootleg now :)

[@MattsCollection]

Great video, as usual, Joey! I've always been fascinated by the bootleg figures, even though I've never actually tried to get any.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I would love to try and get at least one! I saw one at the ICCC but didn’t ask any questions about it to see if it was authentic

[@maxcarnage70]

Love this episode - learned so much. Also I challenge you to do an episode with your hands tied behind your back 😂

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Haha I was thinking about doing that for fun lol.

[@GeneralKenobisBunker]

This is honestly one of my favorite episodes, there is always much debate in the collector community as to why these pieces command such high prices. Me personally would love to have one, but way out of my price range. And I completely identified with you when you said you had forgotten you had purchased Zuckuss, I've been there more times than I care to admit. Another great episode brother!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks General!!!! I had really forgot that I bought this one!!! I had to go into all of my totes and places where I would have stored figures to see if I had any more lol.

[@tperson8347]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial Like finding $20 in your pocket but better. :)

[@Matt_Desrochers74]

Four El-oh-em is a fascinating character.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I agree 🙌🏼

[@Jday63617]

Bootlegs are always a interesting and fun topic. Thanks for the great content.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks JD! It was super interesting to dive into this topic and it gives me a bigger appreciation for these bootlegs and their part in the Star Wars history books :). Thanks for watching and being a member of the channel my friend

[@deathmetalrob5563]

Are those bootlegs are wild when I first seen him I didn't know what to make of them. I like the Polish and Turkish ones but they're all pretty neat. Great video once again Joey thanks for the entertainment

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks DMR! I saw a Turkish bootleg at ICCC but was a liiiiiiiitle out of my price range! I saw some Mexican bootlegs that were affordable though :)

[@joeshow.101]

Two of my favourite Kenner figures Zuckuss and 4-Lom the detail on Zuckuss is amazing Kenner really nailed it on all the bounty hunters and 4-Lom’s cloak is unlike all In the Kenner line. 4-Lom & Zuckuss weapons also very unique. I have a soft spot for all the Bounty hunters in the Kenner line they are all among my top picks. Zuckuss, 4-Lom, Bossk, IG-88, Dengar and of course Boba. Great video a shop near me has a lot of bootleg figures very expensive a road I am not ready to walk down yet maybe if I win millions I shall take that road.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

That’s awesome that a shop near you has bootlegs! I wish there was a shop near me with bootlegs but maybe that’s a good thing so I won’t start going down that road yet, lol. Thanks for watching my friend!

[@xenaluck]

My Zuckuss i sent for Grading to CAS.......lost never to be seen again......Thanks CAS.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Oh no!!!! Really!?!? I’m sorry Kilted!

[@pascalh4737]

Very interessant video ! I have a mexican weequay bootleg in my collection. It's very dificult to find and very expensive ! I agree with you for the definition of bootleg !

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Oh man I would love to own a Mexican bootleg and almost bought one for 125 out here in Nashville!!

[@SethB1991]

Yeah always so confusing with Zuckuss and 4 lom when buying figs in auction or in groups. You need to add the description..lol

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Very confusing!

[@Marcoroll1973]

Very interesting 😎

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks marco! And thanks for watching!

[@acrodave9287]

Hey, Joey! Got some Galaxy Wars knockoffs. They're quite good quality! Very heavy plastic, with accessories. Good video, again!👍

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Oh man that would be an awesome figure to collect! When did you get them?? Thanks for watching Acro!

[@acrodave9287]

Hi, Joey! The Galaxy Wars figures were around in the late 90's. They were what you'd call Rack Toys and you could get them from markets and cheap £ shops (thrift stores?) They were taken from the Power of the Force 2 and Shadows of the Empire Kenner lines, and they were recognizable by being twice the size of the legit figures, with a plain card back. They are made of solid plastic rather than the cheaper hollow knockoffs. Good for curiosities in anyone's collection!🤔👍

[@jasonboldt7450]

Hey the Zuckass gun did come with one more figure the droids Jord Dusat figure hope that helps.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Yes it does thank you Jason!! That really helps and I love getting added info!

[@davidlaing5321]

Vinatge: I see and appreciate what you did there fellow StarsWar fan 🤜🤛🤣

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks David!!! And thanks for watching my friend!

[@ryananthony4840]

Man have you seen the short Bossk fan film? Very cool to see him in action! I also saw another one (I think it was a Boba Fett short film) that had Dengar!!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey Ryan! I haven’t seen the short films of Bossk or Dengar, I’ll have to check them out! Thanks for the info man and for watching!

[@Guernicaman]

How do the plastic of the Uzay figures feel? Is it more rubbery than Kenner or is it close enough?

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

The only bootlegs I have seen in real life have either been in glass cases or in acrylic cases graded. I have yet to hold one and feel the plastic so that’s a great question G!

[@Guernicaman]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial - I'm surprised you just don't seem to ever see any loose Uzay figures. They're always carded. Why?

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I saw one for sale this weekend, but I would say that I would have to get it authenticated before I buy. When carded, they are easier to spot if they are faked, but harder to forage. So they are out there, but if loose, they are most likely graded

[@Superawesomegeekshow]

Great episode. One of the Kenner Droids figures has a Zuckuss weapon also. So two official Kenner Vintage figures had that blaster rifle. heheh on bootlegs. I have some KO from Mexico and a Polish figure but that’s it. I’ve always wondered if we went to those home countries, would we find them in garage sales like we do here in the states. -so, want to take a trip to Turkey with me? heheh

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Haha let’s go!!!! Thanks for the info on the zuckuss rifle!!! I would love those figures AND a bootleg lol. If I could afford one. Haha. I did see a Mexican bootleg graded for about 125.

[@garrenanderson4]

Where would you go to get one of these bootleg figures checked out for authenticity? i recently picked up two UZAY bootleg head man figures and i want to get them graded if they are real.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

There is a Facebook bootleg group that is fantastic. Look there first and post pics there

[@antozok7016]

In Turkiye, Star Wars toys WERE actually licensed in 1985 for the first time, but never produced and rather imported with high tariffs. From what I can remember, a single 3.25” Kenner toy would sell for about $20 when converted, which was too high for most families. The bootlegs appeared actually AFTER the toys were licensed, in 1986, probably as a reaction to the high prices of the originals. I remember then the actual importer company distributing leaflets warning people about these bootlegs as well as starting a promotion to fight them off: if you’d cut out the names on the packages of the originals and bring three of them to any store, you could get any original figure you wanted for free. I actually remember the clerk checking the backs of the name cutouts to ensure they were not cut from bootlegs. Never bought a bootleg though I remember they were everywhere, including legitimate toy stores. If I only knew back then…😊

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

That’s really interesting information!

[@lerajie666]

I agree. A bootleg I would consider something illegally produced. Like bootleg vhs tapes in the 80s. (such a fun decade). I don't put a lot of figures, in the "variant" catagory. I think that is thrown around to make money. A variant, to me, is a repaint or a diffrent head sculpt or retooling, of an existing figure. (think mcfarlane Spawn v1, there is masked and hambergerhead versions). Some of these star wars variants I would say are more of a defect as oppossed to variant. Dark legs, big heads, small hands or whatever else is out there. Tales of the bounty Hunter book is my favorite, of all the expanded universe books.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Yea I have two categories of variants: intended and factory. It’s much like your definition. Thanks for the awesome comment my friend and your thoughts on this. I really enjoyed reading them and what you have to say.

[@PizzaBricks_XsX]

I never heard of the bootlegs very interesting video

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Alex! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)

[@chelseyskywalker]

I got a Mexico EGR bootleg for Christmas. I would like to have a Lobot

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey Chelsey! That’s awesome that you got those for Christmas! I would love to have a bootleg figure one day :). Thanks for watching my friend

[@hamm5437]

Very interesting, I never knew about the vintage bootlegs, and finally all the bounty hunters!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Lapusso! I had a lot of fun learning about them!

[@jt8881]

I think you need to make bootleg merch for the "Padewan Colector" (misspelling on purpose was almost painful)

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hahaha I think you are right!!!

[@bothanOO7]

4LOM & Zuckass debate rages on LOL…dude I sure hope you got ROMY & JOZ named correctly?!?! 😂🤣😂. Great 🥾 🦵 vid!!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Bothan! And thanks for watching my friend!

[@fortheloveofzuckuss1724]

Great video as always. I have a few Polish bootlegs, bet you can't guess which figure though

[@hamm5437]

Prune Face LOL

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I’m jealous!!! I tried finding a polish or Turkish bootleg at the ICCC but only found one and wasn’t sure it was genuine!

[@edwinsmith-jones6205]

Wouldn't it be cool if Blues Star & Head Man were produced, by Hasbro, as part of the Retro line? I'm surprised Stan Solo hasn't already had a go at making 'em.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Now that would be a figure I would buy from Hasbro!

[@jibberjabberactionfigure]

Hi Joey, I’m almost sure one of the Droids or Ewoks characters had the 4 LOM blaster rifle as well. I think the fat white dude. Also, Mexico had bootlegs as well as the license for Lili Ledy Star Wars figures. I mention that as u said u considered bootlegs to be from countries that didn’t have the license to produce the figures officially. Let me know what ur thinking…

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Yea it’s hard to say about Mexico because the figures weren’t distributed equally among the country like over here in the USA. I have read about that and how figures weren’t readily available but bootlegs were. Plus they were cheaper, so there’s that too. So although I would rather collect bootlegs that were produced in countries that had zero licenses or distribution, I realize that there are countries that had bootlegs because of LACK of wide distribution to every market in that country.

[@jibberjabberactionfigure]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial Thanks for ur response. The blaster rifle in question was actually the Kenner Zuckus’ rifle being used by Jord Dusat from the Droids cartoon.

[@99PMoon]

It's well known within the designer community that anything produced in China is that they will produce 10k extra for the black market.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Wow I didn’t know this. Thanks for the info 99! And thanks for watching my friend!

[@acrodave9287]

Post Scriptum; I read it was "For Love OR Money".🤔😏

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

That works too!! Makes sense as well :)

[@robert5235]

When I went to Greece they had bootleg star wars if I knew back then I would have gotten them

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Those would have been great to get there

[@thatguysstuff15]

Technically, cant they make these figures for the fans today ? It was there's in the first place . This ozzy trend is huge and this can be a comic con exclusive !!!!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey Guy! Yes, Disney can do whatever they want, it’s their license. I don’t know if I would buy one that’s modern, cuz I only collect vintage, but that would be cool to see. Thanks for watching my friend

[@tperson8347]

I myself wouldn't pay top dollar, but I don't see anything wrong with these. These may not be Kenner, but they're still Star Wars. To me these are like another variant.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey T, I agree. They paint a picture of the Kenner history :). Thanks for watching!

[@colmsdad]

I've got 4 of the Galaxy Heroes figures.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Wow! How much were they? And where / when did you get them

[@colmsdad]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial I got them maybe 20 years ago and they were £1 each.

[@fortheloveofzuckuss1724]

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Haha that’s for you bro!!!

[@jericdev]

While I knew about the bootlegs, I never considered the risk people took when producing them. That alone changed my opinion and shock at the value they have. Now I almost want to see if there were any known individuals who were convicted for participating in the bootleg process. Also you made the same mistakes I made early in my own run with grabbing pew and figs separately. You think you got a good deal at first until you see how much the accessories are. Live and learn right? It is all part of the growing pains of collecting.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks Joe! I’m glad you got a new view into the world of bootlegs. I got a new view as well :). And yes, when I can buy complete, I’d rather do that :). Thanks for watching my friend!

[@CostarWars24]

Looks like your Wampa took a nose dive in the case.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

You are right! We have a wampa down!!

[@BryanNew-x3g]

The only bootlegger I ever knew ran alcohol. Ha. Ha.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

😂😂😂😂

[@exosapiens2509]

I respectfully disagree with your opinion of what a bootleg piece is. For most long-time bootleg collectors (like myself), Both knock-offs and Bootlegs were exclusives from the early 80s to the mid-90s, regardless of whether they were manufactured in countries who possessed official distribution of Star Wars merchandise (like Mexico) or not. That adjective/terminology ends there to distinguish them from the rest of modern pieces. From that period onwards, they are only REPLICAS to deceive and satisfy the demands of some collectors like the Star Warsiors portrayed in this video. The production of such pieces, as the one shown here in this video, was never done with the intention of deception or to satisfy a certain market, but rather to exploit a brand or cover less privileged pockets. Everything modern is nothing more than an advantageous inspiration of that era. Beautiful video thou, it was nice that you mentioned about the iron curtain forcing manufacturers to create many of these considered treasures in today´s market.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Thanks for the explanation Exo. I am really open to learning more and I have changed my definition of various topics after I have learned more about them, so thanks for this write-up and giving me more information and an insight that I found very well though out. I am looking forward to reading more comments from you and what you think about various topics. MTFBWY always.

[@exosapiens2509]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial Count on it. We are all learning here… always! “There is no shame in being a padawan” Keep the good work up 👍🏼 👍🏼

[@bobfreyer]

wouldn't these be considered repro figures today?

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Absolutely! It’s the political circumstances that make the old bootleg toys appealing to me though

[@Acrocanthosaurus]

Sounds interesting. Don't do unnecessary jump cuts.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey Acro! I hope you like the episode! Thanks for the feedback!

[@Acrocanthosaurus]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial Love the content but as I have told you before the jump cuts are vile so I don't get to watch much of said content. But whatever, this vid has good uzay info.

[@jam_mstr_j]

I had never seen lol

[@Dandy1981]

Jail for making a toy..?! I'm thinking we needed a brave heart of the 80's They can take away our freedom but they can never take away our tooooooyysss. !! Or did I get that backwards?

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I don’t think it’s jail for making a toy, I think it’s selling items without the government getting its full share of the revenue! Which is scary In itself! Thanks for watching dandy! And I’m glad you are free to make and sell your own toys if you want :)

[@chartreuseninjano.7762]

Like this video is a bootleg of all the other bootleg star wars videos in the past

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I guess you are right. There is nothing new except a bootleg Padawan telling the story!

[@tbratrud]

love your channel!! it would be amazing if you made a similar G.I. JOE channel ;)

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

I would love to! Thanks for watching my friend!

[@xenaluck]

Vinetage?

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Yes vintage bootlegs :). I hope you can join us for the episode!!!

[@garymoore1975]

Bootleg: anything made, distributed, or sold illegally…

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

That would be the correct definition yes!!! I almost bought a bootleg Mexico figure from the idiots!!

[@jedifyfe]

Personally Bootlegs are so stupid. Most were produced after the 1985 line and are crap. So isn't every custom or repro figure a bootleg?

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Honestly that’s what I thought as well for a bootleg! I still hold that definition, but would only collect the polish or Turkish bootlegs.

[@jedifyfe]

@@thepadawancollectorofficial I hear ya. I know those are the two most collectible and expensive. I didn't mean to insult you BTW. It's just not my thing. Sorry if I came across as insulting. Love your ever growing collection man.

[@trevorwencl3796]

Repeatedly showing poorly made customs with the word Uzay on them that were made in the past couple years in the USA while talking about Turkey in the 80s is wrong and damaging to the bootleg collecting hobby. You should have consulted a knowledgable bootleg collector before putting this video out. What a shame.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

What time code did I show the American remakes? I can take those off and learn for future videos.

[@magnumrex]

You cant say three words without doing an edit cut. It's so distracting.

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey mag! Sorry the channel isn’t for you my friend! But thanks for watching

[@kevinmelicant9566]

Bootlegs are awsomeness. Sometimes I order the New ones from China. Real cheap and alot of fun. 👍

[@thepadawancollectorofficial]

Hey Kevin! I agree, and I would love to have one bootleg one day! That’s awesome you are collecting the ones out of china. Thanks for watching my friend!