By Julian H. Betancourt
 All Images and Layouts belong to Sandtroopers.com, and cannot be reproduced without the express written permission of Sandtroopers.com. E-mail dustrho@sandtroopers.com with requests.
 
HOLIDAY EDITION: JAWAS
 
Ralph McQuarrie will always be an incredible force into the initial developing of what is now known as the Star Wars Universe. The mesmerizing design creations the artist gave to the films certainly made the world envisioned by Lucas come alive.
 
Based on original McQuarrie Holiday card designs, Hasbro has given birth to the first ever plastic incarnations of Star Wars characters in a Xmas related environment, taking the toys beyond the movies.

Properly titled "Holiday Edition" and in the last three years, this series of 3 3/4" figures has made available a new character (or characters) during the Holiday Season, celebrating Xmas ALA Star Wars style. It was back in 2002 when the Artoo-Threepio set debuted, presenting the inseparable couple as a reindeer and Santa Claus . Later on, in 2003, the nifty Santa Yoda and his bag full of toys became the series' second offering.

 
For 2004 Hasbro made available exclusively at Entertainmentearth.com its third Holiday Edition set. This time around Christmas was celebrated in the company of two diminutive cloaked scavengers from the planet of Tatooine, we all know as the Jawas.
 
PRESENTATION PACKAGE
 
Continuing with the style of previous sets, the Jawas were encased in a snow globe like presentation package, sporting a rounded blister and allowing for easy viewing of the set.
 
The package was given the black star field and silver accents commons of the OTC line. The front of the cardback was nicely dressed up for the Holiday occasion using a backdrop scenery showing a group of Jawas around what appears to be the Lars homestead. A few moisture vaporators, decorated with lit star tops and hanging strings of red lights adorn the place.
 
Once the back of the specially designed package is opened and folded up, one can find within its interior a real copy of the original McQuarrie's Xmas card, giving the collector the pleasant illusion of being part of the Lucasfilm holiday list. The card itself shows six Jawas and their crawling toddler opening presents which are scattered all over a Tattooine's home. This McQuarrie's drawing is in fact the one the set is based on.
 
THE JAWAS: SCULPTS AND HOLIDAY BASE
 
Both Jawas are basically the same molds used for the POTF2  two-pack release however, some changes were made to the sculpts, making distinguishable enough to be considered new and not necessarily rehashes.
 
 
Although their wrinkled up ragged outfits, head, legs and bandoliers were left untouched, it is the light up eye ports and arms on both figures where significant changes can be appreciated, making the pair blend in perfectly well with the Holiday celebration.
 
The common yellowed light up eye ports (translucent plastic pieces on top of the heads) were changed to red on the short Jawa and to green on the taller one. When hit by or placed under a light, a contrasting Christmas effect gets achieved as the eyes light up in red and green respectively.
 
 
For the arms, new sculpts were appropriately created to match, along with the accessories they hold, the McQuarrie Xmas card and launching the artist's painting into plastic 3-D toy world.
 
While the shorter Jawa holds with both hands an unopened, non-removable Xmas-red box with green bow, the taller Jawa appears to be admiring a white and black Jedi training remote. Both of his arms are half way extended and both hands hold the artifact.
 
 
Articulation for the figures is basic. The shorter Jawa pivots back and forward and his arms move up and down. His head has minimal rotation to the left and right. The taller Jawa however, has a rotating waistline and thus allowing for a tad more pose arrangement. His remaining articulation is the same as for his smaller counterpart, although his head has no movement at all. Just like previous sculpts both Jawas present unified lower bodies; In other words, their legs are one solid piece with two peg holes underneath.
 
As with previous Holiday sets, the Jawas can be placed on a rectangular black base with a raised front were golden, relieved cursive letters spell out Holiday Edition. For these Jawas, the top of the base was covered with a sand-like terrain where two pegs protrude, easily securing the figures. To the left of the stand and towards the edge of the base, two unopened presents (one blue box and one red box with white ribbons) can be seen.
 
 
ORIGINAL COLOR SCHEME
 
During early development stages, the Jawas were seen sporting bright green and/or red outfits as Hasbro was trying to decide what color the Tatooine scavengers should be.
 
 
While first shots showed the Jaws in these striking colors, ultimately it was the darker and lighter brown colors the ones decided over for their production. It was indeed a wise decision and one which remained true to the original look seen in the McQuarrie's card.
 
 
FINAL THOUGHT
 
Although Hallmark Star Wars Christmas ornaments abound, it is thanks to Hasbro's Holiday Edition series that for the first time Star Wars characters are given an earthling Xmas treatment by placing them in earth like situations and thus making these figures an original all on their own.
 
While nothing has been announced as I write this, it is uncertain what Hasbro will offer us this year as far as these sets are concerned. Knowing there is more that could be added to this series based on where these figures came from, those of us enjoying these festive sculpts wait impatiently and hope for a new set to be placed under the tree this coming Christmas Season.
 
Until the next Holiday ... Enjoy!