Star Wars action figures - in pictures

1978: Darth Vader from Star Wars. There were a handful of prototypes with double-telescoping lightsabers that command top prices today, but the Vader figure hardly changed during the vintage period Photograph: Titan Books

1978: Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi from Star Wars. Obi-Wan came in grey- and white-hair variations, and a handful even had double-telescoping lightsabers Photograph: Titan Books

1980: Yoda from The Empire Strikes Back. The figure of the diminutive Jedi master initially, as seen here, had a bright orange snake, cane, and even eyeballs. The snake became light and then dark brown, as did the cane and eyeballs. There were at least four different green hues used for Yoda's skin Photograph: Titan Books

1984: Wicket W Warrick from Return of the Jedi. The curious Ewok youngster makes first contact with Princess Leia, eventually leading the Ewoks and rebels to join forces to defeat the Empire Photograph: Titan Books

1995: Chewbacca with bowcaster from Star Wars. In the earliest release, the bandolier strap was glossy. This same figure was reissued in late 1998 with much darker paint on its face and upper arms Photograph: Titan Books

1995: Lando Calrissian from The Empire Strikes Back. In the 10 years between action-figure lines, new materials and moulding techniques made possible fixed but still 'flowing' capes Photograph: Titan Books

1996: Han Solo from Return of the Jedi. The continuing disagreement about the 'real' colour of costumes flared up with the release of Han in his Endor gear. The figure originally was released with blue trousers as they appeared onscreen, but Hasbro made a change to dark brown because that was the colour of the trousers in the Lucasfilm archives. Photograph: Titan Books

1996: Luke Skywalker from The Empire Strikes Back. Out of context, the figure looks strange. But this Luke comes with a healing bacta tank to save his life after the wampa attack
Photograph: Luke Skywalker (in Bacta Tank)/Sansweet DB Fig# 526 photo# 679

1997: Grand Moff Tarkin from Star Wars. Tarkin, played by Peter Cushing, was never produced for the original line Photograph: Titan Books

1999: C-3PO from The Phantom Menace. The look of this 'unfinished' version of C-3PO shows how the ability to detail a figure had progressed Photograph: Titan Books

2001: Queen Amidala from The Phantom Menace. If your planet is going to be invaded, you might as well dress up for it. In the actual costume, the decorative pieces near the gown's hem light up Photograph: Titan Books

2004: Darth Vader, Holiday Edition. Hasbro took a Darth Vader figure that had been released at least four times before, coated it in glossy red, and placed it on a base with a wreath and ribbon. The card back says that after a tough year of crushing rebels, terrorising planets, and choking underlings, Vader decides he 'needs to give in to the fun side of the Force' Photograph: Titan Books

2005: General Grievous from Revenge of the Sith. By pushing Grievous's head down, you can move all four lightsaber-holding hands and arms Photograph: Titan Books

2009: Jabba the Hut from The Clone Wars. Here is the sentient slug in all his repulsive glory, complete with hookah and bowl, desperate to recover his kidnapped son Rotta Photograph: Titan Books

2009: Jar Jar Binks from The Clone Wars. The first animated Jar Jar figure really does make him look like a bit of a goofy Gungan Photograph: Titan Books

2012: Obi-Wan Kenobi from The Phantom Menance. The lightsaber blade extending from Obi-Wan's right hand harks back to the first Ben Kenobi figure in 1978 – but this is an illuminated blade rather than 1978's thin plastic stick Photograph: Titan Books