Phantom Starkiller: History and Future of The Cosmic Ghoul Warrior!
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| Phantom Starkiller: The Cosmic Ghoul Warrior! |
Near the end of 2019, I picked up a few random Super7 ReAction figures which included an awesome yet mysterious green, skeletal creature. After some quick research, I learned that he was called Phantom Starkiller! At the time, I didn't look up much more than the name, but I did notice that there were several color variations of the figure. Over the last few months, I had become more curious about this random mystery guy, so last week, I really started digging in and researching the history of this dude. It turns out that the character first came into existence back in 2013 as a very limited run (25 pieces) custom figure created by Peter Goral under his "Killer Bootlegs" company.
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| Phantom Starkiller (Super7 - 3rd Edition "Lich Green" 2019) |
In July of 2013, Killer Bootlegs released a San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) limited edition run of 25 "Phantom Starkiller: The Cosmic Space Ghoul Warrior" 3.75" action figures which were sold at the DKE booth. The figure looked like a mashup of Obi-Wan Kenobi's arms and legs, the torso and head from Charon (from the movie Clash of the Titans) done in orange with green face and hands, and a blue chest piece similar to Darth Vader's with a blue, tattered vinyl cape in the style of vintage Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi. He also had a clear, telescoping laser sword (basically a lightsaber, but that word is trademarked!) which extended out of his arm in the same manner as the ones wielded by the vintage Kenner Luke, Vader, and Obi-Wan figures.
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| Original 2013 SDCC Exclusive "Phantom Starkiller" |
The figures were priced at $100 each and, according to legend, sold out before the vendor hall opened to the public. In fact, they sold out before creator Peter Goral arrived at the convention! Phantom Starkiller became an underground hit. Coincidentally, that same weekend at SDCC (just a couple of booths away from DKE), Super7 and Funko had teamed up and were teasing everyone with their 3.75" ReAction figures 2013 SDCC Exclusive "ALIEN Early Bird Kit!" It turns out that Brian Flynn (the founder and owner of Super7) saw the Phantom Starkiller figure a few booths away and loved it!
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| (This image of the 'Clutter Exclusive' is the ad from Clutter Magazine) |
A few months later in October 2013, a 2nd version of Phantom Starkiller, the Clutter Magazine Exclusive, was available at New York Comic Con. I have read that only 10 of these were released! This version was pretty much a re-coloring of the first one. The face and hands were turquoise, the robe was a light gray with a hint of purple, and the cape was pink. He also had a yellow, telescoping laser sword and yellow chest piece.
Although Killer Bootlegs is always coming up with new products, Phantom Starkiller has been pretty much the flagship character for the company ever since he was first created. From the 3.75" figure to mini figures, to a Mego-like figure, to a skateboard deck, the character keeps showing up in new places every year.
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| Phantom Starkiller: 1st Super7 Edition "Cosmic Terror" photo: Todd Aaron Smith |
Fast forward a few years and Super7 approached Killer Bootlegs about releasing a ReAction figure of Phantom Starkiller. The original idea was to include Phantom Starkiller as part of Super7's line "The Worst," but in order to maintain ownership of the character, Killer Bootlegs decided instead to licence the character to ReAction and keep it separate from "The Worst." The first version released by Super7 (above) is based on the original 2013 Phantom Starkiller. The Green Lich version that I have is based on the colors of "The Lich" or "The Lich King" from the cartoon Adventure Time.
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| The Lich from Adventure Time and 'Lich Green' Phantom Starkiller photo of figure: Todd Aaron Smith |
The version that came after the one that I have was based on the colors of the Horned King from the Disney movie "The Black Cauldron."
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| The Horned King from "The Black Cauldron" and 'Maroon Horned King' Phantom Starkiller photo of figure: Todd Aaron Smith |
I've read rumors that there is a Phantom Starkiller cartoon and a Phantom Starkiller comic book in the works, but I don't know how far along (or how definite) either project is at this point. I've also read that Super7 may be releasing other characters from Phantom Starkiller's universe; specifically a character named Count Draco Knuckleduster. At least one version (and possible several versions) of this character have been released in small numbers by Killer Bootlegs, but if a figure is released by Super7, it would be much more affordable and easier to acquire!
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| I currently only have the Lich Green Phantom Starkiller, but I'd love to pick up more! |
The Phantom Starkiller figures have been so popular for Super7 that at the time of this writing, Super7 has released 7 versions of the character. Here is a list of the 7 variations along with their release dates and photos of carded versions of the figures (thanks to Todd Aaron Smith for the photos!):
1st edition - Cosmic Terror (released at New York Comic Con, October 2018)
2nd edition - Glow in the Dark (released at Designer Con, November 2018)
3rd edition - Lich Green (released March, 2019)
4th edition - Maroon Horned King (released April 17, 2019)
5th edition - Grey Ghoul Warrior (released at SDCC, July 2019)
6th edition - Air Apparition (released February 17, 2020)
7th edition - Blacked Out Banshee (released April 2, 2020)
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| 2nd Edition "Glow in the Dark" and 3rd Edition "Lich Green" photos: Todd Aaron Smith |
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| 4th Edition "Maroon Horned King" and 5th Edition "Gray Ghoul Warrior" photos: Todd Aaron Smith |
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| 6th Edition "Air Apparition" and 7th Edition "Blacked Out Banshee" photos: Todd Aaron Smith |
What do you think of Phantom Starkiller? Do you have any additional information about this groovy ghoul? Tell me below in the comments!
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ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! Peter, if that's you, I sent an email with some questions before posting this blog. Hopefully the information I have here is correct! :)
DeleteHey!! Yeah, you caught me lurking! Haha! Great blog, man! And yes, it's 100% accurate!! Thank you for all the research you did!! Really appreciate it!!
DeleteAwesome! Thanks for checking it out. I really do hope the comic and cartoon are still in the works. I would be amazing to see more story from Phantom Starkiller!
DeleteComic is already done and coming out next month!! Google "Phantom Starkiller comic book", and loads of places worldwide that are selling it will pop up.
DeleteExcellent! I'll check it out!
DeleteThe first PSK I picked up was the Maroon Horned King and was confused about his origins. I thought he was some extended universe tie in from Masters of the Universe. The more is pursued various color variants led to learning a bit more of the story. Now I have a collection growing out of hand
ReplyDeleteThe Maroon Horned King is definitely one that I would love to add to my collection! Before researching these guys, I had no idea that the different color variations were related to anything in particular. I thought they were just cool color schemes!
DeleteChasing the first three color variants was quiet a thrill over the years
DeleteNice! I hope to eventually pick them up myslf.
DeleteHope your wallet and patience is prepared. Glow in the Dark Phantom Starkiller still in package upwards of $150 and I've only spotted 2 after daily ebay checks for over a year and a half
DeleteYikes! I'd be happy to find them loose, but I would imagine that's not any easier!
DeleteI got my first PSK Glow in the Dark versión at DCON 2018 💀🤘🏻
ReplyDeleteMan, I wish I'd picked up that one at retail! I love the Glow-in-the-Dark figures!
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