Holographic Funko Star Wars History

[maythefunkobewithyou]

Updated to include both Holo Leia and Snoke! Enjoy!

[Funko_Don]

This is awesome! Thank you!

[Md-1]

Nice thread!
Really like the new blue glow paint they're using on qui gon jinn.

[akagalar]

Thanks for bumping up this thread with the new pops!

[Rice71]

WOW, All those holographic awesomeness.

[Cnd pops RN]

This is a quick post regarding the history of "holographic" Funko items. It is a continuation of another post we made about the history of Star Wars Wacky Wobblers that people enjoyed and wanted more of. You can find that post here. If you want to recreate/replicate/cite this post in part or in whole, please contract us prior to proceeding. If you see any historic inconsistencies, please do let us know so we can correct them.

Feel free to check out our other Star Wars Funko History posts:
Star Wars Wacky Wobblers History | Star Wars Holographic History | Star Wars Plush History | Star Wars Hikari History

We're making this post because some of the nostalgia might be lost on the newer collectors. The 2017's SWCO Holographic Qui Gon Jinn is an awesome piece in its own right, especially following the wild success of the original 2016 NYCC Qui Gon Jinn POP that was limited to 2000 pieces. But there is more to the history and reasoning behind the choice to make a holographic version for the 40th anniversary of Star Wars and Star Wars Celebration Orlando!

Original QGJ 2000 pieces:

Holographic version:



Worth nothing is that they've updated the holographic paint and it no longer has the greenish glow in the dark but rather a pure blue one.


SDCC 2017 UPDATE:
Funko has now added two more holographic pops to the Star Wars line up - Holographic Leia (2pack with new r2-d2 mold) and 6inch Supreme Leader Snoke. These are expected to feature the same new blue glow paint like SWCO QGJ (not the greenish glow of the old ones)





The holographic variant has been created for and has been a specialty for the Star Wars Funko line (with the exception of Iron Man discussed below).It hearkens back to the classic and universally beloved SDCC 2012 Holo Darth Maul and 2013's Paris Exclusive/Dallas City Comic Con Holo Darth Vader. They too were met with much excitement by the fans, with Maul still being considered one of the best pieces of the line by many collectors.


As awesome as these POPs are, this is not where the story began. These themselves were inspired and paid homage to 2 Funko classics.

First, the very first holographic Funko Star Wars piece was the SDCC 2007 Wacky Wobbler Holo Vader. This was released the same year as the announcement of the acquisition of the Lucasfilm license and the introduction of the Star Wars Wacky Wobblers line discussed in our previous post. There were 2500 of these pieces made, with about 69 of them being chases (with a clear base).

Second, 2010's SDCC Wacky Wobbler Holo Maul that had only 480 pieces and only 12 chases, making these the rarest Wacky Wobbler Star Wars production chase pieces! There aren't many of these left so they are even more valuable now.


Regular and Chase versions of Maul:

My Contribution since I like taking bland background pics


I have no back story on the holo vader w/ Clone Trooper base other than I've heard it was a test piece where they had the body but no base so they just threw it on a base that was lying around, but I can't confirm that. Still needed it

I do have a bit of trivia to add here though. Originally, the darth vader wobbler was going to have a smaller head (images 4 and 5 below), however they decided to increase the size for the final production pieces (images 1-3 below). What is odd, is that the holo vaders (images 6 & 7 below) still retained the original smaller head.

In addition to these Wacky Wobblers and POPs, there were actually two Holographic Hikari! Coincidentally, they were both of Darth Vader.

One of them is the 2015 750 piece and the second is the 2016 300 piece.




------------
Going beyond conventions, there was actually another holographic Star Wars POP released in the US in 2015 as a Toy Wars exclusive and that is the holographic Emperor!



------------
Another variation worth mention is "spirit" items that to the naked eye are indistinguishable in process and finish from holographic ones. Such items include the Spirit Yoda sold in the US as a Walgreens Exclusive in 2015.


This in turn was actually inspired by its Wacky Wobblers counterpart released in 2008 as 1500 (41 chases) piece SDCC exclusive Spirit Yoda!


There was also 2008's Obi-Wan Kenobi Spirit that was also 1500 pieces and 41 of them being chases.



------------
While these were never released, they are definitely worth mentioning! Why they were never released is not entirely clear but perhaps it was because the Funko Force 2.0 line, now known as POP!, came shortly after (and these were in the original Funko Force style).

These were the Holographic Darth Vader and Yoda. Only 2 of each are known to be in existence!




------------
As we briefly mentioned before, the holographic line has not been entirely Star Wars only, with one single exception - the Iron Man Mark VI Holo that was made into both Funko Force and Wacky Wobbler. However, as we said, this is an exception and the finish is actually more clear so the only similarity is the name.




------------
Or is it the only potential exception? Funko's CEO Brian Mariotti announced earlier this 2017 year that they'll be giving away a Holographic Freddy Funko for everyone who voted and made it possible for Funko to win the TOTY Award! You can see the video here. Stay tuned for updates!

Thank you for checking this out

Thank you for posting. Great information

[TornadoJoes]

Thank for posting. Looks like I have a long way to go to collect them all.

This is a quick post regarding the history of "holographic" Funko items. It is a continuation of another post we made about the history of Star Wars Wacky Wobblers that people enjoyed and wanted more of. You can find that post here. If you want to recreate/replicate/cite this post in part or in whole, please contract us prior to proceeding. If you see any historic inconsistencies, please do let us know so we can correct them.

Feel free to check out our other Star Wars Funko History posts:
Star Wars Wacky Wobblers History | Star Wars Holographic History | Star Wars Plush History | Star Wars Hikari History

We're making this post because some of the nostalgia might be lost on the newer collectors. The 2017's SWCO Holographic Qui Gon Jinn is an awesome piece in its own right, especially following the wild success of the original 2016 NYCC Qui Gon Jinn POP that was limited to 2000 pieces. But there is more to the history and reasoning behind the choice to make a holographic version for the 40th anniversary of Star Wars and Star Wars Celebration Orlando!

Original QGJ 2000 pieces:

Holographic version:



Worth nothing is that they've updated the holographic paint and it no longer has the greenish glow in the dark but rather a pure blue one.


SDCC 2017 UPDATE:
Funko has now added two more holographic pops to the Star Wars line up - Holographic Leia (2pack with new r2-d2 mold) and 6inch Supreme Leader Snoke. These are expected to feature the same new blue glow paint like SWCO QGJ (not the greenish glow of the old ones)





The holographic variant has been created for and has been a specialty for the Star Wars Funko line (with the exception of Iron Man discussed below).It hearkens back to the classic and universally beloved SDCC 2012 Holo Darth Maul and 2013's Paris Exclusive/Dallas City Comic Con Holo Darth Vader. They too were met with much excitement by the fans, with Maul still being considered one of the best pieces of the line by many collectors.


As awesome as these POPs are, this is not where the story began. These themselves were inspired and paid homage to 2 Funko classics.

First, the very first holographic Funko Star Wars piece was the SDCC 2007 Wacky Wobbler Holo Vader. This was released the same year as the announcement of the acquisition of the Lucasfilm license and the introduction of the Star Wars Wacky Wobblers line discussed in our previous post. There were 2500 of these pieces made, with about 69 of them being chases (with a clear base).

Second, 2010's SDCC Wacky Wobbler Holo Maul that had only 480 pieces and only 12 chases, making these the rarest Wacky Wobbler Star Wars production chase pieces! There aren't many of these left so they are even more valuable now.


Regular and Chase versions of Maul:

My Contribution since I like taking bland background pics


I have no back story on the holo vader w/ Clone Trooper base other than I've heard it was a test piece where they had the body but no base so they just threw it on a base that was lying around, but I can't confirm that. Still needed it

I do have a bit of trivia to add here though. Originally, the darth vader wobbler was going to have a smaller head (images 4 and 5 below), however they decided to increase the size for the final production pieces (images 1-3 below). What is odd, is that the holo vaders (images 6 & 7 below) still retained the original smaller head.

In addition to these Wacky Wobblers and POPs, there were actually two Holographic Hikari! Coincidentally, they were both of Darth Vader.

One of them is the 2015 750 piece and the second is the 2016 300 piece.




------------
Going beyond conventions, there was actually another holographic Star Wars POP released in the US in 2015 as a Toy Wars exclusive and that is the holographic Emperor!



------------
Another variation worth mention is "spirit" items that to the naked eye are indistinguishable in process and finish from holographic ones. Such items include the Spirit Yoda sold in the US as a Walgreens Exclusive in 2015.


This in turn was actually inspired by its Wacky Wobblers counterpart released in 2008 as 1500 (41 chases) piece SDCC exclusive Spirit Yoda!


There was also 2008's Obi-Wan Kenobi Spirit that was also 1500 pieces and 41 of them being chases.



------------
While these were never released, they are definitely worth mentioning! Why they were never released is not entirely clear but perhaps it was because the Funko Force 2.0 line, now known as POP!, came shortly after (and these were in the original Funko Force style).

These were the Holographic Darth Vader and Yoda. Only 2 of each are known to be in existence!




------------
As we briefly mentioned before, the holographic line has not been entirely Star Wars only, with one single exception - the Iron Man Mark VI Holo that was made into both Funko Force and Wacky Wobbler. However, as we said, this is an exception and the finish is actually more clear so the only similarity is the name.




------------
Or is it the only potential exception? Funko's CEO Brian Mariotti announced earlier this 2017 year that they'll be giving away a Holographic Freddy Funko for everyone who voted and made it possible for Funko to win the TOTY Award! You can see the video here. Stay tuned for updates!

Thank you for checking this out

[Vypinoy]

So the leia does glow? The glam doesnt show a glow effect.

[vellybelly]

I appreciate this Funko history. Thank you.

[ocwankenobi]

very fascinating stuff. thanks !

wouldnt mind glow in the dark jedi council. since most or all of them were in that form during off site meetings.

[Rantt]

Im still saving money for the holo vader...so beautiful

[levixkelly]

These are beautiful.

[maythefunkobewithyou]

So the leia does glow? The glam doesnt show a glow effect.

Funko confirmed she glows via Twitter.

[deejaylunchbox]

Those bobble head pics are awesome.

[alf_ie]

Thank you! Great archival article. Wish more veteran collectors put up similar posts.

[Vypinoy]

So the leia does glow? The glam doesnt show a glow effect.

Funko confirmed she glows via Twitter.

Oh ok cool. Thanks for the school session too!

[pop-inandout-9]

That was great !! Thanks for the info!

[PopDaddy]

Enjoy reading Funko history! Pretty neat with all the minor details.

[repair-manmanmanman]

It will be interesting to see if Commander Cody makes it to this list...

[Praxis52]

So the leia does glow? The glam doesnt show a glow effect.

Funko confirmed she glows via Twitter.

Oh ok cool. Thanks for the school session too!

AWESOME! This is my must have from SDCC this year.

[maythefunkobewithyou]

It will be interesting to see if Commander Cody makes it to this list...

Been trying to ask on Twitter but no response yet

[repair-manmanmanman]

It will be interesting to see if Commander Cody makes it to this list...

Been trying to ask on Twitter but no response yet

I posted somewhere on here my theory that the hologram doesn't look like the same milky material as the other glow figures so it might not glow. Looks more like the translucent material used in the blizzard Mei from Overwatch..

[deejaylunchbox]

REgardless Commander Cody pop is really well done.

[popoy]

Good read!

[booboo79]

Great history lesson. One of the great things about this forum is that there are tons of Funko Historians (official & unofficial) willing to give us lots of history lessons on this great company and the many lines/things they've produced.

[Shalee04]

This was an awesome Holographic history lesson. Thank you for this.

[danioh77]

for Snoke. i wanna see how it glows in the dark and how bright could it be?

[bryan_sato54]

So the leia does glow? The glam doesnt show a glow effect.

Funko confirmed she glows via Twitter.

even better..

[maythefunkobewithyou]

Absolutely excellent presentation! Loved it!!! Thanks

Glad you enjoyed the post.

Great info in here thanks

Thanks!

Great read I enjoyed this very much!

Good to hear!

This is awesome! Thank you!

Thank you for checking the post out!

Nice thread! Really like the new blue glow paint they're using on qui gon jinn.

Agreed. Really love the new blue-ish paint and stronger glow!

Thanks for bumping up this thread with the new pops!

Of course! Gotta keep updating as things are released.

WOW, All those holographic awesomeness.

Right?!

Thank you for posting. Great information

Glad you found it useful and interesting!

Thank for posting. Looks like I have a long way to go to collect them all.

There are indeed quite a few of them, some much much harder to find than others.

I appreciate this Funko history. Thank you.

And we appreciate the kind words! Glad our posts can help other collectors!

very fascinating stuff. thanks ! wouldnt mind glow in the dark jedi council. since most or all of them were in that form during off site meetings.

That is a cool idea! Hope Funko uses it.

Im still saving money for the holo vader...so beautiful

Vader is awesome!

These are beautiful.

1000% agree.

Those bobble head pics are awesome.

Glad you think so!

Thank you! Great archival article. Wish more veteran collectors put up similar posts.

We try to do our part for the community. Expect us to do more of these when time permits: POPs, POP Deluxe, Dorbz, Mystery Minis, etc. are some of the ones on our list. You can also check out the ones we've already made (original post, links in the top few paragraphs)

That was great !! Thanks for the info!

Thank you for checking out our post!

Enjoy reading Funko history! Pretty neat with all the minor details.

It's all in the details!

Good read!

Thanks!

Great history lesson. One of the great things about this forum is that there are tons of Funko Historians (official & unofficial) willing to give us lots of history lessons on this great company and the many lines/things they've produced.

Thank you so much for the kind words! We do our best to contribute to the community that has given us so much!

This was an awesome Holographic history lesson. Thank you for this.

Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for checking the post out.

for Snoke. i wanna see how it glows in the dark and how bright could it be?

We think the SWCO Qui Gon Jinn is a good indication of what Snoke will look like glowing.

[maythefunkobewithyou]

Update - added fun trivia about the #1 of 1 reject Holo Maul POP

Fun Trivia - When making the very first Holographic POP, Darth Maul, Funko envisioned it being produced the same way the Wobblers were made without extra paint. They quickly realized that the POP just did not look right and added the additional blue paint that also gives it that wonderful glow effect (where the extra paint doesn't glow and it better shows off Maul's face markings). Because of this, there is actually a unique piece that an individual bought off Gemini a while back - a Holo Maul #1 of 1 reject signed by Brian.

[Brotha_man_davw]

Wow great read. I'll definitely have more respect for my holo qui gon jinn and yoda.

[maythefunkobewithyou]

Trivia regarding Holo Leia and Holo Snoke has been added.

Trivia: Holo Leia is the first Holo POP! to come without a GITD sticker since its from a 2pack with regular paint, non-glow R2 (R2 is also a new mold that bobbles at the dome rather than between the legs and the fuselage). Holo Leia is also obviously the first Holo Star Wars item in a 2pack rather than the traditional single POP! Even more interestingly, Holo Leia is the first Leia POP! designed after Carrie Fisher's untimely passing as Hoth Leia was actually in the works before December of 2016.

Trivia: Funko's Snoke is the first Snoke item to be released by any licensee likely due to a special exception by the licensor (Lucasfilm) as Funko needs less details and accuracy to produce their stylized products and there was enough from TFA footage. Other licensees are expected to release TLJ Snoke items on Force Friday, September 1, 2017.

[rontonsoup]

Interesting read. It was very long, but very detailed

[maythefunkobewithyou]

First real images of Commander Cody with Hologram Emperror. It's still unclear whether it glows:

Click here for more.

[maythefunkobewithyou]

Updated to add information about Commander Cody's "holographic" emperor as not being holographic at all.

There is yet another "variation" if you want to call it that, and those are the "holographic" Star Wars pieces that ended up not being holographic at all, but rather, a blue-ish translucent material with no glow. One such piece is Commander Cody's Emperor.

[theoneupper02]

I can't believe I actually read through this entire post. Very interesting though...

I have HQGJ and it's one of my favorite pieces.

[JaceCD]

The Star Wars Holographic Pops are my one true that I wish I could own.

[Ar7]

Such a great read, thanks for putting this together. (The More You Know)

[McScruffy]

Awesome read, thanks!

[bizzydesigner]

This is awesome. While I'm not a SW collector, I am a GITD collector so I always try to get my hands on these lovely little glowing pops!