Although the description says carded and signed, there are some of these carded figures that were NOT signed. I know because I have one. It looks identical to the pictured figure in this list (minus the signature of course), and it even has a sticker on the front. The sticker on my figure says "SAN DIEGO COMIC CON" Summer 2006 Exclusive and has the WIZARD WORLD Chicago logo. This is in the same place and is the same size as, the silver sticker that says Limited Signed Edition.
I have both this version and the 2015 release and can tell you that, as much as I liked this ship, the newer release is even better (IMHO). The paint apps are way superior on the 2015 model. The added details fill in all the blank spots on the saucer and are enhanced on the pylons. The only big issue I've seen, and it has been noted by several other collectors as well, is the dish on the front is slightly canted so it doesn't set perfectly centered. I think this can be fixed with a little care but it is evident and is not an issue on the 2002 variant. The 2002 variant has a light bleed issue in that area that is very obvious, but in some ways the light bleed is almost nice in the fact that it tends to light up the registry. This was not a manufacture design, just a unique effect due to the thin plastic or failure to insulate the array area. If it doesn't bother you then this isn't a bad model to have. There are other difference in the newer model as well, like the light up features and a couple of sounds. Some collectors have also noted a minor problem on the 2015 version, not observed with the 2002. The stand on the new ship is harder to insert into the hole on the bottom of the ship. Mine wasn't as pronounced as what other reported, but I still sanded down the ball joint a little just to make sure it would fit, and it works fine. The problem with both of the stands in either case, is that they have a little side to side wobble when moved. Buying a good acrylic stand might be advisable.
Looking at the pictures of this figure, it appears to be dressed in the uniform shirt from "The Cage" pilot. The collar has that same turtle-neck feature as seen in that episode. This would look at home with the Captain Pike with Command Chair and Vina figures if someone choose to display them together. I don't know if this was supposed to be this way or not, because there is no indication on the packaging, and I haven't seen any collector comments stating something like that but it definitely isn't a repaint or remake of the Wave 1 figure. I'd say this is a variant worth considering if you have the two previous mentioned figures.
Update: I finally stumbled across an old post about this figures release, and it confirms that it is supposed to be from "The Cage" episode/pilot; so the only issue I see with this release, is that the 2 afore mentioned accessories are incorrect. You know it is probably a nit picky thing, but by the time of this release, DST had been doing these figures for awhile. There really isn't any excuse for their actions and it is a shame that Art Asylum got bought out. Under the old company there were some great ideas and attention to detail that just didn't get carried forward after the buy out. The other figures that were to be released at around the same time as this figure, that didn't get released (Rand, Chapple, short sleeves McCoy, and a Romulan Commander) were something ST fans had been begging for (and still are!), for a long time. The Art Asylum crew knew this and would have more than likely produced these in a limited quantity. It's to bad we never got to complete any of these lines.
Even though I don't own this figure, the only thing I can see that might make this a special release is, that it is supposed to be a Kirk in his "Where No Man Has Gone Before" uniform. Unless I'm wrong, this would be the first individually carded version of this figure. While the collar is correct, the shirt COLOR appears to be off, and at the least 2 of the accessories are incorrect. This pistol and communicator should be as seen in the Dilithium Collection 2pk Kirk and Spock set. I would say this is probably a must have for the die hard completest collectors out there. However, if you are more of a hobbyist/film fan type collector, you could probably pass this up. There are other version of Kirk with more distinct differences that might interest you.
It surprises me to know there's a Pistol figure. I always thought that, before An Extremely Goofy Movie, all Goof Troop toys were limited to Goofy, Pete, Max and PJ.
Mirror Uhura (Carded / Signed)
