As a follow up to our Probe Droid poll launched today, I'd like to take a moment and fill you in on some background on the proposed 12" figures to be created by Sideshow Collectibles.
What follows is a who's who of the eight characters you can currently vote on in our poll. You may know some or none of these characters, but here's the skinny. Please note, the images included are only to give a reference image for the character and may not depict the final likeness or costume.

Asajj Ventress

First appearance: Jedi-Mace Windu; Dark Horse Comics.
This character was created as a villain for the Clone Wars between Episode II and III. She is a dark Jedi, that was spurned by the Order and turned on them, joining Count Dooku in the process. She battled off and on with Obi-Wan Kenobi during the three years of the Clone Wars. Her death was spared her by Kenobi and the Jedi, she fled to the far reaches of the galaxy, her final fate to be determined. Asajj's designs were inspired by concept drawings made for Attack of the Clones. A 3¾" figure of Asajj was produced in the Clone Wars wave by Hasbro circa 2003.

Grand Admiral Thrawn

First appearance: Heir to the Empire; Spectra/Bantam.
A blue skinned, alien Chiss from the outer regions, he was one of the only non-humans to be promoted to a level of command within Palpatine's New Order. Thrawn has an extremely tactical mind and presents one of the strongest and most dangerous adversaries that the New Republic will face after the defeat of the Empire. Utilizing cloning technology hidden by the Empire, even after his defeat, a clone of Thrawn was able to come back and threaten the New Republic. A 3¾" figure of Thrawn was produced in the Expanded Universe wave by Hasbro circa 1998.

Jaina Solo

First appearance: The Last Command; Del Rey.
The only daughter of Han Solo and Leia Organa-Solo, Jaina was born along withe her twin brother Jacen, near the end of the Thrawn crisis. She and her siblings (including Anakin Solo) were often at risk from the enemies of the New Republic and spent most of the early life hidden away from people who would do them wrong. That didn't stop Jaina from developing incredible piloting skills and strong Force powers. She along with other young Jedi, trained at her Uncle Luke's Jedi Academy on Yavin IV, before becoming a member and leader in Rogue Squadron during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion.

Kir Kanos

First appearance: Crimson Empire #1; Dark Horse Comics.
An Imperial Guard, trained to fight and protect Palpatine, Kanos was the lone survivor of an attack and sabotage by guardsman Carnor Jax. The void left by the death of the Emperor left Jax feeling that he was capable of taking over the Empire. Kanos disagreed and joined with a band of rebels to defeat him. He then adopted the monicker of Kenix Kil and enjoyed a successful tour of duty as a bounty hunter, helping to defeat the Interim Council and their bid to erect a new Emperor.

Kyle Katarn

First appearance: Dark Forces video game; Lucasarts.
A mercenary and smuggler, Kyle made his introduction to EU fans by stealing the plans to the Death Star on Danuta in the Dark Forces video game. His popularity proved so much that he returned in at least two sequels to that game, plus a series of graphic novels from Dark Horse comics that gave more information on his family life, his burgeoning Jedi powers and his adventures with a group of dark Jedi lead by Jerec. He went on to be a key player in Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy when the Yuuzhan Vong came calling. A 3¾" figure of Kyle was produced in the Expanded Universe wave by Hasbro circa 1998.

Luke Skywalker (Dark Empire)

First appearance: Dark Empire #2; Dark Horse Comics.
Ten years after the destruction of the second Death Star, Luke Skywalker and comrades are again challenged by the villainy of the Emperor. Having been resurrected in a clone host, he captures Luke and again tempts him to join the Dark Side. Luke decides that the best way to conquer the Emperor is to join him. Taking his place as Palpatines right hand man, Luke follows in the footsteps of his father, believing that he is in fact protecting his friends, before finally finding the power to overcome the tendrils of the Dark Side of the Force. A 3¾" figure of Luke was produced in the Expanded Universe wave by Hasbro circa 1998.

Mara Jade

First appearance: Heir to the Empire; Spectra/Bantam.
Also known as the Emperor's Hand, Mara Jade was an assassin of the Empire who, after the Emperor's death sought to kill Luke Skywalker for the killing of her master. She worked in conjunction with smuggler Talon Karrde during the Thrawn Crisis. She would eventually end up working with the Republic and marrying Luke Skywalker. Mara Jade represents the first expanded universe, non-film character to have been portrayed by an actress, Shannon McRandle. A 3¾" figure of Mara was produced in the Expanded Universe wave by Hasbro circa 1998.

Quinlan Vos

First appearance: Star Wars #17; Dark Horse Comics.
A darker skinned Jedi with dreadlock styled hair and a yellow stripe across his face, Quin faced many trials during the waning days of the Republic. Initially thrust into the pages of the Star Wars comic without memory of who he was or what had happened to him, Quin and his padawan Aayla Secura worked in and out of the shadowy undergrounds trying to bring down the Sith and the Confederacy. A popular character in the expanded universe, Quin nearly made an appearance in Revenge of the Sith, but was ultimately cut out.