Figure of the Day: Day 781
6/25/2008 7:57:46 PM - Adam

HAN SOLO HOTH GEAR
30th Anniversary Collection Ultimate Battle Packs
Item No.:
Asst. 87565 No. 87566
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, macrobinoculars, removable hat
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $49.99 (part of a set)
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Bio: Han Solo was a Human from Corellia who achieved galactic fame as a member of the Rebel Alliance and later the New Republic. Piloting the Millennium Falcon, he was known as one of the best smugglers in the galaxy. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Commentary: Hasbro never misses a good opportunity, and fan demand for a blue version of Han Solo in Hoth Gear, to match the vintage figure from the 1980s, was too good to pass up. Shortly after releasing a brownish version for $10, Hasbro cranked out this blue version in a giant boxed set filled with great toys for $50. Han was fairly well made, with articulation basically up to the standards of 2007. While he wasn't designed to sit on his Tauntaun, or to be able to raise and lower his hood, what you see is what you get and it could be a lot worse. For what it was, and what it cost, this blue jacket version of Han was a pretty slick deal. 14 points of articulation is nothing to sneeze at, and while the ball neck only swivels, and he can't sit down, he's still pretty neat to look at from a collector's shelf perspective. Hasbro is always good at finding ways to make a figure just shy of perfection, so there will still be opportunity to release yet another, better one when someone at Hasbro finally decides to add G.I. Joe-style hip articulation to the sci-fi figure line.

Collector's Notes: This set sat for a while upon release, but blew out quickly and is now somewhat desirable. Initially a $50 release, it had 8 figures, an AT-ST, and a Rebel Snow Turret. Because it was underpriced, fans had no problems paying more than $50 for a while, but prices seem to have come down and now it can be had for a smidge over retail, before shipping charges. Because of what you get, I still think there's enough fun in the box to justify a slight premium.

--Adam Pawlus



Day 781: June 25, 2008


Galactic Hunter.com
http://www.galactichunter.com/