Han Solo - TLC - Basic (BD 31)

Added: August 3rd 2009
Category: Legacy Collection, The
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Han Solo
Collection: The Legacy Collection
Number: BD 31
Source: A New Hope
Availability: February 2009
License: Hasbro

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Han Solo thinks this whole plan to save a princess from her Imperial captors is a very bad idea, but he changes his mind when Luke Skywalker says that there might be a large financial reward for the one who rescues her.

Is it really possible that we didn’t get our first Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise) basic figure until 2009? Wow! That is not to say that Han Solo didn’t receive his fair share of releases in other places in the toy line including some appearances in the Comic Packs, miscellaneous multipacks, Cinema Scenes, and many other sub lines. But it wasn’t until The Legacy Collection that we got him on a single basic figure card back. Good things certainly come to those who wait, because this Han Solo figure is excellent and long overdue. It is nice to get a movie accurate version of him with super-articulation (and without blue washes). If you have read our Luke Skywalker [Stormtrooper Disguise] Research Droids Review, you will remember that we commented that Luke is a bit shorter than Han. This makes for incredible authenticity to the film and proper scale and is something that is at the forefront of Hasbro’s minds in this modern era. We are extremely thankful for the attention to this particular detail. And while the parts to both Luke and Han are nothing new to the collective whole, the overall product is simply a pleasure. Even the Stormtrooper body that we're not crazy about seems to work better for Han Solo than other figures. Interesting how that works, isn't it?

Does the figure have small issues? Of course, but not enough to make us feel that it is inferior or not worthy of purchase. Although we are very happy to receive almost any figure with 23 points of articulation or more, many of these joints can be rendered useless if one point is inhibiting movement of all the others. For example, Han Solo’s legs are very close together, and though he has both knee and ankle joints, the width between his legs cannot be changed or altered width-wise due to the one range of motion swivel joints are capable of executing, Han can't be posed in many different ways unfortunately. Does this hinder the quality of the figure a little bit? Yes. Is it worth skipping over him because of this? No. The hip ball joints (as seen utilized on both 2008’s TAC Commander Gree (08 03) (and subsequent TLC reissues) and 2004’s VOTC Luke Skywalker (in addition to 2009’s TLC Luke Skywalker (BD 38) figure) are really necessary for the Stormtrooper/Clone Trooper sculpt (and those disguised in them too). We are really hoping that Hasbro will develop a template for both so that we can start getting the definitive versions of all in the near future. This clearly should not be cost-prohibitive to Hasbro, imagine how many extra troop builders collectors would buy if we had, say for example, a hip ball jointed Stormtrooper figure? Oh, we are drooling already! If this type of joint can be added into the super-articulated mold, it will make the ultimate figure. We beg Hasbro not to be penny wise and pound foolish here.

Han Solo has a really good head sculpt, it is simple but effective. The paint applications on different samples vary significantly so we recommend looking for one with well painted eyes and a well painted body glove that doesn’t bleed onto the white armor (or conversely, a black paint that is too faded). Just like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo’s functioning holster has also been modified to better accommodate his weapon. But again, we think Hasbro needs to revisit this in order to make it as functional as possible. His removable thermal detonator comes off very easily, but interestingly will stay in place fairly well too. The joints are pretty tight on our sample and it is nice that his waist stays in one place instead of flopping around like it has on others, including the VOTC Stormtrooper. His armor is very clean and he comes with the standard Imperial issue blaster. We tend to be picky about certain things, but Hasbro only “sometimes” listens to our pleas about perfecting action figure aesthetics. And it’s out of pure hope of change that we express what small issues Hasbro can resolve to guarantee us the definitive versions of the characters we love. In the meantime, Han Solo will be a worthy addition to your collection, and a necessary purchase if you are into the Droid Factory pack-ins. And if you have been waiting for a carded basic version of Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise), well, here is your chance. Go ahead, get him. He really is an excellent figure.

Collector Notes

Han Solo

Status: Han Solo is a slight retool of the figure from 2007's TAC Chewbacca/Han Solo (No. 04) Comic Packs multipack. This time the figure comes with a new belt and has been repainted.

Articulation Count: 23 points (14 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), swivel left wrist (1), swivel right wrist (1), ball-jointed torso (2), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)

Accessory Count: 3

Accessory Details: removable helmet, BlasTech E-11 blaster pistol, removable thermal detonator

Original Droid Factory/Build A Droid Part: R5-A2 right leg

Date Stamp: 2005

Assortment Number: 87835/87535

UPC: 653569342243

Retail: $7.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.



Han Solo

The Legacy Collection Wave 5

Luke Skywalker (BD 30)

Han Solo (BD 31)

Spacetrooper (BD 32)

Jawa & WED Treadwell Droid (BD 33)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (BD 34)

Pons Limbic (BD 35)

Wioslea (BD 36)

Trinto Duaba & Dice Ibegon (BD 37)

R5-A2 (Build A Droid)

R2-L3 (Build A Droid)



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