The Vintage Collection: The Ninety Six - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)

Has Hasbro added this character’s card art and action figure into THE VINTAGE COLLECTION? And is it definitive?

No. To date, a Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) figure that meets this definition is only part of the “VINTAGE” THE SAGA COLLECTION line, a precursor to THE VINTAGE COLLECTION. Hasbro released 2007’s VTSC Han Solo (Hoth Outfit), and although an admirable action figure, it doesn’t come too close to meeting collectors’ needs for a definitive action figure. The modern counterpart should come with the hood “up” or, at best, come with an interchangeable portrait to offer collectors this option.

Does THE VINTAGE COLLECTION release completely satisfy the modern counterpart to 1980’s THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) figure?

We’re still waiting for Hasbro to add this figure into THE VINTAGE COLLECTION. It’s not a high-priority addition for the line since we have the VTSC version and many other versions of this character, but we still need one. It’s a bit grim to think that some of Hasbro’s 5POA versions of his figure are better than a collector-focused version in Kenner-inspired packaging (like Han Solo from 2015’s REBELS Luke Skywalker/Han Solo (MS15) MISSION SERIES set, for example).

If Hasbro didn’t release the figure yet, do we have a near-definitive or definitive release of this character that can be added to THE VINTAGE COLLECTION as a straight repack, repaint, or with little retooling to update it?

Yes and no. Hasbro could be lazy and reissue the VTSC figure in THE VINTAGE COLLECTION packaging. That would disappoint almost everyone. But collectors would appreciate them taking another stab at this character for accuracy, whether it be an all-new figure from the “ground up” or retooling existing parts.

What does Hasbro have to do so we can check off “Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)” from our Vintage Vs. Modern checklists?

Hasbro needs to revise the 2007 VTSC figure or tool an all-new figure that more faithfully captures the on-screen likeness of this character from THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK for THE VINTAGE COLLECTION.

The year and years elapsed (through 2021) since we last had this character in classic Kenner-styled packaging (vintage or modern)?

2007’s VTSC Han Solo (Hoth Outfit). 14 years ago.

1980’s ESB Han Solo (Hoth Outfit). 41 years ago.