Bib Fortuna - TVC - Basic (VC224)

Before we delve into the review of The Vintage Collection Bib Fortuna (VC224) figure, you should immediately know that we’re giving it a perfect score. That said, we will also nitpick it because Hasbro left low-hanging fruit on the cutting room floor, and that is something we find egregious. The Ninety Six are so few and far between that Hasbro should find time and energy to include homage-paying accessories and outside-of-the-box inclusions to make them feel extra special to the line and collectors. So, with that in mind, let’s dig into this fantastic and long-awaited action figure. If you asked us even five years ago if Hasbro would revisit Bib Fortuna for the super-articulated 3.75-inch basic figure line, we would have told you it’s not happening. Back in 2012 and up until 2015, Hasbro was adamant that Bib Fortuna was done for the line and that they wouldn’t revisit it. They are proud of 2005’s TSC Bib Fortuna (SAGA 003) figure, as they should be, but if we’re honest, that figure is statuesque at best and doesn’t feel all that much like an action figure. The 1983 ROTJ Bib Fortuna figure, as well as 1997’s POTF2 [R/G] Bib Fortuna and 2004’s OTC Bib Fortuna (OTC #31) figures all come with simple articulation, and come with the standard movement in the head, shoulders, and hips, and the waist for the modern figures. The Saga Collection figure comes with less articulation, but the detail and sculpting and so excellent that most collectors forgave the lack of articulation.

So here we are at the tail end of 2021, and a mostly new Bib Fortuna is hitting shelves. This latest release is a tremendous accomplishment. Hasbro worked in multiple layers of soft goods into Bib Fortuna, and the results are nothing short of impressive. While every version since 1983’s ROTJ Bib Fortuna came with molded robes, The Vintage Collection version abandons all of that. Instead, the new version goes for one layer after another of premium soft-goods fabrics, all different from one another, to create a spectacular layered appearance that works as well as is beautiful. Hasbro found the perfect turquois-colored material for Bib Fortuna’s lower robes. And then they used a grayish-brown outer robe, complete with layers and darting, with a drape that perfectly hangs off of the figure’s shoulders, to create a screen-accurate replica of the sleazy character we’ve come to adore from Return Of The Jedi. Hasbro worked in a perfectly-fitted and molded inner “skirt,” which also serves as part of the figure’s armored plating. The material is pliable and seamlessly fits in with the rest of the mediums used to complete the figure. Underneath the soft goods, you will find the legs of Lando Calrissian (VC205) cast in turquoise plastic (including the shoes) and paint operations that show how carefully Hasbro paid attention to screen accuracy. From head to toe, collectors of The Vintage Collection will undoubtedly consider Bib Fortuna a highlight of the line thus far. Yes, it’s that good.

We were slightly taken aback by Bib Fortuna’s height. We’re not saying the figure is out of scale, but you will notice that it towers above most other figures in The Vintage Collection line. Aside from the height, and we’re not saying it’s incorrect, that’s the only feature of the figure that stands out to us. We’re most impressed with the tooling of Bib Fortuna’s hands. Hasbro carefully recreated the spindly and long fingers of this eerie Twi’lek. Hasbro executed the multiple paint operations in these tiny areas with precision and care. You’ll also find a subtle and mottled blue pattern throughout the figure’s pink skin. Hasbro beautifully recreated the textures of this character’s skin, and they also managed to capture the character’s red eyes, just as we see in Jabba’s palace. We should all commend Hasbro here. The card art is excellent as well. With all of this resounding praise, you must be wondering what could be wrong with Bib Fortuna? Well, we’re frankly disappointed that the figure comes without any accessories (aside from the removable cape). Where is the dagger? Where is the Kenner-inspired staff? Where is a drinking glass? Where is any added accessory to make this figure feel more special? Perhaps Hasbro thought they did enough by nailing the figure’s likeness in the sculpting that they didn’t have to go any further. But we’re disappointed that Hasbro couldn’t include additional parts here to give the figure more value. This Bib Fortuna figure is a significant landmark in the line. Never say never!