Figure of the Day: Day 838: Han Solo (Sandstorm)

HAN SOLO Sandstorm
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 87673
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD01
Includes: Goggles, scarf, blaster, droid piece (R4-D6 left leg)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: July 2008
Appearances: Return of the Jedi on the cutting room floor

Image: Adam Pawlus' skiff, on a TV tray.

Bio: With the help of his friends, Han has freed himself from Jabba the Hutt and a grisly death in the Sarlacc Pit. As he and his companions walk through the desert to the Millennium Falcon, they must fight their way through a fierce Tatooine sandstorm. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: As a young writer on the Internet, one of the most exciting topics for me to read up on (and share info about) were the various deleted scenes from the trilogy. (You see, back in the 20th century, there were only three theatrical pictures, which we called "talkies.") The thought of seeing them in motion was unthinkable, but not nearly as unthinkable that I might one day have an action figure from one of them like this Han Solo. Proving that you can indeed get blood from a stone, this figure is at least the fourth release to be based on the 2006 "Vintage" Han Solo in Trench Coat figure. A super-articulated action figure, this release sports new accessories, a new belt, and a new head-- but is largely the same as the original. Minus the vest and coat.

As such, he's a pretty great figure on a variety of levels. He's very different in his appearance when compared to other Han figures, as we generally don't see him sporting goggles, or an old lady's shawl. It becomes him, and these accessories are largely removable without too much effort. The goggles are a tight fit, and you have to pop off Han's head to remove the scarf-- an action which is becoming increasingly common but no less disturbing over time. The rest of him holds together nicely, and can stand or sit without too much trouble. His blaster fits into his belt nicely, and the overall look is pretty good. Replicating hair disturbed by the wind can't be easy, and Hasbro's anonymous sculptors did a nice job making it look good without looking too goofy. While my first reaction to the thought of yet another post-Carbonite Han Solo wasn't too positive, I must say I'm thrilled with the end result and probably gave this figure more play time than any Han figure since, probably, 1999's CommTech release. It's a blast. For a figure that's roughly 78% recycled parts, I'm going to have to say this is one of my favorites so far for 2008, which is no small praise.

Collector's Notes: Currently available, this figure will likely show up again in some gift set with one or two more figures that you haven't yet bought. Even with this in mind, it's worth getting him if you think he's decent and if you could stand to own more droid parts. I'm a fan of (most of) the entire series, so I'm a little biased. But I think you'll like it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 838: August 29, 2008