Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,539: Han Solo (Vandor-1, Solo: A Star Wars Story line look)

HAN SOLO (Vandor-1)
Solo: A Star Wars Story Force Link 2.0 Mission on Vandor-1 Gift Set
Item No.:   No. E1093
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, 3 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: September 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Never one to plan ahead, Han Solo goes where opportunity calls - and a chance for a big score finds him riding across the wilderness of Vandor-1. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: A decent figure with sensible articulation, Han Solo (Vandor-1) has got a lot where it counts.   Hasbro has slowly been rolling out articulation instead of paint applications - some toys have molded, inset wrists or boots because that way there's no painting to be done.  It also keeps the figure nicer, longer.  The fringe benefit is you get more articulation - the oft-dismissed "5POA" figure actually has nine joints thanks to those boots and wrists, giving it a bit more bang for your buck.  And if you have a Force Link 2.0 band, you also get actual "bang" noises.  (...No, the gun kind.)

Han's molded black  boots do have a dusting of snow, and a nice even finish.  The gloved hands have no problems holding the blaster, which has a brown painted grip this time.  Goggles are molded on the not-quite-Alden face, obfuscating the fudging of the actor likeness quite skillfully.    With the fur coat largely unpainted, Hasbro did take the time to paint the belt on the front and the back, including some of the greebles (but none of the rivets.)   In another economic move of brilliance, Hasbro sculpted - but did not paint - the red bloodstripes on his pants.  Since they're covered by the coat, I'm glad decided to spend their deco budget on elements we could actually see.

I realize this is a very by-the-numbers commentary, but that's what you get with this figure.  It's not bad.  It's not amazing.  But it does show a smarter team at Hasbro giving you a little more for your money, putting in design decisions that seem to have delivered the best possible product with the given budget and resources available to this Force Link 2.0 line.  Without the chip, maybe we'd get a lower price or more gear - but we still got something that looks nice for the size and price.    He won't be doing any sitting, but that's what a nice coat can do for your toys.  Recommended, along with the rest of the set.

Force Link 2.0 Notes: "Uhh... I've got a bad feeling about this."   "I'm feeling pretty lucky."  "We've got a problem here."  "Admit it - you're impressed."  "Heads up - coming through!"  Blasters.  It's a soundalike, and not a good one.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,539: December 4, 2018