Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,978: Bossk (and Boba Fett, The Retro Collection)

BOSSK and Boba Fett, Amazon Exclusive
The Retro Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: No. F5562
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.99
Availability: November 2022
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Two of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy, Boba Fett and Bossk have crossed paths over the course of their careers as both collaborators and competitors. Both had undeniable skill, but only one became a legend, (Taken from the figure's outer packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I would've skipped Bossk because I have two older, slightly worn ones from when I was a kid. And that would have been a mistake! Sort of. The new reissue from Amazon made some changes - some good, some bad. There are quality-of-life improvements, as well as generation loss. If you have an old, absolutely mint one that you look at and never touch you don't need this one. But they did redesign the gun hand - and that's admirable.

This is an all-new figure that is inspired by the original Bossk. Everything seems to be in the same place, but with minor differences - the little cross on the chest is much sharper now, the ribs in the vest are all at slightly different angles, and the sculpted detail is a bit softer. I assume this is due to scanning, or issues with resolution in digital prototyping that you don't get with wood or wax or other 1970s materials. My old 1980s Bossks are much sharper, with crisper scales and more defined elements in sculpting - but the new one has much crisper painting. Neither is "best" but each have their own unique benefits - not the least of which is that the new one isn't discolored from age yet. The old one in these pictures has faded, unknown to me at the time, and the reddish color is an oil that wipes off, leaving a much paler yellow suit underneath. Time is cruel.

Bossk's joints all still work like always, and I put him in some vehicles and he said "thanks boss." Presumably. The newly retooled fingers on his right hand hold his blaster much more tightly - sometimes the vintage toy would drop it, but the new one is perfect. I hope they do this with lots of reissues going forward, because not being able to hold weapons well was a weakness on some of those old toys. Here, it's just plain fine. No complaints.

Bossk has no problems standing, or sitting, or holding his blaster, so he's a good figure. I assume most fans would be happy to get this brand-new mint sample of a figure rather than deal with eBay for a banged-up loose one, but it's worth noting the original blaster is a bit sharper with pointier details. The new one is rounded off some, looking like a copy made from a copy - so it's visible different. The Kenner blue looks sharp as ever, and it isn't as glossy as my old blaster. It's also a tiny bit smaller, but you wouldn't notice without putting them side by side, and it's a minor difference in size.

But is he worth it? An original Kenner Bossk off the package is about $16-$26 with a blaster, or more, depending on condition. Since this is an official Hasbro/Kenner figure and you get a Boba Fett with it, $28 is pricey. There are $10 Retro figures right now - but they're usually $12. The upcharge is unfortunate, and hopefully temporary, making this a good deal in the sense of "you're not going to get a cheaper Boba Fett and Bossk bundle elsewhere." At $20 I'd say push people out of the way and get one - at $28, it's charming. If you limit yourself only to Kenner toys, I think you will find it likable enough and well-put-together enough to scratch that "but I want an original!" itch in most cases. But not carded cases, because the packaging is an eyesore with the sticker and fake wear on it.

Collector's Notes: I got mine at Amazon. It was supposed to be released January 1, 2023, but arrived two months early.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,978: November 17, 2022

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,148: Bossk (The Black Series 6-Inch)

BOSSK 6-Inch Debut
The Black Series 6-Inch Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. A4301 No. A9815
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #10
Includes: Rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: March 2015
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Bossk is one of the bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to search for the Millennium Falcon and its rebel crew. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Commentary: You will not be disappointed by Bossk and I do not believe you will be pleasantly surprised, either.   This figure has a special feature that really sets it apart from his peers with the first-ever articulated jaw!  My sample may be dislocated, as it moves but it feels like it was assembled strangely - the it takes some doing to shut it.   But other than that, this figure is everything that his Mission Series counterpart isn't.  At a hair under 6 1/2-inches tall, he's a big enough figure with loads of articulation and paint, plus separately sculpted straps.  They did a nice job here.

While light on deco, his gun deserves special notice.  You may notice that the gun has a brown strap with silver bands around it, but what's really stunning is that the strap is a separate piece.   You can actually remove the strap if you really want to - I don't, but as design elements go this is an extremely impressive level of detail for a Hasbro product.     The ability to pose the strap is something I've never seen on any of my figures of this size before, so just let me say I am easily impressed.

Finding good reference on the patches on his shoulders is tough, but it looks like most shots would indicate this one is off a bit.  The blue is a little thick, the red was left off, and compared with the Unleashed figure in roughly the same size the detail seems a bit off.  At this scale it's easier to see the colors are a little too faded and the blue design in the corner isn't quite right, but odds are you won't notice this too much.  Hopefully they'll tweak this detail on a future release.  These kinds of things are easier to gloss over on smaller figures thanks to the amount of detail you can get in there, but starting around this size you really start to notice.

His head is great, as is the rest of the figure.  You get all the scaly detail you would hope for, plus a bit of a wash to bring them out.  His wrinkled flight suit is nice and yellow, with a few painted bits and pieces under the grey plastic straps.   All of his claws are painted, so in many respects this is like a slightly better upsized Vintage figure.   Depending on how you feel like counting, his 23 points of articulation are stupendous and the double-jointed knees are always a nice touch.  The elbow articulation is no better than what we had in his smaller counterparts, but the bend-and-swivel wrists are nice and the straight, arguably useless right hand is a nod to similar manual appendages on the many other Bossk toys from over the years.   The ability to get both hands on his gun changes his personality when you pose him, plus the fact that he's taller than Boba Fett (but just a hair shorter than Darth Vader) makes him a good addition to your toy shelf.

For $20 you're a putz to not buy it.  With $50+ Figmas and similar figures from Mattel at or around $30, Bossk is the kind of figure you would probably want to get unless you hate Bossk.  If you're trying to keep your 6-inch collection light, this figure does a very good job of getting the job done - for that reason, he's interesting.  On the other hand, Unleashed Bossk is a tad larger and the same price - but isn't articulated.      I'd suggest examining both and grab the one that fits your needs the best, whatever they may be.   I assume for most of you, though, articulation trumps pretty much everything else and the opening jaw, while a bit stiff, is a hard feature to resist.

Collector's Notes: I got this from Entertainment Earth.   I have not seen any in stores yet.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,148: April 20, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,119: Bossk (Star Wars Rebels Mission Series)

BOSSK and IG-88
Star Wars Rebels Mission Series
Item No.: Asst. A5228 No. A8933
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MS11
Includes: Rifle, IG-88 figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: January 2015
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Two of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy, Bossk and IG-88 are hired by Darth Vader to track down the Millennium Falcon and its Rebel crew. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Commentary: When you do a line of Star Wars toys, you're going to get a Bossk eventually.  Jakks is working on a 20-inch one, the Titanium Series line made a figure, and the 3 3/4-inch line gave us one every few years.  He even appeared in The Clone Wars, giving the character increased prominence and along with his companion IG-88, he's more or less expected in any Star Wars toy line that lasts more than two years.  Except Bend-Ems.  Nobody likes Bend-Ems.

The figure is, evolutionarily speaking, a bizarre turnaround. The sculpting is as good as it has ever been, but he does feel a little short.  He has a wonderfully Beavis-esque underbite and curled smile, acute eyes, and tiny, sharp, painted white teeth.  They did a nice job here.  The flight suit is yellow with a few painted highlights, but some of the deco marks like the patches on the sleeves and the silver on the leg bandoliers are sadly gone.  His claws are now unpainted for the first time in the modern line, and a few silver bits and pieces are ignored.  It's a shame that the sculpt is so nice and the deco isn't as good as the 1997 release, but that's where things are trending things to costs going up and the need to deliver more value at a lower price.   It's unfortunate to think that it was just 2010 when we could get a $8 Bossk with 14 points of articulation and a box of bonus guns, but such is life.  This particular blaster is a new sculpt, and can be held by the trigger guard or by the second grip like the original Kenner figure.  It's a nice touch, I like having options.

Taken on his own merits, Bossk is quite good.  He's able to stand and hold his gun in his left hand with no problems, and the sleeves are delightfully bunched up just as you might want. The simplified rifle is closer to the vintage Kenner counterpart, lacking the strap, and he has zero problems sitting down.  (This is a huge plus.) The bottoms of his feet are sculpted with segments in his toes and detail in the claws, plus the scales are all just fantastic. With the mostly closed mouth it seems closer to the movie too, so this is probably the Bossk I'll keep within reach to futz with since he stands well, holds his gun easily, and probably won't show a lot of wear and tear.  You don't need it, but if you've bought into the idea that these figures are fun as I have you may as well cave in and get one.  It is fun.

Collector's Notes: I got this from Entertainment Earth.  Bossk started showing up in stores late in January with more trickling out slowly thanks to the dock worker not-a-strike-but-a-strike that has only just recently ended.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,119: March 10, 2015

Figure of the Day: Day 1,375: Bossk

BOSSK Rise of Boba Fett
The Clone Wars Toys "R" Us Exclusive Ultimate Battle Pack
Item No.: No. 20850
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster rifle, stand, game card, tons of other toys
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $109.99
Availability: August 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: The Trandoshan bounty hunter teams up with Boba, sensing that the boy will become a powerful ally-- or enemy. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' floor.

Commentary: Between Kenner and Hasbro there have been something like five versions of 3 3/4-inch scale Bossk figures and this one, arguably, is the best. By combining elements of the best collector-favorite figures and the best toy figures, Hasbro successfully created a monster super-articulated bounty hunter which is capable of standing, sitting, and assuming tons of poses. While the big H did develop a "vintage" Bossk in 2007 which had 14 points of articulation, he had some weird hanging elements and some extraneous straps around his waist which prevented him from sitting. Hasbro took a page from 1981 and recreated this edition to have very snug straps sculpted on the figure rather than hanging off as separate pieces, which means that this one actually functions as a toy. You can grab a vehicle, and if it's tall enough, he can sit in it. This is what we call a toy so good it deserves a song for an ultimate and inevitable victory, and it's really stunning that this exquisite plaything came out within mere weeks of the most ambitious (but ultimately horrible to play with) animated General Grievous.

Bossk's detail is fairly simple, as an animated figure really doesn't need to be covered in wrinkles and warts. One side of his face has a closed mouth, while the other has a snarl-- this makes for some weird photography, but in person it gives him a lot more personality than you're used to seeing out of the greenish rubber mask. His head appears a little small-- even compared to the animation model-- but it's still a fun little figure with lanky limbs, a good gun, and a level of quality that's definitely on the higher levels of Hasbro's collectible toy figures. While $110 for just this figure is a little high, if you have the chance to score one for $20 or less I don't think you'll be sorry. Coincidentally, this is the going rate on eBay at press time.

Collector's Notes: At Celebration V, Hasbro mentioned that this item was initially developed as an individual figure but was brought into this gift set for various reasons. What does this mean to you? Don't expect to see an individually carded release in the immediate future, I was told, but in all honesty you'll probably see him again in the next several years. Assuming this set sells through, of course, otherwise this might be it. Despite the high price tag, the sum of the set's contents are actually quite nice and if you're collecting the line anyway I suggest stop whining, skip the Starbucks for a few weeks, and just take the plunge. You'll want the Slave I anyway.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,375: September 21, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,361: Bossk

BOSSK The Vintage Collection
The Saga Collection 2007 Vintage
Item No.: Asst. 87295 No. 87308
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99
Availability: 2007
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Bossk (meaning "Devours His Prey" in Dosh) was a Trandoshan bounty hunter and the pilot of the Hound's Tooth. He also held the title of Monarch of the Qotile system. He was particularly unfond of Chewbacca and his Human partner Han Solo. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' bathroom. He is standing next to the 2010 "Saga Legends" reissue, which is basically the same figure with more guns, a display stand, and a lower price tag.

Commentary: In the entirety of the modern line, one figure tends to always be an example of Hasbro's best work. Bossk never disappoints, or at least, he hasn't with any figure released thus far. The 1997 figure wasn't a crazy muscular release, and he had such great deco that fans were surprised he got a new sculpt in 2004-- which added lots of articulation and even more detail. It seemed completely unnecessary to upgrade him, but they did, he's great, and here he is. The sculpt has even more detail than before, the face conveys more personality than the rubber mask in the movies, and Bossk now sports 14 points of articulation. In short, Hasbro has no reason to ever upgrade the figure.

The one shortcoming is the odd red ring around his neck and the silver element dangling down. Rather than a static sculpted piece, it rotates freely and is removable. I'd rather it be glued down, but that's me-- it's still the finest Bossk money can buy, so if you need one, you may as well get this one. Of course, they're all very good, so you can't go wrong collecting Bossks throughout the ages.

Collector's Notes: The 2007 Vintage Bossk has Vintage Packaging. The 2010 Saga Legends one does not, but you get a baggie of guns and a display base-- so openers, get the 2010 one. Carded fans, get whatever tickles your fancy.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,361: September 1, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 332: Bossk

BOSSK Executor Meeting
Saga Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84715 No. 84772
Number: 0418
Includes: Rifle, Base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Spring 2004
Appearances: Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Darth Vader hired six of the galaxy's most elite bounty hunters to track down the Millennium Falcon and her Rebel crew. Bossk was one of the hunters selected by Vader aboard the Executor after the Battle of Hoth. A towering reptilian Trandoshan and skilled predator, Bossk was a fearsome and heavily armed tracker. He was frequently bested by rival bounty hunter Boba Fett, and was betrayed by hunters he hired in the search for the Falcon. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Toy Shelves.

Commentary: In the modern line, it's not often that a figure was made before 1999 that most fans felt never needed an upgrade-- but Bossk was one of these "perfect" figures. During its first release in 1997, it was pretty much exactly what it needed to be-- not too bulky, not awkwardly posed, and most important of all, not missing any major markings. This release from 2004 almost looks identical to the 1997 version, at first, except that the gun is different, Hasbro hid a few extra joints in it (12 in all), and it's not a bad figure. It doesn't have any straps hanging down to block his ability to sit, it doesn't have goofy articulation in places he doesn't need it that make him look all funky, he's just a good solid figure. It's really hard to say if it's a good thing or a bad thing for Hasbro to look at a great figure, and then attempt to redo it-- and it really doesn't look any better. Sure, it has more articulation, but unless you put the two-side-by-side, aside from the weapons, they aren't exactly as screamingly different as, say, new vs. old Dengar or Boba Fett or even Darth Vader.

Collector's Notes: This particular Bossk was never rereleased-- the 1997 version has been repackaged in at least two gift sets, including the 2005 Bounty Hunter Gift Set for Diamond/Previews. As such, if you want this version of Bossk, you'll need to get a carded sample. (That is to say, until Hasbro realizes they still have the mold and drop him in some new Battle Pack.) The best way to tell the 1997 version against the 2004 version at a glance is the mouth or the articulation-- the new version has extra arm and leg joints and an open mouth, while the older one has a closed mouth.

If you only buy one Bossk, this one is arguably the better of them. There's also a Titanium Series release which you might be able to find for pennies on the dollar in the clearance section of your local Wal-Mart or Target still. It wasn't exactly a popular item. But wait, there's more-- despite already releasing two perfectly good Bossk figures, Hasbro's going back to the well for a third brand new sculpt in 2007 with the 30th Anniversary Collection Vintage Line. This one is probably super-duper articulated, I guess. So I guess the new 2007 figure will be even less necessary than the 2004 one, that, or it just speaks volumes on the market for Bossk collectibles.

Day 332: April 3, 2007