Figure of the Day: Day 125: Han Solo (Death Star Escape)

HAN SOLO Death Star Escape
Power of the Jedi Collection 1
Item No.: Asst. 84445 No. 84626
Number: n/a
Includes: Stormtrooper Blaster, Force File
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.99
Availability: Fall 2001
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Han Solo's reputation as a notorious smuggler and pirate also makes him a target for bounty hunters. After his ship is impounded by the Empire, Han helps Obi-Wan and Luke rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star. A corageous and daring pilot, Solo eventually realizes his personal stake in the Rebels' fight for freedom. (Taken from the figure's Force File)

Image: Yet another Adam's Pawlus toy shelf.

Commentary: Over the years, typically, Han Solo figures got better and better. This was until Power of the Jedi, where the super-cool Bespin Han Solo was followed up by this monstrosity and the "my neck is cut" Han from a two-pack with Chewbacca. (But more on him later.) This figure has an awkward head sculpt, a rotten pose, and can't stand properly. He also has articulation inferior to a previous release which, really, isn't cool in any toy line. The figure itself is very much a "what you see is what you get" release, and I can't say much good about it in the grand scheme of things. It's an OK figure, and one of very few Han figures with a Stormtrooper belt. It's nice that Hasbro made an all-new sculpt in 2001 rather than tweaking the 1999 figure, but honestly, a tweak would've been better. I think if the head on this figure were particularly well done, the figure would have been saved but when you're talking about a figure that can't stand well on its own with an awkward face, there's really not much nice to be said here. For collectors only.

Oh, for the record: eight points of articulation. The typical six, plus arm swivels.

Collector's Notes: This figure came out in a wave with Darth Vader with lightning bolts on his head, and Luke Skywalker in his pilot get-up with buck teeth. It wasn't a proud time to be a fan, as the complaints could be heard for quite some time. The wave hit Target stores' mega-clearance after the holidays, but that shouldn't be seen as a critique on the line as a whole, it just ended up that Han was part of a very weak Collection 1 send-off near the end of the line. It's too bad this figure has been done better so often, but hey, at least this was the low point. I've seen other lines where the figures are far, far worse. I'm probably being a little too harsh but I remember this figure going from the package to a tackle box pretty quickly, and that's disappointing for your favorite characters.

Day 125 September 8, 2006