Figure of the Day: Day 504: Han Solo

HAN SOLO with Jabba the Hutt
Power of the Force Beast Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 69645 No. 69742
Number: n/a
Includes: Jabba the Hutt, blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: Summer 1997
Appearances: Star Wars: Special Edition

Bio: Han Solo was a cocky Corellian with a wry wit, dry humor, sometimes reckless disposition, and technological savvy, who began his career as a smuggler. He went through several employers, had a short military career, and met and befriended Chewbacca. He was the captain of the Millennium Falcon and upset enough sentients to have several bounties placed on his head before being swept up into the Galactic Civil War against his wishes due to a chance meeting with Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Based on a similar design as the figure from 1995, this Han Solo has five joints (no waist articulation), a slightly slimmer build, a less action-oriented pose, and a blue blaster. Most of these reasons caused fans to declare it the better of the modern Star Wars-based Han Solo figures until an entirely new design was trotted out in 1999. This figure can sit, stand, and generally look good with a slightly better sculpt with details which were better brought out than on other Han figures. By today's standards he isn't much to look at, and honestly, is not worth buying if you have the 2004 Vintage-style Han Solo. I mean, there's no working holster, no knee articulation, the likeness isn't very good, and the figure basically feels like a good first try. Which is unfortunate, as it's the third Han Solo from the original film that was produced in the modern line. As an evolutionary artifact, it's neat. As a freebie with Jabba, he ain't bad. As a must-buy figure to add to your collection, well, this, he is not.

Collector's Notes: For $15, this figure and creature set was a good deal back in 1997 because Han was essentially $5 worth of toy and Jabba made up the rest of the package. Due to fickle fans, questionable deco, and improved versions of both characters you can pick up the set on eBay today for about $5-$10 before shipping. I'm not saying you should get it necessarily, but if you can get it for $10 or less it's worth snagging. Especially if you have the talent to repaint Jabba the Hutt, as it seems a good toy is there if someone were to just color it properly.

Day 504: September 22, 2007