Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,745: Han Solo

HAN SOLO Wal-Mart Exclusive
30th Anniversary Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. 12980 No. 87816
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 3 of 6
Includes: R-3PO, blaster, sensors, goggles, piece of C-3PX
Action Feature: Removable goggles fit on eyes, hat
Retail: $9.99
Availability: May 2008
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The Alliance's command center on Hoth includes the diverse tactical expertise of the impetuous Han Solo and the protocol droid R-3PO. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Even four years later, I would probably deem this Han Solo to be essential, a good upgrade from the iffy 2007 Vintage Hoth Han Solo figure. The coat coloring isn't super-blue, but it isn't brown either. It's in a happy place in the middle, leaning toward blue and features the ever-important feature of his hood being raised. Actually, this was the first super-articulated hood-up Hoth Han in the modern line-- there's another, but the coloring is more brownish. The figure has difficulty sitting, but if you want a Han to stand around and look cool? This is the one. The goggles can be worn on the forehead or on the eyes, the sensor pack is a nice bonus, plus his blaster fits into his holster. The jacket is snowy and dirty, the texture bulky. With 14 joints, this is a figure that has a decent range of momentum assuming you don't want him to be able to ride a Tauntaun. (The retooled version of this figure which can do that was sold in late 2011, and oddly did not feature a raised hood.)

Since Han's face is mostly covered, the likeness isn't much of an issue-- it's Han's outfit, not necessarily Harrison Ford's likeness which should sell you on this one. Due to how he's painted I don't believe it's a particularly great likeness, but it seems Harrison is one actor Hasbro seems to have difficulty replicating properly. It's a good-looking figure and one that happily does not have the goggles glued down, so it's worth checking out. If you buy a used one, be sure to check for the goggles-- they're very small and easily lost.

Collector's Notes: This set of figures is worth tracking down-- at its issue price, it was a fun set and a great deal. You can probably grab the lot of 6 2-packs (with the build-a-C-3PX) for $60 or less. If you can, you should. This set is a good one, and I'd say if it cost you $10-$15 you wouldn't be disappointed. Of the figures derived from the Vintage Hoth Han body, this is one of the best. Right now, this is my preferred modern version of the original Kenner Hoth Han figure. This may change, but I doubt it-- if you want only one Hoth Han, and sitting on the Tauntaun isn't a priority, make it this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,745: February 21, 2012