Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,546: Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard, The Black Series 6-Inch)

LANDO CALRISSIAN (Skiff Guard)
The Force Awakens The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. E1214
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #76
Includes: Pike, helmet
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2018
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Once a smooth-talking smuggler, Lando Calrissian changed from a get-rich-quick schemer to a selfless leader in the fight against the Empire.  When his old friend Han was held captive in the palace of Jabba the Hutt, Lando joined Princess Leia in a mission to rescue him from certain demise.  (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: For the first time in a while, Hasbro decided Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) doesn't need a blaster.   This one is more in line with my memories of the 1983 original, with a helmet and a nifty bladed weapon.  I saw a guy make replicas of these in the 1990s, and said that the pommel or butt or whatever at the bottom of the staff was cut-up soda bottles from the 1980s.  He sure could make some cool stuff out of old garbage - but I digress.  This is not garbage.  Hasbro seemingly can't make anything worse than "pretty good," with this Lando figure being timed to come out after the costume had a cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story as something Tobias Beckett tossed on when at Kessel.  We saw Lando wear it in Jabba the Hutt's palace in Return of the Jedi.

This recreates his old costume nicely - there's an armored bracelet on the right wrist, a smattering of soot and dirt, yet the pants are white and completely clean.  I don't know about you, but when I wear nice pants in a light color they're the first things to get dirty.  Hasbro has decorated its Siege toys from Transformers similarly - curious applications of grime all around. There are signs of wrinkles and wear, with an exquisitely decorated helmet.  You can slide it down a bit so your audience can see who is wearing it.  With tusks, spikes, and painted rivets, it's great.  I'm sure there's some high-end version that's better, but this is the very best Skiff Lando helmet I've ever owned.

Articulation is pretty impressive, as the flesh neck can rotate at the base where it meets the body and at the skull.  The elbow on one of mine had some excess plastic that had to be removed, as it was hindering movement. I assume that's a one-off, though.  He has no real problems getting both hands on the pike, provided the elbows are clear of that material.  One hand has a trigger finger sculpted for a blaster, so if you get a spare gun you can always give it to him to display on that 6-inch Skiff Hasbro will never make.

The Billy Dee Williams likeness is also excellent.  The face is a little less glossy than previous "hyper real" releases, but the eyes still have a nice shine to them.  Detail is a little soft, but the facial detail is printed on with a newish process that kicked off in 2018.  This is a good one, and another entry to that too-small group of figures that fit in Jabba's throne room.   I hope we see some more soon!

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,546: December 27, 2018