Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,590: Han Solo (Echo Base, The Vintage Collection)

HAN SOLO (Echo Base, 2019 Rerelease/Redeco)
The Vintage Collection Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. E0370  No. E5185
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #03
Includes: Blaster, mask, torch
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99
Availability: April 2019
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Han Solo, known only as Han until being given the surname Solo by chief recruitment officer Drawd Munbrin, and also known as Cadet 124-329 when serving as an Imperial cadet, was a human male smuggler who became a leader in the Alliance to Restore the Republic and an instrumental figure in the defeat of the Galactic Empire during the Galactic Civil War. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: The last time we saw this figure was in 2010.  Han Solo (Echo Base) looks quite similar for the 2019 refresh, and it's repeatedly amazing to me that we got this one nine years ago.  To put that in perspective, that's like if the 1978 Han Solo figure showed up again in 1987 - when Star Wars as dead as Avatar is right now.   The main, big difference is the figure's head.  Harrison Ford's head has always been tough to get right, and they softened his features here with a high-resolution portrait printed on the exact same head sculpt we got before.  As I've been fond of saying, deco matters - the best sculpt in the world lives or dies by the paint masks.  Hasbro nailed it here, giving one of its better Han heads to one of its least essential outifts.  If there's only one Han Solo figure from the original movies to skip, I'd say it was this one - not because it's bad, but because it doesn't have a lot of places to go in your displays or dioramas.

The figure ticks most of the boxes, with a working holster and cool accessories.  The holster is a separate piece, but it's a little big and loose over his waist and leg.   Just sculpting it right to the body generally gives better results, but at least you've going swivel wrists and ball ankles and a bunch of other joints you will most likely never ever use for this figure in this costume.  It's nice to have the options, though.  Han's Hoth jacket is wide open, once again showing a white lining behind the figure.

For variation hunters and those seeking the very best of every possible release, this is a figure you should have already purchased.  If you missed him the first time, you simply must get this better version.   If you're happy with your 2010 Echo Base Han just keep scrolling - you're basically shelling out a 50% premium for an admittedly very good head upgrade.

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

Day 2,590: May 30, 2019