The Set

This is another implementation of Hasbro’s “box-in-a-box” concept where individually carded figures, which are typically sold singly, are packed together inside a larger container.  This is an innovative way to bolster the number of iconic Vintage Collection carded figures.  Nothing looks as good as, or tugs at our heartstrings more than, the inimitable Kenner design.  One somewhat bizarre aspect of the packaging is that the specific product name appears nowhere on the box.  The individual figures are heralded via the starburst callout on the front.  The rest of the text on the package is dedicated to advertising its specialness and figure-full-ness.  As a result, it seems that retailers are left to their own devices as to how to name this set.  At the time of this review, site sponsor Entertainment Earth is naming the set “Skiff Guard Action Figure 3-Pack.”  Meanwhile, Hasbro’s consumer-direct outlet, Hasbro Pulse, is naming the set “Tatooine Skiff Set.”  This inconsistency is fine and is not something I will obsess over.  [YEAH RIGHT!  THIS IS GOING TO KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT!]  Things need names for the naming.  Now fans are going to be calling this set all sorts of different things, and it’s sure to cause fist fights.  I decided to go with the Entertainment Earth name as the primary title of this set because that’s the name that appears to be gaining traction within the community.

Two of the figures in this set are re-issues from Phase I of the 3.75” Black Series line.  This review will focus on the differences from those original releases.  For a more comprehensive examination of each, please consult the original reviews of Vizam and Brock Starsher.  For this review, those original scores have been retained.  The third figure is not only new, but is appearing for the first time ever in action figure form.  When you can say that about an Original Trilogy character after 41 years of Star Wars action figures, it’s a good day.

VC152 - Vedain (Skiff Pilot)

Vedain is the aforementioned all new figure, and we have a problem.  Not with the figure.  With me. I am so thrilled that this figure was made that I’m not sure I can offer you any objectivity here.  I want you to know this going in.  Figures like this are what keep me going.  If the line ever returns to the 2015 - 2018 dark times when we would only get new figures of new media main characters with next to no companion pieces, I will be bidding the hobby adieu.  For the second time recently, I’m going to invoke Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and let Del Griffith explain how I feel about this figure:

The technology implemented for this figure is dated. You won’t find ball-jointed hips or wrists here.  Instead, the older swivel joints are used, but, even though the figure is a “combatant,” that’s okay.  It has enough articulation to strike dynamic poses.  We’ve had figures with better articulation on paper that are less posable.  The figure’s primary job is to pilot the “prisoner skiff” and look good doing it.  But it doesn’t look “good.”  IT LOOKS AMAZING.  The head and hands are reused from the Vizam figure.  That Vizam head looks even more amazing with the darker red paint application and wash.  It’s downright menacing.  The horned hands are probably not accurate to the on-screen Vedain costume, but that hardly matters.  The wash over the “puffy shirt” gives it so much expression.  The upper chest armor and the holster have a lifelike leather pattern to them.  The headdress is a tapestry of five different colors to bring amazing detail.  Every once in a while Hasbro will flex their craftsmanship muscles, and this is one of those times.  I like to picture someone at Hasbro saying, “We’ve got one shot at this, so get it right.”  They did.  10 out of 10.

Post draft update:  I felt the legs on this Vedain figure were reused from an older sculpt, but couldn’t place them.  After the first draft of this review, I consulted Paul Harrison’s review on Jedi Temple Archives.  The legs are reused form the VC107 - Weequay figure. Slacks are slacks, so this doesn’t concern me.  In fact if this type of parts reuse allows Hasbro to bring us more unique characters, I encourage it so long as it doesn’t create gross inconsistencies.  Vedain’s torso is new tooling, and that’s what matters.

VC153 - Vizam

Click HERE for the original review of the TBS P1 #17 figure

Adam Pawlus coined a phrase that we often use here:  “Different enough to make you mad.”  This re-release of the Vizam figure qualifies.  The biggest change is to the padded chest armor and it’s a big little thing.  The base color is a brighter yellow.  I think the weathering effects that are applied on top are done with some of the PhotoReal techniques.  It certainly has the “dot matrix” appearance under magnification.  The original Black Series release used a traditional wash and looks like some random streaks on the armor.  This update is much more lifelike.  This is like an old-timey piece of American Football equipment that could have been worn by the lads in Harvard’s exciting triumph over Yale back in aught eight.  Nineteen aught eight, that is.  I was at that game, so you should never question my opinions on football.

Another change is that the pants are less glossy and thus, also more lifelike.  Finally the shoulder armor on this Vintage Collection release is painted dark yellow with good coverage.  The shoulder armor on the previous release was more beige and the paint looks thinly applied.  Sometimes I can only spot the difference between two releases under close comparison of the two figures.  In this case I could easily tell which release was which in isolation without the benefit of side by side comparison.  Sadly, the mismatched knee and shoulder joints are still present.  The original score of 8 out of 10 is retained even though this figure is slightly better. 

VC154 - Brock Starsher

Click HERE for the original review of the TBS P1 #27 figure

First and foremost, the previous release was anonymous, using the designation “Jabba’s Skiff Guard”, even though it was an established named character at the time of release.  Hasbro fixes that issue here.  Remember when I said things need names for the naming earlier?  This is a good thing.  Thank you, Hasbro.

Next, this one might make you really mad.  It has another big little change.  The neck on the Black Series figure was painted with a greenish gray tint.  It gave the figure an alien-like appearance, but blended heavily with the jump suit.  Now Starsher’s neck is flesh toned, which matches the card art, and it looks much better.  It pops and sets the elements of the sculpt apart.  I like this version much better.  Additionally, the helmet appears glossier this time around.  I am unsure if that is simply due to my 2014 sample fading in the past five years, or a valid improvement.  As with Vizam, the original 8 out of 10 score is retained even though this figure is slightly superior. 

At the time of this review, this Skiff Guard 3-Pack is in stock at site sponsor Entertainment Earth (sponsored link):

Star Wars Vintage Collection Skiff Guard Action Figure Set

Otherwise, hit the Ebay button below: