Vintage Collection
Bo-Katan Kryze
Hello? Is this thing on?
It’s been a while, but I’m happy to take my first pictures for a Bantha Skull TVC gallery in what seems like forever. Thirteen months and 2500 miles ago I last took photos in the basement of my house in NJ. But after my wife and I abruptly upended our lives and moved to the surface of the sun, my collection was in storage (again) before we finally recently moved into our new home. So while my partner in crime is undergoing his own hiatus from photography, I am able to step in (a bit) and resume these reviews. I’m not quite at full capacity, as my collection is not yet on full display in my own man caves (yes, that’s plural!), but the NomadStudio is at least operational.
So you didn’t come here to read ramblings of my own personal situation. You came here to be entertained. But instead, I’ll give you this Bo-Katan figure review as a consolation prize.
VC226, as you probably know by now, is a spectacular figure. The most important aspect of Hasbro’s effort here is that we get the often requested, but all-to-rare, swappable heads (instead of the usually clumsy removable helmet). Each head is of the double-barbell variety, and easily pops off to exchange with the other. The helmet is fantastically painted, with the owl-inspired artwork on the faceplate. The range finder is not articulated, but that’s a minor gripe. The Katie Sackhoff head is nothing short of spectacular. It’s one of Hasbro’s best. The sculpt, the hair, the paint, and the PhotoReal face are all amazing. Whether you choose to display the figure holding the helmet, or wearing it, it’s going to look great on your shelf.
The body is an all new sculpt, and also doesn’t disappoint. Despite the slender frame, the figure is highly posable, with 16 POA (Head, waist, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, thighs, knees, and ankles.). But those POA are all of the top-of-the-line JLA (Jedi-Level Articulation) that we would want from a Mandalorian warrior, to include the double jointed neck, ball jointed waist, and rocker ankles. Also, the hips appear to be a bit of an evolutionary step in TVC, with a kind of barbell/socket joint rather than the double swivel that we are used to. It seems to improve the ease of movement, with less of a feeling of possible breakage when trying to engage. Additionally, and I can’t absolutely confirm this, but I feel that the plastic is a bit sturdier and less bendy than in most recent figures, which makes posing the figure a lot easier and gives it a less cheap feel.
The paint operations are solid, and along with the Nite Owl tampos on each shoulder, there’s some nice weathering around the helmet and chest plate. Beyond the swappable heads, Bo-Katan comes with a removable jet pack, as well as a pair of pistols which fit nicely in her hands as well as the holsters.
The nitpicks that prevent this figure from getting a perfect 10 are the lack of an articulated rangefinder, no flames for the jetpack, and the lack of an option for a gauntlet knife and/or rope claw. I assume the inclusion of such items would push this figure into $20+ deluxe territory.
It’s early in the 2022 lineup, but Bo-Katan has help to set a high bar for TVC. Swappable heads, amazing PhotoReal, seemingly better plastic, and improved hip joints continue to push the 3.75” figure envelope. While we all wish Hasbro would give us MORE figures and toys, it’s hard to argue that what we are getting isn’t incredible.