Recently, we reviewed the BD07 Gungan Warrior from the TLC (red) line.  It was important to us to preserve some of the original images in that review because they were provided by our late friend, Mark “SithMan” Grimshaw.  We going to provide another bit of nostalgia here, albeit of a more pleasant variety.  BD1 Han Solo was the first figure gallery we ever posted on Bantha Skull.  The TLC line launched during Midnight Madness in 2008 to coincide with the debut of The Clone Wars, the first major Star Wars media event since the saga was “concluded” 3 years earlier with Revenge of the Sith.  Bantha Skull was only a few months old at the time, and Chris told me I had to buy all of these figures or else he would fire me.  Or maybe it was Dre.  And it might not have been a threat of having my employment terminated.  It may have had something to do with a cactus.  But that’s for another time.  When we started these reviews, we tried to do something a little different to stand out from the crowded field of Star Wars collecting sites.  Besides some standard figure shots, we tried to throw in some comedy.  Let me tell you, it was a HUGE success.  The other sites actually arranged a sit down with us to request that we stop with the comedy shots, since we were going to run them all out of town.  We obliged, in an effort to keep the peace.  That explains why the hilarious feature is no longer a part of our reviews.  Additionally, we often enlisted the aid of some of our forum members to partake in “Roundtable Reviews” so that we could get different perspectives on the figure at hand.  After only a short while, we decided we didn’t like it when people disagreed with us, so the feature was scrapped.  To acknowledge this, our very first gallery and review, we’ve preserved the original photos, as well as the first roundtable review from Mr. Brandon Blue Knight “Brandon” Knight Knight. 

I will mention a couple of things before I turn it over to the 10 years younger Mr. Knight.  This figure is neat for representing Han from the sandstorm deleted scene, but it’s not a particularly good Han Solo figure.  Underneath the accessories is Han as he appeared after being thawed from the carbonate block.  Unfortunately, this figure is a big step backward from TSC 002 version pictured in the lineup shot above.  That figure is probably your best Jabba’s prisoner version of Han Solo.  Chris and I were discussing this recently, and he pointed out that the much more recent and better sculpted TBS (Phase 2) Han Solo is actually specific to The Empire Strikes Back because his shirt is untucked.  Besides escaping from his shackles while in perfect suspended animation, Han also managed to tuck in his shirt.  I guess he was hoping Leia would rescue him, and he wanted to look good.  So this figure has value as the deleted scene figure that it is meant to be, but it isn’t a true “two-fer” like the Lando and Leia sandstorm figures from TVC.  Keep the sandstorm gear on Han here, and leave the skiff to the TSC 002 figure (or better yet, the clean shirt version that came with the TLC Battle at the Sarlacc Ultimate Battle Pack.

You’ll also note that we tried to obsess over the card variants back then.  In the original gallery we have the “First Day of Issue” sticker variant on a black lens stormtrooper cardback as well as the later blue lens variant.  Exciting stuff.

Originally we gave this figure an 8, but time has not been kind.  It now rates a 6/10, and mostly just because of the accessories and source.

Take it away, Mr. “Brandon”...if that’s your real name.

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Roundtable Review:  Blue Knight - (8/11/08)

I also think this was an odd choice of figure from Hasbro. Maybe this was some attempt to reach out to the OT collector base, in an EU fashion, maybe not. Still I think it is a well deserved A for effort to make collectors happy.

The ball joint torso makes the figures chest look huge and puffy compared to previous Solo figures that are based on the same mold. The added articulation is nice, but in this instance it compromises the sculpt integrity, and I would rather have a nice sculpt vs. the added articulation.

The paint applications are nice and authentic looking, so there isn’t much to say about this area. Though a little weathering would have been nice to see, especially since the last version of this type of Han from the ’06 Saga Collection had a brown splotch on his shirt.

The sculpting is nice, but we have seen this before so there is nothing new here. The new torso causes the ball jointed shoulders to protrude out a little too far, and is also oversized for the legs that have been rehashed from the older VOTC versions of Han. The legs in general are slightly narrow, and could have used a re-sculpt. The belt and scarf are excellent additions to the figure and help make up for the oversized torso. Actually, the scarf helps hide some of the bulk from the torso, and this makes the figure more likable overall. This figure also comes with a set of goggles, and they somewhat hide the face which has a better likeness to Harrison Ford. The hair has been sculpted with a wind blown look, and makes the grade in that area.

As stated, the figure does come with a few accessories that help make up for some of the shortcomings in the sculpting. The first is the scarf. It is sculpted to look wind blown, and in general is one of the better plastic clothing accessories I have seen. The goggles fit well on the head, and are painted nicely to allow you to see the figures eyes through them. They are slightly bulky, but that is easily overlooked. And last, a large blaster pistol is included with the figure. I believe this is the same blaster that came with the McQuarrie Chewbacca. This time is its black, and can be fitted into the figure’s belt for easy carry. Nice touch.

I originally was not going top purchase the deleted scene figures, but upon viewing them at Midnight Madness, I couldn’t pass them up. This figure would fit great into a fanfic diorama of the deleted scene, or another diorama concerning the Pit of Carkoon/Sarlacc. Since Hasbro just released the BMF, and is going to release a Sarlacc Battle Pack, this figure should be on your list to get if you are an OT as I am. Overall, the figure is nice, and has a lot of potential. I am pleased.

I give it 8 out of 10 Bantha Skulls

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Build-A-Droid 

Han Solo contains the left leg for the astromech R4-D6, which could be seen rolling in the background of the Yavin Hangar while Luke and Han had their snippy farewell. Source:  A New Hope.

Verdict: Re-sculpt as Han Solo (Jabba’s Prisoner) 

This figure is fine for the deleted scene.  No need to update it.  However, Hasbro should consider giving us a proper update the to the TSC 002 figure mentioned above.  The figure should sport modern articulation, must have the shirt tucked in, and should come with a blaster, skiff pike, and binders.  This figure can be had for well under $20 carded, even with the “1st Day of Issue” bubble sticker. 

Verdict Guide:
Re-sculpt = The figure is not definitive, and a new version should be developed.
Re-issue = This version is definitive (or close enough), and shows sufficient secondary market demand to warrant a straight repack.
No Action = This release does not require new attention.