Recent Star Wars Figures Help Request: The Best Ones????

[huedell]

WALRUS MAN (aka PONDA BABA): The nicest verson is still the POTF II sculpt
(which still holds up in my view). But Hasbro is likely to update him soon so stay tuned...

And hopefully a new Dr. Evazan---c'mon that guy is GREAT! He deserves an updated figure!

Another great post man! Those are some great character choices you picked to discuss.

[huedell]

p.s. I love that name "Zutton"

"When E. F. Zutton talks, Greedo listens"

[rche]

Hiya again Huedell,

The Darklord has a great point about the newest ball and joint sockets for characters heads. While Hasbro has given us TONS of articulation in these little boogers, the neck joint does tend to make many of the Human hero characters look a little awkward due to the cuts required to give some articulation. The VOTC Han is the first character I noticed with this issue. BUT. If you are not a customizer, or even a kitbash type of person, they are still pretty amazing.

There are also quite a few items out there that were never released by Kenner that are great figures, or have pretty cool pack ins. The whole McQuarrie signature thing they did last year was pretty fun, Biggs in his Tatoonie clothes and pilot gear were there, the torture rack Han is a hefty piece of plastic, The battle damage Vader that was in support of the Force Unleashed game is one of my favorite Vaders to see and to see folks customize. Lots of cool things in that universe. I know Hasbro called the Vader in his meditation chamber thingy the 500th figure and there have been many more since then, so you really have hundreds of items to choose from when you look at this series.

One thing you haven't told us is what you are looking to do in your collection. I gave an eyeball of an echo of the first 12 Kenner figs as done in modern times. The Darklord, with his amazing eye for detail, has some excellent bashes and customs that illustrate just how good Hasbro is doing with this scale; but... what is your angle/focus for the SW universe?

have a good time,
rche

[darklord1967]

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK MAIN AND SUPPORTING CHARACTERS


LUKE SKYWALKER: HOTH PATROL: So far the best version has been the SAGA Luke Hoth. Not Super-articulated, but nice. Naturally, Hasbro decided to go with pre-posed "funky chicken" legs and a scene-specific face sculpt (with Wampa wounds) . Oh, boy... Why, Hasbro? Why?

I did some surgery on the legs to at least straighten them, and replaced the face sculpt (inside the snow hood) once again with the POTJ (25th Anniversarry "Swing To Freedom") Luke. Here he is:





Note: This figure has been updated with Super Articulation since this photo was taken (knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, shoulders). There is no real disernable difference in the anatomical proportions or overall sculpt when compared to this version.


HAN SOLO: Bespin Outfit So far, Hasbro's BEST version has been the overly pre-posed Power Of The Jedi "Bespin Capture" Han.

Last year's "anorexic" Bespin Han dipped in laquer for added gloss that came wit the torture rack doesn't even count.


I made this custom Han some time ago, but I have since updated him into an SA figure (no photo available). This is the ONLY Han Solo head / face sculpt Hasbro has made that I can stomach: POTJ "Death Star Escape" Han. I use him on ALL of my custom Hans.



I completely Dremelled-out a vintage Kenner Han jacket to give the figure a more modern look.



PRINCESS LEIA: Hoth Outfit: Still waiting for a nice one. POTF II version not good. Too tall, and strangely preposed.



PRINCESS LEIA: BESPIN GOWN: Sill waiting for a nice one. POTFII version (Princess Leia Collection) not good. Too tall. Strangely posed. Simian Beast-oid face sculpt. On the up-side: Nice attempt on the soft-goods skirt and cloak. OTC version was Hasbro's second try. She was even worse: Salt-shaker with swiveling arms and head. Complete crap. Try again Hasbro... and hurry.


LUKE SKYWALKER: DAGOBAH TRAINING: Oooh... nice try Hasbro (2004's OTC version)! Personally, I dislike the scene-specific face sculpt(s) (2 of them), and the arms SCREAM for Super articulation.

I cranked one out to my liking:





LUKE SKYWALKER: BESPIN FATIGUES: Most folks like last year's TAC Vintage Bespin Luke best. I suppose he is the best due to the awesome articulation and all.

But I found him too tall, with overly bulky articulation points, and a F-UGLY face sculpt.

A year or two before, I had aleady made THIS guy. Now I've added the additional articulation points for a figure I'm reasonbly pleased with.






BOSSK: Can't go wrong with TAC Vintage version. Perfect figure.

DENGAR: SAGA I version is nice. REALLY nice! A bit more articulation would make him better.

IG-88: Can't go wrong with TAC Vintage version. Perfect figure.

4-LOM (Bug eyed DROID, NOT the short dude): TAC version is quite good (best, actually), but articulation points could have been hidden a little better. Not too sure about ball-jointed neck either. Why Hasbro?

ZUCKUSS: So far, the best version is POTF II. Although I have a special place in my heart for the Vintage Kenner version (incorrectly named "4-LOM"). I love his vinyl overcoat. Hasbro's got a new one in the works. Let's see what they come up with...


IMPERIAL COMMANDERS


ADMIRAL PIETT: POTF II has been the ONLY version so far. Not so good, but NICE head sculpt. I put the noggin on a SAGA I Admiral Ozzel body for a figure I was happy with.






GENERAL MAXIMILLIAN VEERS: AT-AT COMMANDER: "Maxie" to his friends. The only version worth mentioning has been the SAGA II atrocity from 2006 that looked like Quentin Tarantino, had NO removable Imperial officer's cap, came with a warped battle helmet made of chewing gum, and featured AT-AT command battle armor that only sported the front half. Are you friggin' kidding me????

I made my own.

[darklord1967]

And hopefully a new Dr. Evazan---c'mon that guy is GREAT! He deserves an updated figure!

Oh undoubtedly! I still REFUSE to consider the DR. Evizan that I own to be the "official" one for my collection. I'm just waiting to see what Hasbro comes up with.

Another great post man! Those are some great character choices you picked to discuss.

Thanks, good buddy. I try...

[huedell]

Hiya again Huedell,

The Darklord has a great point about the newest ball and joint sockets for characters heads. While Hasbro has given us TONS of articulation in these little boogers, the neck joint does tend to make many of the Human hero characters look a little awkward due to the cuts required to give some articulation. The VOTC Han is the first character I noticed with this issue. BUT. If you are not a customizer, or even a kitbash type of person, they are still pretty amazing.

There are also quite a few items out there that were never released by Kenner that are great figures, or have pretty cool pack ins. The whole McQuarrie signature thing they did last year was pretty fun, Biggs in his Tatoonie clothes and pilot gear were there, the torture rack Han is a hefty piece of plastic, The battle damage Vader that was in support of the Force Unleashed game is one of my favorite Vaders to see and to see folks customize. Lots of cool things in that universe. I know Hasbro called the Vader in his meditation chamber thingy the 500th figure and there have been many more since then, so you really have hundreds of items to choose from when you look at this series.

One thing you haven't told us is what you are looking to do in your collection. I gave an eyeball of an echo of the first 12 Kenner figs as done in modern times. The Darklord, with his amazing eye for detail, has some excellent bashes and customs that illustrate just how good Hasbro is doing with this scale; but... what is your angle/focus for the SW universe?

have a good time,
rche

Thank you for the great posts and sincere question.

My angle/focus is simply to have a compact collection of loose figures.

One of the two most important things to me in this collection is to
have characters that are favorite characters from the movies....not just
buying all characters/versions to be a completist like I used to.

Right now between grayhank and Speed and other orders I've made,
my "shortlist" that remains is:
BESPIN LEIA, BESPIN GUARD, HAN CARBONITE
LEIA BOUSHH, OOLA/SALACIOUS CRUMB, BIB FORTUNA
JABBA GLOB, LANDO SKIFF GUARD, CHEWBACCA, C-3PO
R2-D2, JEDI LUKE, BESPIN LUKE, OZZEL, PIETT, TARKIN, MOTTI,
SNOW TROOPER, CLOUD CAR PILOT, DENGAR and IG-88

The second most important thing to me is articulation. It makes it that
much more fun to pose the figures if they are better articulated.

That shortlist above can change quite a bit I'm betting

I think about something like that HOTH LUKE/WAMPA/TAUNTAUN
BATTLE PACK---and well, that's hard to pass up.

A few things like the JABBA GLOB and OOLA figures---well, I have them but
they are packed away far away from here---so I guess I'll have to rebuy
them. (They didn't make a new OOLA did they?) They made a YARNA too---
she's tempting to add to my collection sooner than later as is HERMI ODLE.

I know it seems silly to think I'll be able to mantain a "small(er) collection"
but I'm sure as heck gonna try.

If you're wondering what has "awoken the monster" after
ten years of NOT collecting this line---simply---it was
the new INDIANA JONES line that has gotten me excited about this
scale all over again.

[huedell]

BOSSK: Can't go wrong with TAC Vintage version. Perfect figure.

I just bought the 'SAGA" one on an impulse buy---am I gonna have to ditch it...
or is it related to the TAC one?

[darklord1967]

I just bought the 'SAGA" one on an impulse buy---am I gonna have to ditch it...
or is it related to the TAC one?

Nope the Saga version is a different figure. I hate to say it, but you're gonna kick yourself when you see the TAC "vintage" version. An unbelieveably perfect figure that puts the earlier SAGA version to shame.

[rche]

as for bossk:

Here is a link to the scum picture archives
http://www.rebelscum.com/TAC/VTSCbosskcomp.jpg

the latest one was the "vintage" version for 2007. More ball joints and articulation. Thus more posability. The earlier Saga version was a very good likeness, with cut joint elbows and posed legs.

It looks to me that you are an original trilogy fan, with a laundry list of main characters you are interested in. As I stated earlier, there are a ton of 'em out there so you should be able to find things that make you happy.

This year Hasbro seems to be focusing on the tv series/movie Clone Wars thing and the OT has gone somewhat to the backburner. That should give you some leeway to catch up. It sounds like you have some research into what is around or coming up. The Yarna will be here this year. The Hermi is an outstanding creation. Looks nice next to an Ephont Mon as well if you are planning on getting a Jabba glob for a throne room display.

If you have never been there, check out the folks at Rebelscum. They have a pretty good picture archive if you want a reference to what is out there and when it was made.

as always - have a good time
rche

[huedell]

Thanks rche---after seeing that pic maybe I can justify having the "okay" version
of BOSSK----probably shouldn'ta jumped the gun there!

I'm embarassed--I think EPHANT MON is the one I actually want---altho' the HERMI ODLE
does indeed sound like a great companion piece (at this rate next thing ya know I'll be
jonesin' for a SQUIDHEAD----jeez!)

I didn't research on the YARNA although I have heard about her appearance in the line
for YEARS---I thought she was out already!

You indeed have me "pegged" pretty well---even in spite of my mediocre explanation
skills

Thanks for adding to the fun and accumalated wisdom of this thread.

[huedell]

Nope the Saga version is a different figure. I hate to say it, but you're gonna kick yourself when you see the TAC "vintage" version. An unbelieveably perfect figure that puts the earlier SAGA version to shame.

and THAT'S the figure I spent the most money on too---go figure!
(It was a BRian's Toys purchase and was the only one I bought in
relatively high grade---the others were loose or heavily damaged cards)

[darklord1967]

Right now between grayhank and Speed and other orders I've made,
my "shortlist" that remains is:
BESPIN LEIA, BESPIN GUARD, HAN CARBONITE
LEIA BOUSHH, OOLA/SALACIOUS CRUMB, BIB FORTUNA
JABBA GLOB, LANDO SKIFF GUARD, CHEWBACCA, C-3PO
R2-D2, JEDI LUKE, BESPIN LUKE, OZZEL, PIETT, TARKIN, MOTTI,
SNOW TROOPER, CLOUD CAR PILOT, DENGAR and IG-88

The second most important thing to me is articulation. It makes it that
much more fun to pose the figures if they are better articulated.

That shortlist above can change quite a bit I'm betting

I think about something like that HOTH LUKE/WAMPA/TAUNTAUN
BATTLE PACK---and well, that's hard to pass up.

A few things like the JABBA GLOB and OOLA figures---well, I have them but
they are packed away far away from here---so I guess I'll have to rebuy
them. (They didn't make a new OOLA did they?) They made a YARNA too---

My Recommendations:



BESPIN LEIA: Two existing Hasbro versions stink. You'll be sorry if you get either one. Wait a while. Hasbro HAS to be making a better version relatively soon. And you deserve better than a beast-oid monkey-face Bespin Gown Leia (POTF II) or a friggin' salt-shaker with swivel arms and swivel head (OTC).


BESPIN GUARD: Only the Power of the Jedi version was decent. But he is too pre-posed by today's SA standards. And he is a bit informal (Re: uniform tunic is open). Wait a bit. Hasbro will likely provide a formally dressed Bespin guard (possibly in multi-racial variants like the SAGA Endor Rebel Trooper).

HAN CARBONITE: Go with SAGA "Pit of Carkoon" Han. He's not SA, but he's quite good looking, and the (thawing) Carbonite block rocks.


LEIA BOUSHH: Hoo boy... The SAGA II Leia Boushh is the most accurate one out there (in terms of scale with other characters and detail. But man-oh-man does that face sculpt suck! Do yourself a favor: Replace her head with the Power of the Jedi "Bespin Escape" Leia. The likeness is better, and you won't have to do much to make the hair appropriate.

OOLA: Nothng else exisits currently other than the POTF II version. An excellent figure. But my suggestion is to wait. The greatest liklihood is that Hasbro will produce an SA version down the road since she is a dancer.

SALACIOUS CRUMB The TAC Salacious that came with C-3PO is the best one so far. His arms are actually articulated. Nice.

BIB FORTUNA: We STILL don't have a decent Bib, in my view. The POTF II version was overly chubby and had a weird look to his face. The SAGA II version from 2006 was a damned salt-shaker with a ball-jointed head and swivel-cut elbows (not even shoulder articulation). Just an awful figure (although admittedly, he LOOKS better that POTF II version. My suggestion is to wait. Hasbro will most certainly provide a nicer one in the future.


JABBA GLOB: Ummm... Naaah. Look, Jabba glob was a silly gimmik from the Episode I days. It's not a particularly strong sculpt of Jabba (he appears to have the breasts of a woman, rather than simple rolls of fat, for pete sakes!!), and his articulation is minimal even when compared to the vintage Kenner version (NO moving tail).

I suggest you hold off. Hasbro has been saying for the last 2 years that they are looking at producing a really accurate Jabba figure, possibly molded in the same rubbery "real-feel" skin that the POTF II Rancor monster was made with back in '98. If THAT comes out, you'll be glad you didn't buy this Jabba glob nonsense. About the ONLY thing worth having from the Jabba glob pack are the greasy little frogs that it comes with for Jabba to eat.

LANDO SKIFF GUARD SAGA I Lando Skiff is VERY, VERY nice! His staff and helmet are made of rubbery chewing gum, he is not SA, the Billy Dee likeness is way off, and he's a tad pea-headed. BUT he is a BEAUTIFUL body sculpt.

A GREAT starting point for making your own nice Skiff Guard Lando.

Now to "fix" him:

You might want to consider swapping in the Power of the Jedi Lando Calrissian head sculpt (perfect likeness in my view). The POTJ head is a tad larger than the Skiff Guard figure's original head (as it should be). Consequently, You'll have to make a better-fitting helmet. Believe it or not, the POTF II Skiff Lando helmet is the perfect solution. It fits just fine on the POTJ Lando head. Slice out the face webbing with an X-acto blade, and replace it with the (more detailed) face webbing from the newer SAGA I figure. I think you'll be pretty happy.




CHEWBACCA You like the look of Chewie from A NEW HOPE or EMPIRE (with the combed back hair)? Go with the "Early bird" Chewie. Or if you are going to buy the upcoming BIG Millennium Falcon, he's included with that anyway.

You say you prefer the look of Chewie with his RETURN OF THE JEDI hairstyle (overhanging bangs)? Then snatch up 2004's Vintage OTC Chewie.

Or maybe you want "injured" Chewie with his bandaged leg (I hear you saying "Huh??? Bandaged Leg????") This is Chewie after the battle at the Pit of Carkoon where his leg was injured. In the subsequent (deleted) "Sandstrom" sequence (where our heroes trudge back to their waiting ships parked in the desert) Chewie was hobbling about with a torniquette around his leg. Anyhow, THAT version of Chewie will be out very shortly as the Legacy Collection hits this summer.

All of these figures are based off of the same EXCELLENT VOTC body sculpt with TREMENDOUS articulation.

C-3PO: Many will disagree with me, but I say go with the Revenge Of The Sith Threepio. To my eyes, he is the most accurate-looking, and the best proportioned Threepio to date. If you really want the bending knees from the later SAGA II version, it shouldn't be too difficult to perform the surgery on the earlier ROTS Threepio to give him the working knees.

I honestly am not sure that it's worth the trouble, though, what with the later Threepio having mis-matched legs length.


R2-D2: Wait for the upcoming nice one. The various electronic "beeping" R2s are very cute. The VOTC "stocky" R2 with his (incorrect) chrome dome just doesn't cut it. Do yourself a favor... wait. The virtually PEREFCT sculpt already exists. Hasbro has released it already. They just have to paint him up as Artoo. And they will soon!


JEDI LUKE: The SAGA I Jedi Luke (2003) (with sculpted vest) has the best torso. But he's pea-headed, he's got crappy flimsy legs, his articulation could be better, and he has a horridly crappy soft goods hood and cape.

The TAC Jedi Luke (2007) Has much better legs and articulation, but the poofy soft-goods vest is an atrocity. And There is NO hooded cape.

Honestly, I've lost all faith in Hasbro every making a good Jedi Luke. Since Power of the Force II They have tried this figure so many times, I've lost count!

Frankly, I just got tired of waiting and made my own figure taking the best aspects from the two most recent Jedi Lukes. I added my favorite Luke head sculpt (POTJ 25 Anniversarry "Swing to Freedom"). And I dressed him with a Darth Maul hood and robe (tailored into a cape). VERY nice fine fabric. I advise the same. I don't think Hasbro is every gonna nail him.





LUKE SKYWALKER: BESPIN FATIGUES: Most folks like last year's TAC Vintage Bespin Luke best. I suppose he is the best due to the awesome articulation and all.

But I found him too tall, with overly bulky articulation points, and a F-UGLY face sculpt.

A year or two before, I had aleady made THIS guy. Now I've added the additional articulation points for a figure I'm reasonbly pleased with.

Try it, you'll like it.






OZZEL: The first decent sculpt of an Imperial officer body. Too bad about the swivel cut elbows. But still a very good figure in my view. grab him up. You won't be sorry. And grab yourself a few of them, because you'll need them for...



PIETT, TARKIN, MOTTI For these Imperial officers, just re-use the Ozzel bodies and make your own. These guys have only existed as POTF II versions and they're not very good. But their head sculpts are pretty spiffy, and they all look good mounted on Ozzel bodies:




















SNOWTROOPER: Run (don't walk) toward your nearest TAC "Vintage" Collection Snowtrooper and buy it. Perfect figure. My army of these guys is currently at 117 and counting. I LOVE him, LOVE him, LOVE HIM!!!!


CLOUD CAR PILOT OTC version is the only version in the modern Hasbro line, and he is GOOD! Removable helmet, bending knees, and the same accessories as the Vintage Kenner pilot. Nice! Snatch him up. You'll be glad you did.


DENGAR: SAGA I version is the best. Could have had some more articulation, but he is quite nice nonetheless: Great sculpt, great paint and deco, revovable back pack. Nicely done Hasbro.


IG-88: Why search any further after seeing last year's PHENOMENAL TAC "Vintage" Collection Iggy? The folks at Hasbro don't fool me! They took the original Lucasfilm IG-88 droid prop, zapped it with a shrinking ray, and mass produced the result!

AWESOME articulation. Separate bandoldier, amazing weapons. Not to be missed!

WARNING: This figure can be a bit fragile, so be gentle while handling him. Just stroke him. Cherish him. Love him.



HOTH LUKE/WAMPA/TAUNTAUN BATTLE PACK: If you do not already own the Tauntaun and the Wampa, this is a great opportunity to grab BOTH in one fell swoop.

However, the Luke Hoth figure is likely to become obsolete in the next year or two as Hasbro gears up to release an SA version.

[huedell]

More great stuff Darklord---I'm sure I'll comment more later---
for now I'll say thank sfor helping prioritize which ones are the "no brainers"
to pick up IG-88 TAC, "the other BOSSK", SNOWTROOPER TAC, CC PILOT,
and CHEWBACCA EARLY BIRD are on my short list.

I hope they make that new JABBA---it would encourage me to get more JABBA's
Palace characters in my collection. I'm not an Ewok-hater---but I find that
the Ewok material itself kinda slows down ROTJ----but the EMPEROR and
especially the JABBA stuff ensure that I love that movie. I've always been intrigued
with Jabba and his "Court"----so maybe I'll wait a few months to start digging into
that crew. If I can't wait any longer I'll have to pick up that HERMI and EPHANT---
they'd be great to finally own!

[grayhank]

Deleted

[huedell]

Thanks for posting that pic grayhank---if enough time goes by---I'm on that puppy!