Actually I like the ball/socket joints Hasbro is using.
They make for a more natural looking pose if you're wanting the head tilted I think... Much more versatile, and definitely simpler than injection-molded ball/socket joints like Dutch Vander's. I don't think they all look bad, and actually I think very few have had an awkward look to them really. Usually I blame that on sculpt more than design. VTSC Han was I believe more odd due to the head's excessive shrinkage, more than anything.
His articulation at the torso was a little overdone too, but I think the rest of the figure is pretty decent and iwth the vest on he's quite nice. Take the arms/legs and sculpt up a new torso, and I'd be pretty happy I think.
The headball seems like it would make work easier for us customizers, but I just don't like 'em on nonmasked humans. It's not just Han, General Veers is another example of a bad head ball. He looks like he's doing a giraffe impersonation. When it comes to the VTSC Endor Han I could go on and on about how bad it was. (I'm a Han freak and I love to share my opinion). The vintage ROTJ Han was one of my favorite figures as a child so I had been waiting on a great looking ROTJ Han since POTF2 started up in '95. Hasbro has not produced one that I am happy with, which led me to customizing. I have a bigger problem with the articulation across the chest than the headball joints. Anyway, that's just my lil' opinion. (Oh and I definietly agree with you about the Rebel Trooper!)
