Something I liked during vintage time was the eyes paintjob, we could feel as this toy was the closest reprensentation of a black guy. Now, I realise bespin guards were the slimmers on the mold, perhaps their head a bit wide for their shoulders, but looking slim gave them elegance.
In the tlc black guard, Hasbro should have painted the borders of the cuffs: gold or black to match the movie, and to compensate the paintjob on the alien character.
But Hasbro is evolving the line, without doubt, and as said lines below Merril could be the white incarnation of the black guy.
In that case, Hasbro needs to keep an eye on paint job to please collectors.