Dare I say the most solid, awesome wave of 2011? Yes I do.
Here's why...
Bespin Han Solo... First you have your cool anchor, an all-new Bespin Han Solo. Super articulated and FINALLY ditching that damn ball-jointed torso for something much better. Looks like it'll be a good headsculpt though production shots will tell the tale on likeness.
Getting the goggles is a nice plus, however if there's one gripe it's the thigh-strap... Will Hasbro have one sculpted to the holster when the production figure arrives? Right now there's nothing. I'd rather that than the sculpted-on one to the thigh, however I'd most appreciate it attached to the holster. I'm guessing the production figure WILL have it.
Barris Offee... Next you have your Jedi flavor of the month update, and it's a good one. She's been the only arena Jedi besides Pablo Jill that needed a pretty decent upgrade, and they got her just right. Outstanding.
Logray... Now you've got your Ewok update. Hasbro has steadily chipped away at these guys, and we're now getting one that's been almost as long as Wicket between new figures. Teebo needs it more, but I suspect he'll get an update soon enough too.
Captain Fordo... And then you get a clone, because every wave of every year gets a Clone now. But you don't just get some random bull****, oh no. You get the EU Captain Fordo from the ORIGINAL Clone Wars, and you get him with both brain buckets to boot? Why buy one when you can have two at twice the price? He's outstanding, and I love his gear. Can't wait to add my two to the old Clone shelf, which is overflowing at this point.
Bom Vimdin... Now you get your alien freak. Every wave should have one of these guys too. The random sideshow of the Cantina delivers another fantastic collector-figure, and this was my most wanted alien so I'm obviously especially happy to have him.
But...
Rebel Blockade Trooper... Hasbro went pretty above and beyond on this guy, and yes I am accepting full credit for its greatness.
12 or 13 years of incessant bitching since Hasbro never did the original figures justice has finally paid off! I can now basically quit the hobby with some level of peace.
So he sports an EU cap from (I believe) Rebellion (or Empire)? I actually was going to do these myself, now I don't have to! I even had the perfect cap lined up for them from a model kit. Very nice Hasbro. And he also rocks some EU Leg flares? I can't quite place where RFT's wore the leg flares at, but I'm down with getting them for this trooper to wear anyway. The blaster may be new, can't tell, and that's fine. I like blaster upgrades. The helmet looks like a more snug fit. And lastly you get a scanner gun too? Nice. I was hoping for that. The Pike then becomes just gravy. I have about 90 of them but I'll take another dozen.
There are two issues... The vest is non-removable, a step backwards from the last figure, but not one that'll make me care. The extra bits kind of make up for it I think, as they're really unnecessary (well, the hat and leg things are anyway). The other one, and I may just not be seeing it, but where's his holster at? That seemed odd that it's not there. I hope it's included as every Trooper had one on pretty much.
I'm loving this. It's the best wave to me, and the RFT is the cream of this wave IMO, though I know Jeff leans towards old Han.
Thanks for the RFT Hasbro... Now when I review it, don't make me list how hard it is to find, or that it's now up to $10 a figure.
