The Boba Bounty

Earlier this year Hasbro gave a first look at the characters being introduced in Series 2 of Angry Birds Star Wars mystery bags. Each mystery bag includes two miniatures, including characters like Han Solo, Princess Leia and Boba Fett.

Reports came in a few months ago that Series 2 had popped up overseas. These items have finally made their way to the U.S. I’ve been checking the toy aisle at retail stores and finally saw the new mystery bags appear at my local Target.

We’re still waiting for reports on the larger Boba Fett Power Battler, including a Han Solo target, to be spotted at local retail outlets.

Could Han Solo and Boba Fett be named couple of the year for 2013?

A few weeks ago rumors flew around the Internet about spin-off films featuring the smuggler and bounty hunter. Then at last week’s New York City Toy Fair, it was announced an exclusive 6-inch Black Series Boba Fett figure, toting Han Solo in Carbonite, would be available at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con.

(It has been confirmed Han Solo in Carbonite would only be available through the comic con, but it is unclear whether Boba Fett’s figure is also a special offer. Since he’s not been named in the first wave of figures in the new series, I’m leaning toward, yes.)

Hasbro also said it would release Boba Fett’s Slave I, with Han Solo in Carbonite, in traditional scale, as an Amazon.com exclusive this spring. The item is part of Hasbro’s Vintage Collection.

Additionally note, Boba Fett made an appearance in Dark Horse’s “Star Wars: In the Shadow of Yavin” #2, which hinted at future altercations between the smuggler and Fett throughout the story arc. Not to get off topic, but I’m still crossing my fingers the subplot will introduce a fresh angle to the two men’s relationship.

While it’s exciting to see new Boba Fett merchandise hit the shelves, I’m growing tired of how Hasbro executes the release of new figures and ships. Its common knowledge that Boba Fett’s was first offered as a mail-away offer through Kenner, and the controversial “missile firing action” tied to the toy.

If you take an inventory of past Boba Fett figures, quite a few have not been included in the base sets, but instead, have been obtained through special offers. Most often you have to purchase five Star Wars action figures and mail their proof-of-purchases.

Even action figures that aren’t mail-away offers are hard to find. Take for example the “Rise of Boba Fett” battle set, which included a young Boba Fett, Slave I in his father’s color scheme and a number of other figures and a star fighter. This set was an exclusive to Toys ‘R Us and not stocked very deep.

The Villain Set featuring Boba Fett, Snaggletooth and a Tusken Raider was a Target exclusive. There’s only a few recent examples of Fett action figures that have been found at multiple retailers and in decent quantities.

Due to the practice of releasing Boba Fett toys as exclusives or special offers, if you’re a targeted collector, like I am, this results in having to end up paying more in the second market. I hope that in future releases; if Hasbro continues to make it more difficult to grab Boba Fett merchandise they will at least execute their figure design in a new way.

Instead of another repaint of past figures, I want to see new accessories and molds. This is one reason I’m excited about the 6-inch Black Series action figure, and hope it will find its way into retail stores, rather than eBay or swap meets.

Hasbro appears to be putting a lot of effort and thought into the accessories in their 6-inch line. I’ve been musing upon what new weapons; items may be included in the Boba Fett figure. What are you hoping might be included with the 6-inch Boba Fett?

“A bounty hunter never stops for rest, especially while hunting his prize catch. Boba Fett, the galaxy’s most notorious bounty hunter, has been tracking Han Solo for months. Using modified armor and new shape-shifting technology, Fett morphs into Slave I mode and flies to Coruscant, where Solo was last spotted.”

A mash up of two popular franchises, the Hasbro Star Wars Transformers line is fun and unique. What’s brilliant about this toy line is Hasbro’s approach to the series, which is really a “What if…?”

Within the universe of this toy line, Star Wars characters have upgraded their spacecraft to transform into giant robotic battle suits that carry their likeness. Hasbro could have simply created this toy line without an explanation, but I like that they created an engaging back story.  

Boba Fett’s vehicle comes in two modes – the traditional Slave I, which transforms into a battle suit, features rocket firing action. In its battle suit mode, the cannons of the Slave I double as blasters. The transformation steps are simple to learn and blend beautifully together.

I love how the miniature figurine of Boba Fett can be placed in the cockpit, where he sits and controls the battle suit. While in this mode, the arms have a good range of dexterity, but the legs have a limited allowance in how wide you can stance the figure.

The figure has poor balance due to the design of its legs, though. However, the problems that are common place for Transformers toys cannot detract from this toy’s “cool” factor. This mash up allows you to experience the Star Wars Universe in a fresh and new perspective.

“Ten years after the fight to save Naboo from invasion, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi, thousands of solar systems threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic. A courageous Jedi Knight, his impulsive and headstrong apprentice, and a queen-turned-senator are drawn into the conflict… and the beginning of war.”

It’s the synopsis of Episode II, but the real highlight of Attack of the Clones was the appearance and origin story of Boba Fett.

After years of speculation in the Expanded Universe, the film shed light on how Boba Fett was an unaltered clone of notorious bounty hunter Jango Fett. As payment for his genetic code, Boba Fett was an unaltered clone of Jango, who trained under his father until Jango’s demise at the hands of Mace Windu during the Battle of Genosis.

In 2002, Hasbro released the action figures of Jango and Boba Fett. The young Boba Fett came accessorized with his father’s Mandalorian helmet, a jet pack, two blasters, a poncho and acrylic blast effects that can be attached to either his blasters or jet pack.

The Escape from Kamino action figure was the first version of young Boba Fett to reach collectors, but the figure leaves a little to be desired. The sculpting for this series line is a bit crude and waxy and the accessories are odd, since they do not mirror the tools Boba uses in the film during the Kamino scene.

Boba Fett only has four points of articulation and very little detail is applied to the face and body. I’m also frustrated by the fact you must choose between the poncho and jet pack being worn at one time – so if you like to display your figures loose – you must either clutter the area around Boba Fett with the unused accessories or store them elsewhere.

The blast effects sit at odds when displaying as well, due to the limited articulation. On that note, Boba Fett can hold his blasters alright in his right hand, but the left hand keeps a very loose grip around the weapons.

Boba Fett’s first televised appearance was on the Star Wars Holiday Special on Nov. 17, 1978. While the film only aired once and is an infamous sore spot for George Lucas, the one segment to received any sort of praise was an animated story featuring the bounty hunter.

After saving Luke Skywalker from a creature, Boba Fett offers his assistance in helping Skywalker and friends toward finding a talisman – which ends up infecting Han Solo and Skywalker with a sleeping sickness. Boba helps Chewbacca find a cure, but he is secretly gathering information and forwards it to Darth Vader.

The transmission between Boba Fett and Darth Vader is intercepted by R2-D2 and the Rebels are alerted. Boba Fett then escapes, promising they’ll all meet again.

Screen grabs from the Holiday Special are readily available throughout the Internet, which illustrate the vast difference in Boba Fett’s clothing and armor compared to his appearance in The Empire Strikes Back. Instead of the grays and greens, his attire is bright, polished and clean. There are no laser burns or wear and tear. He also carried a two-pronged electropole as his primary weapon.

The action figure released by Hasbro in 2007 as part of its 30th Anniversary Collection pays homage to Boba Fett’s animated debut. This figure stands apart from other Boba Fett toys, and not only because of the electropole. The lack of battle scars on the armor gives the figure a polished appearance similar to Imperial Troopers.

I also like the belt, which has a western gunslinger feel to it. A small blaster fits snugly in the holster and Boba Fett’s jet pack is balanced on his back, not affecting the figure’s balance. These bright colors pull a positive focus in any toy collection and the unique weapons allow different battle scenarios than other Boba Fett figures during playtime.

This action figure also comes with a special Boba Fett collector coin, which can be showcased in your geekcave, or even carried in your pocket to bring you some luck! Overall, this is an engaging addition to the line of Boba Fett figures. Not only is it a fantastic toy, but illustrates the evolution of Boba Fett and his ongoing relationship with Darth Vader.

Add Boba Fett (Animated Debut) to your collection, click here to find sellers.

“During his Jedi training, Luke has a vision that his friends are in danger. He rushes to Bespin to rescue Han and Leia, where he encounters Darth Vader and the bounty hunter Boba Fett. The Sith Lord’s plan has worked: he has lured Skywalker to the planet and intends to deliver him to the Emperor. While Fett collects his long-sought quarry, Luke battles Vader in a menacing Lightsaber duel.”

Hasbro released the Bespin Battle pack in 2012 and is part of its Movie Heroes line. The set includes figures of Boba Fett, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. It also comes with three bases, game cards and a die to play the Galactic Battle Game.

The above quotation came from the set’s packaging, which is beautifully illustrated. The back of the box depicts the fantasy battle in action, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker exchange Lightsaber strikes, and in the background, watching from the stairs, is Boba Fett – as Han Solo is carted away in his carbonite prison.

The Boba Fett figure is accessorized with a jet pack and cape, which plug into his back. He’s armed with a large blaster rifle and a smaller blaster that fits nicely into a side holster. Another item of note is the figure stands a lot taller than other Fett toys and is much bulkier as well.

This figure has a clean paint job and does not feature the vintage appearance of recent figures. His armor looks new and unscathed. I’d recommend this figure for younger collectors, because it’s durable, making it ideal for frequent play.

He can also be articulated into a number of poses, making the figure enjoyable for both younger and older collectors. The style of the Movie Heroes line has a similar style to the Power of the Force 2 line. I wonder where Hasbro will go with future collections, whether it will keep future figures in this style or return to the look of its Vintage Collection or Clone Wars toys.

Add this battle pack to your collection, click here to find sellers.

Hasbro released an exclusive Villain Set to its Star Wars Vintage Collection this past July, which included figures of a Tusken Raider, Snaggletooth and Boba Fett. This combo pack is only found at Target and appears to be pulled straight from a time capsule.

This is the first representation of Boba Fett from A New Hope. While his scenes were cut from the original film, George Lucas inserted Fett into the Special Edition. However, the figure is a repaint of an Empire Strikes Back figure.  

Everything about the box is reminiscent of Greg and Tim Hildebrandt’s original poster art, from its typography to style and color tones.

This version of Boba Fett is slim and the paint job artificially ages the figure. The chest armor and helmet appears faded, but not in a manner that detracts from its aesthetic value. His accessories include a jet pack, blaster and blaster rifle.

Boba Fett’s blaster fits perfectly into a permanently attached holster, but the jet pack plugs loosely into his back. Therefore, the jet pack stays on when posed in a collection, but will fall off often when maneuvered around.

My favorite feature is the removable helmet, revealing the scarred face of Boba Fett underneath. The helmet also fits tightly around Fett’s head.

There’s one thing that confuses me, though. I think Hasbro could have released this set as a bounty hunter pack, instead of sticking Boba Fett with sand people and Snaggletooth. There’s no shortage of bounty hunters in the Star Wars universe they could have chosen from. 

Add this set to your own collection, click here to find sellers.