Archives: Han Solo

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Rebel Suits Redux.

Rebel Suits Redux. (Vintage Han Solo Bespin Outfit, Vintage Luke Skywalker Bespin Fatigues)

Rebel Suits Redux. (Vintage Han Solo Bespin Outfit, Vintage Luke Skywalker Bespin Fatigues)

The Bespin Luke Skywalker was probably the last action figure acquired for my childhood collection that I was really nuts about. The Bespin Han Solo clearly wasn’t bad, but he just couldn’t compete with the be-hooded Han Solo (Hoth Battle Gear) which was many times more awesome.

Puzzle #01: Here’s a challenge for all you super-sleuths. Can you identify exactly what these two are standing in front of? I’ll give you a clue: it was made by Kenner between 1977 and 1985. I will send a rad Star Wars toy to the first person to post the correct answer in the comments.

Those of you keeping score will already know that this photo is the re-think of an earlier shot that to me has always felt a little bit below-grade.

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Koona Chuta, Solo?

Koona Chuta, Solo? (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Greedo)

Koona Chuta, Solo? (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Greedo)

It wouldn’t take much to convince me that Han Solo rates best-in-class among the original 12 Star Wars action figures. Kenner succeeded on so many levels here. Dashing good looks. A blaster arm bent for quick draw in a duel. Excellent detail in both sculpt and paint from head to toe.

At least that’s the way it began.

By the time Empire Strikes Back was released, (and for reasons that utterly escape me) Kenner scrapped the original sculpt you see here and revised smuggler Han Solo with a strange, disproportionately large, not-altogether-flattering new head.

Hey, living with a bounty on your head is tough enough. But to wake up one day completely disfigured? It’s just too much to bare.

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On Endor Redux.

On Endor Redux. (Vintage Han Solo (in Trench Coat), Vintage Princess Leia Organa (in Combat Poncho))

On Endor Redux. (Vintage Han Solo (in Trench Coat), Vintage Princess Leia Organa (in Combat Poncho))


This is a satisfying re-shoot of a recent and badly rushed attempt to capture the vintage Endor Han and Leia action figures doing their thing. Phew! I feel much better now.

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The Captive.

The Captive. (Saga AT-AT Driver, Saga Han Solo (Hoth Rescue))

The Captive. (Saga AT-AT Driver, Saga Han Solo (Hoth Rescue))


Ever on the run, the rebel band in the Star Wars trilogy typically went with a blast and scamper approach to confronting the enemy. But what if they’d had a strict policy of taking prisoners of war? Total drag!

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Pilots.

Pilots. (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Bespin Security Guards, Vintage General Lando Calrissian)

Pilots. (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Bespin Security Guards, Vintage General Lando Calrissian)

Well what do we have we here? Looks like Lando Calrissian in shades of pink and lavender!

Say what you will about the color palate. When Kenner released the excellent General Lando Calrissian action figure in 1985, all crimes related to 1980’s not-altogether-awesome Lando action figure were instantly forgiven.

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Uncut, Scene 194.

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 194. (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Greedo)

Star Wars Uncut, Scene 194. (Vintage Han Solo, Vintage Greedo)

With Scene 194 in the can, the micro-trilogy of my Star Wars Uncut scenes is now complete! Han Solo and Greedo hammer it out right here. Unlike Scene 18 and Scene 323, this one didn’t have a lot of motion to conquer. Just two dudes talking. So I found myself with time and energy to add some extra flavor by way of a guest appearance as well as a more tricked-out sound design than the previous efforts.

[ If you like what you see don’t be shy about giving the videos a “like” tag on the Vimeo page. Inclusion in the Star Wars Uncut project is vote-based, so the more “likes” I have on each video, the better chance they’ll make it into the final cut. Thanks, and enjoy! ]

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Mos Eisley Three.

Mos

Mos Eisley Three. (Vintage Obi Wan Kenobi, Vintage Chewbacca, Vintage Han Solo)

In early 1978 a dozen Star Wars action figures standing at a mighty 3.75″ hit suburban malls across the United States. These three — Ben (Obi Wan) Kenobi, Chewbacca, and Han Solo — were among that posse that led the way. Mind you I was only 7 years old at the time. Still, when I first caught wind of these little guys it felt like 40 years lost in the desert had finally come to an end. Salvation had arrived at $1.99 a pop.

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