Except from Wikipedia :
Three years after the destruction of the first Death Star in the battle of Yavin, Han is still with the Rebel Alliance, and serving on the Rebels' base on the frozen planet of Hoth. While out on patrol with Luke, they witness a meteor strike the surface. Han returns to base while Luke decides to investigate. Han informs Leia that he must leave in order to clear his debt with Jabba the Hutt. Before he can depart, it is discovered that Luke has not returned from his investigation. Han rides out alone into the frozen Hoth wastelands, soon finding Luke near death from exposure. Using his friend's lightsaber, Han cuts open his tauntaun, providing Luke warmth while he builds a shelter until they can be rescued the next morning.
Sideshow 1/6 Han Solo in Hoth gear was released in Apr 2015. It was retailing at S$300/-. In 2015, this is quite a huge price tag for a single 1/6 figure. It was released together with Luke Hoth. Together, they will set me back S$600/-. You know, this is one such figure that it is quite a must to have as a pair, as a set, to feel "complete". Simply too rich for me. Let them off the hook eventually.
2 years later (2017), a Carousell seller listed his BNIB Sideshow Exclusive version, with a spare headsculpt, at S$200/- and there wasn't another Luke at that time to put into the mix. Decision was swift. Blue parka version is actually my preference over the brown one. I'd leave that to another day.
Quick Review
DESIGN - 4/5
The design reproduces very closely and accurately to the character in the film. Simply because of this, it deserves high score.
Now the scrutiny on the teeny weeny details :
The Good -
The gloves are comprised of 2 separate piece ie the hand and the cuff. It is probably a norm these days but back in 2015, I believe it is an innovation. Gloves like this are usually molded as a single piece. This new design allows greater articulation hence poseability which is always a plus.
I did not undress the parka but know that behind the parka, there is a fully garbed Han Solo in his blue jacket and white undershirt (one he is on when he fell out from the carbonate block). The layer of clothing enable a "puffy" winter gear look. A plus that Sideshow did not cheap the look by using a fat suit instead.
The Not So Good -
Mainly on the material selection.
- I'd love the winter cap to be fabric instead of molded. Molded one was used probably it also function as a prop up of the parka's hood. But then again, there will also be way for a fabric do the same job.
- Pleather belt. Real leather should be used considering the price point. The pleather is already peeling on my piece very visibly on the blaster holster portion. Will need to get ready to scratch build another when it totally falls apart.
- Strap on the "communicator set" looking really cheap. The least is to hem both the edge along the length.
- Boots preferred to be fabric. Although the rubber used is a soft type, Han has weak ankle joint therefore it cannot make a pose and keep it.
SCULPTING - 3.5/5
On the headsculpt, I am satisfied with how it turn out and the likeness to Harrison Ford is definitely there. For a 7 year old sculpt, and it is not Hot Toys, I think is pretty well done.
There is only one nit picking on the eye sculpt that it seem like constantly in a mild stunned look...
Boots are also sculpted beautifully and is very well done. But it can be differentiated quite easily from a fabric boots. Perhaps the (lack of) paint and weathering is the culprit.
ARTICULATION - 3/5
A Sideshow body is never one that is with high regards. And with the layer of clothing, basically it can only achieve some static poses as seen in these pictures. Nevertheless it has all the fundamental articulations point in place.
Earlier also mentioned the weak ankles also fail to hold a pose position before letting the soft rubber boots wrestle it back onto a boot conformity position.
ACCESSORIES - 5/5
The set came with 3 extra pair of gloved hands (hands only, no cuff), a blaster pistol, a "communicator box", a communicator lodged onto the belt and a monocular. Also a display stand with snow diorama pieces. My Sideshow Exclusive set also came with an additional uncapped Han Solo headsculpt.
Everything is here - except! for a tauntaun. But that is another story altogether.
Everything is here - except! for a tauntaun. But that is another story altogether.
Hot Toys gave us a Hoth Leia in 2018 and I thought they will swiftly follow up with Han and Luke Hoth. 4 years later now in 2022, still nothing. Not even a tease. Pretty safe to say this version from Sideshow is still the most detailed high end 1/6 version out there for adult collectors.
Only Hasbro has done a 1/6 scale Han Hoth before and we all know Hasbro's target customers are the kids.
Personally, this version is still aptly able to stand on it's own in my display shelf. He is that good. And am really glad to have it in my collection.
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