From inside the box :
A tall, pale-skinned humanoid, with distinctive, curling lekku and pulpy chin roll, Bib Fortuna is the very epitome of male Twi'lek glamour. But, in truth, beneath the pallid complexion and behind the soulless, pink eyes beats the limp heart of a cowardly Hutt lackey.Though he exalts in the respect and obedience his station, as major-domo to one of the Outer Rim's most feared crime lords, demand from those around him, Bib knows he is really little more than an errand boy and vassel for the will of his bloated master.
Under Jabba the Hutt's direction, the Twi'lek lieutenant orchastrates shady deals and illicit substances and contraband. At his master's bidding, he trades in slaves of his own kind, purveying and exhibiting their bodies for Jabba's amusement and that of his sycophantic guests. Little of the wealth and power that passes through Bib's clawed hands ever remains his own to keep. Even the act of ambitious treachery that elevated him to the position of Hutt's second were merely blind plays, made by a weak-willed man, caught in the tide of the criminal underworld and trying to stay afloat. The Twi'lek even fancies that he might one day overthrow the slug in some kind of glorious mutiny, seizing Jabba's assets as his own, but if he were truly capable of such steely initiative, it would have happened long ago.
Now it is too late, for with the arrival in Jabba's desert palace of two droids, gift of the self proclaimed Jedi Skywalker, the dice are tossed in a game of fate far bolder than Bib could have conceived. Time has run out for Jabba and his criminal empire, and his act of self-aggrandizing debauchery will finally swallow him and those who serve him too, for the Jedi are returned.
Under Jabba the Hutt's direction, the Twi'lek lieutenant orchastrates shady deals and illicit substances and contraband. At his master's bidding, he trades in slaves of his own kind, purveying and exhibiting their bodies for Jabba's amusement and that of his sycophantic guests. Little of the wealth and power that passes through Bib's clawed hands ever remains his own to keep. Even the act of ambitious treachery that elevated him to the position of Hutt's second were merely blind plays, made by a weak-willed man, caught in the tide of the criminal underworld and trying to stay afloat. The Twi'lek even fancies that he might one day overthrow the slug in some kind of glorious mutiny, seizing Jabba's assets as his own, but if he were truly capable of such steely initiative, it would have happened long ago.
Now it is too late, for with the arrival in Jabba's desert palace of two droids, gift of the self proclaimed Jedi Skywalker, the dice are tossed in a game of fate far bolder than Bib could have conceived. Time has run out for Jabba and his criminal empire, and his act of self-aggrandizing debauchery will finally swallow him and those who serve him too, for the Jedi are returned.
Sideshow releases Bib Fortuna in 2007 and oh boy what were they thinking back then making the effort to offer such a figure, which is so ugly only its mother would love. Did Sideshow really think it will sell? But that is exactly the spirit Sideshow had - back then. They are the only company that was brave enough (or stupid enough?) to offer such a character design to the adult collecting community. I love and appreciate what Sideshow was doing back then and truly believe they were more passionate to making figures in this franchise than to make money (noticed the past tense used here).
I was one of those nay sayers who quickly waive away the notion to getting one. I am older now and starts to appreciate the finer aesthethic of a figure. Knowing that no other company will be as foolish as Sideshow was, an action figure like Bib Fortuna may probably never see another high quality 1/6 version to be made. One Sideshow sample was available in Carousell NIB, price is below 3 digits - another rarity in today's 1/6 figures pricing - and got it scooped up just the past week. So 15 years later, Bib is in the house.
I was one of those nay sayers who quickly waive away the notion to getting one. I am older now and starts to appreciate the finer aesthethic of a figure. Knowing that no other company will be as foolish as Sideshow was, an action figure like Bib Fortuna may probably never see another high quality 1/6 version to be made. One Sideshow sample was available in Carousell NIB, price is below 3 digits - another rarity in today's 1/6 figures pricing - and got it scooped up just the past week. So 15 years later, Bib is in the house.
Being a figure released in 2007, it had all the old technology of figure making that has been advanced in today's figures. Splitting up and diving into each category for a (not so in depth) review. Some remarks may be not applicable by the standard back then but I feel is achievable.
DESIGN - 3/5
For a start, the Twi'lek head "tentacles" could be done with soft rubbery material with an embedded wire going through it. That could allow positioning of it with the head in different stance. Same with the bloated "neck pouch" which if of a softer material will allow positioning the head downwards. However this one pose a little bit more challenges to the design. One other way is to lengthen the neck post to force some clearance between the bottom point of the neck pouch to the upper part of the torso.
With all that said, there is a "longeity" consideration too with a rubber tentacles and a neck pouch, may not last. So there is a pros and cons to everything. Limited lifespan but greater poseability or longer lifespan but more rigid pose? I go for the former.
To be fair, with all these put in, the MSRP will not be what it was (USD 54.99/-).
Boots are molded in seemingly hard plastic when softer rubber would be a better choice. All to aid an easier body swapping when needed.
Cloak is nicely tailored but the I feel a dense material is more preferred. Dense material gave more weight and it will drape more naturally. Slit at both arms should be riding it higher maybe all the way to the shoulder. As is, it slit only up till the elbow location.
Sleeves on the blue blouse are also too short. It baffles me to no end as to how much another 1/4" of longer sleeve gonna cost Sideshow. This is one of my biggest peeve for this figure.
SCULPTING - 4.5/5
The sculpted likeness to the actor is incredible. Small details like the slightly opened mouth with those small little sharp tooth showing is testimony to the attention given by the sculpting artist. Apparently I read somewhere (I think is mwctoys.com) that this sculpt is done by a first time headsculpting artist to Sideshow Toys, a certain Tim Miller.
Being the first ever sculpt for a new employer, I reckon the attention given to it will be over and beyond.
Special mentioned also to the hands. Just look at the nail and stick long fingers.
Overall very impressed in this section.
DESIGN - 3/5
For a start, the Twi'lek head "tentacles" could be done with soft rubbery material with an embedded wire going through it. That could allow positioning of it with the head in different stance. Same with the bloated "neck pouch" which if of a softer material will allow positioning the head downwards. However this one pose a little bit more challenges to the design. One other way is to lengthen the neck post to force some clearance between the bottom point of the neck pouch to the upper part of the torso.
With all that said, there is a "longeity" consideration too with a rubber tentacles and a neck pouch, may not last. So there is a pros and cons to everything. Limited lifespan but greater poseability or longer lifespan but more rigid pose? I go for the former.
To be fair, with all these put in, the MSRP will not be what it was (USD 54.99/-).
Boots are molded in seemingly hard plastic when softer rubber would be a better choice. All to aid an easier body swapping when needed.
Cloak is nicely tailored but the I feel a dense material is more preferred. Dense material gave more weight and it will drape more naturally. Slit at both arms should be riding it higher maybe all the way to the shoulder. As is, it slit only up till the elbow location.
Sleeves on the blue blouse are also too short. It baffles me to no end as to how much another 1/4" of longer sleeve gonna cost Sideshow. This is one of my biggest peeve for this figure.
SCULPTING - 4.5/5
The sculpted likeness to the actor is incredible. Small details like the slightly opened mouth with those small little sharp tooth showing is testimony to the attention given by the sculpting artist. Apparently I read somewhere (I think is mwctoys.com) that this sculpt is done by a first time headsculpting artist to Sideshow Toys, a certain Tim Miller.
Being the first ever sculpt for a new employer, I reckon the attention given to it will be over and beyond.
Special mentioned also to the hands. Just look at the nail and stick long fingers.
Overall very impressed in this section.
PAINTING - 3/5
Most of the delicate painting will be around the headsculpt. It is basic at best and the paintworks actually discredit the excellent sculpt. If a master painter does a repaint, I believe it will be a definitive sculpt and can stand on its own even by today's standard.
Special mention on the subtle dry brushing of metallic blue on the body plates.
Most of the delicate painting will be around the headsculpt. It is basic at best and the paintworks actually discredit the excellent sculpt. If a master painter does a repaint, I believe it will be a definitive sculpt and can stand on its own even by today's standard.
Special mention on the subtle dry brushing of metallic blue on the body plates.
ARTICULATION - 2.5/5
The venerable Sideshow Buck body is underneath that garments. Elbow can bend to a max of 90° and that's about it. There is a mid torso articulation but it had a spring-back effect so that point of articulation is pretty useless.
There is just a wee teeny bit of movement that can be mustered for the head before you see the tentacles curling in the air (rather than resting on the body). Lost realism there.
The very hard boots effectively killed off any little articulation in the foot that is left.
Finally, the hands are old skool hinge system that does not have the additional range new wrist pegs provides.
However Bib can still struck a decent pose. Good thing he is the non-actionfested (there such a word?) character, no saber or blaster wielding requires.. A buck will do nicely for now.
A body swap is not on the cards now, or wasn't imminently urgent. And it wasn't as straight forward as desired. On the backburner that one will go.
The venerable Sideshow Buck body is underneath that garments. Elbow can bend to a max of 90° and that's about it. There is a mid torso articulation but it had a spring-back effect so that point of articulation is pretty useless.
There is just a wee teeny bit of movement that can be mustered for the head before you see the tentacles curling in the air (rather than resting on the body). Lost realism there.
The very hard boots effectively killed off any little articulation in the foot that is left.
Finally, the hands are old skool hinge system that does not have the additional range new wrist pegs provides.
However Bib can still struck a decent pose. Good thing he is the non-actionfested (there such a word?) character, no saber or blaster wielding requires.. A buck will do nicely for now.
A body swap is not on the cards now, or wasn't imminently urgent. And it wasn't as straight forward as desired. On the backburner that one will go.
ACCESSORIES - 2.5/5
Did not manage to get the exclusive set, which it will come with the Staff. It wasn't used in the movie so I can live without it.
The set also came with a slim brown cup, a dagger, a Jabba's froggy snack and an extra right and left pointing hands. Another pair of relaxed hands will be very much desired.
Bib came packed with a staff holding right hand that is molded as a single piece with a perfect round hole in between the fingers and the palm. It can be used to grab the dagger sliding the weapon up from underneath.
I'm not specifically thrill about the accessories. More hands with different gesture is actually preferred. Not a big deal as by now, it is clear accessories does not rank high in my consideration in buying a figure... unless an extra head is given. That will makes a hell lot of different to me.
Did not manage to get the exclusive set, which it will come with the Staff. It wasn't used in the movie so I can live without it.
The set also came with a slim brown cup, a dagger, a Jabba's froggy snack and an extra right and left pointing hands. Another pair of relaxed hands will be very much desired.
Bib came packed with a staff holding right hand that is molded as a single piece with a perfect round hole in between the fingers and the palm. It can be used to grab the dagger sliding the weapon up from underneath.
I'm not specifically thrill about the accessories. More hands with different gesture is actually preferred. Not a big deal as by now, it is clear accessories does not rank high in my consideration in buying a figure... unless an extra head is given. That will makes a hell lot of different to me.
OVERALL - 3/5
The biggest deduction came from a very weak articulation because of a sub-par body and the fact that this buck body has mostly propriety connections namely the neck pose, hand pegs that makes it difficult to "migrate" the head and hands to a more modern, better articulated body.
Saving grace is in the good sculpting and the overall look and feel of the figure. By standing in a museum pose, it can stand proudly amongst its more recent brethren from Sideshow, or even with Hot Toys.
Last Words
Actually buying a 1/6 scale Bib Fortuna has never cross my mind. Never at all. Was randomly checking Carousell for a black series Bib Fortuna and this one pops up. It is cheap (in today's standard), reckon it will never ever again be made into a 1/6 scale figure, it appear, albeit very briefly and very bloated, in the last bit of Season 2 Mandalorian, It is an alien species figure, it is in Return of the Jedi, my favourite SW movie together with Empire Strikes Back, I have an R2 and C-3PO to recreate the droid entering into Jabba's Palace scene... oh man, press that button already!
It turned out much better than I had expected and this could end up to be my purchase of the year. Really happy with how this turned out.
This guy together with Momaw Nadon are the background figures that Sideshow braves and to me, they are some of the best early SW 1/6 figures from Sideshow. Next probably a Figrin D'An if I see one.
Actually buying a 1/6 scale Bib Fortuna has never cross my mind. Never at all. Was randomly checking Carousell for a black series Bib Fortuna and this one pops up. It is cheap (in today's standard), reckon it will never ever again be made into a 1/6 scale figure, it appear, albeit very briefly and very bloated, in the last bit of Season 2 Mandalorian, It is an alien species figure, it is in Return of the Jedi, my favourite SW movie together with Empire Strikes Back, I have an R2 and C-3PO to recreate the droid entering into Jabba's Palace scene... oh man, press that button already!
It turned out much better than I had expected and this could end up to be my purchase of the year. Really happy with how this turned out.
This guy together with Momaw Nadon are the background figures that Sideshow braves and to me, they are some of the best early SW 1/6 figures from Sideshow. Next probably a Figrin D'An if I see one.
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