Medicom Star Wars 1/6 Boba Fett - Return of the Jedi version - Republish

Another republication of an old posting.

This time the iconic Boba Fett gets another chance in the limelight. This is the Medicom version that was the only high end 1/6 ROTJ version of the bounty hunter, released in 2010 under the Real Action Hero (RAH) category, until Hot Toys made their version in 2016 (standard and deluxe with Sarlacc diorama base). Sideshow did made an ESB version of Boba Fett in between and even an all white proto armour version but never a ROTJ one. Reason only Sideshow themself know.

The Medicom version enjoy its unique status as the one-and-only for a good 6 years before being quickly obsoleted and made to stand aside for HT's version's grand entrance.
Mine's fate is a lot better that it enjoys shelf space till date and my HT Dx version still NRFB. It has been in a static position for years given Medicom's RAH body being notorious for breaking at the slightest movement. I am actually having readied for it to broke when posing so there is a good reason to break out its HT's brethren.

After taking these pictures, in various poses albeit not too dynamic, the Fett stands tall all joints intact. All joints are absolutely tight and seem to have "fused" into that one static position after years of non posing. Holding the joints near the articulation point and applying firm but not brutal force causes a small "snap" - not broken but relieving it at that point then enable futher posing. Although still very very firm and tight on the joints, the key is to move it slowly, fingers holding as close to the joint point as possible while maneuvering. Have also read that Medicom uses a "new improved" body for this set that correct the sensitivity to breakage. Is that true? hmm...
Patience and gentleness saves the day for me. HT Fett will continue to hibernate in it's box safe from harm and the elements.

Being the earliest sample of a high end 1/6 ROTJ Boba Fett, it has came under the scrutiny of SW fans in terms of screen/movie/original prop accuracies. The Medicom version allow a field day outing for the critics and the nitpickers.
First and foremost, the scale already seem out. Marketed as a 1/6 scale, it stood at about 11.5" tall which comes to about 1/6.5 or 1/7 scale. This is glaring as when standing against the other 1/6 scales SW figures from HT or Sideshow, Medicom's look considerably shorter... or the correct word should be "smaller". Stood it beside my HT ESB Boba Fett and Medicom one is truly 0.5" shorter.
There are also discussion on the accuracy on the colour of the armour - lighter green, darker green. The jumpsuit - bluish grey or just grey. Even the rust colour are being discussed although I am really unsure what should be the correct shade for each of the version.
One thing for sure I know on the difference in helmet between ESB and ROTJ version with the former being wider and the latter, narrower. Medicom uses the same mold for both of their version which the shape seem closer to the ESB version.

Running down on the categories to find out if it is really worth keeping it in the shelf.

DESIGN - 4/5
For once there is really nothing much to talk about for this category apart from Medicom being so adamant in using an Asian men's stature as a standard for their 1/6 body. Just another 0.5" taller will make this almost perfect.
And to point out it seems 2 tubings from his right arm to the gauntlet are not included. It can be fix quite easily though but that should not be require in the first place for this is a premium piece.
Backpack missile is removable. All 4 pouches on the waist and front upper thigh are all function with small square piece of micro-hair velcro sewed on for sealing function. I used these to keep the spare hands this set comes with.
Basically it has everything that came with him in the box ON him. Love it this way when I know he is "complete" with his accessories.

SCULPTING - 4/5
Again, there is nothing much (or nothing at all) on this figure to comments about for sculpting. Everything is done well here and the hands are about the teeny bit of sculpting done. These are done well to reveal the glove, Fett had on, correctly.
Spare right weapon-grip-trigger hand are sculpted firmly and seemlessly to hold the blaster with figure on the trigger. Spare left hands can be use in multiple ways ie balancing the blaster barrel, an angst flex of finger etc. Very versatile. High praise here.
To include the pair of boots for pushing this category a little further are also done well with the little spikes at both front end of the boots shows that details are well taken into consideration.

PAINTING - 4/5
The deep egg-yokish yellow of the shoulder armour and knee pads, the distinct Olive Green of the body armour, helmet, the Rusty Reddish Maroon on the gauntlets and the Dirty Turquoise on the Jet pack coupled with some heavy weathering brings Boba Fett to life.
Special mention on the paint chips in and around the armour where Medicom made the effort to show layers of colours before showing the supposedly silver colour of the base raw material.
Dirty brownish around the center portion of the body armour are not original. Age causes it and it could be the glue seeping out from the armour plates that reproduced the dirt.
An excellent effort from Medicom in this department.

ARTICULATION - 2.5/5
A Medicom 1/6 scale figure's articulation will usually not able to fully realize as I will get too jittery on breaking an arm or a leg. There are "rumours" that this particular figure has reinforced metallic pin joints to "add strength". As far as I know, it has not been verified. I do not want to break this so did not go to the extreme.
The head is annoying that it keep pops out from the neck ball socket and it could never be securely plug in ever.
All the joints are super rigid, except the waist. Perhaps due to its age (12yrs old). It has the standard 1/6 body articulations but seem without a butterfly arm joint. Could be the armour getting in the way but it cannot hold a chest-height shooting stance without looking unatural.

ACCESSORIES - 2.5/5
Just 1 pair of spare hands and nothing else. Blaster and Jetpack rocket too if you consider these an accessory. Spare hands are already a fixed requirement. I have no memory of any full set figure that does not at least comes with 1 spare hand.
There is a hopeful expectation for a set of after burner flame effect for the jetpack since Boba Fett was seen flying from the Sail Barge to the Skiff. It is essential to allow recreation of the scene.
Further on to add some play value, also the flame effect for the gauntlet.
Japanese are master in creating such effect parts but it was decided to leave them out for this set.

OVERALL - 4.5/5
Strong from the start but waned towards the end. Do not be fooled by the scores. This Medicom ROTJ Boba Fett is overall a very nice figure. I really do like the proportion of the body which gives a sleak mobile look. When put beside's HT's ESB Boba Fett, HT Fett seem puffy and looked clumsy. Visually, Medicom's version thumped the HT ones for me.
It also gives a somewhat very subtle stylized feel although still very much looking like the one in the original live action film.
End of the day, I like the sleakness and in a funny way, the smaller stature.

Bought this figure as used from eBay.sg in Apr 2011 and paid SGD190/-. Wanted this figure ever since it was announced by Medicom but no local shops are putting out Pre-Order. Medicom RAH figures reputation had suffered greatly because of the touch-fragile body. I once bought a brand new Medicom RAH Shocker Captain and the right leg broke off from the groin joint upon lifting up from the plastic tray. Honestly I don't know if the shop (uncle Ng's at CSC) is selling a used figure as new and leg was already broken, or it is what it is. A rude awakening nevertheless. I could have sworn off Medicom. The shops probably decided the low demand does not warrant the effort to open PO.
Could not turn a blind eye to a high end ROTJ Boba Fett, I took one more chance. It is considered premium pricing for a 1/6 figure to pay for a used figure in 2011. There are no other venue to make price comparison, I went for it.
It was not being fully appreciated when I was too afraid to pose it then. Until now, this moment, I appreciate it alot more.