Writings from inside Sideshow 1/6 scale Bib Fortuna 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.
Hasbro Black Series 6" Bib Fortuna was released in Dec 2021 under Wave 6 which also include Ponda Baba, Doc Evazan and Princess Leia Tantive IV Ceremony from the Original Trilogy movies.
Not being a completist, all I want from this wave were Bib and Ponda. That means I'd have to get them separately and as cheaply as possible. Most PO are asking for a standard retail pricing of $40/-. Had a chance at Taka, saw it on the shelf at least 3 pcs. It further cemented my believe that this guy will be in the discount bin eventually.
I waited... and waited... and waited until the stocks dwindle and price is not coming down. Went back to Taka couple weeks later determine to just buy one and get it done with but there is no more. Started to doubt my toy judgement. Nevertheless, life goes on.
Eventually Amazon had it discounted to $26, the action was swift and here it is in this blog entry.
Not being a completist, all I want from this wave were Bib and Ponda. That means I'd have to get them separately and as cheaply as possible. Most PO are asking for a standard retail pricing of $40/-. Had a chance at Taka, saw it on the shelf at least 3 pcs. It further cemented my believe that this guy will be in the discount bin eventually.
I waited... and waited... and waited until the stocks dwindle and price is not coming down. Went back to Taka couple weeks later determine to just buy one and get it done with but there is no more. Started to doubt my toy judgement. Nevertheless, life goes on.
Eventually Amazon had it discounted to $26, the action was swift and here it is in this blog entry.
Poseability and playability is mostly limited by that molded vinyl coat both inside and outside. All the posing it can do are from the arms, the hands and the head. Good thing is Bib isn't a KungFu master therefore the kicking, running, jumping, slashing, pew-pewing pose can be neglected and no one will cry foul.
The "bigger scale will enable more detail" myth could have been broken here. In my humble opinion, Bib's little brother tops the detail with a nicely tailored cloth cape to boot. This is mind blowing on how and why Hasbro did what they did here with this figure. If there are 2 different departments in Hasbro working on this, then 3.75" department have better and more hardworking designers that give what collectors want. More ranting over at the categories "Design" run down section.
DESIGN - 2.5/5
I noticed that the long lekku wasn't hugging the body when it curls around, but there is a small gap. This actually allows the head some articulation leeway. Visually it also doesn't seem to be dangling in the air. This is a successful design and proof that some thoughts had gone into this figure in this stage.
The 1 biggest, hugest (such a word?), grandest mystery is why... WHY the cape is not made out of soft good? WHY it is done on a 3.75" figure - where it is literally harder to sew due to the tiny tiny - and not on a 6" figure? Couldn't wrap my head around it. I had this feel of a thin chocolate crust encapsulating the figure everytime I handle it. Although a sculpted cape gives better details, a cloth ones allow posing of the figure, as well as the cape.
This current design does not allow Bib to bend down to frolick R2-D2 with his fingers for recreating the scene inside Jabba's palace's entrance. Thats a big knock down.
Design wise, not impress.
SCULPTING - 5/5
Buying this figure is all about that incredibly sculpted head. I don't see any flaws anywhere specifically on the areas exposed to the eyes.
Nice long thin fingers and such.
Absolutely nothing to complain about. Makes this the shortest entry for this category ever.
PAINTING - 4/5
A piss poor painting will ruin a good sculpt. These 2 are like husband and wife that goes hand in hand. On this figure, it seem the head is not painted but is on its original raw material colour. splashes of blue hue are dapped in and around the head, some inside recesses which pops the details. The eyes with its tiny black pupil, the lips with its tiny painted white teeths are all exquisitely done.
Finger nails are painted specifically in another colour and it looks like hand painted by skilled painter. No bleed at all. Very impressed here.
Howeber its chest plate are painted but not weathered. Few strokes of metallic paint dry brushing should do the job but there is none.
Overall, paint work is done exquisitely on this figure. The only lacking is a little bit of weathering.
ARTICULATION - 2.5/5 (4.5/5)
As mentioned earlier, Bib has all the articulation points but mooted out with the rigid coat.
While the coat is designed in a way there are slits here and there to allow some form of bodily articulations but to force it will result in the cape and dress flow in the most unatural way.
Enough said.
4.5 score in a bracket will be given with the coat off or if it, and the dress, are made in cloth.
ACCESSORY - 1/5
Although Bib does not use any specific accessory in ROTJ (correct me), it will be appreciated if this is pack with a staff similar to the one that came with the vintage 3.75" figure.
Rather, it came with not 1, not 2 but 3 cylindrical objects that in my best guess these should be different type of cups or tumblers. Never knew Bib is a cups hoarder? Totally useless accessory.
Honestly, I'd rather do it without.
Now these need to be taken care of not to lose any. Added work all for nothing.
I noticed that the long lekku wasn't hugging the body when it curls around, but there is a small gap. This actually allows the head some articulation leeway. Visually it also doesn't seem to be dangling in the air. This is a successful design and proof that some thoughts had gone into this figure in this stage.
The 1 biggest, hugest (such a word?), grandest mystery is why... WHY the cape is not made out of soft good? WHY it is done on a 3.75" figure - where it is literally harder to sew due to the tiny tiny - and not on a 6" figure? Couldn't wrap my head around it. I had this feel of a thin chocolate crust encapsulating the figure everytime I handle it. Although a sculpted cape gives better details, a cloth ones allow posing of the figure, as well as the cape.
This current design does not allow Bib to bend down to frolick R2-D2 with his fingers for recreating the scene inside Jabba's palace's entrance. Thats a big knock down.
Design wise, not impress.
SCULPTING - 5/5
Buying this figure is all about that incredibly sculpted head. I don't see any flaws anywhere specifically on the areas exposed to the eyes.
Nice long thin fingers and such.
Absolutely nothing to complain about. Makes this the shortest entry for this category ever.
PAINTING - 4/5
A piss poor painting will ruin a good sculpt. These 2 are like husband and wife that goes hand in hand. On this figure, it seem the head is not painted but is on its original raw material colour. splashes of blue hue are dapped in and around the head, some inside recesses which pops the details. The eyes with its tiny black pupil, the lips with its tiny painted white teeths are all exquisitely done.
Finger nails are painted specifically in another colour and it looks like hand painted by skilled painter. No bleed at all. Very impressed here.
Howeber its chest plate are painted but not weathered. Few strokes of metallic paint dry brushing should do the job but there is none.
Overall, paint work is done exquisitely on this figure. The only lacking is a little bit of weathering.
ARTICULATION - 2.5/5 (4.5/5)
As mentioned earlier, Bib has all the articulation points but mooted out with the rigid coat.
While the coat is designed in a way there are slits here and there to allow some form of bodily articulations but to force it will result in the cape and dress flow in the most unatural way.
Enough said.
4.5 score in a bracket will be given with the coat off or if it, and the dress, are made in cloth.
ACCESSORY - 1/5
Although Bib does not use any specific accessory in ROTJ (correct me), it will be appreciated if this is pack with a staff similar to the one that came with the vintage 3.75" figure.
Rather, it came with not 1, not 2 but 3 cylindrical objects that in my best guess these should be different type of cups or tumblers. Never knew Bib is a cups hoarder? Totally useless accessory.
Honestly, I'd rather do it without.
Now these need to be taken care of not to lose any. Added work all for nothing.
OVERALL - 3.5/5
Playability and poseability wasn't in my mind when decided to own one. I go for the amazing sculpt and the overall look and feel that gives a very good representation to this character to the movie. Getting it cheaply as planned is also achieved. Therefore am satisfied.
I wish for a Book of Boba Fett bloated Bib Fortuna to be made. I will buy it for sure.
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