Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) - TVC - Basic (VC50)

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It “only” took 30 years until collectors received a “definitive” modern updated version of 1981’s ESB Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) figure. That day arrived in the summer of 2011 when The Vintage Collection’s Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) (VC50) started showing up on store shelves. Almost a decade after the 30-year wait, Hasbro dusted off the 2011 tooling, repainted it with their new and improved Photo Real paint operations process, and re-released it in the second phase of The Vintage Collection’s run. They also changed the card art a bit and shortened the character’s name. The updated figure looks better, albeit imperfect. And while the new Photo Real process may need some additional fine-tuning, Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) looks better than it ever did. The overall paint operations lend to a notably bettered action figure. The blue jack and pants are nearly as glossy as the 2011 release. The overall appearance of the paint is flatter, and that’s a major positive here. Although not much else changed aside from a few different shades of color, few will find little to fault with this popular action figure’s re-release. As one of the most anticipated figures of all-time, it’s good that both new and older collectors of TVC have another opportunity for this release. If you lived and actively collected during the "Golden Age of Collecting," you know Hasbro oft-ignored Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) for other iterations of the character instead. The closest we had to a definitive update before this was the unacceptable placeholder, 2007’s TAC Han Solo With Torture Rack (30 38) figure. And let’s not forget the constant repacks of 2001’s POTJ Han Solo (Bespin Capture) figure.

Our assertion that the original 2011 version and the 2020 re-release of Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) figure is definitive should confirm that Hasbro did a remarkable job on this action figure. Collectors got concerned when Hasbro released the “odd” but unique Han Solo (Echo Base [Echo Base Outfit]) (VC03) figure in the first wave of The Vintage Collection. We didn’t give this figure a chance. We, like many others, rolled our eyes over the figure. And we asked how much longer Hasbro was going to make us wait for the modern update to the 1981 ESB Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) vintage Kenner classic action figure. Ultimately, Hasbro made collectors wait almost a full calendar year, nearly a year to the day, to finally get out that perfected Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) action figure to retail (and collectors’ hands). We’re proud to confirm that the long wait has been more than worth it. Trust us that you’re going to have to overlook some of the subtle detail errors, because not appreciating what went into this figure and rank it as a remarkable accomplishment is an egregious mistake you’ll not want to make as a Star Wars collector. Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) elated us and warmed our hearts in the same way that Luke Skywalker (Bespin [Bespin Fatigues]) (VC04) did. It’s an excellent addition to the line, and we’re glad to see it get revised for 2020. From the proportions of the body to the likeness of the portrait, Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) is a case in point example of why we collect. It’s impressive what Hasbro can capture in a 3.75” action figure. And despite aging another decade now, it’s an excellent choice for a re-release. It also shows why The Vintage Collection was and is the best Star Wars toy line to date. It’s worth your money.

Let’s address the few flaws this figure has so we can move right along and jump into explaining why it may be one of Hasbro’s greatest hits. We didn’t want to waste space here complaining about Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]). Still, it’s probably worth mentioning the imperfections so that Hasbro can update the action figure to a flawless status. Han Solo’s holster is not entirely correct. Remember how Hasbro updated 2011’s TVC Jango Fett (VC34) figure by painting straps around the thighs where the bottom of the holster lies against the leg?n They, unfortunately, missed this detail on Han Solo, and below the belt, the figure is a little too reminiscent of the character’s outfit arrangement in A New Hope. For us, it’s not a deal-breaker, but we understand why this would upset other collectors. We feel that the incorporation of ball-jointed hips wasn’t particularly ideal here, but it looks much better on Han Solo than on The Vintage Collection’s General Lando Calrissian (VC47) figure. Hasbro borrowed the hips and legs from this action figure, and it’s a shame that the enhanced articulation doesn’t possess the functionality you’d want ball-jointed hips to articulate. They create a curvy and slightly awkward silhouette. Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) appears slightly too “hippy” (especially from the back) at certain angles. This awkwardness is minor, but noticeable if you look for it. As fans who grew up with the original classic Kenner line, one of the best parts about getting this figure in 2011 and 2020 is its packaging. To get the consummate Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) updated and in reproduction packaging, similar to what we received in 1981, is something too spectacular for words.

The Vintage Collection packaging is a considerable part of the Star Wars collecting experience, and Hasbro is giving us some incredible updates from the original Kenner line from long ago. An action figure this well-made is more than worth the upwards of $10 or more you will pay for it. You know how powerful nostalgia is. Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) comes with an excellent articulation system, and the figure attains a wealth of positions. Leaning, stepping forward, bending over, and standing at attention are just some of the multiple options at your disposal when it comes to posing this action figure. Hasbro installed ball-jointed articulation throughout the figure, save for the waist and wrists. As a result, the figure’s flexibility is quite impressive. Despite the flexibility the articulation offers the action figure, the articulation is only the tip of the iceberg. Small details like the opened-up navy blue jacket showing a white undershirt underneath are brilliant. The figure has a droid caller permanently affixed to the belt. The belt buckle is shiny silver, but shows wear. And then the flawlessly painted yellow blood stripes running up the outer seams of the legs are executed with a precision that we have come to expect from Hasbro as a collecting people. The paint operations look refreshingly new and applied with apparent relative ease. Sometimes we take for granted how sublime these details make the necessary tooling of these figures look good. The color palette used to decorate Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) is near perfection. It looked great in 2011; it is INCREDIBLE now.

Another critical upgrade here is that Hasbro updated the ankle joints to be black for the 2020 re-release. Hasbro cast the 2011 figure’s ankle joints in brown plastic, and they looked out of place with black boots. The Vintage Collection collectors grew accustomed to Hasbro’s mismatched joints, so getting this fix in place is encouraging. It seems like an issue that escaped quality control in the past is something that they take into consideration now. Collectors may be on the fence with Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) ’s likeness, but we adore it. And we do not think Hasbro could have done much more to make it any better. The 2020 Photo Real paint operations make an already excellent head sculpt look better than it ever could or did. Our particular sample has some minor issues along the hairline. There is some “pink” flesh that should be brown hair, but overall, we’re quite pleased with the sample we received. Almost everyone had issues with the sclera of the figure’s eyeballs bleeding outside of the intended eyeballs creating a “deer in headlights” effect. We don’t feel it will be typical for collectors in 2020 to find badly painted samples, although the possibilities certainly exist. We love the accessories that come with Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]). The DL-44 blaster is a must-have inclusion here. Hasbro also included other accessories like the goggles and welding tool here that Han Solo used to fix the Millennium Falcon’s hyperdrive, but futilely. Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) will rank as one of the best figures in The Vintage Collection. And now that Hasbro upgraded it for 2020 and made it part of the relaunched line, there’s more reason to make it an addition for your collection.

Editor's Note: Hasbro re-released The Vintage Collection Han Solo (Bespin [Bespin Outfit]) (VC50) figure in May 2020 with a significant number of changes. Updates include: (1) "photorealistic" deco, (2) new jacket and pants deco color, (3) newly colored and textured hairstyle, (4) refreshed 2020 packaging with different graphics (5) revised name ("Outfit" was dropped) (6) different shade of green for figure backer and name "pill," (7) white name "pill" font color instead of black

Review Status Update: The original publication date of this review is July 6, 2011. It was subsequently updated with a new Photo Gallery and revised General Analysis and republished on June 4, 2020 after Hasbro reissued the figure.