VTSC2 Bossk review

[JediTricks]

Bossk is an odd situation, on the one hand he's not a prime candidate for a vintage-style figure, but on the other hand the previous Bossk figure from the 2004 Saga line was good but too preposed and the torso was from the POTF2 figure. These 2 Bossks are the same height and may at first look like they share the same head and forearms, but in fact this is an all-new Bossk, the only thing they share is the rifle accessory. Oddly, Hasbro chose to give this Bossk the light lemon-yogurt outfit rather than the more vibrant yellow of the Saga figure, perhaps because this is meant to harken to the pre-SE Bossk where the film transfer wasn't as vibrantly-colored.

What's right:

The head is all-new with a more accurate shape at the top;
The figure can stand like a champ and even take some cool action poses without a separate stand;
The general body shape is right, no skinny limbs or narrow waist like the Saga one had;
The open mouth isn't goofy like last time, it's more restrained and well-detailed even inside since if you look real carefully you can see the head is actually assembled in 2 pieces to accomplish this;
The reptilian sculpting is top notch this time around, it was already good on the Saga figure but this blows it away;
The paint on the reptile pieces is also a huge step up, you just don't see this kind of detailing on basic figures;
Articulation is neutral yet does a lot and is well-integrated (except for the hips and perhaps ankles);
The costume shoulders are the proper shape even though there's universal shoulder articulation (a lot of other figures could learn from this);
The separate collar may be too loose for some tastes but allows a LOT more head motion so I dig it;
His right hand is sculpted to hold just the rifle grip rather than the Saga's hand holding the grip AND trigger, so this is more realistically posed and closed enough to hold the forward handle the way he does in the movie;
The collar and vest sculpting are very detailed;
The separate chest hose is a welcome addition;
The separate-piece leg straps have some nice sculpting to them;
They painted the rifle's strap brown and then weathered it.Articulation:

Ball-jointed head;
Universal-jointed mid-torso (rotation and tilt, but no side-to-side);
Universal-jointed shoulders;
Universal-jointed elbows;
Swivel forearms;
Standard hips;
Universal-jointed knees; and
Universal-jointed ankles.What's not so great:

The outfit paint isn't up to the quality of the reptile parts, it's generally alright but nothing standout;
The gun is a reuse of the Saga figure's gun which would be fine but it still suffers the same stupid low-hanging strap;
The forearms aren't shiny the way they should be;
With the collar a separate piece, the middle of the vest is part of it and can go out of alignment since it's not held down by anything and the collar rotates;
The paint on the chest-hose doesn't match the outfit that well;
Bossk's waist is a tad too high;
As with the Saga figure, the right hand can hold an accessory while the left is an open claw;
The hips are still not integrated to the waist as well as it should be (although this is mainly hidden by the straps);
The leg straps, while a welcome addition, don't integrate as well as they should, they also hang too low and are bulky at the bottom;
The hinge in the foot is colored but not painted so it doesn't match as well as it could.Even without weighting each positive and negative, it's clear to see there are more positives off the bat than negatives, but even better is that most of the negatives are fairly minor in comparison to what does work. The only real annoyance for me is the rifle's strap not going over his shoulder as it was in the movie. The head really impresses me and the neck articulation lets him look down enough to swear at Imperial officers talking smack about him. I didn't think I'd dig this figure, even when I first opened it, but after spending a little more time examining it I really do like this one, he's across the board better than I could have hoped and an impressive figure in general.

[JediTricks]

By request, the grading system breakdown:

Packaging: 3/5
Odd to see the same Vintage TSC packaging, only this year's mail-in stuff is gold instead of silver (and the tabs are generic). The heat-sealed collector case really bothers me though, takes this down a LOT.

Sculpt-Design: 4.25/5

Articulation: 5/5

Paint-Deco: 4/5

Accessories: 2.75/5

Overall: A

[AmanaMatt]

Cool review. I agree that the hinges in the foot could have been matched better regarding the paint apps....they stand out just a tad much.

Shiny Arms...? No way!

[JediTricks]

Thanks. :cool:

Yes way shiny arms! As I said in the other thread about that, why not? He has shiny arms in the movie:
http://multimedia.theforce.net/museum/images/Images/Classic_Trilogy/Characters/Bossk/bountyhu.jpg
http://multimedia.theforce.net/museum/images/Images/Classic_Trilogy/Characters/Bossk/BOSSK1.jpg
http://multimedia.theforce.net/museum/images/Images/Classic_Trilogy/Characters/Bossk/bossk2.jpg

[bigbarada]

Got this figure today and all I can type is AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!

I think this figure just bumped Han Solo and the Biker Scout off the top of my list for Best Vintage-Style Figure EVER!

Hasbro really outdid themselves with this figure, I"m just amazed at the level of craftmanship involved.

[AmanaMatt]

Jt, here are some shiny bad boys for you! Argh, slightly out of focus - I am still getting the hang of my new camera!

This really is a beauty of a fig!

[Jaff]

Oooooh La La. I am happy to say that I don't ever need Bossk remade. He is finally perfected.

[JediTricks]

Jt, here are some shiny bad boys for you! Argh, slightly out of focus - I am still getting the hang of my new camera!

This really is a beauty of a fig!
Your camera focused on the cardback instead of the figure, check to see if you have Macro mode, that is what you use for subjects closer than 1 foot away.

The arms just aren't shiny, you're getting some light bounce but you can see the paint isn't reflective.

[El Chuxter]

Yeah, he is a beautiful figure. I would buy one, if I didn't have plenty of Bossks already. I simply cannot see that he's $10 better than the one I got two or three years ago.

[AmanaMatt]

Your camera focused on the cardback instead of the figure, check to see if you have Macro mode, that is what you use for subjects closer than 1 foot away.

The arms just aren't shiny, you're getting some light bounce but you can see the paint isn't reflective.


Thanks, hadn't noticed that, but the words were sure in focus - let me redo the shot!

[JediTricks]

Yeah, he is a beautiful figure. I would buy one, if I didn't have plenty of Bossks already. I simply cannot see that he's $10 better than the one I got two or three years ago.It's like night and day between those 2, the comparison blows the Saga version out of the water - the head is the correct shape here, coloring is superior, range of motion is superior, open mouth thing works right finally, the limbs are totally better and not a wonky side-articulation pose problem, body is a significant upgrade and the right shape.


Thanks, hadn't noticed that, but the words were sure in focus - let me redo the shot!Did my advice help? That pic is nicely done, now you've got it working!

[AmanaMatt]

Your advice sure helped, Jt - thanks - feel free to drop pointers to me anytime - I want to now buy a simple backdrop - kinda like the ones I see on the Net - just to have a nice, neutral background.

[El Chuxter]

Yeah, I'm not saying the new one isn't better. But the 1997 one actually still stands up to most new figures, aside from articulation. I already upgraded once. What makes the new one worth dropping $10 on if I'm happy with the one I have (and want Hasbro to cut out this stupid "Vintage" bullsnot)?

[AmanaMatt]

Yeah, I'm not saying the new one isn't better. But the 1997 one actually still stands up to most new figures, aside from articulation. I already upgraded once. What makes the new one worth dropping $10 on if I'm happy with the one I have (and want Hasbro to cut out this stupid "Vintage" bullsnot)?


Dude, with all due respect, you gotta cut back on the Wookie juice - that's crazy talk!!! The 1997 one was good for 1997! Ten years later, its not close! :razz:

[El Chuxter]

Given that Bossk looks down and growls, then totally vanishes from the saga, spending a total of maybe five seconds onscreen, yes it is.

2-1B, Dr Evazan, Ponda Baba, and Uncle Owen all speak and play important roles, and are only represented by figures that are so outdated that it defies all imagination. I think they were far more in need of nice resculpts (even if only two could qualify as Vintage).

[JediTricks]

Your advice sure helped, Jt - thanks - feel free to drop pointers to me anytime - I want to now buy a simple backdrop - kinda like the ones I see on the Net - just to have a nice, neutral background.Sure thing, glad I could help. Another factor to consider is lighting, your flash seems a little weak and flash only washes out detail anyway, try using a brighter source if at all possible (but keep in mind, each kind of light puts out its own coloring, so if your camera has settings for that, use them), and try changing the angle of the light soucre.

As for backgrounds, you can buy a roll of backdrop paper for like $30 but it can be hard to work with since it is very wide and wrinkles, especially if you don't have stands to put it up on. I had decent results with construction paper a while back, several sheets put together from the same color, just make sure the paper seams are as tight as possible so they don't cast shadows and pointed AWAY from the camera. One thing most folks get wrong with backdrops at first is shooting too close to the back part so your subject is right next to a wall visually and casting a shadow, the more curve you get and the further away from the back wall your subject is, the better it will look. Good luck!


Yeah, I'm not saying the new one isn't better. But the 1997 one actually still stands up to most new figures, aside from articulation. I already upgraded once. What makes the new one worth dropping $10 on if I'm happy with the one I have (and want Hasbro to cut out this stupid "Vintage" bullsnot)?The '97 one has a very simple sculpt by comparison. His head is the wrong shape, his eyes are done wrong, the costume is sculpted very soft, the body design and costume elements are noticeably off, and it can't really do much since it has so little articulation. It's great for the time, but put it next to a figure from '01 on and it's out of its element. The new one has a great sculpt, very accurate, way more articulation, and vastly superior paint.

[AmanaMatt]

Thanks, JT - I'll have to play with the lighting and my backdrops!

[figrin bran]

Given that Bossk looks down and growls, then totally vanishes from the saga, spending a total of maybe five seconds onscreen, yes it is.

2-1B, Dr Evazan, Ponda Baba, and Uncle Owen all speak and play important roles, and are only represented by figures that are so outdated that it defies all imagination. I think they were far more in need of nice resculpts (even if only two could qualify as Vintage).

If you take a look at non Hasbro SW collectibles like Sideshow's or Gentle Giant's, Bossk is well represented while the others are not. once in awhile you might get Ponda Baba but not the others. Plain and simply, Bossk is more "marketable" :p

[bigbarada]

Given that Bossk looks down and growls, then totally vanishes from the saga, spending a total of maybe five seconds onscreen, yes it is.

2-1B, Dr Evazan, Ponda Baba, and Uncle Owen all speak and play important roles, and are only represented by figures that are so outdated that it defies all imagination. I think they were far more in need of nice resculpts (even if only two could qualify as Vintage).

To be 100% honest, if the new Bossk was on the pegs right along with figures of 2-1B, Evazan, Walrusman, and Owen (all made to equal standards to Bossk), Bossk would be the very first figure in my hand. And if I only had the money to buy one figure that day, I would pick Bossk over those others without a second thought.

I'm not worried about how much screentime the characters have, if they make a boring action figure then they make a boring action figure (although I would love new versions of Evazan and Walrusman). I would have little interest in an Uncle Owen action figure and I probably wouldn't buy him.

Plus the ESB bounty hunters aren't complete without Bossk. That's why we also need SA versions of Zuckuss and Dengar to go with our SA versions of Boba, Bossk, IG-88 and 4-LOM.

[AmanaMatt]

I agree, Bossk is way more marketable. That being said, I would love to see all of those figure remade, personally. I would love it if we just got 5 waves of Vintage a year, and that's it! (that's just me)

I have thought about this, and for the Vintage wave next year, I would personally want:

Jedi Luke
ROTJ Emperor
Walrusman (Ponda Baba)
Death Squad Commander
Dengar
Zuckuss


Of those, I feel Walrusman would not be a hit and probably pegwarm like Greedo....for the record, the resculpt of Bossk is way cooler looking than Greedo, especially with that Soft Goods vest they gave him.

[figrin bran]

I agree, Bossk is way more marketable. That being said, I would love to see all of those figure remade, personally. I would love it if we just got 5 waves of Vintage a year, and that's it! (that's just me)

I have thought about this, and for the Vintage wave next year, I would personally want:

Jedi Luke
ROTJ Emperor
Walrusman (Ponda Baba)
Death Squad Commander
Dengar
Zuckuss


Of those, I feel Walrusman would not be a hit and probably pegwarm like Greedo....for the record, the resculpt of Bossk is way cooler looking than Greedo, especially with that Soft Goods vest they gave him.

I doubt that they'd do a Vintage Jedi Luke next year when we're getting one in TAC in a few months. However, the others on your list would all be must buys for me :D

[Jargo]

I'd like to see Imperial dignitary Sim Aloo and Emperor Palpatine get the vintage upgrade treatment. along with Zuckuss and Obi-Wan ANH. the original imperial officer was based on Captain Piett so a new updated version of him would be cool. not necessarily SA all the way but at least nicely articulated and sculpted to match the other imperial officers we have.
vintage Wicket. seems like a no brainer to me. principle ewok that he is. and i know he's small but so is yoda and they've done him. pack him with his spear and rebel snack he gets from Leia, Leia's helmet, he needs a ball jointed head so he can do his puppy look with head tilted and look up at leia. ball jointed shoulders, swivel wrists, ball joint ankles.

strangely, I think a vintage style Han's Tauntaun would be cool. It's the one with the dramatic death scene. The POTF one is cool but a bit more articulation and posability wouldn't go amiss. hind legs with knee and ankle joints, wrist joints, a joint in the base of the neck and a head that's ball jointed. but the other way around to how Kybuck has been done with the ball attached to the head sitting in a neck socket. not head with big socket sitting on a neck ball. with sculpted hairy droops to mask the join. could even put a joint at the base of the tail and get a little movement there. oooh and squishy innards that look like the tauntauns innards not the acklays guts again. the split belly feature is a must but those flaps need to be softer rubber and the guts need to look horrible.

Though having said that the Dewback and Rancor could do with the vintage treatment too.Been a long time since they were on shelves and why deprive anyone of having those beasties?

[jedibear]

Great review JT...finally got an opener of him today.

Your review hits all the high n' low spots for me but I'll throw a few comments anyway...

LOVE the new head...looks great and the ball joint actually works well AND is unobtrusive. It's great to finally have a figure where the ole' lizard can appropriately cast the downward look of disdain upon the Imperials!

In fact, all of the upgraded articulation works very well.

The only nits I have are...those oversized/too long leg straps are distracting...but not a deal-breaker.

The re-used weapon could've used an upgrade.

Has anyone else commented on how the black "plugs" on his flightsuit legs are reversed from the picture on the card? Before anyone mentions the idea that the card's photo could be reversed, note the straight arm would be incorrect...so it's one or the other. Again, no big thing, just something that caught my eye.

I do like this figure a lot...here's hoping I find an IG88 to complete this wave...

[JediTricks]

Thanks for the compliment. :cool:

I really wish they had updated the weapon as well.

The card photo is definitely reversed, just like it was with IG-88. You can tell not only because of the plugs you mentioned, but Bossk holds his gun in his left hand, and his left shoulder is blank in the photo but in reality has the pattern patch there.

IG-88 seems to be fairly not too difficult to find at Target what with the higher price, so hopefully it'll work out for ya's.