Han Solo In Carbonite - 1:6 Scale Figures

I know.

Unlike the Empire, Sideshow has a long history of working with carbonite which is why we are able to bring collectors the latest addition to our ever-expanding line of Star Wars Sixth Scale figures - Han Solo in Carbonite.

The Han Solo in Carbonite Sixth Scale Figure manages to capture (HA…get it?) the heart-stopping moment when we thought our favorite scruffy looking nerf herder might be doomed forever.

Multiple display options allow the carbonite slab to be positioned both horizontally, as it is moved through a Bespin hallway, and vertically, as it rests in the freezing chamber. The base includes swappable floor decos to simulate either scene, the somber exit from Bespin or the dramatic carbon chamber confrontation. Illumination in the base and along the carbon slab control panel completes the impressively detailed presentation.

It’s difficult to comprehend that eight years separate Sideshow Collectibles’ 2009’s Han Solo In Carbonite 1:6 Scale Figure Environment and 2017’s Han Solo In Carbonite 1:6 Scale Figure. Interestingly, the piece from 2009 was categorized as an environment, while the new version contains electronics and is dubbed and a “figure.” Either way, the 2017 model is a significant upgrade to their first attempt. Also, of important note, the 2009 release is based on the prop’s appearance from Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. The new and improved 2017 version is based on the prop’s appearance from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. We truly appreciate it when Hasbro feels the need to double dip in products they’ve already produced that they make it different enough the second time that it warrants a purchase. Starting from the ground up, Sideshow Collectibles has revisited the sculpting, the colorization, and the display approach for this Episode V inspired version of Han Solo In Carbonite. The differences for this release are notable, and we think overall that this piece will have a greater impact on the collecting community than the first version did. Han Solo In Carbonite shines, and with the inclusion of alternate display options, we can only see how this high-end collectible will quickly become a collector favorite.

As stated a moment ago, Han Solo In Carbonite is based on scenes from The Empire Strikes Back. What’s more, Sideshow Collectibles has approached the display options for this piece to allow collectors to recreate two different scenes from The Empire Strikes Back. The first option comes with orange lighting (thanks to a removable filter) to give this collectible an environmental feel of the Bespin gantry where Han Solo was frozen in carbonite by the Ugnaughts. Han Solo In Carbonite looks best in the upright position with the orange lighting. But then you have an alternate display option. The floor is reversible. The side underneath the dark side of the floor is a white tile to recreate the hallways of Cloud City. And then this collectible comes with an interchangeable post so that you can place Han Solo In Carbonite in a “lying down” floating position just like how we saw Boba Fett and the Cloud City wing guards transfer him to the Slave I for delivery to Jabba the Hutt. The two positions and appearances are so different from each other that it feels like you get two collectibles for the price of one here. We’re quite taken with how well this product has been developed. Sideshow Collectibles thought this piece out carefully and came up with an incredible way to offer multiple display options while remaining as faithful as they could to the film.

All eight panels on the carbonite block are removable. Each piece is numbered, but Sideshow Collectibles doesn’t give clear instructions on how to install them. With a little bit of research, we’re happy to give you the lowdown of how they should be placed into the carbonite block. If you're facing the carbonite block (and Han's right is your left), the "left" side of the carbonite block needs to have the panels installed in this order from top to bottom: panel 4, panel 2, panel 3, and lastly panel 5. On the "right" side of the carbonite block, the panels need to be installed in this order from top to bottom: battery/light panel, panel 7, panel 6, and lastly panel 1. We have to wonder why the numbers aren't in order, but if you look at the actual props online, you'll see that the order illustrated above is 100% correct. And speaking of the light-up features here, well, they’re just perfect. In addition to the light-up base, the top right panel has been given gorgeous electronics with blinking temperature gauges and bold green lights which we imagine show the preserved life metrics of what’s been encased in the carbonite. Again, Sideshow Collectibles has completely wowed us with this release. The price is very high, but there is no doubt that a quality product has been manufactured here. Although this version doesn’t have much of an environment surrounding it like the first version, it is still better because technology has come so much further now.