Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (76)

Once a smooth-talking smuggler, Lando Calrissian changed from a get-rich-quick schemer to a selfless leader in the fight against the Empire. When his old friend Han was held captive in the palace of Jabba the Hutt, Lando joined Princess Leia in a mission to rescue him from certain demise.

Oh man oh man. This one is a beauty. And we’re stating that while aware that the figure has a significant issue. (We’ll get to that in a moment.) Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) is a figure that’s been on collector’s wish lists for years now. 3.75” super-articulated collectors received 2012’s TVC Lando Calrissian (Sandstorm Outfit) (VC89) figure (which easily converts into a Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard Disguise) figure in seconds) and although that figure was a tad too short and came with a complexion a little too light, it serves its purpose well. Now fans of The Black Series [Phase III] 6” line have more reason to rejoice than 3.75” collectors because Hasbro has nailed the Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) (76) figure right out of the gate. The head sculpt, and “photorealistic” deco is disconcertingly fabulous. You’re going to feel like you acquired a reduced-sized Billy Dee Williams for your Star Wars collection. With the inclusion of “photorealistic” technology, Hasbro proves to the entire Star Wars collecting community what seemingly miraculous techniques they can achieve on the Star Wars figures they produce. If you thought the regular Lando Calrissian (38) figure looked good, well get ready for your world to get rocked because Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) might be the second best 6” Star Wars figure of 2018 (after Val (Vandor-1) (71) of course). Aside from a perceived lankiness issue and the omission of his skiff guard blaster, Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) is about as perfect as 6” figures come. And that is not an easy feat to achieve. Hasbro’s 6” line was hit or miss for years, but now their figures are consistent and what they’re producing going forward are little masterpieces.

For us, Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard)‘s lower body is too elongated. His legs stand out prominently, and if you compare them with the rest of his body, we’re certain you’ll see that they are a tad too long. It creates an effect that is difficult to unsee. Perhaps this detail is not the end of the world. Heck, some collectors won’t see the issue at all. But in our opinion, the length of the action figure’s legs in The Black Series 6” line has been a longstanding issue. Thankfully, the rest of Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) is near perfect. He is lean, tall, and his stature is mirrored to what we see in Return of The Jedi. Hasbro did a fantastic job of recreating his armor. Everything is detailed accurately and colored to the precise shade of the actual costume Billy Dee Williams wore in the film. Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard)comes with two accessories, but we would have loved to see Hasbro include the skiff guard blaster that 3.75” counterparts had in the past. Instead, the figure only comes with a vibro-ax and a removable helmet. The vibro-ax is exquisitely detailed and has a wash to help bring out its detail. Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) can hold it with two hands or one hand, and you can pose the figure in a variety of ways to utilize the weapon. We’re in awe of his removable helmet. From the painstaking detail that went into the sculpting of it to the beautiful paint operations that brought it to life, Hasbro’s done a great job on this accessory. Not only does it look good, but it also fits on the figure’s head beautifully as well. It may get bumped off when posing the figure, but it stays on permanently after you achieve the pose you desire. Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard) is also able to hold it in his hands for alternate poses.

We’re of course astounded with the paint operations on Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard). “Photorealistic” paint operations are proving to us that it’s the only way figures should be painted. To get lifelike results on human characters is something that’s been a lifelong struggle for Hasbro to get right. But almost from the begin of the introduction of “photorealistic” technology, Hasbro’s results are mind-blowing. We hope they keep up this great track record and we can’t wait to see the results on the figures from The Vintage Collection. If you think about it, we haven’t received too many of Jabba’s retinue in The Black Series 6” line. We’ve always felt that when Hasbro ignores the many aliens from Star Wars that it’s problematic for the line. There is fertile soil to sow with regards to this, and Hasbro should not look the other way when it comes to characters that have traditionally made collecting the most fun and engaging. Hopefully, the blockbuster success of the 6” Gamorrean Guard will prove to Hasbro how important alien characters are to the line. We don’t take for granted when they do introduce the aliens, but they have to pick up the pace and get more and more out to collectors. The line will become stale if they don’t. In the meantime, all collectors should bask in the glory of what Hasbro achieved on Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard). It would be foolish of you to pass on this figure. When action figures look this good, it only helps to reignite the passion of the hobby. We have confidence that Hasbro will continue to proceed in this direction. But they must diversify the line with more aliens. There is no other way we can make that clearer. Oh, and of course they should still make human characters like Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard).