Han Solo In Carbonite - POTF2 [FF/TKC] - Basic

Desperate to capture the young Skywalker, Darth Vader has Cloud City's carbon-freezing chamber adapted for use on humans. However, before allowing it to be used on Skywalker, he orders it tested on Han Solo.

After an initial couple of waves of The Power Of The Force “2” figures hit retail, Lucasfilm introduced the Star Wars community to the Shadows Of The Empire multimedia event. Prepared, Kenner/Hasbro released a line of action figures and vehicles to support the event, and collectors quickly became eager to add them to their collections. But Kenner/Hasbro also needed to keep the standard line active during the Shadows Of The Empire focus. In SOTE case assortments, Kenner/Hasbro continued to add POTF2 action figures, as if they were mixed case assortments. Han Solo In Carbonite was one of the figures included here. Not only did the figure give collectors a modern update to 1985’s POTF Han Solo (In Carbonite Chamber), it also fits in like a glove with the Shadows Of The Empire action figures, since the location of the “frozen” Han Solo was the main theme in that storyline. As an action figure, Han Solo In Carbonite isn’t fantastic. But it serves its purpose well. For the first time, Kenner/Hasbro added a clip to the back of the carbonite block to hold Han Solo in place inside of it. The carbonite block turned out excellently, but Han Solo feels like more of the same as far as the POTF2 line is concerned. The figure is too bulky and muscular, and the likeness barely resembles actor Harrison Ford.

What makes Han Solo In Carbonite slightly perplexing is the character’s sourcing. In The Power Of The Force “2” [Red/Green] line, Kenner/Hasbro appear to source the character from Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. This is evident by the image chosen for the figure’s packaging, as well as the skiff guard blaster packed in with Han Solo. Also, Han Solo comes without any binders whatsoever, something that was exclusive to the character in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Well, for the 1998 The Power Of The Force “2” [Freeze Frame/The Kenner Collection] line, Han Solo and the accessories packed with the figure aren’t updated or different in any way. But the packaging, and pack-in premium Freeze Frame Action Slide, clearly source this action figure to The Empire Strikes Back now. So, we think it’s fair to source this character in both films at this point. Not too much differs from Han Solo In Carbonite when compared to the 1996 action figure. Now, the figure comes in revised packaging with a bonus and costs collectors a dollar more. We’re not sure why Kenner/Hasbro believed Han Solo In Carbonite would make a fine addition as a repack in the Freeze Frame lineup. We feel there are many better candidates that would have resonated with collectors instead.

Han Solo In Carbonite was first called Han Solo (In Carbonite) with Carbonite Freezing Chamber. Realizing that this title was a mouthful, Kenner decided to trim it down a bit, so it was easier on the tongue, and easier to read on the packaging. Ironically, we think the first version is a bit more accurate in description. The figure itself is more of the same. Some people feel that this likeness of Han Solo is good. We don’t feel similarly. For now, this figure resides in our collection as a placeholder until Kenner can bring us something better. Even if we could get past the likeness, we can’t get past the other issues of this figure, like the awkwardly sculpted legs. Included is a wonderful carbonite block with decals on the sides to recreate the electronic functionalities of the device. Its faithfulness to the on-screen prop is impressive. And the likeness to actor Harrison Ford is better than the Han Solo figure packed alongside it. While the carbonite block doesn’t stand by itself without the figure, adding Han Solo to it will allow it to remain upright when combined. The carbonite block has a neat marbling effect for texture. The decals on the sides for the light-up features make it look realistic and prove the carbonite block is undoubtedly the highlight here. Lastly, Han Solo comes with a skiff guard blaster so you can recreate the Battle of Carkoon from the film when you free him from the carbonite block.