Lobot - TVC - Basic (VC223)

Wow! Hasbro’s The Vintage Collection Wave 32 is nothing short of an impressive cast of characters. It’s not only a perfect balance of old and new, but the revisited characters to complete The Ninety Six will leave you shuttering in your shoes. As if Bib Fortuna wasn’t a magnificent masterpiece, Lobot is another fantastic addition to the line, and in a few ways, but might be better than Bib Fortuna. If you recall, Jedi Temple Archives broke exclusive news back in 2012 that Hasbro was hard at work on an all-new Lobot action figure. We’d even seen images of the prototype. Hasbro wanted to complete the Special Action Figure Set three-packs, and the inclusion of Lobot and Momaw Nadon was necessary for Hasbro to meet this goal. Plans got shelved, and those versions of Lobot and Momaw Nadon remain unreleased. Well, 2021has remedied half of this issue. Hasbro produced a stunning all-new version of Lobot, and we almost cannot find the words to describe how awesome it is. It nearly brings tears to our eyes. While we love the accessories brought forth with 2004’s OTC Lobot (OTC #20) figure, it lacked articulation and didn’t meet the definition of a suitable modern counterpart to 1981’s ESB Lobot figure. Now we have that figure, and Hasbro needn’t revisit this figure ever again. The Vintage Collection line is taking over the Star Wars brand, and we couldn’t be happier.

Lobot is a mostly all-new figure. Hasbro resurrected the legs of 2019's TVC Lando Calrissian (VC137) to add here. But you probably won't notice them as reused parts. Just like how Bib Fortuna took us aback with its height, we’re equally surprised at the shortness of Lobot. Once again, we’re not claiming that Hasbro improperly sized this Lobot action figure, but we’re confident you’ll be somewhat surprised at the action figure’s shorter stature. We’d also like to remind you that 1981’s ESB Lobot figure also came with a shorter height than the other figures in the Kenner line. Let us run down all of the incredible features Hasbro worked into this Lobot action figure. Firstly, the head sculpt/portrait is ASTOUNDING. We cannot believe how close Hasbro captured the likeness of deceased actor John Hollis. This action figure is a dead ringer for him. The Photo Real enhancement brings the likeness to another level, and Hasbro needs to be commended and praised for capturing a stunning resemblance to this action figure. Lobot has an athletic build, and Hasbro was sure to capture this body type on the action figure. They nailed the character’s silhouette brilliantly, and once again, we’re impressed with their achievements here. Unlike the 2004 version of the figure, Hasbro ensured that the lobotomized computer isn’t removable this time, but the detail etched into the “accessory” is nothing short of incredible. We’re amazed by this figure.

Once again, Hasbro went a little cheap on the figure’s accessories. 2004’s OTC Lobot (OTC #20) figure came with a “laptop” and “pen” that was unlike anything we’d seen to date in the line for the character. We wish Hasbro would have resurrected these accessories for The Vintage Collection Lobot figure. We’ll probably never see them again, and they help add some storytelling and display options for an otherwise “boring” action figure. The rest of Lobot is intricately sculpted and designed, and Hasbro nailed all of the character’s features and characteristics beautifully here. Lobot comes with a blaster rifle, and although we’re happy to see something included with the action figure, it feels like we’ve been shortchanged a bit because they could have added other things to keep things interesting. The pair look flawless when posed with the recently released Lando Calrissian action figure. If you asked us if we’d have an all-new Lando Calrissian and an all-new Lobot action figure in 2021, we would have scoffed at you. Never say never. We need now for Hasbro to knock out Cloud City wing guards like there is no tomorrow. There are at least a dozen we’d like to see released. Perhaps Hasbro can release two for The Vintage Collection (for The Ninety Six) and then give us a “Trooper Builder” set of the other characters. That would be amazing.