It's no secret that Hasbro's reboot of the Vintage Collection has had a rocky start. I was rapt to see super articulation return to 3 3/4" figures, and - like many collectors - wanted to vote with my feet (or, rather, my wallet) in order to keep this line alive. Unfortunately, we haven't really been given the chance to do that yet. Of the fourteen figures in the first three waves, eight have been repacks of earlier releases that many collectors already own. This, combined with abysmal distribution, has made hard it to patronise the line. Fortunately, that all looks to change in 2019 - starting with the Vintage Collection's phenomenal fourth wave.
Accompanying Hasbro's impending Sail Barge, this wave focuses heavily on Jabba's Palace-themed figures, including Saelt-Marae (Yakface), Princess Leia Organa (Boussh), and Klaatu (Skiff Guard). I'm honestly still shocked that I managed to stumble across these figures in a brick-and-mortar store. A rumour of stock slipping into New Zealand saw me check out my hometown Warehouse while visiting in January. Sure enough, I managed to snag the trio - and no less than two months before their predicted release date.
While the Leia is a release of a sculpt from the old Black Series line, she now features a new Photoreal face - the first figure in the 3 3/4" line to be given this treatment. The result is a phenomenal figure which - if not for the permanently fixed thermal detonator in her hand - would go down as one of my all-time favourite releases in this scale.
Though both blink-and-you'll-miss-them characters, the Saelt-Marae and Klaatu will do an excellent job of adding some interesting eye candy to my Jabba's Palace display. Both figures feature some fantastic detailing, though Saelt-Marae's soft goods and shiny 'wet' nose make him something truly special. The pair also feature improved wrist articulation that I've not seen before. The hands no longer simply rotate as on previous figures, but also hinge back and forward - allowing for a whole new range of motion and display possibilities.
The Vintage Collection only looks to get better as this year progresses, so fingers crossed I get just as lucky finding the rest of the items on my hunt list!
