This review was originally published on November 25th, 2013.
When you start collecting a new line, the parameters aren’t always set. Are you getting just your favorites or just the figures that are honest-to-god well-made? Or are you so happy with the property or product that you’re willing to double down? To get everything until they make an expensive to obtain SDCC exclusive? (hmm…).
I don’t know if most collectors are like me, or if I’m just weird, but I love checklists. Heck, I love lists in general. So when Star Wars Black was announced, I made a quick list of figures I would want.
Greedo wasn’t on it.
When I made my list, it was about twenty names and I’ve already bought several figures not on that list, but Greedo still stands out from the crowd a bit. Han & R2 were on my list of course. I didn’t envision Luke in his X-Wing Gear as my first choice, but it’s still buying a Luke. The Sandtrooper is in the same boat. Maul & Fett are kind of a big deal. And then there’s Greedo.
He shows up for a few minutes, says a few lines, and then more infamously than anything, shoots first or second (whatever) and dies. That’s it. That’s Greedo. He’s generously grouped into the “Bounty Hunter” subset from ESB, but other than that, he’s a bit player. And figures like Greedo are going to be how Hasbro ensnares 6” toy collectors.
There are plenty of Star Wars fans who will likely but this line, but there is also a subset of collectors who buy in this scale. Marvel Legends catered to them. DC Universe Classics kept them busy when ML faced uncertain times. And, I could be wrong, but I think a good chunk of us will be migrating towards SWB nowadays. As I said above, some buys are givens. Han Solo. Darth Vader. But how is Hasbro going to move Greedo in that regard? They do the worst thing imaginable: They give him a kickass figure.
It could just be Han’s neck or Boba’s blocked hips, and that I haven’t opened Leia yet, but Greedo is basically soaking up all my enthusiasm for this wave. I would’ve never guessed that ever. I have to point out, as I usually do, I’m often a toy collector first, and licensing lover second. A bad character getting a fantastic figure is much better than a great character getting a subpar figure in my eyes. I’ll often buy both, but the latter tends to chafe over time.
So, I partially don’t care that this is Greedo. I admit it. But what I do have is a kickass alien figure in the bestest scale ever. This is how I know Star Wars Black is going to get me into trouble. Continue to Page 2…
I don’t know why everyone thinks he’s a bounty hunter. Clearly, he is a nurse. Look at his sensible shoes.
Even if his figure hadn’t turned out so awesome, Greedo would still be a must. He is iconic. His brief scene with Han sets Han up as a badass who shoots first …just in case. I have all the bounty hunters on my list for this line but let’s face it: For all their later greatness, when compared to Greedo, guys like Bossk, IG-88, 4-LOM, and Zuckuss are originally background characters and Greedo is practically a lead. At least slightly below Boba Fett in term of importance within the entire OT proper.
Releasing him in the same wave as Han instead of Chewie makes a lot of sense as well. Not only do we get to recreate the infamous cantina showdown, but we also get both a hero and a villain in one fell swoop.
BTW: The pics and captions are outstanding as always. LMAO at those Keanu references! Not exactly Greedo’s finest hour here, either. 🙂
I am so glad I read this when was done eating. Seen Greedo and will agree he is a great looking fig. I just am like you trouble if get too into this so not expecting to buy full waves. Money wise that is. The review and pics awesome. I had to laugh at the “haters gonna hate” shot that pose was too funny and why can’t I think that up with some legends that could do it. If I was drinking anything woulda done a spit take. Made me think he stepped in Bantha fodder or maybe dengar dung. (Great now I wanna see 6″ Bantha and dengars.)
I haven’t got Luke yet, awaiting Jedi Luke to hit. Know will have to get Sandtrooper on 2ndary market.
I definitly have little interest in the 3.75″ scale figures but these are right up my alley. And at three or four figures a wave its not gonna kill me to have to pay for them all. If they did this with GI Joe I dont know what I’d do.
Tu-ta Tu-ta, Solo?
so i have to ask… at this point, have you called/emailed poe and asked for sweet mercy yet? through up the fingers man, request missio and end your humiliation… he was right about you and this line. i think you should offer him a “poetorial” to explain why he guessed correctly, and how he knew you’d fall for SWB.
man, the posability on this cat is nuts, i think even superior to darth maul… that’s cool as hell. and by going “johhny mneumonic” does that mean he plays second fiddle to ice t and must forever be unable to bed dina myer?
Han shot first! Other than that great review!
I love this guy! Like you, Noisy, I didn’t have plans to pick this guy up, but when I saw him, I couldn’t pass him up. I’m very happy with him, and that’s despite his not having many accessories. Granted, he didn’t have many accessories during his appearance in the movie, but I still would have liked him to have something. The box looked very empty when compared to his wave-mates.
He should have had an alternate chest piece with a hole through it, and maybe a removable tongue that can dangle out of his mouth.
So did you check to see if his hands (and head) are easily removed? I have a couple customs in mind for him, but they won’t work with those alien fingers. Beyond that, I think there’s a Jedi of same race, but I also see some Greedo Lanterns coming, too.
I can see the body being re-used for other Rebel pilots, not sure about the vest, tho? Is it the same as Han’s? Could a thicker arm work with it to make a coat? (re numerous H-MLs like Fury, Punisher, Red Skull.)
also, LOVE the comics, as always!
re-posted for SW7 “Force Friday” 2015?
sigh…all the fun in this review and many stores are glutted with him still, nearly two years later.
Great review, pics, and hilarious comics! You’re obviously having fun with this guy. I love the heck out of this figure. Only complaint I have is the elliptical eyes, which should’ve been perfectly round.
I reckon they could reuse the body for Beedo and Pax & Trax Bonkik, they’d just need new vests and paint jobs. There’s some really obscure background guy who’s just a human wearing one of these jumpsuits. But if I don’t know the guy’s name, chances are he won’t get a 6″ action figure any time soon.
A little bit of metallic paint goes a long way to improving the eyes . . .
http://forum.rebelscum.com/photogallery/data/500/medium/BigRodians.jpg
. . . though I have seen a custom that uses costume jewellery stones for the eyes that looks amazing.
Is Greedo wearing loafers?
yes, sorry about that. River Song borrowed the red high heels, and they somehow wound up in the Black Archive in London Tower. shh! 😉
reuse for ponda boba maybe?
(I guess I spelled that right)
the cantina alien that Obi Wan “disarmed”.
He doesn’t like you…
I have never been a StarWars fan…even in my youth.. but thes figures just look cool…
Cool looking figure, I just wish I had actually been able to find one in stores. /s
Reading this review, I am amazed at how exactly we are on the same page, from the appeal of the line to ML fans, to the disquieting realization that Greedo is an amazing toy that you need. Great fun.