Bespin Guards Vintage Collection Review

 I come across as someone who knows a lot about Star Wars characters. Well, more than most of my friends anyway. But there are those who know the names of every minor character in all of the Original Trilogy. Take the Bespin Guards, for instance. I just named them Guard 1 and Guard 2 when I was younger, and the names kinda stuck. But no, they had names. Back in 1987 West End Games gave everyone who was a background character a name, and fixed that whole Zuckuss and 4-LOM mess that Kenner accidentally created. Isdam Edian (VC 239) is clean shaven, and in the Kenner line appears as a senior officer due to his paint job. Helder Spinoza (VC 233) has the best mustache in Star Wars next to his boss, Lando Calrissian. So how do these figures fare? Well, that's what this review is for! Plus it's Super Bowl Sunday and I thought a quick 2 for 1 review would be nice since most of the focus is on the Eagles vs Chiefs.

Both figures feature 15 POA (points of articulation), and both come with blasters that do fit in the holsters. Both figures also borrow parts from their boss: the lower body and arms are from previous Lando Calrissian figures, Solo Lando and General Lando (also Bespin Han used the same lower body), and it is a clever re-use here. The hats are also glued onto the figures heads so you aren't in danger of losing them. As you can see in the pictures, getting these figures in action poses isn't difficult, and none of the joints were tight or stuck together.

The blasters don't always stay in the holster, but they are very rubbery and it does take a few moments to get the figure to hold the blasters. I already lost the blaster for Heldor so I had to use a spare one from Endor Luke (or Mandalorian Luke, I just got that figure in!) A stand is recommended if displaying loose and if you store the figure in a box with other figures this is the best way to NOT lose accessories. Both head sculpts are well done, and while Hasbro could have been lazy, they made 2 different face sculpts here. Both figures look well, as do their card images (not pictured). 

 

 

In this final picture, you should be able to see where these figures get their lower body from, which is Bespin Han and General Lando. For background characters this isn't a bad idea. 

 

The only issue I have with Hasbro is the release timing. When the Carbon Freezing Chamber Playset was released, these figures (as well as an Ughnaught) should have also been released to help populate the set and complete the scene. The only figures needed for the scene to be complete are the Ughnaughts, C-3PO with removable limbs and an Imperial Officer. We're close, Hasbro! Just saying! But it is nice to finally get them, and since it re-uses previous figure tooling it comes off as a win-win for Hasbro & collectors: collectors check 2 more off the Original 96 while Hasbro barely has anything to tool (head and torso). For background characters, this makes collectors happy. What doesn't make collectors happy is something I'll put in next week's blog! So enjoy the Super Bowl later today and enjoy the rest of your weekend!