Following on from the first Carbonized Exclusives in 2019, three more figure were released in the Carbonized metallic paint finish and box in 2020 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back. Alongside Carbonized Boba Fett (reviewed here) were figures of Darth Vader and an Imperial Stormtrooper.
Packaging 4/5
The 2020 Carbonized figures continue with the design principles laid out in 2019. The box is the same as the Phase 3 packaging, with the small addition of a circular panel cut into the window that confirms this as a Carbonized release.
The box is presented in a metallic foil with two contrasting colours of green and gold for Boba Fett. This metallic finish makes the box very striking in terms of a look, and the shades and artwork do look very different and appear to change depending on the light. Being a 40th Anniversary release for The Empire Strikes Back a silver foil log sits on the top of the box.
The 2019 Carbonized figures kept the numbering system from their corresponding general release, while these new 2020 figures do not and the side spine has the usual dotted box we associated with exclusives.
Front and back carry the same Gregory Titus artwork, with the back also carrying a short piece of background text
"With his customized Mandalorian armor, deadly weaponry, and silent demeanor, Boba Fett was one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy"
Upon opening the box, from either top or bottom flap, the figure slides out in its inner tray and backing gold metallic backing card.
It is worth noting that Boba's cape has been folded tight and slid in with his left leg rather than being placed through a slot in the plastic tray. This makes the cape very misshapen on arrival and it will need some teasing to sit right.
Paint & Sculpt 4/5
Carbonized Boba Fett uses the same 2013 sculpt as all the other Boba releases to date. This is no a bad thing considering the original sculpt still looks fantastic despite its age. The helmet carries the dent we see on the prop, along with the rangefinder - which sadly cannot be adjusted.
The paint is fully metallic across the figure with the green given a metallic sheen, the grey amended to a silver finish and the browns and bronzes also now metallic. The decals are also given a once over with the chest logo much clearer than the original release. Even the Wookiee braids and Jet Pack are given a metallic finish.
They've still added scratched paint damage on the helmet and chest, which means while he is metallic and shiny - Boba still looks worn and battle damaged.
There are no obvious paint defects or the peeling issues we saw on the 2019 Carbonized figures.
Side by side with the General version (mine is the 2013 original) you can see the metallic upgrades to the paint and while I know this is stylised piece - it would not look totally out of place alongside the standard figures.
I am not overly keen on the cape due to the way it has been packed, and it also arrives freyed. It is nice to see however they've also given the cloak a metallic finish to further enhance the carbonized look
Accessories 4/5
Boba is armed with his EE-3 Carbine Rifle, which is the same as the original releases and specific to The Empire Strikes Back with the slimmer barrel. It gets a metallic sheen on the grip and but does lose some silver drybrushing on the barrel which is left as black.
The EE-3 fits into either hand - both have trigger fingers and trips - and it can als be held with a two handed poses.
Boba also has his Sacros K-11 Disintegrator Pistol, which is a more simplistic cast and again the same as the original version. The brown is updated to the metallic finish.
Again, the K-11 can fit in either hand. And it can also slot into the working holster on Boba's right hand side.
Articulation 4/5
Boba Fett has the usual set of 16 points of articulation. Each joint is tight and secure, with the only blocage coming at the shoulders as you raise the arm and find the shoulder pauldron starts to block so far up.
Head : ball joint with pivot
Body : waist ball joint
Arms : ball joint shoulder, single rotating elbow, writ pivot
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivel, double joint knees, ankle rockers
Boba is easy to stand and pose and the metallic finish does not seem to be suffering in anyway as the joints are moved.
Summary
While the Carbonized line as a whole may be seen as buying the same figures again, it has to be said that the Carbonized Boba Fett is a very well executed repaint and looks quite special in hand - both in the box and out of it. The figure was a good sculpt to start with, and has good articulation. The addition of the metallic paint work makes the armour stand out even more and as a display piece Boba Fett is a fine addition to a collection
As always with Fett availability will be an issue due to his popularity. The box will also be more prone to damage in transit and on display, so be mindful if you are planning on keeping this mint in the box. There are thankfully no issues at this stage with chipping/flaking metallic paint work. The only issue is really how they packed that cape.
I score Carbonized Boba Fett a 4 out of 5.
About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, star wars, black series, carbonized, boba fett, the empire strikes back, 40th anniversary, hasbro