Review: Star Wars Black Series Han Solo from A New Hope, Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary POTF2 Carded Exclusive
- Mephitsu
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."
Following the relative success of Hasbro’s Vintage Carded Black Series figures marking the key anniversaries of the Original Trilogy, the next logical step was to mark the 1995 return of the 3.75-inch Star Wars figures in the Power of the Force 2 series. The 2021 POTF2 carded wave was released as part of the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Celebrations and included three figures of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Greedo. The trio were exclusive to Hasbro Pulse and Shop Disney, but in the UK, they found themselves part of the large dump of excess stock that year, hitting stores like Game at a deep discount.
stock photos
The cardbacks mirror the design from 1995 with the Darth Vader helmet-shaped card top, and a red-hued lightsaber blade cutting diagonally across the dark coloured card. The character is pictured in a panel to the side of the main blister, under which sits the name, both trimmed in a silver tramline. The only new addition is the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary logo in the top right. Around the back, we get a hybrid of the original card, alongside the newer Lucasfilm Anniversary timeline and covering text. The older POTF2 ‘cut out’ character bio survives, and the original Kenner logo sits alongside that of Hasbro.
stock photos
Han Solo was one of the very earliest figures released in the Star Wars Black Series, arriving way back in 2013 as part of the second full wave of original Phase 1 ‘orange’ releases. This 2021 POTF2 version still uses that same 2013 body, with Han dressed in his A New Hope Smugglers Gear. We start with an offwhite sculpted shirt complete with upturned collars and shorter sleeves leaving part of the wrist exposed. This wrist section, and the open neck, is painted in flesh tone and therefore has some variation to the hands and head, which are cast in the flesh coloured plastic. There is a similar mismatch with the midsection, part of the dark blue cast legs, but overpainted in the offwhite shirt finish, but presenting much darker than the main part of the shirt above. Over all of this is Han’s waistcoat, black, softer plastic, and removable if you want.
The legs, as mentioned, are dark blue with the red Corellian Bloodstripe up either side and a pair of gloss black knee high boots to finish the outfit. A belt piece is sculpted as part of the legs and painted in dark brown with a silver buckle. Han then wears his second gun slinger belt over this. Like the jacket, this is softer plastic cast in a lighter brown and with detailing picked out in black and silver. This second belt features a thigh holster for Han’s blaster, which is strapped around the leg, just above the thigh.
versus the 2013/17 release (right)
The headsculpt is the same as the 2013 release, but for this 2021 POTF2 version, we do have a facial print application which improves the realism and gives a reasonably good Harrison Ford likeness as seen in 1977. The hair too is impressive, and sculpted with the floppy fringe and slightly scruffy sides and back. The proportions however are not great, and the head sits a tad too high on an elongated neck complete with a visible neck peg under the chin. The body too feels too tall and thin, and the legs are both bow-legged and slimline compared to Ford’s actual physique.
Han comes with his DL-44 blaster, another carry over from the original release and cast in black with a silver barrel and highlights and a dark brown grip. The blaster is a very soft plastic, common at the time of release, and is easily deformed. It can be stowed in the holster, with a flexible strap coming over the top to secure it in place. This is fiddly to connect with a small peg and hole in a soft plastic material. The blaster then slots into Han’s right hand with the trigger finger in place.
To replicate the scenes on the Death Star, particularly the hectic escape, Han also comes with a Stormtrooper utility belt and holster. This is cast in white with black painted holster and straps. Han’s normal belt unclips from the main buckle at the rear and can be removed, albeit with some patience, by carefully sliding the thigh strap down the leg and over the foot, which is best pivoted to point down. The Stormtrooper belt is an easier fix with a single plug in connector on one side.
Coming with the Utility Belt is a standard E-11 Blaster Rifle, cast in black with a reasonable degree of sculpted detail but zero paint apps. Like the blaster, the Rifle engages into Han’s right hand, while his left is able to come round and scoop the Rifle barrel for a two-handed position. When not in use, the E-11 can be holstered into the Utility Belt.
Han features 16 points of articulation, and the oldest configuration for the Black Series, inclusive of pinned double jointed knees, but single joint elbows. Despite this dated design, Han is plenty flexible with the ability to kneel, sit, and to emote very much like Han does during most of his scenes, including his iconic arms out, head cocked pose when he has got the better of his enemies, or is asking one of his companions to trust him. Despite the age of the base body, the joints are tight and secure with clear ratchet support internally where needed. Han is a lot of fun to position.
This A New Hope Han Solo is very much a part of The Black Series history, appearing in the second full wave and then coming back for a Mexican Multi-Pack, an exclusive two-pack with Greedo, and two carded Anniversary figures, one on Vintage Cardback and this one on the Power of the Force 1995 version. While the headsculpt is much improved by facial tech, a testament to the original sculpting, the figure does feel dated both at the point of release in 2021 and more so now in 2025 when we can see the replacement and much improved A New Hope Han Solo incoming into our collections. This version of Han does remain the one inclusive of the Stormtrooper belt, which is a nice touch, and has its place in our collections for some time yet.
eep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive
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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...