Re: SSC Luke Skywalker Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure
I still think the HT sculpt captures him pretty darn well... but it does obviously need a bit more tweaking and refining.
I won't deny that between HT and SSC, HT has the better portrait...but as a diehard Luke fan, and knowing what the sculptors are capable of, I personally expected more. And to add insult to injury, they could've easily did what SSC are providing; ROTJ Luke with cloak and endor gear, with a second helmeted head sculpt. Portrait isn't there, but at least they're giving us everything...and the kicker? He's priced almost the same as HT version. Why the hell are HT making us buy a separate Luke just for the endor gear? That's almost like splitting ROTJ Vader with 2 releases; one without helmet reveal, and one with...but at a later date.
I don't think I'm completely out of line by making this statement: ESB may be the favored movie, but ROTJ Luke is the favored iteration of the hero. Pretty much every collector under the Tatooine suns has made speculations, guesses, bets that the next DX figure in the SW line is going to have to be ROTJ Luke. ESB Luke was a DX, so the only logical choice is/was ROTJ Luke. But what did we get instead? A regular, gimped release with ONE headsculpt. to be followed with a second version with endor gear. I know what HT are doing. I'm onto their game. They've done this before. Think back on the the dark knight rises DX12. Clearly the interchangeable mouthplates were lacking in likeness and detail. The eyes were still bug eyed...EVERYONE complained. A simple little change could've taken care of that, but HT didn't do ****. Reason being? Because of the eventual armory release that basically featured the same DX batman, but with fixed eyes, and shrunken 1/4 mouthplates that featured a better bale likeness.
The SW brand was never strong in China (one of HT biggest markets, thanks to marvel and iron man)...ESB Luke DX sales were abysmal there. When I lived in China, I was able to secure TWO of him MONTHS later, for a discounted price. During that time, it was unheard of for a HT release. This disappointing ROTJ Luke is their way of making a little more money from the other markets (the western market). Split him up into 3 figures: 1-regular. 2-endor. 3-DX with EVERYTHING and new headsculpts.
I'm aware there are those that are complacent or even satisfied with this current Luke. But personally, I am extremely disappointed. I regret POing this. And that's how HT gets you. Offer something from an extremely popular brand with JUST enough to call this a solid release, but hold back just enough so they can gouge you even further later.
I see what you're doing HT. You think you're slick, but you're not.