Another look and some comments....
It's a Sideshow figure.
I don't mean that as a jibe. It just sums it up. I don't look at this as a comparison to the HT version. While that may be an apples n' oranges comparison to some, I'll just say they both have their respective issues as figures. I will give HT the edge for it's issues not being quite so glaring as the ones with this figure, but as one who appreciates an entire figure, from box to boots, there is a lot to like here.
Let's get the good stuff onto the table first. I like the proportions of this figure a lot. While the limbs on the base body are a bit scary-loose, they seem to hold the poses and articulate well. The outfit fits the proportions of the figure, with the tunic and trousers having a good, realistic fit (with one major issue I'll visit below). The chest front folds over crisply and stays well-seated with it's magnet. The boots come across better in person with the pliable upper portions not looking too stiff and the break at the foot allowing for some extreme stances.
All of the materials are well selected and feature good texture. The hooded cloak has great weight and is especially nice with it's well-hanging folds and drape. The only unfortunate feature is it's glaring top stitch on the top of the hood.
I'm surprised on how much I like the flexible hands. What they lack in detail they make up for in how easily they switch and they are not the oversized mitts HT has been featuring lately.
The box is styled like the recent Mythos Kenobi...straying a bit from the standard formula by featuring close-up details of the figure making for a nice visual touch as the figure is being unboxed. The one thing I did notice with the box is the weight- a much lighter stock is being used here. In fact the box took me by surprise with how slight it was, right down to the shipper. I'm old-fashioned, but when I see the word "deluxe" in the title of something, I'm expecting it to follow through the entire presentation.
Now for the not so good.
I mention how much I like the outfit and the materials. The big crime here is how incredibly lumpy and wrinkled the base suit is. I don't know if even stripping it down and water-treating will do the trick. (If anyone's had a go at it it with any success, please share with us here!)
The portrait has a stylized look to it. Not bad, just different. The features and imperfections of Hamill's face are present, but with the clean but flat paint apps, the slightly widened eyes (not to the level of the original "deer-in-the-headlights" one from years ago mind you) to the "saw-toothed" hairline across the forehead, the portrait comes across as an idealized version. It's not bad, like all portraits, a certain angle and light capture the best look for the young Hamill here.
The one crime of the head itself for me is how it attaches to the body. The huge gap behind the ears and base of the neck are pretty unsightly and limit effective display angles. The big black collar helps as do the hoods on the poncho and cloak...it just would have been nicer if the engineering here were a bit cleaner. You can see what I mean with this profile view:
I'll have some more shots and thoughts about this one later. I am glad I kept the order. It is interesting seeing different presentations of the same iconic character. Still dig my Sideshow figures....
(BTW...before folks ask, the Endor helmet is NOT the one the comes with the figure...I borrowed it from one of the Endor Rebel Troopers SSC produced years ago. I'll have some shots of that portrait with it's helmet up later)