Bounty Hunter: Concept Boba Fett

It's been a while since I've done a Bounty Hunter Post so here is the origin of the main man himself, Boba Fett. Part of the 2006-2007 Hasbro Star Wars Artist Concept Series, Boba Fett is based on concept work done by Ralph McQuarrie. Though I'm sure others worked on the development of the character, McQuarrie gets the credit for the original concept.



The figure being the concept version does not yet have all the bright colors and battle damage that we all know and love from the movies, but rather is a clean gray and white version. Since the concept sported several helmet types an extra head is included to modify the look of your figure. Some cool features like a holster for his blaster, snap on flame for the flame thrower, and a concealed belly missile launcher have been added, all culled from the concept art.









This subset of figures has to be one of the coolest Star Wars toys in a long time, and were extremely popular. I consider myself a rather good toy hunter and I have not completed a set, which to tell you the truth I would really only want to get the Darth Vader version besides the few that I already have, one day Vader, we'll meet... Boba and I can wait, we're very patient.

Bounty Hunter: McQuarrie Concept Snowtrooper

Okay, I know he's not a Bounty Hunter. But I practically had to take out a bounty to find this guy. It turns out my buddy Bill shops at a Magical Grocery Store as well, and picked this guy up on his weekly trip to the store. He also picked up a few buddies to go along with him (you're breaking me Bill, but thanks on this one).

So as you would know, McQuarrie equals favorite concept artist from the Trilogy. Snowtrooper equals one of my favorite paintings from said concept artist. Actually I love the sketches of the Snowtrooper, and if I find a copy of the Empire Strikes Back sketch book I had as a kid I will no doubt put scans up of my favorite drawings. So, where was I? Oh yeah, McQuarrie Concept Snowtrooper figure equals favorite figure, right?

You know next to my vintage Yoday and Boba Fett, this figure is easily one of my favorites of all time. Even if he has a wonky leg, not to worry Bill, they all have the one leg longer than the other problem. Looks like they copied the concept artwork too closely, right down to the pose. Cool!



Oh yeah, another cool thing is the colors on the helmet and the "nonsense numbers", great stuff, great stuff!

Concept R2-D2 and C3-P0

One of my favorite concept artist, and a reason I decided it would be fun to draw for a living, Ralph McQuarrie did a few little concepts for a little movie called Stars at War (or something like that). Last year Hasbro decided to release 12 of the most hard to find figures based on his artwork. This pair of droids was a set from that release.

R2-D2 and C3-P0 here were exclusive sold at the Star Wars Celebration last year. If you didn't get to go, like myself, a figure company called Toy Rocket bought up the stock and sold them online. Thing is I've checked Toy Rocket before, and their prices are really high, but for a limited time the sold these for what the were going for at the Celebration. Now Star Wars Shop is carrying what ever is left.

The pair is based on one of McQuarrie's concept paintings that were used to sell the idea of Star Wars to 20th Century Fox back in the 70's. C3-P0 really does look like the Metropolis Robot, though the painting has more of a wide eyed, vacant stare than the figure. R2 is a little shorter and he has extra arms hanging about his dome. I really thought these figures were great when they were announced and apparently so did everyone else, going by how hard they are to find. I finally just gave up, with plans on waiting a little while and maybe pick up the remaining ones I want on sites like E-bay or Hasbro Toy Shop.

The thing is that these are just representations of his artwork. Galloob back in the 90's released a set of concept vehicles (as did Hasbro w/ figures) and even had Ralph McQuarrie produce new artwork for the outside of some playsets. You would think these would be hard to find, but for some reason these figures have struck a cord with the collector, or were just released at the right time. Either way they are pretty cool to have kicking around the drawing desk for inspiration and to keep concept Luke company.

Concept Luke

I remember when Hasbro announced that they would be doing a whole series based on the concept artwork of Ralph McQuarrie (one of my major influences as a kid) I was pretty jazzed about it, but now months into the line and with the trouble of finding these figures I'm not so thrilled anymore.

Rumor has it that there are about 12 or so figures in this sub-line, all but one McQuarrie inspired. To date I have three (well four if you count a two pack as two separate figures). Man I hate me some scaplers. This is not the first time a McQuarrie inspired figure has hit stores, matter of fact one of the new ones is a repaint of the first concept figure produced back in 2000. The Stormtrooper concept figure. This guy was a cinch to find, nobody wanted him. I could have made an army out of them if I was so inclined. Fast forward to today and the repaint was the first released and has still eluded me.

This was a convention exclusive Concept Luke, based on the painting of Luke and Vader facing off. This guy is sort of notorious because he was released at Comic Con, and during the convention he was released on line at a less expensive price. To add a discount code was circulated, and then later denied by Hasbro. So people on both sides of the purchase were pissed to say the least. Hopefully I can complete the painting at least, if I can find the concept Vader!