Review: 41498 Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite
Posted by CapnRex101,
The BrickHeadz range includes several exclusive twin packs, perhaps the most desirable of which is the impressive 41498 Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite. This 329-piece set was available at New York Comic-Con in October so was the first in the range of Star Wars BrickHeadz which now also includes characters from the Sequel Trilogy.
Many people were understandably disappointed when this set was revealed as Boba Fett is a tremendously popular character. Restricting the figure to a pack with such limited availability is therefore rather frustrating, particularly since Fett includes several printed elements and a couple of pieces in new colours which are not yet available anywhere else. Nevertheless, this is a very interesting set so is worthy of a closer look, despite not being widely available.
Box and Contents
Comic-Con BrickHeadz sets are always packaged in an attractive slip case and this set is no exception. The figures look superb against an orange and dark red background and I like the glossy finish on the surface. The box is sealed at the base using numbered tape so it can be opened without visible damage in case you wish to display the box beside the figures. My copy is numbered 0433.
The box contains separate instruction manuals for each figure and the pieces are similarly divided between two bags. Both are resealable which suggests that they have been packed by hand, as is usual for these limited edition BrickHeadz sets.
The Completed Model
Each BrickHeadz model stands on a unique black base. Boba Fett's is constructed on a 6x6 plate so remains perfectly stable on display while Han Solo in Carbonite necessitates a wider stand with a slot for the Carbonite block. There is no stud attachment between the figure and its base but this design still works very nicely in my opinion. Both stands include a printed 2x4 tile featuring the LEGO Star Wars and New York Comic-Con branding.
Boba Fett's armour is instantly recognisable and this BrickHeadz figure looks superb. The combination of light bluish grey, sand green and dark green is brilliant and I love the flame yellowish orange accents on the shoulders and knees, matching the movie precisely. Printed elements are used to depict a few of the subtler details where necessary but the most significant features of the armour are formed by bricks alone, as one would hope.
This model therefore includes some unusual building techniques, among the most noticeable of which are the angled sections of the Mandalorian helmet. A pair of dark green 2x2 wedge plates are fitted on hinges and then folded back to reveal the lower section of the visor as well as dark red stripes on either side. These details line up perfectly with a printed 1x4 tile which depicts the horizontal area of the visor. Furthermore, the famous dent in Boba's helmet is printed in metallic silver on a 2x2 curved slope and I think this is very effective.
A static rangefinder is clipped to the right side of the helmet while the left features another printed tile decorated with a yellow striped pattern. Further printing appears on Boba's shoulder armour, showing the Krybes, a Mandalorian emblem depicting the skull of a Mythosaur in Legends continuity. This is a charming detail and I think the light bluish grey tiles look good too, although this section of the helmet is actually dark green in the movie.
Boba Fett wears a tattered cape behind his left shoulder and this is depicted here using some curved slopes and a few plates. I love the colour combination of dark tan and medium dark flesh, replicating the striped design in the movie, as well as the exposed studs which give the impression of fraying at the edges of the fabric. There are some more visible studs on the back of the helmet alongside a couple of dark red vents.
Bounty hunters ought to be equipped for every eventuality and Boba Fett certainly is, wearing a sand green jetpack on his back and wielding an EE-3 carbine rifle. The jetpack includes twin thrust nozzles, the angles of which can be adjusted, along with a detachable missile on top. I particularly like the pearl silver harpoon element used at the centre of the missile and the EE-3 blaster looks good too, although it would be even better with a reddish brown stock attached beneath the grip.
Han Solo in Carbonite is constructed unlike any previous BrickHeadz figure, with most of the studs facing forwards, but it is still immediately recognisable as part of the BrickHeadz range. The blocky head and torso are clearly visible and the arms include the standard 1x2 plates with clips, although these reach forwards rather than hanging by the sides of the figure in order to replicate Han's frozen pose in the films.
I love the textured hair that resembles Han's unkempt style in The Empire Strikes Back and the closed eyes look splendid too. Two rows of printed control panels line either side of the Carbonite block. Seven are decorated with the same intricate design and the eighth features some red and green buttons. This one is used for checking the hibernation status of the subject, as demonstrated by Lando Calrissian in the movie.
Light bluish grey dominates the rear of the model but a couple of trans-clear panels are also included, allowing you to display the figure as though it is hovering, just as in the film. Dark bluish grey inverted tiles along the underside of the block mean that the model can also be displayed upright, as shown in the image below. However, much of its weight is focused at the front so you might wish to use the stand included.
The trans-clear panels are perfectly spaced to fit into the slot on the stand, giving the impression that the model is floating above the base. This is remarkably effective as the panels are not visible when viewed from most angles, although I prefer to display the figure upright as that looks more consistent with the rest of the BrickHeadz range in my opinion.
Overall
These are probably my favourite BrickHeadz to date. Boba Fett is incredibly detailed and matches the character as he appears in The Empire Strikes Back almost perfectly. Many BrickHeadz figures include familiar building techniques but the bounty hunter is very distinctive, making use of hinges to form his helmet. Han Solo in Carbonite is even more unusual, as one might expect. The Carbonite block looks marvellous and Han Solo himself is immediately recognisable by his hairstyle, despite being entirely monochromatic.
It is therefore disappointing that these figures were only available at New York Comic-Con, particularly given the popularity of Boba Fett. However, I would be incredibly surprised if the bounty hunter remained exclusive to a limited edition set so expect he will soon appear alone in a single figure pack. Alternatively, LEGO might release a slightly different version of Boba Fett based upon his attire in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
Thanks to James from Jedi News for acquiring this set on my behalf.
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29 comments on this article
Lego really missed a trick by making these exclusive. These would easily have been the best-selling BrickHeadz.
Still disappointed about the exclusivity of this set.
Reading the review just made feel more that way. :(
Shame on you Lego for pulling this.
Great review
I recently aquired this set and I am very happy with it. Does anyone know if the Rey/Kylo Ren will be sold seperately in the future so not by Target?
Some of the best brickheadz I've ever seen. What a shame Lego, what a shame...
The only Brickheadz set worth having, in my opinion. I paid a reasonable second-hand price to obtain it, but probably would not have paid much more. What's particularly frustrating about these types of limited releases is that it makes it so difficult for people to complete a series. The exclusives are fun and all...until they're not.
Does lego read any customers comments on sites like this? How many years does it take to realise that any convention exclusives upset their customers? And to be honest their profits?
I believe this move was heavily influenced by Hasbro's set for NYTF / Experience 2013 (?) with the Black Series 6'' Boba Fett & Han in carbonite 2-pack. Boba Fett was available a little later, Han was never released again as far as I know. So I believe we will get Boba probably in 2018/19, they wouldn't miss out on such an important character. Needless to say, it's a shame not to get Han in carbonite, as this is really nice, especially with the printed eyes. I surely would like to get one.
I thought these were incredible when I first saw them, I only wish the pair were available at lego Manchester I, d happily buy them I only have belle & beast,
Finn and phasma were rather disappointing, but Kylo Ren and Rey made up for those two flops..
Now bring on chewie C3 -P0 & the imperial guards.
A terrific review and a set I'd buy for sure even though I don't have any BrickHeadz. LEGO dropped the ball from a fan and a sales POV with this release.
Wonder how long it will be until the Chinese knock-offs show up.
While this version surely is Comic Con exclusive, we could get an alternate Boba Fett Brickhead, kinda like Batman.
Nice review! I'd love to have the Han Solo one, but the ('second'-hand) prices are way too high though... Why did Lego ever decide to release such an unfair amount of exclusive BrickHeadz :(
@CapnRex101: if you don't mind; could you post some pictures of the parts-lists?
Thanks!
Lego is now in the same club as Nintendo: Companies That Hate Money.
^ To be fair, that's better than being in the club of wanting money too much! *cough* EA *cough*
@merman Seperate box images have been leaked, so I assume they'll be available seperately, at least in some capacity. However, I came across the duo version at a LEGO Store, so I have a feeling they'll be a wide-range duo set or something.
Although the review has some great detail and the Brickheadz themselves are excellently designed, I can only leave this page with disappointment. As a bit of a completionist, particularly with 'Collectable' items like Brickheadz, it does put a dampener on Star Wars Brickheadz as a whole for me even before they begin in earnest.
I never liked brickheads, but I would buy these two if they weren't exclusive.
I was a huge fan of the brickheads until the exclusives were announced. I am a bit of a completionist myself, so I haven't purchased another since the announcement becuase I knew I would never have the complete set. I am not trying to be overly dramatic, but I did the same thing when Mr. Gold was announced as part of the collectable minifigures. As soon as I knew I wouldn't be able to complete the series I stopped and haven't purchased another one of those either.
I think that Lego needs to learn that while exclusives generate a momentary excitement (and a ton of money for resellers), they can actually have a profoundly negative impact on the broader base of collectors. Now if they would only come out with a SDCC modular building that I couldn't get... wow that would save me some money in the long run.
^ I made an exception to Mr Gold because it was just so outrageously rare, expensive and prone to phonies. Bar Mr Gold (pun intended) - I still have every other collectible minifigure from series 1 up to now, including extras like ones attached to books. I'm surprised at how valuable some of the seemingly 'normal' ones from early series are now!
Fortunately, Brickheadz are at least less numerous and the 'incompletion' messages were strong from the very beginning, with tonnes of Comic Con items.
Of course the only Brickheadz to peak my interest thus far are the most exclusive of the bunch. Thanks, LEGO.
So far I haven’t really been interested in the Brickheadz line at all, but this set looks really good and I would definitely get it if I could. I wish LEGO would eventually release it widely :(
I don't recall having seen such obvious gating marks (location where the plastic is injected in the mould) as on those dark green 2x2 wedge plates. They're not present on the pictures on the box though...
Come molti hanno scritto, peccato che LEGO non abbia prodotto in serie questo set.
Mi piacerebbe avere Han in carbonite ...... Peccato ... Comunque sia, recensione eccezionale ;)
They can release a prototype Boba in all white with a white rangefinder as a normal Brickhead easily enough.
I would totally buy this if it was available :(
*cry* *weep* *sob* *wail* *bawl* *etc*
Bummer, I really don't care for brickheadz but I totally would have bought this. I won't pay the secondary mkt price for it though. Really too bad.
@grimdrag 100% agree!
Two of the best Brickheadz yet!
Great review, impressive details.
Lego truly oops with this one, how many sales are they missing by making this an exclusive item. Possibly the best seller potentially has been limited to a few. Shame on you LEGO