Just a couple of weeks prior to San Diego Comic-Con, Sideshow collectibles announced this brand new figure that will delight Boba Fett’s diehard fans. The Boba Fett Arena Suit from War of the Bounty Hunters.
Boba Fett has always been among the coolest-looking characters in Star Wars. In modern times this means that a new bust, figure, or statue of the deadly Mandalorian is announced every few months.
Boba Fett: Arena Suit Figure Preview
“A new Boba Fett statue? That’s not news”. You might be thinking, and usually I’d agree with the sentiment, but this one revealed by Sideshow is special.
The Arena Suit Boba Fett figure is based on War of the Bounty Hunters, a comic book crossover where many characters and factions cross paths: Darth Vader, Qi’ra, Lando, IG-88, Dengar, Ochi of Bestoon, Jabba, Dr. Aphra, and even Durge!
It was supposed to be a 2022 Toy Fair (canceled earlier this year) exclusive but Sideshow Collectibles posted this on their official Facebook:
“Early access to pre-order the Hot Toys Boba Fett Arena Suit will be available for San Diego Comic-Con Sideshow Con registrants from 7/11-7/19 while supplies last!”
This is a 1:6 scale figure. It can be considered a repaint, but technically it’s a repaint that (for once) is canon. It includes a blaster, pistols, interchangeable hands, a spear, and a themed base.
Just like every other figure of this type, this one is highly posable so you’ll be able to recreate your favorite scene from the comic series without any problem.
The lighting might make it look like it has a similar paint job to Din Djarin’s chrome armor shown in The Mandalorian, but fear not, this is as black as it can get.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Mandalorian armor without any battle damage. This one isn’t as worn as other versions of Boba Fett but a decent amount for those of us who aren’t that picky about it.
War or the Bounty Hunters Comics
War of the Bounty Hunters consisted of 34 issues which were released between May 5th and November 3th 2021. It was a big event and lots of things unfolded as the story progressed.
I won’t tell any major spoilers, however, I must share a few details so you can have more context about the statue we’re talking about and why many people are already super excited about it.
The story takes place right between The Empire Strikes Back, when Boba Fett is heading to Jabba’s Palace to deliver a frozen Han Solo. Long story short, Boba loses his price, and hell is unleashed.
Boba Fett will have to endure a lot before getting his bounty back, one of these moments takes place in the battle arena of Nar Shaddaa.
To avoid being recognized, Boba paints his armor black and uses the name of his father to fight in the pit, this is the Boba Fett we’re getting.
Conclusion and personal thoughts
Since his return in The Mandalorian, Boba Fett’s merchandise has become a little predictable, to say the least. I get that he’s still one of the fan favorites and that won’t change soon (nor do I want it to) but the last time I thought “That’s a really cool repaint” was when the Boba Fett Prototype figure came out and that was a long time ago.
I’m actually excited about this one, even though I won’t try to get one. The Star Wars market figure is flooded with options and these releases of alternate versions show us that at least some companies are trying to give us a few more options.
I wonder how many more surprises we’re getting at San Diego Comic-Con!
In case the figure isn’t sold out (which I doubt), the Boba Fett Arena Suit will be available for everyone to pre-order via Sideshow.
Are you going to buy one? Do you think this repaint is acceptable or are you done with them?
