Spoiler Alert: Review of the September Smuggler’s Bounty Box

As a life long Star Wars fan, Smuggler’s Bounty was a no brainer for me to sign up for. So far, the boxes have had a good mixture of new characters, new poses, chase pieces, and more. Last month, some were disappointed with the choice of another R2-D2 primarily due to high hopes for a Carbonite Han Solo. Will this month’s box please or disappoint? Spoilers will continue beyond this point!

Smuggler’s Bounty Death Star Box

I’ll spare you my normal “hey here is the box” pic but let’s get to the goodies. First, let’s check out the pin and patch:

The other small item in the box is a luggage tag. Luggage tags aren’t something I like to go search for so somebody remind me I put this in my bottom desk drawer before I go on my cruise later this year.

Probably my 2nd favorite item in the box is the tshirt. Although it does cause me to be irritated with another item later in the box but I’ll save that for then. I’m a huge mark for Obi-Wan Kenobi so this shirt will make my rotation.

Now on to the proverbial meat of the box. The Pops. I’m very happy with one…and confused by the other. First…

Grand Moff Tarkin

I LOVE Peter Cushing and his portrayal of Tarkin. The Funko artists nailed this design with one choice: cheekbones. You can’t be Cushing without cheek bones.

THIS is the type of character that I want in these boxes. I can imagine that Tarkin sitting on a Target store shelf for ages. It’s not going to sell 100,000 pieces but dangit, it’s an important character and a must for hardcore Star Wars fans. Bravo, Funko Bravo. Alas… PV giveth the praise…now PV taketh it away.

Bespin Darth Vader

Um.. Bespin? Did I just type Bespin? My biggest irritation with this box is putting a Bespin themed Pop in a Death Star box. Why not a Vader from the countless times he’s been on a Death Star? Bespin is from Empire Strikes Back when he battles Luke Skywalker and sorta gives him some daddy issues. To reiterate…there is no Death Star on Bespin. The Pop itself looks great. I’m just wondering if another Pop was intended for this box but something happened. Oh well…sorry for my geek rage. Now let’s look at the Pop I’ve been confused about.

Regardless of the choice of Vader disappointing me the box had two pops, a shirts and I got my money’s worth.

Onto another tangent. Smuggler’s Bounty has announced the theme for the November box: Rogue One.

Oh to take it even further..Funko has already revealed which two Pops will be in the box.

I’m confused by why they would announced that another Jyn Erso and the Death Trooper would be in the box. If they were trying to increase sales for the sub box, I could see doing this. When Funko launched the Marvel Collector Corps box, they let everybody know they would get the Hulkbuster…an amazing and unique Pop that drove people to want to buy it. I’m not sure these two boxes will increase sales, but I’m not a Funko marketing genius. What do I know? I’m curious if Funko has more surprises in store for this box. To sign up for the Rogue One box, sign up at this LINK.