#retroblasting #bobafett #starwars Support us on PATREON: / retroblasting Check out Procustomefigures here: procustomfigur... Michael looks at the range of replica prototype rocket-firing vintage Boba Fett figures from Procustomfigures!
His name was Robert Jeffrey Warren. He was 4 years old and died a few days after Chsitmas. While not the emphasis of this video, he was one of us (gen x) and his unfortunate passing and the resulting changes to toy safety probably has saved untold children a similar fate and needs recognition.
Hank Hill: Excuse me... are y'all with the cult? Boba Fett Fans: We're not a cult, we're a group of fans who promote Boba Fett and... Hank hill: Yeah, this is it.
Michael, I don't know how old you are but I was 8 in 1978 when I got my mail away Boba Fett. My figure and weapon still survive but the bag, box and all the paperwork are long gone. Good on you to have the foresight to keep that piece of toy history intact. I knew about the rocket firing Boba Fett before it came out. Try as they might to cover the firing picture with a black sticker some kids still found a way to remove the sticker. When it came I really didn't care that it didn't fire, it was just cool to have a new figure that no one else had. As a side note my cousin got one of those Battlestar Galactica missiles stuck up his nose when he was 4 or 5. He was fine but it was a scary time for a bit. And no, the missile is not still in his nose.
Perfection, as always. I had (possibly still have stored away somewhere) that Cylon Raider with the spring loaded missiles. I had no idea that it was the toy responsible for the great downfall. For some reason I always thought it was that weird Battlestar Galactica Scarab thing that wasn't actually in the show. Now that I know the truth, I really want to find my Cylon Raider. It's part of history.
@@retroblasting Oh I was NEVER suggesting that you were incorrect! I just remember that it was a BSG toy that caused it. And for some reason I had always thought it was that weird toy. I am certain that your memory is better than mine.
I had that weird Scarab vehicle and it shot the missiles. I still have only one missile, the rear double launcher, and the super-tiny figure. As kids, my sister and I would set up domino forts at each end of our coffee table and shoot them down with the double launcher.
I have previously read about the tragic death of the kid Robert Jeffrey Warren who died from the red missile. Nice to see you finally talk about the rocket- firing Boba Fett phenomenon. Interestingly, on his death certificate it said he died from a 'Star Wars' toy.
Great video. What is interesting is that LEGO has been producing sets with firing blasters for several years now. These “blasters” employ essentially the same spring loaded missile firing technology that was in the BSG toy sets and presumably the Kenner Boba Fett figure.
I am acquaintances with Gus Lopez here in Seattle, WA and have been to his home to see his amazing collection. Among his immense collection is a prototype boba fett.. Among other amazing Star Wars collectibles.
Anti-repro minions aren't happy unless they're complaining about any reproductions, even if it's something so rare as this. So let them have their bones to chew on. Although not being a SW fan, I have to admit that I really like the "holiday special" figure. Excellent video as always. 👍
Great review. I think that these would make a fun little addition to a collection. I personally thing the plain, unpainted "purple-ish" Fetts look good. But I have always liked seeing sculped detail instead of paint applications.
I really enjoy digging through your old reviews of SW customs. I had not heard of Procustomfigures until I saw one of your reviews recently. Yesterday I received my first order from them, their three variants of the Sandtrooper. The quality is off the scale, they are just SO good.
Micheal, that’s my favorite design too is the holiday variant. I might even pick one up because of this cool idea and I appreciate quality made figures. Thank you for this review and story time video. It was so fun to watch! Well done, sir! 🤩🤩
Really cool to see these available for the common collector! My dad had so many Kenner Star Wars figures when he was young and played with them THOROUGHLY. He passed them down to me when I was younger, probably five years old, and we’re talking headless Vader, toothpick lightsaber Obi-Wan, and yellowed Stormtroopers. However, by some stroke of pure luck, his Boba Fett was given to me in seemingly new condition. It was unboxed, but had no damage or play wear. He even said it was his favorite, which I assumed meant it was played with a lot. I’m so happy to have his figures, especially the bafflingly clean and crisp Boba Fett example, with original blaster to boot. It’s the only figure that had a weapon, including Vader, Luke, and Obi-Wan, whose lightsabers were crudely replace by literal toothpicks.
Mark at Procustomfigures is doing great work. I picked up an RF-BF a while ago and it's a very nice figure. The other figures he makes nicely fit into a classic Kenner Star Wars display. I, too, am looking forward to the upcoming Rebel Pilots release.
@@shogunfox7141 You'd have to email him directly for any specific questions but I've had absolutely no problems with any of the packages I've received.
I remember first reading about the rocket-firing Boba in Star Wars Insider. They also talked about the prototypes and people faking them. Also, waiting to order my Gold Leader form ProCustoms, since it looks like I had to order the whole set to get him in the first run.
It really amazes me how crazy star wars fans got over this Boba fetts toy. Who knew removing one simple feature from such a simple toy. Would have such a huge effect that generation of kids.
It is interesting that 2 generation almost alike. For those who grew up with the original triolgy were introdice to Boba Fett from animated form as baddass until movie taken him out like a punk while for the prequel generation like myself have General Grevious, started off scary and awesome until movie came and went out like a punk too. Along the fact that your generation is now lucky to have recreating the rocket fireing jetpack missail which is awsome! If only Hasbro would at least give my generation an updated version of Grevious from the 2D cartoon series that is NOT a repaint, but that's just wishful thinking which will never happen. Anyways, thanks for telling this history of one of the legendary piece in action figure history I look forawrd to see more videos in the future! ^^
i love all your videos. The truth and your opinions that you speak is great. This is one of my favorite videos. I'm a Boba Fett fan and focus collector.
I have a feeling Hasbro just might make the reissue 1979 rocket firing Bobba Fett one day. That way Hasbro has another money grubbing tactic for their crowd funded event.
the two I would get would be the holiday Fett and the one that was pictured on the figure cards for the send away offer, being that it is the first image I ever saw of Fett and assumed his figure would look that way, I was always feeling let down that he didnt when I saw how he came, even more so than the rocket firing action not being present. awesome video
I totally agree Michael. That Holiday Special version is AWESOME!!🔥🔥🔥 These are a fantastic option for those that want to have one at an affordable price. Thank you for sharing🙏
I agree, the Holiday Special (now The Faithful Wookiee) has to be my favorite. I believe the Star Wars Droids animated series has a similar paint scheme.
I've always had a small fondness for the Kitbash Prototype. The larger and more film accurate jetpack and launching feature was enticing and the history of it being built from Threepio, a Death Star Commander, and Stormtrooper is fascinating. Might just have to place an order, Thanks Michael!
Excellent video! Wonderful figures and I just had to order a couple to compliment my original childhood collection of Kenner figures. I remember clear as day getting my original Boba Fett in the Mail.
I remember getting my boda fett in 82 was a solid glued in rocket and the back was a solid back no sign of a button never new there was a rocket firing prototype till about the 90s
I had 2 Rocket firing boba fetts. Well boba fetts with removable rockets. Not rocket firing. They were lili ledy boba fetts. I had a ton of lili ledy growing up. We frequently shopped in mexico when I was young. I grew up 10 miles from Matamoros Mexico and 30 miles from Reynosa. We would visit family there. While yes my mother bought me american stars wars toys she and my grandma often bought me lili ledy star wars every other weekend when we went to Mexico for medications and Fanta soda crates and to visit family. If I only knew. I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and you can often find lili ledy star wars at garage sales and flea markets down here.
Managed to pick up a vintage fett about 3 years ago at a local comic shop that unfortunately went under not too long after. Picked him up for 30 bucks at the time loose no idea what they're going for now
My dad used to get StarWars figures and what not when he was a kid back in the late 70s-early 80s and always mentioned his Boba Fett's missile was more like one of the ones seen on the prototypes. Where some Boba Fetts released with those glued in place or could it be a mandella effect as well?
I never had a boba Fett figure. odd..miss remembring but watching this.i never had one. I had so many kenner figures as a kid I really liked him though...
Would love to have the Holiday Special Boba Fett, always been something i would have liked to see become real and have in my collection, i dig it, it looks very nice. I am happy to see all of these prototype custom figures, this is only good, nothing to complain about here.
I don’t know why but for some reason I really want a black series 2 pack of the Luke and leia in the designs from the original Star Wars movie posters, the one where leia had a cape and her costume showed more skin and Luke had white boots and a giant neck hole that showed off Luke like he was a super buff space knight instead of the farm boy from the first movie
Thanks to you I have purchased several prototypes from procustomfigures - - - so good!! Without your review and endorsement I would have missed out on a part of my collection i am super excited about! Again, thanks for your thoughts on this, and as always - greetings from Down Under!!
Hey Michael, I love your channel, your work and collection. And I know this is a review channel about collecters items, and yes we had great stuff in the 80's ... but maybe someday you can make a review about the music that came with the (animation)series/ movies. Because we had the best music intro's, theme songs etc,... just think like "the empire strikes back, Back to the future, G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones, Transformers, The A-team, HE-MAN, T.M.N.T, Mcgyver, Terminator and so on and on.The effort they made for these shows is beyond, and the moment it started we sat down and got hooked from that moment. Could be a good review video as well. Greets and keep up the work.
i remember having a rocket-firing toy when i was younger, and i dont remember what it was - maybe a GI Joe? i think the repros are pretty cool - some of them get really creative!
I was a huge Star Wars fan and a spoiled child with a lot of figures by the age of 5 in 1979 and may have even gotten him as a mail away. I specifically remember kids at school lying about having the rocket firing version.
Recently received the painted purple J-slot Boba Fett. I'm very happy with him. It's better than the 2010(?) Hasbro effort - a lot cheaper and more accurate - and most definitely defecates all over the 2020 Retro Collection Boba Fett. I prefer the Hong Kong paint job, with the lighter coloured reddish-brown belt. The kit-bashed concept figure looks real nice. Gotta get him soon. I think the earlier version of the Kenner concept Boba Fett figure had the "painted eyes" on the helmet?
I'm definitely going to look into getting one of the "proto" RFBF for the collection. I wasn't around yet when they first came out so i missed out on that original thrill but a few years ago i did get a vintage fett from a used entertainment store for $1. I believe it was around the time of the RF protos were becoming a hot topic again and the reg figs were going up in prices. So having the custom proto would be nice to have since i really can't afford to give up an arm and a leg for the real deal.
So cool! I’m with you. My favorite is the Holiday figure, followed by the kit bash one. Thanks for sharing that literature that came packed with the OG mail away!
But the mandela effect is real! From my memory... at least the toy he was all vac metal gold but i also remember in the new hope, that C3PO had both golden metal calfs instead of the one silver. And the reason i remember this way because i remember seeing the silver calf in empire strikes back and thinking. Dammit... Chewie he grab the wrong leg. But i'm not deep in the toy lore. So you maybe right about that.
Another excellent video from Michael French, for the RetroBlasting channel. No matter what your feelings are about modern versions of vintage Star Wars toys, this is a comprehensive, informative and informed mini documentary, that details the amazing work by Procustomfigures and their Prototype Boba Fett figures.
I don't see why every one sees Boba Fett as a bad ass character I mean he has a jet pack so did the rocketeer really cool i mean when it come's down to fighting he's Michael bay all style no substance.
Awesome you have the note! I remember reading it when my Boba Fett came in the mail. Didnt care that the rocket didn't fire, I was just happy to have a new figure!
I still remember when my best friend at the time ordered the Boba Fett with the proof of purchases of several other Star Wars actions figures. And no, the rocket DIDN'T fire.
Perhaps I must look more carefully at Empire Strikes Back, but the paint colors on the store purchased figure never looked like the Boba Fett in the movie. Anyone else know why?
I don't get why their kit bash version would be coloured differently from the artwork on the original card backs. It also didn't have the antenna eye targeting thing. So why do it in the figure?
No I think it was the viper kid died from. Because the kid put the nose in the mouth and when he closed his mouth on the button that released the peg. If I'm wrong let me know.
Can’t confirm it was a viper but another channel had a screen pop up of the newspaper article. It seemed like the suit won because the launcher button was too easy to trigger while holding the toy to load it. And it may have been the second occurrence. So it kinda makes sense.
Did you have to cut the antenna straight so it would rest into the helmet properly? Mine has an angled end and would need to be trimmed in order to look straight.
Excellent video and summary. I am glad you mentioned the paperwork trail required for the original prototypes, as there's no way to pass off a PCF proto Boba as legit. I've got the blue L-slot one and it's awesome. The holiday special one is gorgeous. Thx for giving us a closeup of it!
What is your favorite Star Wars figure others than Bespin Luke mine is the original Han Solo. Also what is your least favorite figure other than imperial dignitarie mine is General Madine
Michael, do you have enough X-wings to recreate the "flight to the Death Star" scene from Star Wars? possibly as the close to the video? If not, could you recreate the " standing by" with the figures in the cockpits? I had no idea about the "Viper origin" story of why they remove the rocket-firing feature from Boba Fett. Thanks, as always! (And if anything I said slows-down any 'Last Starfighter' pipeline, please ignore!)
Loved this video my friend. As a Boba Fett focus collector, these figures are great. I’ve ordered from the maker a number of times. I always thought there was only the grey prototype. Learned something new. Great video! Hasbro should be taking notes on these custom figure geniuses.
