Star Wars Smuggler’s Bounty January box review: Sith

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The Sith box for Smuggler’s Bounty goes very firmly to the dark side of the Force, and there’s a lot for Star Wars fans to like.

Since Smuggler’s Bounty had already done the Jedi theme a long, long time ago, it almost seems inevitable that the Funko subscription service would turn its attention to the other side of things. Of course, we’re talking about the Sith. So, in the January 2018 box, out came the dark lords of the Sith to play in a box that covers plenty of different areas of Star Wars memorabilia.

There’s nothing but spoilers to follow, so if you don’t want to know, now would be the time to check out more of our non-spoilery Star Wars coverage.

Let’s start, as is only right and proper, with the Pop! included in this month’s box. It is Count Dooku, as played by Christopher Lee, and yes, it includes his special lightsaber with the angled handle. He also has his magnificent cape. Let’s face it … he’ll look great next to another of Darth Sidious’ apprentices.

Smuggler’s Bounty Sith box. Shown: Count Dooku Pop! (included in box), Darth Vader Pop! (not included in box), Darth Vader pin (included in box). Smuggler’s Bounty via Funko/Lucasfilm. Image taken by C. Wassenaar.

Also in the box is a Mystery Mini — this one of Darth Maul, at least in this writer’s box. As much as I don’t enjoy the Mystery Mini aesthetic personally, I do enjoy that Darth Maul has his double-bladed lightsaber and looks about ready to throw down with anyone and everyone. It actually escaped my notice that mine is, in fact, missing a horn until I shot the photos.

Smuggler’s Bounty Sith box, showing Count Dooku Pop! (included in box), Darth Maul Mystery Mini (included in box), Darth Vader Pop! (not included in box). Smuggler’s Bounty via Funko + Lucasfilm; photo taken by C. Wassenaar.

After including neither a pin nor a patch in the last box, themed around The Last Jedi, Smuggler’s Bounty has at least returned with a pin this month, which shows off Darth Vader. Appropriately enough, it’s outlined in red. It’s not much, but it is a cool little pin.

This month’s box also has an additional wearable in the form of a T-shirt. For this writer, it’s a shirt showing Kylo Ren sitting across from the ruined helmet of Darth Vader, with the text “I will finish what you started” in red. Now, it’s possible this shirt could have looked cooler without the Pop!-ified image and gone with just the text. But this is a box that Funko runs, and I understand that the company does have to do the branding. As with previous shirts, it’s soft and fits quite well.

Smuggler’s Bounty Sith box. Shown: Kylo Ren T-shirt. Smuggler’s Bounty via Funko/Lucasfilm. Image taken by C. Wassenaar.

My one major complaint, however, is that my shirt came with a hole in it already. I’ve reached out to Funko for support, and it’ll be replacing the shirt, so that’s a mark in Funko’s favor.

Perhaps the best item in this box, at least for me, is the cold drink tumbler that features Darth Vader. I freely admit that I own approximately way too many of these, so what’s one more for the collection? Like most of the licensed cold tumblers, it’s recommended that you hand wash this one, and it’s BPA free.

Smuggler’s Bounty Sith box. Shown: Darth Vader cold tumbler (included in box); Darth Vader Pop! (not included in box). Smuggler’s Bounty via Funko/Lucasfilm; image taken by C. Wassenaar.

It would have been nicer to get a slightly larger size, but 16 oz. is pretty standard all around. Besides, the box isn’t that big — a larger cup would have required a larger box.

Next: 10 actors we'd love to see in the Star Wars franchise

All in all, this is another solid box from Smuggler’s Bounty, and perhaps one of the most well-rounded subscription boxes I’ve ever received, despite the issues with quality control with both the Mystery Mini and the shirt.