Adam's Star Wars Newsletter #011 October 5, 2022 **************** CONTENTS I. Prologue II. The New Hasbro Reveals III. The New Hasbro Releases IV. New Stories V. Clearance Watch & Resets VI. Fin **************** I. Prologue Another year, another Pulse Con! It's admittedly kind of depressing - no one scale has a complete roster of characters. New classic pre-2015 characters that were never made as a figure before are virtually non-existent, but we are getting a 6-inch Wicket and retools of existing figures, if that's exciting to you as a 6-inch collector. 3 3/4-inch fans are going to be treated to a new and no doubt very expensive Endor Bunker, so it's a very safe bet that we're going to see how much inflation has caught up with us when we see re-re-reissues of other Endor-themed toys next year, whatever those may be. No Star Wars Retro Collection figures were shown, nor were any non-Pulse exclusives. There's a pretty decent roster of Andor toys, although surprisingly very little for The Mandalorian and still very little for The Book of Boba Fett - but at least we're starting to get some cool Tuskens and Axe Woves, who is theoretically going to show up any second now. (I think they forgot to announce it earlier.) For those who are here for the Retro, there were two notable Kenner products. One was a Ghost Rider with Motorcycle, based on a 1970s toy with a bright red bike. Pre-orders are not yet live. The other was a reissue of the 1982 Kenner Adventures of Indiana Jones, and so far it's just Indy. But if you only get one, that is the one you want. New holiday figures are also finally confirmed, also confirmed is where they're going. It's a bit list of stuff, but if you're sitting here going "I think I have something very similar to that already," you're not wrong. Those holiday figures, the Andor stuff, and the Book of Boba Fett stuff are among the most exciting things here. **************** II. The New Hasbro Reveals Exclusive items denoted below. Follow the following sponsored affiliate links to place pre-orders (we may get a cut of the sales on these affiliate links): Amazon New Star Wars Pre-Orders: https://amzn.to/3l37odz Entertainment Earth New Star Wars Pre-Orders: https://bit.ly/3E0SvBh The Black Series Figures __ Axe Woves __ Battle Droid (Gaming Greats, Republic Commando, GameStop Exclusive) __ Bix Caleen __ Cad Bane __ Cassian Andor (Coat) __ Cassian Andor (Aldhani Mission) __ Imperial Officer (Dark Times) __ Imperial Officer (Ferrix) __ Mon Mothma __ Pyke Trooper __ Rocket Launcher Trooper (Gaming Greats, GameStop Exclusive) __ Shoretrooper __ Tusken Chieftan The Black Series Figures (Holiday Edition) __ Clone Trooper (Holiday Edition, Hasbro Pulse Exclusive) __ First Order Stormtrooper (Holiday Edition, Amazon Exclusive) __ Mandalorian Warrior (Holiday Edition, Target Exclusive) __ Protocol Droid (Holiday Edition, Fan Channel Exclusive) __ Scout Trooper (Holiday Edition, Walmart Exclusive) __ Wookiee (Holiday Edition, GameStop Exclusive) The Black Series Figures (40th Anniversary Return of the Jedi) __ Darth Vader (ROTJ, newly tooled parts) __ Emperor's Royal Guard (reissue) __ Luke Skywalker (Death Star outfit) __ R2-D2 (new sculpt) The Black Series Gift Sets __ The Mandalorian, Ahsoka Tano & Grogu (Amazon Exclusive) The Black Series 40th Anniversary ROTJ __ Admiral Ackbar (Convention, Kenner deco) The Black Series - Props __ Clone Trooper Helmet (Phase II) __ Darth Revan FX Lightsaber (new SKU) __ Luke Skywalker FX Lightsaber The Vintage Collection Figures __ Cassian Andor (Andor) __ Clone Captain Howzer (Amazon figure on renamed package) __ Darth Vader (Removable Helmet, new) __ Kithaba (reissue) __ Hunter (The Bad Batch) __ Nikto (reissue) __ Saelt-Marae / Yak Face (reissue) __ Tusken Warrior __ Vel Sartha __ Wooof (Reissue) The Vintage Collection Special Items __ Endor Bunker Playset __ The Modal Nodes (army-builder 7-pack, Hasbro Pulse Exclusive) Droid Factory (Disney) __ C1-940 (Mickey Mouse colors) 12-Inch Jumbo Kenner Figures (Gentle Giant) __ Boba Fett (Book of Boba Fett) __ Luke Skywalker (Hero of Yavin, Disneyland) __ Sandtrooper **************** III. The New Hasbro Releases The Black Series __ Axe Woves __ The Mandalorian & Grogu (Maldo Kreis, Target Exclusive) The Vintage Collection __ Axe Woves (Target exclusive) __ Bespin Security Guard (Helder Spinoza, Walmart exclusive) __ Bespin Security Guard (Isdam Edian, Walmart exclusive) __ Boba Fett (Morak, Target exclusive) __ R2-D2 (Sensorscope, Walmart exclusive) __ Imperial Gunner (Walmart exclusive) __ Stormtrooper (Walmart exclusive) The Retro Collection __ Darth Vader (The Dark Times) __ Fifth Brother __ Grand Inquisitor __ NED-B __ Obi-Wan Kenobi (Wandering Jedi) __ Reva (Third Sister) Droid Factory (Disney) __ C1-940 (Mickey Mouse colors) 12-Inch Jumbo Kenner Figures (Gentle Giant) __ Grand Moff Tarkin (Entertainment Earth Exclusive) __ Luke Skywalker (Hero of Yavin, Disneyland) **************** IV. New Stories Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return debuted on Disney+. At an hour long, the special is more of an electronic press kit or pre-viewing hype self-congratulatory fest than the behind-the-scenes looks to which we have become accustomed. I do not recommend watching it unless you have time to kill on a plane. Andor debuted on Disney+ with an unprecedented three episodes. The first season has 12 episodes. A second season of 12 more episodes is expected for 2023. As of my writing this I've only watched 4 of the 5, and will be watching #5 after I'm done with tonight's work. I can't say I enjoyed the first 4 very much, but the soldiers' costumes are very realistic. That's positive! Ahsoka had some casting news. Eman Esfandi has been cast as Ezra Bridger, and if dang if he doesn't look perfect. Tales of the Jedi was finally explained. The prequel prequel promises young Count Dooku and Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn. The animated show has nothing to do with Exar Kun and Ulic Qel-Droma, but will debut on Disney+ October 26, 2022. As of right now there are no plans for a theatrical Star Wars release in 2023. With Avatar 3 slated for December 2024, it is unlikely we will see one unless they do a summer 2024 or 2025 release. **************** V. Clearance Watch & Resets Five Below They carry a few Hasbro products, like $5 lines of action figures for Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Star Wars. With Halloween we saw an in-store reset, so new waves of 6-inch Star Wars have appeared - highlights include lots more of Bo-Katan Kryze and a pretty good Imperial Stormtrooper. The trooper isn't as tall as the Black Series releases, but at $5 may serve as great diorama filler. Target The Big Red Dot has been pretty speedy about marking down exclusives - The Black Series Galen Erso and Antoc Merrick jumped to 50% off early in September, while we saw The Vintage Collection Koska Reeves and Migs Mayfeld get discounted before some fans even realize they were out, and all four of those figures can be had under $10 right now. The Retro Collection Chewbacca (Prototype) was down to $6.99 in mid-September. Keep an eye out and scan anything you see! **************** VI. Fin I've frequently joked that today is always a good day to quit, or at least cut back, if you don't like what you're seeing. The good news is that Hasbro is putting out something for nearly everybody, unless you want brand-new characters from the original trilogy, prequel trilogy, or Clone Wars. Or Rebels, or Resistance. Or sequel trilogy. It's basically a lot of remakes, kitschy holiday items, and some nice upgrades - but do you want to rebuy the same figure again? In some cases, yes, absolutely - in others... not so much. If ever you needed a reason to specialize, the current prices may be it. On the other hand, it's a great time to specialize. If you just want 1980s retro-style figures with "Kenner" on the packaging, there are now three brands from which to choose and there's something good in all of them. I just got Firestar in Marvel Legends 375, completing my Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends group. The Obi-Wan Kenobi version of Darth Vader is a little soft in detail, but a cloth cape and a non-telescoping Lightsaber make it feel like a missing link from our childhoods. And Indy is Indy. If you're also old and find the 6-inch line getting a little blah, may I encourage you to join my Kenner 3 3/4-inch Brotherhood? We are here to prepare for the first coming of Vlix. Join our cult, please and thank you. --Adam ****************