Today let's look at the slick Yellow R8-Series Astromech Droid  which feels  more like it came from the 1970s or 1980s than a lot of the more recent designs.  With no big "eye" it's a little unsettling at first, but it makes good use of the R7 torso to bring about a new, exclusive, and hard-to-find experience.

Bet on Black? Black is the new Black? Black is Back? Hasbro officially announces their new ultra awesome 6 inch scale super articulated action figures geared towards the adult collector: The Black Series. Photos and more after the jump!

Let's talk about Clone Trooper Mixer, a dark blue box Toys R Us exclusive which may well be at a store near you still.  One of two troopers, this one was packaged with a killer droid and for the price wasn't at all bad.  (Especially at 2012-2013 price points.)  Should you track it down?

After lots of chatter here (and in the Q&A column over the last few months... or years) the USA Today has a story you may wish to read.   Hasbro unveils 'Star Wars' Black Series action figures introduces the new, 6-inch SRP $19.99 action figure line.  Each boxed figure has exceedingly wonderful sculpting and mass when compared to their vintage counterparts.

It's Lumat! Last made in 1984, this was, at the time, what I thought to be one of the last figures Kenner did (POTF didn't hit big in my neighborhood.)  Armed with a spear, bow, arrows, and hood, this is a nice figure with a lot of gear.  Did you get yours?  It's time to buy! 

Ad: Entertainment Earth added new pre-orders this week. What's more, there's a Free Shipping offer on the site! Check out new Star Wars 12-Inch Action Figures, Iron Man 3 Mini-Muggs and Marvel Legends, plus Masters of the Universe Pop! Vinyl Figures!  Check them all out after the jump, and be sure to click through for pricing and availability.

It's Mace Windu! This is the first animated version of the Jedi warrior, complete with purple lightsaber and display stand.  It's basically a statue, but it's a cheap statue.  This makes it good.  Did you get one?  Why not?

It's R2-D2, but not!  The Blue R2-Series Astromech Droid can be a bunch of unique robots, including R2-D2.  Or something else.  I'd suggest going with something else, even if the dome is exquisitely painted with a little red light that looks superior to the Walmart exclusive Astromech pack from last year.

Check out this Galactic Marine repaint!  It's slightly different than the carded version from 2008, as this one came in a Battle Pack few fans saw in the wild and seemingly fewer care to purchase online these days.  Is it worth the hassle?

The British Toy And Hobby Association (BTHA) announces their Best New Toys of 2013 at the 60th Annual London Toy Fair, with Hasbro's Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader action figure  (£24.99) being recognized in the Action Figure category. 

Hey kids, it's Teebo!  Including both 2001 and 1984-style headgear, this figure aims to be all things for all people.  As a part of a gift set, it seems more like a Vintage figure in that the gear is clearly made for collectors to get that ultimate Teebo they always wanted.  Did Hasbro succeed? 

While a highly-demanded action figure, Jocasta Nu has been created as a lavishly-packaged, high-quality, and high-price exclusive action figure.  Shipped in a spiffy thick box with a Vintage carded figure inside, Madame Nu includes a lightsaber, bust of Count Dooku, holocron, purse, and of course the figure.

This Yellow R2-Series Astromech Droid looks a lot like R2-C4 from a few years ago, except it comes from Disney, can wear a hat, and has slightly different deco.  I bought it because I'm dumb.  But you?  You might be smart.  Read on to see if you should buy it, or make a smarter decision.

Let's look at Wunka the Ewok, part of a late 2012 2-pack.  The figure is based on a 2007 sculpt, but with a new head, a new hood, a new axe, and pretty good deco.  The teeth and eyes are a little funky at times, but it's still a solid release from Return of the Jedi.  Want to know more?  Sure you do.

Hey hey, it's Luke Skywalker!  This is a good one.  Why?  Because the Vintage one in 2006 was pretty awful.  The repaint from Droid Factory, which we look at today, added deco like black lines to the helmet which changed it from "meh" to "oooh!" at a decent price.  As a bonus, it includes the best R2-D2 retool you could hope to get.