Last year at San Diego Comic-Con, Hasbro confirmed the winner of the Fan's Choice vote for the 6-inch The Black Series line - and it was Jaina Solo!  She was in most of the novels since 1991 in some form or another. And that Jaina Solo had a massive, not remotely suspicious last-minute massive vote bot of sorts.  Well.  Anyway, we're getting her and here she is in a black pilot's suit.   The Star Wars character was retconned out of the continuity with the Disney takeover, so don't be totally shocked if this happens again this year. 

Grand Admiral Thrawn is coming!  I know, Thrawn just left the building in Star Wars Rebels, but a 6-inch action figure melding his classic novel cover look with the uniforms of Star Wars Rebels is on the way. A normal version is coming for retail stores, and his art collection comes with the deluxe San Diego Comic-Con edition.  It's worth noting that the exclusive version will be $49.99 this July, while the normal The Black Series one will be in the usual $20-$25 range.  Ask yourself this - why should your toys have a better art collection than you do?

Historically Hasbro has had "plussed up" toys sold at San Diego Comic-Con International - better accessories or variant deco are frequent upgrades.  This time around Hasbro will offer two different versions of Luke's Landspeeder.  A $59.99 mass retail version will be made, with a $89.99 one with weathered paint, an engine, and seemingly more gear for the big convention.  Which should you get?  Whichever you can find.

The info just keeps rolling in!  Hasbro's PR department informed us that Commander Gree is coming to Toys R Us as an exclusive. When? We don't know, but the 6-inch The Black Series figure looks pretty sharp.

More information as we have it - and it's nice to see the prequels getting some love out there.

Back in 2013 Hasbro released the very first 6-inch The Black Series figures to mixed reviews - they were great, but a lot of fans opted out and that lead to cheap clearance prices on Amazon within a few months.   Fast-forward to today, and people are upset they missed a few of those early figures.  Hasbro is reissuing X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker for Star Wars Celebration this weekend, and there's a big process about how to line up to get yours.

Sci-fi supersite io9 posted a preview of a new 6-inch The Black Series Rey's Speeder!  This sizable, $60 vehicle should be out later this year and will undoubtedly be on display in Orlando at Star Wars Celebration this weekend.

Today's the day!  Without too much fuss, Target's exclusive AT-ACT Driver has joined the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story DVD and Blu-Ray at retail today.   It's worth noting Target has an exclusive deluxe Blu-Ray set with bonus content as well, and the price may vary. The tag said $29.99 but it rang up $27.99.  Go figure.

If you want to see if the 6-inch AT-ACT Driver figure is in your area, check DPCI 087-06-1115. 

Ad: It's time to order the Star Wars The Black Series 40th Anniversary Display Diorama with Darth Vader 6-Inch Action Figure from Entertainment Earth!

Reader PSW alerted us to GameStop's pre-order page for the exclusive vintage/40th Anniversary 6-inch R5-D4 figure being live now.  The action figure is currently $22.99 before shipping charges, which start at around $5.99.   It is believed this item will also be distributed to retail stores, so you can order online now or keep an eye open for it locally.  It is expected mid-April.

I'm not going to lie to you - I'm not a fan of The Black Series Centerpiece concept.  Statues are made by so many companies, so a 1:12 scale (6-inch) non-articulated figure on a display base with places to pose your other action figures on a shelf isn't particularly delightful to me.  It's kind of antithetical to the whole action figure motif - it stands there, it looks good, and it should be in the $50-$60 ballpark.

If you love The Black Series 6-inch action figures, goodish news - you don't have a lot new to buy.  Most of the figures from the non-vintage packaging were revealed at Comic-Con last year in San Diego, so the most interesting things here are packaged samples of Hera Syndulla, Qui-Gon Jinn, Lando Calrissian, the Emperor's Royal Guard, and of course the Tusken Raider.

The secret is out - and has been out - but the 40th Anniversary Collection has a big launch that's more of a big relaunch.  Fans have been clamoring for "the original 12" in every expression possible, so now it's being completed with the 6-inch action figures.  This means we're getting a mix of retools, repacks, and new figures.  If you missed R2-D2

One of the surprise hits of The Black Series has been a series of higher-end fancy-boxed toy helmets from Hasbro.  The Stormtrooper and Kylo Ren editions were strong sellers, and they look nice on a shelf.  (My nose is too big to enjoy them.)   This year, the latest release is Poe Dameron's Black Squadron helmet.  Could this mean a white and blue variant is coming as someone's exclusive?  I'd bet money on it. I love these things.  But that's me - what does Hasbro have to say?

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES POE DAMERON ELECTRONIC HELMET
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99/Available: 2017)
Put on this deluxe helmet from THE BLACK SERIES and get ready to take flight as skilled X-WING fighter pilot POE DAMERON. Experience battle like never before with a surround sound speaker system that amplifies X-WING and TIE FIGHTER vehicle sounds and transmits communications from loveable sidekick BB-8. This unique helmet features exquisite deco and movie-accurate detail, putting collectors right in the middle of the action.

If you're very old, you may remember Hasbro's Titanium Series Forged Figures a few years ago - die-cast metal (and plastic) figures packaged in plastic domes for about $15.  The format is back, taking a cue from Unleashed and the 3 3/4-inch 2002 Saga line with swooshes and blast effects - and cool display stands.   Hasbro says:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 3.75-INCH TITANIUM SERIES Figure Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
This highly detailed scale of action figures allows fans to recreate epic scenes from STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE. Inspired by the 40th Anniversary of the first STAR WARS film, each iconic figure represents a notable character, including DARTH VADER, HAN SOLO, LUKE SKYWALKER, PRINCESS LEIA, and OBI-WAN KENOBI, in impeccable movie-real design. Each figure features a dynamic, double-sided backdrop and character-specific accessory, allowing fans to recreate iconic moments. Even better, collect each individual backdrop to piece together a bigger STAR WARS scene. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

If you liked Unleashed figures from 2002-2007, you're going to love the more expensive, heavier, and electronic boxed The Black Series Centerpiece Collection.  The roughly 6-inch scale statues are...well, let's let Hasbro take it away:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES CENTERPIECE Figure
(Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: Fall 2017)
Showcase some of the most incredible STAR WARS battle scenes like never before! Each CENTERPIECE Figure Dramatic Moments collection features iconic scenes enhanced with premium light and sound effects. Look for the LUKE SKYWALKER figure inspired by the battle from STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.