While I'm nursing unrelated toy-related disappointment, why not go look at ARC Trooper Blitz?  He's part of a great Battle Pack which you may actually be able to find on the cheap if you know where to look.  It's worth it.  He's cool, man.

A spy report from the Nuremberg Toy Fair courtesy of Jedi News reveals more of what's planned in 2013 from Hasbro, including the Black Series 3.75 inch line (Vader Card)  where some of the planned Droid Factory figures will end up, a "budget" Movie Heroes assortment, and a "Mission Series" 2 pack.

Click here to find out more and thanks to Dan Curto for the heads up!

Let's look at the Plo Koon figure from last year's nifty Ultimate Gift Set.  As the least-nifty part of that set, this one may have escaped your attention.  Is it possible there's some special detail making this an ignored gem?

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! 

While I keep hitting "refresh" waiting for the Todd Glass Show to update, why don't you read about the 2012 Vintage Collection Weequay figure?  The 1983 original was good, the 1997 remake was magnificent, so the 2012 version must be perfection right? 

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.

Jedi News reports from U.K. Toy Fair with photos from the Hasbro Booth and other licensors. The big news from the show is the Rise of Darth Vader set from Hasbro, which won a best action figure award. The line look also gets a refresh to go with the Episodes II and III 3D releases in the fall. 

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.