We were forwarded this story from a few people, so we're linking to the WSJ: Jakks Pacific Said to Suspend Toy Sales to Kmart. I know not a lot of you go to Kmart - or can go to one - but they tend to have a lot of Jakks Pacific Big Figs front and center in their stores, making them a visual staple of their toy aisles. And, of course, Kmart and Sears have been around forever - but haven't had the best press lately. Take a look.
Ask Jakks! Let's finish out 2015 this week week in Q&A with more from Jakks Pacific. Jakks Pacific's Scott "ToyGuru" Neitlich offered to take on some of your questions on the giant figures of the present, past, and future - so let's go!
Life-sized figures - can we expect some? Also Bigger Boba Fett should happen, but will he? And what about other characters - can we expect Star Wars' cousins, too?
Don't forget, send in your questions for next month. The first Q&A (with me) for 2016 is written and will be up next week - but we've got a whole year to fill, and we can't do it without you. Read on!
Less action figures than massive display pieces, Jakks Pacific's 31-inch action figures are - on occasion - also pretty cheap. Walmart.com has Kylo Ren down to $15, a massive price cut for such a big figure. Many of the other large figures are $5-$20 off, so you might want to take a look if there's anything you want and also if your local stores let you do that in-store pickup for online orders. (I tried it earlier this year and, surprisingly, it was much smoother than similar things at Target and Kmart have been in the past.)
It's wordy, and only available on the Comic-Con International show floor. The Star Wars Darth Vader Hologram Limited Edition 20-Inch Action Figure has electronic lights in the box and is basically the same size as the projection on General Veers' AT-AT's dashboard. It will be $59.99 and limited to the show floor - no online sales are being made so if you want one, you're going to need to start driving to San Diego or bribing your friends who are going to the show. It will be sold at booth #2343 via Entertainment Earth.
The Lucasfilm Pavilion was a plethora of activity as usual at Comic-Con, and while Disney-Lucas is reportedly planning on "thinning the herd" for their licensors, that doesn't appear to be the case yet. The focal point was on Disney XD's soon to be televised Star Wars Rebels series. Traditional exhibitors such as Her Universe, eFX, and Hallmark showed their latest and greatest. The Yoda puppet replica from eFX looks amazingly accurate and Hallmark, as usual, sells out of their convention exclusives, but gave a sneak peek of this year's Keepsake collectibles. New licensors such as Peavey with their awesome new Star Wars guitars, Vans, and Jakks with their jumbo plastic figures also were present.
If you haven't seen it, it's out! A 501st Legion Clone Trooper Action Figure which stands a whopping 31-inches tall may be at a Toys R Us near you for under 40 bones, or clams, or what have you right now. Toys R Us stores are open slightly later now, so if you've got nothing better to do feel free to waddle on down and see what all is in their freshly-restocked action figure sector.
Standing a whopping 31-inches tall, Darth Vader is quite possibly the largest Star Wars action figure ever and certainly the best when it comes to getting the most toy-by-the-inch-for-the-money. Estimated to come in at Entertainment Earth in May, like probably any day at this rate, the figure is similar to Jakks Pacific's other jumbo figures like the red Power Ranger or Man of Steel Superman, possibly at a store near you. In other words if you need a giant display piece, this is probably the toy of the year. Click here for pricing and availability.