The second batch of Hasbro's Fighter Pods, tiny blind-bagged and painted Star Wars figures, have started shipping.  Unfortunately the blind bags don't include checklists, nor do they include the online game codes promised on the bags. (There's a sticker covering this.) We got some.  Want to know more? Did you see the McQuarrie Concept Boba Fett Fighter Pods Figure that everybody needs to get? Click through for a list of characters (and a video with some nice close-ups) after the jump.

Some figures I love, and you'll hate.  This Obi-Wan Kenobi may qualify, given it has an astonishingly good sculpt and Ewan McGregor likeness, but only 5 points of articulation.  Since I'm right and you're wrong, what's wrong with you?  Read on and find out!

Here is a quick update from our sponsors at BigBadToyStore.com about a slew of new preorders and more new arrivals.

Gentle Giant reveals a second exclusive minibust for San Diego Comic-Con. The Ralph McQuarrie Stormtrooper minibust is based on the master concept artist's early design and pre-production illustrations for A New Hope.

The new collection of Japanese Bishoujo ("beautiful young girl") style Star Wars statues  from Kotobukiya make their debut with Jaina Solo.

It's been an interesting week to be a Star Wars collector.  Some report new figure finds at Wal Mart and Target, others can't find anything but The Phantom Menace wave.  Preorders of the Mandalorian Assault Transport were cancelled, but new San Diego Comic Con and Celebration VI exclusives were teased.  On this week's Star Wars Action News podcast, Marjorie and Arnie look at these developments and what it means to be a Star Wars toy collector in 2012.

The brand-new Naboo Starfighter was a long-delayed release, but would you believe it was actually manufactured very close to the wave 1 vehicles?  Find out how you can tell, and just how good this new release is, in today's special video review right after the jump!

The standard brand bearer and primary clone for The Clone Wars series gets an update in 2012 that transitions him into Phase II armor. The new Captain Rex looks absolutely magnificent, with great sculpting, awesome deco and weathering detail, and shares some parts with CW2 Phase II Clone Trooper. What he lacks in articulation (8 points), Rex certainly makes some up for in aesthetics. But will that make the cut for pose happy collectors?

It's the 2012 Luke Skywalker in his Hoth gear! For the first time ever, this outfit gets things like wrist joints and ankles.  Was it worth the wait, or does Hasbro need to redo it already?  Read on!

Just as your wallet takes a breather from the summer convention exclusive buying frenzy, Rebelscum has unloaded a fantastic report on some upcoming ToysRUs exclusives coming to you this fall.

Another one!  The just-released 2012 Nikto Skiff Guard sports a great sculpt and exceptional articulation.  And we made a video of it, too!  Want to know how excited you should be about this one?  Read on, or watch the video after the jump!

Those funny guys at the Hasbro art department injected some Strangelove humor in the background insert of the Attack Recon Fighter with Anakin Skywalker. UPDATE: Thanks to a tip from Yakface, we have more on this noseart design!

Gentle Giant, through their sorcerous ways,  doesn't conjure the stolen data tapes,  but they do reveal their fist exclusive piece of the summer conventions season! The Admiral Motti minibust will be offered at San Diego Comic-Con next month, but Premier Guild members can pre-order him now.

So where is the Naboo Fighter? Well, this was written a few days ago, but I bet you know the answer! Want to know how do perform minor repairs on bent plastic on vehicles? I can help! All this and much more in this week's Q&A!

Presenting some packaged photos of the new Movie Heroes/Clone Wars 2012 Class II Wave 2 vehicles featuring the all new Naboo Starfighter, a repainted Republic Tank, and a re-issued Anakin Skywalker Jedi Starfighter. On a side note, that Republic Tank package art featuring Yoda jumping around like a killer jumping bean is too awesome for words.