Just a reminder that The Clone Wars returns from holiday hiatus this evening with the all new "Escape from Kadavo". Anakin tries to convince the Zygerrian Queen that she too is a slave and pawn in an evil Separatist plot. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan toils in the slave camps of Kadavo, a grim situation that grows increasingly bleak. The episode airs tonight at 8 pm/ 9 pm Central! Click here to view a preview at StarWars.com.

As we first reported in New York Comic-Con, Hasbro will be releasing 3 non-OT vehicles in Vintage style packaging for the January 30th launch. These include the AT-AP, V-19 Torrent Starfighter, and Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Starfighter. The Hasbro site has these listed at $29.99 each.

French-Belgian fast food chain Quick is releasing Star Wars themed burgers just in time for the TPM 3D release.  Part of this special menu is a "Darth Vador" Burger with an all black bun. A Jedi Burger and Dark Burger will also be served.

Click here for more on this culinary monstrosity and thanks to Perrin for the heads up!

It appears white is in vogue these days, especially when it comes to iPhones, ninjas, and bounty hunters. The mailaway figure for 2011 gives tribute to another sidestory in Star Wars production lore; that of the first "prototype" white Boba Fett. While the figure itself is a repaint of the most excellent 2005 VOTC Fett and holster from the TAC Animated Fett, it's not as accurate to the prototype design as we'd like it to be. However, the overall presentation is superb. For $6.99 and 5 UPC codes, you can own one and don't forget you only have until March 31st!

Hi - Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com about a great new batch of arrivals and many more new preorders:

Ahh, the Heavy Trooper.  It's a Commander Bacara repaint with a really big gun with a removable-- but oddly, non-firing-- rocket.  I don't get it, but I got it! Should you get it?  Get it on!

When Hasbro released this Slave Leia figure in 2009, she came with interchangeable legs to be alternately posed sitting down in Jabba's throne. From a purely aesthetic point of view, we thought the POTJ Deluxe Slave Leia was one of the better versions of our bikini clad Princess, but the '09 figure was truly  creative. Slave Leia never was released in the Vintage line making VC64 a pick for carded collectors.

Hasbro updates their site with new product info and photos for their 2012 line. Of particular note are the new prices for The Vintage Collection ($9.99) and Clone Wars ($8.99) as well as their new Movie Heroes line ($8.99) which technically replaces Saga Legends in the hierarchy. What are your thoughts on Star Wars figures going up a buck? Post your feedback in our comment box! 

The new 2012 LEGO sets are now available for pre-order at Shop.Lego.com. You'll also receive a FREE exclusive double sided LEGO poster featuring all the new 2012 minifigures. Click here to pre-order today!

It was late, but Clone Trooper Buzz finally started appearing at Wal-Mart late last year. (A couple of DVD 2-packs are still missing.) This green figure ain't bad-- but should you go  buy him?  Read on!

Walmart also began putting out Wave 1 of the Class 2 Vehicles this evening which incude re-issues of the Sith Infiltrator, AAT, Anakin's Podracer, and Sebulba's Podracer. We've taken some front and back boxed photos for your perusal. These were found at a Walmart store in San Diego.

After earlier reports around the web suggested that the street date embargo has been lifted and retailers can put out new merchandise at any time,  Hasbro sent us a note confirming the January 30th street date for Star Wars 2012.

Target stores are preparing for the Star Wars 2012 toy launch with a new aisle display. While it looks fantastic, it only makes us giddy for new merchandise and the January 30th street date! Please send us news of your finds as now is the time to hunt the stores. 

Busts are expensive, but banks? Not so much. Diamond Select Toys has cranked out several of these vinyl banks over the last few years, and we recently got our hands on samples of the latest two: Boba Fett, based on his Return of the Jedi armor, and a Clone Trooper as seen in Revenge of the Sith. While not the heavy, weapons-grade collectibles you see from Gentle Giant or Sideshow they really do look quite nice as a collectible, or as something you could get a kid and not worry that he might knock it off a shelf and kill the dog.

Check out over 20 images and get a load of the markings and details on Boba Fett's backpack, after the break.

It's another Han Solo!  This unfrozen version was sold at Toys R Us a few years ago, and it's a mishmash of some of the better figures from the time.  Is it worth it?  Read on!