So Playskool.  It's one of the niftiest ongoing formats that most collectors ignore.  Complete sets of the original Galactic Heroes are far and few between, but the new articulated format (which started under the Jedi Force banner) may be gettable.  One of the biggest new items was a BB-8 Action Base, which unfolds to reveal numerous compartments and gadgets - including more inside the big droid head.  I was told it included 2 figures, but 3 were on display.

This week in Q&A - Can Hasbro make a killing with a dead cast? (Oh, also I assume if there's a new Star Wars movie the moratorium for spoilers on a collecting site is about a week. And where are those minor characters? I'd also ask why fans aren't being more vocal for them, but I assume the lack of chatter says it all. Also droids. Well, not much on droids. And send in your questions for next week. Read on!

Metal!  You've seen these before, but the 3 3/4-inch diorama 40th Anniversary Titanium Series figures are pretty neat.  Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Obi-Wan Kenobi were all shown in person to the public for the first time.

Also shown, more packs of helmets.  When are they coming?  I have no idea, but we have pictures.

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.

For this segment of our coverage, we've posted official write-ups and press photos already so I'll just give you some booth photos of the new First Order Stormtrooper Megablaster, Force FX Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber, Poe Dameron helmet, and so on.  You've seen it, it's good, now see it again.

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

While at Toy Fair, Hasbro neglected to mention its core 3 3/4-inch line in the presentation.  At all.  There wasn't even a nod to it, but product is expected for The Last Jedi and there was more shown in the booth than we've seen previously.  While rumors swirl around the next batch of the Death Trooper, Shoretrooper, Lt. Sefla, Admiral Raddus, Galen Erso, and Fenn Rau, I didn't hear or overhear much during my brief time in the showrooms.

Conglomerates love shopping holidays almost as much as synergy, which is why you're going to jump through hoops to get your toys first at Force Friday II on September 1, 2017.

Was there a press release?  You bet there was.  Check it out!

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.

Use the Force, or the lightsaber, or whatever you got lying around.  This is one of the new energy blades for the year, as Bladebuilders seems to be doing as well as or better than action figures with much of the general public right now.  Kids love to hit things!   Hasbro sent along this press photo and block of copy for you, the viewer.

STAR WARS BLADEBUILDERS PATH OF THE FORCE LIGHTSABER
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: 2017)
Young Padawans can choose to follow the dark side or the light side with this premium lightsaber! Imagine fighting on the light side by attaching a Jedi connector piece and automatically activating blue light effects, or simply switch the connector piece to battle with a red Sith blade. For more action, press the button on the connector piece to expand the hilt for ultimate customization! Compatible with BLADEBUILDERS LIGHTSABER components, each sold separately. Includes lightsaber and 2 adjustable connectors.

You know the drill, so let's get to it.  Hasbro sent in another press release with photos, and there are some nifty things in here.  For starters, a new Glowstrike Nerf Stormtrooper rifle.  The Glowstrike gimmick is spectacular - Nerf darts are charged by a black light in a second or so, allowing the gun to shoot "real" "laser" "bolts."  The Rogue One releases were tops, so here's one from the First Order.

STAR WARS NERF GLOWSTRIKE FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPER DELUXE BLASTER
(Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99/Available: 2017)
The RESISTANCE doesn’t stand a chance against this NERF GLOWSTRIKE DELUXE Blaster! Fight like a FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPER with laser blast sound effects and motorized blasting that fires 12 darts in a row. Storm into battle anytime, anywhere with GlowStrike technology light effects and glow-in-the-dark darts. Includes stock, barrel tip, clip attachment piece, eyepiece, 12-dart clip, and 12 Elite GlowStrike darts. Requires 4 1.5V AA batteries, included.

If you're a fan of the Imperial Death Trooper, you have many options.  3 3/4-inch figure collectors have four different versions from which to choose so far, this being the latest of them with special ops gear and a big retractable claw weapon.  It's neat.  Read on!

Today it's the wave 3 Shoretrooper!  I haven't seen it in person in a store yet, but you can get them online - or if you're lucky, in stores.   Is the new grunt worthwhile?  I think so.  Read on!

This week in Q&A - Might 3 3/4-inch Action Figures be in short supply this summer? Probably - they were last year, new stuff stopped after DVD season. Big Playsets - but moooom, Spider-Man got a big playset! Why can't I have one? And finally is Rogue One rogue done? No.

And send in your questions for next week. Read on!