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!

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If you're very old, you may remember Hasbro's Titanium Series Forged Figures a few years ago - die-cast metal (and plastic) figures packaged in plastic domes for about $15.  The format is back, taking a cue from Unleashed and the 3 3/4-inch 2002 Saga line with swooshes and blast effects - and cool display stands.   Hasbro says:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 3.75-INCH TITANIUM SERIES Figure Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
This highly detailed scale of action figures allows fans to recreate epic scenes from STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE. Inspired by the 40th Anniversary of the first STAR WARS film, each iconic figure represents a notable character, including DARTH VADER, HAN SOLO, LUKE SKYWALKER, PRINCESS LEIA, and OBI-WAN KENOBI, in impeccable movie-real design. Each figure features a dynamic, double-sided backdrop and character-specific accessory, allowing fans to recreate iconic moments. Even better, collect each individual backdrop to piece together a bigger STAR WARS scene. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

If you liked Unleashed figures from 2002-2007, you're going to love the more expensive, heavier, and electronic boxed The Black Series Centerpiece Collection.  The roughly 6-inch scale statues are...well, let's let Hasbro take it away:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES CENTERPIECE Figure
(Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: Fall 2017)
Showcase some of the most incredible STAR WARS battle scenes like never before! Each CENTERPIECE Figure Dramatic Moments collection features iconic scenes enhanced with premium light and sound effects. Look for the LUKE SKYWALKER figure inspired by the battle from STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

There is another FX Lightsaber!  Obi-Wan Kenobi's blade is back, in blue, for you.  Hasbro sent along pictures and the following:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 3.75-INCH TITANIUM SERIES Figure Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
This highly detailed scale of action figures allows fans to recreate epic scenes from STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE. Inspired by the 40th Anniversary of the first STAR WARS film, each iconic figure represents a notable character, including DARTH VADER, HAN SOLO, LUKE SKYWALKER, PRINCESS LEIA, and OBI-WAN KENOBI, in impeccable movie-real design. Each figure features a dynamic, double-sided backdrop and character-specific accessory, allowing fans to recreate iconic moments. Even better, collect each individual backdrop to piece together a bigger STAR WARS scene. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

It's Grand Admiral Thrawn!  It's the first time he's been sold on an individual card this century, and it's his debut figure from Star Wars Rebels. 

He has a holster, a blaster, and a giant rocket launcher - maybe it's not exactly what you saw on TV, but at least they got the blue right.  And he has a nice paint job.  And dark blue hair.  Read on!

Hasbro PR has sent us a number of new images today of several new goodies just ahead of Toy Fair.  Let's get started with Monopoly Star Wars 40th Anniversary Edition - obviously, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the movie, not the roughly 20-year-old crossover of the game and the licensed property.  Hasbro says:

MONOPOLY STAR WARS 40th ANNIVERSARY Edition Game
(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/ Players: 2-6/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Celebrate four decades of STAR WARS history with MONOPOLY! Featuring graphics of iconic characters and classic movie moments from STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE, this 40th ANNIVERSARY Edition Game takes you back to when it all began. Based on classic gameplay with an intergalactic twist, players can travel around the galaxy and build bases and fleets. When every space is owned, count up the fleets & bases. The player with the most spaces on the winning side is the ultimate winner! The MONOPOLY: STAR WARS 40th Anniversary Edition Game includes 1 Game board, 6 Tokens, 28 Title cards, 16 Force cards, 16 Smuggler’s Cargo cards, 32 Fleets, 12 Bases, 2 Dice, and 1 Money Pack. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.

You want it?  Here it is - come and get it!  NCS posted a pre-order for a BB-8 USB Fan, due around June for pennies under $27.00.  It's orange and white and hollow - and arriving just in time for you to actually potentially want or need a desk fan.   It's part of Sega's consumer goods line, as they make this kind of stuff. 

What a difference a few weeks makes!  Not long ago, I was seeing Walmart's exclusive Death Trooper just sitting around in big numbers.  Now?  Not so much. The super-articulated 3 3/4-inch figure has two blasters, no holsters, and better than normal articulation.   It's good.  Read on!

This week in Q&A - let's talk figure variants. If you haven't tuned on yet, we can talk about the seemingly strange Rogue One figure selections. Given Disney, it's hard to know what's good, what's bad, and what's meant to be a masked spoiler. And speaking of spoiled - hoarding! Oddly, it's not something I hear about very much in our circles.

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

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Not one, but four new 3 3/4-inch figures were revealed by Hasbro to us today!  Admiral Raddus, Lt. Sefla, Fenn Rau, and Galen Erso are all now revealed in their packaging.  You might have seen some of these before elsewhere, but if you haven't?  It's new to you!  Pictures after the break.

From the press release:

STAR WARS 3.75-INCH FIGURE Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $7.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Enter the world of STAR WARS and launch into action and adventure! Each 3.75-inch figure features five points of articulation and comes with their iconic battle accessories. Characters include heroes and villains from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY such as JYN ERSO, K-2SO, IMPERIAL GROUND CREW, GALEN ERSO, and IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER, STAR WARS REBELS characters including KANAN JARRUS (Stormtrooper Disguise) and SABINE WREN, and KYLO REN and REY (JAKKU) from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Compatible with the HASBRO STAR WARS STUDIOFX App.

There is another two-pack! Hasbro sent along this block of copy and two shots of what looks to be the action figure set of the season.

From the press release:

STAR WARS 3.75-INCH DELUXE FIGURE 2-PACK Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Pick a side in the galactic battle between good and evil! Choose between the IMPERIAL DEATH TROOPER and REBEL COMMANDO PAO or the SCARIF STORMTROOPER and MOROFF from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, or relive the events from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS with POE DAMERON and the FIRST ORDER SNOWTROOPER. Each 3.75-INCH DELUXE FIGURE 2-PACK comes with 2 figures and multiple accessories, including a dual-projectile launcher. Each pack sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Compatible with the HASBRO STAR WARS STUDIOFX App.