It's new! (Thanks, Shannon!)  The CZ Series Communications Droid (White, Droid Factory) is up for grabs at Disney parks, provided that you can find the pieces. It's similar to Hasbro's CZ-4 a few years ago, which is similar to CZ-3, which is what I'm saying this is for my display purposes.  Read on!

This week in Q&A - Package variants! Should we expect more? Vintage announcements - what have you missed? (Not a lot.) And exclusives in short supply, second verse is same as the first.

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

That was fast.   He of Willow and Happy Days is back, so says StarWars.com with Ron Howard to Assume Directorial Duties on the Untitled Han Solo Film.  The release date remains unchanged - May 25, 2018 - and part of that official announcement is as follows:

Lucasfilm is pleased to announce that Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard has been named director of the untitled Han Solo film.

Hey, a Jawa!  I was surprised to find that this 6-inch scale figure has glow-in-the-dark green eyes, of all things, as an undocumented feature.  He has two blasters and pretty decent articulation that his robes can't really help you ues.  It's still a nice Jawa, though.  Read on!

The Han Solo directors are out?  Not much is known, other than this "A Message from Lucasfilm Regarding the Untitled Han Solo Film" post in which Lucasfilm says:

The untitled Han Solo film will move forward with a directorial change.

“Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are talented filmmakers who have assembled an incredible cast and crew, but it’s become clear that we had different creative visions on this film, and we’ve decided to part ways. A new director will be announced soon,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.

Newish!  Lando Calrissian (The Black Series)  is awesome and you probably want one.  He has a cape, a microphone, and a blaster - plus a good likeness and fairly fantastic paint.

This week in Q&A - 6-inch cheapo figures! Where to hunt? (Chime in, dear readers.) The Black Series Packaging Variations - what's coming? Do we know? And lulz - er, lulls. 2018 is going to be, to say the least, interesting.

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

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New and dirty! The 3PO Protocol Droid (White) has dirty blotches and looks a lot like K-3PO.  It looks like the Hasbro build-a-droid mold, in a new color, and sold by the part at Disney parks.  Read on!

New at the Droid Factory!  The Vendor Droid (Blue) is a new head mold, giving you a chance to build The Clone Wars robots in various colors for your very own.  Read on!

This week in Q&A - the future of small things - does it have one? Blind bag bonanza - is it over? Well, not entirely. Retro figures - how can you get what you want?

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

The grim refrain continues.  Business Insider posted Sears is closing 72 stores — here's the full list yesterday.   This includes Sears automotive outlets as well as many Kmarts, and it seems my local Kmart has an "inventory reduction sale" with no confirmation of being on any of the closure lists. 

Currently an online exclusive (or so it seems), Lieutenant Sefla is pretty fantastic with one of the best projectiles Hasbro has ever made.    The rocket looks like it has a flame trail on it, a clever application of safety requirements used to make a toy look cool.  Read on!

Not sold in the USA so far!  Or at all!  The Kylo Ren (6-Inch Value Figure)  is pretty cool, basically bringing you something that fits with The Black Series on the shelf at a lower cost with less articulation.   Read on!

This week in Q&A - Yellowing can get you all! 40th Anniversary Continuations - hoo boy, that'd be nice. Lastly Vanishing Toys - what a mystery!

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