The second-ever commando to get a carded release, this animated The Clone Wars edition of Republic Commando Boss is really a nice toy and an unfortunate reminder that he's got a few brothers that haven't yet been rendered in plastic.  There's an awesome, clever backpack accessory and the figure's chunky build is really quite excellent.

Our friend Sebulba  is a fine example of everything good and bad with the figures this year.  A redeco of a very good mold from 10 years ago, he's never looked better.  He's also an exclusive, who came out late, who's the only Sebulba of the year, and doesn't fit in the Sebulba Pod Racer vehicle which came out months earlier.  Ah well!  At least he's a good figure on his own, right?  Find out!

Ad: They're finally here!  The final vintage wave for 2012 and the known future has arrived at our sponsor Entertainment Earth with  Star Wars Action Figures 2012 Vintage Wave 7.  Preorders are processing and new orders are welcome, while supplies last.  Click here for pricing and availability.  This wave includes Lumat, Nien Nunb, and realistic versions of Clone Wars characters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka.  What's more, three special sales are running right now, including LEGO, Twilight Zone, and Venture Bros.!

Ahhhh Luke Skywalker.  This has gone from a hotly-requested resculpt from Hasbro to something they try every year or two, to varying degrees of success.  Since 2009 Hasbro has been trying some really interesting things with the Black Jedi costume, which follows the 2007 costume, which was just plain awful.  How does this one stack up?  Since you may not be able to find it, does it matter? (Of course it does, you can buy one online.)

Another look back at the now-classic Clone Wars figure line!  This Clone Trooper comes from the Tartakovsky era of the show, when the microseries aired in tiny bite-sized chunks.  The figure has excellent painted detail and looks like a 2D drawing come to life.  It's also dirt cheap.  Should you track this one down?

Hey hey, it's Clone Commander Wolffe!  It's a new-for-2012 figure which you might actually find at a store near you.  Articulation isn't exceptional, but it's a nice design with a good sculpt.  (It could stand to be cheaper, of course.)  So should you get it?

The Jedi High Council sets are... uh... well, they're a little overrated.  Eeth Koth is basically repeated in this set ("Agen Kolar" my eye) and the entire package is something of a disappointment.  So why not read about it?  I have no idea.  It's a thing you can do. 

This Count Dooku figure from the earlier Clone Wars TV series turned out really well.  Check out the cape lining, nifty eyebrows, and fantastic pose.  This is a great figure, and like the others from this line, it may as well be free now.  Did you get yours yet, and should you?

It's weird, but not unheard of that a figure becomes famous for his gun.  This Sandtrooper is a huge improvement over the 2010 Vintage release, and it includes most of the same stuff with an added pair of bonus items.  One is a Special Edition-inspired Probe Droid.  The other, a unique rifle with an artculated three-piece design which puts it in line with the vintage Kenner 3-Position Laser Rifle.  With creeping price increases, this is a good way to add value to a repaint.

The deco is good, but the sculpting is great.  Tons of articulation make this Scout Trooper the perfect companion to the new exclusive Speeder Bike, with additional head articulation improving your life in so many ways.  I assume you know you'll have to buy this one. 

Today let's look at the Orlando-exclusive Black R5-Series Astromech Droid.  It has orange markings on the top of the head, but is otherwise largely black and silver. Cool? Yes. Read on!

Check out Darth Malgus, as it's a figure that my abacus says you want.  Why?  It looks cool.  It's from a video game.  It's a Sith Lord  And oh yes, after six months it's still quite hard to find.  You want to know more, don't you?  Is it worth the effort to track down?  Is it worth the $50 at a convention?  All this and a zesty new way to make pudding.

Let's look at this Omega Squad Demolitions figure, which is effectively Republic Commando Scorch done up in black.  You should be sold already, after all, black repaints are like cheap, cheap candy to fans of articulated plastic.  (I buy a lot of this sort of thing.)  Is it worth your while to pick up this hard-to-find exclusive?

The "Smash On The Beach" and "Super Serum Cider "were flowing readily in the Avengers themed bar and many cheeses, noodles, and egg rolls served to various members of the collector press during a Hasbro New York Comic Con Preview Party in Mid-town Manhattan on Wednesday night.