OK, so today we're looking at the new-for-2013 Imperial Technician (Death Star Scanning Crew).  It looks a lot like the 2009 figure, with some deco changes - and since it's a trooper, a slight difference is enough for me to qualify this as a new figure worth your while.  I am easy.  Read on!

There are two of them! Today it's the Imperial Technician (Imperial Scanning Crew), or to the layman, "this is the one with the new head and missing parts."  You'll want this one - he's loaded with new gear and a head that's a tad too small.

We're back for a bit! Figure of the Day returns - but not every day - to show you TK-421, a new Stormtrooper that you might find at your local Kmart if they haven't already closed up.  Would you believe Hasbro made it interesting?  Well, they did.   Check it out - read on! 

Unless your heart is made of stone, you'll be thrilled to hear the Star Wars Ewok Assault Catapult ($20.99) and the Imperial Scanning Crew and Death Star Scanning Crew ($15.99) are hitting stores now - I found them all at a Phoenix-area Kmart this evening.

In anticipation of Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS REBELS panel at New York Comic Con (Saturday, October 12, 2013; 2:45 PM ­ 3:45 PM; Location: Empire Stage 1-E), Hasbro unveils the packaging treatment for its STAR WARS REBELS 3.75-inch action figure line supporting the upcoming animated series.

Hasbro revealed a few nice nuggets of plastic at this year's NYCC Preview Party. Aside from new iterations of Dagobah Luke and Yoda, we can expect Toryn Farr and a Snowtrooper Commander in the spring. Check out the official images and official announcement after the jump!

Hasbro's NYCC Preview Party is underway, and our friends at Jedi Temple Archives and Star Wars Action News have the scoop and photos. New reveals include the design of the Star Wars Rebels cardback, based on the forthcoming animated series, and new Black Series action figures featuring Wedge Antilles (Snowspeeder), a newly revisited Dagobah Luke and Yoda, a new Snowtrooper, and last but certainly not least, Toryn Farr. 

A while ago on the Tumblr I posted a series of rambling, go-nowhere tales I called Toy Stories and now you people get to suffer through a few of them. Most of these yarns are spun around the well-worn topic of my aging into this hobby and watching most of the places I used to hunt go away, and tonight is no exception. One of the two Kmarts I frequented as a single-digits child (for those keeping track 3401 W Greenway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053) has a big "STORE CLOSING" banner up on it, and I had to go in to see if I could get some 90% off underpants. (This was not to be.) As a bonus, wouldn't you know it, the store is the new record holder of the oldest Hasbro Star Wars toy I've seen in the wild.

If you're collecting, you no doubt know that the Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Toys R Us Exclusive Republic Gunship is in stores now for $119.99.  Hasbro has shown multiple iterations of which figures will be included - and now the Jedi Temple Archives posted a few shots.

We rarely post about other action figure lines here, but the crossover potential was enough so that we had to mention this for you customizers. It's the return of the 1980s line Power Lords! The Four Horsemen (of ex-McFarlane and current Masters of the Universe Classics fame) put up two new Power Soldiers for pre-order on their store through Sunday afternoon.  Each figure is $10 and is designed with Glyos-compatible limbs, which mean you can swap parts between figures, which means bully for your customizers.  This pre-order is for the second run, due in November.

File under Not Star Wars: Funko and Super  7 are teaming up to take on everything you loved about growing up in the 1980s in toy form.  We're reading lots of reports of Kenner-style 1970s/1980s action figures being produced for Aliens, Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firelfly, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Predator, Goonies, Back to the Future, Dark Crystal, and more are on deck for production in the not-too-distant-future. Click through for more on what may actually give Hasbro's 3 3/4-inch juggernaut a real run for its money.

Friend of the site (to whom I owe an email or two) Daniel sent me this link to a Japanese site showcasing Hasbro's recent Saga Legends and Mission Series 3 3/4-inch action figures in blind boxes.   These new-to-me figures appear to be in Hasbro-branded boxes, which is unusual for the Japanese market, and as far as I can tell there are no obvious difference between their not-blind and likely cheaper US counterparts.

New pictures available and pre-orders are open! Amazon Has Star Wars The Black Series Wave 2 pre-orders open right now.  As an added bonus, accessories are shown for the new 6-inch and 3 3/4-inch figures, including Slave Leia's two weapons.  Release dates, pricing, and availability after the break.

Ad: In stock now! Amazon has the Black Series 6-inch action figures for $19.99 each once again including Darth Maul, the Sandtrooper, Luke Skywalker, and R2-D2. Click here to order yours.

Today's the day - and it's early!  The Amazon Exclusive Boba Fett's Slave I is in stock now, for all of you 3 3/4-inch action figure fans.  This is the larger mold of the ship, which is modeled after the 2010 The Clone Wars version of the vehicle sold at Toys R Us.  Click here to order yours, or if you already did, it's probably shipping to you today or tomorrow.  A few more  notes after the jump.