Because every line needs a hero, The Black Series' 6-inch action figure line brings us the Rebel Pilot version of Luke Skywalker from the original Star Wars. This figure is exceptional, with great detail and the ability to do things not all pilots can do - he can sit! With Bespin Luke due soon, should you order the pilot version now? This review is sponsored by Entertainment Earth. More (and a video) after the jump.

Hasbro's launch of The Black Series' 6-inch action figure line kicks off with a figure that wasn't (but should've been) in the original line with the Sandtrooper. Having transformed from just a stormtrooper with mud and a shoulder pad to a surprisingly robust creation with unique knee armor, multiple guns, a giant backpack, and ammo pouches, this is undoubtedly the first 6-inch retail figure that you not only want, but simply must have. This review is sponsored by Entertainment Earth. More (and a video) after the jump.

It's been in the works for a while, as the economy and collector interests have made The Black Series' 6-inch action figure line an essential addition.   R2-D2 is our token representation of the original 12 in the debut wave. Seeing as how fully-realized we've seen the droid in the 3 3/4-inch scale, is it possible to make him better - or just bigger? This review is sponsored by Entertainment Earth. Watch the video and read the review after the break!

The bad news: it sold out.  The good news: it's coming back in wave 2, minus the carbonite block.  It's The Black Series Boba Fett as Hasbro's debut super-articulated 6-inch action figure.  It has more articulation than ever, and the detail is pretty good too.  Oh, and it's scaled to that Hoverboard you got last year from Matty Collector.  Want to know more? Sure you do - read on and watch the video!

Hasbro held back a bunch for Celebration Europe!  Jedi News in the UK already has the scoop, click here to see 6-inch Bespin Luke and a Stormtrooper, plus what may be a part of Anakin Skywalker in there. But wait, there's more! 

Ad: It's time to order new figures! Get your order in for the  Star Wars Black Series 6-Inch Action Figures Wave 2 Case, with 1 of each new figure, or get the Star Wars Black Series 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures Wave 2 Case with free shipping!  Click through for pricing and availability.

It's up now - but out of stock!  Keep checking back to see if the Star Wars The Black Series Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite Figures becomes available again.   The Angry Birds Star Wars Special Action Figure Set is in stock as of this news story.

Finally!  #7 in Star Wars: The Black Series is Greedo, which Entertainment Earth has revealed in full today in all of his 6-inch tall glory. He looks great, with big shiny eyes and an appropriately puffy costumes.  You'll want to see more after the jump.

Our fine sponsors (from whom you should order stuff) at Entertainment Earth posted the third round of previews of The Black Series Greedo 6-Inch Star Wars action figure.  This particular installment reveals more renderings of the figure, with the final reveal of the actual toy just a few days away at this point.

Week 2 of The Black Series Greedo Reveal over at Entertainment Earth shows some pretty amazing stuff, like digital turnaround preliminary "sculpts" of the figure as well as a horrifying eyeless look at the original mask.  Some truly spectacular reference shots of his blaster as well as several notes from the people who make our toys are on display, which is the kind of stuff I would like to see for many more figures if Hasbro is willing to share.

The word is out, and now you can get behind-the-scenes pictures of the new Hasbro Star Wars: The Black Series Greedo 6-Inch Action Figure at Entertainment Earth!  Click here to see it all. 

OK toy fans - the pre-orders are live and the release date for Star Wars: The Black Series is coming up pretty quickly.  We have a question for you, specifically we'd love to know how you would prefer to see the figures reviewed on this very site when we find/obtain/do not steal our review samples!  Your input is very much appreciated.

The poll will allow you to vote for more than one option - so if there are two you would like, by all means, go for it.  We haven't decided what direction to take for these just yet, and are really curious what the collectors of 2013 want the most.  (We opted to not include a longer video option, because, let's face it, nobody needs 10 minutes to review 1 figure if Siskel and Ebert could debate a film in 3 minutes.)

TOP NEWS: "Always in motion, the future is," and for the past 6 months, there has been a lot of big news for the franchise. The announcement of new Star Wars films, changing play habits, and increasing production costs have prompted Hasbro to re-align their strategy for 2013 by cancelling Droid Factory, shortening the retail cycle for the Yoda Line look, and introducing two new action figure assortments with one targeted towards adult collectors and the other towards children.

After lots of chatter here (and in the Q&A column over the last few months... or years) the USA Today has a story you may wish to read.   Hasbro unveils 'Star Wars' Black Series action figures introduces the new, 6-inch SRP $19.99 action figure line.  Each boxed figure has exceedingly wonderful sculpting and mass when compared to their vintage counterparts.