Reader PSW alerted us to GameStop's pre-order page for the exclusive vintage/40th Anniversary 6-inch R5-D4 figure being live now.  The action figure is currently $22.99 before shipping charges, which start at around $5.99.   It is believed this item will also be distributed to retail stores, so you can order online now or keep an eye open for it locally.  It is expected mid-April.

I'm not going to lie to you - I'm not a fan of The Black Series Centerpiece concept.  Statues are made by so many companies, so a 1:12 scale (6-inch) non-articulated figure on a display base with places to pose your other action figures on a shelf isn't particularly delightful to me.  It's kind of antithetical to the whole action figure motif - it stands there, it looks good, and it should be in the $50-$60 ballpark.

If you love The Black Series 6-inch action figures, goodish news - you don't have a lot new to buy.  Most of the figures from the non-vintage packaging were revealed at Comic-Con last year in San Diego, so the most interesting things here are packaged samples of Hera Syndulla, Qui-Gon Jinn, Lando Calrissian, the Emperor's Royal Guard, and of course the Tusken Raider.

The secret is out - and has been out - but the 40th Anniversary Collection has a big launch that's more of a big relaunch.  Fans have been clamoring for "the original 12" in every expression possible, so now it's being completed with the 6-inch action figures.  This means we're getting a mix of retools, repacks, and new figures.  If you missed R2-D2

One of the surprise hits of The Black Series has been a series of higher-end fancy-boxed toy helmets from Hasbro.  The Stormtrooper and Kylo Ren editions were strong sellers, and they look nice on a shelf.  (My nose is too big to enjoy them.)   This year, the latest release is Poe Dameron's Black Squadron helmet.  Could this mean a white and blue variant is coming as someone's exclusive?  I'd bet money on it. I love these things.  But that's me - what does Hasbro have to say?

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES POE DAMERON ELECTRONIC HELMET
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99/Available: 2017)
Put on this deluxe helmet from THE BLACK SERIES and get ready to take flight as skilled X-WING fighter pilot POE DAMERON. Experience battle like never before with a surround sound speaker system that amplifies X-WING and TIE FIGHTER vehicle sounds and transmits communications from loveable sidekick BB-8. This unique helmet features exquisite deco and movie-accurate detail, putting collectors right in the middle of the action.

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.

Ad: It's coming soon! Pre-Order Star Wars The Black Series 6-Inch Action Figures Wave 9 Case from Entertainment Earth! This wave includes 6-inch action figures of Princess Leia Organa, Sabine Wren, Darth Revan, a Snowtrooper, the AT-AT Driver, and Obi-Wan Kenobi - the same figure from SDCC, but without the bonus accessories.  Pre-orders for this case ship free in the USA. Get yours now!

Target's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Hasbro exclusive sets are in stores as of today.   A 12-inch 6-pack, a 3 3/4-inch 7-pack, and a 6-inch 3-pack are there now.  The Black Series set includes a repack of Jyn Erso along with a plussed up Imperial Death Trooper with more gear and the jacketed version of Cassian Andor.  The Eadu head looks a smidgen better - but they're out there now if you need them.

Hasbro sent along new The Black Series reveals from New York Comic Con!  Rogue One: A Star Wars Story releases await you including a new Darth Vader, Director Krennic, a Scarif Stormtrooper, Baze Malbus, and Chirrut Imwe.  Neat stuff!  Hasbro's photographers sure love negative space.

Ad: They're here! Order Star Wars The Black Series Clone Troopers of Order 66 6-Inch Action Figures - Entertainment Earth Exclusive - with Free Shipping from Entertainment Earth! Spectacular battle damage and squad deco from the 2005 film Revenge of the Sith are all here, and pre-orders are open now for this fantastic set of Clones and blasters. These legions and battalions aren't available in this size anywhere else, so get your armies built - order a few sets today! Or maybe just one.

New Black Series - repacks!  According to many sources, and Robot Kingdom (a very popular exporter of Transformers overseas) there are 4 more The Black Series 3 3/4-inch action figures coming out as future Walmart exclusives.  You may already own them, but they’re good ones if you missed them.  While Hasbro has not confirmed this, it’s a slow news week so we’re going to assume this is all fact and  tell you about these previous releases.  Read on for more pictures, links to reviews of the original figures, and a list of who you can expect to find in stores in the next couple of months.

At this time, there are no Rogue One or The Force Awakens figures in these waves known to be coming.   This continues the previous The Black Series line's proud tradition of minimizing freshness in the 3 3/4-inch range.

If you've been waiting, HasbroToyShop.com added its 2016 SDCC Exclusives including Star Wars Kylo Ren, Jyn Erso, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.  These are sold out.   However, some other items like Micronauts and Transformers remain.  Click here to see inventory.

Update: August 9!  Be there!

Correction: While we don't have a time or date yet, we're told to expect HasbroToyShop.com to post the date of sale for its remaining SDCC 2016 exclusives Tuesday.   This would include any remaining 6-inch Jyn Erso (standard figure with photos, unique packaging), Obi-Wan Kenobi (unique packaging and electornic accessory), and Rilo Kiley (Kylo Ren helmet, unmasked head, unique package, Vader helmet, base, flag).   At press time I do not have a confirmation that variant head Kylo Ren is or isn't coming out down the road - so you may want to keep reloading to get these, whenever that time may be.

No 3 3/4-inch figures were sold at the show.  (For Star Wars.) 

It's that time - you have to vote now, as that's the headline at StarWars.com's article Vote Now for the Next Black Series Figure!!    Darth Talon, Starkiller, Jaina Solo, Mara Jade, and Captain Rex all made 5 out of our Top 6 so I'm quite astonished to see that reflected on the official site's final voting.   I won't tell you who I voted for, but if you click here now you can see the current results when you place your vote.