We got a new Star Wars movie in 2018, but people didn't see it.  The name didn't appear on the toy packages.  You couldn't even get its star as a basic figure - Han Solo only came as a pack-in during the Solo: A Star Wars Story launch in theaters.  While not everyone loves all the new movies, it's hard to fathom why you wouldn't give kids access to the movie's title character in the basic assortment - as far as I know, for any franchise, this is kind of unprecedented. The figure was packed with a sound reader, which itself required a firmware update that wasn't offered for weeks after launch - and as of today, still isn't fully functional.  But was the figure nice? Read on!

Another new classic Original Trilogy figure? Two in one year? We're being spoiled!  Klaatu (Skiff Guard, The Vintage Collection) hadn't been retouched this century, so a remake seemed timely.  It seems to have more color than the actual costume from the movie, and the exceptional kind of articulation that qualifies as "standard" in 2019.  You know you want one - I assume you're buying one.  Read on!

This TIE Fighter Pilot (Mimban, Solo: A Star Wars Story line look) was shipped in a couple of configurations, basically as the same figure but with different other stuff in the box. It's in a Solo Force Link 2.0 TIE Fighter and in Target's Mimban 6-pack.  Read on!

It was nearly a year ago Hasbro teased us with the first glimpse of Yak Face at New York Toy Fair.  The next Toy Fair is days away, and Saelt-Marae (whatever) is here now! It's pretty good - the coloring and weapon matches up nicely to the vintage original figure, but it include the coat and a more accurate head.  You want this one - and maybe you're getting one with your Sail Barge.  Read on!

One of the last new astromech parts we've seen, the R6-Series Astromech Droid White with Brown Markings (Droid Factory) brings you a dome with no matching body. That doesn't happen much.  Read on!

New figures of old characters are in short supply - especially ones that are making their toy debut! The Weazel (Solo: A Star Wars Story line look)  came out a few months ago, and it's pretty great - it looks sort of like a new bounty hunter.  Read on!

It's the new  IG-88 (Archive, The Black Series 6-Inch)! The colors are different, and the legs are fixed.  I like the first version deco better, but this one can actually stand up - so it's the winner.  Read on!

This new Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot, Archive, The Black Series 6-Inch) brings back Luke with a new face paint job, and a retooled boot with a "CE" on it.  It's cheaper than the original, and the face looks pretty great in person.   Read on!

Part of the last - and hopefully not final - 3 3/4-inch wave of carded action figures, Tobias Beckett (Solo: A Star Wars Story line look) turned out pretty well.  Woody from Cheers makes a good space cowboy, although mine had some hand fusing issues.  Read on!

Hasbro's 6-inch line has been getting better and better, with Val (The Black Series 6-Inch) being one of the best! Not only does she have an eerily lifelike likeness, but the costume from the movie was expertly crafted in plastic. Read on!

I'm pretty jazzed to see Hasbro slid a Quay Tolsite in before the Force Link line called it a day - assuming, of course, that it's probably over now.  He's basically a statue with arms, but they did a good job with him.  He has jointed arms without a bunch of range, jointed legs with a big robe over them, and a lot of sculpted detail.  Hasbro didn't take shortcuts on this one.  Read on!

Rio Durant is a gem - this 3 3/4-inch figure is the kind of thing you wish Hasbro did more often.  This short space monkey has four arms, a blaster, and a pretty good-for-a-soundalike Force Link 2.0 chip.  Get one if you can find one. Read on!

Another of last year's highlights, the Dengar (The Black Series 6-Inch) figure is awesome!  You should have ran out to get one, or ordered online, because Dengar is great.  He has a removable backpack, a cool blaster, and amazing detail with a separate rubbery headwrap on his head.  Who knew Dengar could be so good?  Read on!

This Han Solo (Mimban) is in a gift set, or sold individually - you should be able to get one rather easily.  It has a removable bask, moving goggles, a blaster, and a cape.  It's a Mudtrooper of the finest order, so I would get one if I were you.  Heck, I got two.  Read on!

We looked at one of the worst figures of the year the other week, so now let's look at one of Hasbro's very best.  The Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard, The Black Series 6-Inch) brings one of my favorite costumes on one of my favorite characters, and on top of that they did a phenomenal job. The face sculpting is good, but the paint! Oh!  They did a nice job giving him a feel that's a lot closer to Billy Dee Williams than ever before.  With the Donald Glover version also turning out well, and the buzz that we'll see Lando return again next year, it's a good season for Lando merch.  Read on!