Hey kids, it's IG-88! This Mission Series figures is similar in execution to the original Kenner toy, but shorter and with one gun.   And a significantly better sculpt.  You'll want to check out the comparison photos, but probably not my brief thoughts on the figure, when you read on.

Meet the new Bossk! (Not the same as the old Bossk.)   In Figure of the Day we look at this 2015 release and compare it to the 1980s version - which one is taller?  The answer may surprise you. 

And we're back! Few columns get as many letters and as few reads as Figure of the Day, and it's back for a while with a look at the figures hitting hard now.  Like Sabine Wren from Star Wars Rebels here - she's got two guns, her helmet doesn't come off, and for budget reasons her paint job isn't quite what you see on TV.  But she's still pretty neat!

It's shipping! I got the Imperial Troop Transport from Star Wars Rebels when I ordered it at Entertainment Earth (available here now in a case with 2 per box). It's neat! It has articulated front cannons, 2 firing rockets, storage for 9 figures, and places to keep bunches of weapons. It does not have funny hats, wheels, a record player, or a large trunk for storage. Watch Six Second Toy Talk after the break to see it in action. It won't take long.

Be warned, if you haven't seen last night's episode of Star Wars Rebels then this story on USA Today may ruin it for you.  Darth Vader is well known, so I can post this headline: Darth Vader's back in 'Star Wars Rebels'.  You knew that.  And now we know Hasbro is doing a figure for it, which is fantastic news - but there's another figure coming with him, and that's what you may not yet want to know.

Ad: Entertainment Earth added a ton of new Hasbro Star Wars pre-orders! Lots of new figures are up for grabs today. Why wait? Get a Star Wars The Black Series Princess Leia in Boushh Disguise 6-Inch Action Figure, or spring for the whole Star Wars The Black Series 6-Inch Action Figures Wave 9 Case with Free Shipping, and so much more!

Ad: Entertainment Earth added a ton of new Hasbro Star Wars pre-orders! Lots of new figures, cases, and sets are up for grabs today. Why wait? Get a Star Wars Black Series Captain Rex 3 3/4-Inch Figure, a Star Wars Black Series Commander Doom 3 3/4-Inch Figure, and so much more - like these amazing figures.

We have uploaded photos from Hasbro's Toy Fair showroom. The Black Series and Star Wars Rebels presentation was underwhelming to say the least, but understandable given the focus on Episode 7, which we should begin seeing by SDCC.

Hasbro's latest print ad features The Black Series Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader recreating the epic finale from Return of the Jedi. Look for these 2 amazing entries in the 6 inch scale at a store near you or order today from our sponsors at Entertainment Earth!

Good news, everyone! New stuff is starting to hit - I personally saw a Target in Phoenix, AZ have a couple of Wullfwarro/Wookiee Warrior and Sabine Wren/Stormtrooper Star Wars Mission Series 2-packs at $9.99 a pop this evening before dinner.  (I didn't see any of the other new ones.)  If you're in the market for these, either order online at your favorite store or gas up the car!

Ad: Entertainment Earth added a ton of new Hasbro pre-orders! Lots of Marvel, Star Wars, Transformers, and more await you if you get them before they sell out. Why wait? Pre-order yours today!

Get some green! The new 6-inch Clone Trooper Sergeant!  Figure of the Day is here to show you Hasbro's second-ever articulated figure with the brownish/olive rank markings. Previous figures were mostly 3 3/4-inch, and mostly a brighter green.

You get a rifle, a blaster pistol, and a ton of paint on the previously all-white Clone Trooper mold. Basically, short of battle damage, this figure gives you everything you could hope for. Well, maybe you could hope for an alternate unhelmeted head but I think it's pretty great as it is.

Anyway, read on!

It's a tie! Or more specifically, it's a 6-inch TIE Pilot!  Figure of the Day is here to show you the upsized take on everybody's favorite flying menace, which is unsurprisingly pretty good!

You get a holster, a blaster, and a pretty great sculpt here for twenty bucks. The paint job is good, there are rocker ankles, and unlike most of the past decade's worth of 3 3/4-inch TIE Fighter pilots, this one is an all-new sculpt for a change. If that doesn't put a smile on your face, what will?

Anyway, read on!

Hey hey, it's Yoda!  Figure of the Day is briefly back, and we're going to look at the newer 6-inch figures in blue boxes.  You're welcome!

Yoda isn't 6-inches, but he does have a snake, a cane, and a lightsaber plus a cloth robe that is nicely tattered.  This may be Hasbro's best take on the snake that came with the original Kenner figure, and as Yoda figures go it's quite nice.  As Black Series figures go, though, it's pretty insubstantial and the reason for giving him double-jointed elbows is beyond me.

Anyway, read on!

Over on Amazon this time of year, prices are in flux changing daily or even every few hours.  In particular, Star Wars: The Black Series Deluxe Figures seem to be getting cheaper.  I noticed the Speeder Bike and Jabba the Hutt were each around $22, and may be different by the time you see this.

That makes each item about half price, which ain't bad.