Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Princess Leia Organa (Slave Outfit, Custom). It is an actual, real, Kenner-style figure made from an unlicensed source - and since an official release of such a character in this specific costume is unlikely, it's worth a look. It's a lot better than nothing - in fact, it's pretty excellent (albeit very expensive.) Read on!
Via the Star Wars Galactic Hunter Figure of the Day Blog: Battle Droid (The Vintage Collection). It's a red redeco with no battle damage, exclusive to Walmart, and something I assume we're not likely to see in physical stores any time soon. Read on!
Funko's admittedly bizarre and nifty Hikari Vinyl figure line is, in short, to vinyl figures what Gentle Giant was to Mini Busts back in 2002. It's a little strange, it seems expensive, they're limited, and it's a big shift from the kind of cheap stuff we were used to seeing. Several figures have been announced but this Original Greedo is their very first release. Each individual figure has a name for each paintjob, but it's only visible on the trading card inside each figure's box and can not be seen on the packaging's exterior. It's in the 7 1/4-inch range, rather than the much larger Hikari Marvel figures and comes to you hand-painted with 3 points of articulation.
This is great! Tonight's episode of Star Wars Rebels is "Idiot's Array," which lets you know right from the start that this is an episode for the hardcore loyalists from the 1980s. Originally appearing in the novels and some other Expanded Universe materials, the episode title lets you know that a familiar face will make an appearance, voiced by one of two special guest voice actors. And it was really fun, too!
If you liked the more episodic one-shot stories of old and love easter eggs aimed specifically at fans like you, this is a real gem of an installment. I daresay it's my favorite of the season and those who hate spoilers, well, too bad. Read on for more!
The back half of Star Wars Rebels begins here with "Path of the Jedi," which treads very familiar ground. Like much of the series, various themes are brought back in a new form along with recreations of music and scenes you've seen in the movies and elsewhere. This week, we get the much-promoted return of Frank Oz as Yoda in a voiceover role during a Jedi temple sequence which does raise a number of in-Universe questions, like "So if there's only 10,000 Jedi, how come there are a bunch of very expensive, very ornate temples all over the galaxy?"
Now that we're back from break, let's see what's new in the Force. Read on for more!
So I got the new Amazon Exclusive Vintage Collection TIE Interceptor here, and the big question I've been hearing - a lot - is "is it different?" The answer is yes, actually - the plastic color is different enough from other movie versions of the ship to be notable, so let's find out more.
With The Black Series' 6-inch action figure line, Hasbro is focusing on adult and collector fan favorites which means Darth Maul is a sure thing. Traditionally the one character from the first prequel that everybody agrees is worth owning, Hasbro did a great job on this figure and it's probably the best-looking action figure of Mr. Maul we'll ever see. This review is sponsored by Entertainment Earth. Read the review or watch the video after the jump. You've got options!
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!
Just in time for Comic-Con, here's our review of the Hasbro SDCC (and Celebration Europe) exclusive Black Series Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite. Will collectors jump in to this new scale? Based on this piece, it's hard not to get excited of what's to come. Check out our review and photos after the jump, and check back tonight as our 2013 SDCC Preview Night coverage begins!
Here's more! Is it time to part with ten bucks? The 5-point-of-articulation experiment continues with a look at Hasbro's brand span-danker-in' new Star Wars 2013 Mission Series Battle Droid with 212th Battalion Clone Trooper Action Figures. If all you're after is one of each new mold, the Battle Droid and Clone are both repeated with different paint jobs elsewhere. And if you're looking for the best examples of each mold ever, these aren't them. They are decent vehicle pilots and the Clone stands up well - but are they worth army building, assuming they become available?
SEE! The pictures.
HEAR! Me speak in the video review.
READ! The review. Reading is fundamental!
Check it all out after the break. Because it's not like you're going to get much SDCC coverage until Wednesday anyway.
Now in 2-packs! The 5-point-of-articulation line continues with a look at Hasbro's brand span-danker-in' new Star Wars 2013 Mission Series Anakin Skywalker with 501st Legion Clone Trooper Action Figures. Both figures are repaints of other figures sold individually, and Anakin has more than a couple of changes from the single carded release. The clone is, of course, much bluer than the other releases.
While not necessarily an essential release, it is different enough to warrant your attention. And as usual, we have a short video for those of you who gave up reading for Lent back in 1997. Click through for belt variations and more!
The experiment continues! The 5-point-of-articulation experiment continues with a look at Hasbro's brand span-danker-in' new Star Wars 2013 Saga Legends Obi-Wan Kenobi Action Figure. It's a corporate response to inflation, rising labor costs, and a shifting set of priorities in the world of toy retail, but it has one action figure lacking of previous figures. Namely, it can sit in your vehicles without a fuss.
We're hoping to get a few more of these up before SDCC 2013, so please do read on and watch the video, too! As the great Jim Osterberg once said, "thank you for your kind indulgence."
How are you liking this format? Love it? Hate it? Can't stand my terrible voice? Let me know!
I'm trying a brand new review format today kids - below, find pictures, a written review, and a video for the new Star Wars Saga Legends R4-P17 Action Figure which literally showed up at my house about 9 hours ago.
...and yes, we do have comparisons of all 4 models of this figure so far, you lucky so-and-sos!
We hope you enjoy this experiment - we might not be able to do them all this way, but it covers a lot of bases!