Surprising probably no one, R2-D2 (Galaxy of Adventures 5-Inch)  is great. It's hefty and sturdy. It has ball-jointed ankles - a first for R2-D2 figures, as far as I know. Also his "bald spot" returns - the circle on top of his dome was left silver rather than painted blue.  Again.  But it's a good figure and the centerpiece of a nice 3-pack - so read on!

The First Order Driver (Galaxy of Adventures 5-Inch)  is infuriatingly good. "But Adam," you say, "I don't want a new scale." These figures are basically the line you thought we'd get in the early 1990s - bigger, lots of articulation, and stylized.  They're good! They're not as good as the 6-inch line, but articulation is above and beyond a lot of what we get for 3 3/4-inch figures.  Read on!

This week in Q&A - ForceLink in short supply! Or no supply, depending on your perspective. Unreleased figures! Many will remain unreleased. Also some ramblings from NYCC.

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Our mail bag is empty. Read on!

Ad: Hot new pre-orders - New Transformers Generations Selects and Earthrise Toys! Hasbro had a lot to show yesterday, including the spectacular Transformers Earthrise Leader Optimus Prime Trailer. You've just got to see that one.

But wait, there's more - and it's Star Wars Be sure to Click Here for Triple Force Friday!

Fresh from SDCC, the Sith Trooper (SDCC Debut, The Black Series 6-Inch)  is like the one you can get in stores in a few hours, but costs more and has a little more gear.  You should probably get one of these and more of the cheap ones. Read on!

A Disney Store debut sold later at Entertsinment Earth and elsewhere, this Captain Phasma (Quicksilver Baton, The Black Series 6-Inch) has one of the gnarliest cracked helmets I've seen on an action figure of this size. There are also significantly cool burn marks and a cloth cape, plus two toothpicks of varying sizes.  It's an old figure with new parts, but is that enough? I think so, especially now that it may be on sale in some stores.  Read on!

I will be hosting another panel at New York Comic Con!  Come see new toys, plush, action figures, blind box toys, concept art, prototypes, and other stuff from over a dozen toy lines on Saturday, October 5 at 6:30 PM. Come to room 1C03 and I'm told there will be a freebie from Funko there too, so get there early.

There will be some mentions of Star Wars but there will be lots of other items from a number of big action figure collector lines you may find exciting.  I'm not really supposed to share too much in case licensors pull something, but I would say it's a bigger variety of stuff compared to what we showed at San Diego.

This week in Q&A - Force Friday Let's talk about it - we have two questions. Also customs that look a little too real!

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Our mail bag is empty. Read on!

It's not an original, but it is a lot cheaper.  The Princess Leia Organa (The Retro Collection) is either in a store near you - or for sale online at a shop you may like - right now.  Her grip is loose, the cape feels different, and on my sample the face is a little off-center. It gives her a different personality, and if you just want an old-looking Kenner Leia to keep around you can do worse. Or yellower.  Read on!

The hottest thing 1978 had to offer came back with Han Solo (The Retro Collection)!  And it sold out. But there might be more coming.  Should you get one?  He doesn't like holding his blaster, but otherwise this is pretty great. Read on!

This week in Q&A - Carbon frozen figures! There are more or less than you thought - but I don't know what you think. Also size problems - we're about to have even more size problems.

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Our mail bag is empty for October. Read on!

Forbes has posted a feature called The Next Chapter In The Toys R Us Story? Interactive Play Spaces.  There's a gift shop, but it's not a store - it probably won't be collector-friendly and it sounds like it won't be much of a retail powerhouse, either, if sales are not an emphasis in its floorplan.  These two non-stores will open in Atlanta and Chicago, and if any of you are going we would love pictures.   It's $28 for adults, $20 for kids, and they're asking manufacturers for sponsorship opportunities.  This ain't your daddy's Toys R Us, where $20-$28 would actually net you some toys to bring home.

Actual Toys R Us-branded stores are opening in Houston, TX and Paramus, NJ.

One of my friends described this play space as a paid Instagram experience.  

This nifty Commander Pyre (The First Order, Galaxy's Edge, The Black Series 6-Inch)  is pure gold.  Well, gold, black, a little grey... it's a Stormtrooper redeco.  Read on!

The Kenner-style Stormtrooper (The Retro Collection)  is a lot like you remember from 41 years ago, but with some minor changes.   The hands are a little different. The neck still doesn't turn.  It's pretty good. Read on!

This week in Q&A - Star Wars screen speculation! Big ones, small ones, ones you can put in your pocket - are we about to see a massive shift in perspective? Also Wishlists & Disappointments - this is our deal, yes.

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Our mail bag is empty. Read on!