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Welcome to 2016! We're back with Q&A and thanks to the secrecy of the film and the toys, we're really not a lot better off today than we were a month ago. We are, however, saying all spoilers are fair game for The Force Awakens from here on out. The Black Series at Walmart - can we expect more Cantina aliens? (Or any?) Deleted toys - what's the deal with those? And expensive figures - should you get excited, or just go with what's cheap?
Don't forget, send in your questions for next week. Read on!
Reader Frank chimed in to let us know/warn us that four more droids were added to the action figure part bins at Disney World in Florida. No new bodies are available yet - but these four domes are. Here's what he had to say:
"I am an avid fan and love my astromechs! I stopped out at WDW Hollywood Studios today and happened to browse by the Droid Factory counter at Tattooine Traders. Not expecting to see anything, just more of the mismatched 2015 domes series when I did see exactly that!! More mismatched domes and some that I had not seen before. I have not seen reports of these new additions. I found 4 new domes, but nothing new in the legs or bodies from before. Maybe they are on their way? Or maybe 4 domes is all there is?? Not sure when these hit the retail floor, but it looks like there are new parts coming for 2016. The 4 different domes are pretty evenly distributed out there, no shortage that I could tell. Just wish they had some matching parts to make coherent looking droids. Most interesting is the new black R4.5 [?] dome. If I learn more here I’ll send it in."
Ask Jakks! Let's finish out 2015 this week week in Q&A with more from Jakks Pacific. Jakks Pacific's Scott "ToyGuru" Neitlich offered to take on some of your questions on the giant figures of the present, past, and future - so let's go!
Life-sized figures - can we expect some? Also Bigger Boba Fett should happen, but will he? And what about other characters - can we expect Star Wars' cousins, too?
Don't forget, send in your questions for next month. The first Q&A (with me) for 2016 is written and will be up next week - but we've got a whole year to fill, and we can't do it without you. Read on!
With The Force Awakens it certainly feels like Star Wars is everywhere in the physical world, because it pretty much is. It's difficult to leave your home to buy groceries, batteries, or a Guavian Enforcer figure without seeing that logo somewhere. Back in the 1970s, Star Wars invaded television most frequently in comedy and variety shows, as you could plug in R2-D2 and C-3PO to pretty much any concept from Donny & Marie to Sesame Street. They just fit.
Richard Pryor also had a show in this era, which does double-duty as a time capsule and as a reminder of how and why Star Wars felt so incredibly tight. Once you watch the video (and you should), rewatch it and take note of the various costumes - some are complete, some are wobbly, and some look incredibly fake in this different context. The editing on the original Star Wars film was said to have saved it from certain humiliation, because a few frames further would reveal the secrets to the magic. You can see Hammerhead's wobble in this sketch. You'll note that Labria's devilish features are completely frozen - it's not a make-up, the only thing that can really move are his eyes and the few frames in the Cantina were lit and framed in such a way to give him the spark of life. It's a goofy little clip, but it does wonders to show the importance of editing and helps to highlight something of interest about The Force Awakens, too. (No spoilers follow, but recognition that the film exists and has been seen do.)
Josh and Chuck of Stuff You Should Know are two of my favorite podcasters, and they tackled the legendary and baffling (and must-see) Star Wars Holiday Special this week. It's one of two podcasts you should probably check out today.
Click here to hear more about The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978.
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Ask Jakks! Continuing this week week in Q&A as I attend to some personal matters: more from Jakks Pacific. Jakks Pacific's Scott "ToyGuru" Neitlich offered to take on some of your questions on the giant figures of the present, past, and future - so let's go!
Big monsters - how about it? Also Where are the big Sandtroopers? The answer might surprise you. Big women - can we expect more?
Also, I ramble a tiny bit (non-specifically and non-spoilery) about The Force Awakens and He Never Died, a new movie with Rollins in it!
Don't forget, send in your questions for next week. I'll most likely be back with the usual questions, if we have the answers. Read on!
Less action figures than massive display pieces, Jakks Pacific's 31-inch action figures are - on occasion - also pretty cheap. Walmart.com has Kylo Ren down to $15, a massive price cut for such a big figure. Many of the other large figures are $5-$20 off, so you might want to take a look if there's anything you want and also if your local stores let you do that in-store pickup for online orders. (I tried it earlier this year and, surprisingly, it was much smoother than similar things at Target and Kmart have been in the past.)
Ask Jakks! This week in Q&A: more from Jakks Pacific My fellow toy industry pal Jakks Pacific's Scott "ToyGuru" Neitlich offered to take on some of your questions on the giant figures of the present, past, and future - and I'm lazy, so let's do that instead.
Can we expect big giant droid figures? Also How did they pick those particular sizes? The answer might surprise you - but the reasoning won't. International distribution - it wouldn't be a Q&A without it!
Don't forget, send in your questions for next week. I'll most likely be back with the usual questions, if we have the answers. Read on!
Hey, it's Constable Zuvio! He has a magnificent paint job on his armor, and we know absolutely nothing about him in the movie yet. Well. With that, I'm taking a FOTD break because I actually would like to see the movie before commenting any more on these - so read on, for what it's worth.
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Click here to see all items. Don't forget, get free shipping on all in-stock orders $49+ in the USA!
Here it is - again! The 6-inch Kmart exclusive Kylo Ren (Starkiller Base) is in stock as of my writing this - you can get it picked up at stores for free, or get it shipped. It's $5 more than the regular version, but sports unique deco on the feet, a base, different hands, and a different lightsaber. I just ordered mine - if you want one, click here to check availability.
Update: Don't use Paypal on the Kmart.com web site right now, as it seems to be causing problems.
Arguably the figure of the season, the 6-inch Captain Phasma is the one your pals want and can't find - I haven't seen her in stores personally yet, but her wave mates? You'll see those. She's pretty much exactly as good as you might expect from this line, so read on!
Check out the Sandtrooper Sergeant! It's one of the exclusive figures in Entertainment Earth's Imperial Forces 6-inch action figure set. This one has a different dirt pattern and a white pauldron - what more do you need? Well, it's also got the blasters from the other releases - be sure to get this one! Read on!