This week in Q&A: Creatures! Why aren't they featured in the new line like some of the other movie launches? And Titaniums - are we talking about new molds, or are the ships the same as what Galoob sold 20 years ago? Finally, MicroMachines. Do they seem new to you?
Don't forget, you can send in your questions for next week. Read on!
For the first time in years - not counting teaser posters - a Star Wars film has adopted the digitally swabbed collage over the classic painted posters of old. In the article Star Wars: The Force Awakens Theatrical Poster First Look, In-theater Exclusives and More at StarWars.com, you'll see the poster as well as some news on tickets, the trailer, and the obligatory 7-movie marathon where, like with Star Trek in 1991, you may sit long and prosper.
An interesting note about the poster - if you zoom in, you'll notice Mark Hamill is given second billing behind Harrison Ford, yet doesn't appear on the poster (as far as we know). Leia's new hairstyle can be seem, barely, behind Han Solo.
A number of gifts are being given away at select screenings, so far they are things like lanyards, magazines, and glassware - no toys or figures.
This retooled Chewbacca has a different head - and some other pieces - when compared to the Armor Up version. Presumably more are coming, but this is the latest one right now. It comes packaged with the Millennium Falcon and his claim to fame is the bulky communications gear. How retro! Is it any good? Read on!
The big 6-inch version of the First Order Snowtrooper Officer is out as an exclusive, but this is the 3 3/4-inch one. It's nice! It's also a different sculpt with different deco from the regular Snowtrooper, beyond just the shoulder pad - fascinating! Read on.
There are two BB-8 action figures so far - this is the 3 3/4-inch one that comes with the Millennium Falcon. It has some dirt on it, and one point of articulation. I assume it will be the most-stolen action figure of the year, but let's see how it shakes out. I like the droid, I like the vehicle it comes in - will you? Read on!
This week in Q&A: Let's talk Disney Infinity. And Disney Astromech Droids. Also, does Disney pull the strings on figure case assortments? I swear, this is just a coincidence.
Bonus - impressions of the new Millennium Falcon, in some stores as of last week.
So send in your questions for next week. Read on!
Also in stores now, the new Millennium Falcon from The Force Awakens. I saw it at Toys R Us (and got one from Entertainment Earth), and the going rate is currently $139.99. It's the same size as the vintage Kenner one from 1978, with lots of new bells and whistles - and the figures fit in it pretty well, to boot. Motion-sensing sound effects, a light-up targeting computer, and a "dirty" BB-8 figure are just some of the highlights.
...I'm also quite taken with the Nerf dart launcher. That sucker is super strong, and really fires across a room nicely. While not as big as the legendary 2008 version of this toy, I'm having plenty of fun with this one so far.
For $19.99, Toys R Us is now receiving cases of the First Order Snowtrooper Officer. I saw several at a Phoenix area Toys R Us, so it's possible if you missed the online pre-order you might just stumble on them over the next week or two. Update: note this one has a TRU silver sticker - some don't. Good hunting!
It seems that the figure is very similar to the basic version other than the pauldron, but we'll know for sure once it starts to ship in the next month or three.
Are you finding anything interesting? Let us know! Leave a comment or send us an email - we're hearing a lot of buzz, and we love getting confirmations.
Surprising no one, the Black Series 6-inch TIE Fighter is huge. Really, really huge. I saw a pair of them today at a Phoenix area Toys R Us for $169.99 a pop.
From The Force Awakens toy line, Kanan Jarrus has a new hat! Also new shoulder deco. And a really cool Y-Wing Scout Bomber vehicle. It's worth picking up for the vehicle, and the figure with its changes is a heck of a nice bonus. If you already have several Kanans, though, buying another one is probably not going to do it for you. Read on!
We don't know if this Stormtrooper Officer is in the movie yet, but we do know it comes with an armored, gun-packed Assault Walker vehicle. It's similar to the carded Stormtroopers (all three of which I have seen in stores as of yesterday), but the plastic is a slightly different texture and shade of white - plus there are minor manufacturing differences. Want to know more? Let's say that you do. Read on!
Oh boy, new MicroMachines! Some of these are shipping now - 3 new 3-packs are part of wave 2 and I've already got them here on my desk. (2 X-Wings and a TIE, Falcon/Executor/TIE Bomber, ROTS Jedi Starfighter/ARC-170/Droid Tri-Fighter).
Other new entries include new blind bags and yes, new 5-packs. Do you want to see these? I certainly hope so, because I'm posting them for you regardless - I'm collecting these and I assume you are too. Do it.
What's this? Why, it's new Titanium Series vehicles! The A-Wing, Imperial Shuttle, Jakku Landspeeder, Anakin's Jedi Starfighter, Republic Gunship, Sith Infiltrator, and Star Destroyer are all here. (Some are returning champions.) They're all still quite cheap, thankfully, so you can get 'em in stores soon. Images after the jump.