Sponsor News: Big Bad Toy Store
Here is a quick update about a bunch of cool new pre-orders and the latest arrivals from Big Bad Toy Store as well as a ton of items for their Spring Overstock Sale.
Lucasfilm Announces Episode VII Production Returning to the UK
Lucasfilm announced today that production of Star Wars: Episode VII will take place in the United Kingdom. All of the six previous live-action Star Wars movies have included UK production in such famed studios as Elstree, Shepperton, Leavesden, Ealing and Pinewood Studios.
Head to StarWars.com for more details.
Sponsor News: Urban Collector
This week we are featuring new pre-orders like Star Wars plush, Final Fantasy Kai figures & Harley Quinn 1/6 scale RAH.
Compendium Poster Giveaway
Our friends at Jedi Temple Archives are giving away one of Christopher Lee’s amazing “Collect All 92″ Compendium Posters. Head on over to JTA to find out what you need to do to get one.
LEGO Jedi Defender Cruiser Revealed
The team at Eurobricks.com have posted several high-res images of a new Jedi Defender-class cruiser due out later this year. The set is based on the Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO game and includes 4 mini-figures, 3 of which are new.
Coincidentally, thanks to our friends at JediDefender.com for the tip.
Remember when collecting was a blast?
There was a time when this hobby was simple – walk into a retail store, and you had a fair chance of finding a Star Wars item you wanted to buy. But for a lot of collectors and kids, those days seem to be a thing of the past.
Is all of this Hasbro’s fault? Probably not. But a lot of collectors, like myself, feel that most of the issues with the hobby today rest squarely on the shoulders of Hasbro.
This rant is my own opinion, but feel free to chime in with your thoughts in our forums – even if you think I’m crazy. Because sometimes the truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with the seat missing, but it hurts.
The Enloe Trials: New Previews
Production on the next installment in The Enloe Trials photonovel series is underway, which means there are some new previews that can be seen by clicking here.
If you need a refresher on this OT-era series prior to the next chapter being posted, you can catch up with both Chapter 1: Seeds of Insurrection and Chapter 2: Atrocity in our forums.
She’s alive… ALIVE!!
One of the sexiest Jedi of all time lives on in forum member Lance Quazar’s photonovel series, Aayla Secura: Resurrection.
Check out the latest installment of this fan-fiction action packed series as the sultry Twi’lek finds herself in a hostile new reality after surviving Order 66!
Yakfinities #48 Continues
Disappointed with how The Clone Wars line has been handled? Well now is your chance to show your support for the animated series with the current Yakfinities Customizing Challenge.
We have had a surge of recent entries – check out all the latest customs created by fans of The Clone Wars series, or add your own by clicking here!
Episode 391: Into the Void with Tim Lebbon
Tomorrow a new era in Star Wars Expanded Universe novels beings with the release of Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void. Written by Tim Lebbon and based on the Dark Horse comic series Dawn of the Jedi this book tells of Force users twenty-five thousand years before the battle of Yavin. It’s the first Star Wars novel set so early in the timeline, and also the first Star Wars novel by Lebbon. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Arnie talks to Tim about the process of writing this novel and the themes throughout.
Also on this week’s show, Berent went to Disneyland and talked to artist Mike Kungl who was revealing new works. He talks about his upcoming prints from Acme Archives, works Lucasfilm rejected, and his latest Jabba art piece. Listen to find out about them and find out how to win one of Kungl’s Rebel Alliance–Defend and Protect prints!
With a Free Comic Book Day report from St. Louis, a con report from the UK, May the Fourth sales, and reports of Endor AT-AT spottings, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast.
Download the Regular Version or Enhanced Version
D-Tech Returns to Disney with Stormtrooper Options
Disney Parks Blog has updated today announcing the return of the popular D-Tech Me Experience on May 17. They also reveal that there is now a Stormtrooper option now available where instead of getting your likeness rendering on a replica carbonite block, you can get your head sculpted to a body of an Imperial Stormtrooper. Head on over to Disney Parks’ Blog for the detail.
Toyguide Update: Ben Kenobi Desert Nomad Mythos Statue
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a look at the Ben Kenobi – Desert Nomad, the latest statue to be released from Sideshow’s Star Wars Mythos line.
PROS: When this piece was first revealed, many collectors – including myself, knew that this was one item not to be passed over. It serves as an undeniable bridge between the Prequel and Original Trilogies while giving a deserved nod to The Clone Wars as well. The details in the his survival gear (especially the inclusion of the lightsaber hilts of his former master and Padawan) and overall deco of the statue are amazing in their own rights but where this piece shines is in the uncanny interchangeable portraits of Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness as Kenobi.
CONS: This statue originally solicited the inclusion of a removable Obi-Wan’s lightsaber hilt that attached to his belt – which can be seen on the packaging. This accessory was ultimately dropped and the product photography was revised. Collectors of this line have also complained that the lit lightsaber blade either arrives snapped off the switchout hilt/hand accessory or that it breaks easily during unpacking and/or assembly of the statue (of which I can personally attest).
Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this piece is worth adding to your collection.
You can also weigh in with your impressions on the figures we add to our toyguide on facebook and in our forums.
New Vinylmation Blind Bag Pins at Disney
Yakface Reader Chickaphant writes in with an interesting find at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Read on for the story…
Sideshow Announces 12″ Vader Pre-Order Date
For the May 4th festivities, Sideshow Collectibles has posted another preview image of their 1:6 scale Return of the Jedi Deluxe Darth Vader. They also reveal that the Dark Lord will be available for pre-order on May 23rd!
