Now that we’ve recovered from our toy hangover from Hasbro Pulse Con, it’s time to review all that was showcased for the Star Wars brand on Friday. Click on through for our take on this year’s big event.
Things kicked off with a recap of some of some of the recent announcements to come from the brand including the 6″ George Lucas (in Stormtrooper Disguise) figure, the Retro Collection Wave 2 figures from The Mandalorian and convention exclusives. Things moved quickly and got to their first new reveals, intermixing Vintage Collection products with Black Series throughout the panel.
Vintage Collection Specialty “Reissue/Repaint” Wave
Anakin Skywalker-Padawan (TPM), Mace Windu (AOTC), Obi-Wan Kenobi (AOTC), and Ahsoka Tano (TCW)
The team was quick to remind everyone that these are separate from the regular TVC line in terms of SKU as to not block other mainline waves of figures from hitting store pegs. They emphasized that the specialty waves are aimed at new collectors who may have missed them in years past. Like other figure re-releases in TVC, the figures are updated with Photo Real decos for an improved aesthetic, improved soft goods (where applicable) and the packaging carries the same “VC” as previous although changes are also made to the design to bring them up to today’s standards.
6″ Black Series The Mandalorian & Grogu (Maldo Kreis) – Target Exclusive
This was a surprising reveal not only for the fact that it triple dips on the Beskar Mando sculpt (albeit with new thigh armor) but it went up for preorder while the Arvala-7 version languishes in Target preorder limbo. The execution of this Maldo Kreis version is well done as it incorporates the snowy deco on both Mando and Grogu, the inclusion of the articulated ice spider really helps to sell it.
6″ Black Series Migs Mayfeld (Morak)
Announced previously as a Pipeline reveal, Hasbro gave collectors a first look at the Black Series Migs Mayfeld (Morak) in his Juggernaut Trooper disguise. While not the most wanted version of Mayfeld, this version was still a requested – and honestly pretty low hanging fruit for Hasbro to get out there due to the reuse in existing tooling. The figure looks great thanks to an incredible Bill Burr likeness but sadly, the red bicep armor is incorrect based on the show and should have been reserved for Din Djarin in disguise. A future release perhaps? I’d bet on it.
6″ Black Series Boba Fett (Tython)
Another pipeline figure realized in plastic (and fabric) form was the Black Series Boba Fett (Tython). While we did see Fett in this outfit briefly on Tatooine in season 1, season 2 was where it was really featured as he laid waste to a contingent of remnant stormtroopers. The overall detailing looks amazing as well as the soft goods – this figure is going to be ultra-popular and hopefully Hasbro’s production takes that into account.
Deluxe 6″ Black Series Cobb Vanth
This figure caught some consternation when it was officially revealed that 6″ Black Series Cobb Vanth is going to be a deluxe release with that deluxe pricepoint. It can’t be denied that the figure looks great from sculpting to paint – the latter of which Hasbro attributes to the higher price as the accessories count is not as high as some other standard Black Series figures.
Vintage Collection The Mandalorian & Grogu (Maldo Kreis) – Walmart
The Child got out of the bag a little early on the TVC The Mandalorian & Grogu (Maldo Kreis) as during Hasbro’s presentation for the Black Series version earlier, this TVC carded version was shown instead. A retooled version of the first TVC Beskar Mando, it includes new season 2 armor details and a snowy/frosted deco. This set also includes a couple more Ice Spiders and of course a re-decoed Grogu with egg pod. The air was sucked out of the collecting room though when revealed that this is not only a Walmart exclusive but it carries as $27 pricepoint as well. Ouch.
Vintage Collection Nevarro Cantina Playset
Also a previous pipeline reveal, Hasbro unveiled the full details for the TVC Nevarro Cantina Playset with carded Imperial Death Trooper (Nevarro). I was pleasantly surprised by the details and accessories included with this set. There is a lot of barware including stools, bottle, cups etc. The modularity of it also allows for expanding the set with the purchase of additional sets without it being a necessity for proper display options.
Vintage Collection Rebel Fleet Trooper Pack – Hasbro Pulse/ShopDisney
Piggy-backing on the popularity of the Vintage Collection Stormtrooper 4 pack, Hasbro also showcased the natural successor to that set with the TVC Rebel Fleet Trooper Pack. Released as a Hasbro Pulse/ShopDisney exclusive this set allows for quick army-building while adding distinctive troopers to your Tantive IV playset display(s). Each trooper has a unique likeness and we also get our for Captain Antilles for TVC. Sadly, he won’t be on a Vintage-style cardback.
Black Series Galaxy Edge Packs
Shifting back to Black Series, Hasbro revealed 3 new Galaxy’s Edge pack which are exclusive to Disney Parks and ShopDisney. Set 1 is First Order themed with the First Order AT-AT Driver, a fresh-faced General Hux, a R5 Astromech (on that dated body again) and a Mouse Droid. Set 2 features a Droid theme with K-7R1, new CB-23, new Pit Droid, and Battle Droid, plus Babu Frik *hey, hey*. Set 3 is a Creature pack containing, Porgs, a Bogling from Jedi: Fallen Order, a Mynock and 2 Kowakian Monkey Lizards.
Black Series Force FX Elite Leia Organa Lightsaber
Another pipeline item from September was fully reveal with the Black Series Force FX Elite Leia Organa Lightsaber from The Rise of Skywalker. This impressive piece perfectly captures the brief glimpse we saw in the film . It features a removable blade, authetic sound effects and sleek display stand.
TBS & TVC Pipeline Reveals
Hasbro sprinkled in a nice assortment of Black Series and Vintage Collection pipeline announcements to round out the panel prior to the Haslab Rancor reveal
Black Series: 6″ Figrin D’an, 6″ Princess Leia (Ewok Celebration), 6″ New Republic Security Droid, Darth Vader Force FX Elite Lightsaber
Vintage Collection: ARC Trooper Jesse, 332nd Clone Trooper, Mandalorian Super Commando Captain, Din Djarin (Morak)
Haslab Black Series Rancor
Hasbro finally unveiled (after a few months of leaking and teasing) the Haslab Black Series Rancor. Boasting over 900 paint apps, an impressive 18″ stature and a 42″ armspan, the Rancor is the largest Black Series figure yet. 9,000 backers are necessary to get it into production with 4 tiers to unlock — all for $349.99. It is unfortunate that the stretch goals are a mystery whereas Hasbro’s G.I.Joe brand revealed all of their Haslab Sky Striker unlocks at the time they launched their campaign a day later. Chalk that up to the control of “The Mouse”
Overall, it was a solid show that felt a little looser than what we’ve been accustomed to with these livestreams. There was definitely something for everyone, except for maybe young kids, as everything shown was clearly adult collector oriented.