Today is the official release date of the Director’s Cut of Star Wars: The Clone Wars “Darth Maul Returns” on DVD available exclusively at Target. This feature length edit tells the arc of Maul’s reemergence from what was thought a certain death and serves as the lead in to Season 5! Get yours today at your local store or Target.com
Action Figure Xpress is now taking pre-orders for their exclusive Death Star Gunner Mini Bust from Gentle Giant.
The Imperial Gunner Mini Bust was modeled using digital scans of the authentic costumes and props for the utmost accuracy and fidelity to what was seen on screen. Cast in high-quality polystone, this 1/6th scale Mini Bust is hand-painted, individually numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
For more details and pre-order info, visit shopafx.com
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Clone Trooper Lieutenant (EP2-02) released as part of the Kenner Lost Line variant packaging for The Vintage Collection.
PROS: It’s surprising that it took Hasbro this long to start repainting the ultra-articulated VC45 Clone Trooper into some of peripheral clone officers from Attack of the Clones. There is not a whole heck of a lot new here but the execution here is good with an accurate color selection for the armor flashes and a fairly decent application of them. Again like the VC45 version, articulation is abundant making with widest range of posing options possible. Accessories are basic with the standard trooper kit of a blaster, rifle and removable helmet.
CONS: A solid figure all around but maybe the only issue with it is that the paint treatment looks odd around the ankles as I don’t recall the black body suit being visible on the Phase I clones. Again with most figures, finding one at retail may be a bit of a chore, but they are turning up in decent numbers at Walmart and Toys”R”Us on both card back variants.
Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure 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.
Yakface would like to welcome a new sponsor on board: DASH. If you strive for meticulous tracking of your collection, read on to discover how DASH’s cataloging and inventory system may be just the resource you need!
Looking for a unique and attractive way to display your LEGO, Kubrick or Fighter Pods mini figures? Check out this YouTube video for a cool and cheap way to build your own custom display.
Thanks to Flyguy.net for the tip.
After my suggestion via twitter that Hasbro should have included an alternate display arm for the Speeder Bike to pose them at varying heights, I realized they inadvertently did! If you assemble the cannon base in its tripod configuration, you can mount the speeders right on top. I’ve added 3 more images to the toyguide entry to showcase this discovery.
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Target Exclusive Darth Maul Returns Battle Pack from 2012 “Darth Maul” Collection and The Clone Wars.
PROS: This set is a bit of an anomaly but a welcome change from Hasbro as this set not only includes 2 all-new figures but a repack of a hard-to-find figure as well in the armored Savage Opress. Couple that with the fact that this set is (currently) only $19.99 make for a lot of happy collectors. The designs of the new “cyborg” Darth Maul and Nightsister are excellent in both articulation and deco – areas that have been points of consternation with fans of Clone Wars line. On an accessory note, the lightsabers can be removed from the red “spinning force attack” accessory and assembled into Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber. If you’d like to see how the spinning accessory works, check out our YouTube page.
CONS: There are very few issues will this set but there are 2 that are pretty obvious and consistently noted among collectors of this line. The first is the fact that we aren’t given a proper Mother Talzin, which is surprising considering her importance to this story arc. Hasbro explained this as not having enough lead time to develop a proper figure given the fluidity of the design changes for the show. The second is that collectors have wanted another chance at the armored Savage and thankfully we got it, but sadly without his signature lightsaber from his earlier basic card release.
Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set 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.
Toys”R”Us is having a special sale this week on LEGO and Hasbro action figures, vehicles and rollplaying items. All LEGO construction sets are 30% off and the Hasbro Star Wars items are Buy one get one 50% off – perfect for those looking for the new Speeder Bike and Battle Packs!
Our friends at Sandtroopers.com have posted a great gallery of images from today’s “Star Wars Night” with the Chicago White Sox. Check out Chris Spice in full TD armor with members of the Midwest Garrison for the great cause “Stand Up To Cancer“.
Here is a quick look at a bunch of new pre-orders – Transformers, Django Unchained & Hot Toys – and some new arrivals from Big Bad Toy Store.