All posts by Jayson

Toyguide Update: Jar Jar Binks (Lost Line)

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Jar Jar Binks (EP1-01) released as part of the Kenner Lost Line variant packaging for The Vintage Collection.

PROS: For fans of Jar Jar, this latest version attempts to improve upon the less articulated Movie Heroes version and does to some degree. The semi-new figure incorporates additional points of articulation in the neck, shoulders and wrists as well as well-disguised ankle joints. Hasbro also has taken this figure a step further by revising the deco to a lighter, less suntanned shade and adding soft goods for the “skirt” allowing him to sit upon a kaadu fairly well. This is a solid figure if you’ve yet to find the MH version but you may want to hold out for that one for the reasons below.

CONS: In this case being super-articulated doesn’t mean better when compared to the Movie Heroes (MH13) version. The joints are poorly matched as evidenced by they contrasting colors especially in the shoulders and knees. Also, the superfluous lower neck joint doesn’t do much to improve upon the figure and is more of an aesthetic distraction than anything else. Then there is the skin color/deco. Where the MH figure seems to hit the right colors, this new version seems too light and the ornate deco on the arms is far too dark and is flat out wrong. Overall this figure seems like a waste of tooling resources, but your mileage may vary of course.

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.

CVI Collecting Track: Star Tots

This year, attendees of the Celebration VI collecting panels will have the opportunity to collect Star Tots – a series of 2″ tall, flat die cast enameled characters, based on the unproduced Star Tots toy line from 1979.  There will be 20 different characters, one at each presentation. Click on through to check out a sampling of the designs.

Continue reading CVI Collecting Track: Star Tots

Toyguide Update: Vintage Droid Set

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of the Target Exclusive Vintage Droid Set from The Vintage Collection.

PROS: Hasbro crosses another one of those original Vintage 3-packs off their lists with this release and in a surprise move, they’ve actually given us something new! While the Death Star Droid is a repack of the TLC B.A.D. figure and the R5-D4 is a repaint of the TSC “The Saga Collection” mold. The Power Droid is an all-new design (gone is the frustrating “walking” feature in lieu of articulated legs) plus a bonus hidden feature: a removable access cover.

CONS: The $24.99 pricepoint may be off-putting to some. The Power Droid is cast in a tan plastic which immediately sent a tremor through the force, and forums, begging Hasbro for a true blue 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.

Episode 356: Year of the Astromech

Celebration VI is coming fast! Less than a month away! Have you got your party to the Star Wars Action News/Yakface party? The tickets are almost sold out, and all attendees get snacks, drinks, an exclusive Star Wars T-Shirt with art by Mark McKenna, and a chance to win some great prizes! On this week’s Star Wars Action News, we talk to Mark about his Celebration VI exclusive art print, featuring Darth Talon and Aayla Secura, as well as his comic background and the party T-Shirt!
Also on this week’s show we run down some of the most limited and most coveted exclusives that are coming at Star Wars Celebration VI. From Disney Vinylmation figures to Boba Fett bust banks to trading cards given out one per day each day of the con, listen to start making your shopping list for Celebration!
With Disney being at Celebration one of the biggest questions is if they will bring Droid Factory with them. That conversation began again this weekend as Droid Factory made its long-awaited return to Disneyworld! Listen as Star Wars Action News forum member Christian, “Darth Corgi”, recounts his adventure of building all 24 droids, and find out how you can get yours.
With Steve “The Gingerprince” reporting from the MCM Expo in Manchester, a look at Wizard World Chicago, and more, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!

Download the Regular Version or Enhanced Version