All posts by Jayson

Toyguide Update: VC98 Grand Moff Tarkin

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Grand Moff Tarkin (VC98) from The Vintage Collection.

PROS: Charming to the last. After nearly a half dozen iterations, Tarkin finally gets the super-articulated treatment and to top it off, he graces the Vintage Collection card back crossing one of those “must-haves” off the list. From an articulation and sculpt standpoint,  Tarkin hits all the right marks (thanks to recycling parts from past Imperial officers) but falters is some key areas that ultimately elicit a sign from collectors. Tarkin includes blaster and all new MSE Droid which is now in the proper scale and features rolling wheels/axles.

CONS: So close yet so far. Immediately upon reveal, collectors wondered what the heck was going on with his uniform color and those soft goods. We hoped and pleaded that it was because we were just seeing hand-painted prototypes, but sadly, what we saw is what we got. The soft goods skirt is the main culprit as the cut and color looks plain out of place on this figure. The outfit overall looks to be far too green and should be more drab. While the face sculpt looks good, the overall skin tone is very pale and make him look even more gaunt than intended.

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.

New CVI Autographing Guests Announced

Adding to the already impressive guest list, StarWarsCelebration.com announces that 6 more signers have committed to the event. They are: Amy Allen (Aayla Secura), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Garrick Hagon (Biggs Darklighter), Christopher Malcolm (Zev Senesca), Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker) and Bonnie Piesse (Beru Whitesun/Lars)

Head on over to the official CVI site to check the list so far!

And as long as you are attending CVI, why not party like it’s 1983 and get your tickets for the Yakface/Star Wars Action News Fan Party?

Toyguide Update: VC97 Odd Ball (Clone Pilot)

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with the addition of Clone Pilot Odd Ball (VC97) from The Vintage Collection.

PROS: We’ve seen many iterations of the Episode III ARC-170 pilot since 2005,and with this latest version, I think the word definitive is applicable. Gone are those funky looking “moon boots” as he now sports full ankle articulation. Not surprisingly, Hasbro has recycled many of the previous pilot parts but has tooled up new lower legs and helmet which, thankfully, is well-proportioned.

CONS: Oddly, he features Imperial emblems on its shoulders where I would think they should be Republic symbols. With distribution the way it is it might be some time before folks see this figures in the wild let alone its other Wave 5 case mates.

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.

Disney Build-A-Droid Parts Update

One of our followers on twitter has alerted us to some Build-A-Droid news out of the Big Mouse. He is on site and is reporting that Tatooine Traders is out of all Mickey hats and only have middle legs in green available. They are also out of both styles of R3 heads, silver blue R2 and purple or blue R4 head.

Word is that they are NOT expecting another shipment of parts before the final Star Wars Weekends.

Lastly, due to the B.A.D. part shortage, they are NO LONGER selling the $18.95 two-packs. Only the single for $11.95

Thanks to DarthChuckMc for the info