Category Archives: Collecting News

Episode 336: In Memory of Ralph McQuarrie

This past weekend a light went out in the universe as Ralph McQuarrie passed away at the age of 82. The concept artist of the original trilogy, the artist took Lucas’ words and created visions of a galaxy far, far away that would inspire generations of artists to come. It is to the memory of this great visionary that Marjorie, Arnie, and the crew of Star Wars Action News dedicate our latest podcast. He will be missed.

Also on this week’s show, Marjorie and Arnie review the latest wave of Vintage figures–the deleted scene wave featuring Luke, Leia, Lando, Cracken, and a Mon Calamari A-Wing pilot. With a discussion on the ethics of figure hiding, new store discounts, and more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News Podcast!

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If you can’t sell it, mark it down…

Barely a month after new product hit the shelves, some Wal-Marts are already putting some of Hasbro’s new line on clearance.  It seems like some retailers are realizing that vastly inferior repacks from a decade ago aren’t in demand; especially at inflated prices  – how long before Hasbro realizes this too?

For more details on what was found marked down in the St. Louis area today, click on the image above.

New Clone Wars Case Up for Pre-Order

Entertainment Earth is also taking pre-orders for Clone Wars Wave 2 case assortment which features the new Republic Commando Boss and Phase II Rex. The case breaks down as follows:

1x Republic Commando Boss
1x Anakin Skywalker
1x Clone Trooper (Phase II)
1x Captain Rex (Phase II)
1x Obi-Wan Kenobi
1x Commander Cody (Flight Pack)
1x Plo Koon
1x Aqua Battle Droid
1x Savage Opress
1x Cad Bane
1x Yoda
1x Aayla Secura

Vintage Wave 4 Rev. 1 Case Up for Pre-Order

Entertainment Earth has updated tonight and is now taking pre-orders for the delayed Vintage Collection (Evazan, Wedge, Nom Anor, etc.) case assortment which breaks down as follows:

1x VC75 Qui-Gon Jinn (Phantom Menace)
1x VC77 Ratts Tyerell and Pit Droid (Phantom Menace)
1x VC92 Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker
1x VC93 Darth Vader (Episode IV)
1x VC95 Luke Skywalker (Hoth)
1x VC87 Luke Skywalker (Lightsaber Construction)
1x VC58 Aayla Secura
1x VC59 Nom Anor
1x VC60 501st Clone Trooper
1x VC56 Kithaba (Barada)
1x VC57 Dr. Cornelius Evazan
1x VC28 Wedge Antilles

Toyguide Update: Ric Olié & Naboo Pilot (Walmart Exc.)

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a “two-for-one” special since they are both so closely related. We continue on with the addition of Ric Olie (9 of 12) and the Naboo Pilot (10 of 12) from Walmart’s exclusive “Discover the Force in 3-D” collection.

PROS: Hasbro makes the most of its tooling budget here with two “all new” figures. While Ric “Captain Obvious” Olié was a great figure in 1999, this new version is simply great, especially the likeness of actor Ralph Brown. The generic Naboo Pilot is no slouch either. He features a completely nondescript portrait making him the perfect army builder for any Naboo display or hangar diorama so you’ll want a few to pilot those new N-1 starfighters due in a couple weeks, but they’ll work with the original 1999 vehicle just fine. Finally, the inclusion of the soft goods overcoat completes both of these figures nicely as does the removable helmet, both of which are unique sculpts to each figure.

CONS: Having two virtually identical figures as separate, concurrent exclusives seems like a odd move, but the line has to pay for all those other repaints and repacks some how, right? The color of the plastic coat seems a bit too brown when compared to the on-screen costume. In another strange move, the Naboo Pilot, not Ric Olié, will be making his way to the Vintage Collection – everybody say it with me – pegwarmer!

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether these figures are 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.