Category Archives: Toyguide Updates

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: TBS #09 R2-D2

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with our next entry in the The Black Series 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at R2-D2 (#09).

PROS: With all of the countless releases R2-D2 has gotten over the past few years, it is nice to see a mold crop up that hasn’t been used ad nauseam. The sculpt overall is very clean and the deco has a very tight application. As R2 figures go, it’s completely adequate.

CONS: A little bit bland in terms of deco – a nice wash would have served this figure better. The figure does have a slight knock against it as the ports that accept the snap-on booster rockets (when not in use) are prevalent. The absence of the booster flames from 2007 take some of the fun out of the presentation.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this piece 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: TBS #14 Mara Jade

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mara_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with our next entry in the The Black Series 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at Mara Jade (#14).

PROS: It’s been a long time coming, but the 2011 Fans’ Choice winner, and perennial EU fan-favorite figure has finally been released. This latest version of Mara Jade sports all the articulation one would require (save for ball-jointed hips) and is well accessorized featuring lightsaber and hilt, blaster and a reconfigurable holster capable of being placed in one of two positions. The sculpt is great, except…. well, you know.

CONS: Oh, that hair. While it is sculpted well, it suffers from being cast as separate piece which is glued to the head. This design choice gives her more of a “wearing a wig” look that effects the overall aesthetic negatively.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this piece 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Saga Legends Wave 1

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with an entry dump covering the first wave of Saga Legends figures.

At this point, you’ve learned all you need to know about these figures and most collectors are in one of three camps: “hate’em”, “love’em” or the ever popular  “meh”. I’ll go on record again saying that I love them and can appreciate them for what they are – an inexpensive alternative play pattern for kids with a bit of nostalgia thrown in for collectors who grew up in a simpler time.

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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: TBS #02 Clone Trooper Sergeant

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TBS02_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with our next entry in the The Black Series 3-3/4″ line. Today we take a look at the #02 Clone Trooper Sergeant.

PROS: As the first trooper of the Black Series, there is not a whole heck of a lot new here but the execution is decent. Again, like the VC45 version, articulation is abundant allowing the 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 if there were any nits to pick they would center around the paint apps. To me, the particular shade of green used for the accent seems a bit too dark and should be a bit more yellow in hue – but it’s very close. Finally, I like my clones weathered to show the effects of war.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this piece 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Jabba’s Goons Officially Named

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While browsing through my recent Star Wars Insider (143), I noticed that in a feature titled Rogues Gallery: Jabba’s Henchmen, Keeper of the Holocron, Leland Chee, reveals the actual names of the Weequay Skiff Guard and Nikto Guard as “Pagetti Rook” and “Lathe” respectively. With this new information, the TVC Toyguide entries (VC99 & VC107) for these two figures have been updated to reflect this new info.

Not a single Bothan died to bring you this information, but a protocol droid did get a memory wipe.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: TBS #01 Padmé Amidala

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with our first entry and the first figure in the The Black Series 3-3/4″  line – #01 Padmé Amidala

PROS: At first blush, you’d think this was a simple rehash of a prior figure with new parts, but when doing a side-by-side with the TLC/Evolutions figures, you’ll quickly see that this is a new figure from the ground up. A refreshing notion coming off of a nasty drought of quality products. The last version of this scene-specific figure was back in 2002 and it featured that wonky quickdraw (throw the gun across the room) action feature, so finally that one can be retired mercilessly. It is a solid figure all around with a nice sculpt and exacting details. Even the color of the outfit is better and isn’t so stark white as with previous iterations. The “nexu damage” applied to her back is well sculpted and is finished off with bloody scratches.

CONS: Was a total retool really necessary? For all the times that Hasbro sites tooling costs as a prohibitor for new figures, it seems that they could have retooled the torso and one arm to keeps costs in check. The likeness, while good, is a step backward from the previous (TLC) Geonosis outfit figure which looked more like Ms. Portman. One final issue is with the mismatch joint in her right arm . Yikes.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this piece 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: SDCC Exclusive 6″ Boba Fett w/Han Solo in Carbonite

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SDCC_TBS_bobafett_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with our first entry for the 6″ Black Series – the SDCC Exclusive 6″ Boba Fett with Han Solo in Carbonite

PROS: In a word. Wow! Hasbro’s inaugural foray into a new scale for Star Wars figures is very impressive. From the sculpt, deco and articulation, the 6″ Boba Fett hits the mark and photography doesn’t do it justice. The paint ops are close to being screen accurate (for the most part) and the added dirty wash to the legs help sell the piece markedly. Proportions of the body are excellent as to where you’d almost think there is an actual human body under the iconic armor. As for the Han in Carbonite accesssory, it too is well sculpted – almost a perfect miniature of the screen prop but the highlight of it is its display options. Hasbro included a two-piece base that allows it to display the block vertically or in a simulated hover position. It’s very cool.

CONS: As amazing as this figure is, it does have 3 strikes against it. First, the large pockets that are molded to the belt are so rigid, that they prevent the ball-jointed hips from being positioned in exaggerated poses. The second is that for such a popular character, it is curious as to why Boba Fett was selected as a convention exclusive. Granted, Boba Fett will make it to the main line at mass retail but the decision by Hasbro raised the hackles of many collectors right out of the gate. Finally, the price – $45 for one figure and a block of hollow plastic seems to be pushing the tolerance scale for some.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this piece 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.

We’d like to thank Hasbro and Hunter Public Relations for sending the piece to us in advance of San Diego Comic-Con. Keep your eyes peeled here for an announcement when this is available through HasbroToyShop.com

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Lomrokk – Gamorrean Executioner Mythos Statue

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lomrokk_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a look at Lomrokk – Jabba’s Gamorrean Executioner, the latest statue to be released from Sideshow’s Star Wars Mythos line

PROS: While probably not at the top of most collector lists in terms of character significance in the overall saga, this statue is simply amazing. Sideshow’s artisans have given this piece such detail it’s hard to believe that it isn’t a living, breathing creature. The sculpt incorporates varying textures, washes and paint treatments (whether it be on muscle, armor plating, fur or terrain) that define each part and add to the sense of realism. The skin of Lomrokk is a work of art in and of itself as he is covered with scars and gouges giving him an even more imposing vibe. The interchangeable heads are a wonderful feature allowing you to vary its presentation depending on your preference.

CONS: A bit pricey for most and it is quite large, weighing 15 lbs and standing about 20″ high, so display options may be limited. An odd character choice for a such a premium line of collectibles.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this piece 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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: El-Les (CW47)

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2010CW47_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with our look back at some of the older Clone Wars figures that we have yet to add to the archives. We continue with the bounty hunter and clone cadet trainer, El-Les (CW47).

PROS: During this era of the Clone Wars line, Hasbro’s figures were at their apex – the likenesses to their onscreen counterparts were superb and the articulation was beyond generous – those attributes continue here with El-Les. His overall design/sculpt is exactly like what was seen on the show and since he was part of a fan favorite episode, Clone Cadets, collectors snatched him up quickly.

CONS: None.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth tracking down for your collection.

You can also weigh in with your impressions on the figures we add to our toyguide on facebook and in our forums.