Category Archives: Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: #ForceFridayCountdown Promotional Calendar

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a special addition focusing on the #ForceFridayCountdown Promotional Calendar sent out by Hasbro and Hunter PR to various collector/news sites. This calendar counts down the days until Force Friday, September 4, 2015, when official merchandise for Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits store shelves. Each page features a factoid relating to the date or product shown. Click on through to check out the calendar in its entirety and reflect on almost 40 years of Star Wars merchandise from Kenner and Hasbro.

Again, we’d like to thank Hasbro/Hunter PR for this great piece.

Toyguide Update: 2015 Convention Exclusive General McQuarrie Mini Bust

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today as we take a look at the 2015 Convention Exclusive General McQuarrie Mini Bust from Gentle Giant.

PROS: Anything that results in more tributes to the iconic Ralph McQuarrie is okay by me, but it does come at at price. The overall sculpt and paint are good with crisp details especially on the jacket and (non-removable) cap. For fans of Ralph McQuarrie and the Original Trilogy, this should be a welcome addition to your mini bust display.

CONS: The prices for Gentle Giant bust have steadily crept up over the last few years and this one falls victim to that trend as well. It is an exclusive, and it is McQuarrie, but $120.00 is pretty steep for this non-deluxe bust.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this bust is worth adding to your collection.

Toyguide Update: Luke Skywalker and Han Solo (MS15)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with the latest entry in the Star Wars Rebels 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at the Luke Skywalker and Han Solo Mission Series set (MS15).

PROS: The Mission Series sets (and Saga Legends figures in general) have come a long way since their inception. Sure, you’ll still run into some jacked paint apps here and there, but Hasbro has made these two relatively simplistic figures in to some of the best incarnations in this outfit ever. Seriously, grab a copy of The Ultimate Action Figure Collection and compare the sculpts of these figure to previous versions. Taking articulation out of the equation, it’s hard to find fault with either Luke or Han.

CONS: Due to their limited articulation, these figure won’t be riding a Tauntaun anytime soon, unless you have some Vintage Kenner ones laying around –admittedly we didn’t see if they’d even fit.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set is worth adding to your collection.

Episode #56: See Ya’ Leia

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Flyguy and Yakface are back to break down the week’s collecting news and more. This week we discuss the most recent developments in regards to the Ceremonial Princess Leia (straight from Hasbro no less) as well as new images of Black Series products. Gentle Giant is back in a big way on this show as they made several product announcements for their Jumbo Kenner line as well as a new statue that is both cool and confusing. Fans of Boba Fett were treated to new images and preorders for the upcoming Revoltech Boba Fett – now does it stack up to other figures in the line? In our TV/ Movie/Book/Game News segment we breakdown the news regarding the new post-ROTJ novel “Aftermath” as well as give our thoughts on the latest installment of “Princess Leia” from Marvel – they aren’t good. Celebration news abounds as we are less than a month away from the biggest event of the – aside from The Force Awakens. All this and A LOT more on Episode 56 of The Realm Recap!

Click on through to check out the latest episode and feel free to subscribe to our channel and leave suggestions on what you’d like to see covered on the show.

Also, if you prefer an audio-only version, a downloadable MP3 is available as well.

Continue reading Episode #56: See Ya’ Leia

Toyguide Update: Ezra Bridger (Cadet) and Kanan Jarrus (MS18)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with the latest entry in the Star Wars Rebels 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at the Ezra Bridger (Cadet) and Kanan Jarrus Mission Series set (MS18).

PROS: Kanan is old hat at this point so we’ll focus on Ezra, or “Dev Morgan” as he’s known in this attire. The sculpt is pretty decent (if we don’t get a Zare Leonis recycled from this body I’d be shocked). The face sculpt has much crisper details than prior Ezra portraits – those were softer in sculpt especially around the nose and mouth. The hair is the same, just at darker color. The paint is okay for the most part except for that one odd mistake (see below). The cadet helmet is the same sculpt as before but has the character specific markings from the episode “Breaking Ranks”. Two figures for $10, hard to complain about that especially for kids these days.

CONS: Aside from getting our fourth taste of Kanan in action figure form, there are a few Ezra related issues. First off, Ezra’s head is a little wobbly at the neck joint – at least on my sample – your experience may vary. The most odd issue though is the fact that he has the wrong symbol painted on his left shoulder. It should be the Imperial crest/cog, but it is the Galactic Republic emblem. Kids won’t give a second (or first) thought about it though. It is unknown at this time if it will be addressed in future production runs. Finally, the Ezra cadet figure is about 1/4″ shorter that the standard “Rebels attire” Ezra due to the fact that the legs are a bit shorter.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set is worth adding to your collection.

Toyguide Update: Hera Syndulla and Stormtrooper Commander (MS19)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with the latest entry in the Star Wars Rebels 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at the Hera Syndulla and Stormtrooper Commander Mission Series set (MS19).

PROS: Hera fans rejoice! We finally have received the figure we’ve been waiting for and it doesn’t disappoint. Original solicitation images caused a bit of worry initially because Hera’s green skin tone was very washed out. Thankfully, the production release is a far more vibrant hue. As standard fare for the Saga Legends/Star Wars Rebels line, she has only 5 POA, but it is a well executed figure from paint, proportions and sculpt. Despite having the lekku (aka head-tails), the head is unencumbered by them allowing for a full range of swivel movement. The Stormtrooper Commander is a simple re-accessorized version of the SL01 figure with a non-removable command pauldron, although it does move freely so I’d expect maybe a white or black version in the line’s future.

CONS: The biggest con of this set is that it took so long (six months) after the debut of the series to get the main cast/crew of The Ghost. Hera’s blaster is very tiny and she has nowhere to stow it due to a non-functional boot holster so be sure to keep a close eye on it. This set is surely to be a desired one on the secondary market (i.e. eBay or unscrupulous merchants at cons) – but don’t overpay as this set is 2 per case in this assortment and 3x in a revision case.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set is worth adding to your collection.

Toyguide Update: Digital Release Commemorative Collection Sets

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with the latest entry in the Saga Legends/Star Wars Rebels 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at the Digital Release Commemorative Collection sets.

PROS: In a round about way, these sort of confirm an as-of-yet-to-be-announced release of the 6 films in a digital format. The artwork used for the packaging and the presentation overall is well done and like the previous blu-ray release commemorative sets, the side panels form an overall artpiece when displayed in the proper order. The outer slipcase has a nice embossed treatment on the figure art which give the sets more of a high-quality feel and with the slipcase removed, you are treated to more art by way of the movie posters that are on the back side of each box. As for the figures there is nothing technically new here, so you can save money if you either have all of the figures or you don’t like the Saga Legends style figures in principle. The price is decent at $19.99 each (US) so if you passed on any of the figures before, there is a nice way to get a good representation of core characters in one shot.

CONS: These sets feel weird without having anything official to tie them with in terms of media. The way the figures are presented in the inner box is a bit on the bland side, conveying an almost unfinished or mock up packaging vibe. No Leia? Really???

Head to the toyguide for the image gallery to judge for yourself whether any/all of these sets are worth adding to your collection.

Note: loose figure photos for these sets will not be taken.

Toyguide Update: AT-DP Driver

SL14_atdpdriver_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with the latest entry in the Saga Legends/Star Wars Rebels 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at the AT-DP Driver (SL14).

PROS: The sculpt for the figure overall is well done and is pretty faithful to the animation. I love the fact that the helmet is a blend of the McQuarrie Concept Snowtrooper and an AT-ST Driver. I have a general soft spot most McQuarrie art and the AT-ST Driver as it was one of my favorite figures as a kid. He fits inside the AT-DP’s cockpit well enough and can pull double duty in the Imperial Troop Transport so the versatility is nice. He’s packed 2 per case so populating your Imperial ranks and vehicles should be relatively easy.

CONS: As far and knocks against this figure, it does have some paint/coloring issues. First off, to me, the overall tone of the figure seems too blue with even a hint of yellow. The character models in the series look more light and dark gray. Secondly, in most of the samples I’ve seen and have, the paint application on the “crotch area” seems thin allowing the darker blue to show through. Finally, the molding of this figure is sloppy in areas, especially the back of each leg where you can see round circles from the casting process.

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

Toyguide Update: Luke Skywalker (SL22)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with the latest entry in the Saga Legends/Star Wars Rebels 3-3/4″ line. Next, we take a look at the Luke Skywalker (X-wing Pilot) (SL22).

PROS: Hmmm…. not sure where I sit with this figure. The sculpt is very solid and the proportions are nicely executed. The removable helmet is well fitting and doesn’t look too big when worn. As a thin figure, he fits into most vehicles with little effort so there is plenty of playability for the youngsters – who these figures are targeted. For diorama builders, he may serve well as great background filler (as he doesn’t look much like Luke anyways).

CONS: Despite it being a core character, there really isn’t anything to really get excited about here as we have received what seems like dozens of X-wing pilot Lukes over the years. The paint isn’t that great, at least on this sample, and the butterscotch hair is once again perplexing. Collectors can definitely pass on it, but for kids, it might scoot by as acceptable. He has no weapons which may be a first for a Luke figure, at least as a basic figure release. (Edit: Thanks to JabbaJ for the reminder that the POTJ Luke didn’t include a weapon either.)

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