Collecting News, Customizing, Podcasts/Streaming, TV / Movie / Book / Audio News

Episode #55: The Journey Continues…

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realmrecap_news

Flyguy and Yakface are back to break down the week’s collecting news and more. This week, product is coming in at record pace with wave after wave of Saga Legends, Mission Series and 6″ Black Series products hit retail. Plus, there are even great sales to be had as well. There are a few very cool customs to discuss this week, the main one grabbing headlines around the world is the drone speeder bike which is too cool not to hit production. Finally, big news broke from Disney involving the first of the standalone films as well as the official release date for Episode VIII. There is a lot to wrap our addled brains around but you can watch/hear it all on Episode 55 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 #55: The Journey Continues… →

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Digital Release Commemorative Collection Sets

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SL_digitalset_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 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.

TV / Movie / Book / Audio News

First Standalone Movie Announced Plus Episode VIII Release Date

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Disney and Lucasfilm have just announced the first standalone film for the Star Wars franchise.

Rogue One is the title for the first film in a unique series of big-screen adventures that explores the characters and events beyond the core Star Wars saga. Rogue One will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla) and written by Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (Cinderella, About a Boy, Antz). The first actress cast is Felicity Jones, who garnered an Academy Award nomination and critical acclaim for her performance in The Theory of Everything. The idea for the story of Rogue One came from John Knoll, an Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor and chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic. He will executive produce along with Simon Emanuel (The Dark Knight Rises, Fast & Furious 6) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds). Kathleen Kennedy and Tony To (Band of Brothers, The Pacific) are on board to produce and John Swartz (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will co-produce. The film starts shooting this summer in London and is due for release on December 16, 2016

Also, they Bob Iger confirmed, that Rian Johnson will write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII. The film, which continues the saga after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is set for release on May 26, 2017!

Visit StarWars.com for the full details.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: AT-DP Driver

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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.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Luke Skywalker (SL22)

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SL22_luke_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 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.

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