For a long time now, Star Wars collectors have rightfully complained about the distribution and availability of figures at retail — the ones they want to buy any way — and have suggested that Hasbro, through their website, offer a subscription service in the vein of what Mattel does with their Matty Collector programs. If there has ever been a clearer example of why this should be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS I haven’t seen it.
Continue reading Why the Figure Subscription Model Should Be Avoided
Looks as though The Black Series is not dead… not yet and will be around until at least 2015 with 4-5 wave of 3-3/4″ figures in 2014 alone. Stay tuned for more as we hear it and check out JediNews for an upcoming special report.
Andrew’s Toyz has posted via Facebook the first look at two new Mission Series sets coming out later this year. Utapau (MS08) with Obi-Wan Kenobi and General Grievous and Bespin (MS09) with Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
Forum moderator localgotal has done it again with yet another amazing mockup in his popular Concept Series lineup.
This week we are treated to a double feature, which entails two great deluxe ideas that we really wish Hasbro would make. One of these is so amazing that it almost brings a tear to my eye. Check it out, and make your voice heard if you support such ideas by sounding off in the forums!
If you’re like me, you enjoy checking out the after Christmas clearances at Target… those toys are starting to disappear now though, as many stores now have the remainder of their clearance toys at 50-70% off. So if you’ve been holding out on getting sets like the Rise of Darth Vader battle pack for a great price, now may be the time before they’re gone.
Sideshow Collectibles has gone deep in Star Wars lore with their premium format figures. After starting with big characters like Luke, Han, and Vader, they have gone EU with Darth Malgus and Shaak Ti from The Force Unleashed. They’ve done Clone Wars with Captain Rex. But they never made a Chewbacca…until now, and Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie have the exclusive version in their podcasting studio. Is it worth getting? Listen to the full review in this episode!
Yakfinities #50: The Original Trilogy has wrapped up, and we had well over 100 entries, making this one of the best customizing challenges yet! Plus, not only did we have the standard random winners receiving prizes, but we also had two Grand Prize winners walking away with the Amazon Exclusive Droid Factory Wave!
Head on over to the forums for the full report!
GI JOE FSS Rare Collectibles, New Walking Dead, Captain America & Spidey Marvel Legends & More In Our @Dorksidetoys Newsletter
The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the Mission Series line as we take a look at the Mandalore set featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul.
PROS: If you like toys, retro-styled toys specifically, that may be all the justification you need purchase this set. Both Obi-Wan and Maul are designed with 5 POA, which for some warrants an obligatory “junk” or “these are crap” comment. But for me, they serve their purpose well as being a kid targeted, budget conscientious alternative to higher priced figures that require a lot of “futzing”. The sculpts for each figure are decent with Maul taking the spotlight being another all new figure and for representing his “final” look in the Clone Wars series. Obi-Wan is pretty much a retread of the Saga Legends figure but with new arms and a totally different deco overall. Each figure includes only a lightsaber – perfect for dueling one another – just like we did with our figures as kids back in the day, remember?
CONS: Fans of the Clone Wars figures were disappointed that they didn’t receive a super-articulated Maul in the line and have to settle (at least for now) in having this be the representation for that particular character design. The paint apps for Maul’s face is shoddy at best with not a lot of care being given to keeping lines tight and the “horns” on his head resemble a crown of misshapen marshmallows. Yeah, yeah. 5 POA sucks. Hasbro’s ruining Star Wars toys.
Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this set 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.
YodasNews has alerted us to confirmation that we can expect Darth Maul (SL15) and the Snowtrooper (SL16) coming to the Saga Legends line this year. Head on over to the Andrews Toyz Facebook page for packaged and loose shots. Darth Maul (A6137) and Snowtrooper (A6135) were leaked via JediDefender’s list back in October.