Tag Archives: JTA

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Anakin Skywalker (CW03) (Yakface & JTA Collaboration)

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2013CW03_Anakin_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a special series covering the 2013 “foreign exclusive” assortment of Clone Wars figures. At first blush, you may think that we were only missing out on some simple repacks and repaints, but that is not the case – there is a fair amount of “new” to be had. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Jedi Temple Archives to run down the details and minutia of this final wave of animated series-style figures.

We continue on with the addition of Anakin Skywalker (CW03) – who gets a new coat of paint and new parts as well.

PROS: Hasbro tweaks the previous release of Anakin (again), upgrading the head sculpt to a more series-accurate profile  and, in a strange move, retooled both forearms as well. This retooling along with a significant redeco of the outfit result in the best animated Anakin Skywalker (so far).

CONS: Obviously, availability is an issue with this figure, but also my sample has a awful paint job with several instances of overspray/paint bleeding. Hopefully this is a fluke and not a wide spread problem throughout the production run.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection and be sure to check out JTA’s full Research Droids Review for this figure as well.

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: R2-D2 (CW05) (Yakface & JTA Collaboration)

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2013_CWR2_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a special series covering the 2013 “foreign exclusive” assortment of Clone Wars figures. At first blush, you may think that we were only missing out on some simple repacks and repaints, but that is not the case – there is a fair amount of “new” to be had. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Jedi Temple Archives to run down the details and minutia of this final wave of animated series-style figures.

We continue on with the addition of R2-D2 (CW05) – not a simple repaint here…. this is an all-new mold (for him).

PROS: For this latest iteration of R2 from the Clone Wars, Hasbro has repurposed the Build-A-Droid/Droid Factory sculpt first used on the 2011 R7-D4 figure. The result is a far better representation of Artoo from the series and a far better sculpt overall. Since it utilizes the build-a-droid platform there are plenty of customizing opportunities thanks to its parts cross-compatibility with other B.A.Ds.

CONS: For R2-D2 collectors or fans of astromechs in general, not having this figure as part of your collection may hurt a bit. Thankfully, his availability on the secondary market shouldn’t be as scarce as with some of the other figures in the assortment.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection and be sure to check out JTA’s full Research Droids Review for this figure as well.

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: Obi-Wan Kenobi (CW01) (Yakface & JTA Collaboration)

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2013_CW01_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today with a special series covering the 2013 “foreign exclusive” assortment of Clone Wars figures. At first blush, you may think that we were only missing out on some simple repacks and repaints, but that is not the case – there is a fair amount of “new” to be had. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Jedi Temple Archives to run down the details and minutia of this final wave of animated series-style figures.

We continue on with the addition of Obi-Wan Kenobi (CW01) which gets a much-welcomed articulation upgrade for 2013.

PROS: Hasbro has taken the 2012 figure and improved on it greatly by way of a revised deco from top to bottom and, most importantly, the addition of swivel wrists – a must for most Jedi figures. They went so far as to retool the forearms and hands making this figure markedly better than the previous version.

CONS:  It appears that the addition of the POA (points of articulation) and revised paint apps has eaten into the accessory allotment for this release as Obi-Wan only includes his ignited lightsaber. I, for one, would have loved the inclusion of his Rako Hardeen helmet or how cool would an Obi-Wan in Mandalorian Super Commando armor figure have been. Missed opportunities all around. Due to the figure’s exclusivity (i.e. not available in the US) tracking one down may required a bit more effort and be prepared to pay twice the MSRP when all is said and done.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection and be sure to check out JTA’s full Research Droids Review for this figure as well.

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: 501st Legion Clone Trooper (Yakface & JTA Collaboration)

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2013CW06_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today kicking off a special series covering the 2013 “foreign exclusive” assortment of Clone Wars figures. At first blush, you may think that we were only missing out on some simple repacks and repaints, but that is not the case – there is a fair amount of “new” to be had. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Jedi Temple Archives to run down the details and minutia of the final wave of animated series-style figures.

We start things off with the addition of the 501st Legion Clone Trooper (CW06) – a character design that debuted during the final arc in Season 5 of The Clone Wars.

PROS: Hasbro has taken the opportunity to give us one new character offering for the sub-line’s swan song. The deco for the 501st “Jet Pack” Trooper (as I call him) is very distinctive with its vibrant blue unit flashes as well as red accents that truly set this figure apart from prior 501st Legion clones. Don’t be surprised if you see of few of these costumes make their way into the 501st Legion.

CONS: Availability. Availability. Availability. You’ll have to call in a favor to a friend from The Great White North (Canada) or across the pond (Europe) to obtain this figure unless you want to pay double (or triple in some cases) on eBay.

Head to the toyguide for the full image gallery and to judge for yourself whether this figure is worth adding to your collection and be sure to check out JTA’s full Research Droids Review for this figure as well.

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

Collecting News

Giant Size Darth Vader from Jakks

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jakks_logo

Our friends at Jedi Temple Archives have posted word that Jakks Pacific have acquired the rights to sell Star Wars products and one of their first offerings is a Giant Size Darth Vader. These extra large figures are 31″ tall, feature multiple points of articulation with incredible detail and sculpt. You may recall their Batman figure from The Dark Knight Rises last year. Head on over to JTA for a mockup of the figure and packaging and watch for this figure’s release later this year.