Tag Archives: TBS

Toyguide Update: TBS #13 Stormtrooper

TBS13_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates resume with our next entry in the The Black Series 3-3/4″ line. Today, we take a look at the Stormtrooper (#13).

PROS: Although army building isn’t much of a thing anymore with today’s figure prices, this Stormtrooper is a pretty decent version if you were so inclined. The figure uses the ultra-articulated body (the one with ball-jointed hips) and includes the newer E-11 blaster sculpt that features the collapsible stock. For good measure, Hasbro included a second blaster rifle for additional display/play options.

CONS: From the samples I have, there seems to be varying degrees of paint app quality from figure to figure – most notably on the helmet. Also, since this uses the Sandtrooper mold, the slot to accept the backpack is still present which may be a distraction, but only if you are really looking at the figure from behind. Lastly this figure includes a holster (cannibalized from the TAC20 Stormtrooper) but due to the bulkier design of the E-11 blaster, it doesn’t fit in the holster very well.

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.

Toyguide Update: TBS #09 R2-D2

TBS_r2_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 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.

Toyguide Update: TBS #14 Mara Jade

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.

Toyguide Update: TBS #02 Clone Trooper Sergeant

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.

It Begins: Black Series Packaging Variants

TBS_bubblevariants

The official kick off of The Black Series hitting retail starts this week and with it comes news of packaging variants (at least in the US so far) for the first wave of 3-3/4″ figures. It appears that the first runs of these figures have a bubble variant where the embossed “wall pattern” is present on the bubble. Our friends at Star Wars Action News confirm this with the photo above. It shows that the Biker Scout, Clone Pilot and Clone Trooper Sergeant are “missing” this detail while the others in the case do. For those keeping track, the date stamps on those figures without the embossing is 31611 and those figures with it have 31261.

Thanks to Johnathan from Star Wars Action News for the assistance.

For a complete gallery of the variants, head over to StarWarsCollector.com

Toyguide Update: TBS #01 Padmé Amidala

lf5sm

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.