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Collecting News, Sponsor/Affiliate News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: 3.75″ Sgt. Jyn Erso (Jedha)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates continue for our next entry in the Rogue One 3.75″ basic figure assortment with Jyn Erso (Jedha).

PROS:  Aside from a few minor paint application issues, the second basic version of Jyn Erso is a very nicely done figure. Again, Hasbro has created an all-new figure which is surprising as they could have easily recycled the legs from the Eadu version. Even the blaster is new for this figure. The removable cowl is made of a pliable plastic that fits over the head easily and doesn’t look too bulky. The sculpted details of her uniform/outfit are well done, conveying a variety of textures and fabrics.

CONS: Unlike the first Jyn Erso we reviewed, this one takes a step backward in reverting to the 5 POA form-factor (although still a good figure). Not the best likeness of Felicity Jones but that can be said about most human characters in this scale.

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

Product provided by Entertainment Earth.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: 3.75″ Sgt. Jyn Erso (Eadu)

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375_jynerso_eadu_preview

The Yakface Toyguide updates continue with our first entry in the Rogue One 3.75″ basic figure assortment with Sergeant Jyn Erso (Eadu).

PROS:  First off, this isn’t your typical “5POA” figure as this version of Jyn has two additional points of articulation – swivel forearms -bringing the POA count up to 7 making for a slightly better figure. Sure, it’s not an elbow or knee joint, but it does allow for more variety in posing. Her overall aesthetic is good, with a lot of sculpting details in her outfit that is reminiscent of Princess Leia in Endor gear. Hasbro also sculpted a full outfit underneath the vinyl “poncho” – which is not really intended to be removable, but bonus points for their forward thinking. She includes a blaster pistol that can be stowed in her holster and a large rocket/projectile launcher for added play value.

CONS: The breathing mask/apparatus takes a bit of futzing to get situated on her face properly. Due to her small frame and higher center of gravity, it does take a bit of trial and error to get her to stand unassisted. It’s not impossible by any means but it could be a point of contention for kids with little patience or the heavy handed.

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

Product provided by Entertainment Earth.

Collecting News, Sponsor/Affiliate News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Boba Fett (Prototype) Mini Bust (2015 Convention Exclusive)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today as we take a look at the 2015 Convention Exclusive Boba Fett (Prototype) Mini Bust from Gentle Giant.

PROS:  Thankfully, Gentle Giant chose to create an all-new mini bust for this release rather than do a simple repaint of an existing sculpt – a practice that so many manufacturers employ. Although this piece is stark in its colorization, there is a different hue for the armor to set it apart from the underlying light gray jump suit that conveys a subtle realism to the bust. There is a lot of detail overall, especially in the gauntlets, jet pack and blaster that are highlighted with minimal, yet effective, paint accents and washes. For any Boba Fett fan, this is a must have piece.

CONS: Like the previous Boba Fett (McQuarrie Concept) bust we covered yesterday,  the aftermarket/third party price on this piece is about double the original cost,  but playing the long game on this may yield a bounty for a better price.

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

Collecting News, Sponsor/Affiliate News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Emperor Palpatine Mini Bust (2015 PG Gift)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today as we take a look at the Exclusive 2015 Premier Guild Gift Emperor Palpatine (The Empire Strikes Back) Mini Bust from Gentle Giant.

PROS:  Sculpt and paint is well done – especially the robes – with a lot of texture and simulated cloth conveyed through the polyresin material. There are no brittle/thin parts (canes/fingers) to risk damage.

CONS: It is the most basic of the 3 available gift busts available for 2015  PG members. The likeness (while good) is not nearly as definitive as the Darth Sidious but is better than the Return of the Jedi sculpt from 2012. The relaxed pose doesn’t seem fitting for Empire more like something you’d see from The Phantom Menace.

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

Collecting News, Podcasts/Streaming

New 6″ Black Series Figure Rumors

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As we’ve been hinting in the last few episodes of The Realm Recap, the weeks leading up to Toy Fair are a prime time for product reveals and leaks. Jedi Temple Archives has posted a new rumor list of 6″ figures planned for The Black Series including Original Trilogy figures like Ben Kenobi, AT-AT Driver and Snowtrooper. Head on over for the story.

Collecting News, Sponsor/Affiliate News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Mei Sho Movie Realization Ronin Boba Fett

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The Yakface Toyguide updates resume today as we take a look at the Mei Sho Movie Realization Ronin Boba Fett figure* from Bandai/Tamashii Nations.

PROS: If you are looking for an ornately sculpted and painted piece in the 1:12/6″ scale line, you’d be hard pressed to find anything better than Bandai’s Mei Sho Movie Realization figures. The intricacy of the sculpts and precision in the articulation result in a truly museum-quality collectible that you can actually handle repeatedly without fear of breaking the figure (or wallet) as you might with Sideshow and/or Hot Toys products. The Ronin Boba Fett is a unique and “real world” interpretation of the iconic bounty hunter with a feudal Japanese/Samurai aesthetic. It is loaded not only with attitude, but accessories as well like throwing knives, a sword, and a re-imagined EE-3 rifle and jet pack. In total, this figure is a must-own for fans of the style, scale and Boba Fett alike.

CONS: These figures aren’t for your everyday collector due to the price and niche style. The various hands for the figure can be difficult to switch out, let alone be “massaged” enough to hold the weapons. As Obi-Wan said,  “patience” is the key here – don’t try to force anything.

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

*Review sample provided by DorksideToys.

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Walmart Exclusive 6″ Battlefront Imperial Shock Trooper

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The Yakface Toyguide updates continue with the addition of the Walmart Exclusive 6″ Battlefront Imperial Shock Trooper from The Black Series.

PROS:  The Shock Trooper is a solid, no-brainer offering from Hasbro. Having a cross-sell product for the game required little additional investment other than a new deco for the existing trooper and a new attractive box. The deco for the figure is well applied for the most part, but discerning collectors may want to pick and choose from the available figures at retail in order to obtain the best product sample.

CONS: It is early yet to offer any real cons on the figure itself (other than the slight leg bowing due to the packaging) but  the relaying of information from the manufacturer and retailer to collectors that this was even going to be available was/is lacking. There seems to be a disconnect between all parties in knowing what is available (and when) to the consumer. With the planned marketing and product release push that Star Wars Battlefront received, you’d think that tie-in promotional product such as this would be better communicated and advertised to the public.

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

Collecting News, Toyguide Updates

Toyguide Update: Kmart Exclusive 6″ Kylo Ren (Starkiller Base)

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The Yakface Toyguide updates continue with the addition of the Kmart Exclusive 6″ Kylo Ren (Starkiller Base) from The Black Series.

PROS:  A big selling point of this version of Kylo Ren is the treatment of his unique lightsaber – which is far superior to the original Black Series design. Instead of relying on a removable blade to contain all three blades, the cross-guard lightsaber is cast all in one piece and collectors are given a separate unlit hilt as an accessory. The deco of this figure is much improved over the #03 release as tighter paint apps have been used on the helmet. Although, the snow effect applied to the soft goods may be a little heavy for my tastes. Kylo Ren has been given a unique “force gesture” left hand which is very expressive in its tooling and excellent for recreating footage we’ve seen thus far. The interlocking base included in this set is a section of the Starkiller Base’s snowy terrain which works very well. It features deep depressions to hold Kylo’s feet rather than foot pegs  to keep him stable. If you’re a non-opener, the overall presentation of this exclusive is perfect for on-shelf display with a nice window box presentation and a cool forest background for the figure that sets it apart from other exclusives in the line.

CONS: There are reports that several people who preordered this through Kmart.com have had their items cancelled without warning. It is unknown at this time the official reasoning behind this but customers are left empty handed in some cases. Kmart as a chain of stores has been steadily diminishing over the past several years so acquiring one of these first hand may prove difficult.

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