Star Wars Collectible News, Photos, and Reviews

Although part of the Expanded Universe side of Star Wars, some of the neatest droids came out of the STAR TOURS sub-line. During the second phase of the Star Wars "Saga" line, Hasbro gave us three new ones. Today we look at R5-D2, an R5-D4 looking astromech droid that has some severe battle damage thanks to an awesome paint job. Check it out in our Research Droids Reviews right now. The new phase II helmet sculpt is stunning and their clones look better than ever because of it. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.

Welcome to our next Q and A of the Day post! This column will be published daily, weekly, monthly, or just based on how many questions I get emailed – but no more than one a day. Feel free to send in your questions and I will put them in the queue. Click through for Q and A of the Day: Day 60. Topic: I want my Kenner ROTJ figures!

With special thanks to JTA reader James S. and moderator Paul B., we have better clearer details regarding the Kmart sale happening right now in your area! Click through for more information and images.

UK readers: RIGHT NOW you can order the newly revealed Talking Star Wars figures at disneystore.co.uk!. In stock are Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. JTA reader zx_spectrum_30 has successfully pre-ordered the Stormtrooper and per the order will ship in 5 days! Place your orders now, especially since these will see limited distribution as confirmed by our report!

We are receiving conflicting reports about the UK Disney Store report we posted HERE. We have now received word that other stores outside of Central London will indeed be getting the merchandise as well. We will have to wait for more confirmation, but for the time being, take the original report with a grain of salt. This is great news for those who live outside of central London.

UPDATE: [THIS IS FROM A SOURCE WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO DISNEY REPS.] OK - just got clarity on the Talking Figures at Disney - on the phone as I type. They will initially only be available in the larger Disney Stores across Europe. If they sell well then Disney will look again. So stores such as the bigger ones in Manchester and Liverpool will see the figures but smaller stores won't.

It looks like our original report was accurate, folks.

Amazon.com has the latest The Black Series figures up for pre-order. It might be good to lock these down just in case! You can always cancel the orders! You can find both the 3.75" and the 6" inch figures listed. The 3.75" are going for $10.99 and the 6" are $22.99. Both qualify for Amazon Prime and free shipping. You have to dig through the search pages to find them, or you can click on any image below to jump straight to the product.

Sideshow Collectibles' exclusive Clone Trooper Deluxe (212th Attack Battalion) has just been released and it's featured in our Research Droids Reviews today. The new phase II helmet sculpt is stunning and their clones look better than ever because of it. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.

Listen up readers from the UK! We have just received word from JTA reader zx_spectrum_30 that the newly revealed talking Star Wars figures (which range between 12" and 15" by the way) will ONLY be available at three (3) central London Disney Store locations..

UPDATE: While a few stores outside Central London will receive these figures, Disney is test-marketing them in the larger stores only first. If they do well then they will ship them out to the smaller stores.

Here is an experimental Research Droids Reviews entry. To date, we have never added a Hasbro 12 Inch Figure to our archives, but that changes today as we revisit the KB Toys exclusive Gamorrean Guard. If we get a good response, we'll keep looking at this scale from Hasbro. A great sculpt, but with a not-so-great paint job, see why we still have some affection for Hasbro's 12 Inch Gamorrean Guard even today. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.

Disney/Lucasfilm sends along the official press photos from their VIP event today. Click through to check out the press release and gallery...

Our friends at Yakface.com are releasing additional new information on the Disney Store VIP event in California. Just announced: a new scale of Disney Store exclusive TALKING articulated figures FOR $29.95 each. The scale is a bit murky at the moment, but they look closer to 12" scale. Check out the awesome Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Luke X-wing Pilot, and I don't know how you feel, but the Han Solo looks freaking fantastic. See them as well as a ton of other Disney Store exclusives right now!

   

UPDATE 1: JTA reader Johnny W.O. writes in our comments that he read these figures are 18" per a Disney-themed website. Holy moly!

UPDATE 2: It has been confirmed that these figures range from 12" to 15".

Our friends at Yakface.com, attending the VIP event in California, have the scoop on upcoming May the Fourth Disney Store events. Check it all out here.

The KB Toys exclusive Imperial Dogfight TIE Fighter was eagerly anticipated during the Star Wars "Saga" line, but it is very far from perfection. See how well it ranks in the Star Wars line by checking out our Research Droids Reviews today. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.

"I guess Roy isn't doing as well as they first thought." We regret to inform you that HasbroToyShop.com appears to have pulled the plug on any more future stock of the 3.75" Darth Plagueis and the 6" Boba Fett figure in The Black Series line. We honestly believe there is nothing to fear with the latter. After all, a fabulous new assortment has just been confirmed which includes another take at him. But for those that don't roll the dice, may we suggest securing that figure before it's too late. As you know, "the media is so secretive" about these sorts of things. Special thanks to vikingrobot for the alert!

JTA sponsor Dorkside Toys sends us their latest updates! You know what to do! Click through for more!

Twelfth Parsec has one final important update! Check it out by viewing their latest YouTube.com video! Click through for more details!!

Welcome to our next Q and A of the Day post! This column will be published daily, weekly, monthly, or just based on how many questions I get emailed – but no more than one a day. Feel free to send in your questions and I will put them in the queue. Click through for Q and A of the Day: Day 59. Topic: Who do you want to see announced for The Black Series 6" line?

Super 7 has reached out to us to help promote a fine art upcoming event for May the Fourth. Click through for details!!

On their YouTube page, StarWars.com reveals a cool clip from the upcoming Star Wars: Rebels television show!

The site ActionFigureInsider.com reveals the Gentle Giant Ltd. Jumbo Vintage Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot figure. Check out the news!

Although a bit difficult to find at the time, the 2003 Star Wars "Saga" Darth Tyranus's Geonosian Speeder Bike is a a nicely tooled vehicle. The pack-in figure isn't too bad either. See why we also like this set in our Research Droids Reviews today. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.

Coming this November: The Ultimate Guide To Vintage Star Wars Action Figures. Make sure to check this out, as it might be a great resource to add to your reference collection!

JTA wishes all of our readers and friends a very Happy Easter on this beautiful day!

Star Wars Collectors Cast looks back at the questions we asked Hasbro after their presentation during last month’s New York Toy Fair, with guest Paul Harrison from JediTempleArchives.com. As usual there’s a roundup of the latest news and rumors and our regular visit to Steve Sansweet at Rancho Obi-Wan (the home to the world’s largest Star Wars collection) – all not to be missed!

Although a bit difficult to find at the time, the 2003 Star Wars "Saga" Anakin Skywalker's Swoop Bike is a truly excellent vehicle. The pack-in figure is less than desirable, but you shouldn't shun this set because of that. See why in our Research Droids Reviews today. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.

Oh my heck!? JTA reader Aaron has found a TBS 6" Greedo at his local Walmart.... in Florida.... recently. Click through for his report.

The news surrounding Kmart exclusives on sale has made the rounds, now JTA moderator Sjefke provides proof of it. The deal ended to day, but readers are sending in their scores. Click through for the proof.

The Target exclusive A-wing Fighter may not be part of the Original Trilogy, but it's still one of the most nicely decorated vehicles we have ever seen. Based on a Galoob Micro Machines Action Fleet release, Hasbro follows suit and releases their own version of it in 3.75" scale. Learn all about it in our Research Droids Reviews today. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.

We have received some preliminary information that Walmart might be carrying The Black Series 6" line once it resets into the new blue line look. Details are unclear at the moment, but we will continue to dig into this for further confirmation. If you are a Walmart employee and have more details to add to this, please contact us and let us know. Thank you.

The Toys R Us exclusive Luke Skywalker And Landspeeder set was a very exciting release, but it was met with some trepidation by collectors because of how badly it was colored. Thankfully, we all received a spot on update in The Vintage Collection, but see this sculpt's roots in our Research Droids Reviews today. Be sure to leave your own thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or even leave comments about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your own personal review requests via email if you'd like to see something that we didn't cover yet.