Looking for older news posts?
Be sure to visit our News archive!
NEW FIGURES! Let’s continue with The Black Series Archive Scout Trooper figure. It’s a bit of an improvement, but still not perfect. Find out more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
 |
|
|
NEW FIGURES! Let’s continue with The Black Series [Phase III] Ezra Bridger (86) figure. It is a fantastic figure! And does it have a new articulation point? (We’re not sure!) Find out more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
Tags: 6" Figures, Ezra Bridger, Star Wars: Rebels, The Black Series [Phase III]
|
|
|
Okay, let’s get this going! I’ve been thinking about running this series for a little while now, but work and school have been kicking my butt lately, so my posts have been a little on the backburner. In any case, with all the saturation of news and leaks and new figure wishlists (and not getting the figures on that list), I wanted to create an opportunity to focus on the fun of collecting. So, to do that, let’s meet weekly to share what we have actually recently collected, or done with our collections. Click through for some general guidelines for Toy Run Tuesdays…
Recently acquired Corellian hound assisting in the capture of one of Moloch’s fugitives.
Tags: Collecting, Store Reports, The Black Series, The Vintage Collection, Toy Runs
|
|
|
Every now and then I check the number of views for The Rise of Skywalker teaser trailer on YouTube. And something interesting can be observed. As of now (nearing end of June 2019) the teaser has almost 29 million views on the official YouTube Star Wars Channel. However, the official first teaser for The Last Jedi is at 44 million views. Now, the TLJ teaser has been online for much longer, so it’s to be expected to have more views. But 15 million more views? Who watches teasers once first trailers are available? So how many of these 44 million views for the The Last Jedi teaser are from the time it was first released? Is it possible that interest for The Rise of Skywalker is so much smaller than for The Last Jedi? So I went to Google Trends and looked at how various Star Wars related searches have been trending worldwide on Google for the past five years, and then I compared that with other franchises. The results may spell trouble for The Rise of Skywalker. Click through for some charts and an analysis!
Tags: Google Trends, Star Wars Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, statistics
|
|
|
If you go to SDCC don’t expect too many news about the upcoming Star Wars movie. It has been revealed today that there will be no The Rise of Skywalker panel at SDCC. JJ Abrams and crew will not be in San Diego. They thought of ways to top the The Force Awakens panel from 2015, but couldn’t figure out a way to achieve that. So instead, they will save everything for D23, which will take place August 23-25. The question now is if a new trailer will also be revealed during D23, it would make sense.
There’ll be no rising at SDCC
|
|
|
JTA doesn’t usually cover much Funko Pop! news, but outside of the TVC and TBS bubble Funko is doing incredibly well (more on that in an upcoming article). And now Amazon has an all new Funko Pop! Episode IV Millennium Falcon with Episode IV Han Solo on pre-order! The set will only be available for Amazon Prime members. Despite that it is currently the best selling toy on Amazon. The Falcon is $64.99 and will be released on October 21, 2019. Pre-order the Millennium Falcon here. Thanks to Craig F. for the alert! Let us know in the comments if you’ll pre-order the toy or if you just ignore anything Funko Pop!
Click for larger photo
|
|
|
We have come across a bit of exciting information. It looks as if some type of Episode IX “army builder” or “droid builder” pack is coming in the line. After the success of the Star Wars [Solo] TARGET exclusive troop builder pack, it makes sense if these things continue with super-articulated figures, but this may not be figures at all. It is described as an E9 Vin Bruges Build Up Pack and is also described as “multicolored” and has an assortment number of E8441. The MSRP isn’t expensive for these, so are these accessory sets of some type? We’ll likely find out more about it at SDCC this year, or perhaps later. There is also an EU designation on the information we received, but we doubt it has any relation to the “Expanded Universe.”
|
|
|
We hope everyone’s week is off to a great start. There are less than 20 days left in the campaign, and we’re closing in on the $150,000 stretch goal, which unlocks Kim Simmons’ reverse-side re-creation of the Star Wars is Forever poster!
This week Derryl has more interviews scheduled with team members who worked on the TVC line and D. Martin has been working on finalizing the design of the book’s dust cover. As you’ll see below, the design is inspired by the original Star Wars poster illustrated by Howard Chaykin. We felt it was a fitting image to represent our first book. While we still need to complete the color correction, add in the rest of the effects, and finish tweaking the layout, we wanted to give you an in-progress look. We’re also giving you the opportunity to decide which version of Luke Skywalker appears on the cover.
Below are two options and the details on why we’re considering the two different Luke figures. Please leave a comment and let us know which version you prefer. (more information HERE).
Dust Cover Option 1
A less accurate representation of Luke Skywalker (as seen in the poster) due to the Stormtrooper belt, but a more dynamic pose that better matches the poster art. The figure is from The Vintage Collection.
Dust Cover Option 2
A more accurate representation of Luke Skywalker in his farm boy attire (as seen in the poster), but the figure is from the Episode IV Commemorative Blu-ray set, which came out in non-TVC packaging during the TVC-era in 2011.
|
|
|
The next two cards from the weekly Topps Star Wars Living Set are now out. Featuring the iconic blue starfield and the impressive artwork of Kris Penix, check out Bossk (#5) and Val (#6). Each Tuesday, two new cards will be released and be only available for one week. You have less than 24 hours before these two cards are retired.
|
|
|
Power Droid • Star Wars • 1979
|
|
|
This figure has been out of stock for a while, but it’s back! The Vintage Collection Boba Fett (VC09) (TESB) figure can be yours IF the price is right!
UPDATE: Boba Fett is back!
Tags: 3.75" Super-Articulated, Affiliate Advertising, Boba Fett, Hasbro, The Vintage Collection, tunghori, VC09
|
|
|
Via an article at Yahoo! Finance, Hasbro claims that the Chinese tariffs couldn’t come at a worse time. They also claim it would put American kids at risk, which seems like an overstatement.
“This could not come at a worse time for our industry. We, and the U.S. toy industry overall, are facing serious headwinds from the recent bankruptcies of two major toy retailers, K-Mart and Toys ‘R’ Us, which have already put an estimated 30,000 U.S. jobs at risk,” said Kathrin Belliveau a senior vice president at Hasbro, in comments submitted to USTR ahead of the hearing.”
But they said something quite differently a couple of months ago. (more….)
|
|
|
NEW FIGURES! Let’s continue with The Black Series [Phase III] Chopper (C1-10P (84) figure. Did Hasbro forget to make him in a realistic style for the 6″ line, or is there little to no difference between this and the animated version of the character? Find out more in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
Tags: 6" Figures, Chopper (C1-10P), Ghost, Hasbro, Star Wars: Rebels, The Black Series [Phase III]
|
|
|
The latest wave of The Black Series [Phase III] 6″ figures gives us two essential additions to the Ghost crew. We begin looking at them tomorrow in our Research Droids Reviews!
Tags: 6" Figures, Chopper (C1-10P), Ezra Bridger, Hasbro, The Black Series [Phase III]
|
|
|
If you care and in case you missed it, Entertainment Earth will be offering the Retro Darth Vader figure at SDCC. It will also be available at TARGET online. Full details are HERE! Special thanks to JTA Facebook reader Jeff C. for the reminder.
|
|
|
The BBC asked an intriguing question a couple of days ago. Are Star Wars toys holding their value? The article initially focuses on vintage toys, but then attempts to apply similar logic with the modern toys. And in all honesty, they’re two separate entities as we all know. But more interesting, is that it focuses on toys from The Force Awakens through now to argue some points (skipping right over the greatest stuff Hasbro ever produced that is feverishly sought after, even today, by collectors everywhere). If you’re a longtime collector, you know that most toys from the “Golden Age of Collecting” (circa 2006-2013) offers some of the GREATEST products Hasbro’s ever produced for collectors. And if you spot check these items on eBay, you’ll find that MANY go for incredible amounts of money (and prices keep riding up, especially those products from the original run of The Vintage Collection). (more….)
|
|
|
Death Star Droid • Star Wars • 1979
|
|
|
Hurry! The TVC Imperial Stormtrooper can be pre-ordered for $12.99 Prime. Special thanks to JTA reader Justin C. for the alert!
UPDATE: Gone!
Tags: 3.75" Super-Articulated, Affiliate Advertising, Amazon, Imperial Stormtrooper, Rogue One
|
|
|
NEW FIGURES! Let’s continue with The Black Series [Phase III] Doctor Aphra (87). She’s a remarkable release. Discover why in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
Tags: 6" Figures, Disney Star Wars, Doctor Aphra, Hasbro, The Black Series [Phase III]
|
|
|
If you still need them, The Vintage Collection Saelt-Marae and Princess Leia Organa (Boushh) figures are available for “decent” prices on Amazon. Special thanks to JTA reader Mark for the alert!
|
|
|
R5-D4 • Star Wars • 1979
|
|
|
There seems to be the common belief that Star Wars is not doing all that well at the box office outside North America. The struggle and failure of Star Wars at the Chinese box office has been much discussed. But how do the movies actually perform outside North America? And how does Star Wars compare to other modern day blockbusters, from the MCU and other franchises? You may be somewhat surprised by the results! So click through for a closer look at Star Wars at the foreign box office!
The World… Bonus Points For Spotting Liechtenstein!
Tags: Australia, Brazil, China, Disney Star Wars, Foreign box office, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, statistics, UK, USA
|
|
|
NEW FIGURES! Let’s continue with The Black Series Archive Yoda. Oh boy! And how! You’re going to love this version! Find out why in our Research Droids Reviews today! Be sure to leave your thoughts in our comments section, vote in the poll or comment about it on our Facebook page. Click the banner below for the direct link to the review! As always, you can also send your review requests via email if you’d like to see something that we didn’t cover yet.
|
|
|
We’ve received some slightly “unconfirmed” information that today TARGET gathered up the remaining The Vintage Collection and The Black Series [Phase III] exclusives to be sent to charity and/or discount chains. Many reported asking TARGET associated to go back to the stockroom to get the sale merchandise. There was a reason they were in the back as this was the plan. This is supposedly universal, so count yourselves fortunate if you found them on sale. Apparently, their stock status in-store has been changed to “Item Not Found.” TARGET, known for the decent handling of Hasbro Star Wars exclusive, totally let the ball drop on these items. Many explained that their stores NEVER had the Father’s Day displays while others never saw any products arrive at all. And now it’s like they never existed in TARGET now. Although, I am sure we can expect these exclusive to visit ROSS one day.
|
|
|
Holy cow! Toys R Us is set to reopen this year per FOX Business. See the full story HERE. Special thanks to JTA reader Rogue1138 for the alert!
|
|
|
Toy Reviews
