Monthly Archives: June 2019

Boba Fett • Star Wars • 1979

So, what the heck happened to the 2007 re-released version of Darth Revan? Intended to be part of the 22nd wave of The Vintage Collection (the wave with Luke (Crait) and R2-D2), but now we know Darth Revan is not included. From the start, we made it clear that we were quite irritated that Hasbro decided to be this lazy and demanded that a character of such notoriety should receive an all-new KOTOR-accurate sculpt. Many of you felt similarly, about 12K of you, as well. If something isn’t going on with this figure, why wouldn’t Hasbro easily include a straight repack/slight repaint in this wave for more variety? Could something more be happening here? Or is it something simple like they can’t find the old tooling. I don’t believe the latter because they wouldn’t have announced the figure without checking that out first. And sorry if you don’t agree, but it’s egregious to include this figure in 2019. It’s an inferior sculpt, terribly-articulated, and inaccurate to the video game. No one should want any other type of a 3.75″ Darth Revan figure than a reduced 6″ version.

Another “Expanded Universe” release during The Power Of The Force “2” [Green/Freeze Frame] line was the Cruisemissile Trooper. Many don’t acknowledge it, but it has some merit. See 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.

Our good friends at Rebel Force Radio have just posted a fantastic interview with Derryl DePriest, who is authoring the highly-anticipated The VIntage Collection Archive Book. Give it a listen. It will be worth your time.

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 Queen Amidala (#7) and Death Star Gunner (#8). 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. 

Website Slashfilm posted a story yesterday about suprisingly few people at Galaxy’s Edge. On top of that there are also reports about Disneyland being unusually empty and having very few guests, resulting in surprisingly low wait times for the various rides and attractions, less than 5 minutes. So what is going on here? Click through for possible explanations!

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I believe many of us have given up on physical brick and mortar to secure our Star Wars toys. Despite this, I am continually amazed at how worse the shelves become. For example, all of the TARGETs in my area have not seen a blessed The Vintage Collection figure beyond wave 17 and only have a single Jyn Erso and/or multiple Snokes hanging from the pegs. Walmart looks a tad better, but still, where are all of the new figures? It isn’t an exaggeration that no more than 2% of my Star Wars purchases are from retail stores. Thank goodness for Hasbro Pulse, Entertainment Earth, Empire Toys, Brian’s Toys,  Amazon and other online shops. I probably will never understand why retailers are unable to get the new waves into stores. Let’s be thankful that their exclusives mostly arrive without too many issues as of late (regardless of how they’re handled once they released).

I’ve lost count how many months my local TARGET has looked like this now; it’s probably going on years.

Check out the latest update from Star Wars Authentics…

This new 6×14” size better captures the aspect ratio of the films in a beautiful widescreen display. Our first collection features 25 moments from the first film of the franchise – Star Wars: A New Hope! Check out all of the images here!

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What did Hasbro think when they produced the Speeder Bike (Power Racing) vehicle for The Power Of The Force “2” [Green/Freeze Frame] line? It has some charm, but is a relative disaster! See 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.

Get it while it’s hot and cheap! The Vintage Collection Imperial Combat Assault Tank is only $29.99 on Amazon! Special thanks to JTA reader Keith O. for the alert!

Stop by and check out the latest newsletter from JTA sponsor Brian’s Toys…

You want it, we got it!  Tons of new items added for this weeks newsletter from Star Wars vintage to Star Wars artwork.  Always feel free to e-mail our sales team if you have any questions- [email protected].

Here is the new The Vintage Collection Death Star Gunner (VC147) figure. Special thanks to JTA reader and good friend Josh M. for the image!

Here is the new The Vintage Collection Luke Skywalker (Crait) (VC146) figure. Special thanks to JTA reader and good friend Josh M. for the image!

Here is the new The Vintage Collection Imperial Assault Tank Commander (VC148) figure. Special thanks to JTA reader and good friend Josh M. for the image!

We have some quick pics to share of the new The Vintage Collection R2-D2 figure. The figure on the left is the new TVC release, and the figure on the right is the one from the Star Wars [Solo] line. Special thanks to JTA reader and good friend Josh M. for the images!

After the recent article about Star Wars trending on Google, I thought it might be fun to take a closer look at how various Star Wars characters are trending on Google, both old and new. The results may make some people happy, others not so much, some of the results are certainly surprising! Some spoilers: Russia loves Kylo Ren! Japan loves droids! And Jar Jar Binks is trending more on Google than Finn, Poe or Rose, even in 2019. How is any of that possible? Click through for a few comparisons between Star Wars Characters!

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Wow. Look how much The Vintage Collection BT-1 is going for on eBay loose.

This is what every Star Wars Den needs…

This Star Wars™ desk and chair set was custom-made for a client’s studio. She initially reached out to us about customizing one of our Emperor Throne Chairs, and after a bit of brainstorming, we explored a number of Imperial and Darth Vader themed furniture concepts too. Working closely with Lucasfilm, we sketched a number of interesting chairs and furniture based on Darth Vader and the Death Star.  Eventually, we hit on the idea of creating a set based on Vader’s iconic meditation chamber in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.

Click through for more details and images!

That’s right folks! My card was just charged by Amazon for my order of the all-new Vintage Collection Death Star Gunner! I also got a notification from HasbroPulse, but at this point, it might just be a pre-authorization. Either way, it would seem it will arrive shortly from them as well. Keep an eye on your email if you’ve preordered this wave! 

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NEW FIGURES! Let’s finish up The Black Series [Phase III] wave 21 with Obi-Wan Kenobi (Padawan) (85). It’s identical to the SDCC figure. See 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.

I Am Shark is returning to the Star Wars universe to present the Collector’s Edition release of Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2xLP.  Original artwork created by the brilliant Dan Mumford from the UK, with collectible covers that share an exclusive inner gatefold and include framable inserts.  With over 40 years after the original Star Wars theme captivated audiences around the globe,  The Last Jedi soundtrack sees the return of iconic composer John Williams. Continuing through his climatic score style and underlying motifs has been extremely essential for the new series and continuing the nostalgic emotion and building new expectations.

The Last Jedi goes on sale Friday, October 12th as an exclusive pre-order through IAMSHARK.COM, and shipping will begin November, 30th, 2018. 2 of 4 collectible covers (Luke & Rey, Snoke & Kylo) and cohesive colored vinyl pressed on 180 gram discs are available today, limited to 1000 pieces each variant. The remaining two variants will be released later in 2019. You can visit the I Am Shark official website and social media platforms for more news, releases, and information.

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Most of you here on JTA certainly know of Funko and their Pop! figures. While many commenters here wonder who might ever buy these vinyl figures and some even consider them a plague, Funko seems to be a winner at the toy aisle. The company sees sustained growth and it seems Funko Pop! figures will not go away, but become even more ubiquitous. Time to take a quick look at some numbers and statistics, including shelf space at Walmart & Target. Which also includes numbers for Hasbro. So click through for more!

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We have some great news to report. All of you who had your Walmart online orders canceled for the TVC Jabba’s Palace (Adventure Set) will have new hope. Although completely sold out with no plans for a restock, we’ve learned from some reliable sources that Walmart’s plans have changed for the better and they WILL replenish online stock. Also, Walmart is working very hard to remedy their ordering and stock logistics to make everything a smoother experience for collectors. At the moment, we don’t have an exact ETA on when that happens, but we expect it to run closer to when these units hit brick and mortar, which right now is “Fall.” If we receive more specific information, we’ll post an update. This release was Walmart’s fastest selling exclusive ever, and they’re excited what interest products from The Vintage Collection brings. More great things to come!

Following the previously released high-end card sets, Topps will continue the Masterwork series with a 2019 release. Click here for the official product solicitation. 

The high-end collector card set you know and love has returned with new characters and new hits! This new set features:

• 100 premium 72pt base cards
• Foil, canvas, wood and metal insert cards
• New signers featuring on-card autographs
• New Ultimate Autograph book card
• 1 Hit Per Mini-Box.
• 4 Mini-Boxes Per Master Box
• 2 Autographs per Master Box with 1 On-Card Autograph guaranteed.

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN HOBBY SHOPS NOVEMBER 2019.

NEW FIGURES! Let’s finish up The Black Series Archive line with Darth Maul. It’s identical to the SDCC figure. See 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.

ShopDisney is currently offering the DJ-R3X Pop Bobble Head Figure” from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, only found at Disneyland.  DJ-RX3 is priced at $24.99 and is part of the “Free Shipping” offer that is available on the ShopDisney site. Use promo code FREESHIP today only!

This Friday, Limited Run Games launches their partnership with Lucasfilm Games to begin re-releasing retro Star Wars titles. They are starting with Star Wars: Bounty Hunter on PS4, Star Wars on NES, and Star Wars on Game Boy. Standard editions will come in their own unique blister packs, reminiscent of the action figures of our youth, while Collector’s Editions come in premium rigid boxes and include the game, commemorative coin, and an enamel pin featuring the cartridge. 

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.

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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.

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!

UPDATE: I added a few more interesting charts, including a comparison with Revenge of the Sith!

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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.

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.

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!

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….)

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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.

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!

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….)

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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!

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.

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!

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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!

Four-day adult passes sold out within an hour, so if you want to go to Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, you might want to get 1 day passes to cover the days you want to go!

Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot • Star Wars • 1979

Collectors in the USA like to complain about distribution, maybe not always realizing that while things are far from optimal, they still have it a lot better than many other people in the world… Click through for some musings from the wasteland!

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HURRY!  eBay seller tunghori has the TVC Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) figure in stock and a host of new additions! Special thanks to Mark for the alert!

NEW FIGURES! Let’s continue with The Black Series Archive Anakin Skywalker. He’s never looked better! See 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.

If you’re interested, eBay seller tunghori has added the TVC HanSolo (Stormtrooper) figure that TARGET is giving away like candy. He also has in and out of stock the Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) too. Also Yak Face. Special thanks to Mark for the alert!

We’re continuing to scan through our old archives so we can rediscover the mind-blowingly incredible “old” The Vintage Collection news and topics we covered back in the day. To look at the breaking news at the time through eyes that are ten years older now is something that should be a fun and entertaining travel through time, a historical point of view if you will. We feel that these old news stories are worth re-sharing. We’re calling this focus The Vintage Collection Archive Revisited. Today’s topic: Our hopes and dreams for the 30th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back in The Vintage Collection.

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NEW FIGURES! Let’s continue with 0-0-0 (Triple Zero), BT-1 (Beetee)’s counterpart from The Black Series [Phase III] 6″ line. Are you going to want this figure too? Likely. Learn 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.

This is a surprise. JTA reader shagbert wrote in to let us know that the red and black boxed Episode I Obi-Wan Kenobi doesn’t come with the extra hand attachments. The tray doesn’t even have a place for this. Perhaps this was already announced by Hasbro, but it looks like to complete this figure, you’re going to need the 20th Anniversary version.

“You may already know this; I was a bit upset to discover it this evening when my BS Wave case arrived… The red box Obi-Wan doesn’t have the two extra hands that the 20th Anniversary version does, despite all of the sites having stock photos supplied by Hasbro of him using the pointing one. I had hoped that they were behind the cardboard, but nope; here’s the liner.”

Holy cow! If you thought 50% off was a good deal, the TARGET exclusive “stormtrooper disguise” figures have hit a new low: $3.89 for Han Solo and $5.89 for Luke Skywalker! This is unreal. Why is there such an effort to get rid of these? Special thanks to JTA reader Rich K. for the alert and image!

What’s the deal with Walgreens? Many (not necessarily me) in the collecting community assumed they’d be the perfect retailer for Star Wars because of how many locations they have across the USA. But despite relatively consistent execution of The Black Series 6″ exclusives throughout the years, their shelves are a dead zone, a barren wasteland. And for 3.75″ collectors they’re entirely useless. We understand they have a rigorous reordering policy, something along the lines of “nothing gets reordered until everything sells” but there are inconsistencies with this as other brands don’t seem to suffer the same fate. With so many chains dying from the retail apocalypse, is Walgreens perhaps something Hasbro should focus on, or move away from?

NEW FIGURES! Let’s begin with BT-1 (Beetee) from The Black Series [Phase III] 6″ line. Are you going to want it? Probably. Learn 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.

It looks like Amazon has gotten their stock of the newest wave of The Vintage Collection. You can find Chewbacca, Lando, Phasma, and the Praetorian Guard as well as the repack wave all for retail price ($12.99). However, it would seem they are having some difficulty keeping enough VC140 Stormtroopers in stock to meet the demand. That’s caused the price to soar up to $23+. Yikes! Luckily you can still pre-order the best stormtrooper figure ever for $13.99 at Entertainment Earth.

Click to enlarge photo.

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The last release from Galaxy of Adventures wave 3 to be added to our Visual Guides is Rey (The Scavenger). Click below for the full Visual Guide, and then head on over and check out our full review.

The 125K stretch goal has been met for The Vintage Collection Archive Book! But look what we’ll get if the campaign reaches $150K! Click through for details! This one is exciting folks!

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If you’re interested, eBay seller tunghori has had the TVC Imperial Stormtrooper (VC140) in and out of stock yesterday and today. And we just missed it a few moments ago before this post. So, we’re posting this now in case you want to keep checking. Special thanks to Mark for the alert!

Now before you say “who” and “what?!?”… Michelle Rejwan (age 37) has been with Bad Robot and JJ Abrams for a long time, she worked as an executive / co-producer on such JJ movies like Super 8, Star Trek Into Darkness and The Force Awakens, with The Rise of Skywalker being her latest project, this time as a producer. The SVP is the “Senior Vice President”, and Michelle will be the SVP for Live Action Development & Production. So, in short, she’s basically Kathleen Kennedy’s new Number 2. Click through for a few more details!

Michelle Rejwan

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Here’s another Episode I product! Do you remember the Walmart exclusive “Light-Up” figures that didn’t sell? Let’s finish them up with the Qui-Gon Jinn (Figure As Holograph) (Light-Up) release. It’s nice and it’s the focus of 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.

Even though this is not directly related to Star Wars, it may still be of interest to many. The Hollywood Reporter has an article on their website saying that JJ Abrams and his production company Bad Robot are close to finalizing a $500 million deal with WarnerMedia. Abrams, who was under contract with Paramount (not that he made any movies for them in recent years, thanks to Star Wars), is already said to move the feature film deal over from Viacom (Paramount) to WarnerMedia. That probably means Abrams will no longer be involved with Star Wars (or Star Trek) in the future, unless Disney pays WarnerMedia for the services of JJ Abrams, which seems unlikely.

Today’s Visual Guide update features Obi-Wan Kenobi (The Mentor) from Galaxy of Adventures. Click below for our Visual Guide page, and click here for our detailed review.

If your TARGET has any leftover Han Solo (Stormtrooper), Luke Skywalker (Death Star Escape), or, yes, the Retro Collection figures, they’re all 50% because they fall under Father’s Day gifts, at least at JTA reader Scott K.’s local TARGET in NY! Unbelievable! He writes: “If any Target stores have leftovers the VC Han Stormtrooper, he is $6.49, the Retro figures are $4.99 and I believe The Black Series Luke Stormtrooper is $9.99.”

UPDATE: It looks like this might be universal. My TARGET had only the 6″ Luke Stormtrooper leftover and they all rang up $9.99.

Wow! I knew this was a HOT figure, but look what sellers are requesting for the 2015 Rebels Jedi Temple Guard (SL17) Saga Legends figure Check it out! Do prices like this for 5POA make you mad? Or dejected? Or do you laugh at what some command for these simple figures? One thing is for sure, we don’t know of any other 5POA figure that goes for this kind of money, proof that all-new characters from beloved Star Wars sources will always be desired. Thanks to friend Sjefke for the alert on this.

It’s been said that twenty percent of a market buys eighty percent of the goods. That means that you and I here reading this article are probably buying a lot of action figures, but how many is that really? JTA friend Tyler F. and I were having a conversation about the market for TVC and TBS figures. We have 3.75″ collectors and 6″ collectors (and others) who follow our site, and I was wondering, when it comes down it, who buys more action figures? Click through for more.

Tyler’s amazing platoon of TVC Stormtroopers.

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It’s Episode I time again! Do you remember the Walmart exclusive “Light-Up” figures that didn’t sell? We do. Let’s check out the Darth Maul (Figure As Holograph) (Light-Up) release. It’s not terrible. It’s the focus of 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 continue our run of Galaxy of Adventures Visual Guide updates with the Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) release. Click below for the full Visual Guide. Make sure to also visit our full review for this figure right here.

Check it out! JTA reader and friend Mario M. found the second wave of The Black Series Archive figures at his local Eagle Rock TARGET which is not too far from the Glendale TARGET in California. They’re arriving folks! And that Anakin Skywalker and Yoda are looking fantastic!

Jedi Temple Archives wishes all of our dads a very Happy Father’s Day! We thank you for the irreplaceable role you play in your children’s lives. Thank you for being part of our family here too!

It’s Episode I time again! Let’s look at the Kaadu And Jar Jar Binks creature set. It’s the focus of 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.

If you’re in the market for a reduced-priced vehicle from The Vintage Collection, Hasbro Toy Shop’s eBay store still has merchandise from which you can choose. We’re specifically talking about the Imperial Combat Assault Tank which is a steal at $40. Don’t forget. The MSRP on this beauty was $79.99! By the way, NOT on sale in the eBay store: anything TVC Original Trilogy related.

JTA reader Matthew C. sends in a store reports for TARGET. The latest wave of Galaxy Of Adventures figures has graced shelves. To date, we’ve only seen them online at Walmart.

JTA regular Matthew Cohen spotted the TVC Combat Assault Tank at a Target in Brooklyn today, sold at regular MSRP. Also in the store were a lot of TVC Stormtrooper Hans (much more of him than TBS Trash Compactor Luke). Anyone who didn’t get the Tank when it was discounted online and is still looking for it might want to check out their local Target!

The price tag you see is for another toy

Our next Galaxy of Adventures Visual Guide update features General Grievous (The Droid General). Click below to have a look at the full guide page, and click here to check out the full review for this figure.

You may ask what Tom Hanks is doing on JTA. Well, Tom Hanks appeared on Jimmy Kimmel the other day and it was there that Tom Hanks talked about the very strict rules Disney have for their stars when they are promoting a movie (Toy Story 4 in Hanks’ case). And it’s interesting to see what rules there are. Disney is more or less providing pre-fabricated bullet points for the stars and even anticipate various questions asked by the press and tell their stars what to reply when they get asked these questions. And of course Disney also tell their stars what is not allowed to talk about at all. And this leads us to Star Wars. Click through to learn more!

Tom Hanks with Disney’s rules for Toy Story 4

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Meh. The Droid Depot set from Galaxy’s Edge is a bit boring. And why did they do what they did to RX-24? See 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.

Next up for our Galaxy of Adventures Visual Guide updates is Darth Maul (The Sith Apprentice). Click below to visit the Visual Guide page, and make sure to also head over to our full review for additional details, comments, and photo galleries.

Walrus Man • Star Wars • 1979

Wow! You’re going to love the Mountain Trooper (is he a future film character?) and Commander Pyre from this set. And you’ll likely adore the MSE Droid too! Find out why the boringly-named The First Order Galaxy’s Edge exclusive multipack might be for you 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 are starting a run of Visual Guide updates featuring wave 3 from the Galaxy of Adventures line. First up, check out Boba Fett (The Bounty Hunter). Click below for our full Visual Guide, and click here to visit our full review of this figure.

The Vintage Collection Saelt-Marae and Lando Calrissian and many other figures are in stock at eBay seller tunghori’s online store! Special thanks to JTA reader TC for the alert!

Snaggletooth • Star Wars • 1979

The official Star Wars website has announced the dates for the upcoming 2020 Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim!
The event will take place August 27-30, 2020 in Anaheim, California. Tickets go on sale on June 21 at 9am Pacific Time! Will you attend? And will you go to Galaxy’s Edge with thousands of other fans? I wonder if Galaxy’s Edge will ease up on its “no cosplay costumes” rule while SWCC is held in Anaheim.

Some collectors have been very unhappy with modern day 5 POA 3.75 inch Star Wars figures. They say that what used to be good enough 40 years ago doesn’t cut it anymore in the modern day and that 3.75 in figures should all be super articulated. So some collectors vehemently called for the death of the modern 5 POA 3.75 inch line. And now it seems they may get their wish. But in the process everyone loses and no one really wins anything. Why? Click through for a discussion!

Objects of dislike?

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The Vintage Collection wave 21 is IN STOCK at Amazon for MSRP or less. Special thanks to friend Mark for the alert!

Well, if the purchase of Star Wars by Disney is the reason we have a 6″ Hondo Ohnaka now, we’d call it a win for collectors. See him and a cast of other characters from the Galaxy’s Edge exclusive Smuggler’s Run multipack. You’re going to love it. See it all 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.

Hammerhead • Star Wars • 1979

Yesterday we posted an Amazon alert where you could order a “limitless” amount of The Vintage Collection Imperial Stormtrooper figures. Many were concerned that the item showed temporarily out of stock. Well, today, Amazon has sent up email updates letting us know of the expected delivery.

Some new for the Walmart exclusive Jabba’s Palace Adventure Playset has been found and shows back in stock again, But don’t expect it to last long. These are pieces found from warehouse logistics!

Yesterday I went to a liquidation store because I knew they had star wars figures. I just didn’t realize how many figures they had… There were cases upon cases full of Cassian and Jyn, and the remaining third of the stack was split between Death Troopers, Scarif Troopers, Lando, and Ackbar. Click through for more…

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YouTube Channel Star Wars Theory received the alleged plot synopsis for Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Now, we cannot say of course if this leak is legit or fake, but the synopsis is consistent with previous leaks, which still means nothing, but at least it sounds plausible. By now you know the drill: if you want to learn more, then click through, if you want to know nothing, well, I advise you to stay away from this article or else you will be spoiled. So let’s discuss the spoiler after the jump!

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Ugh! Hasbro! Please kill this figure already. It’s no longer welcomed in the basic figure line. It’s TERRIBLE! See what else we think of the Obi-Wan Kenovbi (The Mentor) Galaxy Of Adventures line. See 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.

This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, if you click & make a purchase, JTA may receive a commission.

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 R2-D2 (#3) and Stormtrooper (#4). Each Tuesday, two new cards will be released and be only available for one week.

The latest Star Wars Novel is out today. If you haven’t yet picked up Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron online or at your local brick-and-mortar, make sure to head over and order it today! Amazon currently has it for $16.23.

Greedo • Star Wars • 1979

In case you’re interested, eBay seller tunghori has loose Retro Collection figures for a decent price loose. Thanks to all who wrote in about the restock.

A quick search for “Star Wars Black Series Galaxy’s Edge” on eBay will show you several sellers already offering either single sets or all three sets of the Black Series Galaxy’s Edge exclusive figures. It may well be that eBay will be the only source for international collectors (and those who will not or cannot go to Disneyland) to get a hold of the all new Hondo, DJ-R3X, Commander Pyre, Mountain Trooper, a Mouse Droid and two all new Porgs. On top of that you will also get C-3PO with the new 4-LOM style elbow joints and a photo real The Last Jedi Rey, and she does look quite nice, the sculpt really comes alive with photoreal.

Price for a single set begins at $90, there are offers for all three sets beginning at $160, but another seller wants $370 for three sets in “near mint” condition.

Will you resort to eBay to get these figures? Or will you wait and hope Hasbro might eventually release the new figures in the mainline? Another question is if photo real The Last Jedi Rey will see an Archive release or if she will only be available in the exclusive Smuggler’s Run set. In my opinion it would be a wise choice by Hasbro to make only the packaging exclusive, but to offer the all new (and repainted) figures to all collectors worldwide eventually. But there is no official word yet.

Shared Galaxy’s Edge and eBay exclusive?

The VC140 Rogue One Stormtrooper was my most anticipated figure of the year. Now that I have a few, it is my new favorite. I know some of our readers are on the fence about buying them since they are not “Original Trilogy specific,” but aren’t they? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should buy a few (or a few more). 

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Is she Jedi training or scavenging? Apparently, Hasbro doesn’t know either. Let’s take a look at another unneeded figure in the third wave of Galaxy Of Adventures line. This time it’s Rey (The Scavenger) is a nice version of the figure. But you probably already own it. See 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.

Over 70 new official photos have been added to the Star Wars Authentics site, mostly featuring guests who appeared at Star Wars Celebration.

Check out new official photos from Jason Isaacs (The Grand Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels), Hugh Quarshie (Captain Panaka from The Phantom Menace), numerous new photos from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and more.

As part of the “I Am Your Father’s Day” sale all official photos at Star Wars Authentics are 30% off! Star Wars Authentics is also offering free framing for any autographed photo purchases! Valid on autographs from across the saga including Harrison Ford, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Felicity Jones, John Boyega, Hayden Christensen, Alden Ehrenreich, Paul Bettany, Ahmed Best, and many more including multi-sign pieces! Free ground domestic shipping also available.

Hurry! The Vintage Collection Rogue One Imperial Stormtrooper is IN STOCK! BE SURE TO CHOOSE other options (Used and New) for the $12.99 Prime!

UPDATE: It now says temporarily out of stock. I would still place the order if I were you!

Hasbro Pulse is now extending memberships for free now valid for 12 months from the original month you signed up!

Although being happy for and posting articles on The Vintage Collection seemingly triggers some people, as sad as that is we’re going to keep the positive energy and momentum rolling. I was scanning through some old archives and discovered there is some mind-blowingly incredible “old” The Vintage Collection news and topics. To look at the breaking news at the time through eyes that are ten years older now is something that should be a fun and entertaining travel through time, a historical point of view if you will. We feel that these old news stories are worth re-sharing. We’re calling this focus The Vintage Collection Archive Revisited. Today’s topic: Follow up on our exclusive BAT-AT reveal and the plan for waves in The Vintage Collection.

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Let’s continue looking at the third wave of Galaxy Of Adventures figures you probably don’t need! Kylo Ren (The Dark Warrior) is a nice version of the figure. But you probably already own it. See 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.

Fans of the LEGO Star Wars video game franchise will be happy to know it’s returning in 2020 with LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Head over to StarWars.com for full details!

It has exceeded $100K now! New stretch goals have been added to Star Wars The Vintage Collection Archive Edition Book. If it reaches the $150,000 goal, there will be a fantastic benefit added. Former Kenner photographer Kim Simmons will recreate his reverse-side masterpiece from the 1984 Star Wars is Forever mail-away poster using The Vintage Collection action figures and vehicles. The 18×22-inch poster comes folded in a mailer envelope, like the original.

Citing any store report (or even multiple store reports) is anecdotal at best. But if you combine store reports like the two examples shown in the image above with the near-instant sellout of the Walmart exclusive TVC Jabba’s Palace online. Or the impossibility of finding Saelt-Marae in stock online for MSRP. Or the binge-purchasing of the all-new Rogue One Imperial Stormtrooper, you’d have to have your head buried in the sand to not see the excitement and fever for all things 3.75″ super-articulated. I believe the HasLab exclusive Jabba’s Sail Barge was the catalyst to spark this interest. (more….)

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Let’s continue looking at the latest wave of Galaxy Of Adventures figures you probably don’t need! Darth Maul (The Sith Apprentice) was great in 2014, but it’s better now. See 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.

Earlier today EA finally revealed some actual (alpha) gameplay footage for the upcoming Star Wars Game Fallen Order, which will be released on November 15th.
The footage shows a mission on Kashyyyk and in my opinion this all looks very promising. Watch the footage after the jump!

Click for full version

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I don’t think putting The Black Series [Phase III] 6″ Sergeant Jyn Erso behind locked glass is going to help you sell her, Walmart. It’s hard to believe this figure still shows up at some Walmart stores. You’d think the $.03 they marked her down to would have cleared that stock out completely. By the way, this is from my local Walmart and it’s looked like this longer than I can recall at this point.

I’m seeing numerous reports of wave 6 showing up in people’s homes around the country. Did you pre-order wave 6 of The Vintage Collection? I just got 4 stormtroopers in the mail yesterday (from Amazon, and not a scalper price). Post a photo of your most recent hauls, especially if you got wave 6, in the comments of your new figures and where you ordered them from.

Find The Vintage Collection figures at EE here.

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Blue Milk’s Kickstarter project is a success! The Vintage Collection book by Derryl DePriest, Rich Alot and D Martin Myatt has left the mininum goal of $50,000 far behind and is already on its way to reach the final $100,000 stretch goal. At the time I write this article the project is only a few hundred dollars short of the $80,000 goal, which will give the book special fold-out entries for the Millennium Falcon and the Khetanna. It’s certainly only a matter of hours or a few days until the $100,000 goal is reached.
The project has 575 backers at the moment. One fan gave $5,000 and 2 fans gave $2,500. If you want the backer reward for the $2,500 contribution (you will be listed as a producer at the front of the book and get a carded Haslab Yakface, among other things), one more reward is available!
So, congratulations to the Blue Milk team! And if anyone wants to secure their copy of the book, you have 36 more days to back the project!

Update: the $80,000 stretch goal has been reached!

Star Wars The Vintage Collection Archive Edition Book

Here we go again! Let’s continue looking at the latest wave of Galaxy Of Adventures figures you probably don’t need! General Grievous (The Droid General) was good in 2014, but how about now? It’s the focus of 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.

JTA reader Victor has encountered unexpected bills and has to part with his 6″ collection. (He’s holding onto his 3.75″ collection.) If interested, check out what he’s selling on eBay!

Click through for the latest newsletter from Brian’s Toys…

New Vintage Collection Star Wars just arrived this week for sale.  Limited quantities available so place your order today!  We also have some vintage coins that we have added this week along with some vintage coin permanent price drops.

One canceled item that genuinely devastated me was from Hasbro’s 2010 Legacy Collection line. The Star Wars #2 Comic Packs set which included a “white” Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder Pilot) and kit-bashed Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) never made it out. Not even Entertainment Earth saved them in their exclusive “save the Comic Packs” case assortment. It’s safe to assume that I don’t need the Han Solo figure, but I would be lying if I told you I still didn’t dream about that Luke Skywalker figure. But how about you? Would you like to see either figure released?

Where in our culture, do you find the difference between the artistic freedom of Star Wars and the commercial viability of Star Wars? The answer is clearly what you can and can’t say at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. After a decidedly mixed reception to the opening of the hugely anticipated theme park attraction, one small detail emerged relevant for parents and children. Do you remember what Yoda and Obi-Wan call children-Jedi-in-training in the Star Wars prequels? Well, if you do, don’t expect the in-character staff at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to say that word. See the full story at Yahoo! News. Thanks to JTA reader Martin M. for the alert!

UPDATE: JTA reader Eric H. alerts us to the update at Cinema Blend that they’ve compiled quotes from multiple outlets who received a statement from Disney. They all flat out deny the rumor. They said, “Our cast members use that word daily in the new land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, as part of the interaction with guests.” You can find the new story HERE.

Our friend and yours, Derryl DePriest, is writing a book on The Vintage Collection! It’s a comprehensive guide to Hasbro Star Wars The Vintage Collection 3.75-Inch Action Figures and Toys. You can back the book through July 14th at 11:38 PM EDT. Click the image below for the campaign video!

Here we go again! It’s another wave of Galaxy Of Adventures figures you probably don’t need! Let’s start with Boba Fett (The Bounty Hunter). It’s the focus of 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.

JTA reader Chad R. sends in a report that the Beetee wave of The Black Series [Phase III] 6″ figures arrived at his local GameStop store! Great find! The release date online has also changed to tomorrow (June 7th).

Introducing the Topps Star Wars Living Set featuring the iconic blue starfield and the impressive artwork of Kris Penix. The first two cards in the set are live with Darth Vader and Nien Nunb. Each Tuesday, two new cards will be released and be only available for one week.

If you are ordering from the UK website, be sure to use promo code SW10 for 10% off. 

The last Ross exclusive was the Red Squadron A-wing. Are you ready for another? The once Toys R Us, turned Entertainment Earth then cancelled exclusive C-3PO and R2-D2 2-pack showed up at one of my local Ross stores in Mesa, AZ. It’s been available on Amazon for some time, but you can potentially get it for only $7 at Ross. Can we just send all the exclusives there so I can get them on the cheap? Check out our review of this nicely painted 2-pack here.

We’re in somewhat of a lull at the moment. Most figures Hasbro has already finished are still under a Disney embargo and nothing official is known. We do know that on Triple Force Friday we will definitely get figures for The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian, and the Fallen Order video game. So let’s talk about what you expect, what you hope for, and what you want! Both for TVC and TBS! And let’s speculate also if there will be any (Force Link) 3.75 in 5 POA figures at all because so far there are exactly zero rumors about the latter. So click through for a discussion!

Even if she had only 10 seconds of screentime, I want that figure for TBS! (click for much larger version)

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Chuh-chuh-chuh chia! The awesome Jabba The Hutt Chia Pet just went up for pre-order. It’s a NECA 2019 San Diego Comic Con exclusive! Special thanks to JTA reader Jedi Jones for the alert! Order yours HERE!

For some time, I have been rather disappointed with the lack of accessories that come with the 3.75″ premium lines. For example, Luke (Jedi Master) had a cloak if you count that as an accessory and nothing else, Walmart exclusive Lando was missing his blaster, the Praetorian Guard with only 1 head/weapon, etc. It seems that the days of extra accessories are gone, so what can be done? My personal favorite accessory set is the Endor Victory Accessory set. It came with the best trench coat ever. If Hasbro were to reintroduce accessory sets, what accessories would you like to see? Let us know in the comments!

Cancelled Rebel Base Accessory Set.

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The Black Series has come a long way. At first hated by many TVC collectors (and still only begrudgingly accepted by some more than 6 six years later), welcome by many others, the line, despite being successful, soon became the target of ridicule because of the extremely lackluster paint apps. That was further exarcebated when S.H. Figuarts showed collectors what is actually possible, with faces that look stunningly real. But since then Hasbro has come a long way and ever since photoreal was introduced in early 2018 the figures finally look like humans and no longer like caricatures. However, that leaves collectors with quite a few not so good looking figures. With Hasbro’s Archive line collectors and newcomers now have a chance to buy updated versions. But what figures should Hasbro release in the line? Which characters need an update the most? Jedi Luke? Poe Dameron? Or maybe Hasbro should release an updated version of Jyn, so she no longer looks like Princess Jasmine? Which figures would you like to see in the Archive line, updated with photoreal? And bonus question: will photoreal cut it or is a a new headsculpt needed as well sometimes? Leave your suggestions and thoughts in the comments!

Click for larger version, if you dare

Instead of the Ewok pictured below, we got a Logray-esque version in the Kmart exclusive The Vintage Collection Ewok Assault Catapult called Stemzee. Lovingly referred to as the speckled Dalmation Ewok, Hasbro has YET to give us this screen-accurate version of Brethupp. We think it’s time Hasbro gets this long-awaited Ewok out to The Vintage Collection fans. How about you? It doesn’t matter how this Ewok comes, just get it out!

Boba Fett’s Slave I was quickly repackaged for The Power Of The Force "2" [Green/Freeze Frame] line. It’s identical to the Shadows Of The Empire version. Learn 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.

There are two other super-articulated action figures that longtime Star Wars collectors want to see released by Hasbro, and preferably part of The Vintage Collection. The first was supposed to be part of the 2012 Star Wars [The Phantom Menace 3D] Ewok Pack, but Lucasfilm didn’t approve it because they wanted a friendlier face on Teebo. But this version is 100% screen-accurate. We also need Teebo carded for The Vintage Collection. The second figure is the canceled running change of the Legacy Collection Utai (BD41) figure, without headgear and came with a fuel filling device. Would you like to see either finally released for your collection?

Back in 2013 in the Star Wars [Darth Vader/Revenge Of The Sith] line look, Hasbro produced two four-packs called Battle of Geonosis: Jedi Knights. One set included Clone Commander Ponds (yellow color flashes) and the other contained Clone Captain Deviss (red color flashes). Hasbro was supposed to release them utilizing 2011’s The Vintage Collection Clone Trooper (VC45) sculpt, but they reverted to the 2003 Clone Wars figure. To date, we’ve never received them. Wouldn’t it be great to finally get them into our collections so we can have all of the Clone Trooper Officers utilizing the same tooling once and for all? We already have the Clone Trooper Lieutenant (VC109) and the Clone Trooper Sergeant (#02). But we don’t have the two that are most prominently featured in Attack Of The Clones!

The Clone Wars Hailfire Droid is pretty awesome. See the original release of this “vehicle” 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.

Hurry! In what might be the final wave of Galaxy of Adventures action figures (since they’re getting discontinued in a few retail locations), they’re all IN STOCK at Walmart. Special thanks to JTA reader Craig for the alert!

Tim Rose, who was a puppeteer in Return of the Jedi and performed as Admiral Ackbar, Sy Snootles and Salacious Crumb, and who returned in both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi as Admiral Ackbar once more, only this time actually inside a suit, was recently interviewed by Jamie Stangroom. Jamie’s YouTube Channel is still very unknown, he has very few subscribers and his videos don’t really have that many clicks, but over the time he interviewed quite a few Star Wars actors. Jamie also brought Ahmed Best to the forefront again, when he interviewed the Jar-Jar actor, this made quite a few waves back then when it was revealed just how devasted Ahmed felt at the time. And now Jamie interviewed Tim Rose. In the first half of the interview Tim shares a funny anecdote about filming Return of The Jedi, but then he talks about his experience on set of The Last Jedi and how he felt about being killed off unceremoniously. Spoiler: he was very disappointed. Watch the interview clip and then click through for a discussion!

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The Saga Collection Grievous’ Wheel Bike isn’t any different from its original release. But did Hasbro need to reissue it just a couple months from the Revenge Of The Sith product launch? Learn 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.

Tonight’s addition to the Visual Guides is the TIE Fighter vehicle from the Star Wars [Solo] line. Click below to check out our full Visual Guide page. Make sure to also check out our full review of this vehicle right here.

Those who purchased the re-released and updated TVC figures know what an enhancement “photorealistic” paint operations do to the figures. So, we want to know what other figures would you like to see experience these upgrades. Please let us know what your TOP 5 choices are for “photorealistic” updates to previously released The Vintage Collection figures in our comments. If you’re not into seeing updated repacks, please skip this article you need help jogging your memory of the previously released figures, please click HERE to check them out.

Do you remember THIS HUGE SURPRISE from a couple of years ago that shockingly showed up online (as well as a few random loose figures at store locations)? The full case assortment doesn’t even make an appearance on eBay anymore. How many of the couple hundred collectors who bought the complete set online still have their set? Hasbro denied that any were produced and released, yet a couple of hundred cases made its way to Calendars. It’s a terrible shame this collection got canceled. It was home to the yet-to-be-released Clone Captain Rex and A-wing Pilot in addition to the Build A Droid R5-X2 and R8-B7. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Hasbro finally got all four of those remaining figures released one day? You can see all of the officially released Legacy Collection [2] figures in detail HERE.

HURRY! The Disney Droid Factory Sandcrawler is BACK IN STOCK! Special thanks to friend rivesjunctionite. for the alert! If you don’t know about this fabulous vehicle yet, please see our exclusive RDR on it RIGHT HERE!

Apparently, we’ve saved the biggest and best for last. We have a plethora of “BIG VEHICLES” to add to our Research Droids Reviews. And we’re nearing the corner of when it all begins! Stay tuned for more! We have a lot of vehicles to tackle, so maybe it will be multiple weeks! We’ll see!

The Revenge Of The Sith Droid Tri-Fighter is pretty cool. See it 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.

Reports have hit media outlets all week about the newly-opened Galaxy’s Edge. You can also check out the official report over at StarWars.com. Do you have reservations during the limited opening? Or, are you going when it’s fully open to everyone? Let us know your thoughts! I will be in Anaheim in August and am contemplating a visit… 

Our “official” 20th Anniversary of The Phantom Menace tribute concludes today. Aside from making the brand new releases a priority, we ran an uninterrupted look at the past toys Hasbro produced for the Episode I line for 31 days (May 3rd through June 2nd). We still have other Episode I stuff to get to and add to the archives, but beginning tomorrow we’re going to be mixing things up a bit. You’ll see a mix of products get added; both Episode I toys and other items from other collections that remain as holes in our collection. Here is where the fun begins! You check out our Episode I product category HERE.

Name: Yoda • Collection: Episode I • Availability: June 1999

The Sebulba (With Chubas) 12-Inch Figure is one of Hasbro’s greatest efforts. See why this is so 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.

JTA reader Gause emailed me earlier tonight with quite a tale. Wanting to secure the Retro Collection figures, when he gave the TARGET employee the DPCI to check status, he was told they are discontinued. Are any of our readers who are employees at TARGET able to confirm or deny this? It seems way too soon for TARGET to discontinue this line. I’ve never seen the line once. Please remember. TARGET only has initial exclusivity for the Retro Collection and this line will be available through fan outlets this fall, so don’t panic. But we’d like to find out if this TARGET claim is true or not. It doesn’t feel plausible this soon.

The Junkman is a huge Star Wars fan and on his Star Wars YouTube channel he posted an epic 18 minute rant about how fed up he is with not being able to ever find anything he wants in stores. The Junkman has some inside knowledge and in the video he talks about how stores usually never get orders fulfilled by Hasbro. And he wonders why that is so.
What do you think? Do you feel the same as The Junkman? Does it annoy you that it’s virtually impossible to find things you want in stores or how so many things are exclusives and that you have to jump through so many hoops to get something? Or that even online pre-orders get cancelled (only to become available again later, of course)? Does Hasbro really make it too difficult for fans to give them their money, as The Junkman repeatedly says in his video? Or do you think he’s going somewhat over the top here and things are not as bad?
In Germany I have all but given up to buy anything Star Wars related in stores. The toyline is virtually an online exclusive here (or I buy from Amazon USA). If I want to have a good laugh I go to the toy section of a huge German department store chain and see how they try to sell TBS TLJ Poe or Finn for 35 euros or Force Link Rose Tico for 15 euros, they never received (or ordered) any new figures. But at least I can usually get whatever I want online, even all the US exclusives. At insane prices, of course. Watch the video and leave your thoughts in the comments! One word of warning: the video contains some strong language, but nothing too bad!