![Grand Admiral Thrawn (47) - Hasbro - The Black Series [Phase III] (2017)](/star-wars-the-black-series-phase-iii/thumbs/tbs3-six-47-grand-admiral-thrawn1-th.jpg "Grand Admiral Thrawn (47) - Hasbro - The Black Series [Phase III] (2017)")
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It seems Hasbro will not revisit Boba Fett from the ground up to give collectors an all-new figure. So, they did the next best thing and clean up the 2008 TAC The Fett Legacy Evolutions sculpt with a screen-accurate paint job and a shortened cape. It’s probably safe to say that Hasbro finally perfected (as best they could) The Vintage Collection Boba Fett (VC09) figure. We’re catching up with some previously released updated carry-forward figures in The Vintage Collection. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 100-image gallery complete with comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the 2010 version from the 2019 new release in the Collector Notes. Check out this excellently updated figure in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize. Until we get an all-new figure with a non-removable helmet, this is the next best thing!
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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 Fennec Shand (#105) and Zorii Bliss (#106). Each Tuesday, two new cards will be released and be only available for one week. Click here to view the entire Star Wars Living archive, including individual print runs.
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A new GameStop exclusive The Black Series [Phase III] Gaming Greats figure has been rumored on Instagram: Darth Nihilus!
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Everything You Need To Know About The Vintage Collection General Lando Calrissian (VC47) Re-release!
The third time is the charm! Hasbro finally perfected The Vintage Collection General Lando Calrissian (VC47) figure. It might be the best-looking figure from this newest wave of repacks. Amazingly, they trimmed down the length of the cape, and it looks SO MUCH better. There are other updates too. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 80-image gallery complete with comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the 2011 version from the 2020 new release in the Collector Notes. These figures are shipping through the “Fan Channel” as we speak, but you can see this excellent figure updated in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize. The Photo Real technology on this figure is astounding!
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The GameStop exclusive The Black Series [Phase III] Stormtrooper Commander is arriving at doorsteps! If you want to learn more about this classic Expanded Universe action figure, we reviewed it back in March HERE. It’s currently SOLD OUT at GameStop online.
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There are a number of changes made to the re-released The Vintage Collection Han Solo (Bespin) (VC50) figure. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 80-image gallery complete with comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the 2011 version from the 2020 new release in the Collector Notes. The breakdown is that this is the best version of this action figure to date. You’ll need MANY of them! You can probably find Han Solo (Bespin) (VC50) at your local TARGET and WALMART stores now. If not, orders should begin shipping to the “Fan Channel” shortly. As with many other re-released figures, there’s more difference here than you may think. The Photo Real technology worked well here.!
Tags: 3.75" Super-Articulated, Battle Of Hoth, Bespin, Captain Solo, Cloud City, Echo Base, Han Solo (Bespin Outfit), Han Solo (Bespin), Hasbro, Kenner, Rebel Alliance, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, The Empire Strikes Back, The Vintage Collection
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Wo! The Vintage Collection Imperial Combat Assault Tank is only $30.25 on Amazon as of this post! Special thanks to JTA reader Jeff R. for the alert!
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There have been a significant number of changes made to the re-released The Vintage Collection See-Threepio (C-3PO) (VC06) figure. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 68-image gallery complete with comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the 2010 version from the 2020 new release. (Hasbro has released this figure every five years since 2010!) You can probably find See-Threepio (C-3PO) (VC06) at your local TARGET and WALMART stores now. If not, orders should begin shipping from the “Fan Channel” shortly. As usual, there’s more difference here than you may believe, including a possible retooling that benefits the aesthetics of the head sculpt! Be sure to acclimate yourself to the many changes!
Tags: 3.75" Super-Articulated, 3PO-series Protocol Droid, Battle Of Hoth, Clone Wars, Genndy Tartakovsky, Hasbro, Kenner, Protocol Droid, Rebel Alliance, See-Threepio (C-3PO), Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, The Empire Strikes Back, The Vintage Collection, Volume 2
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The Hasbro Pulse blog has written a great article on the history of The Black Series 6″ lines packaging. As you know, we’re up to the fourth phase of this long-running line. Check out the article HERE, and then come back to comment!
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As you can probably gather by the title of this week’s TRT, I got some clones this week! Captains, ARC troopers, Commanders, Purge troopers, oh my! Check out a few photos by clicking here, and then share some photos of your clone trooper collection in the comments below!
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There have been a significant number of changes made to the re-released The Vintage Collection Luke Skywalker (Bespin) (VC04) figure. We took the time to break it all down for you by producing an all-new 80-image gallery. The new gallery includes comparison shots, dioramas, and a breakdown of what separates the 2010 version from the 2020 new release. (Do you believe a decade transpired in between their respective releases?) You can probably find Luke Skywalker (Bespin) (VC04) at your local TARGET and WALMART stores now. If not, orders should begin shipping from the “Fan Channel” shortly. There are more differences here than you may believe. Be sure to acclimate yourself to the many changes!
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Today’s Visual Guide update features the next exclusive figure/game combo from the Retro Collection. Click below to check out our full Visual Guide of the Hoth Ice Planet Adventure Game/Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) set. Make sure to also check out our full review right here.
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The Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past. This latest 35g pure silver foil from New Zealand Mint for Star Wars: The Last Jedi is an officially licensed replica of the 2017 film’s striking poster.
Click through for complete details!
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The Hoth Ice Planet Adventure Game [Exclusive Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) Figure] Board Game is loads of fun. But you’re probably going to buy it for the Retro Collection pack-in figure. Hey! The “banana” visor is back in full force! See our HUGE gallery in our review today. Will you buy one for yourself? (more….)
![Hoth Ice Planet Adventure Game [Exclusive Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) Figure]](/galleries/2020/Review_HothIcePlanetAdventureGameRC/Review_HothIcePlanetAdventureGameRC_post.jpg "Hoth Ice Planet Adventure Game [Exclusive Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) Figure]")
Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!
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In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.
Today we revisit the Death Squad Commander, which was known in the Trilogo collection as Star Destroyer Commander (Commandant de L’Etoile Noire). This figure, like the Jawa, is one of the rarest figures in the Trilogo line. A common misnomer, many believe that this figure wasn’t released in the Trilogo line, but this isn’t true. The figure only came mis-carded on the AT-ST Driver packaging. Interestingly, card art was designed for Star Destroyer Commander (Commandant de L’Etoile Noire) figure but was never released. We created a mock-up utilizing the original card art created, and then also added the AT-ST Driver packaging to show how the figure arrived at retail The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Death Squad Commander figure HERE.
Tags: 3.75" Action Figures, Battle Of Yavin, Death Squad Commander, Galactic Empire, Return Of The Jedi, Star Destroyer Commander, Star Destroyer Commander (Commandant de L'Etoile Noire), Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi, Trilogo
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The supposed “Fan Channel-only” exclusive wave of The Vintage Collection repacked and updated with Photo Real figures including Luke Skywalker (Bespin) and See-Threepio (C-3PO), which already showed up at TARGET and weren’t supposed to, are now showing up at Walmart. We assume they weren’t supposed to show up at Walmart either. Expect them to get marked down to $5.00 per figure in a couple of weeks. Special thanks to JTA reader Chad R. for the report and image.
Tags: 3.75" Super-Articulated, Hasbro, Kenner, The Empire Strikes Back, The Vintage Collection, Walmart
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It’s the last one from the first wave! Do you recall how Hasbro treated 3.75″ super-articulated collectors when it came to celebrating the 40th Anniversary of A New Hope? The Titanium Series Han Solo is another one of the ways to remember how we got to celebrate the four-decade landmark. (more….)
Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!
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In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.
Today we revisit Tusken Raider (Sand People) (Homme des Sables) which doesn’t vary much from the classic Kenner card art, except for the name. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Sand People figure HERE.
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Coming soon: Star Wars: Tales From The Galaxy’s Edge, a new action-adventure virtual reality experience, announced by ILMxLAB and Lucasfilm is in development in collaboration with Oculus Studios. Click through for the full press release!
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Now, more than ever, it’s time to put complacency in your past and help keep The Vintage Collection a thriving and active Star Wars action figure line that will meet the needs of all who collect it. Please sign the petition at change.org to get Hasbro to make more NEW 3.75″ Star Wars The Vintage Collection figures per product year. Click HERE to sign. Also, let Hasbro know you’re not satisfied by contacting Hasbro Pulse Instagram HERE. Hasbro Pulse Facebook HERE. Hasbro Twitter HERE. Online Consumer Care HERE. Use #FightForTVC everywhere you reach out.
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Remember how Hasbro treated 3.75″ super-articulated collectors when it came to celebrating the 40th Anniversary of A New Hope? The Titanium Series Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the ways to remember that nightmare. It was a disappointment on MULTIPLE levels. (more….)
Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!
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This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, JTA may receive a commission if you click and make a purchase.
Pre-order the COMPLETE SET of Rebels repacks (with Photo Real updates) in The Black Series [Phase IV] line at GameStop for only $134.99! It’s a saving of over $35. You also get FREE shipping.
Tags: Ahsoka Tano, Chopper, Chopper (C1-10P), Ezra Bridger, Gamestop, Kanan Jarrus, Rebels, Sabine Wren, The Black Series [Phase IV]
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Our last Visual Guide update from wave 2 of The Black Series The Empire Strikes Back 40th anniversary line is the repacked Lando Calrissian. Click below to visit our full Visual Guide. We also have a full review of this figure right here.
![Lando Calrissian - TBS [TESB40]](/news/images2020a/tbs-anniversary-esb40-lando-calrissian1-bth.jpg "Lando Calrissian - TBS [TESB40]")
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In 1984, new packaging for Star Wars figures was introduced for the European market. A cost containment initiative, the new packaging sported three languages of the Return Of The Jedi logo for a “one size fits all” approach. Although a “three-logo” design was created for The Power Of The Force line (as evidenced on some ‘boxed’ toys), it wasn’t carried over to the basic figure line’s card design. They continued to use the three Return Of The Jedi logos instead. Although the word “Trilogo” is found nowhere on the packaging, the term is universally adopted by all Star Wars collectors to describe this line of figures.
Today we revisit the Jawa which is one of the rarest Trilogo figures in the entire 70- figure run. The Jawa’s Trilogo card art features a heavy revisiting and reimagining of the original Kenner card art. The reference image of the Jawa is reversed. And they “airbrushed” heavy black “filling” around a cropped version of the character. These “black blotches” on the artwork were created for Kenner’s 1978 Toy Fair catalog for clear placement of the action figure. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Jawa figure HERE.
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We’re not sure if this is a single store markdown or not. And we have NO IDEA how widespread this is. But we have evidence that the Retro Collection is on clearance at this Walmart location for 50% off. Many (most?) of us haven’t even seen this collection of figures enter their brick and mortar locations, let alone on sale. It’s not even the end of May, and this latest find makes us believe that Walmart is over the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back already. Thanks to JTA reader Thomas H. for the report and image.
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Toy Reviews
