Monthly Archives: May 2020

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Child is adorable. You’ll likely want many of them. The figure comes with three scene-specific accessories too. And it looks awesome with The Mandalorian figure. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

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 Han Solo. Han Solo’s Trilogo card art features an alternate image of the character with a background of the halls of the Death Star. For one strange reason or another, Kenner neglected to finish the image below Han Solo’s wast, resulting in a “pink underwear” reveal. The artists at Kenner “airbrushed” the bottom half of the character that didn’t exist in the original publicity shot. Most of the background is “fake” and also part of the “airbrushing” technique of the early eighties. It was also used for the running change American Kenner Return Of The Jedi 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 Han Solo figure HERE.

Let’s continue our Visual Guide updates from wave 2 of The Black Series The Empire Strikes Back 40th anniversary line. Next up is the Imperial Tie Fighter Pilot. Click below for our full Visual Guide page. Make sure you also stop by and read our full review of this figure right here.

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

There are a TON of The Black Series [Phase IV] pre-orders today! Site sponsor Entertainment Earth has you covered! Zeb Orrelios! Teebo! Kamino Clone Trooper! And classics like Sabine Wren! Ezra Bridger! Chopper! SO MANY significant and hard-to-find figures can once again be ordered! CLICK THROUGH FOR MORE!

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I received a few pre-orders today from my local etailer of choice here in Germany. And I found something interesting on the bottom of the typical Black Series box. A label applied by the etailer. It’s nothing mandated by law (if you wonder), if you buy a TBS or TVC figure in a store it is, technically speaking, for kids 4 and older. However, the specialty etailer felt they needed to add a warning label to the box saying that the figures are NOT toys and are NOT meant for children and that they for the adult figure collector. The collecting community has talked about the mythological kids who play with TVC and TBS for a long time now. The consensus seems to be that both action figure lines are mostly for the adult collector and it seems at least this German etailer absolutely agrees. Which certainly explains why Hasbro needs other toylines to reach and engage kids. Have you found similar labels by etailers on any of your boxes/cardbacks?

The Black Series? No Toy!

The new The Black Series [Phase IV] packaging has leaked on social media. Images originated from Star Action Figures. Check it out! Special thanks to Geeker Things for the alert!

UPDATE: Better images Added! Including a photo of Zeb out of the box! Also, the new Black Series boxes have a nice new feature.

Click through for the update!

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They misspelled another name! The 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Imperial Tie Fighter Pilot is an expected release, although we wonder if it was needed. Do you need another one? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

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

It’s time to start the next 100 cards! 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 Babu Frik (#103) and Captain Rex (#104). 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.

Out of all the 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary figures, Hasbro got Lando Calrissian close to perfect. There is almost nothing negative to write about this figure. Or is there? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

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

Save 30% at GameStop.com right now on the new TVC Slave I Vehicle. That will save you $50 off the list price. Thanks to JTA reader Lisa for the alert! See our complete Photo Gallery of this reissued beauty HERE.

Do you want to know what sets the reissue of 2020’s TVC Boba Fett’s Slave I apart from the 2013 TVC Slave I (Boba Fett’s Spaceship) Amazon exclusive? A lot. We have completed a full 76-image gallery for you to peruse, updated the review and Collector Notes which outline all of the difference for you. We also kept the old gallery too. Hasbro did collectors a solid here. Check it out! By the way, we’re treating the re-release of this vehicle no differently than the TVC basic figures than also get reissued, so we’ve updated the original review from 2013 and added details separating the two releases. Leave your thoughts in the review’s comments!

Next up from wave 2 of The Black Series 40th anniversary line is our Visual Guide of Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah). Click below for our full Visual Guide page. You can also get the full breakdown of this figure right here in our complete review.

Welcome back to another fine Tuesday everyone! I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend. I worked on my yard, did a bbq, and made some progress on some custom figures. This week I want to share a custom cardback Wade K from the TVC group on Facebook did for my purge trooper. Check it out here! 

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Hasbro misspelled the name. They designed a new card back and developed a character name that didn’t need to be created. Oh, and the paint operations are terrible. And lastly, the figure is still too small. Find out why The Black Series [The Empire Strikes Back 40] Artoo-detoo (R2-D2) (Dagobah) figure SHOULD have been released as 1982’s ESB ARTOO-DETOO (R2-D2) [Sensorscope] instead if they had to re-release it at all. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

Let’s continue to look at The Black Series 40th anniversary with a Visual Guide update of the Rebel Soldier (Hoth) figure. Click below for our full Visual Guide page. Also check out our full review of this figure right here.

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

If you’re interested, the Walmart exclusive Retro Collection The Empire Strikes Back Leia (Hoth) figure is IN STOCK at Walmart online! UPDATE: Lando Calrissian is also IN STOCK.

Happy 43rd Anniversary to the film that started it all: Star Wars. It debuted in 32 theaters across America 43 years ago today! We’d also like to say Happy 37th Anniversary to Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi!

It has the wrong name. It has the wrong card art. And it might even have the wrong gun. Despite all of these potential negatives, The Black Series [The Empire Strikes Back 40] Rebel Soldier (Hoth) figure is probably Hasbro’s best 6″ figure to date. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

Happy Memorial Day! Please take a moment to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

The Black Series 40th anniversary Visual Guide gets an update tonight, featuring Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder). Click below to check out the full Visual Guide. Don’t forget to also stop by and check out our full review.

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

Itching to get ahold of the TBS 6-Inch The Child figure? tunghori now has him listed in his eBay store. Thanks to JTA reader Sjefke for the alert!

We launch Research Droids Reviews: Season 12 with The Black Series [The Empire Strikes Back 40] Luke Skywalker (Snowspeeder) figure. Hasbro screwed up the figure’s deco and named it incorrectly, but the figure still has a lot going for it, like new knee joints without pins for example. (more….)

JTA reader Dan D. waited on pins and needles for his Retro Collection Luke Skywalker (Bespin) figure to arrive unharmed from Walmart. With all of the terrible shipping reports, he had good reason to worry. Click the image below to see what he received. (more….)

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In case you’re not aware, it looks like TARGET marked down The Black Series [Phase III] 6″ Moloch finally. JTA reader and friend Russ T. found it this morning for 50% off.

As you know, Jedi Temple Archives ended the daily Research Droids Reviews column yesterday. (Thank you for all of the kind words by the way. You all made my day.) That said, we’re not retiring them “completely.” We’d like to introduce what we’re calling Research Droids Reviews: Season 12. It’s like a Research Droids Reviews 2.0 for all. After 11 years of 4,018 daily nonstop reviews, the volume will come to a noticeable slowdown. The column will no longer be daily, but we will still review new products as they get released. The format and delivery won’t change much at all. Additionally, we will also post a review of older things no more than once per week during the lulls without new releases. Thank you for reading, and I hope this announcement is good news for our readership! Join us for RDRs: Season 12! Come back later for the first review of this new season! Let’s shoot for another 25 million visits, OK?

JTA is in the #FightForTVC. Ignore the noise here and elsewhere. It’s important more than ever to now sign the petition, contact Hasbro, Walmart, TARGET, and other online retail and let them know you want to see more TVC. Let the campaign CONTINUE! #FightForTVC. JTA led the campaign for the relaunch of TVC, and it was successful as it came to fruition in 2017. We also organized a successful campaign for Jabba’s Sail Barge (“Bring On The Barge”) years ago. If we all successfully worked together to do that, we certainly can do it again to get the figures we want! Hasbro Pulse Instagram: HERE. Hasbro Pulse Facebook HERE. Hasbro Twitter: HERE. Online Consumer Care HERE. Use #FightForTVC everywhere you reach out. Sign the petition HERE.

We all want more toys. Who wouldn’t want more toys, right? And our particular group wants more Star Wars action figures. The current campaign for more TVC exists for this sole reason: to get more toys. A goal everyone can get behind.

But, and you certainly knew there would be a “but”, what collectors on fansites want and what is economically viable does not always align. The purpose of the following article is to examine if Hasbro, Walmart and all the others will actually listen to what (TVC) collectors vehemently ask for. I mean, it’s simple right? Make more of something and you make more money? Cater to the hardcore demographic! Correct? So just make more of what they want and you will make lots of money! But in actuality it is not that simple, not at all. So click through to learn more about the impact hardcore collectors can make and how retailers see things like toys.

Once upon a time in a store, far far away…

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This is the funniest thing you’ll see on the internet today. Guaranteed. Thank you From 4-LOM To Zuckuss for the laugh, but we’re not laughing at your pain.

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 Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi. Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi’s Trilogo card art features an alternate “portrait style” image of the character with a background of the Millennium Falcon inside of the Death Star. The artists at Kenner “airbrushed” the bottom third of the character and added a lit lightsaber that didn’t exist in the original publicity shot. Most of the background is “fake” and also part of the “airbrushing” technique of the early eighties. It was also used for the running change American Kenner Return Of The Jedi 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 Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi figure HERE.

Let’s finish up the last daily Research Droids Reviews entry with the Jabba’s Palace (With Han Solo In Carbonite) 3-D Display Diorama. It’s essentially perfect! See a host of images in our review today! Also, thank you for 11 incredible years. And if you missed it, please see my daily RDR wrap-up post HERE.

In 1984, a new packaging design of Star Wars packaging 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 Stormtrooper. The Stormtrooper’s Trilogo card art varies quite a bit from the standard cart art image of the Kenner release. Plumes of bright orange and yellow smoke as well as blackened areas were airbrushed onto the image. The altered card art came from a 1978 Kenner Toy Fair catalog so that the figure could be seen against the background image. The new detail added to the card art provided the background for the figure in the catalog The packaging also comes with the name Stormtrooper (Garde Imperial) printed on the name “pill.” The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Stormtrooper figure HERE.

In a disconcerting and troubling move, Disney’s Galaxy Of Adventures’ latest installment recreating the Battle of Hoth removes General Rieekan from the story and promotes Princess Leia to a general without explanation. (Well, unless this is explained in a Disney Star Wars source I don’t know about.) What is going on over there? It seems that everything from The Empire Strikes Back would be preserved to celebrate its 40th Anniversary accurately. Is this the new canon for The Empire Strikes Back now? No General Rieekan? Determining what is canon and what isn’t when stories are conflicting with one another is creating a complete mess.

My question today is very simple: what do you do with your Black Series boxes, TVC vehicle boxes and vintage cardbacks? Do you keep everything? Do you dispose of them? Click through for a short discussion!

A typical TBS box and TVC cardback

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Let’s finish up the last two days of Research Droids Reviews with some cool releases. First up is the Cantina At Mos Eisley (With Sandtrooer & Patrol Droid) 3-D Display Diorama. It’s essentially perfect! See a host of images in our review today!

There are only two days left for our daily Research Droids Reviews column. I put together some words for you expressing my thankfulness and my appreciation for your consistency and your dedication as readers. And I go down some lanes of memory to recapture some important moments on how this column came to be and grew. I encourage you to click through and read my thoughts. Thank you!

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The latest release from Igloo celebrates 40 years of The Empire Strikes Back with a special-edition Playmate Pal arriving in 7QT fashion (9-can cooler) with the iconic tent-top design. This is now available to pre-order for $39.99 while supplies last.

Tamashii Nations (a Bandai brand) revealed a brand new website today, dedicated to “western style” action figures. By this Bandai is referring to action figures based on Hollywood movies and American TV shows. And to celebrate this new website Tamashii Nations is also teasing several brand new figures! The DC line will apparently get a new Wonder Woman, Marvel’s new figure is still a mystery to be unveiled on May 27th, and Star Wars will get IG-11! That’s at least what the brand new website is teasing.
It was almost guaranteed that S.H.Figuarts would officially reveal IG-11 sooner or later, a promo photo of him was used in the recent solicitations for Baby Yoda aka The Child. Since Hasbro offered collectors a rather lazy version of IG-11, a repainted IG-88 with new bandolier, which is not at all screen accurate, the SHF version of IG-11 could very well be the version of the bounty hunter you need if you demand screen accuracy.
It’s not known yet when exactly pre-orders for IG-11 are available, but it will probably be soon. We will keep you posted!
Check out the brand new Tamashii Nations Cinema website (it’s in Japanese with only some English headlines)!

SH Figuarts IG-11 with carry bag and Baby Yoda

In 1984, the new packaging design 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 Darth Vader. Darth Vader’s Trilogo card art doesn’t vary much from the original card image. It’s interesting, however, that they didn’t use the running change Death Star II Darth Vader image instead. The packaging also comes with the name Darth Vader (Dark Vador) printed on the name “pill.” The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Darth Vader figure HERE.

Yes, this is part of the #fightforTVC campaign, but I pose this as a legitimate question to 6″ Black Series collectors. For over 40 years, 3.75″ action figures have dominated the Star Wars collecting market. Only a few years ago, the 6″ Black Series line entered the scene, and has since grown into a line with many new figures per year and a large collecting group. But how long can it continue? Is collecting 6″ figures sustainable? Let’s explore a few reasons why it may not be…

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It’s the LAST THREE DAYS! Let’s change pace at check out the Kylo Ren Titanium Series figure. It’s pretty nice. 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.

It’s almost unfathomable, but Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back officially turned 40 years old today. We can all celebrate the film’s 40th Anniversary and the impact it’s had on popular culture. Recollect your memories of this prestigious film in our comment.s And don’t forget to include your Kenner memories if you grew up with the toy line at this time too!

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If you are thinking about buying this, don’t think too much longer! There’s only a few hundred left! Click through for the latest update!

Update: They are now officially sold out!

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In 1983, Mexico’s Lily Ledy toy company released a line of Return Of The Jedi action figures under the La Guerra De Las Galaxias: El Regreso Del Jedi line look. This range of Lily Ledy Star Wars figures is exciting for two specific reasons. Firstly, the original 1978 versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO were released in this lineup. Secondly, for each figure, Lily Ledy chose a never-before-utilized Lucasfilm reference image of the characters, and these images were used nowhere else in the Star Wars toy line (for any other company including Kenner and Palitoy). Featured on 30-Back, the reverse of the card back features hand-drawn images of the line of 30 action figures in addition to a few other related toys, including the Millennium Falcon and Jabba the Hutt.

Today we revisit See-Threepio (C-3PO). The 1978 version See-Threepio (C-3PO) was packaged for this line, and the packaging features an exclusive image of the character. Its name is See-threepio (C-3 PO) (Ci-tri-pi-o). The reference image used features a behind-the-scenes picture from The Empire Strikes Back. Lily Ledy covered up the studio equipment with airbrushed graphics, including the fakest control panel imaginable. This Lily Ledy release is the only way to obtain this unique character image on the card art. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS See-Threepio (C-3PO) figure HERE.

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.

UPDATE: As a community we have already reached 1500 signatures (as of 4:30 EST), but we need more! Keep going everyone!

The Star Wars “Saga” line gave us “Troop Builder” sets. Let’s finish up with the Rebel Trooper Builder Set which was also a Fan Club exclusive in 2002. 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.

Some of those who pre-ordered the Retro Collection The Empire Strikes Back figures at Walmart online are getting shipping notices as we speak, although a few of the shipping details explain the package is delayed. Who knows what’s happening at this point, but let us know how your orders go

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

It’s time to start the next 100 cards! 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 Royal Guard (#101) and Captain Rex (#102). 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.

A short while ago it was reported that Temuera Morrison was cast as Boba Fett in season 2 of The Mandalorian. A few days later Timothy Olyphant (Fargo, Deadwood) was revealed to also have a role in season 2 of The Mandalorian. And now Slashfilm has an exclusive scoop that adds another twist to the whole story. Click through for more!

Timothy Olyphant in Deadwood

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Welcome back to another Toy Run Tuesday everyone! Any luck with the Retro Collection at your local Walmart? I hear they are hitting in full force. How have you been fighting for TVC this week? I got a new figure or two in the mail, but one in particular I’d like to share! Don’t worry, the title will make sense if you just click through!

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The Star Wars “Saga” line gave us “Troop Builder” sets. Let’s now check out the Endor Troop Builder Set which was also a Fan Club exclusive in 2002. 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.

As we exclusively reported several weeks ago, those who pre-ordered the Retro Collection The Empire Strikes Back figures at Walmart online will indeed receive delayed shipments. Originally believed to ship with a new release date of May 20th (instead of May 4th), some are now receiving notices pushing out the shipping dates to June 19th. (And it may be later for others too.)

UPDATE: Some are receiving cancellation notices too!

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

The unique Star Wars Living set featuring weekly cards with the artwork of Kris Penix hit a milestone this week as they rounded out the first 100 cards. Today’s the last day to pick up Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. We’ve put together a 100-card gallery to showcase a birds-eye view of this great set. Click through for the full gallery!

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PSWCS.org, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society (PSWCS), is excited to announce their 10^th charity medallion in support of Valhalla Veteran’s Services.

Click through for complete details and how to order…

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The Star Wars “Saga” line gave us “Troop Builder” sets. Let’s check out the Stormtrooper Troop Builder Set which was a Fan Club exclusive in 2002. 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.

A couple of days ago, online retailer Dorkside Toys dropped a bombshell of news in Rebelscum’s forums. There has been much debate over whether Hasbro is giving The Vintage Collection the attention it needs and deserves (spoiler: they’re not) and Dorkside Toys relays information that surprises and counters the echo chamber you hear elsewhere. Click through for more.

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It’s the final week of Research Droids Reviews! Those 100 days went FAST! The Power Of The Force “2” Endor Attack playset is AWESOME! You can use it as an extrapolation to the 1983 vintage Kenner ROTJ Ewok Village playset! See and 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.

Unfortunately there are no ratings for streaming shows and the platforms keep their numbers top secret. So external analytics are performed by companies such as Parrot Analytics that look at a variety of things to determine how successful a streaming show actually is. For this Parrot Analystics analyzes video streaming, social media activity, photo sharing, blogging, comments on fan and critic rating platforms, as well as downloads and streaming via peer-to-peer protocols and file sharing sites. So how does The Clone Wars perform? Spoiler: it’s a success! Click through for more!

The Clone Wars Season 7 is a success

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The Power Of The Force “2” Hoth Battle playset is not bad at all. But why didn’t we have more basic figures based on the Battle of Hoth available at the time of its release? 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.

On May 4th several Star Wars toy photographers released a rather impressive project: an action figure recreation of A New Hope. It’s a joint effort of nine people, sadly, the project is not quite finished, maybe 90% is done, but even so, there are more than 250 images, using the full range of action figures, TBS, TVC, SHF, Bandai model kits and even Kenner, plus some custom figures and dioramas. The entire portfolio makes for one very ambitious and excellent photo novel. Projects like these show what can be achieved with a clever combination of both 1/12 and 1/18 scale figures, custom dioramas, and off the shelf vehicles. Maybe the photography bug may bite you as well when you see the excellent photos that recreate iconic scenes from the movie. Click through for a couple of highlights!

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The Black Series 6″ Fan Vote candidates are revealed. Some of the selections are bizarre! Check it out on Hasbro Pulse!

The Power Of The Force “2” Death Star Escape playset is very disappointing. See it in detail 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.

Check out the latest update from JTA sponsor New Zealand Mint…

The menacing Death Trooper features on the third coin in New Zealand Mint’s officially licensed Guards of the Empire Silver Coin Collection. The first two releases featured the Stormtrooper and the Clone Trooper. Who will be next?

Click through for complete details!

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Entertainment Earth, a huge distributor of Hasbro Star Wars and a carrier of Hasbro Star Wars exclusives, posted an informal poll on their Facebook page. (The Vintage Collection or The Black Series?) The results, despite a small sampling so far, overwhelmingly lean one way, and probably not the way you think. Check it out. Hasbro should check it out too.

Yikes! We almost missed it! Happy birthday to the Creator of Star Wars. Thanks for the years of joy and all of the memories!

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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 Obi-Wan Kenobi (#99) and Luke Skywalker (#100). 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.

Also available this week are 10″x14″ fine art prints of the first 5 cards from the set featuring ultra-high-resolution scans of original artwork by Kris Penix.

The Power Of The Force “2” Detention Block Rescue playset is great, albeit imperfect. See it in detail 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.

Seriously delayed due to real life reasons (I moved to a new apartment last week and I still need to unbox and pose 300 figures…) there is finally time to take a closer look at the series finale of The Clone Wars. The 12th and final episode of season 7, “Victory And Death”, provides lots of action and some poignant character moments. It’s everything a fan of the show could ever have hoped for and maybe even more. So let’s discuss the season and series finale of The Clone Wars! Click here or on the banner below for the spoiler discussion!

We’ve rumored since November that Zeb would be released as a deluxe figure in The Black Series, and this confirms our suspicions. It is a deluxe figure retailing for $34.99 at Gamestop (and most likely other retailers). Also listed are upcoming TVC figures that were on Amazon for a short time, as well as the rebels crew repacks for TBS. Thanks to Robbert in a Black Series collecting group on Facebook for the images. Click here for full images of what was added!

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In 1984, a new packaging design of Star Wars packaging 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 Chewbacca. Chewbacca’s Trilogo card art features an alternate “portrait style” image of the character with a background of Endor. It was also used for the running change American Return Of The Jedi 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 Chewbacca figure HERE.

Most collectors don’t even know the Revenge Of The Sith Millennium Falcon exists. Do you? 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.

The leaks (or reveals) for The Mandalorian season 2 continue. After learning that Ahsoka (and possibly Sabine and maybe even Rex!) will be in season 2 of The Mandalorian and that Boba Fett is featured as well, Deadline now reports that Katee Sackhoff, who voiced Bo-Katan Kryze in The Clone Wars, will now play the character in The Mandalorian season 2. Season 2 could very well turn out to be one huge guest star festival with so many prominent characters making an appearance.  Bo-Katan’s inclusion does make sense though, since she may want her darksaber back from Moff Gideon.
How do you feel about the inclusion of yet another Clone Wars character? Ar you excited about the possibilities or do you fear season 2 may get overwhelmed by its various guest stars?

Katee Sackhoff with red hair

JTA is walking arm in arm and side by side with our very close friends at Bantha Skull to preserve any hope possible for the betterment of The Vintage Collection. Please let Hasbro know via social media and email, respectfully, that you demand more for this classic collection of Star Wars action figures. Let the campaign begin! #FightForTVC. JTA led the campaign for the relaunch of TVC, and it was successful as it came to fruition in 2017. If we all successfully worked together to do that, we certainly can do it again to get the figures we want! Hasbro Pulse Instagram: HERE. Hasbro Pulse Facebook HERE. Hasbro Twitter: HERE. Online Consumer Care HERE. Use #FightForTVC everywhere you reach out.

After years of growth Funko reported a relatively weak 1st quarter of 2020. Net sales are down 18% compared to Q1/2019 and Funko reported a loss of $5.7 million for the first quarter. The company attributes the decline to the current Covid-19 pandemic that caused lockdowns all around the globe. But Funko’s earnings report also has a few tidbits about Star Wars that are quite interesting! And there is also some news about Hasbro’s Star Wars toyline, and it’s all positive! So click through for a more detailed look at Funko Pops and Star Wars toys in general!

Funko Pop Mandalorian

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In 1983, Mexico’s Lily Ledy toy company released a line of Return Of The Jedi action figures under the La Guerra De Las Galaxias: El Regreso Del Jedi line look. This range of Lily Ledy Star Wars figures is interesting for two specific reasons. Firstly, the original 1978 versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO were released in this lineup. Secondly, for each figure, Lily Ledy chose a never-before-utilized Lucasfilm reference image of the characters and these images were used nowhere else in the Star Wars toy line (for any other company including Kenner and Palitoy). Featured on 30-Back, the reverse of the card back features hand-drawn images of the line of 30 action figures in addition to a few other related toys including the Millennium Falcon and Jabba the Hutt.

Today we revisit Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2). The 1978 version Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) was packaged for this line and the packaging features an exclusive image of the character.  Its name is Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) (Ar-tu-ri-to). The reference used is an official publicity image of the character against a hallway within the Bespin set. This Lily Ledy release is the only way to obtain this unique character image on the card art. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2) figure HERE.

Hello again everybody! It’s another fine Tuesday to share with you my collecting from the past week. This week I have but one new figure to show you. It’s a custom from the Clone Wars you don’t think about very often. Click here to check it out!

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Let’s now take a look at the Episode I Theed Generator Complex playset. It connects to another! Check it out 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 incredible news! My good friend Jimmy Mac from Rebel Force Radio is part of the next episode of Collector’s Call featuring host Lisa Whelchel (actress from The Facts Of Life, a competitor on Survivor).

Next time on Collector’s Call: ”Meet Eric Pfeifer.” After his first viewing as a child, Eric Pfeifer began collecting everything related to Star Wars. Now his collection is so vast — covering both floors of his house as well as its basement — that he holds regular “Pfeifer-Cons,” drawing people from near and far to come and view it. Eric is joined by his mom, Connie, who has nurtured his collection over the years. See the preview by clicking the image below!

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It’s not a huge discount, but the TVC AT-ST Raider is listed at a clearance price of $67.99 on Bestbuy.com. Thanks to JTA reader Moshe for the alert!

This isn’t a rumor. This isn’t news. But man oh man, Hasbro seems ever unwavering in their stance that things WILL NOT improve as far as The Vintage Collection is concerned (from collectors’ perspectives). For me, it is disconcerting. (more….)

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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.

The pre-order page is now open over at Sideshow Collectibles for the newly announced Sixth Scale Captain Rex. Click here for the pre-order page!

Let’s take a look at the Episode I Theed Hangar Playset (Motorized). It’s terrible! Check it out 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.

Mark Hamill shows his sentimentality on Twitter as revealed by his May 9th tweet. The actor admits that knowing he’s played Luke Skywalker for the last time is a bittersweet thing. Cinema Blend has the full story.

Hot Toys opens up their The Clone Wars Sixth Scale line with Captain Rex. Click through for the full specs and gallery!

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Let’s take a look at the Episode I R2-D2 Carryall Playset. It’s a hybrid of playset and carry case. Check it out 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 Ty checks in to share his Mattel The Child plush find at his local Austin, TX Walmart. Thanks for the report, Ty! Let us know in the comments other places this can be found.

The Hollywood Reporter broke their exclusive story yesterday: Temuera Morrison will portray Boba Fett in season 2 of The Mandalorian! According to the scoop Morrison will only play a small role however. The Hollywood Reporter also confirms that it was indeed Boba Fett who approached a seemingly dead Fennec Shand on Tatooine in season 1. Temuera Morrison has kept himself busy in recent years with movies like Aquaman or the Dora the Explorer movie, he also voiced Boba Fett for various Star Wars video games, this will be the first time he actually portrays Boba Fett in live action.

What are your thoughts? Are you happy that Boba Fett will return and survived the Sarlacc Pit after all?

The Hollywood Reporter has the full story!

Let’s take a look at the Episode I CommTech Reader (Electronic) accessory. 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.

Head over and check out the latest weekly newsletter from Brian’s Toys…

Mandalorian Figures, Mandalorian Helmet, and 40th Anniversary ESB Wave 1 Just Arrived!  Also added some must have AFA vintage Star Wars items!

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Not Star Wars related, but we know many of our viewers also love G.I. Joe, so on a slow news day it’s worth sharing the latest releases from Hasbro’s Fan First Friday. 6″ Snake Eyes was the big reveal today. Check out all of the pre-orders over at Entertainment Earth!

In 1984, a new packaging design of Star Wars packaging 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 collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Princess Leia Organa. Princess Leia Organa’s Trilogo card art doesn’t deviate all that much from the standard American Kenner release. The same reference image was utilized across all lines and card backs, although its placement varies a bit. The review’s Collector Notes are updated with this information. See the full card art and additional notes by revisiting 1978’s STAR WARS Princess Leia Organa figure HERE.

If you don’t know EVERY single update made to 2004’s The Original Trilogy Collection Millennium Falcon, then you’re missing out. From new lights and electronics to better-fitting parts, and a completely new paint job, the 2004 version makes the 1995 version obsolete. There’s a wealth of newness to appreciate here. See over 70 images and 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, JTA may receive a commission if you click and make a purchase.

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 Hera Syndulla (#97) and Jabba the Hutt (#98). 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.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t take it anymore. Since 2013, Hasbro showed 3.75″ super-articulated collectors a stellar version of a Phase I Captain Rex. Then Attack Of The Clones 3D didn’t happen. Then Legacy Collection “2” was canceled, and Hasbro threw out this baby with the bathwater. For years, JTA and other fansites have asked, begged, and screamed at Hasbro about why they haven’t released this incredible action figure yet. Well, now it’s time. If Hasbro doesn’t release this figure NOW, they are a terrible company. The Clone Wars just ended, and we still don’t have this figure or an announcement of it. NOW IS THE TIME! Remember that ridiculous hashtag in 2015 (#wheresrey)? Let’s get is going again with one letter changed. The Vintage Collection collectors demand to know #wheresrex?

Let’s finish up The Original Trilogy Collection! We’ll move ahead with the Walmart exclusive C-3PO Carry Case (with two exclusive action figures). 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, JTA may receive a commission if you click and make a purchase.

eBay seller tunghori added the four latest The Vintage Collection repacks, all with Photo Real. Special thanks to Alientek for the alert!

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

The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary 4-LOM/Zuckuss figure set is in stock as of this post.

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

The link for The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Darth Vader (Carbonized) figure is live!

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

The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Han Solo (Carbonite) figure is back IN STOCK without any limits!

Hasbro Toy Shop’s eBay store is loaded with a ton of clearance merchandise, mostly Solo: A Star Wars Story toys if you’re interested. Special thanks to JTA reader Sean. C. for the alert!

Here’s a story we missed on Star Wars Day. Mattel announced four new Star Wars Barbies that include Princess Leia Organa (Ceremonial Gown), C-3PO, Stormtrooper, and Chewbacca. People has the full story.

Update: If you are interested in these, JTA sponsor Entertainment Earth has them up for pre-order. 

Let’s finish up The Original Trilogy Collection! We’ll begin with the Walmart exclusive Darth Vader Carry Case (with two exclusive action figures). See more again 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, JTA may receive a commission if you click and make a purchase.

The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary 4-LOM/Zuckuss figure set is back in stock, but now there are changes!!

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

The link for The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Darth Vader (Carbonized) figure is live!

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

The link for The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary 4-LOM/Zuckuss figure set is live!

This week was great. I got some incredible new acquisitions that I am very excited to share with you! One item is BIG. I got some fodder in trade, and some not-so-shiny new troopers. There is even more, so please click here so I can share it with you!

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It’s our 4000th Research Droids Reviews entry today! Holy cow. Let’s check out the Naboo Royal Starship Blockade Cruiser/Playset (Electronic) vehicle from the Episode I line? Relive this wonderful vehicle again 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, JTA may receive a commission if you click and make a purchase.

Here is the link for The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Han Solo (Carbonite) figure! We’ll post an update when the links go live!

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

shopDisney was having some site issues earlier, but (so far) it seems to be up and running now. Make sure to stop by and check out their newly added items, including their Imperial Probe Droid The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Die Cast figure. And, if you are into their special edition Disney items, they also have their exclusive Star Wars Day Key available.

Hot Toys posted on their social media today a nice tease indicating the imminent announcements of The Clone Wars figures! Will we finally get an Ahsoka?

The final season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars has fans elated around the world. Now, Hot Toys will continue to build up the excitement for Star Wars fans and introduce highly detailed collectible figures from this hit animated series! Stay on the lookout, there are more surprises coming.

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Walmart has a fun bundle of the Star Wars Arcade Game and a Stormtrooper robotic figure on sale for $350.22. Get it while it’s hot! Special thanks to JTA Craig F. for the alert!

The rumors were true after all! A new Star Wars movie and a new Disney+ series were announced today! Click through for more!

Taika Waititi and Leslye Headland

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JTA sponsor Brian’s Toys is having their May The 4th Sale. Stop by to take advantage of their 20% off sitewide sale.

Happy May the 4th from Brian’s Toys!  Save big today on Star Wars items with 20% off of the www.brianstoys.com website. Hurry as the 20% off sale will only last today!

Get ready to pre-order wave 3 of The Black Series The Empire Strikes Back 40th-Anniversary line which includes Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Snowtrooper, and Luke Skywalker (Dagobah)! Live links coming soon (or so we’ve been told)!

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Sideshow Collectibles has listed both the Hot Toys Darth Vader and Hot Toys Boba Fett (Vintage Color Version) The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Collection Sixth Scale figures. Click the banners below for each pre-order page!

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

You can pre-order the GameStop exclusive Gaming Greats Shadow Stormtrooper 6″ figure right now. One per customer! Special thanks to JTA reader Aldo S. for the alert!

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

Stop by shopDisney.com to check out the new listings they have for Star Wars Day, including their The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary line.

In 1984, a new packaging design of Star Wars packaging 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 collectors to describe this line of figures.

Today we revisit Luke Skywalker. Luke Skywalker’s Trilogo card art features an alternate “gunner station” image used for the running change American Return Of The Jedi 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 Luke Skywalker figure HERE.

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

Fun.com is happy to announce that they’re carrying the re-released Jabba the Hutt Geeki Tiki mug and Bib Fortuna mini-mugglet. These were going to be a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, but now they’re being sold through a handful of retailers. The estimated availability is May 6th.

Jedi Temple Archives wishes all of our readers a very happy Star Wars Day! Special thanks to JTA reader Alientek for the artwork below!

Hot Toys is re-releasing their The Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader figure in all-new gorgeous 40th Anniversary Collection packaging as part of their The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Collection. Click through for the full specs and gallery…

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Hot Toys is celebrating Star Wars Day with the debut of The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Collection! Their first release is Boba Fett featured in Vintage Kenner style paint applications. The line also sports some amazing retro-style packaging to showcase the figure. Click through for a complete look!

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Happy Star Wars day! May the Fourth be with you, always! Is there a better day than May 4th to look at the very first modern Millennium Falcon (Electronic) vehicle from The Power Of The Force “2” line? It’s a quarter-of-a-century old this year! That’s 25 years old! How is that possible?! Relive this wonderful vehicle again 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, JTA may receive a commission if you click and make a purchase.

UPDATE: Use code SHPSWFREE. (EE just let us know about the code.) From May 3 to May 5, Entertainment Earth is offering FREE SHIPPING on all in-stock Star Wars items if Star Wars items total more than $10. Check out to see what they have now, and then come back on May 3rd to take advantage of the FREE shipping!

Found! JTA reader Eric S. found the latest wave of The Vintage Collection figures at TARGET. Interestingly, I thought this wave was a Fan Channel outlet-only wave, so I now have concerns that they might clog up shelves if there isn’t enough support to purchase them at the brick and mortar level.

Tomorrow is May the 4th, and that means we’re going to run through the vintage Kenner action figures once again. But to change things up, we’ve added a new segment to all of them for 2020. Each figure will feature an exclusive look at the foreign card art used for non-American releases. The focus will be on Trilogo figures because many feature exclusive and gorgeous artwork and design, but you’ll also find hybrid card backs and Lily Ledy as we make our way through the line. Be here tomorrow as we restart the journey!

“On top of spaghetti, all covered in cheese, I lost my poor magma ball, when somebody sneezed.” You won’t sneeze at the Mustafar Final Duel Playset. It’s as fun as lava from a volcano! 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, JTA may receive a commission if you click and make a purchase.

If you’re interested, you can pre-order The Vintage Collection Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper) figure at Walmart online. Special thanks to friend Mark for the alert!

You can pre-order the three AMAZON exclusives at Hasbro Pulse RIGHT NOW! The limit is ONE OF EACH ITEM per order.

We have some “big vehicle” surprises to get through before we wrap things up. So let’s start off with the Revenge Of The Sith Republic Gunship. This one wasn’t in Episode IIII, so where did it come from then? 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.

It seems Hasbro is finally retiring the much used original Imperial Stormtrooper sculpt we first saw all the way back in 2013. A tweaked and refined Imperial Stormtrooper (based on the appearance in The Mandalorian and Rogue One) was also revealed today. You can immediately tell that the new Stormtrooper looks even better than the old version. Articulation has also been tweaked and improved, the figure has new elbows and new shoulder pads make sure you can move the arms around much better now. The helmet is certainly another huge improvement! This is the new TBS troop builder you want to have for your 6 inch scale Stormtrooper squad! You can pre-order him later this month on May 28th!

The new Stormtrooper

And here’s yet another new figure announced for the Black Series! Hasbro revealed the new Kamino Clone Trooper today! Pre-orders are supposed to go live on May 28th!

Kamino Clone Trooper

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GameStop.com has listed their upcoming exclusive The Black Series Jedi: Fallen Order Purge Stormtrooper. It’s not yet available to pre-order, but click here for the product page.

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

From May 3 to May 5, Entertainment Earth is offering FREE SHIPPING on all in-stock Star Wars items if Star Wars items total more than $10. Check out to see what they have now, and then come back on May 3rd to take advantage of the FREE shipping!

UPDATE Use promo code SHPSWFREE.

Check out the latest episode of Galaxy of Adventures: The First Order vs. The Resistance over on the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel.

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And here is one more reveal from today. Luke Skywalker in his Dagobah training outfit with Yoda! Luke looks appropriately grimy. He also comes with a backpack. But Yoda is still the same old Yoda from before, i.e. he’s much too tall and it may look a bit funny when Luke carries him around on his back. This post will be updated once details about availability are known! Thanks to Oliver H. for sending the picture!

Update: after more scrutiny it appears Yoda was scaled down somewhat from the previous version and is a little shorter now!

Click to enlarge

Today is not just the day for toy reveals, it’s also time for Order 66. You all know what that means. As season 7 of The Clone Wars draws to a close things seem to turn out very well for the Republic. Dooku is dead, Grievous has been cornered by Obi-Wan, Maul has been captured and the war could very soon be over! And now Ahsoka will accompany Rex to Coruscant as Maul is delivered to the capital to face justice. So what could possibly go wrong with Ahsoka on board a Republic Star Destroyer filled to the brim with clones? Today we talk about “Shattered”, the episode that tells us what happened to Ahsoka when Order 66 was issued. Let the grief counceling begin in the spoiler review of the penultimate The Clone Wars episode “Shattered”, which is yet another masterpiece. Read it by clicking here or on the banner below!

Rex and Ahsoka, best friends forever

Hasbro Pulse is gearing up for their next Fans’ Choice poll. This time, fans will be voting for which figure to bring back in The Black Series Archive collection. Click here for details.

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Here is the link for The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Darth Vader (Carbonized) figure! We’ll post an update when the links go live!

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Here is the link for The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary 4-LOM/Zuckuss figure set! We’ll post an update when the links go live!

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

Here is the link for The Black Series 6″ The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Han Solo (Carbonite) figure! We’ll post an update when the links go live!

The card art for The Vintage Collection Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper) figure has been revealed. Nice touch, Hasbro! If it can’t be POTF, this is the next best thing!

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Entertainment Earth has new listings, including TVC Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper Disguise), TBS Luke Skywalker and Yoda (Dagobah Training), Boba Fett (Prototype Armor) Premium Electronic Helmet Replica, and more. Click through for complete details.

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Starting today, the Disney+ homepage carousel will feature Star Wars concept art from the legendary Ralph McQuarrie from his 1975 painting of the droids in the desert. For the first time, fans will be able to navigate to a dedicated brand page directly from carousel art. Once immersed in the Star Wars brand page fans will be treated to an adaption of character art from the Star Wars Celebration 2019 commemorative mural by Jason Palmer and other celebrated artists.

The concept art takeover continues on May the 4^th with each film and series’ artwork updated to feature its original concept paintings. Click through for more details and a sneak peek at some of the other Concept Art!

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Check out the latest update from JTA sponsor New Zealand Mint…

The beloved film sequel, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, is being commemorated with a range of limited-edition pure silver and gold collectibles from New Zealand Mint to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary milestone. Three separate precious metal collectibles are being produced in collaboration with Lucasfilm and are available for sale from today!

Click through for complete details!