Tag Archives: Expanded Universe

Happy Halloween! Is C1-MNST4 Frankenstein or the Incredible Hulk? We’re not sure. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 15!

The Black Series [Phase IV] Ezra Bridger (Lothal) is technically not in Ahsoka, something Hasbro hasn’t done in the action figure line for a long time! (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 15!

We’re all caught up on the TVC reissues now! The Expanded Universe Republic Trooper (The Old Republic) reissue is another remarkable upgrade. Hasbro updated the figure with Photo Real and some other paint operations. We took the time to summarize all the new details for you by producing an all-new 100-image gallery complete with comparison shots and a breakdown of what separates the 2012 version from the 2022 reissue in the Collector Notes. See this magnificent figure updated in our RDRs now! There’s more difference here than you may realize.

The Star Wars “Saga” line is officially two decades old. We’re revisiting all of the figures that made up this unprecedented lineup. Today, we continue with 2002’s Star Wars “Saga” [Phase I] Darth Maul (Sith Training) (’02 #42) figure. Check out the new review template, the all-new Photo Gallery, the rewritten review, and the other content we updated as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the line that supported Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones.

Longtime JTA reader Vas’rod sends us an alert that Hasbro Pulse UK has begun shipping the re-release of the Republic Trooper (The Old Republic) action figure. There aren’t many changes made to this re-release, but we also can’t see the entire figure. But most disappointing is that Hasbro didn’t update the font of the nameplate to correct it. Also, the good news is Hasbro could keep the Expanded Universe entertainment logo, something that Disney Star Wars would rather see die a slow death in an elephant graveyard, but that’s another story. So, that was a great win.

Here’s our final Visual Guide update from the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Expanded Universe The Black Series figure releases: Carnor Jax. Click below for our full Visual Guide page. Make sure to also check out our full review of this figure right here.

We continue our look at the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Expanded Universe figures with our Visual Guide Update of The Black Series Luke Skywalker & Ysalamiri. Click below to check out the full guide page. You can also read our full review of this figure right here.

Up next for our Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Expanded Universe Visual Guide updates is Jaxxon. Click below for a look at the full Visual Guide page, and click here to check out our full review.

We’re kicking off a run of Visual Guides featuring the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Expanded Universe Comic sets. First up is Darth Maul (Sith Apprentice). Click below for the full Visual Guide, and also make sure to stop by and check out our full review.

Wow! Look at that shimmery purple lining! We expected Carnor Jax to be the dud of the four Comics And Books figures, but it ended up being our favorite. Oh, and this IS NOT Carnor Jax. It’s Kir Kanos. Do you think Hasbro will issue a running change? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 13!

Why did 6-inch collectors get Jaxxon before 3.75-inch collectors? Has the world gone mad? (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 13!

The Black Series 6″ collectors are getting it all. Now Hasbro opened up the old Expanded Universe “comic packs” for them for the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary sub-line. Sigh. Do they even know who these characters are? Let’s look at the shirtless Darth Maul (Sith Apprentice) figure. Rey certainly wouldn’t approve of this figure. (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

The Vintage Collection Gaming Greats sub-line was perhaps the best announcement from the Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest presentation last Friday. And I am one who is eager to purchase them all. One thing is bothering me about them, however. (more….)

Full Story

Sigh. I shouldn’t have walked away from Hasbro Pulse’s Fan Fest online event saying “Why does Hasbro hate The Vintage Collection collecting community so much? Why are they completely disengaged from its needs?” But I did. And between the sorry repacks confirmed, to the desperately needed repacks they’re dangling over our heads, I understand why people are fleeing from this scale left and right. The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was the announcement of the re-released Han Solo (Endor) figure. Does Hasbro store any record-keeping of their releases? Do they go to discount outlets? Do they have any indication of what fans want? (more….)

Full Story

“Well well well! Look what the cat cleaned up, showered, exfoliated, powdered, lipsticked, Gucci’d and dragged in!” Hasbro, without warning, is now invading the old Expanded Universe for The Black Series 6″ line. For the newbies, the Expanded Universe made its debut in 1998 during The Power Of The Force “2” era and ushered in a new and eager facet of the Star Wars collecting community. Years later, fans wanted more, and Hasbro introduced the Comic Packs line, and release dozens of two-packs featuring some of the most interesting, rich, unique, and beloved Star Wars characters ever introduced outside of the films. They are some of our most-visited reviews too! Some of the figures go for INSANE amounts of money today. With this post, we’re asking that Hasbro treats The Vintage Collection community with dignity and respect and get out some of the most classic (and expensive aftermarket) action figures in multipacks, or single-carded to include, and not exclude, us in this momentous event. See the full range of Comic Packs figures HERE.

And here is The Black Series Archive Grand Admiral Thrawn to finish out February. What a surprise addition to The Black Series Archive line! (more….)

Thank you for reading Research Droids Reviews: Season 12!

A new GameStop exclusive The Black Series [Phase III] Gaming Greats figure has been rumored on Instagram: Darth Nihilus!

Eagle-eyed RDRs readers may have noticed some of our banners changing for a couple of The Power Of The Force “2” lines. Previously, we organized everything by (1) “Red” packaging, (2) “Green/Freeze Frame” packaging and then by (3) “CommTech/FlashBack” packaging. However, recently adding the Collector Series and Action Collection 12″ figures posed some organizing complications for us, and it’s necessitated a reorganization in the categories. Going forward, the lines will be organized by (1) The Power Of The Force “2” [Red/Green] (which includes all POTF2 products prior to the 1998 Freeze Frame launch and all Collector Series 12″ figures). (2) The Power Of The Force “2” [Freeze Frame/The Kenner Collection] (which includes all POTF2 Freeze Frame figures, anything with a “The Kenner Collection” logo on it, and all “green” Action Collection 12″ figures. And finally (3) The Power Of The Force “2” [FlashBack/CommTech] (which remains unchanged). The latter line also houses Action Collection 12″ figures in the “starburst” packaging (used for FlashBack and CommTech 3.75″ figures). Shadows Of The Empire and Expanded Universe continue to maintain their own categories and also remain unchanged. Thank you for reading!

Tonight we are finishing up our Visual Guide updates for The Vintage Collection wave 24 with the Shadow Trooper (VC163). Click below to check out the full Visual Guide. Make sure to also stop by and check out our review of this figure if you haven’t already.

It’s beautiful! We’re continuing to look at the new The Vintage Collection figures! Next up is the Shadow Trooper! It utilizes a fantastic figure sculpt, and comes with unique accessories! We have comparison images of previous iterations in our gallery! 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.

You can check out rough Photo Galleries for The Vintage Collection wave 24 RIGHT NOW in our Research Droids Reviews. The RDRs, begin tomorrow, but you can check out most of them now. Princess Leia Organa (Yavin) (VC150) got delayed but will be here tomorrow. I’ll add her as soon as she arrives. In a nutshell, wave 24 is a great “repack and repaint” wave. (Remember those?)
Interestingly, the Sith Trooper is an all-new figure. I thought for sure he used parts from the SIth Jet Trooper, but not a single part is reused. For me, the Jawa is bittersweet. I desperately wanted a Jawa on a Star Wars card, and Hasbro delivered. But I would be lying if I said I am content with the straight repack of The Black Series [Phase II] figure. A Jawa deserves all-new tooling and premium soft-goods. At the moment, the Shadow Trooper is my favorite of the bunch so far. It’s a fantastic sculpt, and the extra gear is appreciated and welcomed. Anyway, be sure to check them all out!

Hasbro confirmed that Darth Revan WILL NOT be part of the 2019 The Vintage Collection lineup. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what’s going on behind the scenes. While purely conjecture, it’s nearly guaranteed that they’re developing an all-new figure of this character from the ground up (and hopefully utilizing the digital files of the 6″ figure). A year ago, we wrote a controversial article which we both got praised for and criticized for, but I am glad I wrote it. (The angry people were those who missed out on the 2007 figure and were desperate to add it into their collections.) I know we must be getting something worthy of release in The Vintage Collection. I also know Hasbro read the article and noted the over 300 comments and 15K reads it received. So, you’re welcome? We weren’t the only ones to complain, but we started it. Sometimes “whining” pays off. It brought back The Vintage Collection, and now it’s holding Hasbro to a higher standard for a collectors’ line.

Let the past die. Kill it if you have to (but only this old figure, Hasbro).

The Original Trilogy Collection STAR TOURS line featured the fourth and final wave of action figures from Disney’s STAR TOURS attraction. Learn about G3-5LE 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 updating our Visual Guides for another POTF2 [Red] figure, this time taking a look the Crowd Control Stormtrooper Deluxe figure. Click below for our full Visual Guide page. This was also the focus of today’s review. Make sure to stop by and check that out as well.

The Power Of The Force “2” [Red] Deluxe sets had their moments. Let’s finish them up by beginning with the Crowd Control Stormtrooper. 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 even 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.