More Star Wars from Hasbro! For the first time in years, I was turned away from the Hasbro Star Wars panel despite showing up early. Usually there are seats, but thanks to Hall H being boring people went to the only must-see panel I've had for years. I hear it was good! The big news was the HasLab The Ghost with Star Wars Rebels figures as stretch goals. It is not compatible with the 2013 Phantom toy vehicle, but it does include a new Phantom II. According to the funding page, the figures are exclusive cardbacks - that's dodgy words for "these should be in the main line next year."
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The Retro Collection continues with a new Return of the Jedi boxed set featuring Wicket W. Warrick, Gamorrean Guard, Admiral Ackbar, Yak Face, and Mon Mothma. Not shown but teased in the panel is a box of The Phantom Menace figures for their 25th anniversary next year.
The Vintage Collection continues on with some odd choices, like a pricey deluxe Sabine Wren figure alongside a Life Day Chewbacca and a four-pack of Imperial Officers. If you're of the Original Trilogy era, there's a bit to like - not a ton, mind you, but just get the Ghost because it looks like it's going to be bigger and arguably better than the big Millennium Falcon from 2008. I mean, it's $500 and my reaction was "Sure, OK." I'm going to have to sell some stuff for cash/space but at least I can say what was shown looks to be worth owning.
Also there were new figures for The Black Series but I think I ran out of gas for collecting that line. It celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend, but I can't say that looking back on it, it had been a particularly satisfying collecting experience. Back in 2005 Hasbro promoted its 3 3/4-inch Revenge of the Sith line by saying "they're 'action figures,' not 'stand there and look good' figures." I would love to see that old mentality brought back to toys - although it doesn't hurt when they can all stand and look good.
--Adam Pawlus
