Pre-Order Alert: 12-Inch X-Wing Luke Skywalker Figure from Sideshow Collectibles
Sideshow Collectibles continues their line of 1/6 Scale Star Wars figures with a new Luke Skywalker in X-Wing pilot gear!
This figure features:
- Newly Designed and Fully Articulated Light Body
- Highly Detailed Luke Skywalker Portrait
- Helmet with Visor and Comlink
- Detailed Flight Pressurized G-Suit
- Flak Vest
- Life Support Unit with Chest Pack Straps
- Gear Harness with Belt Flares
- Data Cylinders
- Flight Boots
- Right and Left Relaxed Flight Gloved Hands
- Right and Left Flight Gloved Fists
- Right Force Gesture Flight Gloved Hand
- Right and Left Flight Boots
- Signal Flares
- Support Stand with Yavin Base Flight Deck Graphic
So hurry and order your exclusive edition of this figure now at Sideshow Collectibles!
And while at Sideshow’s site check out their Spooktacular Halloween event with savings on tons of collectibles, many with discounted prices and free shipping, and many with extra rewards as well! From the high end Darth Maul Legendary Scale figure to the Snowtrooper Premium Format figure down to a bunch of sixth scale figures including 4-LOM and several clones, these deals are only good until Oct 31! Plus bargains on other Hot Toys, Marvel items, G.I. Joe figures and more!
Pre-Order Alert: Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Stormtroopers
Hot Toys has released the next two figures in its Star Wars Movie Masterpiece Series: 2 separate Stormtroopers!
First you can order the individual Stormtrooper which includes:
- Authentic and detailed likeness of Stormtrooper in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- Body with over 30 points of articulations
- Approximately 30 cm tall
- Seven (7) pieces of interchangeable gloved palms including:
- – One (1) pair of fists
- – One (1) pair of relaxed palms
- – One (1) pair of palms for holding weapons
- – One (1) gesturing left palm
- – Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted
Costume:
- One (1) Stormtrooper armor
- One (1) black under-suit
- One (1) Stormtrooper belt with leather holster
- One (1) pair of white boots
Weapons:
- One (1) blaster rifle
- One (1) blaster pistol
Accessory:
- Specially designed figure stand with Stormtrooper nameplate and movie logo
Or you can order a pair of Stormtroopers. The second one is shorter, 28cm instead of 30cm, plus a heavy blaster, a mouse droid, and a weapons rack! (The weapons rack is the most exclusive piece as internationally the 2-pack may or may not include it)
You can order these now at SideshowCollectibles.com
New Podcast: Episode 435: It’s the Yoda Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
Halloween is this week and the costumes and decorations have started to go on sale! On this week’s Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie discuss the hard-to-find collectibles that combine Trick-or-Treating with the Galaxy Far, Far Away!
Also on this week’s show–reviews of two new 6-inch figures! First they look at the Hasbro Black Series Biker Scout with Speeder Bike, the first vehicle in the new, larger scale. Does it live up to the preview shown at SDCC?
And then the first Walgreens exclusive Hasbro Star Wars figure–Boba Fett in Prototype Armor. How does this compare to the original outfit, and is it worth the (bounty) hunt?
With Johnathan joining for an On The Pegs segment and a look at the latest offerings from Gentle Giant and Sideshow, it’s all on this new episode of Star Wars Action News!
We want you to join our team! We have openings currently for video editors, audio editors, and photo editors! Find out all the details in our forums!
: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN435.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
$100 Toys R Us Gift Card for only $85 on eBay
With new toys hitting, plus the Toys R Us exclusives (such as the Star Wars AT-ST pack or the Marvel X-Men Legends figures), plus just holiday shopping, we thought you’d like to be notified of this bargain.
Right now on eBay Gift Card Mail has a $100 Toys R Us gift card for only $85. This is a reputable seller, and I purchased 2 myself.
There are very limited quantities available still, so act fast! Get yours before they’re gone on eBay
New Podcast: Episode 433: Collecting Nirvana in Aberdeen
Marjorie & Arnie are back from a trip across the American west, and of course they did some Star Wars shopping while there! Visiting with the members of SARLACC in Seattle, they visited several stores–including one of the oddest Star Wars toy shops out there. Watch to see a Star Wars shop unlike any other!
Also on this week’s show, new toys are showing up in stores! With the impending premiere of Rebels on Disney XD stores are stocking up with tons of new Star Wars merchandise from chairs to Christmas ornaments to even a few new action figures! Listen to find out what’s hitting, as well as a brief review of the Toys R Us exclusive Jedi Reveal Rebels figure 3-pack.
But the biggest news last week was a new sixth-scale Star Wars figure line from high end Hong Kong company Hot Toys! Through Sideshow Collectibles, the first two figures have gone up for pre-order–Han Solo and Chewbacca. Join Arnie, who has over 50 Hot Toys in his collection, to hear his impressions of these new Star Wars collectibles!
With a look at the Disney Store original trilogy figure sets, Halloween themed Star Wars collectibles, a review of the Star Wars Lootcrate and more, it’s all in this new Star Wars Action News podcast!
And for our next show we want your input! What is your Star Wars collectible holy grail? A screen-used prop? A carded Vlix? A replacement for the stuffed Ewok you used to own? Let us know in our voicemail at 415-508-JEDI and your call may be used on our next show!
We want you to join our team! We have openings currently for video editors, audio editors, and photo editors! Find out all the details in our forums!
: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN433.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
Hot Toys goes Solo, Han Solo, with the Star Wars license
Over the past six years Hot Toys has emerged as the superstar company for 12-inch highly articulated, collector-oriented action figures.
Their product lines in the past have ranged from Robocop to Predator to Terminator to even one-offs like Michael Jackson and Back to the Future. But where they’ve really shown is with their Marvel Movie Masterpiece Series figures. From Blade to Iron Man to Spider-Man to Ghost Rider, Hot Toys has amazed and astounded with their actor-accurate facial likenesses, the attention to detail, and the seemingly endless number of accessories, including interchangeable hands, feet, and heads, that come with their figures. Even the boxes each figure come in is a work of art.
I have covered Hot Toys figures for three years on the Marvelicious Toys podcast, and own every single Marvel Movie Masterpiece figure they have done–the only 12-inch line I am ‘all in’ on. Their quality and workmanship is unmatched. I’ve often wondered why Sideshow’s 12-Inch Star Wars line could not match the quality of Hot Toys’ Marvel line.
Sideshow and Hot Toys did partner once in the past, for Sideshow’s 12-Inch Bespin Luke Skywalker figure. But now Hot Toys has gotten the licence for their own lines of 1/6 scale and 1/4 scale Star Wars figures and collectibles.
Right out of the gate come not one but two sixth scale Movie Masterpiece Star Wars figures–Han Solo and Chewbacca. Available individually or as a set, these two smugglers are ready to join your collection.
- Interchangeable hair sculpt with headset
- Newly developed body with over 30 points of articulation
- Ten (10) pieces of interchangeable palms including:
– One (1) pair of relaxed palms
– One (1) pair of gloved relaxed palms
– One (1) pair of partially clenched gloved palms
– One (1) right palm for holding blaster
– One (1) left palm for supporting blaster
– One (1) right gloved palm for holding blaster
– One (1) left gloved palm for supporting blaster - Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted
- Brown leather blaster holster belt
- One (1) blaster pistol
- One (1) droid caller
- Specially designed figure stand with Han Solo nameplate and movie logo
Plus if you order the Sideshow Exclusive edition you also get a Stormtrooper belt and blaster rifle!
- Authentic and detailed likeness of Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- Brown fabric hair throughout whole body
- Movie-accurate facial expression
- Newly developed body with over 30 points of articulation
- Approximately 36 cm tall
- Two (2) pairs of interchangeable palms including:
– One (1) pair of relaxed palms
– One (1) pair of palms for holding bowcaster - One (1) bowcaster
- One (1) brown bandolier bag
- One (1) headset
- Specially designed figure stand with Chewbacca nameplate and movie logo
And if you order the pair together you get everything listed above (including the Stormtrooper belt and rifle) plus an additional accessory exclusive to the set–a heavy blaster for Chewbacca to wield.
Long time Sideshow sixth-scale figure collectors, there is no word yet on how the scale of Hot Toys’ figures will fit in with Sideshow’s long-running line. As Sideshow uses their own figure bodies for most of their figures there is a chance these figures may look slightly taller or smaller than their Sideshow counterparts. This is not an evolution of Sideshow’s figure line, but an entirely new sixth scale figure line from Hot Toys.
It is canny of Hot Toys to be out of the gate with Chewbacca–a figure Sideshow has long teased but never brought to market.
However, and this is ironic, the only authorized US seller of Hot Toys is Sideshow Collectibles. As mentioned, I have purchased many Hot Toys figures, but as with any detailed piece I have received a fair number of damaged and broken figures and accessories. Hot Toys will not provide a warranty on any product purchased at an unauthorized reseller. The one Hot Toys figure I purchased from a reseller other than Sideshow, Hot Toys would provide no repairs and the seller could not offer a repalcement. If you are interested in the Hot Toys Star Wars line, my strong recommendation is you only purchase from Sideshow Collectibles, or risk having a damaged or broken piece with no recourse.
As for these figures, you can hear my first impressions on this Monday’s episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast!
In the meantime, head over to Sideshow’s site and check out these new figures. If you order, please consider supporting our site and our podcasts by using our affiliate link!
The 40 Year-Old-Critic: Spider-Man 3 (2007)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
See a list of all reviews
Earlier this week, when I discussed Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, I described how I tend to channel my excitement into creative venues. I’ve been doing it my whole life, whether that meant writing fan fiction, building model kits, customizing action figures — the point is, I like to build upon my imagination. In 2005 that drive led to the creation of the Star Wars Action News podcast.
Two years later, a near-equal level of excitement gave birth to an even larger idea that became Now Playing Podcast. The excitement was for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3; the first film Now Playing ever reviewed.
I had been a longtime Spider-Man fan, from the 1970s Spidey Super Stories on The Electric Company to Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and even Stan Lee’s daily The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strips, but even I didn’t anticipate my own hype for this sequel. I barely caught the first Spider-Man film in theaters (its release in 2002, directly against Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and my wedding, was much of the reason). I was more excited for 2004’s Spider-Man 2, but I wouldn’t say I was “hyped.”
But the bug bit me in 2007 — Venom had gotten into my system.
I started reading comics in 1990. I never got into them as a child; I simply wasn’t exposed to comics through friends or media. My Star Trek fandom drew me into the comics culture, because I wanted to read the “official” stories taking place after the events of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. The first time I stepped into a comics shop the clerk tried to sell me Spider-Man No. 1, from the highly-acclaimed Todd McFarlane series.
This tease ignited the fanboy in me.
I passed. I always thought the comics were just color reprints of the daily newspaper strip, until my longtime friend and Now Playing co-host Stuart started telling me stories about how Spider-Man changed his costume to one that was black-and-white. Incredulous, I didn’t believe him, especially when he told me the suit turned out to be an evil alien. In response, and to prove his point, he pointed me to a comic book store. I went back to read many of McFarlane’s Amazing Spider-Man back issues. Of specific interest were the stories that involved Venom, a muscle-bound baddie named Eddie Brock with whom the alien suit had bonded. Venom had all of Spider-Man’s powers, but none of his responsibility.
For years I read every Spider-Man comic, but I anticipated none as much as those that starred Venom. When Brock went from villain to anti-hero in his own series, Venom: Lethal Protector, I was even happier; I could now read about him every month!
I honestly wonder if I liked Venom even more than Spider-Man himself.
As a fan I read rumors about a big-screen adaptation of Spider-Man, but it languished in development hell for more than a decade. I remember reading a Wizard Magazine in 1992 that teased a James Cameron directed Spider-Man film starring Charlie Sheen as Peter Parker and using Terminator 2 special effects for the villain — Venom! I couldn’t have been more excited but, alas, that film never materialized. When Spider-Man did hit theaters in 2002 Sheen, Cameron, and Venom weren’t even under consideration.
Finally, after enjoying two Spider-Man films in theaters (as you can hear in the Now Playing Podcast Spider-Man Retrospective Series), word came that Raimi was finally getting to my favorite Spidey nemesis.
Venom was first teased at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con. I wasn’t in the Sony panel, but friends excitedly described the scene of alien ooze landing on Eddie Brock (Topher Grace). That the scene took place in a church really upped my expectations — Raimi had been pretty loyal to the Spider-Man mythos thus far, and despite casting the wiry Grace as the muscle-bound Brock, it seemed he was continuing that trend with Venom.
I’d seen the black outfit take Peter Parker to dark places in the comic…but never as dark as Maguire’s uncomfortable dance scene.
Venom, Raimi, and Spider-Man created a perfect storm of hype.
I am a collector by nature, and often I express my fandom through displays of movie memorabilia. It all started with my Star Wars toys in 1977, but from Superman to Gremlins to Ghostbusters to Star Trek, I’d always buy the trading cards, toys, and books for films I loved. Of course, Star Wars remained my primary focus — I bought every figure, vehicle, book, and game released.
By the year 2000 my townhouse was a crowded toy box, full of Star Wars toys, but also X-Men movie figures, Spider-Man toys, McFarlane Toys’ Movie Maniacs series’ Leatherface, Freddy, and many more. But in 2001 I quit my job and became a full-time student, and with that drastic reduction in income came a drastic reduction in collecting. I actually sold most of my toys and narrowed my focus down to my first love — Star Wars. Even as my career started to take off, my income increasing, I was never tempted to return to collecting anything but Star Wars until Spider-Man 3.
By 2007, Star Wars Action News was heard by tens of thousands of listeners every month, and hundreds congregated on our forums to discuss the toys. Surprisingly, many of those fans were also swept up in the excitement to see Raimi’s next Spider-Man film. When I mentioned on the podcast that I was drawn to — but couldn’t allow myself to buy — a particularly cool Venom figure sold by Sideshow Collectibles, these listeners came to the forums en masse to encourage my spending! Some even tried to take up a collection to buy the $80 figure for me; an act of generosity I could not possibly accept.
The flames of my Spider-Man 3 excitement were fanned by Star Wars Action News listeners, and that combination caused me to move on an idea I’d had for some time: a movie review podcast. The first movie we’d review would be Spider-Man 3, obviously.
It wouldn’t be a stretch, my wife (and co-host) Marjorie and I had already reviewed one movie together, Snakes on a Plane, the year before.
Coincidentally, another Marvel character first planted the seeds in my head that I should launch this show. Coming out of 2007’s Ghost Rider Marjorie had me almost doubled over with laughter as she lambasted the Nicolas Cage film. Not only were her observations on point, they were quite amusing. I knew many of our listeners loved Marjorie’s color commentary, and I thought that if I’d had a microphone on us walking out of Ghost Rider we’d break download records.
Despite the film’s numerous flaws, the CGI work on Sandman was impressive, and moving.
But I was daunted. Movie review podcasts were a dime a dozen. Anyone with a microphone seemed to be reviewing movies. With Star Wars Action News we’d made a big splash in the Star Wars community — a big fish in a tiny pond. Yet, even with that success I knew that we’d be out of our comfortable pond and thrust into an ocean of movie podcasts. I wasn’t sure how to make us stand out, and so I never acted on it.
More, SWAN had gone from a one-day-per-week hobby to a very time-consuming new career. Two hours of recording became 10 hours of editing, and then toy photography and travel — suddenly I was spending more time on podcasting than I was on teaching my college courses. Plus, teaching was my second job; I also had a full-time day job. With all of these commitments the thought of doing another podcast regularly was overwhelming.
Still, the seed had been planted, and my excitement for Spider-Man 3 turned it into action. Marjorie came up with the name, taken directly from the screen of her iPod that always said at the top, Now Playing.
It’s laughable now as I spend 30 or more hours per week on the show, but I originally thought Now Playing Podcast wouldn’t take much time. I figured we’d stick to my first idea and take the portable recorder (the one I’d purchased for the Samuel L. Jackson interview) to the theater and when the movie was over I’d have a microphone to capture our initial reaction. Marjorie and I went to the movies nearly every week, so we could have a spoiler-free review with just a few minutes of recording. I’d release it unedited, just add music, and be done.
As for the way to differentiate ourselves from the thousands of other podcasts? That would take me a couple more years to really figure out. In the meantime we had Marjorie and a built in audience for Star Wars Action News.
Deciding to launch Now Playing on the same day as Spider-Man 3’s release had two profound effects. First, my excitement for the next Spidey film had an outlet that didn’t involve buying collectibles. I was preparing our own launch of a podcast, so my time and money was spent getting domain names and setting up web pages (Though I was visiting Burger King more than usual to get their Spider-Man 3 kid’s meal toys — the Venom still eluded me).
Second, the anticipation for May 4, 2007 increased 50-fold — that was the day I’d get to watch Spider-Man and we’d launch our newest podcast!
My excitement level was so high we actually took that afternoon off work. There were no midnight shows, but we were there for the first matinee of the day. It was time to see Venom fight Spider-Man, and classic Spider-Man bad guy Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church) would be in there somewhere as well.
In my mind I felt I knew how the movie would be paced. The trailers had shown Spider-Man fighting Sandman while wearing his black suit. I thought for certain it would follow the structure of the original film, with the first half largely about the origin story, only this time it would be the origin of the black suit (again with Sandman in there somewhere). Then, I assumed the second half of the picture would be about our hero battling his arch-nemesis, only this time instead of Green Goblin it would be Venom.
The more I heard about Sandman being the main baddie in this film, though, I started to form a back-up theory. The trailers never showed Venom outside of the church, so I thought this entire film could be a setup for Venom, who would return as the main bad guy in Spider-Man 4.
No matter what, in Raimi I trusted. From Evil Dead to Army of Darkness, Darkman, and more, he had proven time and again to be a director with style and vision (that late 90s period including For the Love of the Game notwithstanding).
We got to theater early, after an obligatory trip to Burger King to try and get that damn Venom toy. No luck.
I can still remember being so excited I was practically vibrating in my seat. The film started, the score played over an opening credits montage reminding us of the first two films. Little did I know this would be the high point of the movie for me — thinking of the earlier, better films.
The introduction of the alien symbiote that became Spider-Man’s black suit was the opening scene, and completely convenient. It just happened to land near Peter Parker and take him over. No reason why, it just happened.
Faith was restored with the introduction of Sandman, Church having bulked up for the role and really looking like the comic book character come to life. The CGI effects during his transformation marked a new standard for humanity conveyed by computer animation.
But that was quickly lost by the contrived retcon tying Sandman to the death of Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben, and a subplot involving Peter Parker’s love life.
I won’t rehash the entire review again. You can hear our full, detailed, scene by scene review in the Now Playing Podcast archives. The disappointment you’ll hear in my voice mirrors my thoughts sitting in that theater. During that theatrical experience I realized not only was I watching a movie that was not very good, but that Now Playing’s first review would not be very positive. I had hoped for the show to be a celebration of Raimi’s film — the orgasmic climax after five years of build-up. Instead, we would have to be honest and discuss how everything — from the plot to the acting to the score — was not only far below my expectations, but also not very good at all.
No matter the quality of the movie, Now Playing Podcast had arrived. Star Wars Action News listeners and forum members were anxiously awaiting the review. So we went to the car and, raw from the experience, recorded our thoughts. We sat in the car, Spider-Man toys from BK in the back seat, and gave our initial reactions. I tried to temper my disappointment, but when I listen to that show I can hear the sound of a heart breaking.
In the years since I’ve come to focus on some of the better parts of the movie. The effects are mostly top notch, Topher Grace adds needed energy to the cast, and some of the jokes are winners. With the dour nature of The Amazing Spider-Man reboots, I even sometimes finding myself actually wishing for some of the spirit Raimi put in all of his films… even Spider-Man 3.
The tangled web that is Peter Parker’s love life would never straighten out; after Spider-Man 3 Sony decided to reboot without Raimi at the helm.
Yet from that bad movie experience something good did come — Now Playing. It would take years for me to realize that. Despite my best intentions, the show went from being recorded on the run to being done in the studio; it went from unedited to lightly edited to full edits. The time commitment was growing, and the listenership wasn’t. We were now one very tiny fish in an ocean so overpopulated that most shows suffered from listener famine. Without listener involvement the show became neglected, and the fewer shows we did the fewer listeners we had when we would put out new reviews. For a while we even gave up hosting altogether.
It wasn’t until 2009 when another movie, another hype machine, got me going: the Platinum Dunes remake of Friday the 13th. Then I had the idea of the Retrospective Series and a three-person rotating cast of hosts. The hype for that movie also ended in disappointment, but we had finally found the format that made our show stand out.
Today Now Playing is a regular show in iTunes’ Top 10. I’ve met hundreds of listeners in person and talked to thousands through social media. Each person with whom I interact is an experience I cherish, and it’s stunning to think none of this would have happened if it weren’t for Spider-Man 3.
And as for my resistance to collecting Marvel, Spider-Man 3 helped me stave that off… for a couple more years at least. As anyone who’s heard my Marvel collecting podcast, Marvelicious Toys, knows, I have now fully embraced it and enjoy it as a smaller side-collection to my primary Star Wars collecting.
Tomorrow — 2008!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
The 40 Year-Old-Critic: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
Star Wars’ greatest legacy may not be the (now endless) sequels, or the billions of dollars in box office revenue, or even the tens of billions of ancillary revenue the franchise has generated for Lucasfilm (now Disney). No, the longest lasting impact of Star Wars may be the people inspired by that film saga to go on and create themselves.
Filmmakers as varied as Jon Favreau, Damon Lindelof, and Eli Roth have all cited Star Wars as an important inspiration to their works, as have numerous authors, artists, game designers, and more.
In 2005 Star Wars inspired me as well… to become a podcaster.
By the time Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was released I was pretty far-gone in terms of my fandom. Any lull I had experienced from 2000 to 2002 was long gone. My 2-bedroom townhouse had become a virtual Star Wars shrine with toys, prop replicas, and other various bric-a-brac on display in every room. As much due to my collection as it was a desire to build equity, Marjorie and I eventually left the rental property behind and moved into a home specifically selected for its ability to handle and display my Star Wars collection.
I had gotten three Star Wars tattoos since Attack of the Clones was released, including a Yoda that was based on the art in Genndy Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars micro TV series that bridged the story between Episode II and III. I was the ultimate Star Wars consumer — if it had a Star Wars logo I either bought it or put it on a long list to buy. I even, much to the amusement of the Target clerk and the embarrassment of my wife, bought a pair of Star Wars underwear intended for small children. To outsiders it was an undergarment, but to me it was a collectible.
The birth of Darth Vader was the moment fans had waited 28 years for.
The excitement grew as we drew close to Revenge of the Sith’s May 2005 release date. The premiere was May 19 at 12 a.m., and I took the day off of work to sit outside the theater trying to get the best seats. Though I arrived at 10 a.m., I was not the first in line.
Coming off the high of the Star Wars Celebration III convention we attended in April, Marjorie and I had prepared line party events, including trivia, prizes, and music. I rolled up in my convertible with two 12-inch subwoofers in the trunk and blasted dance mixes of Star Wars themes. It was a party, and a blast.
I did have to leave the party for a couple hours to teach class — which I did wearing a Darth Maul tie.
What about the movie? It was far from an afterthought in all the festivities, it was the main event. The conventions, the toys, the party, they were all ways to express our fandom and excitement for the upcoming release. But when I sat in that theater the early morning hours of May 19 I was enthralled. Instantly I knew this was the best of the Star Wars prequels, by a long shot. It was the first of the new trilogy to have emotional weight. Plus it had great action, exciting new characters, and even succeeded in besting The Phantom Menace by having the best lightsaber fight of the entire series. I had high expectations for Episode III and the film lived up to them.
The CGI visuals in Revenge of the Sith were striking and stunning.
I lived on a euphoric high for weeks after seeing Revenge of the Sith. I went several times in local theaters, not out of a sense of obligation as I did with Phantom Menace but because I wanted to enjoy the film again. Then Marjorie and I drove to Chicago to see the film digitally with Stuart, my Now Playing Podcast co-host and longtime friend.
My Star Wars collecting went to even greater heights. Every day during our lunch hour Marjorie and I would go on a toy run, visiting one or more stores looking for new Star Wars toys.
Weeks passed, though, and while my fandom never wavered the anticipation turned into a feeling of melancholia. I had been looking forward to the Star Wars prequels since they were first officially announced in 1993 (in, of all things, a Star Wars screensaver). For twelve years I’d always had the next Star Wars film to which I could look forward. With the prequels done I wondered if I would ever again experience that level of anticipation.
To continue to experience fandom in new ways I read more Star Wars novels and comics, and visited websites and online forums. There I saw repeated mentions of something called a “podcast.”
Still a better ending than Christopher Lee got in the Lord of the Rings series.
Being a tech head and, at that time, a college professor of Computer Science, I had heard of podcasting. I never understood the appeal; I was no fan of talk radio. More, I didn’t have an iPod, preferring the Creative Labs Nomad player. Yet now I saw there were podcasts discussing Star Wars, so I listened, and was excited. In my daily life I knew no Star Wars fans other than Marjorie, but on these shows were fans just like me, and they spent hours each week talking about nothing except Star Wars! Even more impressive, the Canadian podcast Star Wars En Direct even had Star Wars authors on the show to discuss their books.
I not only listened to the new podcasts, I went back and consumed the archives of many of these shows. Yet one thing frustrated me; while there were podcasts about Star Wars books, movies, and comics, none existed to talk about Star Wars collecting. Slowly the idea dawned on me… I should do my own.
I had a background in audio production. My desire to entertain, inspired by Pump Up the Volume, had sent me to study Mass Media Communications as an undergraduate. I was a radio DJ, and in my spare time experimented with digital audio, including rudimentary audio editing. As time went on I experimented in other computer multimedia, including video editing. I had the basic skills to do it, and just a few hours of research showed me all the technologies I would need to make it happen.
I also had my own website. My career goal had been to become a video game designer, and to build my resume I created a site reviewing PC games new and old.
So on Sunday, August 28, 2005, a little more than three months since Revenge of the Sith had visited theaters, I was inspired to create my own Star Wars podcast. I will never forget the conversation I had with Marjorie that Sunday morning.
“What plans do we have today?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she replied. It was a rare day that we had no obligations.
“Do you want to help me make a podcast?”
“Sure.” Then, after a moment, she asked “What’s a podcast?”
Palpatine’s slow corruption of Anakin Skywalker was a highlight.
Within a few hours I had dug some old microphones out of a tote in my closet, installed the necessary audio editing software, and we were off. I didn’t know if anyone would listen, though I hoped they would. No matter what, though, I knew we’d always have the designation of having done it first.
That day Star Wars Action News was born.
I eventually learned that people did listen. I had reached out to several of the Star Wars websites and podcasts I’d read as a fan, and they actually posted about our show. I received immediate feedback, and that first week we had more than 50 downloads. The very next weekend I was at Best Buy to purchase better microphones and take some of that feedback to improve the show.
Tens of listeners became hundreds. Hundreds became thousands. Our show was a success. And while it was not earning money, I had finally found an outlet for my dream of entertaining people. Sure, I worked days at a bank, nights at a college, but on weekends I was a Star Wars commentator and collector.
That one podcast led to another… and another… and another. Marjorie and I have since traveled the country as invited Star Wars experts to speak at conventions. We have taken the mentality of throwing a Star Wars line party and grown it — at the last Star Wars Celebration we threw a party for almost 500 listeners and friends. Plus every year at San Diego Comic-Con we host the Star Wars Fan Breakfast for a sold-out crowd.
Most importantly, though, new friendships were formed. Marjorie and I met people near and far thanks to the reach of our Star Wars podcast. Now I had friends with whom I could chat about the saga, in addition to the regular show discussing my collecting.
And, of course, you’re probably reading this specifically because of Star Wars Action News. After all, without Star Wars Action News there’d be no Now Playing Podcast, the movie review show Marjorie and I started in 2007 and, with years of nurturing and attention, has grown to have an audience that even exceeds that of our cardinal show.
Darth Maul take note: lightsaber fights mean more when there’s a background between the characters.
These days it’s common for me to say “My life is weird.” I think this when I attend press events to interview the stars and directors of Leprechaun: Origins. The thought crosses my mind when I’m having a normal day at work and a piece of fan mail appears on my phone. I say it out loud when I see lines of people anxiously waiting to get into an event I’m hosting, just as I was anxious to see Star Wars in theaters. I’ve had the tremendous fortune to do things, meet people, and go places that many only dream of. I don’t take any of that for granted, but I always acknowledge that it’s a path I was inspired to take because of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Tomorrow — 2006!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
New Podcast: Episode 432: A New Dawn for Star Wars Fiction
Last Spring it was announced that the Star Wars canon was taking a new direction. To pave way for the upcoming Episode VII as well as the Rebels TV series the previous Star Wars “Expanded Universe” was reclassified as Star Wars Legends, wiping the slate clean for a new era of Star Wars stories. That begins today with the release of A New Dawn, the Star Wars Rebels tie-in novel by John Jackson Miller. In this episode of Star Wars Action News Brock joins us with a review of this first novel in a new age of Star Wars fiction.
Also on this week’s show, Marjorie and Arnie review Hasbro’s 4th wave of Black Series 3.75-inch figures. From Dagobah Luke to Yoda to Toryn Farr, watch the video to see hands-on reviews of these collector-oriented figures!
With reports from Wizard World Chicago and GenCon, eating fresh with Rebels, and much more, it’s all in this episode of Star Wars Action News!
We want you to join our team! We have openings currently for video editors, audio editors, and photo editors! Find out all the details in our forums!
: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN432.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
The 40 Year-Old-Critic: Attack of the Clones (2002)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
A week ago, while attending Wizard World Chicago, I had a debate with a Now Playing Podcast listener who claimed Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was the worst movie in the Star Wars saga. I strongly disagreed.
Not to say I think any of the Star Wars films are bad, per se. I have three tattoos taken from the series. I host Star Wars Action News, a biweekly podcast about Star Wars collecting. I am a devoted Star Wars fan — but I’m also a discerning Star Wars fan that can recognize that those Ewok TV movies are horrible and also distinguish differences in quality among the six films in the saga.
To me, Attack of the Clones was a much needed course correction for the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
To say Episode I: The Phantom Menace left me cold would be a literal truth, as I sat out one night in the freezing rain to get tickets. But it’s also metaphorically true. Perhaps it was how I binged on that first prequel film, seeing it seven times in three days. More, though, I think it was the movie itself. While it boasted the most exciting lightsaber fight in the series, the overall story was somewhat incomprehensible — I had to read various “expanded universe” novels to understand what the Trade Federation was trying to do, and I still think it was stretching. More, the film was completely devoid of humor. The first three Star Wars films had all been fun, with the cocky attitude of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) a centerpiece. Here that sardonic fun was replaced with a walking CGI fish creature stepping in crap.
This was the Star Wars prequel I’d dreamt of as a child. Phantom Menace did not deliver.
After The Phantom Menace I slowly found myself drifting away from Star Wars — a major lifestyle change. I had been reading Star Wars novels since 1993, played the video games constantly on my PC, and collected the toys obsessively since 1995. That all peaked with Phantom Menace’s release, when the Toys ‘R’ Us employees informed me that I’d spent the most money of anyone during their midnight toy release, and when I traveled 60 miles every Thursday to get the latest Kentucky Fried Chicken basket topper.
But in the summer of 1999 the glut of Episode I toys clogged shelves. With no new figures found, just the same ones that had been available for months, the thrill of collecting waned and I stopped bothering to look for the next wave of toys. More, I was let down by The Phantom Menace and didn’t wish to dwell on it. I pursued other interests, and stopped buying Star Wars books, toys, and games altogether. It was not a conscious break; when Phantom Menace was re-released in theaters in November of that same year — this time with proceeds going to charity — I saw it again. But that viewing solidified my feeling that my childhood was dead, it was time to move past Star Wars.
Reservoir Jedi
That stance lasted for a couple years. I even tried to sell my Star Wars collection, only to find that I wasn’t alone. A toy store in Chicago offered me 5 cents for brand new, mint figures — 1 percent of the retail price. He told me no one wanted Star Wars toys, new or old, and that he had a warehouse full of them that he couldn’t sell.
Also during that time my life changed a lot. I met Marjorie, we dated, and eventually moved in together. I also quit my low-paying job and returned to school full-time. We were living off her income and what savings I had put together. Times were tough, bills went unpaid, and there was no extra income to spend on toys. What movies we saw were mostly from the $1 rental bin, not full price theatrical fare.
Despite all this, when the first teaser trailer for Attack of the Clones was released I started to get excited. The trailer was attached to Harry Potter, and so Marjorie and I bought tickets just to see it in the theater. When it played… I was not thrilled. It looked like more of the same that we got in 1999 with Phantom Menace. We were so disappointed we actually left the theater without staying for Potter.
McGregor showed us Star Wars could be fun again.
For me, Star Wars was in a nosedive. But it did pull out, and I remember the moment perfectly. A secret trailer for Attack of the Clones named “Mystery” was released online. A friend came over and he, Marjorie, and I all gathered around my laptop to watch. Another tease, this one focused on an assassin out to get Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman). It showed action, it showed suspense, but best of all it showed humor! It seemed Lucas had realized how dull every character in Phantom Menace had been, and now the sarcastic wit was back courtesy of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor).
I watched that trailer repeatedly. By the time the third trailer came, my break from Star Wars was over.
But there’s more than that — this film changed my entire life forever.
As mentioned, Marjorie and I were engaged. We knew we were going to get married, but I was hesitating because I was an unemployed graduate student. I had no money, and neither of our parents’ would pay for a wedding. As such, the engagement had no end date, and I hadn’t even scraped the money together for a proper ring. Instead I gave her a placeholder ring that took the last of my cash: $25.
Our excitement for Attack of the Clones grew together; she was as excited for the film as I (and she was nowhere near as hard on Phantom Menace). As such, Marjorie suggested, “What if we have a Star Wars wedding?”
Marjorie, Arnie, and their minister pose for a photo at the wedding.
The thought had occurred to me; I’m not very traditional to begin with, and I considered all weddings to be pomp and circumstance. A tuxedo means nothing to me, nor does a wedding dress to Marjorie. All wedding garb is a costume, so why not make it a Star Wars costume? Plus there was no better time to do it than surrounding the release of a new movie, so a date was set and the Carvalho Star Wars wedding was on.
Her parents were excited. My parents were mortified. We kept certain things traditional — we were married in a church and there were no full-on costumes (I had never heard of the 501st costuming club, if I had I surely would have invited them). As I was the unemployed one I did much of the planning, and I did borrow some money — since repaid — from my godparents to get Marjorie a proper diamond engagement ring; smaller than she deserved but what I could give.
But she had another crazy idea.
The Star Wars Celebration II convention was the weekend before our wedding. As planning had left us stressed, we decided to max out our last credit card and go. I was hesitant; I had gone to a couple conventions in the past but didn’t see the appeal. That said, I had gone only for a couple hours, never an entire weekend. This was a totally new experience, and when we arrived we were immersed in Star Wars. Men in realistic-looking Stormtrooper armor worked security, triggering a latent fear of the men in white. On top of that, celebrities were everywhere; we even had Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and other stars sign our wedding invitation!
Plus, there was new Attack of the Clones footage screened exclusively for convention attendees. We got to see a trailer that parodied Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, ending with Yoda, lightsaber lit, jumping around like a crazy frog.
I had been excited for Episode II, but now I was practically vibrating with anticipation. I wanted to see Yoda kick ass!
Marjorie and Arnie’s wedding invitation, signed by Star Wars celebrities.
Star Wars Celebration II was a magical weekend bested only by the next one, when Marjorie and I were married. Because of the Star Wars connection local media showed up, and once it hit the AP wire we were known around the country. Our honeymoon in New Orleans felt like a press tour as we woke up every morning at 5 a.m. to talk about our wedding on radio shows, and we were even taken to the local NBC affiliate to appear on MSNBC.
On that honeymoon we went to a midnight screening of Attack of the Clones, which turned out to be one of the worst theatrical experiences in my life. As it was told to me, the theater was showing the film on 16 screens, but had only 4 prints. They were trying to daisy chain the prints from projector to projector, and it didn’t work; the film simply ripped. They had to show the prints to 4 theaters, and the other 12 waited. Finally at 2:30 a.m. the movie started.
I was nervous, what if it was terrible? We were booked to go on MSNBC the next morning, and Marjorie and I had already rehearsed saying, “Loved it!” in unison — lest we look like fools, going on national television about a wedding to tie into a sucky film. The trailers looked good, but after The Phantom Menace I knew there was a risk.
I needn’t have worried. That next morning, when asked by Natalie Morales what we thought of the film, we were honest in expressing excitement. It truly was a return to the Star Wars I’d loved as a child.
The sheer enormity of the clone army excited me.
I’ve seen the movie dozens of times since 2002. Removed from the excitement of the release and the sentiment of our wedding I can clearly see it’s not a perfect film. If ranking the 6 live-action theatrical releases it would be second to last, Phantom Menace at the bottom. I felt the inclusion of Boba Fett as a child was unnecessary to the plot and some of the mysteries never made sense (though at the time I trusted, falsely, that Episode III would answer these questions). Still, the acting was far improved — Portman decided to use her skill this time, and McGregor was a joy throughout. The CGI effects were also better, with the huge battle at the end truly impressing and enthralling me. The lightsaber fight was exciting, and Yoda lived up to my expectations. It has flaws, but was certainly a step in the right direction.
Best of all, it ended with a wedding. Marjorie and I had both gone in spoiler-free and had no idea that we would be married only four days before Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Padme would also tie the knot. To have a Star Wars wedding tying into a new Star Wars film release was one thing, but to be that close to one that also involved a wedding seemed like kismet.
The wedding in Star Wars seemed perfectly timed for our Star Wars wedding.
Though I couldn’t buy Marjorie the ring she deserved, and though the wedding had to be done on a very tight budget, marrying her was the best decision in my life. We have not only shared a life, but we share Star Wars, both through our wedding and now through our podcasts. It would have happened anyway but, to quote Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” Thanks to this movie, it started earlier and has given me more great days than I’d have had otherwise.
More, Attack of the Clones brought me back into the Star Wars fold. I saw it multiple times in theaters, including a trip to Chicago to see it on IMAX — my first IMAX viewing experience. It righted much of what The Phantom Menace wronged.
It brought me back into collecting, as well. New figures were on shelves, but I couldn’t afford them. I finally gave up looking for a dream job and, to pay the bills (and buy a few figures), I took another low-paying temp job. In another unexpected twist, that temp job grew quickly into the career I have today.
And, yes, for our 10th anniversary I finally gave her the ring I wish I could have given her in 2002.
My wife, my work, and my continued love of Star Wars can all be traced back to Attack of the Clones. For that I can forgive its few cinematic flaws and appreciate it for the fun space fantasy that it is.
Tomorrow — 2003!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
New Podcast: Episode 431: Exclusive Showdown
The irony of San Diego Comic-Con is that while everyone rushes to buy the exclusives, there’s no time at the con to really look at them! Now Marjorie and Arnie are back home and have unpacked their SDCC shipment, and are ready to tell you if Hasbro’s 6-Inch Jabba the Hut exclusive, or the SDCC/Toys R Us exclusive Cantina Showdown set, was worth the trouble.
Also on this week’s show Steve the Gingerprince reports in from the London Film and Comic Con. With a not-too-surprising number of Star Wars guests (given where Episode VII is filming) and tons of toys, listen in to find out about that European event.
With Johnathan telling us what’s hitting stores, a look at the Star Wars Celebration pin set, and more, it’s all in this episode of Star Wars Action News!
We want you to join our team! We have openings currently for video editors, audio editors, and photo editors! Find out all the details in our forums!
: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN431.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
40 Year-Old-Critic: Return of the Jedi (1983)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
Anticipation for a film can be like great sex.
The foreplay starts when the film is announced, giving fans a hint that something great is to come. The slow build of anticipation can be excitingly agonizing. News bits are teased like a nibble on your earlobe, pictures are released from the set — the brief flashes making moviegoers anxious for the full reveal — and quotes tease the mind with plot threads as vague as an erect nipple through a cotton blouse. Finally, it all climaxes on the opening weekend; and that first viewing can sometimes be even better than the build up, or it can be a frustrating experience as the film exposes itself as something lesser than the fantasy built up in your mind.
To properly hype a film is a delicate dance. Studio marketing teams must be careful not to show too much too quickly, while still ensuring the filmgoer remains not only interested, but almost intoxicated by the perfume of previews.
I learned all of this as an 8-year-old. The film that taught me this lesson was Return of the Jedi.
Arnie’s childhood soccer team was The Force to be reckoned with.
Up until the spring of 1983 moviegoing was always spurred by an adult in my life. Even when I picked the film we attended I chose by simply looking at the newspaper listings, with no knowledge of release dates or whether the film was leaving theaters soon.
I usually became aware of a film upon its release. As mentioned in yesterday’s E.T. article, I watched Siskel & Ebert At The Movies weekly to learn about new films, but until their review aired I knew nothing about new movies being made. I may have seen an ad or two on television or trailers before other movies started, but I was too young for any of that to grab my attention.
I was too young to plan.
But that started to change after The Empire Strikes Back, with its unresolved cliffhanger of an ending. Being only 5 years old when I first saw Empire, I couldn’t fathom waiting three years for a conclusion to a story. After all, that was more than half my lifetime!
Primarily due to the toys, Star Wars was a constant topic of playground conversation, and throughout first, second, and third grade rumors about the next Star Wars film spread through the grapevine like urban legend.
“George Lucas was going to make Return of the Jedi three years after Empire, just as Empire was three years after Star Wars!”
“Are you done yet???” Arnie’s sister builds his AT-AT on Christmas day, 1982.
“Then he’s planning to take a break for a few years, and release the next movie — Episode I — in 1989!”
To this day I don’t know how much of the “news” I heard about future Star Wars films was made up, how much came from news and magazines — passed down from parent to child — or how much I’ve learned since that has retroactively mingled in my imaginings.
What I do remember is the anticipation — for years — of that next Star Wars film.
I was not a child who dealt well with suspense. Commercial breaks were often agonizing torture, and season-finale cliffhangers would cause me physical pain — the need to know. But for three years I battled, wanting so badly to see what happened in the final Star Wars film.
Yet, despite all the anguish and all the talk about that third film it never felt real until late 1982 — six months before Return of the Jedi‘s release. When the trailers and magazine articles started, when toys started to hit shelves bearing the new, red Return of the Jedi logo, when bookstores had entire displays of Star Wars books promoting the upcoming film… that was when 8-year-old Arnie went insane.
It’s finally done!
Toys, books, and magazines were all purchased in anticipation of this film — surrogates I used to try and satiate my desires until the Jedi’s release. My godparents would placate me with a deal: If I did good in school that week, then on Saturday they would take me to buy one action figure.
ONE!?!?! But there were dozens on the store shelves, and so many more to come! I would watch Saturday morning cartoons and make lists of all the figures being released. I took a cardback and would X off each figure I owned as a way of marking time until I could have them all.
My parents, however, were not as indulgent regarding toys. They did however encourage me to read, and so I remember one Sunday going to the (now closed) local bookshop, The Book Emporium. There I saw a massive display of Star Wars novels, and a poster promoting the upcoming release of a Return of the Jedi novelization! That image of two hands clasping the blue lightsaber was burned into my brain, and to this day it is my iconic image of that film. I couldn’t bear it so I badgered my father to buy me all the Star Wars books, and I took my pleasures where I could — reading the novelizations of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back to fully re-experience those stories before seeing Return of the Jedi.
Arnie’s 1983 Birthday Cake
Finally, two weeks before the film was out, the novelization by James Kahn was in stores. I bought it the Saturday after it was released and tore into it. I couldn’t wait any longer for Return of the Jedi — the thirteen days until the film would be in theaters was agonizing. I had to have it now. I read like I’d never read before, page after page, excited for every new reveal.
It was a feeling like I was doing something naughty. There was forbidden knowledge in this book! I knew things no one else on the playground knew!
So excited was I about my insight into this upcoming movie that I would regale my sister Susan with anecdotes from the novel. Perhaps wanting me to have a pure movie experience (perhaps just wanting to shut me up), she introduced me to the concept of what we now call a “spoiler.”
She asked me if I was ruining the movie by knowing all about it before I saw it. Now, I wanted to see this movie more than I wanted air to breathe, so I promised her I would not read the last 50 pages. The film’s ending I would save for the screen.
But the waiting was killing me. Never before had I paid careful attention to a film’s opening date, but that year I knew Return of the Jedi would open on May 25. I had never been to an evening movie before — my parents always saved money by taking me to matinees — but Susan promised to take me opening night. My childhood best friend Stuart, now my co-host on Now Playing Podcast, also joined us.
We went early; Susan knowing that her brother wasn’t the only one anxious for Jedi. Still, the line was long at the Fox Theater in Springfield. It ran the full length of the strip mall, and for a half-hour we stood right outside the toy store where I practically drooled over the giant Star Wars toy display in the window.
Vader walked the line at our Return of the Jedi screening.
Walking down the line, working the crowd, was Darth Vader. I’d seen costumed characters before on stage shows, and sometimes superheroes would appear at that very same toy store. But those were scheduled appearances. I had no concept of cosplay, and I was somewhat frightened by this tall man carrying the Kenner lightsaber. Part of me knew he wasn’t the real Darth Vader, and part of me hoped he was indeed the Sith Lord come to terrorize my town.
When we got to the box office we were told there were only 3 tickets left for the film — all of us could get in, but we couldn’t sit together. My sister was flummoxed by this, as we were two children in her care for the night.
But I didn’t care who I sat by, or didn’t sit by, just get me in that theater! Sorry Stuart. Sorry Susan. I cared more about seeing Return of the Jedi than spending time with either of you!
That was another radical shift. Up until that point in my life, movies were always a social event. I couldn’t imagine watching a movie alone, and going to a cinema was always as much about time with friends and family as it was the film itself.
Not this time. This time Return of the Jedi and I had to be together. Now.
So in we went. I had an end-of-the-aisle seat next to a stranger. Before the lights dimmed I tried to look around and see where Stuart and Susan were seated, but the theater was large and soon I ceased to care. They never once entered my thoughts as I was transported at 0.5-past-lightspeed to a galaxy far, far away.
In 1983 there was no better birthday gift for Arnie than an Ewok village.
The film moved so fast and had so many vivid creature designs that I instantly forgot everything I had read in the book. On the page I had only my own imaginings, and a few photos in the middle of the novel, to aid in the visualization of the story. Now, with dancing Twi’leks, organ-playing muppets, and slithering Hutts the film consumed me whole — as the Rancor would to the Gamorrean guard. The Emperor, the red-robed Royal Guards, the speeder bikes, they enthralled me. But my favorite were the Ewoks. Some have claimed the fierce teddy bears were Lucas’ crass marketing attempt to appeal to children. It worked. I was hooked by these furry, man-eating creatures, and immediately every Ewok figure was at the top of my toy-buying list.
When the Death Star exploded, I didn’t care that it was a retread of the same climax Lucas had done six years earlier, the one I’d watched on VHS nearly every day after school. Evil was defeated. That was what mattered.
This film lived up to what I wanted at that age. It was love-at-first-viewing, and like any new romance the euphoria made me proclaim it the best movie I’d ever seen. I knew I had seen E.T. 12 times in theaters the year before, so I would not be satisfied until I’d seen Jedi 13 times and it could claim my record.
(At 17 viewings, counting the ‘97 rerelease and a convention screening, Jedi is to this day the movie I’ve seen most often theatrically.)
As an adult I feel Return of the Jedi, while still very good, is by far the weakest of the three original Star Wars films. The pacing is downright odd, with too much time spent rescuing Han Solo in a subplot far removed from the main action of the saga. Lucas had painted himself into a corner and it took a long side-trip to the Pit of Carkoon to fix it. Yoda’s death was convenient, Luke and Leia’s sibling relationship was contrived, and Han Solo was neutered.
“Obi-Wan, invite the creepy guy to join us, did you?”
Jedi was also the first Star Wars film where I felt Lucas was too ambitious and the technology was not able to realize his vision. From Imperial Walkers to Tauntauns to Landspeeders to Yoda, the effects wizards in Lucas’ employ had made it all work in his previous films. But in Jedi the seams were showing — quite literally in the case of the puppets in Jabba’s palace. From the shoddy matting of the Rancor to the poor articulation in the Ewok faces, this is the Star Wars film that looks the most fake.
Lucas would try to fix some of these technical issues in myriad re-releases, starting with the Special Edition in 1997. Each time Jedi got a little worse, right down to the creepy insertion of Hayden Christensen at the end, and Darth Vader’s lame battle cry of “Noooooo.”
Still, despite these issues, the core storyline of Vader’s redemption, a son’s determination to save his father, and the final battle between good and evil makes this a worthy entry in the Star Wars franchise.
But this experience — anticipating a film so hotly that I was near-obsessed — was euphoric. To this day few experiences in my life are as pleasurable as the anticipation for a great, exciting movie.
More birthday gifts from 1983
It was this level of hype I had for the remake of Friday the 13th that launched Now Playing Podcast’s first retrospective series. That same hype for The Avengers, more than one year before its release, instigated Now Playing’s Marvel Movie Retrospective.
As for future hype, I look at Star Wars Episode VII. I believed for 30 years that the Star Wars story ended with Return of the Jedi, but Lucas’ decision to retire — combined with Disney shareholders’ lust for profit — mean the story will continue. Part of me feels like this is a spinoff, a story based on characters created by George Lucas. Episode VII is in completely unnecessary, save for the Disney folks who watch it with dollar signs in their eyes.
But… it could be good. The recent reveal of an X-Wing is pulling at my nostalgic love for the original trilogy. Certainly all the marketers at Disney will try to seduce me. The images revealed, the first trailers, will all be Episode VII courting me, teasing me, trying to gain my interest and make me excited. Time will tell if Star Wars can still get me hot and bothered 32 years later.
But I’ll never forget my first, and as such Return of the Jedi will always be special.
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
40 Year-Old-Critic: Star Wars (1977)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
For each year of this series I spent quite a bit of time deciding which film was the most influential on my life. I read lists of all films released, as it’s certainly possible a low-grossing cult hit could have impacted me more than any blockbuster or award-winner. I spent at least 30 minutes researching every year before making my decision.
Well, every year except 1977.
I only half-jokingly ask: Were any movies released in 1977 other than Star Wars? More accurately, do any other films matter when stacked up against Star Wars? Looking at the year’s biggest films, there was Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which furthered Stephen Spielberg’s career and has legions of fans (I’m not one of them). The Woody Allen crowd will point to Oscar-winner Annie Hall. It’s an okay film but, to me, forgettable. Smokey and the Bandit and Oh, God! were products of their time, and neither aged well. Even that year’s James Bond release — The Spy who Loved Me — is a letdown.
But then there is Star Wars (and note, I refuse to call it A New Hope; when it came out in 1977 it was simply Star Wars). The film is more than a cultural phenomenon, it is a global icon. Star Wars transcends nationality, race, gender, and age. Everywhere I go, from Illinois to California to Germany to Spain to Mexico, I find Star Wars fans and collectibles.
It is not hyperbole to say Star Wars forever changed cinema. On a meager budget George Lucas’ team developed entirely new ways to film special effects. John Dykstra’s computer-controlled Dykstraflex camera allowed for dynamic, active shots of ships in space without use of visible fishing lines. The rapid-fire, Academy Award-winning editing — courtesy of Paul Hirsch, Richard Chew, and (George’s ex-wife) Marcia Lucas — created an excit
ing feel while trusting audiences to keep up with a story that starts in the middle of the action. Not only did Star Wars raise the bar for science-fiction and action spectacles, it quite literally and fundamentally changed the way movies were made.
I have heard and read the complaints that Star Wars forever ruined movies by relying on hackneyed character tropes, choosing action over acting, and making audiences care more about the spectacle than the story.
I dismiss those comments as rhetoric. People love to lay blame, and there’s a hipster-coolness to attacking any cultural touchstone.
Yes, there are numerous Star Wars imitators that have taken these impulses to mind-numbing extremes, but that is the fault of each film’s creator. Star Wars simply showed moviegoers and movie-makers alike what could be done.
Personally, Star Wars was a film that would shape the way I view movies. As a child it made me believe in magic. In my late teens it introduced me to Campbellian mythological structure and archetypes. Honestly, it has — directly or indirectly — influenced every major decision of my life.
I’m told my parents took me to see Star Wars in 1977. I would have been 3, maybe 4 years old, and I have no memory of seeing it on the big screen.
I do remember the toys. When I was still too young to read I saw a little green alien action figure (Greedo) in the toy aisle of our Kroger grocery store and I wanted him. My parents read this as me loving the film and started to buy me more figures in the toy line — which confused me at first. But over time I grew to understand not just the figures, but the movie which I watched in an endless loop for many years. Then I expanded to the video games (on the Atari 2600), Star Wars novels, role-playing games, and more.
As the Star Wars sequels were released I became even more enthralled with the universe, and it is a love that never waned. In the late 80s, when Star Wars was in a lull, I still watched the movies and reread the books. In 1993 my college dorm held Star Wars Sundays. HBO seemed to play the trilogy every week, and I formed a bond with my fellow students through this shared childhood love.
It was Star Wars that led me to online forums. It was Star Wars that motivated me in 1996 to build my first personal website about the Star Wars toys I collected and the role-playing game I was running. In 2005, it was Star Wars that motivated me to look up the definition of a podcast, and then to dig an old microphone out of the closet and start my first show, Star Wars Action News.
Throughout the past nine years I have traveled across this country — and to Germany — taking part and speaking at several conventions. I have hosted sold-out Star Wars fan events and even presented on the Kotobukiya stage at San Diego Comic-Con.
I was honored to have StarWars.com claim my Star Wars collection was one of the largest in the world. I have had the honor of touring Lucasfilm, and even briefly met George Lucas himself. Since starting Star Wars Action News I’ve gone to new places, had new experiences, interviewed actors, producers and writers, and made dozens of new friends.
All of that goes back to this one film from 1977.
The truth is, without Star Wars you would not be reading this article. My love of Star Wars grew into a love of film, and my Star Wars podcasting grew into a network of podcasts that includes the movie review show Now Playing Podcast, which has become our most-downloaded show and a staple in the iTunes top TV & Film audio podcasts category.
As a film critic, Star Wars is the film by which I measure all other blockbusters. Transformers may have modern effects and louder explosions, but does it create the same sense of wonder in its audience? Is Sam Witwicky a suitable audience avatar — a hero in the vein of Luke Skywalker?
(Answer: he’s not. Listen to our Transformers Movie Review Retrospective to hear why.)
Now, I do realize every Star Wars film has its flaws, from wooden acting to redundant plot points to convenient character revelations. But I don’t care. I may be turning 40, but when I watch Star Wars I’m 6 years old again, and I love it.
Star Wars has shaped my life, and there is no other film from 1977 that can compete.
Tomorrow — 1978!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
Hasbro SDCC Exclusives Now Available Online!
Update 3: Overnight the Infinity Gauntlet 3.75-inch Marvel set sold out, over 12 hours after being offered.
Update 2: The Jabba the Hutt set is now sold out, 1 hour after being put up for sale
Update: The Marvel Legends Galactus Engine Set is now sold out, about 25 minutes after being put up for sale.
Hasbro’s 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International exclusive toys are up for order now at Habro’s online store HasbroToyShop.com As we reported on Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys’ social media sites, and will be detailed more in the forthcoming Comic-Con coverage videos and podcasts, Hasbro’s San Diego booth was the most chaotic it’s been in 9 years. Items like the Marvel Legends set and Jabba the Hutt sold out by 10:30 Saturday morning. Collectors and scalpers alike fought to get tickets and get in the line, and sometimes lining up as early as 5 a.m. was not enough to get the toys sought. Now they are on Hasbro Toy Shop.com but with the high demand for these limited-edition toys they will likely sell out in under an hour. So if you were looking for these toys, hurry to the site now and get yours! 
The 40-Year-Old Critic – Introduction
In exactly 40 days I turn 40 years old.
That milestone is not one without heft. If the actuarial tables for American males are to be believed, I’m likely at least halfway through my time on this planet. Each day I am probably closer to my death than to my birth. Now is the time to start measuring life by the things I’ll never do instead of the things I could do. It’s a time to reflect on what has been and determine what will be for the rest of my days.
The usual things come to mind when I ponder my life thus far: My loving, supportive, smart, and funny wife, Marjorie. My long-time best friend, Stuart. My godparents, who helped raise me and taught me to be analytical. My sister, who exposed me to literature and deconstructionist themes. My father, who gave me a cynical view, a strange sense of humor, and a love of classical music.
But what all these people have in common is a strong memory of watching films together; sitting in a dimly lit cinema, absorbed by the images on the screen.
Marjorie and I have seen so many films together that I doubt I could compile a comprehensive list. but a few stand out. Our first film as a married couple, watched in a midnight release on our honeymoon, was Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. The projector broke. We sat for 3 hours past the planned midnight start time before the movie began. I can still sing that New Orleans’ theater’s jingle for popcorn and candy, which played on a loop the entire time.
Another memorable movie trip was to see Richard Linklater’s Before Sunset. It was a limited release so we had to drive 4 hours each way just to watch the film, and I was so tired on the return trip we had to get a hotel.
I remember Ocean’s 11 — a movie with such a strong feel-good vibe that it saved our Sunday. We walked into the theater in the most sour of moods, and left extremely happy.
I remember watching Fight Club on video. Marjorie was tired so she went to sleep, and the next day all I could talk about was how she had to see that film–the first movie that I felt she and I had to share as a couple versus being able to experience on my own.
Stuart and I have seen films together since 1982. I remember going with him to see E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Return of the Jedi. Many more movies followed, but there are standouts. Charlie Sheen’s The Wraith, which we saw hoping for horror but got car races and heavy metal instead. We hated it at the time, but I later came to love this film for what it was (and the Sherilyn Fenn waterfall scene). We saw The Gate the weekend it opened, and bemoaned our choice for days. Not all the movies we watched were terrible — I first saw The Godfather trilogy in Stuart’s Chicago apartment, and he introduced me to Apocalypse Now and Blade Runner as part of a film noir marathon we had together as teens.
For years Stuart and I had a standing Christmas night movie appointment. He was in town to spend the holiday with family, and so a dinner of Chinese food and a movie viewing was had. Jackie Brown was the most memorable of those Christmas viewings, and we had wildly different reactions to Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction follow-up.
But from European Vacation to Jaws 3-D to The Devil’s Rejects, Explorers, JFK, The Lawnmower Man and hundreds more, Stuart and I are still going to movies together.
My sister Susan took me to see my first R-rated film, Beverly Hills Cop. She also exposed me to many movies I’d have not seen in my youth without her influence, including Ghostbusters and Lady and the Tramp. She is much older than I, so our movie time together has been sparse, but always memorable, including E.T., Return of the Jedi, and Bridget Jones’ Diary. (Though she staunchly refused to join me for a Hellraiser marathon.)
Yes, throughout the years my romantic, familial, and friend relationships have all involved, and in some ways been shaped by, movies. Sometimes there is no quicker way to look into a person’s soul than to ask what films they cherish. So it seems appropriate that to celebrate my 40th birthday I look back at 40 years of cinema.
Each day, from now until my birthday on September 12th, I will post an article looking back at the one film from each year of my life that impacted me most. This may not be my favorite film, it may not even be a film I like, but the one that had the longest-lasting impact on me and helped shape my view of the world.
I hope you’ll join me each day as I reflect on my lifetime of cinema.
Pre-Order Alert: Sideshow 12-inch Bomb Squad Clone Trooper
Continuing their pre-San Diego Comic-Con releases, Sideshow Collectibles has just put up a surprise pre-order: the 12-inch Bomb Squad Clone Trooper: Ordnance Specialist. They write:
Called in to protect Naboo from biological warfare, the Clone Ordnance Specialist boasts his trademark orange deco with shoulder insignia, and is fully equipped with everything he needs to get the job done, including blasters, backpack, and wire cutters for diffusing deadly virus bombs.
As an intergalactic conflict rages on, a massive army of Clone Troopers fights in service of the Republic.
This 1/6 scale figure comes with
- Fully Articulated Trooper Body
- Weathered Full Body Armor with Ordnance Specialist Marking Deco
- Detailed Phase I Helmet
- Backpack with Fabric Cover
- Two (2) Virus Bombs with extending Blue Shadow Virus Canisters
- Thirteen (13) Interchangeable hands including:
-Right and Left Fists
-Right and Left Trigger Hands
-Right and Left C-Grip Hands
-Right Salute Hand
-Left Thumbs up Hand
-Two (2) Left Pointer Hands
-One (1) Right Pointer Hand
-One (1) Left Virus Bomb Holding Hand
-One (1) Right Wire Clipper Holding Hand - One (1) Pair Standing Pose Feet
- One (1) Pair Action Pose Feet
- DC-15A Blaster Rifle with Optional Spear Attachment
- DC-15S Blaster Carbine
Review: The LEGO Movie — Everything Isn’t Awesome.
The rise of LEGO from brick-building toy to multimedia empire has been fascinating to watch. For almost 50 years LEGO was a staple in every boy’s toy box, but that’s where it ended. In the 1990s, though, LEGO started to branch out with video games, television specials, and more. As an adult Star Wars and Marvel LEGO collector I’ve watched with great interest as the toy company produced several amusing TV episodes and the video games, though some of their productions clicked with me more than others (the recent Marvel Superheroes: Maximum Overload was a rare misstep). Still, I always saw LEGO as leveraging their licensed titles for multimedia projects rather than creating their own characters and situations.
As such, I wondered what plot could propel The LEGO Movie. LEGO has no characters, their sets exist to stimulate the imagination of the builder. Despite having a strong voice cast, including Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Liam Neeson, and Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Chris Pratt, this is a movie I would likely have skipped were it not for the strong word of mouth. On Twitter, Facebook, and elsewhere I read great praise for The LEGO Movie and so I decided to give it a chance.
Thirty minutes into the film I was regretting that choice.
As I’ve heard nothing but praise sung from the heavens since The LEGO Movie opened I do realize mine may be a minority opinion. That said, I cannot get past the film’s rote storyline. The movie follows Emmet Brickowski (Pratt), a LEGO minifigure who’s only remarkable quality is how average he is. Early in the film the character’s desire to build friendships comes off desperate and pathetic. The film quickly introduces other stock characters including the love interest, the bad guy, and the henchman, and even an eight-year-old could see where this story was going.
But only a child who skipped his Ritilin would want to see it through. The loud, garish editing of the film’s opening could appeal only to the most ADHD-addled minds. Worse, the opening montage is a musical number set to the irritating Disney Radio-esque earworm “Everything is Awesome.” One-third of the way into the film I strongly considered turning it off and forfeiting my $5 iTunes rental fee. LEGO had finally created their own characters, but failed to create a single one I wanted to watch on screen.
Then Batman showed up.
I have seen Batman save thousands of lives in television and film, but no rescue is more impressive than the way The Dark Knight (voiced by Will Arnett) salvages The LEGO Movie. Soon after Batman appears more LEGO licensed properties arrive, from Star Wars to the LEGO NBA All-Stars to “Middle Zealand” (did Weta not want to share in the fun by letting LEGO use the name Middle Earth). While the story of The LEGO Movie was beyond repair, the inclusion of these licensed LEGO characters brought to the film some of the winking, good-natured fun I had seen in the licensed LEGO games and TV specials. Finally some of the jokes really started to hit (the one about Batman only using black or dark gray bricks was one of the laugh-out-loud moments in the film).
Anyone who has seen Toy Story could figure out where this movie was going, especially when real-world, non-LEGO items like Band-Aids, golf balls, and Krazy Glue start to appear. Yet despite figuring out the world these LEGO builders had crafted, even I was shocked by the schmaltzy, live action ending the film had in store.
The true irony is that the film seems to be mocking commercialism while, at the same time, being a giant commercial. The song “Everything is Awesome” epitomizes this theory–it’s mocked in the film for its banality, while the movie plays it endlessly and sells it as the title track on the movie soundtrack. More, a LEGO movie exists to sell kids LEGO toys–there are LEGO Movie licensed building sets. As such, the hypocrisy on display with the film’s demonization of commercial culture is astounding.
In the end, LEGO is a pretty average film. It has a strong “believe in yourself” message that I’m sure is great for those of single-digit ages, but unlike some of the Pixar or recent Disney animated films I felt LEGO lacked in broad appeal. Perhaps this is because I was never deep into LEGO (though I did own the red and blue spacemen in the 80s). The only thing that saved this movie for me was the humor. Superman’s loathing of Green Lantern was a high point (especially given how Warner Bros. has seemingly disavowed the Ryan Reynolds film) as was the mispronunciation of everyday items.
Because I did laugh out loud several times during this film I give it a RECOMMEND, but this film, like its main character, is nothing special.
As for that ending, I have a personal story to share
SPOILER ALERT
The most shocking thing about the film is that, in the end, it is a corporate statement against those who want to glue their LEGO sets together. Unlike many toy companies who are happy to have customers buy and collect their toys for whatever reason, The LEGO Movie states clearly there is a right way and a wrong way to play with LEGO.
As stated earlier I am an adult LEGO collector. I spent a week building a LEGO Star Wars AT-TE and had it on display for quite some time, though I’d sometimes return to find bricks had fallen off. After moving to a new house I unpacked my AT-TE to find it as a pile of bricks not too unlike what had originally come in the box.
Frustrated by this, in 2009 while covering a toy event I asked a LEGO Master Builder which glue they recommended to keep LEGO sets whole. The LEGO builder refused to recommend a glue and said the intent of LEGO is to build them again and again. I pressed on the issue, though, pointing out the impressive display LEGO had. I asked, honestly curious, if that was built on-site. He admitted that the set was built and transported. Though he wouldn’t admit the displays were glued, it was strongly implied. Eventually he relented and told us that most forms of super-glue will keep the sets together.
But now I see that corporate anti-glue attitude on display in a full film. I wonder if I was the only one audacious enough to ask a Master Builder how to glue my sets together or of the question may be common. Now, rather than have to answer us one-by-one LEGO has answered as a company with this movie.
Star Wars Exclusive Action Figure at…WALGREENS?
If you follow Marvel Toy collecting then you know the community has been buzzing this week with Hasbro’s confirmation that the formerly-cancelled Agent Venom Marvel Legends figure will be released this August as an exclusive. More shocking was where the exclusive would be sold–Walgreens, the ubiquitous corner drug-store chain. This is the first time Walgreens has carried an exclusive Hasbro toy, but per our sources another may be coming very soon.
We received an e-mail with the included screenshot from a Walgreens system showing that there also is a Star Wars exclusive action figure coming to Walgreens. The listing reads “STAR WARS BOBA FETT EXCLUSIVE DISP” and is listed as “ACTION FIGURES/ACCESSRY”. The retail price shown is $19.99, which seems inexpensive for a Black Series 6-inch figure (given Walgreens inflated prices) but overpriced for a 3.75-inch figure.
Our source speculates it may be a repainted Boba Fett 6-inch, perhaps in the white McQuarrie colored armor, or perhaps with the Return of the Jedi markings. (Hasbro’s Darryl DePriest has said the intent was to have last year’s San Diego Comic-Con exclusive be the Boba Fett and the regular retail version have Return of the Jedi coloring).
The expected arrival date is listed as August 27, 2014–around the same time the Venom should be hitting the corner of happy & healthy.
We have reached out to our friends at Hasbro asking for confirmation. More news as we get it!
And, as always, all news is considered rumor until confirmed by Hasbro.
What do you want the figure to be? Let us know in the comments below!
Pre-Order Alert: Sideshow 12-inch Cade Bane – Denal Disguise
Up for preorder now at Sideshow Collectibles is one of the most accessory-laden 12-inch Star Wars figures to date! From the Clone Wars series you can now order Cad Bane in Denal Disguise!
From the Season 2 Clone Wars episode “Cargo of Doom” Cad Bane donned the clone armor to infiltrate Anakin Skywalker’s ship. Now you can have this variant of the blue Duros bounty hunter.
But more than just swappable heads on the figure, this set comes with 13 different interchangable hands, action feet, two blasters, plus two different backpack types.
And if you hurry and order the exclusive version you also get a special Clone Denal themed figure stand.
This is up for order now at Sideshow’s site. So get yours while you can!
Pre-Order Alert: Sideshow Exclusive Sixth Scale Wolfpack Clone Trooper
Sideshow Collectibles’ latest sixth scale figure is up for preorder – the Wolfpack Clone Trooper from the 104th Battalion!
Shipping this November, the figure comes with
- Fully Articulated Trooper Body
- Battle Weathered Full Body Armor with 104th Marking Deco
- Detailed Phase II Helmet with Wolfpack Deco
- JT-12 Jet Pack
- Backpack with Fabric Cover
- Thirteen (13) Interchangeable hands
- One (1) Pair Standing Pose Feet
- One (1) Pair Action Pose Feet
- DC-15A Blaster Rifle with Optional Spear Attachment
- DC-15S Blaster Carbine
- ‘Star Wars’ logo Base
- Base with Wolfpack Designation Artwork
So place your order now at Sideshow Collectibles!
New Podcast: Star Wars Action News Episode 424: Jabba in a Box!
In this episode the hosts of Star Wars Action News look at the Episode VII casting announcement, new toy offerings by Disney, report from the Toy Man Toy Show, and much more!
Star Wars Action News is back and with May the 4th behind us there is tons of collecting news to talk about. Sideshow Collectibles has released more than half a dozen new products in one-sixth, one-quarter, and full scales; Disney Stores have stocked up on exclusive figures, plushies, and statues, and Hasbro has revealed their San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Jabba the Hutt! Listen as Marjorie and Arnie discuss all the latest news in this podcast.
Also on this show, Steve the Gingerprince hasn’t had much time to collect lately but he made up for it over May the 4th weekend at Star Wars Fun Days. Listen as he reports in on all the finds across the pond. And joining in also is Jerry with a look at pseudo-Vintage Star Wars items.
With a stand-ing report by Scott From Tulsa, a look at last weekend’s Toy Man Toy Show, collecting news from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim and reactions to the Episode VII casting news, it’s all in the latest Star Wars Action News podcast!
May the SALES Be With You!
It’s May the 4th time again, and what started as an internet joke has become a major marketing tool for Lucasfilm and their partners to offer discounts on Star Wars items, or release new, exclusive ones! With all the news that is going to be released on the 4th, keep checking back to this page as we update with all the sales info!
And do you know of a sale we missed? E-mail us the details at show@swactionnews.com
Toys and Statues
Entertainment Earth has two sales going on! May 4th only all in-stock Star Wars Action Figures are on sale! This includes older figures, comic packs, and the new Black Series figures in both 3.75-inch and 6-inch scales! But also at Entertainment Earth all week you can get Star Wars statues and busts for 20% off. This sale includes pre-orders so get your Kotobukiya Mara Jade or your Gentle Giant Padme, Yoda, and Holiday Special Boba Fett!
Not a sale, but Sideshow Collectibles unveiled a new life-sized Star Wars statue — Yoda. This is the third life-sized item recently, added to the Han Solo in Carbonite and Boba Fett statues.
Sideshow also put up for pre-order their exclusive 1/6 Scale R2-D2 Deluxe figure. The exclusive edition comes with 3 extra accessories – a saw arm, a laser welding arm, and a spacecraft linkage arm!
Amazon.com has all their FX Lightsabers for 37% off! This is good through May 10th. Plus keep your eye on Amazon for the Black Series 6-Inch Stormtrooper which has been popping in and out of stock.
LEGO.com has another exclusive minifigure for May 4th this year — Darth Revan from Knights of the Old Republic! He is free at Lego.com with a purchase of $75 or more. You can also get a free Star Wars LEGO poster with any Star Wars LEGO Purchase.
Midtown Comics has ALL their Star Wars statues, figures, and more for 20% off May 4th only.
Rancho Obi-Wanis offering, today only, 15% off all of their fixed-price eBay auctions!
Plus Star Wars Action News sponsor Brian’s Toys has added nearly 1,000 Vintage Figures to their web site, so if you’re wanting to complete your vintage Star Wars collection now is the time! And through May 18th you can get $15 off any order at Brian’s Toys $75 or more by using coupon code 4THBWU at checkout!
Books, Comics, and Video
Dark Horse comics is again having their digital May the 4th Megabundle. This is 150 digital Star Wars comics for just $100, including series like Crimson Empire, Dark Times, and the new Star Wars series! They also have a May the 4th Kids MegaBundle for only $30 which comprises 18 comics and small books aimed at younger readers.
With Star Wars Episode 7 coming out the Star Wars Insider will have plenty of new, exclusive content. And through May 5th you can get 20% off with a subscription plus a free, exclusive T-Shirt!
Amazon also has their Star Wars DVDs and Blu Rays on sale, including the Star Wars films and the five seasons of The Clone Wars.
Amazon’s Star Wars eBooks and eComics are also on sale with tons of graphic novels for 99 cents or $1.99 and dozens of novels at discount as well (even if most of them are Legends now).
Gus Lopez and Duncan Jenkins are having a sale on their Star Wars Collectors’ books! Throughout all of May you can purchase their Price Guide for only $25, or bundle it with their guide to Star Wars Prototypes for just $50.
Clothes
Her Universe is celebrating the day with 40% off most of their Star Wars items, plus unveiling new designs and a “mystery tee”
Also Think Geek is having 20% off most of their Star Wars items including a Han in Carbonite rug, Star Wars chopsabers, their Dark Roast Coffee, Hoodies, and so, so much more!
Cufflinks.com is having 37% off all their Star Wars items on May 4th only. They have a very cool, wide selection of ties, socks, money clips, and (shocker!) cufflinks!
Amazon has some exclusive REBELS T-Shirts as well.
Hot Topic has 20% off all their Star Wars items, which is mostly T-Shirts but also some stickers, posters, car accessories, and POP Vinyl figures.
For even more Star Wars T-Shirts We Love Fine has 25% off their Star Wars T-Shirts May 4th only with coupon code MAYTHEFOURTH14
Video Games and Tech
Steam has their Star Wars gaming bundle on sale for 2/3 off, getting you 14 classic Star Wars games, including ttlefront II, Jedi Knight 1 and 2, The Force Unleashed, Knights of the Old Republic, Dark Forces, and many more for $33.99.
Sony and Microsoft also both have sales on their digital console games on their respective online stores.
If you still have a need for thumb drives (or just like cute designs) Mimoco has 20% off all their Star Wars MIMOBOTs on May 4th only.
Misc
Super 7 has a new silkscreened 16 x 20 Darth Vader poster, limited to 200, available starting today.
Check back here as we will be updating the page all day long, and if there’s a sale of note that we missed e-mail us!
Pre-Order Alert: Sideshow Collectibles Jango Fett Sixth Scale Figure
He’s just a sixth-scale figure trying to make his way in the universe
It has been some time since Sideshow Collectibles put up for order a new Star Wars 12-inch scale figure. They previewed an upcoming sixth-scale Artoo Detoo, but then today they put up for pre-order a totally different figure: Jango Fett!
This villain from Attack of the Clones is loaded with accessories and detail. With a fully articulated body and a detailed flight suit including the “durasteel” Armored Vest, Thigh, Knee, Shin, and Boot armor, he also has a belt with pouches, a dual holster belt, left and right gaultnets, boots, a poncho, two Jetpacks, and more! Plus he comes with two Blaster Pistols and a Kamino Saber Dart! Also, the blasters and jet packs have flare attachments for a more action-oriented display.
And if you order the Sideshow Exclusive Edition today you get a swap-out head, showing Jango Fett unmasked, wearing his pilot’s head gear!
This figure is available for pre-order now for $219.99, and payment plans available as low as $73.33 per month, so head to Sideshow Collectibles and get yours now!
Why Now is the Time To Order Your Kotobukiya Mara Jade Statue
News was revealed last Friday on StarWars.com that the Star Wars Expanded Universe is no longer canonical. As discussed on the Star Wars Action News podcast covering C2E2 2014, the previous Star Wars continuity is being rebranded “Legends”. Now a new Star Wars canon begins, with only the six Star Wars films and The Clone Wars TV Series considered gospel.
This turns 23 years of novels, beginning with Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire into an extended “what if” scenario. Chewbacca was no longer killed by a moon. Luke was never Lando’s wingman on the latter man’s quest for a wife. Princess Leia never had three children (two of whom were later killed).
And this also means Luke Skywalker never met, married, and had a child with Mara Jade. More, Jade never existed. All the retcons of this Force-strong female working in secret for the Emperor, infiltrating Jabba’s palace, and later murdered by her nephew, are all now an alternate take on what happens in the Star Wars universe.
With this rebranding all future Star Wars fiction, from books to comics to movies to video games, is being monitered by a Lucasfilm Story Group. Some characters and events can be cherry picked from the “Legends” timeline if future creators wish, but as of today we face a new Star Wars where Mara Jade is not only dead, she never existed at all.
Which is why I placed my order today for the Kotobukiya Mara Jade Bishoujo Statue. And I highly suggest you do the same. Plus, if you haven’t already, get Kotobukiya’s first Star Wars Bishoujo statue, Jaina Solo.
I have asked the reps at Kotobukiya about the Mara Jade statue on several occasions, most recently in February at New York Toy Fair 2014. It was at that event that Hasbro Vice President Daryl DePriest mentioned that his company was no longer allowed by Lucasfilm to make or rerelease characters from the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Given that stance I have been worried that Kotobukiya’s second Star Wars Bishoujo statue may never see the light of day.
Now scheduled for release within the next 30 days I do now believe Kotobukiya’s Mara Jade will be released. However, given the character’s deep love in the community (the well-known Star Wars book site Club Jade, is named after her), I now think this statue will sell very quickly.
The Jaina Solo Bishoujo statue sold out from resellers and the price went up considerably on the secondary market. Realizing the demand for that statue Kotobukiya produced another run and she is now priced at $49.95 shipped on Amazon.
But with the new status quo of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, wiping both of these characters away, I wonder:
1) Once these statues sell out, would Kotobukiya choose to do another run for a character that’s removed from continuity?
2) If Kotobukiya chose to make more of these statues, would Lucasfilm allow them to continue to manufacture non-canonical characters? (Especially given that Hasbro cannot?)
3) If these statues, especially Mara Jade, become as rare and coveted as I expect, what will happen to their prices on the secondary market?
Once before Kotobukiya produced a Bishoujo statue they were not allowed to make another run of–DC Comics’ Catwoman. That statue, that originally retailed for about $65, is now over $200 on eBay. I can certainly see a similar fate for Mara Jade.
And that is why I placed my order today, to ensure I received a Mara Jade statue from Kotobukiya’s first shipment, securing her place in my collection. The Expanded Universe may reboot, but my fandom of those characters continues, and I want them represented in my Star Wars display.
If you are fans of these characters, I suggest you do the same and order your Mara Jade today!
Do you agree? Disagree? Will you be ordering the Mara Jade? Let me know in the comments below!
Today Only: 30% Off Select Gentle Giant Jumbo Figures at Entertainment Earth
Entertainment Earth is having a sale today only on Gentle Giant Jumbo figure from The Empire Strikes Back! Right now is the time to save big on Hoth Outfit Han Solo and Zuckuss (who really should be named 4-LOM if it’s a vintage reproduction, but it is what it is).
These figures normally retail for $79.99 but until 11:59pm PST on Monday, April 28, they are only $56.00 each at Entertainment Earth!
Update – Chewbacca out of Wave 4 Case, Stormtrooper, Boba Fett Back in
Chewbacca will no longer be part of Hasbro’s Star Wars 6-Inch Black Series figure line. The Episode III Obi-Wan figure is also no longer included. Instead the wave will include carry-forwards of the hard to find 6-inch Boba Fett and Stormtrooper figures.
We first reported the rumor that Wave 4 of Hasbro’s 6-Inch Black Series action figure line may not have Chewie included. This wave was originally solicited as three new fligures (Chewbacca, Anakin Skywalker, and a Clone Trooper) plus one carry-forward (the truly awful Episode III Obi-Wan Kenobi, watch our review of this figure on Star Wars Action News Episode 421). Per the rumor, Lucasfilm did not like Chewie’s hunched pose in the small window box and the figure may be delayed until the new blue and black, taller window box was used.
Now DorksideToys.com has revealed that rumor was true, Chewbacca will not be included in Wave 4. Instead of Chewbacca and Ob-Wan Hasbro has included the two hardest to find figures in this line: Boba Fett and the Stormtrooper. Clearly this will help fans get these figures at retail pricing. With the Stormtrooper and Clone Trooper in this wave it’s possible Boba Fett may even become common as troop builders, buying multiples of just those two figures, leave droves of the bounty hunter behind.
Are you excited by this change, or upset at Chewbacca’s delay? Let us know in the comments below!
Star Wars Collecting: A discounted Boba Fett, Sideshow’s Savage Opress, and a Life Sized Han in Carbonite
Star Wars Collectors have three new items to check out today!
The first two come from Sideshow Collectibles
as they continue their high end line of Star Wars memorabilia. First up is a new Premium Format Figure — Savage Opress. As seen in The Clone Wars cartoon series, Savage is the Zabrack brother of Darth Maul. Transformed into an unstoppable killing machine by Nightsister magic this character has been everything–Sith apprentice, rogue assassin, loyal brother, and more. And now you can own this reproduction of the character in 1/4 scale. Standing over 21-inches tall, weighing 15 pounds, this statue can stand alone or compliment Sideshow’s previous Darth Maul Premium Format Release.
But for the big spenders out there, Sideshow also has quite the trophy for your collection: A life sized Han Solo in Carbonite. Icons’ version of this piece has been sought by collectors for nearly two decades, but now Sideshow has rendered that older piece obsolete. Standing on a platform that recreates Cloud City’s carbon freeze chamber, with a light up side panels and rear power canister, this is quite simply the most accurate prop replica ever made of this piece. Standing 7.5 feet tall this is a true centerpiece for Star Wars collectors.
But after two high priced items, how about a bargain? Today only (April 10, 2014) Entertainment Earth has on sale the Boba Fett: A good Day to Die Giclee Print from Acme Archives. This art print is 19-inches tall and 13-inches wide and was limited to only 50 prints worldwide. From artist William Silvers this print has artistic flourishes that accent the artistic nature of the print while also showing the bounty hunter in all his glory. It’s 34% off, only $95, until midnight tonight so order yours now!
RUMOR: Could Chewbacca Delay 6-Inch Black Series Wave 4?
Could Hasbro have a problem with Chewbacca? That is the word that comes to us from a reliable source in the UK. Please note everything in this article should be taken as rumor until confirmation from Hasbro.
At Toy Fair International 2014 Hasbro announced the new package for the Star Wars Black Series figures. At the time they said the new box with the larger window area allowed for inclusion of taller figures into the line, such as Darth Vader and, yes, Chewbacca. But even with the new box design the Chewbacca figure, based on actor Peter Mayhew’s 7′ 2″ height, had to be squeezed in, his knees and legs bent to fit in the space allotted. As Han Solo might say “I don’t think they had wookiees in mind when they designed her.”
Per our source, this odd posturing of Solo’s hirsute companion had originally been approved by Hasbro’s partners at Lucasfilm Licensing, but now they have reconsidered and dictated that Hasbro needs to find another way to let the wookiee in.
Chewbacca was intended to be one of three new figures in Wave 4 of this action figure line, along with an Episode II Clone Trooper and Episode III Anakin Skywalker. That wave was expected to ship to stores and online retailers in the next 2 months. Per our source, that wave may now need to be delayed.
However, this may end up being good news for Star Wars collectors. Rather than delay the entire wave, our source tells us that they may ship Wave 4 as planned, but replace Chewbacca with an older figure in the line, and the top two choices being considered are Wave 2’s Boba Fett and Wave 3’s Stormtrooper. Both figures have been difficult to find at retail and secondary market prices have been high, so a rerelease of either figure would be welcome relief for struggling Star Wars fans.
Once more, all of this is unconfirmed rumor at this time, but we wanted to make you aware as soon as we could. Obviously the final news will be known if/when this wave is delayed, reconfigured, or if Chewbacca shows up in a radically different pose than Hasbro’s pre-release promotional photos.
Got any news? E-mail us at show@swactionnews.com!
Deal Alert: Gentle Giant C6 Exclusive Clone Trooper Statue – 35% Off
Gentle Giant’s Star Wars statues are often in high demand with edition sizes over 1,000. And Clone Troopers from the Star Wars prequel films are fan-favorites–they’re like stormtroopers with big guns and good aim! So it makes no sense to me, no sense at all, that Gentle Giant’s Clone Trooper Lieutenant Statue, exclusive to Star Wars Celebration VI in 2012 and with an edition size of only 600, is not only still available but (today only) 35% off at Entertainment Earth.
This statue, showing the blue-accented clone in a kneeling position, stands 10 inches tall, and comes with the Gentle Giant signature black base, with a high-gloss top that reflects the bright white armor of the statue.
It’s Entertainment Earth’s daily deal, and I have to believe that quantities of this statue are dwindling. In years to come fans and collectors may well kick themselves for passing on this piece, so get yours today!
Save on Gentle Giant Jumbo “Vintage” Figures — Today Only
Gentle Giant’s Vintage Jumbo Figures have been a huge hit with Star Wars collectors. These figures are blown-up versions of Kenner’s vintage Star Wars figures, digitally scanned and recreated at a 12-inch size.
If you’ve been hunting for a bargain on some of these today is a great day to stock up as Entertainment Earth’s One Day Sale today is entirely focused on these large figures. More, all the figures available are fan-favorite bounty hunters from The Empire Strikes Back. Dengar, Bossk, IG-88, and 4-LOM, all are available right now for only $52 each at Entertainment Earth.
Also if you like to display your Jumbo Figures loose, the Mos Eisley Cantina Jumbo Kenner Playset is also only $52.00 today, 42% off its normal $88.99 price.
These sales end tonight at midnight, and may sell out long before then, so get yours now at Entertainment Earth!
eFX Collectibles UNLEASHES Star Wars Incinerator Trooper Helmet Replica
Available now and coming out of the blue is eFX Collectibles’ latest prop replica — The Force Unleashed Incinerator Trooper Helmet.
This helmet is exclusive to CozmicToys.com and is limited to 501 pieces worldwide.
This PCR helmet is one of the lower detail “stunt” replicas made by eFX, but that also keeps the price very low at only $199.99 plus shipping. Having seen many of these PCR helmets in person they have a great displayability that far exceeds their cost.
So if you’re interested in this order yours now at Cozmic Toys!
Sideshow makes Star Wars collectors choose the color of Han Solo’s coat.
The color of Han Solo’s jacket on Hoth seems to endlessly be a bane for collectors. Depending on the lighting, the lens filter, and the shot, sometimes in The Empire Strikes Back Han’s coat looks decidely brown. In other shots, it’s blue. Collectors often seem to side towards blue, their memories influenced by Kenner’s Hoth Han Solo figure with its striking blue coat. But as the years have passed the question kept coming up, wiht some Hoth Han Solos using a blue/brown color to split the difference, and Hasbro even releasing variants of the same figure with two colored coats.
But now for high-end 1/6 scale figure collectors a choice must be made–indecision will be costly. Continuing their line of Hoth themed Star Wars figures, Sideshow has put up for order today Captain Han Solo in Hoth gear. But there are three versions of this figure being released!
The primary figure is Han Solo in Brown Hoth Coat. This is not currently listed on Sideshow’s site (presumably it will be available through Sideshow authorized resellers in the regular version), but from Sideshow comes this exclusive version which has a swap-out head giving you the choice to display Han with or without his headgear on. So that is two versions–Brown Coat regular edition, and Brown Coat Sideshow Exclusive Edition.
But, in the words of the infomercials, “Wait, there’s more!” There is also another version of the figure that is also exclusive to Sideshow Collectible–Hoth Han Solo with Blue Coat. This figure also has the same swap-out head as the Sideshow Exclusive Brown Coat figure, it’s the same figure in every way, save that the coat is now blue.
Both figures, Blue Coat or Brown, have
- Two heads – with and without Headgear
- Two cscarves
- Belt with blaster holster and droid caller
- Sculpted boots
- Binoculars accessory with fabric strap
- Life Scanner accessory with both retracted and extended antennae
- DL-44 Blaster (Han version)
- Four pairs of hands for swap-out
- Sculpted snow environment Base
At $199 per figure buying both is a costly option. So let us know in our forums, will you be buying the Blue Coat Han, the Brown Coat Han, or both?
New Podcast: Episode 413: 2013 Year In Review Part 2 – Statues, Books, LEGO, and More!
Note: Star Wars Action News’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
In 2013 Gentle Giant had the Admiral Ackbar Magnitude bust, Sideshow Collectibles had Premium Format Figures from The Force Unleashed and The Old Republic video games, and LEGO sold a Fury-Class Interceptor from The Old Republic. In short, for Star Wars collecting companies the universe expanded last year. In this episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast join Arnie, Marjorie, Nathan, Brock, Steve, and Jerry as they look back on the strange and interesting year where companies tried to find a footing marketing Star Wars while biding their time until Episode VII in 2015! We look back on the books, busts, statues, 1/6 scale figures, LEGO sets and so much more in this new video-enhanced Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN413.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
Press Release: Marvel to Publish Star Wars Comics & Graphic Novels
UPDATE 12:16PM CST: Dark Horse has released their own Press Release. It is printed below the Marvel Press Release.
Graphics added by Venganza Media; not part of original press releases.
Marvel Press Release:
DISNEY’S LUCASFILM AND MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT JOIN FORCES TO PUBLISH STAR WARS™ COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS
Jedi, Sith, and the rest of the Star Wars Universe Come to Marvel Comics in 2015
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (January 3, 2014) – The Walt Disney Company’s Lucasfilm Ltd. and Marvel Entertainment are joining forces to bring new Star Wars adventures to readers across the galaxy, with Marvel granted exclusive rights to create and publish Star Wars comics and graphic novels beginning in 2015.
The agreement marks a homecoming for the Star Wars comic books. Marvel Comics published the first Star Wars comic book, Star Wars #1, in March 1977, which went on to sell more than 1 million copies. Marvel Comics published its Star Wars series for nine years. In 1991, Dark Horse Comics took over the license, publishing fan-favorite titles like Dark Empire and Star Wars: Legacy. Last year, Dark Horse released The Star Wars #1, an adaptation of George Lucas’ original rough-draft screenplay for the film, garnering rave reviews and national media attention and ranking among the top-selling Star Wars comics of all time.
“Dark Horse Comics published exceptional Star Wars comics for over 20 years, and we will always be grateful for their enormous contributions to the mythos, and the terrific partnership that we had,” said Carol Roeder, director of Lucasfilm franchise publishing, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “In 2015, the cosmic adventures of Luke, Han, Leia and Chewbacca will make the lightspeed jump back to Marvel, to begin a new age of adventures within the Star Wars universe.”
“We here at Marvel could not be more excited to continue the publication of Star Wars comic books and graphic novels,” said Marvel Worldwide Publisher and President, Dan Buckley. “The perennial brand of Star Wars is one of the most iconic in entertainment history and we are honored to have the opportunity to bring our creative talent pool to continue, and expand Star Wars into galaxies far, far away.”
“We’re incredibly excited by this next chapter in the Star Wars saga,” said Andrew B. Sugerman, executive vice president of Disney Publishing Worldwide. “Bringing together the iconic Lucasfilm and Marvel brands to tell new stories will allow us to continue to thrill lovers of the original Star Wars comic books and entertain generations to come.”
Marvel has continued to push comic book publishing forward with innovations and experiments like motion comics and digital-only releases, in addition to its deep, ongoing catalog of monthly series and graphic novels created by some of the industry’s most gifted artists and writers.
STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com.
About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.
STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © & TM 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
About Disney Publishing Worldwide
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s largest publisher of children’s books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW publishes a range of children’s magazines globally, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. Disney English is DPW’s English language learning business, which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail-licensing program. DPW’s digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.
Dark Horse Press Release:
The End of an Era
All things come to pass. So too, do all licensed deals. I am sad to report that Disney, the new owner of Lucasfilm, has notified us here at Dark Horse of their intention to move the Star Wars publishing license to another of their recent acquisitions, Marvel Comics, beginning in 2015. This will end a partnership that has lasted more than two decades.
For those who are new to the industry, Dark Horse revolutionized the treatment of comics based on films. After a history of movie properties being poorly handled with little regard for execution and continuity, Dark Horse took a new approach, carefully choosing licenses and approaching them with excitement and creative energy. Our goal was to create sequels and prequels to the films we loved, paying careful attention to quality and detail, essentially treating those films as though they were our own. Star Wars has been the crown jewel of this approach. We began chasing the title as far back as 1989, and with the launch of Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy’s Dark Empire, a new era in comics was born. I’m not ashamed to admit that we were Star Wars geeks, and we have been determined to spare neither effort nor expense in the pursuit of excellence.
It is ironic that this announcement comes at a time when Dark Horse is experiencing its most successful year ever. For obvious reasons, we have prepared for this eventuality by finding new and exciting projects to place on our schedule for 2015 and beyond. Will they take the place of Star Wars? That’s a tall order, but we will do our best to make that happen. In the meantime, 2014 may be our last year at the helm of the Star Wars comics franchise, but we plan to make it a memorable one. We know that fans of the franchise will expect no less. The Force is with us still.
Mike Richardson
About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Geof Darrow, Guillermo Del Toro and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties such as The Mask, Ghost, Captain Midnight, and X. Its successful line of comics, books, and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Halo, Serenity, The Legend of Zelda, Game of Thronesand Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.
New Podcast: Episode 411: Get the 411 On Star Wars Discounts
Collecting Hasbro’s Star Wars toys is filled with highs and lows, and this holiday season it seems to be both at once! While the new 6-inch and 3.75-inch Black Series figures remain elusive, bargains abound on exclusive vehicles and figures. On this week’s podcast Marjorie and Arnie look at the discounts and tell you how to save the most money on the toys, and also discuss what these markdowns may mean for future exclusives. All that, plus a detailed review of Hasbro’s Black Series Wave 2, including Mara Jade, Pablo Jill, and more!
Also on this week’s show it’s a special focus on Star Wars trading cards. Jerry’s Vintage Viewpoint focuses on the rerelease of the Star Wars Radio Drama from Highbridge Audio, and looks at the new Topps trading card set based on the Radio Drama. Then Marjorie and Arnie talk to Topps sketch card artist Christian Slade about his work on the cards, as well as his new prints coming from Acme Archives on Dec 15th!
With a report from this weekend’s Toy Man Toy Show, a new sixth-scale Tauntaun, Imperial Probe Drones, and more, it’s all on this Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN411.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 410: Black Friday Deals and 2013 Holiday Gift Guide
Black Friday isn’t what it used to be…it’s not even Friday any more! With sales having started Thanksgiving Day and some stretching through the weekend and even to “Cyber Monday” bargain shoppers now have almost a full week of savings. Stay on target for Star Wars bargains with this episode of Star Wars Action News! Marjorie and Arnie run down the stores with Star Wars items on sale to let you know which bargains are worth fighting the crowds, and which you can sleep through!
Also on this episode is the annual Star Wars Action News holiday gift guide! With gift ideas for men, women, and children, and in all price ranges, listen to find what to get the Star Wars collector who seems to already have everything! The entire Star Wars Action News team has contributed ideas. From books to lightsabers, toys to statues, jewelry to original art, it’s all here in today’s podcast! Plus listen to win a set of Star Wars Radio Drama CD-sets from Star Wars Action news and Highbridge Audio!
And don’t forget to sign up for the Star Wars Action Sithmas Gift Exchange! Sign-ups end December 2nd. Get and give some Star Wars joy this season by joining this Secret Santa gift exchange! All the details are at http://www.swactionnews.com/Sithmas/
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN410.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
Opinion: I Wanna Be A Toys-R-Us Adult
“I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid!” Those words sang out to me from the television so often in the 1980s. As a child watching cartoons like Transformers, G.I. Joe, He-Man, Droids, Ewoks, and Smurfs this commercial told me definitively where I could go to buy the toys based on the shows.
“I don’t wanna grow up, cuz if I did…I couldn’t be a Toys ‘R’ Us kid!” These lines helped define my generation. Despite eschewing the nostalgia of our elders, Generation X has become a generation defined by its childhood. As I travel to toy shows across the country it’s not children buying toys, it’s adults my age and older who covet the latest toys and figures. In our youth we bought toys to recreate scenes from TV shows and movies, and as adults we still buy them to show our fandom and relive our childhoods.
But per a report this morning Toys “R” Us may be in trouble. Judging by the company’s bond ratings, if Toys “R” Us doesn’t have an impressive holiday season there may be no future generations of Toys “R” Us kids. Competition from online stores plus bottom-dollar brick-and-mortars like Wal-Mart have eaten into Toys “R” Us’ business. That, plus a declining action figure market have put the company in jeopardy.
My first reaction to this news was “good riddance.” As an adult toy collector, collecting Star Wars and Marvel toys, I have frequented Toys “R” Us for the past 18 years. In that time I’ve seen Toys “R” Us go into decline. In an effort to stay profitable the toy section of the store shrank while the video games section grew. More, they relied more on high profit diaper sales and baby formula to bolster their bottom line, making the differences between Toys “R” Us and their sister chain Babies “R” Us negligible.
Worse, Toys “R” Us prices have risen. While toy prices have increased almost 100% between 2005 and 2013, Toys “R” Us has taken them even higher. For the past 2 years action figures cost $1 to $2 more at Toys “R” Us than at retailers Target or Wal-Mart.
Toys “R” Us does provide an outlet for toy manufacturers to make and release toys that collectors and kids wouldn’t get otherwise. In the past few years they have had exclusive Star Wars vehicles like Jango Fett’s Slave I, an AT-AT from Return of the Jedi, and the Star Wars Millennium Falcon starship in exclusive, retro packaging. But exclusives at Toys “R” Us have come with a hefty price tag. The Millennium Falcon was originally released in 2008 for a MSRP of $159.99; the Toys “R” Us exclusive version, the same in every way save the box, was $249.99 in 2012. The Star Wars AT-AT was $99.99 at general retail in 2010, in 2013 the Toys “R” Us exclusive was $149.99. These top-dollar prices have turned off many collectors, leaving these items to languish on store shelves. Last week the Toys “R” Us exclusive Falcon was clearanced out for $99, 40% of the original price.
But as I reflected further on the loss of Toys “R” Us I realized that despite their high prices, poor store layout, and shrinking toy area, the loss of this store would be horrible for toy collectors, and the toy industry as a whole.
While Toys “R” Us has been overpriced in their exclusives, if the store were to close Star Wars fans would never have had the option to own the vehicles listed above. From action figures to high-end vehicles, Toys “R” Us offered the exclusives giving fans the choice to buy or not buy. If Toys “R” Us closes, that is an avenue for exclusives that is forever cut off and many niche toys targeted to the collector market will never even be offered.
More, Toys “R” Us carries toy lines not found at the big box retailers. Manufacturers like Diamond Select Toys and NECA manufacture more collector-oriented action figures. From Diamond’s Walking Dead Minimates to NECA’s video game based figures, these are toys you won’t find at major department stores. Yes, these are also sold online, but I have no doubt these smaller toy companies will suffer from the loss of visibility garnered from the Toys “R” Us shelves. There are many toys I would not have bought had I not seen them in person at Toys “R” Us, including many, many packages of Diamond Select Marvel Minimates. More, Diamond has even had 17 waves of Toys “R” Us exclusive Minimates, more figures and toys that simply will not be made. This retail avenue for smaller toy companies is vital to maintain competition in the toy industry and keep niche toys, such as NECA’s Nightmare on Elm Street figure line, viable.
Further, even big toy lines have had trouble getting shelf space anywhere but Toys “R” Us. As reported in Marvelicious Toys Podcast 102 Hasbro’s Thor: The Dark World toy line has only been available online, or at Toys “R” Us. The line is not a Toys “R” Us exclusive, but the dedicated toy store is the only retail outlet that has made room for the action figures tying into the blockbuster film.
Finally, Toys “R” Us is the last of the national toy stores. I remembered when Toys “R” Us opened in my hometown of Springfield, Illinois in the mid 1980s. It was at that time yet another toy store where I could shop, adding it to my rotation along with other national toy chains KB Toys and Circus World, not to mention local stores like Toys Plus, and national department stores Montgomery Wards, Sears, J.C. Penny, K-Mart, and Venture, all of whom carried large selections of toys. But now many department stores have eliminated their toy sections, unable to compete with Wal-Mart in price. And all of the national toy stores have, one by one, closed their doors.
If Toys “R” Us also closes, there is no place left for children to go and find an entire store aimed at their interests. Further, adult collectors will have no local presence devoted to their hobbies; they will be forced to go to regional toy shows and comic cons for dedicated shopping.
And without the competition Toys “R” Us provides, big box retailers Target and Wal-Mart will simply have less motivation to keep prices low and their store stock varied. More toy lines like the Thor: The Dark World line will be available only online, if toy manufacturers even consider them viable to make at all.
While Toys “R” Us prices have not been competitive, their costs are still lower than having to pay shipping from online retailers, and they have provided collectors and kids a way to get toys they would otherwise never have. So when shopping this holiday season consider supporting your Toys “R” Us so that you and your children have a chance to continue being Toys “R” Us kids.
New Podcast: Episode 409: The Death Star Plans are NOT in the main computer–they’re in this book!
Star Wars Episode VII draws nearer! We now have a firm release date. On December 18, 2015 fans will finally see a cinematic vision of Star Wars post-Return of the Jedi, 32 years after Episode VI’s release. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast your hosts Marjorie and Arnie discuss this news and anticipate a holiday season full of Star Wars goodness!
And the 2013 holiday season is upon us! From new Christmas ornaments in stores to gift sets, decorations, and more, the hosts run down all the new Star Wars holiday items and where you can get them cheapest!
Also this week, Arnie talks with prolific Star Wars Author Ryder Windham about his newest book, the Death Star Owner’s Tehnical Manual. Ryder discusses his first Star Wars projects with Dark Horse and how he has come to write so many Star Wars junior novels and reference books.
With Steve providing a new UK report, Johnathan reviewing the K-Mart Exclusive Endor packs and Scanning Crew sets, a review of the new, more affordable, Star Wars Frames books, and so much more, it’s all in this week’s super-sized edition of the Star Wars Action News podcast!
And don’t forget to join in the Star Wars Action News holiday Sithmas exchange! Give and get an extra Star Wars gift this season by joining in this “Secret Santa” exchange with another Star Wars Action News listener. Head to swactionnews.com to see all the details and the sign-up form.
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN409.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 408: Look My Head Look So Big To Young Eyes?
New Hasbro product is hitting fast. Exclusives are shipping from Amazon, as well as showing up on store shelves at Toys R Us and KMart. Also from Hasbro Black Series Wave 2, both 6-inch and 3.75-inch, are shipping from online retailers. On this week’s Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie look at some of the new 6-inch figures, Slave Leia and Greedo, and run down the exclusives.
Also this past week came the eBook editions of J.W. Rinzler’s Making of Star Wars books. Enhanced with more photos and multimedia content, listen to find out if the new features make this worth a purchase, or re-purchase if you already own the hardcover editions.
With cranially-enhanced holiday decorations, a report from the Winter London Film & Comic Con, and more, it’s all on this episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN408.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 407: NYCC 2013
In just a few years New York Comic Con has grown to have attendance second only to the 40-year-old San Diego Comic-Con. This year had big name stars like Sylvester Stallone, Sigourney Weaver, and more signing autographs, perhaps the highest profile autograph stars at any convention. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Marjorie and Arnie report on the Star Wars reveals from Kotobukiya, their exclusive Art-FX+ R2 unit, as well as the other Star Wars collectibles at the con.
But the biggest Star Wars reveals were not at the Javits Center. Hasbro had no presence at NYCC, but they held a private press event the Wednesday before the con and the Star Wars Action News hosts were there. Listen to find out what was revealed, and what wasn’t. Plus find out Hasbro’s answer to “what’s right with Mara Jade?” and news on the notorious Black Series bubble issue.
With an update on all the new toys hitting stores from Johnathan, as well as a Vintage Viewpoint looking back at the Kenner Ewok toys, it’s all on this episode of Star Wars Action News!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN407.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 406: Size DOES Matter
In 2007 the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars brought an onslaught of toys, collectibles, and commemorative items. But of all the 30th Anniversary items only one provided new insight into the Star Wars saga — J.W. Rinsler’s The Making of Star Wars. With that book’s success Rinzler followed up with The Making of The Empire Strikes Back for Episode V’s 30th anniversary in 2010. Now, Rinzler completes his trilogy with The Making of Return of the Jedi, and he may have saved the best for last. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Brock gives a hands-on review of this impressive tome, which is in bookstores today!
Also on this week’s show, Marjorie and Arnie have the entire first wave of Hasbro’s 6-inch Black Series figures in hand. With X-Wing Luke Skwalker, R2-D2, Darth Maul, and a Sandtrooper, how does this new line of figures hold up? Listen to hear their review.
With some real (trick or) treats in Target’s Halloween section and a report from Project Comic-Con in St. Louis, it’s all in the new Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN406.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 405: John Jackson Miller and the Crazy Wizard
The latest Star Wars expanded universe novel is Kenobi, a standalone story telling of the Jedi’s arrival on Tatooine, including the locals and Tuskens with whom he tussles! The book is appeasing Star Wars fans worldwide, and now Arnie sits down with author John Jackson Miller to talk about this Western-inspired tale.
Also in this week’s episode Johnathan’s back with his On The Pegs segment and Steve provides a UK Report. It’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN405.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 404: ICE, ICE, Baby! Chilling with cool collectors.
What happens when over a hundred of the world’s most avid Star Wars collectors gather in one place over a long weekend? Fun, shopping and more! On this week’s Star Wars Action News Marjorie and Arnie report on the Labor Day Weekend International Collector’s Event, or ICE convention, put on by some of the Seattle Star Wars collectors. They toured two of the largest Star Wars collections in the world, went on toy runs en masse, got amazing exclusives, and watched an original 35mm print of Return of the Jedi–the 1983 version!Listen in as the hosts are joined by Gus Lopez, the hosts of the Galaxy of Toys podcast, Star Wars crafts expert Amy Sjoberg, and owner of the world’s largest private Star Wars collection Steve Sansweet. It’s all on this exclusive report podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN404.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 403: Crazy Train
Have you found the new Hasbro figures? All Hasbro’s new lines, Black Series 4-inch, Black Series 6-inch, Mission Series, and Saga Legends, are showing up across the US. New toys are a welcome relief to the modern Star Wars figure collector after many months with no new releases, and on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast the coverage continues. Listen to this week’s podcast for a hands on review of the new 4-inch Black Series figures. Then vintage Star Wars collector Jerry takes a look at the Saga Legends figures and provides his views on their five points of articulation.
Also on this week’s show Arnie and Marjorie review Sideshow Collectibles’ new Shaak Ti The Force Unleashed Premium Format figure. They call it a “Premium Format” and it certainly comes with a premium price tag–is it worth it? Listen to their review, and then join in the discussion on Sideshow’s recent quality issues. From bad paint to shipping damage, reports are rampant regarding poor quality control on the Sideshow products. More, Sideshow’s Customer Service seems less than willing to make it right. Arnie provides his first-hand experiences on this week’s podcast.
With Brock reviewing John Jackson Miller’s new Star Wars novel Kenobi and a look at a Star Wars collectible that will shake your caboose, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Action Figure Collectors; If you enjoy collecting action figures also check out Issue 94 of the Marvelicious Toys podcast where Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin talk to former Hasbro Senior Product Designer David Vonner about the evolution and future of action figure collecting. While Vonner worked on the Marvel line the information given applies to all action figures. You can hear this interview at Marvelicioustoys.com.
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN403.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 402: Separation Anxiety
New figures are on the pegs and Marjorie and Arnie are back in the Star Wars Action News studio ready to review them! On this week’s podcast the hosts look at new new Saga Legends figures from Hasbro. With limited articulation and smaller card backs these figures have divided collectors between those who demand more collector-oriented figures and those who find the limited pose-ability a throwback to vintage collecting. Hasbro claims they’re some of the best sculpts they’ve ever done. Listen to find out the final verdict!But with the new items shipping there seem to be new problems for collectors. The figures seem to have problem staying on the cards, and reports are widespread regarding shipping damage to the Amazon exclusive Slave I. Even those who received perfect Slave I vehicles may still have issues as many report manufacturing issues and missing parts with Boba Fett’s iconic ship. Marjorie and Arnie run down these disappointing details.With listener voicemails giving their thoughts on the toys, a review of the Star Wars chess set, and a Legend-ary Darth Maul collectible, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN402.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 401: The Empire Brings Sexy Back
This weekend was Wizard World Chicago 2013, and the Star Wars Action News crew were there, as were tons of Star Wars toys. From rare vintage Star Wars items from Hasbro and Palitoy to new Black Series figures in both scales! With a new show layout and big guests, listen to find out if you should attend the next Wizard World in your area!
But the biggest news of the week is Hasbro’s new Black Series figures! The new wave of 3.75-inch figures are hitting stores coast to coast. The hosts provide a carded review of these new figures and detail some problems that carded collectors may need to watch out for!
With Star Wars burlesque at Chicago’s Gorilla Tango Theater, disappointment at D23, and more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN401.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 400: The Big 4-0-0 at CE2
It was the biggest Star Wars party of the year–STAR WARS CELEBRATION EUROPE 2! Six years after CE1 Celebration returned to Europe with a slew of celebrities, exclusives, and guests. With Episode VII announced anticipation couldn’t have been higher, and Star Wars Action News was there. Hosts Marjorie and Arnie made their first Celebration Eurotrip to take part in the Collecting Track and report on the events. Listen now to hear them, as well as Jerry, Steve, Daryl, and more as they bring Europe home to you on this milestone episode of Star Wars Action News!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN400.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 399 Part II: SDCC 2013 — The Panels, The Toys, and More!
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).The world’s largest convention, San Diego Comic-Con International, is winding down but with all the news and reveals at the convention Star Wars fans have much to look forward to! Join the Star Wars Action News crew as they report on all the new collectible news from Hasbro, Gentle Giant, Kotobukiya, Diamond Select, Sideshow Collectibles, and so much more!We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN399B.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 399 Part I: SDCC 2013 — Preview Night and The Black Series Line
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:
Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).
Today kicks of San Diego Comic-Con International 2013! On the first part of Star Wars Action News’ coverage join Marjorie and Arnie as they report on Preview Night, with a first-hand look at The Black Series figures in Hasbro’s display, including the new Black Series 6-inch Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite!
Fans have been divided on the new 6-inch series, but Arnie has been excited for the detail and articulation. Now that the production figures are out, does the excitement last? Listen and find out!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN399A.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 398: Troy Denning’s Crucible
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).Released in stores today is Crucible, the new Star Wars novel from prolific author Troy Denning. Taking place after the events in the last two major story arcs Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi, this book focuses on Han, Luke, and Leia in what could be their final adventure (in this version of the expanded universe, anyway). On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Arnie sits down with Troy to discuss the impact of Episode VII on the existing Expanded Universe, his intents behind Crucible, and the Mortis trilogy’s impact on Apocalypse.With a San Diego Comic-Con schedule update, more CE2 news, and Johnathan On the Pegs, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN398.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 397: Look at the Size of That Thing!
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).
In preparation of The Yoda Chronicles premiere on Cartoon Network LEGO revealed their largest model ever–a life-sized X-Wing. For Star Wars days at LEGOLand the X-Wing trekked across the country, and Star Wars Action News’ reporter Berent was on hand to see it and talk to the master builder behind it. How many bricks does it take to get to the center of a life-sized X-Wing? Listen to Berent’s interview to find out!
Also on this week’s show, Marjorie and Arnie look at the new San Diego Comic-Con exclusives announced by Gentle Giant and Petco, as well as the non-exclusive announcement from Sideshow Collectibles.
With a review of Gentle Giant’s C6 exclusive Clone Lieutenant statue, Brock reviewing Troy Denning’s new novel, and so much more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN397.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 396: Orange, Black, and Silver
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).The 3.75-inch Black Series is looming and new packaged shots are being released of the first wave of figures with Padme, Biggs, Luke, Vader, and more. But despite the eagerness of Star Wars collectors for new figures, fans are having a mixed reaction to the new packaging for these figures. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast hosts Marjorie and Arnie are joined by their Marvelicious Toys co-host Justin, a graphic designer and packaging expert, to examine Hasbro’s latest Star Wars designs. Also on this week’s show, Johnathan updates us what’s in stores and online, Steve the Gingerprince reports from Collectormania, and Arnie and Marjorie celebrate a new Ewok LEGO set. All that and more on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!Plus on this week’s show is an update on Third Annual SDCC Star Wars Fan Breakfast! On Friday, July 19th, at 7:30 a.m. come to the Edgewater Grill at Seaport Village to talk Star Wars with friends! It’s walking distance from the convention center, and prizes will be given away from sponsors Hallmark, Uncle Milton, Diamond Select Toys, Kotobukiya, Random House Audio, and more! There is no cost to attend, just pay for what you order for breakfast! To attend, just RSVP by July 10th to fanbreakfast@swactionnews.com with how many people are in your party and we hope to see you in San Diego!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN396.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 395: Hasbro Flips Collectors the (Angry) Bird at SDCC
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).
San Diego Comic-Con is just a month away and Star Wars collectible companies like Hasbro, Gentle Giant, Hallmark, and Diamond Select Toys have been revealing their 2013 convention exclusives! Listen to this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast to find out what people at the con will be fighting over, and those at home will be left to drool over. The hosts also discuss CE2 exclusives, including the announced CE2 art prints, and how international collectors may be able to get some of their money back on these great pieces.
Plus on this week’s show the Third Annual SDCC Star Wars Fan Breakfast is announced! On Friday, July 19th, at 7:30 a.m. come to the Edgewater Grill at Seaport Village to talk Star Wars with friends! It’s walking distance from the convention center, and prizes will be given away from sponsors Hallmark, Uncle Milton, Diamond Select Toys, Random House Audio, and more! There is no cost to attend, just pay for what you order for breakfast! To attend, just RSVP by July 10th to fanbreakfast@swactionnews.com with how many people are in your party and we hope to see you in San Diego!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN395.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 394: Size Matters Not, Unless It’s LEGO
This week in New York City LEGO revealed the largest Star Wars LEGO set ever–a life-sized X-Wing! Accompanied by a much more modestly sized Toys R Us Times Square exclusive set, and Yoda mini-figure, this spectacle was all to promote Wednesday’s premiere of The Yoda Chronicles on Cartoon Network. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Marjorie and Arnie review some of the exclusive LEGO sets commemorating the premiere.
Also on this week’s show, new pre-orders from Sideshow Collectibles, a run down of new art available from Acme Archives, and a discussion of the first US site to have the 6-inch Black Series Star Wars figures up for preorder. All this and more on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN394.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 393: We’ve Got the Need, The Need for Theed
Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie have reported many times on the Toy Man Toy Show in St. Louis, MO. Sunday, May 19th, was the most recent show and had Star Wars represented from all era, from 12-Back carded vintage figures to the most modern of Hasbro toys. Listen to find out if you should visit St. Louis for the next Toy Man show on July 14th!
Also on this week’s podcast, Brock reviews Dawn of the Jedi–Into the Void, Jerry continues looking back at Return of the Jedi toys from 30 years ago, Johnathan reviews the new Endor AT-AT, and Steve reports from Star Wars Fun Day in the UK!
With details on how to get the Endor AT-AT for 20% off and a bendy Artoo, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN393.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 392: Exclusively Inclusive
For many, the joys and pains of collecting can be summed up in one word–exclusive. A hard-to-obtain, limited piece can be the prize of a collection both as a rarity and as a memory of a trip. But obtaining these exclusives often is difficult for many either involving expensive trips or high premiums on the secondary market. But as the 2013 convention season commences new exclusives are being announced every week. Last week came news of Hasbro’s San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Han in Carbonite and Boba Fett Black Series 6-inch figures. Now on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Marjorie and Arnie look at exclusives announced for Star Wars Celebration Europe 2. From T-Shirts to posters to pins, the first round of exclusive merchandise offers some collectibles with a vintage style and others with a more modern and German flare. Join their discussion and start your shopping list now!
Also on this week’s show, a run-down on the Toys R Us exclusive Endor AT-AT, a report from the C2E2 Vintage Toy Auction, a review of Super 7’s exclusive Leia Story print, and more!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN392.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 391: Into the Void with Tim Lebbon
Tomorrow a new era in Star Wars Expanded Universe novels beings with the release of Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void. Written by Tim Lebbon and based on the Dark Horse comic series Dawn of the Jedi this book tells of Force users twenty-five thousand years before the battle of Yavin. It’s the first Star Wars novel set so early in the timeline, and also the first Star Wars novel by Lebbon. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Arnie talks to Tim about the process of writing this novel and the themes throughout.
Also on this week’s show, Berent went to Disneyland and talked to artist Mike Kungl who was revealing new works. He talks about his upcoming prints from Acme Archives, works Lucasfilm rejected, and his latest Jabba art piece. Listen to find out about them and find out how to win one of Kungl’s Rebel Alliance–Defend and Protect prints!
With a Free Comic Book Day report from St. Louis, a con report from the UK, May the Fourth sales, and reports of Endor AT-AT spottings, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast.
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN391.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 390: C2E2 with Jeffrey Brown
This past weekend was the C2E2 convention in Chicago, Illinois. In its fourth year, C2E2 has grown to fill an entire hall at McCormick Place. With no major stars like Val Kilmer and John Cusack to headline, the star wattage was a little bit dimmer, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t tons to do at the con. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, hosts Arnie, Marjorie, and Johnathan are joined by Chris, Sarah, and Yakface.com’s Jayson live on the C2E2 floor! Listen as they run down their impressions of the convention, with tons of Star Wars collecting! From vintage finds to modern, high end and low end, plus custom items like coffee mugs and art, they discuss it all. Also this week, Arnie sits down with Darth Vader and Son author Jeffrey Brown to talk about that book, the recently released follow-up Vader’s Little Princess, and his upcoming Scholastic book Jedi Academy.With news from Sunday’s vintage toy auction, special collectibles for May the 4th, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN390.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 389: A Blueprint for Adventure
When the book Star Wars: The Blueprints by J. W. Rinzler was released in 2011 few could argue that it was not an impressive collection of schematics and a wealth of information about the construction of some of the most iconic creations in movie history. But also, few could afford the massive book. Now the book has been rereleased in a more shelf-friendly size and at a more affordable price. Listen to find out how this new release compares to the original, and if you should pick this up.
With Steve reviewing the Star Wars Steelbook releases and Johnathan discussing his latest Star Wars display, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
And be sure to look for Arnie, Marjorie, and Johnathan this weekend at C2E2! Stop them and get a free convention exclusive Star Wars Action News badge with a code that can be redeemed for an exclusive T-Shirt design! All thanks to our awesome graphic designer Chris!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN389.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 388: Animated Ewok Attack
Correction/Clarification: We have received definitive information that the Disney Build-A-Droid is not at Downtown Disneyland, only Downtown Disneyworld. At Disneyland the Build-A-Droid is available in-park only. We’re sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
Star Wars fandom in early 2013 is full of highs and lows. While Hasbro idles, awaiting the release of new product later this year, and Disney continues to restructure their new purchase by closing LucasArts, other Star Wars licensees continue on! On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, Marjorie and Arnie look at a couple of Star Wars collectible makers that offer exciting new products in this slow period of collecting.First up is Sideshow Collectibles, who’s 12-inch Commander Wolffe figure went up for preorder last week, and who’s Legendary Scale Darth Maul figure is in stock and ready to ship! Then we look at Gentle Giant, who just shipped their animated Ewok and Scout Trooper Maquette, and has for preorder two new jumbo figures and two new mini-busts!Plus we also look at one inventive collector who is keeping action figure collecting lively by offering 3-D items that bring your cantina diorama to life. It’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN388.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 387: It’s Not Easy Buying Green (Cards)
Gentle Giant’s Premiere Guild Memberships for 2013 started recently with two exclusive Premiere Guild Member mini-busts, a holographic Darth Vader and an Episode III Mace Windu. As they ponder their gift for 2013, Marjorie and Arnie look back this podcast at two mini-busts for PGM members in 2012, the Rebel Trooper from A New Hope and a white Republic Commando from the Expanded Universe.Also this podcast, Brock reviews the recent novel The Last Jedi, Javier reports in on green card figure finds in Mexico, and we report on a very cool, 2-week limited art print from J.K. Woodward. All this and more on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN387.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 386: St. Louis is Wizard!
Wizard World conventions are a staple for sci-fi and comic book fans. Having produced their multi-city conventions for years in Philadelphia, Chicago, and many other cities, they now expand their reach deeper in the midwest this year with Wizard World St. Louis! Marjorie and Arnie were at the con meeting Star Wars fans, celebrities, and seeing what Star Wars collectibles were for sale! With the 2014 St. Louis convention already announced, should you save the date? Listen to Arnie & Marjorie’s report to find out!Also this week, Johnathan is back with a look at the 2013 Movie Heroes action figures, Jerry gives a Vintage Viewpoint from Endor, and Steve the Gingerprince reports in from the UK–with a chance for one lucky listener to win some of the 2013 Yoda carded Clone Wars figures not released in the USA!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN386.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 385: C-3PO Is Happy To See You
The stores are full of the same ol’, same ol’, not because there are no new Star Wars action figures but because the stores are so full of 2012 figures that Hasbro is only shipping the new 2013 figures to other countries. If you want the 2013 Yoda carded Clone Wars and Movie Heroes figures American Star Wars collectors need to buy from Canada or Germany at considerable expense in shipping and surcharges. Is it worth it? Marjorie and Arnie have the final wave of Clone Wars figures in hand from a Canadian seller, and review each figure on this week’s Star Wars Action News! Listen to find out if these repacks, repaints, and retools are worth your bounty.And speaking of bounty, on this week’s podcast is one bad bounty hunter — Bossk! Sideshow’s 12-inch Bossk figure is in stock and shipping now, and Star Wars Action News reviews the exclusive version on this week’s show. With interchangeable hands, feet, and head (with the exclusive version) listen to hear the hosts’ thoughts on this latest sixth-scale figure!With a vintage filled report from the Toy Man Toy Show in St. Louis, a way to get an exclusive T-Shirt design this weekend at Wizard World St. Louis, and more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN385.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 384: Bishoujo and Jocasta Nu
With few new Hasbro Star Wars toys showing up in stores, Star Wars collectors and podcast hosts Marjorie and Arnie must look online to build their collection. On this week’s podcast, they review two new mail-order additions to their collection! First, they review the Brian’s Toys exclusive Jocasta Nu action figure from Hasbro. Then they look at the first statue in Kotobukiya’s new Star Wars Bishoujo line–Jaina Solo.Star Wars Action News segment host Nathan P. Butler has also kept busy collecting the variant covers for Dark Horse’s new Star Wars #1 comic book. How many covers are there and how far will Nathan go to get them all? Listen to this week’s podcast to find out!With a UK collecting report by Steve “The Gingerprince” and Johnathan giving tips on collecting the Yoda carded Clone Wars and Movie Heroes figures, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN384.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 383: A Wave-Full of Yakface
For fans of Star Wars 3.75-inch figures the news is bad. No new figures will be shipping for months, rumors of Target removing all Star Wars items from their toy aisles abound, and the last wave of Clone Wars figures can only be found in Germany and Canada. On this episode of Star Wars Action News, your hosts Marjorie and Arnie run down the state of collecting, and discuss how far they are willing to go in search of these new figures.But not all is bleak; new Star Wars novelty items are appearing in the holiday aisles of Toys R Us and Target. From pastel Vader heads to bunny-eared Stormtroopers, the hosts review the new product hitting shelves.With a discussion of the newest item in Sideshow’s Star Wars Mythos line of statues, bargain-priced Hasbro toys, and more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN383.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 382: Toy Fair 2013 Part 3 – From the Toy Fair Floor
While Hasbro has held the biggest focus coming out of Toy Fair 2013, there were plenty of other companies presenting and revealing new Star Wars items for 2013. On this episode of Star Wars Action News, Marjorie and Arnie report on all the rest, from Kotobukiya with their lines of statues and Bishoujos to Uncle Milton’s science-based Star Wars items, from Fantasy Flight Games with their Star Wars card, mini, and role-playing games to Diamond Select with their bust banks. Plus LEGO with a slew of new sets for all price ranges! Hear it all in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!Then when you’re done listening, let us know your thoughts! Leave us a voicemail at 415-508-JEDI or send an MP3 to show@swactionnews.com so we can record your reaction to all the Star Wars Toy Fair collecting news!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN382.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 381: Toy Fair 2013 Part 2 – Hasbro Star Wars Brand Presentation
Collector response to Hasbro’s reveals at Toy Fair 2013 were widely varied. Many collectors expressed disappointment at the reduced articulation in many of the figures, the cancellation of the Clone Wars animated figure style, and the reduction in the number of figures being released. Other collectors celebrated the high articulation found in the Black Series 3.75-inch figures, as well as the brand new line of 6-inch figures coming from Hasbro. But you’ve heard Marjorie & Arnie’s thoughts, now hear from Hasbro themselves as we present their entire Star Wars Brand Fan Media presentation! Hear as they discuss the overseas popularity of 12-inch figures, as well as the big reveal of the Star Wars 6-inch Black Series figures!Then when you’re done listening, let us know your thoughts! Leave us a voicemail at 415-508-JEDI or send an MP3 to show@swactionnews.com so we can record your reaction to all the Star Wars Toy Fair collecting news!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN381.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 380: Toy Fair 2013 Part 1 – Hasbro
Toy Fair 2013 is here and Star Wars Action News is your podcast source for Star Wars collecting news coverage! On this podcast, Marjorie and Arnie recap and review the Hasbro Fan Media presentation. From the Black Series 6-inch and 3.75-inch collector oriented figures to the new 5 points of articulation sporting Saga Legends figures, Angry Birds, Fighter Pods, and more. Forget the rumors you’ve heard, on this podcast you’ll hear first hand reactions to seeing the new 2013 product, as well as behind-the-scenes information such as how many 3.75-inch Black Series figures are scheduled for 2013, how The Phantom Menace 3-D hurt Star Wars collectors, and the status of the Vintage boxed Endor AT-AT in the states. All this and more in the first part of Star Wars Action News’ 2013 Toy Fair Coverage!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN380.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 379: Back in Black
Marjorie and Arnie are back, in black with the new Black Series of Star Wars figures coming from Hasbro! On this week’s podcast, the hosts of Star Wars Action News discuss Hasbro’s reveal of new, collector-oriented, highly articulated 6-inch Star Wars figures. Is this a lightspeed jump for figure collectors, or a desperate retread? Listen to find out their opinions!
With a discussion on JJ Abrams directing Episode VII, the “postponing” of the 3-D converted Episode II and III films, and Johnathan bringing a report from the Gurnee toy show, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN379.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 378: I’m a Shadow Boxer, Baby
For many collectors the question is not “do I buy it” but “how do I display it after it’s bought”. Those who follow Star Wars Action News on Facebook and Twitter have seen Jerry share some of his unique, inventive ways of displaying vintage Kenner dioramas, and now Jerry shares his methods with you on the podcast! If you want to hear a new method to display your Star Wars toys, this is a show not to miss!
Also this week, the gang’s all here! Nathan joins Arnie to look at Dark Horse’s Star Wars #1, Brock reviews Timothy Zahn’s novel scoundrels, and Johnathan and Steve share their latest Star Wars toy finds in the US and the UK. All this and more in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN378.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 377: Read My Lips, No New Figures
Star Wars Action News is back with its first show of 2013. Join hosts Marjorie and Arnie as they discuss the big news revealed by Hasbro last week–the Droid Factory line of figures, slated for early 2013, has been cancelled. Where does this leave action figure collectors, and what will the long-term impact be to the line? Listen to find out their thoughts!
But despite no Droid Factory figures, new Star Wars toys are available online and in stores. In this week’s podcast Marjorie and Arnie review the four new mini-rig vehicles released by Hasbro for 2013, the 501st Legion Attack Dropship, the MTT Droid Fighter, the 501st Legion AT-RT, and Yoda’s Jedi Attack Fighter. Now coming with two figures, and a higher price point, listen to find out if you should hunt these for your collection.
With a Jar-Jar-tastic Christmas haul, a new Sideshow 1/6 scale figure, and much more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN377.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 376: 2012 Year In Review Part III: Expanded Universe, High End, and Best of the Year!
In addition to all the toys collectors added to their shelves this year, it’s been an amazing year for Star Wars expanded universe fans! From a return to the X-Wing book series to the conclusion of the Fate of the Jedi series, books from the Old Republic to the New Republic, comics, Clone Wars, and so much more it was an expansive year for Star Wars fans. In this week’s Star Wars Action News, Nathan and Brock reflect on the year in Star Wars Expanded Universe, then the rest of the crew weigh in with their favorites. With high-end collecting in 2012, and their favorite collectibles of the year, it’s all in the last Star Wars Action News podcast of the year!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN376.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 375: 2012 Year In Review Part II: Hasbro and Toys
For Star Wars toy collectors 2012 has been exciting and frustrating in equal measure. Some of the best figures in the history of Star Wars were released, but most collectors had trouble finding them. Astromech fans had a dream come true with Disneyworld offering build-a-droid sets, and the frenzy for parts left many little droids without a third leg or a hat. Taking in all that was Star Wars toy collecting in 2012, Marjorie and Arnie are joined by other collectors reflecting on 2012 in this week’s second part of the Star Wars Action News year in review!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN375.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 374: 2012 Year In Review Part I: 3-D, Disney, and Celebration
It’s been a great year to be a Star Wars fan. The year started with Star Wars once again in theaters as The Phantom Menace kicked off the Star Wars 3-D conversions, the summer ended with a bang at Star Wars Celebration VI, and then the dreams of Star Wars fans worldwide came true when it was announced that there will be more Star Wars films, the first just 3 years away! Looking back at the year that was, listen to Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie are joined by a number of friends and show hosts to look back at what 2012 meant to Star Wars fans.
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN374.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 373: Toy Run For Tots
It’s the holiday season and for Star Wars Action News hosts its a time to reflect back on childhood, getting an AT-AT under the Christmas tree, holiday shopping for an Empire Strikes Back Yoda and more. But many children today won’t have memories like those, but organizations like Toys For Tots are there to help. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, Marjorie and Arnie take you on a toy run unlike any they’ve recorded before, where they’re buying toys not for their own collection but to donate to a Toys For Tots that’s much in need. Listen, then donate some toys!Also on this week’s podcast, the Star Wars Action News crew join in with their own Star Wars collecting news. Johnathan reviews some of the final Vintage Collection figures, Brock gives a review of Annihilation–the latest Old Republic novel, and Steve the Gingerprince joins us with a UK report including some recent birthday gifts and new figure finds across the pod.With the last Toy Man Toy Show of 2012, some online Vintage Collection bargains, and more, it’s on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN373.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 372: Repair or Repurchase?
Eventually it will happen to all collectibles: they break, yellow, decay, or degrade. The passage of time eventually will cause all collectibles to lose their mint condition. Ask not for who’s collectibles the bell tolls, it tolls for thine. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, Marjorie and Arnie discuss what happened to one of their Star Wars holiday snow globes, and how it changed their entire view of the collecting hobby!
Also this week, several new items have started to ship, including the eFX Collectibles TIE Fighter scaled replica, the Hasbro four-figure 104TH Battalion “Wolf Pack” of figures, and Steve Sansweet’s Ultimate Action Figure Collection book. We discuss each of these releases, with a review of the four figures in Hasbro’s pack and an in-depth look at the latest book from Steve Sansweet detailing every Star Wars action figure released since 1978.
With a discounted Vintage boxed Millennium Falcon, some hard to find mini rig vehicles at retail, and crafty gift ideas, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN372.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 371: Black Friday Deals and 2012 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s Thanksgiving and once again Marjorie and Arnie are back with their special annual episode of Star Wars Action News running down all the Star Wars items on sale this weekend! From half-off vehicles and toys at Toys R Us to 8 figures for $25 at Wal-Mart, Dark Horse comics for under a dollar each, and so much more, listen to find out which stores you need to hit tomorrow (or tonight)!
And also in this episode the Star Wars Action News hosts look at all the items you can buy your Star Wars loving friend or family member for the holidays. All price ranges are covered from Hasbro action figures up to Gentle Giant’s newest statue and maquette releases. Listen to find their recommendations for hot holiday items, and a few things you may not have even known about!
Finally this week, Star Wars Action News has long been a supporter of Toys For Tots. Listen to this week’s episode to find out about a special eBay auction being run for a custom Death Trooper with all proceeds going to buy toys for a Toys For Tots donation! It’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN371.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 370: Clone Taper Caper
At Five Below stores across the country an unusual figure is showing up. It was first reported at Jedi Temple Archives.com and has been spotted by many collectors, including Arnie and Marjorie of Star Wars Action News. It’s a variant of the 212th Battalion Clone Trooper with a more detailed, more white helmet. But the odd thing is, the figure has seemingly been opened, then taped back shut. Have you found this new variant? Hear about the figure part swap on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Also on this week’s show, more finds at discounted prices, from other Star Wars collectibles at Five Below to hard-to-find exclusives at TJ Maxx, to value bundles at Toys R Us. Plus holiday items hitting store shelves, Lego sales, and a hint of Black Friday (or is that Thursday) sales next week!
With an X-Wing miniatures gameplay review by Darth Cheddar, Steve the Gingerprince updating us on his collecting, and a review of the Angry Birds iPhone game, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN370.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 369: A Mouse in the House
It’s been exactly one week since the news broke: Disney buys Lucasfilm, Episode VII in 2015. It’s a major change of course for a franchise that had long been declared dormant, and one that will have far-reaching impact on Star Wars collectors. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, Marjorie and Arnie take your voicemails, giving podcast listeners the stage to share their excitement and their trepidation about this news. Plus updates on new Star Wars collectibles for sale online. All this and more on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN369.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 368: BREAKING NEWS: Disney buys Lucasfilm; Announces Episodes 7, 8, and 9
Many Star Wars fans had to check their calendars today. Was it April Fools’ Day? Were the folks at Lucasfilm and Disney joining to play a Halloween prank on fans? But slowly the news set in — for over four billion dollars Disney has bought Lucasfilm, with the primary focus being the Star Wars franchise. More, they are immediately beginning preproduction on Star Wars Episode VII with a planned release in Summer, 2015.
It’s the single biggest surprise since Vader said “No, I am your father.” and now the Star Wars Action News team has gathered to gather the reaction from Star Wars fans and collectors. Join Marjorie, Arnie, Berent, Nathan, Jerry, Andrew, Jakob, and Steve the Gingerprince as they tell their initial reaction to the news, and what this means for their collecting.
Listen to this special episode of Star Wars Action News, then call us and share your thoughts on this major revelation for Star Wars. Leave us a voicemail at 415-508-JEDI
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN368.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 367: Bring on the Barge
For years many fans’ holy grail for the Star Wars 3.75-inch collection has been an original trilogy vehicle never realized in either vintage or modern era–Jabba’s Sail Barge. The scale and scope of such a vehicle has made it seemingly prohibitive, but at this year’s New York Comic-Con the Star Wars brand team mentioned that they could possibly do it. This has caused Star Wars fan sites, including Star Wars Action News, to unite like never before with the Bring on the Barge fan site petition. With the lofty goal of 10,000 signatures by Jan 31st this petition is to show Hasbro that there is a huge base of support in the community for a barge. On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, Marjorie and Arnie discuss the probability of such an item, and where it would fit in their collection. So listen to the show, head over and sign the petition, then come to the Star Wars Action News forums for their Poll of the Week and tell them how much you’d be willing to pay for the Barge.
Also on this week’s show, the Star Wars Angry Birds attack continues! The first reveal was Hasbro plush toys, but now large scale plushies and even adult Halloween costumes for Star Wars Angry Birds have been revealed!
With sales on Vintage Collection exclusives, a big Toys R Us exclusive with a bigger price tag, and a look at the Star Wars X-Wing Miniature game, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN367.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 366: NYCC Toy Hunter
New York Comic Con was a great time for Star Wars fans. From new toy reveals from Hasbro and their Angry Birds Star Wars to new collectible and product announcements from Hallmark, Kotobukiya, and more, and convention veteran Mitchell Hallock was on-hand to cover it all. Join us on Star Wars Action News this week to hear his recollection of the con, along with interviews with Kotobukiya, Hallmark, Comic Images, and a discussion of Star Wars toys with Toy Hunter Hembrough!
Also on this week’s show, Johnathan joins us to discuss his latest finds in store, on line, and a special vintage purchase.
With a Vinylmation contest winner and more, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN366.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 365: A New Star Wars Book Pops Up!
In 2007 Matthew Reinhart brought a new dimension to Star Wars books with Star Wars: A Pop Up Guide to the Galaxy, a book that helped redefine what a pop-up book could be for Star Wars fans. It quickly became a New York Times Bestseller and now Matthew is back with his follow up–Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-Up Adventure. General Grievous, Acklay, and more, this book has light up features, sounds, and so much more! And on this week’s Star Wars Action News, Matthew joins Arnie and Marjorie to discuss this new prequel era book for fans of all ages!
Also for fans of all ages, this past week Hasbro and Lucasfilm announced Star Wars Angry Birds, a videogame with toy tie-ins from Hasbro including an Early Angry Bird Kit! Some fans disdain this new license while others embrace it. Hear both sides of the discussion on this week’s podcast.
With new Hallmark Keepsake ornaments, a hands-on review of the new Hasbro Toys R Us exclusive Speeder Bike, your voicemails, news from New York Comic Con and more, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN365.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 364: Star Wars Action News Reads Day in Roseville
Last Saturday was the first annual Star Wars Reads Day, an event promoted by Del Rey and Lucasfilm to promote literacy in general, and the reading of Star Wars books in particular. Over 1,000 libraries and book stores across the country took part, with kits provided by Del Rey giving kids activities and crafts, and promoting Star Wars. Marjorie and Arnie of Star Wars Action News trekked to Roseville, MN for one of these events at Barnes & Noble with guests Troy Denning, John Jackson Miller, and Dan Wallace. On this episode of the podcast, they recap the events and share their hopes for next year’s event to make it even better!
And with Star Wars Reads day what better book is there than the Star Wars Essential Reader’s Companion to introduce new readers to the Star Wars Expanded Universe? Star Wars Action News Book Club Liaison Brock provides an in-depth review of this new book on this show.
With a recap of finds at the Toy Man Toy Show in St. Louis and the Fallcon convention in Roseville, new finds at Toys R Us, a die-cast C-3PO, and more, it’s on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN364.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 363: Pablo Hidalgo’s Essential Companion
On October 6, 2012 is the first Star Wars Reads day. Across the country bookstores will be hosting events celebrating Star Wars books, both fiction and nonfiction. Many stores are having Star Wars authors speak and autograph books, including the Barnes and Noble in Roseville, MN where Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie will be going to see authors Troy Denning, Daniel Wallace, and John Jackson Miller.
With Star Wars Reads day being the biggest thing for Star Wars fans since Celebration VI, it is the perfect time for the release of Pablo Hidalgo’s Star Wars: The Essential Reader’s Companion. With Star Wars fiction predating the Star Wars films themselves, and with a constant stream of expanded universe novels coming for over twenty years, The Essential Reader’s Companion provides summaries, trivia, and artwork for over 100 Star Wars adult novels, plus many more junior novels and comics besides!
On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, Arnie sits down with Pablo to discuss the inception of this new book and how it can be used by Star Wars readers of all experience levels–from those who’ve just read their first novel to the experienced reader who’s consumed every book released!
And also on this week’s show, Star Wars fans and Disney fans alike go crazy for Disney’s Vinylmation figures. Exclusive to the Disney theme parks, the second series of Vinylmations was released in August, simultaneous with Star Wars Celebration VI. Events were held on both coasts, at Disney World in Orlando, and Disneyland in California, and Podcast Enhancer Berent’s significant other Carmilla attended Disneyland to get a set of these figures! On this week’s podcast, listen to hear their impressions of this new series, and how you can win a full set of these figures from Star Wars Action News!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN363.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 362: He’s Alive…And In Perfect Hibernation
Star Wars Celebration VI is almost a month behind us, but the memories are still fresh, as are the collectibles! From coast to coast Celebration attendees are receiving their Disney Carbon Freeze Me statues! Marjorie and Arnie got theirs in the mail last week, so listen to this week’s hands-on review of these truly one-of-a-kind collectibles! They’ll tell you if it would be worth a Disney trip if these return to the theme parks.
Also on this week’s show, your Star Wars Action News hosts review a couple of high end Star Wars items, including Sideshow’s one-sixth scale Greedo figure, and Gentle Giant’s Emperor Palpatine Return of the Jedi mini-bust.
With a discussion of the Vintage Droid Factory set and a segment from Republic Forces Radio Network’s Johnathan updating you on the lastest toys in stores and online, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN362.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 361: Celebration VI Memories
With so much anticipation it’s hard to believe Star Wars Celebration VI is over, but with all the good times come good memories! On this week’s Star Wars Action News, Marjorie and Arnie listen to recounts of some of the best times people had at Star Wars Celebration VI, from meeting celebrities to shopping to making friends to just partying, you shared your thoughts on this episode of the podcast.
Then Jerry comes with an unusual Vintage Viewpoint, looking at Celebration VI from the perspective of a vintage collector. From Celebration VI store items that harkened back to days of OT to some of the rare items seen on the show floor, Jerry recaps it all.
With a store report on new exclusive items hitting shelves and more, it’s all in this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN361.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 360 Part 5: It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Celebration
On Sunday night Star Wars Celebration was winding down, but the Collectors’ Social Area still had hundreds of people pouring through trying to complete their Star Tots collection! Marjorie, Arnie, Berent, Jay, and Steve were all there handing out Star Tots but as the line grew longer the Star Wars Action News team took a break to reflect on the end of Star Wars Celebration VI. In this final episode of Celebration coverage, Marjorie, Arnie, Berent, Steve, and Scott from Tulsa reflect on the high points of C6, discuss Celebration Europe 2 in Germany, the release of both Episodes II and III in 3-D in 2013, and the SWAG they got and missed.
Listen to this episode of Star Wars Action News, then share YOUR thoughts on Celebration. If you attended, what did you love? What did you see? Who did you meet? If you didn’t attend, will you be attending Celebration Europe 2? Are you excited by the expedited release of the prequels? What did you think of Detours? Let us know at 415-508-JEDI or send an MP3 to show@swactionnews.com
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN360E.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Republic Forces Radio Network Celebration VI Clone Wars Coverage
Clone Wars may still be on summer vacation, but at Star Wars Celebration VI the Wars raged on, and Republic Forces Radio Network hosts Jerry, Johnathan, and Arnie were there! From an early Season 5 premiere to something totally new called Young Jedi, listen for the report on Clone Wars from C6!
This episode has very light spoilers for both Young Jedi and The Clone Wars Season 5 premiere. If you want to know absolutely nothing about the plots of these episodes, hold off on listening. However no major spoilers are revealed, saving those for when these episodes are shown on television.
Listen Now: http://www.republicforces.com/Podcasts/RFRNC6.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 360 Part 4: On the Floor with Chris Gore
On Sunday Star Wars Celebration VI started to wind down, but Marjorie and Arnie were still going strong. Marjorie had her new tattoo, Arnie had a number of purchases, and they were recording all about it at The Force United booth! But this podcast ended up being Podcrashed by Chris Gore. Chris was covering Celebration for StarWars.com and he sits down with Star Wars Action News to discuss his fandom of Star Wars, what he’s enjoyed at Celebration, and the crazy things that happened at the 501st party at the Grotto!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN360D.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 360 Part 3: Live from Celebration VI, Saturday Afternoon
Celebration VI was underway, George Lucas was taking a Detour on stage, but Marjorie, Arnie, and a number of Star Wars Action News listeners were still having fun in the Star Wars Collectors’ Social Area Saturday at noon! Listen to the second live podcast from the show where the Star Wars Action News hosts discuss being frozen in Carbonite, the bounty of items found at the Social Area Swap Meet and Social Friday night, Marjorie’s impending new tattoo, and more! Plus we have an interview with the voice of Star Wars fiction, Marc Thompson who performed the audiobook editions of the Thrawn Trilogy of novels, the Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi series, and many more!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN360C.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 360 Part 2: Partying with Yakface and Star Wars Action News
Thursday at Star Wars Celebration VI was the night of the Star Wars Action News/Yakface party. An edible Jabba attended, as did Slave Leia to flip the roles and eat the Hutt! Prizes were handed out, death sticks were consumed, and Jerry got to talk to several of the attendees about their expectations for Star Wars Celebration VI and their first day experiences. So join the party and listen now!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN360B.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 360 Part 1: Live from Celebration VI Friday, Thinking Geek with Mark McKenna
At Star Wars Celebration VI Marjorie, Arnie, and Steve the Ginger Prince recorded a live show in the Collectors’ Social Area, and were joined by guests from Think Geek and Star Wars artist Mark McKenna! They discuss the latest reveals from the Hasbro Star Wars panel, shopping on the show floor, and give their impressions of the con!
Note: There was a shorted wire for the first couple minutes of this show making Steve’s audio hard to hear and some popping sounds that were minimized as much as possible during editing. As this was a live performance “the show must go on” while technicians worked to resolve the problem. The audio problems are resolved by 4 minutes into the show. So if you hear noises during the beginning, thank you for your patience, and know the first couple minutes are not indicative of the entire show’s audio quality.ouple minutes of this show making Steve’s audio hard to hear and some popping sounds that were minimized as much as possible during editing. As this was a live performance “the show must go on” while technicians worked to resolve the problem. The audio problems are resolved by 4 minutes into the show. So if you hear noises during the beginning, thank you for your patience, and know the first couple minutes are not indicative of the entire show’s audio quality.
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN360A.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 359: The Star Wars Celebration VI Pre-Game Show
Even before the end of Star Wars Celebration V fans were starting to look forward to the next time they could get together with friends, Star Wars fans, from around the world. That’s because no other event or convention offers the programming, the exclusives, the events, and the excitement Star Wars fans find at Star Wars Celebration. And this week it’s finally here–Star Wars Celebration VI!
Marjorie, Arnie, and the Star Wars Action News team will be covering the event from the Clone Wars Season 5 premiere to the events in the Collecting Track, the store exclusives, the autograph area, and more! And on this episode of Star Wars Action News, Marjorie and Arnie run down the highlights of the event for collectors. From the Collectors’ Social Area to the Swap Meet, the Diorama Workshop, the Celebration Store, the Art Show, and more, we give you a high level prep for Star Wars Celebration VI!
Whether you listen while flying or driving to Celebration, or just sitting home wanting to know what’s happening at the con, it’s all in this episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast! We hope to see you at the show!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN359.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 358: Celebration VI and Chicago Comic-Con
2012’s Convention season is ending not with a whimper but with a bang! Star Wars Celebration VI starts in 10 days, but last weekend was also Wizard World’s Chicago Comic-Con, and on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast Marjorie and Arnie run down both.
First, the Celebration VI panel schedule has finally been released, and Marjorie and Arnie discuss some of the panels they will be hosting, as well as panels in the Celebration VI Collector’s Social Area. With limited edition free collectibles, opportunities to meet the faces behind some of the most popular Star Wars collecting web sites, and more, listen to find out how to not miss out at C6!
Also, Diorama Workshop head Frank D’iorio comes on the show to update listeners on what attendees will be building at C6, and what collectibles and souvenirs will be available at the diorama workshop area.
Then Marjorie, Arnie, Brock, and Johnathan went to Wizard World Chicago. Listen in to find out about the toys, collectibles, and celebrities that attended this Midwestern event.
With a book review of X-Wing: Mercy Kill by Brock and Vintage figures being sold individually online, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN358.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 357: Add to Cart
Celebration is in two weeks, and for collectors the time to prepare your shopping lists has come! The store list has been revealed, and pre-orders are being taken by Acme Archives and Gentle Giant. From T-Shirts to statues to jumbo figures, magnets, and more! On this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast, Marjorie and Arnie run down the list.
But is there any better collectible than a free one? Tickets for the Yakface/Star Wars Action News Celebration 6 party are almost sold out! With tons of door prizes, from the SDCC exclusive Carbon Freeze figure set, FX Lightsaber, Mimoco Thumb Drives, Diamond Select collectibles, Sideshow 12-inch figures, and so much more to win! Plus everyone who attends the party gets an exclusive shirt with art by Mark McKenna. Get your tickets before they sell out at http://www.swactionnews.com/C6/party.htm
With a review of Gentle Giant exclusive mini-busts, back to school notebooks, and a reveal about some panels in the Celebration 6 Collecting Track, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN357.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
New Podcast: Episode 356: Year of the Astomech
Celebration VI is coming fast! Less than a month away! Have you got your party to the Star Wars Action News/Yakface party? The tickets are almost sold out, and all attendees get snacks, drinks, an exclusive Star Wars T-Shirt with art by Mark McKenna, and a chance to win some great prizes! On this week’s Star Wars Action News, we talk to Mark about his Celebration VI exclusive art print, featuring Darth Talon and Aayla Secura, as well as his comic background and the party T-Shirt!
Also on this week’s show we run down some of the most limited and most coveted exclusives that are coming at Star Wars Celebration VI. From Disney Vinylmation figures to Boba Fett bust banks to trading cards given out one per day each day of the con, listen to start making your shopping list for Celebration!
With Disney being at Celebration one of the biggest questions is if they will bring Droid Factory with them. That conversation began again this weekend as Droid Factory made its long-awaited return to Disneyworld! Listen as Star Wars Action News forum member Christian, “Darth Corgi”, recounts his adventure of building all 24 droids, and find out how you can get yours.
With Steve “The Gingerprince” reporting from the MCM Expo in Manchester, a look at Wizard World Chicago, and more, it’s all on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN356.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
Diamond Select Reveals Celebration VI Exclusive Collectible Bank
Information in this article comes from Episode 355 of 
With Star Wars Celebration VI coming soon more exclusives are being announced. Today Diamond Select Toys reveals two exclusive Star Wars banks! From Diamond Select Marketing Supervisor Zach Oat:
Star Wars Celebration: These Are the Droids You’re Looking For!
If you were a Star Wars fan at San Diego Comic-Con, you probably picked up your vinyl R2-R9 Astromech droid bank by Diamond Select Toys, right? It was limited to 1000 pieces, it’s perfectly in scale to your 1/4 scale Star wars figures, it holds loose change and it was only $20 — what’s not to love? But if you weren’t at Comic-Con this year, fear not. DST put aside a limited number of the R2-R9s and is shipping them clear across the country to Star Wars Celebration in Orlando! Running August 21-23, Celebration 6 will be the last place to get your hands on the popular red droid, as well as pick up a brand-new droid made especially for Celebration! That’s right, C6 will get a special delivery of 100 black R2-Q5 Astromech droids, only available at the show, for the low price of $20 each! Both R2-Q5 and DST’s remaining stock of R2-R9s should go quickly, and DST will also have more of their regular Star Wars banks (including the classic R2-D2), so make the Diamond Select Toys booth (#632) your first stop at the con!
Hear all the details of this on Episode 355 of Star Wars Action News
New Podcast: Episode 355: Cast & Crew
Gus Lopez and Duncan Jenkins’ first two books on Star Wars collectibles have been comprehensive, fact-filled tomes about Star Wars collectibles, both mass market and prototypes. But for their third book, they go even more rare, looking at collectible items only made available to the cast and crew of the Star Wars films and TV shows. On this week’s Star Wars Action News, Duncan and Gus join Arnie and Marjorie to talk about the new book, and give tips on how you can obtain cast and crew items in your own collection!
Also this week, Marjorie and Arnie bring you BREAKING NEWS on what may be the single most limited collectible at Celebration VI!
With reflections on another San Diego Comic-Con International gone by, online availability of the Carbon Freeze exclusive set from Hasbro, and your voicemails, it’s all this and more on this week’s Star Wars Action News podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.swactionnews.com/Podcasts/SWAN355.MP3
Category: Movies & Television
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