Check out the Shadow Scout in today's Figure of the Day! It's similar to some 3 3/4-inch figures, but it's 6-inches tall.  The blaster, however, is basically the same size for some reason.  Read on for more!

Star Wars Rebels returns to a normal, shorter format with Droids in Distress. Is fan service enough?

If you know your sci-fi history, it's not uncommon to trot out guest stars early on a spin-off. Star Trek: The Next Generation's first regular episode was basically a remake of the original series' second episode - crazy drunk sickness crew, swapping the super-cool Sulu fencing for the super-creepy Data nailing Tasha Yar. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had guest stars Lursa and B'Etor on its first regular installment, and The Clone Wars' first real installment? Yoda reenacts (preenacts?) Luke's Jedi training from The Empire Strikes Back. What Rebels does is bring back R2-D2 and C-3PO! The snappier exposition dump has more interesting battles than the pilot movie, and manages to do some more worldbuilding while having a bit more fun. Read on for more - and download the episode for free on iTunes until Apple changes their mind!

I got this swell Shadow Stormtrooper Commander 6-inch action figure in the mail over the weekend, and it is indeed swell.  Essentially a black, backpack-free Sandtrooper, it's basically exactly what you would want in such a thing.  3 guns cast in dark grey. Pauldron.   Glossy helmet lenses.  Read on!

Welcome to Q&A, which happens pretty much every Sunday night or Monday morning. Take your pick. Let's talk 31-inch action figures some more because they're so sexy. And 6-inch figure displays - now that we're about 20ish figures in, what all are we doing? And do kids matter with action figures? Well, yes.

As always, send in your questions for next time. Read on!

In an article called More Cancelled Star Wars Games Revealed, IGN reveals that Factor 5 had been pretty busy before the 2008 financial crisis.  We almost got a Rogue Squadron compilation on the Wii, and a bunch of other goodies.  We also missed out on Star Wars Rogue Squadron: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter.  It's worth a read.

That was fast! If you ordered your Imperial Shadow Squadron set at Target.com on Wednesday, you might have it waiting at your front door today - mine arrived already in a nice big box (albeit with a couple of dents on the packaging).  It looks pretty slick, and if you didn't get an order in don't worry - it should be in stores very soon!

For those who missed the boat, the set includes a Scout Trooper, Sandtrooper Shadow Stormtrooper Commander, and Speeder Bike in black.

It's super tall! The Star Wars Rebels AT-DP Vehicle is able to seat one 3 3/4-inch scale action figure with another popping out the top hatch. It has moving legs, a firing rocket, and a rotating head - all of which you can see, after the jump.

Apparently Zeb has a cool hat!  This is the Star Wars Rebels Hero Series Deluxe Zeb action figure.  Enjoy it in good health. There are pictures after the jump.

This is exhausting.  At NYCC, Hasbro also revealed new Mission Series Star Wars Action Figures 2-packs.  R2-D2 and Yoda, Ezra Bridger as Imperial Cadet and Kanan Jarrus again, Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper Disguise and Princess Leia, plus Hoth Luke and Hoth Han are all on deck.

Saga Legends continues! NYCC reveals were designed to make the kids of the 1980s ecstatic with Lando Calrissian in Skiff Guard Disguise, Han Solo in Bespin Jacket, plus Luke Skywalker in X-Wing Pilot outfit.  It's a good day!

Sometimes we get toys from movies and sometimes we get movies from toys.  NYCC revealed a few good shots of Ezra Bridger's Lightsaber... Gun... Slingshot.... thing from Star Wars Rebels.  Take a look!

New York! I'm not there - but these figures are.  Hasbro revealed 6 new 6-inch The Black Series action figures for all of us remaining loyal Star Wars fans.  They are: Emperor Palpatine, Luke Skywalker, in Stormtrooper Disguise, Clone Commander Cody, IG-88, Princess Leia in Boushh Disguise, and the Clone Trooper Captain.

Ah, armchair reporting! It's great.  Hasbro sent along a batch of photos of new Star Wars goodness from their "Twas The Night Before Party."  In here, you'll find 3 3/4-inch Star Wars The Black Series C-3PO, Princess Leia in Boushh Disguise, Mosep Binneed, Commander Thorn, Han Solo in Carbonite, and a pair of Jawas!  What's not to love?

While my budget for travel basically covers trips to toy stores and the occasional bike ride to Wal-Mart, I'm seeing a ton of great coverage from  New York City at the Hasbro party before New York Comic Con.  New 6-inch and 3 3/4-inch Star Wars figures were shown, as are some nifty new Transformers toys.  Seeing as you can get all-new Leia Boushh figures in regular and extra-large sizes, clearly it's a great time to be alive.

UPDATED with more links to Mission Series and Saga Legends images.

UPDATE: Sold out. Note the DPCI and keep an eye on your local store!

There aren't many big exclusives left for 2014, but you can cross one off your list today! Target.com has the Star Wars The Black Series Imperial Shadow Squadron Pack in stock for $50.00 plus free shipping.  Unless you're up for playing a round of clearance chicken, you can save yourself a lot of post-holiday anguish by ordering yours now.