And we're back!  This new Luke Skywalker figure is shipping now if you ordered online somewhere like our sponsors at Entertainment Earth.   It has more articulation than nearly any other Star Wars figure at this size, and has quite the accessory pool.   It even looks better than some of the early promo images - but is it worth tracking down during the summer heat?  Read on!

Toys R Us has started to announce their Comic-Con Exclusives for San Diego! As with previous years, these will be sold at booth #2343 - Entertainment Earth.   TRU will have a 2-pack "cinema scene" of 6-inch Han Solo vs. Greedo for The Black Series.  They've also got classic 1990 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Winged Fairy Maleficent, My Little Pony Queen Chrysalis, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Legacy Lord Zedd, and even a 50th Anniversary 3 3/4-inch G.I. Joe vehicle and figure set!  Click here to see more.

Who's ready for Q&A? Hopefully you, because we're doing that now. Let's talk about China and manufacturing some more! And then new, giant vehicles - who are they for, anyway? And aren't we due for a return of Vintage? Well... yes, but maybe not in the near future. Also, don't forget to send in your questions for next time. Read on!

Sponsor Entertainment Earth started shipping Star Wars: The Black Series Wave 4 sets and cases this week.  We'll be looking at these next week in more detail, as is the way of our people.  As far as I know, major brick and mortar stores haven't put these out yet.  Click here to pre-order yours for a future shipment, if you haven't already.  (Order a case, get two full sets and free shipping!  Order a set, and get the set.)  Quick impressions after the jump.

There aren't a lot of major characters left un-busted by Gentle Giant, and collectors in the Premiere Guild or attending SDCC in a few weeks will have a shot at the first-ever Jek Porkins Mini Bust!

Our pal Rob/Fetts tweeted in to share that Hasbro's line of mini-figures, called "Telepods," are hitting some 99 Cents Only stores!  Check it out after the jump.

Reuters confirms it: Chicago selected for George Lucas' 'storytelling' museum.  Last week NPR reported on the project which is said to feature such American treasures as Star Wars props and Norman Rockwell paintings.    The project is still several years off - the plans for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art aren't expected until later this year - but at least you'll have one more stop in Chicago next time you visit after the Improv Olympic and Second City.

It's time for Q&A! Can you ask about other things here? Sure, why not. Not a lot going down with Star Wars lately. And what's the best kind of plastic for toys? Depends on who you ask, and what you need them to do. Also: ask your questions for next week!

Itching for something new?  Would you settle for half-new?  Mission Series 2-Packs Wave 3 are hitting Target stores right now - I personally eyeballed Bespin Luke Skywalker (new) vs. Darth Vader (tweaked) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (tweaked) vs. General Grievous (new!) on Sunday.  You can also order them online after the jump.

Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are competing for George Lucas' vast archives which include his art collection as well as cinematic artifacts.  From NPR:

A giant X-wing is en route from Hasbro, and YodasNews.com shows it won't be alone.  A Millennium Falcon of generous proportions - seemingly the 2008 Big Millennium Falcon minus figure compatibility and electronics - is on the way.  The packaging boasts it's over 2 feet long, and Yoda's News says it may be a Walmart exclusive.  Click here to see it.

It's time for Q&A! So you left for five years - what should you look for? Wow, that's a big question. Also big: will 3-D printing and scanning let us make our own Micro Worlds, upsized to 3 3/4-inch scale? All this, much more, and send in your questions for next time!

Ad: They're finally here!  Pre-order your 6-Inch Black Series Star Wars Action Figures Wave 5 and get Free Shipping.  Choose from Wave 5 or Wave 5 Revision 1 for even more fun!  New characters include Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Chewbacca.   Pre-Order yours now - click here to get them!

Also available - Jabba the Hutt and the Speeder Bike!  Click through for pricing and availability.

Ad: NEW! Click here to pre-order Star Wars Black Series 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures Wave 5 right now and get Free Shipping.  New figures like Sgt. Doallyn, Hoth Wedge, and the first new Ree-Yees since 1998 are all here!  Entertainment Earth has a July ship date listed. Click through for pricing, breakdown, and availability.

In the never-ending arms race between Mattel and Hasbro for coolest collector exclusive at Comic-Con, one thing Mattel tends to really nail well is packaging.  How can you take a $1-$4 die-cast metal car and make it $40?  Easy - make a nice box, like this Darth Vader Die-Cast Metal Car revealed at the USA Today today.