This week in Q&A - Retro stuff! Sticker is as sticker does.  Ben Solo! Do we really need more Adam Driver figures?  And Tooling Costs - while 3-D printing gets around molds, well, you may not like the results just yet.

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Read on!

In a stream yesterday, Hasbro revealed several new items including 3 Amazon exclusives which were supposed to be up for sale yesterday.  The pre-orders didn't seem to go live - but today, all three are up for sale on Hasbro Pulse.  (I just ordered them, myself.) 

These include a 40th Anniversary carded Han Solo in Carbonite Chamber (just the block, $14.99, deco may be different than the 2013 release), a 2-pack of 4-LOM and Zuckuss (Kenner-style deco, swapped names, 40th anniversary Kenner packaging), and a Carbonized Darth Vader (ugly blue, $24.99.)

This is a big deal.  Via The Toy Book: Rubie’s Costume Co. Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid COVID-19 Uncertainty

Fresh from GameStop - a few months ago - is the tough-to-find Purge Stormtrooper (The Black Series 6-Inch).  It's good.  Can you find it?  Probably not, especially with stores closed - I saw one, once, in a damaged box and then bought it.   Hopefully you can find one soon too! 

Shipping in that wave of The Mandalorian figures, this Clone Trooper (The Vintage Collection) is the one you probably see left on pegs when you go out for toilet paper and ramen.   It's really close to the figure from 10 years ago, but if you open it and pop off the helmet you'll see a new face painted underneath.  It's a great troop builder, but do you need it anyway?  Read on!

Where are those plans?  Etsy!   One of the big questions we've had as toy fans is "When will 3-D printing supplant manufacturing in China?"  As of now it's still not ready for the kiddies, but someone on Etsy is charging $20 for plans for a 3D Printable Life Sized action figure inspired by vintage R2D2.  This is something Gentle Giant showed off as an official Kenner-inspired Star Wars action figure product, so it's unknown how Team Lucas and the House of Mouse will feel about $20 for plans to roll your own high-end collectible.  I doubt the final product would be as good as the licensed item right now, but these plans could prove invaluable as printing equipment gets better.

This week in Q&A - Slicensing up the license? If it's happening, it's not official yet. A full Mandalorian 3 3/4-inch line? It'd be nice, but sadly it's no longer 2008! And pegwarmers - well, look, if my answers are the most disappointing thing you read today you're having a pretty good week.

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Read on!

It's red! And new!  You can a Sith Jet Trooper (The Black Series 6-Inch)  if you luck into one during your provision quests or online shopping.  It's pretty shiny and there's conflicting reference to the helmet grooves... so maybe it's accurate!  Read on!

He's part of a group, but so far, he's the only one in this size! The Knight of Ren (The Black Series 6-Inch) is starting to show up now, but you can also order yours online.   He has some great articulation with some excellent motion hidden in the shoulders behind a rubbery shirt, with some of the best articulation Hasbro has done with Star Wars in this scale.  He can even mimic the designs in the publicity photos.  Also, supposedly his name is "Vicrul" but that isn't on the box.   Read on!

This week in Q&A - Sniping! How come Joes do it better? And Revan - is that 3 3/4-inch hole to be filled? Also casepacks.

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Read on!

Hasbro has been really upping its game with the new 3 3/4-inch figures it puts out - reissues get better paint and brand new characters are often the very best we've ever seen.  Cara Dune (The Vintage Collection) is up there with amazing accessories, a fantastic likeness, and top tier articulation.  It's the kind of thing that makes you wish they'd give you a full line from The Mandalorian which, it is worth reminding people, is not planned.  But you can get this one!  Read on.

It's dirty and hopefully Hasbro makes a lot more of the Remnant Stormtrooper (The Vintage Collection)!  Using the newer figure sculpt, the worn-out deco and flecks of damage just look marvelous.  Get some. Read on!

This week in Q&A - The G.I. Joe Rumor Mill. It's just rumors. And Bad Batch Clones? Well, you've got time, start a petition. And box variants are fun.

Be sure you send in your questions for next time. Read on!

Awesome and also a cruel tease, the The Mandalorian (The Vintage Collection)  is one of Hasbro's best 3 3/4-inch figures this year.  Sadly, it's not part of a much larger line with vehicles or playsets - but in and of itself, it's a must-buy.  Go get one.  Go for it.   Read on!

A figure that you'll probably regret skipping in a couple of years is the Zorii Bliss (The Black Series 6-Inch) figure!