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According to CNBC: Toys R Us hires law firm as it explores possible bankruptcy filing. The toy seller had some restructuring over the past couple of decades while some of its competitors started to loose its shine. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Sears and Montgomery Wards were a couple of power players in toys. They're gone. Then Kay-Bee and Kmart took over - which are gone, and not doing well, respectively.
Hopefully it's no big deal, but toys are an increasingly tough sell as the speculator's market of the 1990s is over, modern children move to games faster, and collectors eventually fill their homes.
It's Star Wars so of course there's a new Darth Vader - this time packaged with the Probe Droid. It's packed 1 per carton of 4 toys, the other 3 being Rathtars, so these tend to sell out quickly. Particularly since it's the first new Original Trilogy thing in a while. Should you get one? Read on!
Because things are fine, StarWars.com posted A Statement Regarding Star Wars: Episode IX. Director Colin Trevorrow is out, after directing Jurassic World and Safety Not Guaranteed (largely positive) and the new Book of Henry (largely negative.) A key quote:
"Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX. Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ."
No new director is known, but at this point I'd start putting money in big names and former Lucasfilm collaborators.
After an absence of new figures for The Force Awakens, the original trilogy's main hero gets not one, but three known 3 3/4-inch scale action figures for The Last Jedi so far! The Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master) is in stores now and you might even be able to find it at a store near you this week. Should you track him down? Read on!
This week in Q&A - HasCon! I'll be there, will you? The 40th Anniversary... was not as crappy as the 20th anniversary line. Prices - why? And Mini Vehicles - are they dead, wrapped in plastic?
And send in your questions for next week. Read on!
Hasbro's new Star Wars line - where it doesn't mention the new movie by name anywhere on the packaging - really does span the whole saga. I found a new sculpt (and stunning) 1977-style Obi-Wan Kenobi on Saturday, and they also pay tribute to some cool stuff from The Force Awakens, as there is much that would still make a good toy. We got a Rathtar! He can eat figures. He can make superbly cool and gross noises on the Force Link band. Unfortunately, his tentacles can pop out easily, and he's basically a potato with a mouth. I like it - it comes with a cool figure. Read on!
Day #2400! Why am I still doing this? Just released this week, let's look at Chewbacca with Porg. The figure is awesome. The animal buddy is awesome. The bowcaster may be Hasbro's worst, as it falls apart if it touches anything. Bring glue, but do give this figure a look - it's sturdy otherwise. Read on!
UPDATE: These were also found at a Phoenix, AZ area Walgreens store for $6.99 each.
One of the few people I talk to nearly every day is my pal Phil in Wisconson. Today, Phil shared this photo of 4 new 6-inch figures at Walgreens - this format has also been found at Family Dollar, Big Lots!, and Dollar General since last year. Rey is back in new packaging. The Stormtrooper was sold in Mexico and Australia in 2015, and is making its US debut here. Captain Phasma and C-3PO are making their debuts here as well. They're basically the same size as 6-inch The Black Series figures so if you need army builder filler for your shelves, give these a look.
We have no price at this time as none was listed (usually they sell for $7 or less), but it's worth noting for you Transformers fans that I found Cyber Battalion Prowl and Bumblebee at a Phoenix-area Walgreens for $16.99 today. These are Voyager-sized robots sold previously in South America and China.
If you want to see more about existing 6-inch value figures, click here for a listing of our Figure of the Day reviews.
If you picked up a Force Link bracelet in the Starter Set, BB-8 Playset, or Toys R Us you might have been trying to give it a shot by placing the reader up against the blue symbol on your figures' feet.
Do not do this.
The chip for the sounds is not located in the figures' feet, but rather in their torso. If you consult the instruction sheet, you'll notice that it shows the illustration of a hand gripping the figure by the body - which is how you're going to get your best results. Similarly, the chips in the vehicles and creatures are not necessarily where the blue Force Link symbol may indicate and you'll want to try a few things to get them in just the right position. Sometimes it's logical, and in some cases - like the Resistance Ski Speeder - it's placed perfectly with the vehicle's natural handle.
It begins! The first figure I cracked open from Force Friday II was the Imperial Probe Droid. It's the first all-new Probot in nearly 20 years, and it's a nice one with a better integrated rocket, a superior sculpt, nifty Force Link sounds, and a clear display stand. And more articulation. And glossy plastic bits. It's just better - read on!
Amazon's exclusive 6-inch Star Wars: The Black Series figures from The Last Jedi are live now! Grab The Elite Praetorian Guard with Heavy Blade and a First Order Stormtrooper with Heavy Gear tonight. Pre-order for a December 1 delivery.
Ad: Order New Hasbro Star Wars: The Last Jedi toys from Entertainment Earth! New action figure, construction sets, remote control robots, nesting dolls,
Also don't miss Star Wars: The Last Jedi Orange 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures Wave 2 Set - there's no picture, but there are names you won't want to miss.
