Conglomerates love shopping holidays almost as much as synergy, which is why you're going to jump through hoops to get your toys first at Force Friday II on September 1, 2017.

Was there a press release?  You bet there was.  Check it out!

One of the surprise hits of The Black Series has been a series of higher-end fancy-boxed toy helmets from Hasbro.  The Stormtrooper and Kylo Ren editions were strong sellers, and they look nice on a shelf.  (My nose is too big to enjoy them.)   This year, the latest release is Poe Dameron's Black Squadron helmet.  Could this mean a white and blue variant is coming as someone's exclusive?  I'd bet money on it. I love these things.  But that's me - what does Hasbro have to say?

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES POE DAMERON ELECTRONIC HELMET
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99/Available: 2017)
Put on this deluxe helmet from THE BLACK SERIES and get ready to take flight as skilled X-WING fighter pilot POE DAMERON. Experience battle like never before with a surround sound speaker system that amplifies X-WING and TIE FIGHTER vehicle sounds and transmits communications from loveable sidekick BB-8. This unique helmet features exquisite deco and movie-accurate detail, putting collectors right in the middle of the action.

Use the Force, or the lightsaber, or whatever you got lying around.  This is one of the new energy blades for the year, as Bladebuilders seems to be doing as well as or better than action figures with much of the general public right now.  Kids love to hit things!   Hasbro sent along this press photo and block of copy for you, the viewer.

STAR WARS BLADEBUILDERS PATH OF THE FORCE LIGHTSABER
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: 2017)
Young Padawans can choose to follow the dark side or the light side with this premium lightsaber! Imagine fighting on the light side by attaching a Jedi connector piece and automatically activating blue light effects, or simply switch the connector piece to battle with a red Sith blade. For more action, press the button on the connector piece to expand the hilt for ultimate customization! Compatible with BLADEBUILDERS LIGHTSABER components, each sold separately. Includes lightsaber and 2 adjustable connectors.

You know the drill, so let's get to it.  Hasbro sent in another press release with photos, and there are some nifty things in here.  For starters, a new Glowstrike Nerf Stormtrooper rifle.  The Glowstrike gimmick is spectacular - Nerf darts are charged by a black light in a second or so, allowing the gun to shoot "real" "laser" "bolts."  The Rogue One releases were tops, so here's one from the First Order.

STAR WARS NERF GLOWSTRIKE FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPER DELUXE BLASTER
(Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99/Available: 2017)
The RESISTANCE doesn’t stand a chance against this NERF GLOWSTRIKE DELUXE Blaster! Fight like a FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPER with laser blast sound effects and motorized blasting that fires 12 darts in a row. Storm into battle anytime, anywhere with GlowStrike technology light effects and glow-in-the-dark darts. Includes stock, barrel tip, clip attachment piece, eyepiece, 12-dart clip, and 12 Elite GlowStrike darts. Requires 4 1.5V AA batteries, included.

If you're a fan of the Imperial Death Trooper, you have many options.  3 3/4-inch figure collectors have four different versions from which to choose so far, this being the latest of them with special ops gear and a big retractable claw weapon.  It's neat.  Read on!

Today it's the wave 3 Shoretrooper!  I haven't seen it in person in a store yet, but you can get them online - or if you're lucky, in stores.   Is the new grunt worthwhile?  I think so.  Read on!

This week in Q&A - Might 3 3/4-inch Action Figures be in short supply this summer? Probably - they were last year, new stuff stopped after DVD season. Big Playsets - but moooom, Spider-Man got a big playset! Why can't I have one? And finally is Rogue One rogue done? No.

And send in your questions for next week. Read on!

Ad: New Hikari Star Wars! The Star Wars Galaxy First Order Snowtrooper Hikari Vinyl Figure is a clear starfield, limited to a positively tiny 250 pieces. This collectible articulated vinyl figure is due in March for $79.99. Click here to pre-order yours.

If you're very old, you may remember Hasbro's Titanium Series Forged Figures a few years ago - die-cast metal (and plastic) figures packaged in plastic domes for about $15.  The format is back, taking a cue from Unleashed and the 3 3/4-inch 2002 Saga line with swooshes and blast effects - and cool display stands.   Hasbro says:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 3.75-INCH TITANIUM SERIES Figure Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
This highly detailed scale of action figures allows fans to recreate epic scenes from STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE. Inspired by the 40th Anniversary of the first STAR WARS film, each iconic figure represents a notable character, including DARTH VADER, HAN SOLO, LUKE SKYWALKER, PRINCESS LEIA, and OBI-WAN KENOBI, in impeccable movie-real design. Each figure features a dynamic, double-sided backdrop and character-specific accessory, allowing fans to recreate iconic moments. Even better, collect each individual backdrop to piece together a bigger STAR WARS scene. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

If you liked Unleashed figures from 2002-2007, you're going to love the more expensive, heavier, and electronic boxed The Black Series Centerpiece Collection.  The roughly 6-inch scale statues are...well, let's let Hasbro take it away:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES CENTERPIECE Figure
(Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: Fall 2017)
Showcase some of the most incredible STAR WARS battle scenes like never before! Each CENTERPIECE Figure Dramatic Moments collection features iconic scenes enhanced with premium light and sound effects. Look for the LUKE SKYWALKER figure inspired by the battle from STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

There is another FX Lightsaber!  Obi-Wan Kenobi's blade is back, in blue, for you.  Hasbro sent along pictures and the following:

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 3.75-INCH TITANIUM SERIES Figure Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
This highly detailed scale of action figures allows fans to recreate epic scenes from STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE. Inspired by the 40th Anniversary of the first STAR WARS film, each iconic figure represents a notable character, including DARTH VADER, HAN SOLO, LUKE SKYWALKER, PRINCESS LEIA, and OBI-WAN KENOBI, in impeccable movie-real design. Each figure features a dynamic, double-sided backdrop and character-specific accessory, allowing fans to recreate iconic moments. Even better, collect each individual backdrop to piece together a bigger STAR WARS scene. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

It's Grand Admiral Thrawn!  It's the first time he's been sold on an individual card this century, and it's his debut figure from Star Wars Rebels. 

He has a holster, a blaster, and a giant rocket launcher - maybe it's not exactly what you saw on TV, but at least they got the blue right.  And he has a nice paint job.  And dark blue hair.  Read on!

Hasbro PR has sent us a number of new images today of several new goodies just ahead of Toy Fair.  Let's get started with Monopoly Star Wars 40th Anniversary Edition - obviously, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the movie, not the roughly 20-year-old crossover of the game and the licensed property.  Hasbro says:

MONOPOLY STAR WARS 40th ANNIVERSARY Edition Game
(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/ Players: 2-6/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Celebrate four decades of STAR WARS history with MONOPOLY! Featuring graphics of iconic characters and classic movie moments from STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE, this 40th ANNIVERSARY Edition Game takes you back to when it all began. Based on classic gameplay with an intergalactic twist, players can travel around the galaxy and build bases and fleets. When every space is owned, count up the fleets & bases. The player with the most spaces on the winning side is the ultimate winner! The MONOPOLY: STAR WARS 40th Anniversary Edition Game includes 1 Game board, 6 Tokens, 28 Title cards, 16 Force cards, 16 Smuggler’s Cargo cards, 32 Fleets, 12 Bases, 2 Dice, and 1 Money Pack. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.

You want it?  Here it is - come and get it!  NCS posted a pre-order for a BB-8 USB Fan, due around June for pennies under $27.00.  It's orange and white and hollow - and arriving just in time for you to actually potentially want or need a desk fan.   It's part of Sega's consumer goods line, as they make this kind of stuff. 

What a difference a few weeks makes!  Not long ago, I was seeing Walmart's exclusive Death Trooper just sitting around in big numbers.  Now?  Not so much. The super-articulated 3 3/4-inch figure has two blasters, no holsters, and better than normal articulation.   It's good.  Read on!