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.

While somewhere in the realm of homage and parody, the Sucklord has debuted another SUCKLE figure on their Kickstarter updates for an upcoming series.  Check out Crystal Pharaoh, which looks like something from ancient Egypt combined with a mask of some guy from a movie.  He's due in series 2, promised to be on ye olde Kickstarter soon.

Let's get started with Q&A! First up: reissues! Are they secret repacks of old toys? (No.) Second: will we ever be done collecting? That's... complicated. Finally, what's up with The Clone Wars prices on Amazon and eBay? The answer may surprise you - or if you read the column regularly, it might not. Oh - and send in your questions for next time. Read on!

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Rounding out the new foursome from the great white north, the Snowtrooper is one of those figures you'll be mad you can't get more of.   The split "skirt" lets him sit, but the wide sculpt may make it difficult to cram him in certain vehicles - but he's perfect for filling out your AT-AT's cargo hold.

Check out this article:  Epic News from SDCC: The Force is with Hot Wheels.  Matty Collector's post teases a box with something in it.  But what?  That, I don't know.

From Canada, with love!  This new Darth Maul is in stores now - there, not here - and is an all-new sculpt with a flared blade on the lightsaber, if you keep tabs on such things.  He can fit in the Sith Infiltrator vehicle, stand, and fight.  Can you ask for more? Probably, but you won't get it for the price.  Read on! 

While my flight continues to not board me, why not read about Luke Skywalker? This new 2014 Saga Legends figure is a new sculpt in Canada right now.  Is it worth the loonies?  Read on!

We're back! (A Dinosaur's story.)  This Obi-Wan Kenobi is today's Star Wars Figure of the Day!  It just hit Canada and, so far, seemingly nowhere else.  This wave's absence from store shelves and online pre-sells is conspicuous so far, but thankfully a kind soul managed to help me get a set to show all of you. 

It's time for Q&A! After a couple of thousand figures, whose gun is that? And what about Hasbro's Q&A - hey man, I've been doing this since 1999, what am I - chopped liver? Also rambling about the 4 Canadian Saga Legends and let's complain about upcoming expensive exclusives - because I love you all! Also, be sure to take a minute to get in your questions for next week.

Heads-up:  The Rocketeer ReAction 3 3/4-Inch Retro Action Figure is in stock at Entertainment Earth right now for $9.99 (cheep).  This is the first all-original design and new character for the line to see production, which previously has consisted of 5 swell Alien figures based on Kenner's prototypes. 

"We all look a little melted. It's good to see other melted people." Everyone's favorite Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson guest and space princess is talking about Episode VII!  Well, a bit - there are contracts.   The Guardian has some choice quotes from the actress/scribe.

Forbes and other outlets are confirming 40 new levels are on the way to Angry Birds Star Wars 2 - and apparently they're free.  Does this mean more new toys? Most likely, so strap yourselves in for another season of bird importing on your iPhones!

The Phantom Menace at 15 was originally published as a postscript to my Q&A column - I'm reprinting it here as its own beast because it got a pretty good reaction and there's no reason to bury it in the back pages. Here it is, with a couple of tweaks. Thank you for your kind indulgence.

It's time for Q&A! Want to know some great other toy figure sites? Sure, who doesn't? And what are the best versions of more of your favorite Star Wars characters as action figures? Let's tackle that too. All this and a Phantom Menace at 15 rant. Read on!