Forum member PROVOST gave us a heads up on a news story at USA Today. They have posted a story revealing the Star Wars Black Series Action Figures. These are 6″ figures that will featured detailed sculpts and paint jobs as well as detailed articulation! Here’s some quotes from the story:
“After 35 years of fantastic plastic standing tall in pop culture at 3¾ inches, Hasbro is releasing the Star Wars Black Series this year, beginning a new set of 6-inch figures that will feature more articulation and an increased attention to detail.
Priced at $19.99 each, eight figures are planned for 2013 – Hasbro will primarily draw characters from the original Star Wars trilogy of films while also bringing in key players from the prequels.
The first wave of four, due out in early to mid-August, includes Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing Fighter flight suit, fan-favorite droid R2-D2, bad guy Darth Maul and an Imperial Sandtrooper.
…..
The current “vintage”-style line of 3¾ figures will also continue under the Black Series banner.”
Click the headline of the story for the images. You can read the article Here.
Star Wars Black Series Luke Skywalker
Another image and more info at the link.
News Story - Hasbro Reveals Star Wars Black Series Figures
Wow, now that's interesting. I may have to pick up a few of those. I can't believe it has taken them this long to make proper 6 inch SW figures.
I just caught the USA Today article a second ago and rushed over here...Idk if people will love or hate this but I'm very excited about this, I've wanted a 6 inch line of Star Wars figures since 2002. The price is awful, and I'm concerned they may take the same shortcuts they'be been taking in the ML line...but I'm remaining optimistic on these. It seems stupid to bring this up since the line hasn't even started yet but I hope they put out some 6 inch KOTOR figures, I'd like to be done with the 3 3/4 scale.
I'm beginning to wonder something about Hasbro's production process...I've noticed a few ML figures seem to be enlarged versions of previously released MU figures. Are the ML figures sculpted based on the MU or do they have some sort of method to enhance the size of their figures? I was also wondering (given some of the poor quality ML figures that have come out) if the figures are even being sculpted at this point. Is it possible that Hasbro is now making figures from 3D models? I've read a little about 3D printers and I don't think it's crazy to assume that Hasbro may have abandoned formal sculpting for their prototypes, and it could explain how they are able to produce larger versions of previously released 3 3/4 figures.
Wow!! So cool!
WOW....SW Marvel Legends style....pipe dream but it's actually happening!
Hopefully the image we see here is not just a retouched production shot. Often times we see our first shots with nice sculpting and dramatic paint schemes but then once it hits retail reality it is usually just a flat up-size to the 3.75" figures. When I see the face of this figure and the shading that goes on with the orange jumpsuit I can only hope that this complete aesthetic makes it to the final $19.99 incarnations.
BRING ON THE STORMTROOPERS!!! That's all I want!!!
If they keep the line tight, I'm all in. Though I will despise paying full price for R2-D2 since he's so small, but i suppose that's how an assortment has to work. =/
I'm kinda worried that Hasbro is making their sole collector efforts at 6" scale and reducing 4" to stuff just aimed at kids (ie less articulation). This may be happening for Marvel and Star Wars.
I'm kinda worried that Hasbro is making their sole collector efforts at 6" scale and reducing 4" to stuff just aimed at kids (ie less articulation). This may be happening for Marvel and Star Wars.
Depending on the final product, I will definitely pick up X-Wing Luke, Jedi Luke and Darth Vader. Eventually I might get more depending on how those three turn out.
But I kind of question having Darth Maul in wave one instead of Vader. Considering the other three are arguably pulled from ANH, maybe TPM figures like Maul should have been saved for a future wave.
If they're charging 10 bucks for a 3 3/4 figure, I can't imagine what they will charge for these....
EDIT: 20 bucks huh?
Dream come true for 6 inch collectors. Hopefully they release a large assortment of characters.
Holy Crap. My wallet does not need this. Still, very excited about this news!
I have wondered the same. But I think it may be the opposite; they are sculpted big, and then reduced for the 3 3/4 scale, even though the 3 3/4 versions may come out far in advance. I think Bucky Cap is a perfect example of this. The 3 3/4 version that was released for the Captain America movie looks almost exactly like a miniature version of the MU Bucky Cap that came out afterwards.
I know Mezco did exactly this for their Cinema of Fear line. They had made 6" figures of Freddy, Jason and Leatherface only to release them later as 3 3/4 figures that were exactly the same sculpt as the bigger ones.
EDIT: 20 bucks huh?
Top 5 wants:
- Darth Maul
- Vader
- General Grievous
- Durge
- ROTJ Luke
"Our focus here is the adult collector, the dad," DePriest says. "We know they have their own generation of youngsters they like to share the adventure with. It can be something for dad, and the 3¾ world can be something for the kids to share."
Twenty bucks per figure is really expensive. Still, if Hasbro can get their distribution issues under control, focus strictly on figures (no vehicles/playsets), and keep the exclusives out of the equation, this could very well be one of the best Star Wars toy lines ever produced.
If we get any EU I want Darth Revan. Expensive as it would be, I want an xwing for this line.
I know Mezco did exactly this for their Cinema of Fear line. They had made 6" figures of Freddy, Jason and Leatherface only to release them later as 3 3/4 figures that were exactly the same sculpt as the bigger ones.
Well now THESE are gonna be hard to resist.
fyi the 3 3/4" figures from hasbro star wars are sculpted at the 3 3/4" size, these are not 2 ups being released but all new sculpts.
Buying the same crap over & over & over again until the end of time.
I've been wasting time trying to think which characters I want enough to pay $20 for.
Probably:
1. ESB Yoda
2. ROTJ Luke
3. TPM Qui-Gon Jinn
4. Leia in any of her costumes that aren't a dress. If they do Boussh, her helmet either has to be removable, or she needs swappable heads.
5. R5-D4
The only figures I'd pay $20 a piece for are Vader, ROTJ Luke, and Starkiller.
I'm in!
(And here I was thinking I was going to get to save money this year)
Keep reading: Star Wars Black Series - Page 2
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