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Star Wars 40th Anniversary Black Series Vintage Packaging – In-Hand Quick First Look

under Random Photo Shoot, Star Wars Toy News

During Toy Fair 2017 Hasbro announced that they would be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original Star Wars movie (and toys) with the release of the original 12 figures in classic blister packaging, but at the Black Series 6 Inch scale. On top of that, they announced right in the panel that the first 5 were already in stock and ready to ship! I busted out my phone and grabbed them before even leaving the auditorium, and they actually showed up early this week. Man I wish things were always that easy.

We wanted to share some clear pics of the figures in package. All of these look to be dead on re-issues of the original figures, including recent releases like Luke and Ben. The only notable difference is the new head sculpt on Princess Leia. It’s significantly less beefy, and the paint on it this go-around does it justice. This keeps in line with the Black Series style of inspired head sculpts rather than pure accuracy, and gives Leia her proper due.

We’ll bust them all out of package soon, but for now, enjoy some close ups while they’re still in their plastic prisons!

Discussion / Comments (Jump to this Thread on the Forum)

  4. Dolemite's Avatar Dolemite says

    Leia's new face sculpt is still way too wide, but it's DEFINITELY an improvement over this:

  5. Tony_Bacala's Avatar Tony_Bacala says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 305Batman View Post
    Why would anyone open these?
    I'm contemplating it, to compare with the originals via pics. And to have a non puffer fish leia head on display. Other than Leia tho, I have them all open already.

  6. ludovicotek's Avatar ludovicotek says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 305Batman View Post
    Why would anyone open these?
    Never found the first release of Leia. Need one for the shelf.

  7. En Sabah Nerd's Avatar En Sabah Nerd says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 305Batman View Post
    Why would anyone open these?
    As much as it is a shame to open such pretty packaging the figures themselves are still the main attraction. I passed on the first R2 because I wasn't into the line yet and I figured R2 would be redistributed, I regret that decision quite a bit. I'm just hoping I can actually get R2 now since he's sold out online and store distribution tends to suck (though given the opportunity Hasbro might push hard to get these anniversary figures out).

  8. Lionheart's Avatar Lionheart says

    I think Hasbro are sucking badly on this. Not only did they shortpack the most rare fig; R2, but they fixed the Leia head - something they had already promised to do before the release of the Black version and then didn't. So now if people want a Leia that doesn't look fugly, not only have they wasted their money if they bought Black - because you lied to them - but they now have to get one in packaging they will have to destroy to access the figure. Good job!

    And don't even get me started on the lack of love for the 3.75 inch line, for which they could have done the same thing as the 6 inch line with their eyes closed as all the first 12 have been updated for that scale already... maybe there'll be something at SDCC.

  9. Trivial Psychic's Avatar Trivial Psychic says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Lionheart View Post
    I think Hasbro are sucking badly on this. Not only did they shortpack the most rare fig; R2, but they fixed the Leia head - something they had already promised to do before the release of the Black version and then didn't. So now if people want a Leia that doesn't look fugly, not only have they wasted their money if they bought Black - because you lied to them - but they now have to get one in packaging they will have to destroy to access the figure. Good job!.
    This...100 percent. I was lucky with my Leia, as the paint apps beared a pretty decent likeness, but seeing this new, improved one really ticked me off, because had I known it was coming, I wouldn't have wasted the time or money in tracking the first one down to begin with.

    I hope Figurearts gets around to creating Dooku soon, so I can just be done with Star Wars altogether.

  10. TheSuperNamek's Avatar TheSuperNamek says

    This is super exciting as there are a few here I really regret skipping out on.

  11. Skoob's Avatar Skoob says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic View Post
    This...100 percent.
    Ditto. The timing is interesting. I don't know about anyone else, but I feel like I now have all the characters I wanted, so don't really care what they do next.

  12. EvilMonkeyPope's Avatar EvilMonkeyPope says

    Will they ever release this Vader without this dumb base?

  13. Jeddostotle7's Avatar Jeddostotle7 says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by EvilMonkeyPope View Post
    Will they ever release this Vader without this dumb base?
    Yes, they already confirmed that back at Toy Fair I think.

  14. Gunathar's Avatar Gunathar says

    I blame you, ToyArk, and your cinematic 40th Vader photo shoot for giving me yet ANOTHER reason to spend even MORE money on toys...

    ... Thanks

  15. Trivial Psychic's Avatar Trivial Psychic says

    I repainted the head on my Walgreens Emperor's Wrath Vader a while back and swapped it with the original black series one. I then took the head from the original Vader and stuck it on the Emperor's Wrath version. I keep it displayed without the mask, and since the hand is removable and the soft goods rougher and less refined, it makes for a better representation of Vader's last stand than the original figure did.

    Sorry Hasbro, I am not dropping twice the cost for essentially the same figure with some giant cardboard backdrop.

  16. Tony_Bacala's Avatar Tony_Bacala says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gunathar View Post
    I blame you, ToyArk, and your cinematic 40th Vader photo shoot for giving me yet ANOTHER reason to spend even MORE money on toys...

    ... Thanks


    Haha, glad we could be of service! Although he seems very similar, this one does have an overall better feel and stance on shelf. Worth it IMO.

  17. MUfan97's Avatar MUfan97 says

    Despite my tendency to avoid 6 inch, I've gotta admit, I would kinda want this figure to display on the card...


    IF IT WEREN'T FOR THOSE STUPID GAPS AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE BUBBLE!



    Seriously, Hasbro, you almost have the PERFECT figure display that would make a bitter 1/18th fan want one, and you threw off the whole aesthetic with those unnecessary GAPS!


    I know, this is a REALLY petty thing, but they almost got me!

  18. Jeddostotle7's Avatar Jeddostotle7 says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Trivial Psychic View Post
    I repainted the head on my Walgreens Emperor's Wrath Vader a while back and swapped it with the original black series one. I then took the head from the original Vader and stuck it on the Emperor's Wrath version. I keep it displayed without the mask, and since the hand is removable and the soft goods rougher and less refined, it makes for a better representation of Vader's last stand than the original figure did.

    Sorry Hasbro, I am not dropping twice the cost for essentially the same figure with some giant cardboard backdrop.

    [snip]
    1. This Vader is getting a separate release later this year at normal price without the giant backdrop.

    2. I can tell you that, having this in hand, it's more than just a better helmet. Almost the entire figure is a new sculpt. Everything is better proportioned and shaped, and all the details are more accurate. It's not "essentially" the same figure; it really is a 2.0.

  19. Prophet924 has no avatar! Prophet924 says

    I marvel at all the new refined details for this 40th Anniversary Vader. The ridges in his pants and sleeve are crisper. The way the helmet top meets the eyes gives the helmet a more menacing look. The bridge of the nose is at a better angle. It's just a bit more sharp than the Emperor's Wrath one so it looks better. The knobs on the two sides of his mouth piece at not as large, more subtle. This Vader still has a loose hip issue. He also needs bicep swivel or double jointed elbows to get is better light saber duel poses. The right hand should have hinged in "roll the dice" manner other than side to side. Better sword fighting potential. The material of the cape is much better. Has some heft and it lies down better. I miss the chain but not too much to change it. The vest should bunch more at the shoulders than just being flat. It does distract in close up shots. There just isn't enough fabric to bunch it and not look too narrow. The painted sections of the mask bothered me initially. However taking pics of fig in lights has so many reflective aspects. It is very dynamic. Sculpt aside. The paint even makes the previous offers so flat and plain in comparison.

    If you don't want the nostalgia back drop, get Vader when he comes to single card. It's fantastic. I love the back drop too. The display stand great! Curious how this figure will look with that Blockade Runner dynamic diorama piece.

    Thwipp!

  20. Dolemite's Avatar Dolemite says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Prophet924 View Post
    He also needs bicep swivel or double jointed elbows to get is better light saber duel poses.
    I noticed that a lot of the earlier Black figures had bicep swivels and double-jointed elbows (such as the Stromtroopers and Biker Scouts), but that's been pretty much completely eliminated from the newer figures, sadly.

  21. En Sabah Nerd's Avatar En Sabah Nerd says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dolemite View Post
    I noticed that a lot of the earlier Black figures had bicep swivels and double-jointed elbows (such as the Stromtroopers and Biker Scouts), but that's been pretty much completely eliminated from the newer figures, sadly.
    Actually it was kind of the rare exception early in the line. The only figures with bicep swivels and double hinge elbows were those early troopers while everybody else (including the early lightsaber wielding figures) just had ball hinged elbows. So far in the entire line only 6 figure molds sport the bicep swivel with double hinged elbows: Stormtroopers (and Sandtroopers/repaints), Scout troopers, the Clonetroopers (AotC and RotS), Commander Cody, farmboy Luke, and ANH Leia. Yoda then also has the double hinged elbows but no bicep swivel, then again Yoda has no knee joints so it's not really a win-win for him.

  23. Jester's Avatar Jester says

    I've noticed that most of the Black Series figures I've purchased recently have floppy hips: Krennic, my AT-AT Driver, one of my Snowtroopers, both of my Revan figures...

  24. En Sabah Nerd's Avatar En Sabah Nerd says

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Jester View Post
    I've noticed that most of the Black Series figures I've purchased recently have floppy hips: Krennic, my AT-AT Driver, one of my Snowtroopers, both of my Revan figures...
    None of those for me had loose hips, though I didn't get Krennic, and I haven't really seen others noting about it. So far for me only Vader and the Walgreens 3PO have had loose hips. In my experience loose joints on figures tend to rarely be across the board, it's always a figure by figure thing.

  25. Trivial Psychic's Avatar Trivial Psychic says

    So there is a new hope for those of you out there who want the new Leia without having to resort to tearing her out of the 40th anniversary collection packaging...I came across this unicorn today at a local toy swap meet being put on by my LCS...



    It looks like Hasbro actually IS following through on their promise, and is putting out a running change for Leia's new head sculpt with the current Black Series line that doesn't involve the 40th anniversary packaging.



    I guess a shout out to Hasbro for making me eat crow on my previous statement...

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