Livestream Recap & The Ghost

This past Wednesday was the first Star Wars product livestream reveal for both the Black Series and Vintage Collection. Both lines got some good reveals, I'll go more in depth with the Vintage Collection since they got more reveals. Plus at the end of this post I'll give you a preview of The Ghost, including why the box is slightly dinged up. 

BLACK SERIES REVEALS.

1. Anakin Skywalker (Ahsoka flashback)

I've gotten out of the Black Series, save for clearance priced figures. But I have to admit this Anakin looks good. The mix of soft goods helps this figure stand out a bit. The head sculpt is near perfect as it captures Hayden Christensen from the flashback scene in Ahsoka where he's leading the Clonetroopers into battle. He only comes with his lightsaber, but as with all Black Series Jedi, the blade is likely removable and the hilt can attach to his belt. If I was to get into the Black Series again, I might pick up this figure. I do have a Black Series Padme that could use an Anakin figure to interact with...

2. Captain Rex (Ahsoka flashback)

Rex is my favorite Clone. Here, Rex is in his Phase I armor. Don't ask me the difference between his Phase I and Phase II looks because I can't answer that. I leave that to the Disqus commentors on BanthaSkull to tell me that. Anyway, Rex has a removable helmet and his twin blaster pistols. Sixers should grumble loudly over Rex not having his long blaster rifle. Heck, I'm passed off the Bad Batch VC Rex didn't have one either. Look at that, Sixers and VC collectors finding common ground. This again might be a Sixer figure worth getting for me. Despite being out of the scale. 

VINTAGE COLLECTION REVEALS.

1. HasLab Figure First Looks

From left to right: Greedo, Wuher, Tonnika Sisters and Nabrun Leids. Greedo and Wuher in my opinion look perfect as is in the photos. The first Tonnika Sister could use some matching paint. Nabrun Leids won't have glossy paint according to the Hasbro team. Which I'm happy for because he looks off compared to the other figures. The Hasbro team says these are all prototype looks, so things may change. I honestly can't wait to open these figures when the Cantina arrives. And remember: Han shot first! 

2. Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati 

They aren't in a 2 pack, but are in the same wave, which will ship on May 1st. And should arrive by Star Wars Day (May 4th)! The Black Series figures disappointed me due to lack of scaling. It seems the VC has this fixed. I couldn't find a good picture of them standing together, but Baylan appears to be a bit taller than Shin Hot Stuff, as they were in the Ahsoka series. Baylan appears to be an all new sculpt. Maybe he can serve as the base for a new Kylo Ren? Hasbro has to re-use the buck for another figure. My guess for Shin Hot Stuff Hati is she borrows parts from the Bo Katan buck, but if she is all new, that's a VC win. Both figures have plastic skirts, which won't end the soft goods vs plastic skirt "controversy" that pops up among VC collectors from time to time. Both figures come with a lit lightsaber and unlit hilt. And hopefully the lightsabers aren't tiny, either. See my reviews on Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger for my full tiny lightsaber complaints. 

3. 501st Clonetrooper (Obi-Wan miniseries)

Admittedly, I'm done troop building. And I have some older 501st figures. But this utilizes the new Clonetrooper buck, and this figure originally came in the Clonetrooper 4 pack. Now he gets a single card release, and comes with a long rifle and standard blaster. He also has the corrected eyes on the visor. They aren't narrow like the standard Phase II Clonetrooper. Plalus there's actual weathering on the paint apps, so he looks like he's seen some action. Unlike with Baylan and Shin, I chose not to preorder this figure. But if I see him at Wally World, he's an impulse buy. But no more than 2.

4. Mauldalorian aka Mandalorian Super Commando

Another Mandalorian figure, but this time from the Ahsoka flashback scene. He's a troop builder figure, but if you've read enough of my reviews there is a huge problem with this figure: no holsters. I already have a Mauldalorian (with holsters), but this figure comes with an additional blaster rifle. For me, this figure is a pass as far as preorders go. But the customizer in me thinks I could do a head swap with Maul, making this figure one that could give Maul barbell hips. Until I know for certain, he's a possible Wally World pickup. 

5. Battle Droid 4 pack (Hasbro Pulse and future Disney Shop exclusives)

I have several VC Battle Droids and to quote the great philosopher Eric Cartman: they suck @$$. Which is why I prefer the 1999 Battle Droids. They can stand. And decently hold the blasters. The Hasbro team said in the livestream they've fixed the legs, so they should stand better on their own. If so, that's a win. The 4 pack has 3 standard droids and the OOM-9 "Command" droid. He's the one in yellow paint (2nd figure on the left). There are 6 blasters included, so you can have a couple holding 2 of them, 1 in each hand. For me, this is a pass. Maybe these figures have sturdier legs. But for what this costs I can get 4 1999 Battle Droids that I know have no issues standing and are quite durable. This is exclusive to Hasbro Pulse, and will be available at Disney Shops at a future date. 

FINAL LIVESTREAM THOUGHTS

In my VC State of the Union, I did give Hasbro some grief about paint apps. At least for the 501st Clonetrooper it looks like they've paid some attention to collectors complaints. That's a good thing. I think this was a strong showing for the VC overall, more reveals, more time spent talking about it, etc. Black Series collectors got the short end this time, but got 2 good reveals. It will probably swing back to the Black Series on the next one. Just because I'm only picking up Baylan and Shin doesn't mean this event sucked. I'm particular about what I collect, and how much it will cost. Something I think people forget sometimes. The Mauldalorian may be someone's dream figure, or the 501st is someone's ultimate troop builder. We're all different in what we like. 

MY FIRST LOOK AT THE GHOST

First of all, this box is HUGE! It is sitting on the table I kept my BB-8 Playset that I used to photograph figures and is sort of collapsed and in temporary storage. You can't see it on this picture, but the left side of the box has some ding marks. I thought emptying the shipper box on my bed would be the safest option, but apparently not. Plus this isn't a zoomed in shot, as on my table, it comes up to my shoulder when I stand near it, and I'm right at 6 feet tall. Next week I'll open it (and show the box dings) and preview the carded figures, which I hope haven't been dented. This weighed 50 lbs according to Fed Ex, and came in 2 boxes to keep it covered. I'm tempted to weigh this box, but I'm not risking further damage to it. Since there aren't any new figures coming in, it gives me a chance to do in depth reviews of different parts. Plus it needs to be put together, and that will take time. Also I'm not happy with this picture, but it was the best shot. I'll take more box photos next week when I finally open it. 

Thanks for reading! Special thanks to Chris and Nomad at BanthaSkull for allowing me to post this link in the comments section! Please share this link on your social media accounts so I can get more readers! 

The only photo I own is the one of the Ghost. Figure images taken from X user @preterniadotcom and from Hasbro and Rogers and Cowan PMK.