2026 Vintage Collection State Of The Union

 It's that time again, near the end of January, early February and it's time once again for me to deliver the State Of The Union for the Vintage Collection. Is the line heading in the right direction? What needs to be improved? Can we even find them in stores?! It's time for me to say where the Vintage Collection stands at this point in 2026. There is some good, some bad, but it isn't as bleak as things were a year ago. And now, the State Of The Union. 

1. 2026 promises to have the VC back at brick and mortar. 

While not every Wal-Mart has a collectors aisle  those that do sell Vintage Collection figures, as well as Black Series figures. You can also find Marvel Legends, GI Joe Classified, MOTU Origins Cartoon Collection and Masterverse figures. Plus WWE Superstars figures. It's really good to see! Wal-Mart will also have a VC 2 pack exclusive to their website and eBay, where it will end up. Hasbro Wal-Mart exclusives rarely hit shelves lately, and always end up on eBay. Hopefully Hasbro makes enough of them: Obi-Wan from ROTS is a very popular figure choice in fan polls, and a new Clone is always welcome to collectors. Target has the new VC wave in stores, something they haven't had in over 2 years. Gamestop still has some figures, including Luke's Landspeeder. Last year, nothing. Not even the wave that had ANH Luke was in any brick and mortar retailer, and if there it wasn't there long. But so far, it's positive for the line to have some brick and mortar presence. Long overdue. 

2. The Mandalorian and Grogu movie probably won't have a strong VC presence in 2026. 

There's a new kid line, in the 4.5 inch scale that should be where the bulk of the movie figures will be shown. Oh, and the Black Series will get all the collectors grade figures. Piolet Zeb, Embo (the rumored adversary), Sigourney Weaver's character, and we've already seen images of the Sixer Din Djarin with Grogu. Getting a Din and Grogu for the VC is a given, IMO. But anything else? I doubt we'll get much. Ordinarily, I'd be bothered with this. But waiting for figures isn't always a bad thing. The wait for Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati were worth it, they were in scale to each other, unlike the Black Series versions which aren't in scale. *Update* Yakface has confirmed an AT-RT with Din Djarin and Grogu for the VC. It's a start! 

3. The HasLab needs a break.

I have gone on and on about how the negative reaction to the Gunship HasLab was very overwhelming, and played a part in funding, but only getting 1 tier. While I could see some of the negative parts had some validity to them (the Gunship had been previously available, but this time in a larger scale), making it a crowd funding project wasn't everyone's cup of tea. I get it. But the vitriol, the bad mouthing, it had an effect. I have never seen the VC community be so divided, and I honestly felt drained. I felt like withdrawing from collecting. That's how bad it got. Thankfully, the Gunship funded. But now the job falls on Hasbro to give collectors what's needed to build it up. 

4. Return to Tattooine wasn't perfect, but it is a great success! Which is why I'm optimistic about the Battle of Geonosis. 

The Barge, Razor Crest, and the Ghost have had a few drops over the last few years to build up their HasLab campaigns. I'd say the Barge has been the most successful, with the Razor Crest a close second. That was until the Cantina HasLab came about. In a year, we got a lot of products to build up the Cantina. The themed wave in the 1st year was a great success! We're even getting a 4 pack this year, which is great. As for the BOG, I have high hopes it will be as successful as RTT. While we don't know who's all coming to the VC this year, if they follow up with what was done a year ago, this should be a great year once again. 

5. Mains have been hit (ANH Luke), and misses (ANH Han & Chewbacca). 

Last year, I wanted Mains to be all new sculpts. No partial tools, nothing borrowed. All. New. We got that with Luke, and with Han. But Han didn't quite come out right. The complaint on Luke was a lack of paint apps, but with the price increase in effect that shouldn't be a problem going forward for a while.  While I liked Chewbacca, he could have benefited from an all new sculpt. Swivel wrists (on Chewbacca) are as frowned upon as swivel elbows. I'll still say Hasbro needs to improve on this. For every ANH Luke and Leia, we seem to get a ANH Han and Chewbacca which just don't measure up. And while I'm on this soapbox: true ball socket wrists, please! It should be able to be done in the 1:18 scale. 

6. The Multipack format needs to not only continue, but expand. 

While not carded, the Cantina 4 pack is a great way to test out the market for certain figures. Chalmun would likely pegwarm if he hit retail, and maybe the same could be said for Arliel. Garindan and Labria would do okay, but not great. For those wanting Andor figures: this is the way. The only Andor figure that sold well was the Phase II Clonetrooper since it was a troop builder. But, as the Black Series showed, Luthen Rael pegwarmed. Badly. You still might find him at Wal-Mart next to possibly a VC Bespin Lando (who was over packed at 3 per case). A non carded 4 pack of Cassian, Luthen, Kleya and either Mon Mothma or Syril Karn would be a welcomed addition, but also let Hasbro see if putting Luthen, a LFS winner, on a single card later is a good idea or not. Aside from Syril, and wanting Dedra Meero to have new legs, and Cassian's outfit from the series finale's final moment, there isn't much Andor figures I really want, but other collectors are different. The multipack could also get OT Mains done quickly. Bespin Luke and Bespin Han are on a lot of March Madness lists, and no doubt will be on many LFS lists too. Plus, we could get some Geonosis Jedi in a 3 or 4 pack. It might be the only way I can get Bultar Swan updated. Here she is:

There are other random Jedi from Geonosis I'd like to see along with her, and that could be the only way collectors could get them. And if successful, put them on a single card! Plus the Multipack can support HasLab campaigns like the Ghost, which is sorely lacking. My idea for the Ghost is a S1/S2 version of Ezra, Fifth Brother, Seventh Sister and Hondo, because why not?! 

7. The Vintage Collection is doing well, but more must be done. 

More teams completed, more support for HasLab projects, and more availability at retail. The latter is happening. But, as of this writing, the VC lacks the rest of the Rogue One Crew, Bad Batch, Skeleton Crew and Acolyte Jedi Jecki and Kelnacca. The RTT campaign showed what is possible when a HasLab has support. The Ghost HasLab has had very little support, and needs more of it. There are ways to be successful, and the current team is up to the challenge. As long as Hasbro doesn't scale back on articulation (but they really need to invest in true ball jointed wrists), the VC collectors will support the line, even with price increases. There are some figure flaws that do need to be worked out, but if anyone from Hasbro reads this, I would happily offer to test out new figures for you before they hit retail to help judge on what's ready or not, and almost for free! Last year I was down on the line, but this year, I have reason to be optimistic about the line. New blood hopefully comes from Prequel fans with the Battle of Geonosis, and I expect some OT stuff sprinkled in. The future looks bright, but I also know we won't get everything we want. But a new AOTC Obi-Wan and Anakin would be nice. If Yoda got a brand new figure I would be over the moon excited! But I also know Kit Fisto, Aayla Secura, Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee will likely be repacks if they get released this year. I understand repacks, but new stuff would be better. 

8. The 50th anniversary of Star Wars offers Hasbro a unique opportunity.

2027 is the 50th anniversary of Star Wars. 2028 is the 50th anniversary of the toyline. Hasbro can spend 2 years celebrating both, with what I hope will be an all-out-blitz. It's a chance to focus on weirdos from the Saga in 2027  with Mains sprinkled in, and 2028 can be a focus on Mains with weirdos sprinkled in. Not just from ANH, but OT, PT, and yes even the Diz Nee Trilogy. It would be the perfect time for Therm Scissorpunch! Or for Disqus commentor Lobot Boy Summer: Rycar Ryjard! With a 2 year 50th anniversary window, a lot can be done! It would be what this franchise deserves. And so would getting the original versions of the OT in theaters in 2027. And the Special Editions, too. I'd spend a weekend watching all versions of the OT in theaters! And I'm sure I wouldn't be alone. I just don't want a 50th anniversary like Star Trek had, it came and went with a whimper collecting wise. 

9. Conclusion.

There's a reason to be optimistic about the future of the line. Heck, on Wednesday we got first looks at 2 brand new to the VC figures from the Maul: Shadow Lord animated series: 

The reason why I'm excited is because this is rare air for the VC. We don't typically get figure reveals for a new series, that's saved for the Sixers. But just getting this is great! It's starting to feel like Hasbro sees the Vintage Collection as a world building line, as it should be. Last year I was hopeful the line could rebound from an awful 2024. And 2025 didn't disappoint. I feel 2026 can be a good year, especially for Prequel Era fans. BUT if we don't get a new AOTC versions of Obi-Wan and Anakin, I may not see it as a success. The upcoming NYC Toy Fair promises more VC reveals, and a near Valentines Day preorder opportunity. With some tie ins to new media, and supporting a HasLab, the VC has a big year ahead. Now isn't the time to lose hope, it's time to be positive about the lines future. 

HOUSEKEEPING

Because Disqus doesn't like me linking blogspot (or any other links, I can't even post a google search link) to posts, getting  blog views has been difficult. I haven't had luck pinning the blog posts to my Disqus profile because when I make the changes and save them, it reverts back to what was there before. So, if you could please copy the link and share it on your social media accounts, that is a big help as well. In the meantime, I'll continue to post a screenshot of the new post link in comments, as I havent been spammed doing that, so far. So that's one reason why I've spaced out blog posts. For now, I'll do blog posts every 2 weeks. And I hope to find time to do some figure reviews, of which I'll do either 1, or more reviews per post. And if you're here, as always thanks for reading! And a special thanks to Chris and Nomad at BanthaSkull for allowing me to post this in the comments section! 

Image credits: meme is unknown, I didn't create it. Bultar Swan is from Galactic Figures and the 2 VC images I got from Yakface/Hasbro Pulse.