New Blog Post 10/18/2026

 I have to admit, I've been lazy. But I've also been busy. Football season, work, other stuff...I don't have time. On the negative side, the Saints and LSU ain't going to any playoffs (cue the Jim Mora quote "Playoffs?!"), VC prices may go up as the Sixers are going up $2, and so far...we don't have a clue what wave 1 of the VC figures will be in 2027. But we're getting Frog Lady, finally! I guess that's good. I'm on S2 of The Mandalorian so I'm near to her appearance (writer's note: watched the episodes earlier this morning). Now when can I get the prison break crew?! Today in the Lagniappe Section, I'll share some recent arrivals, post the Wild Card matchups for Last Figure Standing and give an update on when you can expect part 3 to my fan fiction, and why I have taken so long on getting it done. Besides being lazy. So for the main topic of the day, it's what has recently arrived. And why 1 set in particular gives me some rare good vibes. 

CANTINA 4 PACK

These 4 figures made my week. Heck, they've made the entire month of October worth it. If I had a complaint, it's that Garindan has no real hood. But the figure is magnificent. As are the other 3. Plus, Chulman's wrists can fit on Chewbacca so a future wrist swap is coming! Labria, who's next to the Wookiee Chulman on the end may be my favorite figure in this set now. At first it was Garindan, but the more I play around with them, it's Labria who's the best. I have Arliel Schous ready to blast anyone that comes near his drink, which is what I'd do if I could conceal carry in a bar, but I promised my attorney I wouldn't talk about that again! In all seriousness, this was money well spent. My review will come once I get the Cantina up, so it will be a while. Like in time for some 50th anniversary, or something. 

But it also reminded me why I collect. I could forget about rising prices, Obi-Wan's knees, how badly the Rey Palpatine trilogy will tank, and just enjoy something good for a change. It's figures like these which bring happiness, not that it complets a display scene, but that it takes my imagination to a new place, and for a while, forget about all the crap that goes on. It's like touching grass barefoot, it's relaxing. 

PHASE I CLONETROOPER 4 PACK

I had heard conflicting reports about these guys. Early reviews said the plastic had yellowed in some areas. Well on mine: no yellow! If that had been the case, I would have swapped the helmets onto my removable helmet Phase I bros. Don't have to do that now, or so far. I won't do a review on these guys, but the non removable helmet looks much better. They'll be background characters in a few future reviews. 

FINAL VINTAGE COLLECTION FIGURES OF 2026. PARTIALLY.

For some reason, Pulse didn't send Obi-Wan. Maybe they are fixing his knees. Right? RIGHT?! Obi-Wan hasn't arrived, but my 2 Super Battle Droids arrived, I couldn't fit 4 cards on the shelf, plus my 2 anticipated figures of Padawan Anakin and torn outfit Padme. I do like Padme's head sculpt here, plus her slightly messed up hair, it's hard to get a detail like that right in a 1:18 scale, yet Hasbro did a good job there. Anakin's face sculpt is not like Hayden Christensen, but it's better than the previous version. These are openers as I already have my AOTC carded figures already. The Super Battle Droid I'll review with the Mercenary Droid in a few weeks. 

LAGNIAPPE SECTION 

1. LAST FIGURE STANDING (MY VERSION) WILD CARD RESULTS

Determined through a best of 7 coin toss. Higher seed is always Heads.

Diz Nee Conference 

2. Kleya vs 7. Bix; Kleya wins 4-1

3. Saw Gerrera vs 6. Wrecker; Saw wins 4-3

4. Echo vs 5. Tech; Echo wins 4-2

Divisional Matchups 

1. Luthen vs 5. Echo

2. Kleya vs 3. Saw

Lucas Conference 

2. Bespin Luke vs 7. EV-9D9; EV-9D9 wins 4-3

3. Bespin Han vs 6. Fozec; Fozec wins 4-2

4. Shasa Tiel vs 5. Jedi Luke; Shasa wins 4-2

Divisional Matchups 

1. Pong Krell vs 7. EV-9D9 

4. Shasa Tiel vs 6. Fozec

And for the EU's

Diz Nee League 

2. Ninth Sister vs 7. Sgt Kreel; Ninth Sister wins 4-3

3. Dr Aphra (post Jedi) vs 6. Sana Starros; Sana wins 4-2

4. Ren vs 5. Kirak Infil'a; Ren wins 4-3 

Divisional Matchups 

1. Second Sister vs 6. Sana

2. Ninth Sister vs 4. Ren

Lucas League

2. Kyle Katarn vs 7. Guri; Kyle wins 4-3 

3. Dash Rendar vs 6. Jan Orrs; Dash wins 4-2 

4. Jacen Solo vs 5. Jaina Solo; Jacen wins 4-3 

Divisional Matchups 

1. Mara Jade vs 4. Jacen Solo 

2. Kyle Katarn vs 3. Dash Rendar 

If I had "rigged" this, there's no way Jedi Luke or Bespin Han wouldn't have won. My next blog post will have the 2 winners. 

2. Fan Fiction update

I have been writing a fan fiction, one that would make the Diz Nee Trilogy non-existent. So I'm cashing the checks my mouth and typing fingers say. But as I got I to part 3, which I'm writing now, I hit a wall. I had to start over not once, not twice, but four times. Four! So I have overcome the writing block, but it's just finding the time to write. My goal is to get part 3 done before Thanksgiving, I have 3 more parts plus the Epilog, but part 3 is my longest part of the story, with part 4 being the smallest, yet most impactful part of the story. Here's where to go to find it if you want to read it:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/88671766

Not a big post, but thanks for reading! A special thanks to Chris and Nomad at BanthaSkull for allowing me to post this in the comments section! Please share this link on your social media accounts so I can get more readers! 

(Writer's note: I will have my next post up either this weekend or on Tuesday November 3rd)