We are coming up fast on Triple Force Friday 4th October 2019 - the release date for all the merchandising products for Star Wars Episode 9, The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian and the Fallen Jedi EA video game.
Taking a look at the Star Wars Black Series 6 inch figures, here is what we know so far.
There will be a wave releasing on the 4th October which contains 8 new Black Series figures in the standard phase 4 packaging. From Rise of Skywalker we have Rey and D-0, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, First Order Stormtrooper and Sith Trooper. The Stormtrooper looks to be a newer body using the one that was painted gold in the Disney Park sets for Commander Pyre.
From The Mandalorian we have the title character, and at this stage (although not confirmed) we are expecting the Offworld Jawa to be from the Disney+ show. Fallen Jedi is represented by the main playable character, Jedi Cal Kestis and his droid BD-1 and the Imperial Inquisitor Second Sister.
Numbering for this wave has been confirmed as follows
At this stage we have been unable to confirm if any of these will physically be on UK store shelves come the 4th of October - but they should go up for order via the independent stockists at midnight on the 4th and out for delivery soon after.
We then have the same entire wave which will be released in White Box packaging. These are being called the "First Edition" figures and while the Stormtrooper has been listed on Amazon in Germany, the others found have been in the American continent (Puerto Rico to be precise).
These are the same figures, repacked in a white black series box, apart from the colour the other difference is a circular insert stating that these are the First Edition figures.
And the colour box variants don't stop there. We have now had confirmation of a third version of The Mandalorian who is coming in a metallic copper/bronze box and is being called "the Carbonised Graphite edition". Info seems to indicate this is Target Exclusive and should be for The Mandalorian figure only - not the full wave (although that may change).
It is unclear if the figure itself features a metallic finish to the armour, which would make this a full variant - and not just a packaging variant.
In a similar vein there is also a 3rd edition of the Second Sister in a metallic gunmetal box that is called "the Graphite edition".
This again is the same figure sculpt as far as we can tell, just in exclusive packaging and potentially with a variant metallic finish. At this point we are unclear if this is the Gamestop US Exclusive version that will come with the release of the Fallen Jedi game if you pre-order that bundle, or another figure. Image shared by @R1VALOS
And it seems we have a 2nd wave of Black Series to look forward to, with some of these also being Carbonized into an exclusive. This First Order Jet Trooper is listed on eBay.
The figure is in a white box and has the circular carbonized label, so is likely to be a further exclusive. The figure is numbered as #99 and will therefore be a standard release also in the usual packaging - most likely as part of a 2nd wave of Rise of Skywalker figures.
Our final news, the latest to be confirmed, is a 9th figure potentially for release on Triple Force Friday. This is a Luke Skywalker Jedi Knight figure, and he is packed in the usual packaging with no numbering - making him a store exclusive. At this point the info is pointing to a Disney Store or Parks exclusive based on where the leaked figure was found - but there is other info indicating it is a Walmart figure.
We expect more leaks and news as we head to Triple Force Friday and then we will have some news rounds up on and after the day itself - hopefully with some reviews also. Other rumours knocking about - mainly via the brilliant Yakface.com - including
- new C-3PO figure in a 2-pack with another Rise of Skywalker character, Babu Fink?
- metallic boxed version of the Sith Trooper
- Rocket Sith Trooper release
- IG11 Droid from The Mandalorian release
- Fallen Jedi Purge Trooper release - may be another option for the Gamestop Exclusive