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Welcome to the Vault Project.... let me check your access and we should be good to go. When the Mephitsu Archive launched in 2015, it was name as such as I envisaged this becoming an archive of action figure reviews and images over its life. In those 5 years I have expanded the site massively with various pages made up of figure lines with a checklist of releases and a link to any reviews I have completed. This has led to a very big site that is reaching capacity using static pages, and its time to try something new - shifting our archives to a database format we are calling The Vault. Each vault will contain a full checklist of releases for that category of action figure, with year of release, wave information and links out to reviews. By using a database we can make every vault page interactive with filter boxes and search functions. We can also massively increase capacity allowing us to cover more and update more and more into the archives than we could ever do via the old format. Our first Vault launches today, timed perfectly for May the 4th... Over the past few weeks and months I have moved over 300 Star Wars Black Series reviews into a database format and you the collectors can now access this. Being UK based I have ensured that our's is the only database for Black Series (that I am aware of) that captures UK information on exclusives. www.mephitsu.co.uk/starwarsblackseries Once loaded you can filter the Star Wars page by Phase (1, 2 or 3), by year of release, by Movie, by Faction and even search for individual character names or wave numbers. Each figure release is linked to a review where available in which you will find galleries of the figure. Some of our reviews are old and dated now, and overtime these will be updated and reformatted. This is still a work in progress, so please let me know if there are any errors or something is not working. I am aware the Phase buttons on the menu are a little fuzzy, these are on the to do list. So for now, enjoy and May the Force Be With You!

Review : R2-D2 Star Wars Black Series (Hasbro) Wave/Series : Wave 1 (Phase 1) Released : August 2013 Price : £19.99 R2-D2 was part of the launch wave of the Star Wars Black Series back in 2013. Alongside Luke X-Wing Pilot, Darth Maul and the Sand Trooper, R2 was seen as the "least desirable" of the figures being half the size of the other figures and with limited articulation. R2 came in the original Black Series "orange line" packaging with a sleek black box broken only by the orange trim down the figures backing card and down the rear of the packaging. The box front starts with the Black Series logo top left and to the other side of the top frame was the grey lined artwork enclosed in a circle. This showed the dome and front panel of R2-D2. The figure is then fully visible in the front window, and being a predominantly white figure he stands out well against that black background with its offset vertical orange trim. Above R2 in the inner tray is a wealth of accessories. To the right as you look are two further accessories, all of which we will get to shortly. The bottom section of the box front contains the character name in the same orange shade as well as the Hasbro logo and warning information. This character name confirms R2 as #04 in the Black Series. Round the back and the rear design starts with a repeat of the Star Wars logo top centre. Down the right as you look is the orange trim and to the side of this is a short bio of R2-D2 which doesn't really tell you much or confirm which "film" version of R2-D2 this is. Like all the other figures in the series there is then a character quote, which amusingly is "beep BEyoop whyEET bip beep boop!" Under this text is a wider grey lined image of Princess Leia inserting the Death Star plans into R2-D2 from A New Hope. Euro cards sadly have a large over-sticker over this image containing the various safety notices for each EU country - you can remove this with care. Review : R2-D2 Star Wars Black Series (Hasbro) Wave/Series : 40th Anniversary Released : March 2017 Price : £24.99 The new card backs are sized to accommodate the 6" figures, without being a direct upscale of the original 3.75" figures. They utilise the same character image as well as the Star Wars and Kenner logo's. The character name is set into a coloured box, with the same colouring used behind the figure. A neat 40th Anniversary logo sits in the top left corner. Round the back of the card is a checklist of the 12 figures that will be released. These are framed in various colours, each colour matching the scheme that will be used on their card. Under the 12 figures is an image of the Legacy pack, the stand that revisits the original Early Bird pack and gives collectors who aren't keeping these on card a display option for loose figures. A subtle Black Series logo is atop the card and of course being 40 years after Kenner & Lucasfilm, we now find the Disney logo at the base of the card along with the present day safety notices and legal logo's There are two variations of the R2-D2 released at the same time within the 40th Anniversary wave. One is packed with nothing attached to the legs. The panels are up the top and the boosters are to the side. The other has boosters attached to the legs and the flat panels still in the slot above. Out of the box and R2 is a pretty light figure in hand. The dome is silver and has a few blemishes in places, and these aren't intentional either. The worst bit is the moulding seam that runs right to left and is pretty distracting to the look of R2. The blue panels are all painted and there is some level of leaching around a couple of them. R2's eye lens is flat black and could have benefited from being glossier. The red lens underneath is also a bit too matt in finish. Round the back is the green lens, and this is brighter - but again a matt finish. The body is cast in bright white plastic with blue and silver painted on top. The two panels to either side of the central section are clearly a different shade of plastic and to stand out at closer inspection. The three horizontal sections under the dome are painted the rich blue but with more leaching on one, and on another the blue isn't completely covering the sculpted panel it should be covering. As we move down the body we have the blue lower panel with silver vents and then more silver panels and details towards the base of the body. Round the back and the majority has been left plain white plastic, with a few lower panels painted silver with blue details. The legs are a different plastic again with a slight shade variance when inspected in detail. They are neatly sculpted with a curved top running down to the angled and splayed foot. The wiring is a bit bulkier than it should to avoid breakages and this loops from the front of the foot round to the side. Here the wires are a nice bronze colour and done neatly. The majority of R2 is not weathered, which is a shame. There was rarely a scene in any of the movies where R2 wasn't grimy or dusty or a bit dirty. There is a bit of dry-brushing in sandy brown at the feet, but not enough. A simple wash over the whole body would have brought out so much more detail and also closed up those plastic shade variations. R2-D2 is articulated at the dome which rotates a full 90 degrees. As you do this there is some clever internal engineering that lowers or raises the 3rd foot. This third foot is plain white plastic with no detail and a huge imprinted CE mark on the right hand side. If you want to turn the head while not lowering the foot then turn it past the open or close mark and you will here the head rotating on a ratchet. I think it's designed to do this for posing, but be warned there may be a risk of breaking the internal mechanism. The other articulation is on the legs. These are hinged at the top where they meet the body. This allows them to swing all the way round the body if you wish. There is then a further joint on the foot allowing the foot to remain flat to the floor as the legs are moved. This means R2 can be posed on two legs vertically, or three legs in a "travelling" pose - or indeed most positions in between. You can also open the two panels that run down each side of the body. These are hinged and will likely need a slim tool or screwdriver to pop them open. Once open, behind them are some tools. The right as you look is the welder and the left is the manipulator claw arm. These swing out and face forward. Each are painted silver with a blue end on the welder and an orange end on the claw device. A lot of the criticism aimed at R2 is the height and scale of the figure. R2-D2 stands 8cm high, that's 3 1/4 inches. Scaled up from 1/12 to 1/1 that means R2 would be 96cm high or 3ft 2in. The actual R2 prop is listed as actual being 109cm high, 3ft 7in. While a few cm/inches seems insignificant when you compare the Black Series R2 to other Black Series figures and the height is more noticeable. A couple of promo shots I looked at saw R2 with C-3PO and then with Luke & Ben. With 3PO and R2's dome was as high as the 3PO's tummy wires, on the figure the dome only reaches the bottom of these wires. And with Luke the movie R2 reached above Luke's belt (Tatooine outfit) and the figure the dome falls well below this. Now all that being said, I am going to be a touch controversial here in that in my head the figure R2 is the size I would image R2 to be if you asked me to describe him from memory. It always surprises me how big R2 actually is on screen when I look at screenshots and therefore there is an argument that Hasbro have designed a figure that scales with the range rather than meets on screen measurements. This is certainly something they've done with other figures like Chewie, and of course look what happened when they made the Slave Leia to actual scale and then got criticised for it looking too small? So onto the accessories, and first are the two rocket boosters which R2 deploys in the sequels. To install these you carefully pop off the two blue horizontal panels on each leg. The boosters then slot in, and now looks as though the boosters are out and deployed. There are now three remaining accessories, all of which are designed to fit in slots in the dome. If you inspect the dome then three of the blue panels are fitted with notch and if you lift them they each lift out leaving a socket underneath. The largest socket, above the eye lens, is for the light-saber than R2 secrets during Return of the Jedi while he is on Jabba's sail barge. You get the lightsaber hilt included in the pack. While obviously of the same saber, the sculpt include with R2 is not the same as the one packed with Jedi Luke later in the range. The R2 version actually has some better detail with more controls down the side. The R2 version also does not have the looped end which they placed on Jedi Luke so it could hang from his belt. While the Saber slots in to the dome it doesn't do anything other than be half way exposed. There is no mechanism to "fire it" which might have been a nice nod to the original Kenner figure. This leaves you posing R2 and the saber in a preparing to fire pose only? The other two accessories are designed to slot into either of the other slots. One directly to the side of the saber slot and the other at the rear. The first accessory to go into either of these is the periscope that R2 uses on Dagobah when he falls into the swamp. The Periscope is a silver rod with white scanner head and blue trim to replicate the panel that essentially has lifted up to expose the Periscope. It can also be rotated to point in any direction you wish. The final accessory is the lifeforms scanner. This is the one we see R2 using to scan for Luke on Echo Base on Hoth. Again this is a silver shaft, but this time the head is a dark black. In summing up, R2-D2 never really "fit" with the other figures that launched the Black Series. While Maul, Luke and the Sand Trooper had layers of paint and extra accessories - R2 is a bit too sterile and is downright sloppy in places. He is also undersized, but that could have been forgiven if we'd have got a top notch paint job. There is also the issue of trying to make this work for every R2 appearance ever. I'd much have preferred less gadgets, and the droid to be scene/film specific - that would have even allowed Hasbro to make many R2's and I would have bought them? In scoring R2 we have to ignore his rarity - both in his phase 1 box and more recently as one of the two short packed figures in the 40th Anniversary wave. Assuming we can pay retail price for him then R2 only deserves a 2 out of 5. Buy on Amazon UK Buy on Amazon US

On Friday the 1st of May, Hasbro held a live stream on their Hasbro Pulse Facebook channel hosted by Patrick Schneider and Eric Franer. The 55 minute show was a mix of unboxing of product that is about to hit shelves - mostly around The Child - as well as reveals for the Star Wars lines for Autumn 2020. A new release in the 40th Anniversary line is Han Solo in Carbonite, from the very first SDCC exclusive set back in 2013. Han, a static figure with zero articulation, will be packed on a Vintage Card with the display stand. This is exclusive to Amazon. Amazon US link (paid link) STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH HAN SOLO (CARBONITE) Figure (HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2020) Celebrate 40 years of STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK with this STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH HAN SOLO (CARBONITE) Figure, featuring 1980s-inspired design and premium deco. STAR WARS fans and collectors can display this figure in their action figure and vehicle collection. Includes HAN SOLO IN CARBONITE and stand. Available for pre-order exclusively at Amazon. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, star wars, black series, hasbro, 40th anniversary, the empire strikes back, han solo, carbonite

On Friday the 1st of May, Hasbro held a live stream on their Hasbro Pulse Facebook channel hosted by Patrick Schneider and Eric Franer. The 55 minute show was a mix of unboxing of product that is about to hit shelves - mostly around The Child - as well as reveals for the Star Wars lines for Autumn 2020. In the Vintage Carded line celebrating the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back will be a two pack of 4-LOM and Zuckuss. Both will be individually carded on Kenner inspired cards and inserted into an outer box. To reflect the original Kenner line, the figures are mis-named. The figures are also repainted in what the Hasbro Team are calling the Kenner Decor line (as started with Boba Fett last year). 4-LOM certainly has lighter eye tone while Zuckuss is a lot lighter in the brown like his Vintage counterpart. This too is an Amazon exclusive. Amazon US link (paid link) STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH 4-LOM AND ZUCKUSS Figure 2-Pack (HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: Spring 2020) When Kenner first produced the 4-LOM and ZUCKUSS figures, the names somehow got reversed. In this STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH 4-LOM AND ZUCKUSS Figure 2-Pack, the original packaging has been recreated – switched names and all. Fans and collectors can imagine scenes from the STAR WARS Galaxy with this figure 2-pack, inspired by STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and featuring quality detail and multiple points of articulation. STAR WARS fans and collectors can display these highly poseable (4 fully articulated limbs) figures, featuring premium deco, in their action figure and vehicle collections. Includes 2 figures and 2 accessories. Available for pre-order exclusively at Amazon. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, star wars, black series, hasbro, 40th anniversary, zuckuss, 4-lom, kenner

On Friday the 1st of May, Hasbro held a live stream on their Hasbro Pulse Facebook channel hosted by Patrick Schneider and Eric Franer. The 55 minute show was a mix of unboxing of product that is about to hit shelves - mostly around The Child - as well as reveals for the Star Wars lines for Autumn 2020. In the Black Series there are two new figures joining the Autumn wave and sitting alongside the already announced figures Teebo, Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader from Empire and The Mandalorian in Beskar armour. The first of these is a do-over for the Imperial Stormtrooper with new sculpting and articulation. This is designated as the Rogue One Trooper but also matches what we see in The Mandalorian - albeit this one is a bit too clean. I'd wager on a weathered Mandalorian version in due course. The 2nd figure is another Phase 2 Clone Trooper, this time round the Kamino Clone Trooper from the Kamino Security Force. This is an interesting choice vs the various other Clone units, might it signify a release of Shaak Ti is upcoming also? The Carbonized line will get a new Darth Vader, re-purposing the upcoming Empire Strikes Back Vader sculpt. The metallic coloring on this figure is a darker blue and inspired by some of the original Ralph McQuarrie Vader designs. There will also be a number of new Vintage carded items in the 40th Anniversary line. The Han Solo in Carbonite, from the very first SDCC exclusive set back in 2013, will be packed on a Vintage Card with the display stand. This is also exclusive to Amazon. There will be a two pack of 4-LOM and Zuckuss. Both will be individually carded on Kenner inspired cards and inserted into an outer box. To reflect the original Kenner line, the figures are mis-named. The figures are also repainted in what the Hasbro Team are calling the Kenner Decor line (as started with Boba Fett last year). 4-LOM certainly has lighter eye tone while Zuckuss is a lot lighter in the brown like his Vintage counterpart. This too is an Amazon exclusive. The feed gave us the long awaited reveal of the Luke Skywalker from Dagobah. He will be part of a two pack along with a brand new Yoda figure, rescaled correctly to sit in the training harness. Yoda will have a second head sculpt, sculpted to look like he is concentrating on raising up the X-wing. Luke will feature alternative hands, with the second set allowing him to be posed (apparently unaided) in the single handstand position. This Deluxe release is available at most retailers with a release this Autumn. Like the Probe Droid, the box is a hybrid between the Black Series - with logo's for the 40th Anniversary utilised on the box front as well as a tramline round the figure window. The other piece of 6 inch news of any note was about the Archive collection. Hasbro have rested this in 2020 as the 40th Anniversary figures serves the same purpose in terms of re-releases of figures like Bespin Luke and Lando with the face print decor. The Archive series will return in 2021 and the line up will be determined by a Fan's Choice vote running over the next 2-weeks. The main Fan Sites will be involved in preliminary voting, with the final votes via Hasbro Pulse from the 15th of May. The choice will be one figure in the Archive line, but I would guess the vote will help shape other re-releases. Keep an eye on Gamestop in the US for May the 4th where more Gaming Great figures will be revealed. The only reveal in the 3.75 inch Vintage Collection was Luke Skywalker in his Stormtrooper disguise. This is the same figure released last year as part of the three pack. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors,

On Friday the 1st of May, Hasbro held a live stream on their Hasbro Pulse Facebook channel hosted by Patrick Schneider and Eric Franer. The 55 minute show was a mix of unboxing of product that is about to hit shelves - mostly around The Child - as well as reveals for the Star Wars lines for Autumn 2020. The Carbonized line will get a new Darth Vader, re-purposing the upcoming Empire Strikes Back Vader sculpt. The metallic coloring on this figure is a darker blue and inspired by some of the original Ralph McQuarrie Vader designs. Pre-orders on this via Amazon are via the following link Amazon US link (paid link) STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES CARBONIZED COLLECTION 6-INCH DARTH VADER Figure (HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $24.99/Available: Spring 2020) The STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES CARBONIZED COLLECTION is treated with a sleek metallic finish for a premium figure that really stands out in any STAR WARS fan’s collection. Fans and collectors can imagine scenes from the STAR WARS Galaxy with this STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES CARBONIZED COLLECTION 6-INCH DARTH VADER Figure, inspired by STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and featuring quality detail, multiple points of articulation, and a metallic finish. This highly poseable (4 fully articulated limbs) figure, featuring premium deco, can be displayed in any action figure and vehicle collection. Includes figure and accessory. Available for pre-order exclusively at Amazon. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, star wars, carbonized, black series, darth vader, 40th Anniversary

On Friday the 1st of May, Hasbro held a live stream on their Hasbro Pulse Facebook channel hosted by Patrick Schneider and Eric Franer. The 55 minute show was a mix of unboxing of product that is about to hit shelves - mostly around The Child - as well as reveals for the Star Wars lines for Autumn 2020. The feed gave us the long awaited reveal of the Luke Skywalker from Dagobah. He will be part of a two pack along with a brand new Yoda figure, rescaled correctly to sit in the training harness. Yoda will have a second head sculpt, sculpted to look like he is concentrating on raising up the X-wing. Luke will feature alternative hands, with the second set allowing him to be posed (apparently unaided) in the single handstand position. This Deluxe release is available at most retailers with a release this Autumn. Like the Probe Droid, the box is a hybrid between the Black Series - with logo's for the 40th Anniversary utilised on the box front as well as a tramline round the figure window. STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH LUKE SKYWALKER AND YODA (JEDI TRAINING) DELUXE Figures (HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/Available: Fall 2020) Celebrate 40 years of STAR WARS: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK with the STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH LUKE SKYWALKER AND YODA (JEDI TRAINING) DELUXE Figures, featuring quality detail and multiple points of articulation. STAR WARS fans and collectors can display these highly poseable (LUKE SKYWALKER figure has 4 fully articulated limbs) figures, featuring premium deco, in their action figure and vehicle collection. Includes 2 figures and 4 accessories. Available for pre-order at Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, Entertainment Earth, Dorkside Toys, Books-A-Million, Hasbro Pulse, and more. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, hasbro, star wars, black series, the empire strikes back, yoda, luke skywalker, dagobah

On Friday the 1st of May, Hasbro held a live stream on their Hasbro Pulse Facebook channel hosted by Patrick Schneider and Eric Franer. The 55 minute show was a mix of unboxing of product that is about to hit shelves - mostly around The Child - as well as reveals for the Star Wars lines for Autumn 2020. Ariivng alongside the already announced figures Teebo, Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader from Empire and The Mandalorian in Beskar armour is this new Phase 2 Clone Trooper. This figure features new sculpting and articulation for the Clone Trooper to open up poseability. This time round the colour scheme is the Kamino Clone Trooper from the Kamino Security Force. This is an interesting choice vs the various other Clone units, might it signify a release of Shaak Ti is upcoming also? STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH CLONE TROOPER (KAMINO) Figure (HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Fall 2020) Fans and collectors can imagine scenes from the STAR WARS Galaxy with this STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH CLONE TROOPER (KAMINO) Figure, inspired by the STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS series and featuring quality detail and multiple points of articulation. STAR WARS fans and collectors can display this highly poseable (4 fully articulated limbs) figure, featuring premium deco, in their action figure and vehicle collection. Includes figure and 2 accessories. Available at most major retailers. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, star wars, black series, hasbro, clone trooper

On Friday the 1st of May, Hasbro held a live stream on their Hasbro Pulse Facebook channel hosted by Patrick Schneider and Eric Franer. The 55 minute show was a mix of unboxing of product that is about to hit shelves - mostly around The Child - as well as reveals for the Star Wars lines for Autumn 2020. Joining the already announced figures Teebo, Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader from Empire and The Mandalorian in Beskar armour is a brand new Imperial Stormtrooper figure. This is a full do-over for the Imperial Stormtrooper with new sculpting and articulation. This is designated as the Rogue One Trooper but also matches what we see in The Mandalorian - albeit this one is a bit too clean. I'd wager on a weathered Mandalorian version in due course. STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER Figure (HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Fall 2020) Fans and collectors can imagine scenes from the STAR WARS Galaxy with this STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-INCH IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER Figure, inspired by The Mandalorian series on Disney Plus and featuring quality detail and multiple points of articulation. STAR WARS fans and collectors can display this highly poseable (4 fully articulated limbs) figure, featuring premium deco, in their action figure and vehicle collection. Includes figure and accessory. Available at most major retailers. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, star wars, black series, imperial, stormtrooper, hasbro

The Imperial Probe Droid Deluxe Star Wars Black Series figure was released in April 2020 and was the third general release Deluxe figure, numbered D3. The figure was both a general release under Phase 3 of the Star Wars Black Series and part of the 40th Anniversary for The Empire Strikes Back. Packaging 5/5 The Probe Droid is essentially a general release in the main Black Series line, and is classed as Deluxe and given the designation D3. The usual phase 3 elements are retained such as the Gregory Titus artwork, the Black Series logo and the red figure backdrop and side spine. What is new, and also interesting in terms of design, is the introduction of other elements to the box. These include the curved tramline round the window - based on the original vintage Star Wars box design - and the use of the original Empire Strikes Back logo. This hybrid of styles is to define this release as part of the 40th Anniversary line for Empire. I do like this mash up over a full Vintage style box, and therefore also reduces the need to release the same figure twice in differing packaging. The rear of the box also takes a slightly different curve with the bio for the figure, starting with similar text to the Vintage 40th card backs about the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary. "Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back with the Imperial Probe Droid. Tenacious hunters, probe droids are armed with powerful blasters" Once unboxed you have the Probe Droid strapped into the inner sleeve with clear tabs. Most of these are easy enough to remove - but the one round the head is set so far back it is difficult to snip and you will have to tackle it from behind. Beside the droid in the inner tray is part of the stand. The other half of the stand is the white snow part and this is strapped to the cardboard backing. The two parts clip together - but there is a specific way the ends line up, so just ensure this is right before pushing it all together and avoid the risk of breaking anything. Once again, there are no instructions from Hasbro on how to assemble or use the stand. Once the two halves of the stand are in place, the Probe Droid slots down on top with a corresponding hole in the undercarriage of the droid. Paint & Sculpt 5/5 Our Probe Droid is thankfully well scaled in line with the other 6 inch figures. If you look at behind the scenes shots for Empire, and a standard human reaches the mid-body of the droid. This is the same here with the Hasbro version. The droid is sculpted with the organic insectoid lines of the head with the glossy eye sections. Within this rounded shape are more mechanical components including rivets and panels. Black gloss paint is applied to the eye pieces, while silver paint is used to create weathering. There is also some brown paint used to add further weathering around various panels with a dry brush effect. The final paint apps are panels and indicators in red, each applied neatly without concern. Accessories N/A Other than the stand, there are no accessories with the Probe Droid - this is fine as I would not have expected anything to be included based on the droids appearance in The Empire Strikes Back. I would enter an argument at this point for the potential option of two bases for the figure. The snow diorama base is fine and fits with the theme of the figure, but in a curated display where no other figures have diorama bases I might have liked the option of a simple clear base as an alternative? I do wonder if Hasbro toyed with making this with Sound FX... Articulation 5/5 The Probe Droid is in no way a standard figure, and due to the design of the droid has a whole different set of articulation. I count a total of 25 joints to articulate the Probe Droid, most in the 5 segmented arms around the base. Thee rotate at the base and pivot in two or three parts - depending on length - for a variety of options. This diversity of joint is great, but many will not deviate too much from the downward posed arms we see on screen. The other joints are in the head with the whole head piece rotating on its lower body. Just under the head is the laser which also rotates. And right at the top of the head are two antenna. These are joined and can be raised upward - locking themselves halfway or all the way up for another slightly different look. Summary The Imperial Probe Droid is a perfect Deluxe release, and delivers on all fronts from the sculpt and design - to the paint and multi point articulation on each of those insectoid segmented legs. The stand adds height and gives the hovering motion we want for a larger display piece in our collections. I do like the adjusted box design - a hybrid of the Phase 3 packaging with elements of the 40th Anniversary. But I am not a boxed collector and I wonder how much it might bother boxed collectors in terms of uniformity. My only other ask would have been for a plain base as an alternative to the snow version. I score the Star Wars Black Series Imperial Probe Droid top marks of 5 out of 5. See More Star Wars Black Series Figures About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figures, reviews, review, articulation, star wars, black series, the empire strikes back, 40th anniversary, probe droid, imperial, empire, hoth

Tamashii Nations have released a set of promotional images for a new SH Figuarts 1/12 Captain America from Avengers : Endgame. The figure is entitled the Cap v Cap edition, and will double as either the original 2012 Avengers Cap, or the time traveling Cap from Endgame. Get two sets and have the two duke it out.... The set includes masked head and two unmasked heads, with new likeness to Chris Evans. When the unmasked head is used, a piece attaches to the neck to show his mask pulled back. One unmasked head is a neutral look, while the other is grimacing in combat. The set includes Cap's shield (of course) and a new floor bouncing effect for the shield. There are alternative hands included and Cap's compass, complete with image of Peggy Carter. While Loki's sceptre is shown in the promo images, it is not listed in the accessories and is coming with the Avengers Loki figure. Like Loki, this new Captain America (Cap vs Cap) figure is down for a September 2020 release. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, sh figuarts, captain america, tamashii nations, steve rogers, endgame, avengers, cap vs cap

Disney Store Japan have revealed a brand new Diecast Star Wars Probe Droid from The Empire Strikes Back. While not using the Elite Series name specifically, it comes with the same base and we assume is in the same 6.5 inch scale. The item is in stock for delivery now in Japan, online only at a price of 4,950 yen. That is approx £37 here in UK - so quite a bit more than the old £20 price point for Elite, but maybe as expected for a larger and most likely hefty item. The box and text is multi-lingual and we would assume this is a Worldwide release - most likely for May the 4th. The US Disney Store are now showing the figure as part of a wider promotion for May the 4th 2020 with the products due to go on sale on the 4th of May at 7am (PT). As yet the UK has not followed suit. I will update this article as and when any more info comes through for a more global release, including dates and pricing... Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys... action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors,