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The second of Hasbro's Star Wars Black Series reveals for Andor Season 2 was the Director Krennic in Dress Uniform, as seen at Star Wars Celebration. This Target (US) exclusive is number 16 in the Andor Galaxy Collection and comes with soft goods cloak and blaster. In the UK and other territories this will be a Fan Channel release. Krennic is listed as a Summer 2025 release and opens for pre-order as of the 30th of April 2025. UK retailers have this listed for arrival at some point between July & September. We've updated our comprehensive Star Wars Black Series Collector Checklist with these new images and details. STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES DIRECTOR ORSON KRENNIC (DRESS UNIFORM)   (HASBRO | Ages 4 years & up | Approx. Retail Price: $24.99 | Available for pre-order on April 30 at 1PM ET exclusively on Target.com ; available in stores Summer 2025)  Tasked with leading the Empire’s most secretive experimental research division, Director Krennic is determined to make the Emperor’s dream of energy independence a reality. STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES includes 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the nearly 50-year legacy of the STAR WARS galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, series, and more. This STAR WARS Hasbro action figure is detailed to look like Director Orson Krennic from ANDOR . Fans can display this 6-inch figure -- with series-inspired deco and design, including a soft goods cape -- in their collections. Comes with a blaster accessory.      With exquisite features and decoration, THE BLACK SERIES embodies the quality and realism that STAR WARS fans love. Look for more STAR WARS figures to recreate scenes from the franchise on your shelf (Each sold separately, subject to availability).     To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

NECA have launched their new Chucky TV series blindbox series with a 'first-to-market' opportunity via the NECA Store to order the full set of 6 figures in one case. These will then be heading to stores where you will be buying blind and will receive one of the six variant figures. The figures included Good Guy Chucky, Buff Chucky, Colonel Chucky, Masked & Bound Chucky, Executed Chucky and Bloody Holiday Chucky. Parts can be swapped between the figures, allowing for further variations. The pre-order from the NECA Store will ship in Q4 2025. We assume the on-shelf products will arrive at a similar time. We've added the six new figures to our NECA Collector Database Collect your friend ‘til the end! NECA is bringing you a new series of blind box Chucky figures ready to terrify your shelf! Based on the hit TV show, Chucky, this wave offers six variants of everyone’s favorite serial killer doll: Good Guy Chucky, Buff Chucky, Colonel Chucky, Masked and Bound Chucky, Executed Chucky, and Bloody Holiday Chucky. Each 7-inch scale figure comes in “Good Guy” packaging, and some even include screen-accurate accessories. For even more horror fun, you can interchange their heads, hands, and accessories with most NECA Ultimate Chucky action figures (sold separately). Collect them all to build up your Chucky army! To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

As part of their Gamestop Week, McFarlane have two new Spawn Gold Label releases. The two Bloodaxe figures from Spawn: The Dark Ages include a Spawn Bloodaxe figure with an axe and his horse. You also get a display stand and a collector card. Released under the McFarlane Digital collection, both sets are Gold Label Exclusives for Gamestop in the US. The first , featuring Bloodaxe with lighter fur armour and a flame maned horse, is the base model. The other, an Autograph Series , features a darker paint job on both Blood Axe and the horse and includes a collector card signed by Todd McFarlane. Both sets are listed for release on the 18th of May 2025. We've added both of them to our extensive McFarlane Collector Database Spawn the Bloodaxe, formerly known as Erik the Bloodaxe when he was human, was transformed into something else entirely by the mystical forces of darkness. Spawn the Bloodaxe, formerly known as Erik the Bloodaxe when he was human, was transformed into something else entirely by the mystical forces of darkness. To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

"As far as I'm concerned, the horn stopped belonging to Myo once Myo ceased to actually have the thing. It is, as they say, in the wind. And I want it back." Lirin Car'm was a backup Kloo Horn player for the Model Nodes, seen in the Cantina scenes from Star Wars: A New Hope, drinking with Myo, Muftak, and Djas Puhr. Following the release of the Model Nodes figures in the Star Wars Black Series, Lirin Car'n was a missing element of the Model Nodes if you were looking at it as a complete ensemble. Thankfully, the release of the 2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi Wandering Jedi figure presented us with a relatively easy kitbash fix. Obi-Wan's Wandering Jedi is a pretty close match to what we see Lirin Car'm wearing in the Cantina, leaving us with a simple head and hands swap with the Figrin D'an figure. The neck joints are also almost identical, as are the wrist pegs, meaning no further work is needed once the parts are swapped - although the skin tone from Obi-Wan's neck doesn't match that of the Bith... The fix for the neck, apart from getting a colour match and painting it, can be found with the Hoth Rebel Soldier, and specifically the scarf. In the Cantina scenes, Lirin is also wearing a neck piece and the Hoth scarf just about fits over the neck and can be tucked into the Kenobi shirt to create the finished look for Lirin Car'm With plenty of spare instruments knocking about for any of us who bought multiple Figrin D'an figures, then you can also accessorise Lirin with his own kloo horn. Alternatively, you can let your imagination run riot and arm Lirin with a blaster using the Kenobi holster. After all, he would need a weapon, considering all the trouble he was in owing money to none other than Greedo. K eep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive Star Wars Black Series Collectors Database & Checklist If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed 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...

Hiya Toys' new 1/12 scale Exquisite Super Rocky action figure line launches with Apollo Creed as seen in Rocky (1976). The 6-inch figure will include the base figure with soft goods tailored shorts, vest, and with an alternative head along with Apollo's stars & stripes top hat. The set will also come with extra hands, a boxing ring base, and a boxing stool, allowing for a variety of display and posing options. It is scheduled for a Q1 2026 release. Apollo Creed Joins the Fight! From Rocky (1976), the iconic heavyweight champion enters Hiya Toys’ EXQUISITE SUPER Series as a highly detailed 1/12 scale action figure. Standing 16CM tall, this figure captures Apollo’s powerful presence with a serious head sculpt, muscular build, and signature gear — from star-spangled boxing shorts to striped socks and high-top sneakers. Includes: 6 interchangeable hands for dynamic poses Alternate smirking head Silver star vest Boxing ring base + stool for full match scenes Relive the intensity of the ring and Apollo’s legendary rivalry with Rocky Balboa. A must-have for collectors and fans alike. SRP:89.99USD Coming Q1 2026 To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

Revealed for this week's batch of NECA Haulathon releases is this new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles release of Hunter Leonardo as seen in the Mirage Studios comics. Leonardo comes with bow & arrows, quiver, sword, and knife. In the US he is a Target Exclusive, while International collectors can order via the Haulathon website. As seen in Eastman & Laird’s original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics from Mirage Studios! Based on his appearance in issue #11, Hunter Leonardo is ready to join your collection! Standing in 7-inch scale, this NECA action figure includes bow and arrows, quiver, sword, and knife. Comes in collector-friendly packaging with artwork by Kevin Eastman. To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

McFarlane have revealed a new DC Multiverse Red Platinum exclusive of Jade, Green Lantern Corps. The Red PLatinum release is not a chase figure, but another version of a character specific exclusive like the Gold Label releases. This one is a Gamestop US exclusive. Jade will come with two powered effect pieces as well as a display stand and collector card. Given up for adoption and raised separately, twins Jennifer-Lynn Hayden and Todd Rice (OBSIDIAN) are the children of GREEN LANTERN ALAN SCOTT and the villainess THORN. Jennifer-Lynn discovered her ability to wield the mystic energies of Starheart when she was attacked as a teen. Her powers were triggered and her hair and skin turned green. Incredibly detailed 7” scale figure based on the DC Multiverse™ Designed with Ultra Articulation with up to 22 moving parts for full range of posing and play Jade™ as featured in DC™ comics, Includes 2 flame effects, figure display base and collectible art card with character art on the front, and character biography on the back Collect all McFarlane Toys™ DC Multiverse™ figures To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

Based on the Revenge of the Green Lanterns, this new McFarlane DC Multiverse release of Cyborg Superman is now live for ordering via a first-to-market arrangement with Gamestop . The figure, which comes with alternative hands and the usual collector card and stands, will get a wider release later at the end of May 2025. Astronaut Hank Henshaw was on board the LexCorp space shuttle Excalibur with his wife Terri and two other crew members when it crashed. At first, the accident was thought to have been caused by Superman who had created a solar flare—exposing the crew to a fatal dose of radiation. With his body deteriorating, Hank transferred his consciousness into LexCorp’s mainframe, recreating himself as a cyborg in Superman’s image. Incredibly detailed 7” scale figure based on the  DC Multiverse™ Designed with Ultra Articulation with up to 22 moving parts for full range of posing and play Cyborg Superman™ as featured in DC™ comics Accessories include 2 extra hands Collect all McFarlane Toys™ DC Multiverse™ figures To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

McFarlane have confirmed the Red Platinum Exclusive figure of The Riddler from Their new DC Super Friends line. The Red PLatinum releases are not the usual Platinum chase figures, but character specific exclusive like the Gold Label releases. This one is a Gamestop US exclusive. The Riddler will come with his Legion of Doom radio and Stupid Spray Gun, the pack also includes a collector card. Possessing a genius-level intellect, the Riddler creates elaborate, sometimes Rube Goldberg-esque traps, and is even willing to use innocent civilians as bait. Although not physically imposing, the Riddler's brilliance, neurosis and lack of empathy make him an incredibly dangerous foe. He cares very little—if at all—about the lives of those he uses in his plots and instead only sees them as disposable pawns in his continuing intellectual battle against Batman. Incredibly detailed 6” scale retro style figure based on Super Friends™ Designed with articulation with up to 12 moving parts for retro play Accessories include LEGION OF DOOM radio and Stupid Spray gun Included collectible art card with character art Collect all McFarlane Toys™ Super Friends™ figures To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

NECA has revealed a brand new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figure from the TMNT Adventures Series from Archie Comics. As seen in the 1994 Winter Special, April O'Neil is the fifth turtle and comes with four head options, alternative hands, sword, and sheath. It's currently available on the NECA Store with a Q3 2025 release date. As seen in the Winter 1994 special issue of Eastman and Laird’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures comic book series from Archie Comics! Who is the mysterious fifth Turtle? Why, it's none other than April O'Neil! This 7-inch scale NECA action figure features a sword, sheath, and multiple heads and hands for limitless display possibilities! Comes in collector-friendly packaging with artwork by original TMNT Adventures artist Ken Mitchroney. To manage our storage costs, news article images are archived after 12-months. Accept our apologies if you have reached this news article, and the images are no longer available If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports About Me : As a child of the '70s and '80s 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 licenses - 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...

“Sure, they had a level of strength and durability that a B1 could only dream about, but they were slow and clumsy, and they barely had enough processing power to aim their weapons in the right direction." The Super Battle droid was introduced into the Star Wars Black Series in 2024, packed initially into an exclusive two-pack  with ‘Battle Droid’ C-3PO and then getting its own single release as part of a Galaxy Collection Fan Channel Wave alongside Darth Sidious  and Ki-Adi Mundi . The Battle Droid is an Attack of the Clones release and one of the final figures to arrive in the angled packaging of the Phase 4 Galaxy Collection. The box utilises the deep red assigned to AOTC, and the Battle Droid is number 06 in the collection, with the numbering and the red-hued side art following on from the Phase I Clone Trooper  release and leading into the 2025 release of Luminara Unduli. The artwork is repeated on the box reverse with a short paragraph confirming the droid’s role and firepower as an advanced ‘super’ battle droid. The Droid itself is cast in a gunmetal grey plastic. Darker grey is used as a contrast of the inner workings of the droid, including a ribbed dark grey midsection, and grey circular workings at the main arm and leg joints. Cleaner silver components become visible under the arm and hip joints as the droid is posed, with the final decor applied around the head where a blueish grey panel is painted on the upper segment, and to the right of this, as we look, a red indicator light. There is a large amount of hidden detail on the droid, exposed by taking off the head, and then the wider chest section beneath it. This exposes the inner droid workings with a darker, but shinier internal sculpted chest, inclusive of red, yellow, and white indicators and components as well as a large single red eye piece. This is a neat addition from Hasbro, considering this is not something seen in any detail on screen.  The single release is identical in design and base decor as the exclusive two-pack  version, although the latter does feature an additional layer of weathering which is exclusive to that set and allows the two versions to sit in the same collection with variation - or for the clean version to be army built for those who want to build their Separatist Droid army. vs 2024 Exclusive 2-Pack Version (right) Proportionally, the Super Battle Droid is a good likeness to those we see fighting on Geonosis, and the droid stands a good head height taller (6.5 inches) than a standard figure.It features articulation, designed around the ‘in world’ construction, with the large circular joints at the main arm and leg joints being part of the figure's own articulated movement. There are 15 joints in total, which sounds low, but the droid design has no need for any head or neck articulation. Both arms and legs are fully mobile, despite their bulk allowing our Super Battle Droid to be posed in most base positions, including neutral stance, fighting, shooting, or even kneeling.  There are no weapon accessories as such in the set, with the Droid’s gun being fixed onto its right arm, which can then be extended out ready to fire. We do get a firing effect piece in translucent red plastic that is intended to connect around the twin barrel of the arm blaster. The fit here is not particularly great or robust, and the use of the piece on display will be very much down to personal choice and available space, as the firing effect does extend the footprint of the future out considerably. The B2 Super Battle Droid was a figure that the Black Series has waited some time for, and its arrival now signals the ability within the range to build up a Droid force of both B1 and B2 Battle Droids, with Hasbro also bringing us both figures in an exclusive army builder 2-pack in 2025. The Super Battle Droid does everything we would want it to do based on its role on screen as a marching tank, and it also fits into any Clone Wars era display. It is able to support itself fully despite the larger bulbous upper body and get into poses that initially you would think are outside its range, including the ability to fold up to a certain degree - a feature of the B1 Droids. There is little this figure does wrong, and Hasbro has done well to include it in a number of sets with variation, including the most eye-catching Bedlam Raiders version  from Jedi: Survivor. K eep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive Star Wars Black Series Collectors Database & Checklist If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed 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...

“At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.” Darth Maul was one of the four figures that launched the Star Wars Black Series back in 2013, and while he has had a number of figures released since, these have been from the Clone Wars era onward. It wasn’t until 2024 that Hasbro revisited the original Episode I Darth Maul with a brand new tooled figure that would get three different releases across the year. Following the SDCC 2024 pack in with the Sith Speeder , and the Gamestop & Fan Channel Exclusive ‘Duel of Fates’ pack  alongside Qui-Gonn and Obi-Wan, the third of these releases was the simple Galaxy Collection general release part of Wave 19 of the Galaxy Collection alongside figures from Andor, Ahsoka, and The Mandalorian. The single release of Maul was number 05 in the Phantom Menace Galaxy Collection and utilised the established rich yellow colouring on the text and artwork. Maul’s illustrated side panel connects to the prior TPM release of the Destroyer Droid , and will connect to the 2025 Sebulba release. This artwork shows Maul in the Theed Generator Room with his ignited lightsaber behind him. This same background is translated into the deep yellow card back for the figure, with the full image used again on the back of the box alongside the background text, which is surprisingly specific about one of Maul’s key scenes in The Phantom Menace and not the normal brief background info. The new Darth Maul is retooled in full and has no carryover parts evident from that older 2013  release. The body is cast entirely in black with no decor to speak of, although the deep definition of the sculpted robes does create some variation in the look through shadow and light. The lower robes, from the sash belt downward, are a softer plastic sleeve in two layers that allow some flexibility around the legs. In the SDCC version , the lower robes were replaced with soft goods to allow Darth Maul the ability to ride the Sith Speeder. The upper robes have a similar sleeve around the base of the torso, but that appears to have no defined purpose other than ease of assembly and possible re-use of parts in the future. The headsculpt is a new version of Ray Park’s likeness in full makeup and uses the phot printing technology to create a crisp set of red and black markings as well as Maul’s yellow Sith eyes with the horns painted in bone white. The sculpt captures Maul’s ‘snarl’ really well and gives the figure some real character. Compared to the other 2024 releases, and apart from the soft goods skirt variation, the other main difference is that the single Galaxy Collection release is not provided with the soft goods outer robes, nor does it get the wrist control device or macrobinoculars from the SDCC version. While I understand this from a cost perspective, it does render this Maul pretty limited in appeal, especially for anyone who has invested in one or both exclusive releases. Perhaps the General release needed its own point of difference to enhance the desirability, although that really could have only been an alternative head if we are badging this as the ‘Final Duel’ Maul from the Theed Generator complex. The accessory we do get is Darth Maul’s dual saber, a two-piece hilt that connects centrally to make the dual-blade piece. This hilt is inclusive of a peg on one half that connects to a socket on Maul’s belt, allowing it to be slung. The fit here is not secure because the shape of the upper robes presents a physical blocker to the lightsaber fitting fully into the socket, with further issues presented by the shape of the skirt, as this also wants to push the longer hilt away from the belt and therefore off the figure. The compromise is to try and position the full hilt into the slit in the skirt, although in this position the upper tunic doesn’t allow the peg to be engaged other than a few mm again leaving he hilt to fall off far too easily. The saber blades are red translucent pieces and slot securely into either side of the hilt where they can be used as a full dual-blade saber, as a single-blade saber off the longer hilt, or as individual sabers mimicking the point that Darth Maul’s weapon is cut in two. The hilt fits snugly into either hand, and the new Maul body has sufficient articulation to support plenty of action stances with any of the blade configurations. Darth Maul’s articulation is 21 points in total, all of which are pinless. The legs are held in check by the skirt, but are easier to pose and more stable than the older release. The arms are extensive in their movement, thanks to the butterfly shoulders in particular. The elbows also feature a reasonable level of bend past 90 degrees, considering they are single joints. The extra two joints above the normal 19 are extra joints in the glove-cut where a rotation is included, although that is more from assembly than adding any wider range of movement.  The central body movement lacks mobility in the ball joint waist. While Maul can lean backward quite some distance, the lean forward is limited. The neck, in contrast, is a triumph with unencumbered dual joints that work to add further expression to Maul with the ability to tilt his head as well as moving the neck in and out in relation to the body as he glares at an opponent.  As an upgrade to the 2013 version, this base release of Darth Maul ticks boxes in terms of looks and articulation. It is, however, lacking in additional parts, and to do a cloaked Maul, you still have to buy one of the two more expensive exclusive sets. The older figure had two heads, cloak, lightsaber, and macrobinoculars. And while things have changed significantly since that first release and the context of the Black Series having switched to more limited accessories, the figure suffers from the ability to only fulfil one of Maul’s looks from The Phantom Menace. It was also released after the other, more expensive exclusive sets, leaving it surplus to requirements for some collectors. Its saving grace is perhaps the packaging as a selling point for those collecting a boxed Galaxy Collection series. K eep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive Star Wars Black Series Collectors Database & Checklist If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube . Check out our direct news feed 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...