I have to say that the vehicles have become some of my favorite Star Wars Black Series releases, and Force Friday II has brought us Rey’s Speeder from The Force Awakens. Man, what a fun toy this is.
One of my favorite parts of The Force Awakens was getting to know Rey during her time living as a scavenger on Jakku. We were purposely not shown too much about her as that history is playing a major role in this new Sequel Trilogy, but the quiet time in the stunning vistas of the Jakku desert was a real visual treat. Rey’s unique speeder took a major role during that time, and its design was unlike anything else I had seen in Star Wars before. Affectionately referred to as the “creamsicle” (I can see it), its odd design seemed almost perfect for the landscapes and terrains it was required to traverse in the salvaging of destroyed spaceships.
The Black Series really has done a very nice job with the vehicles that have been released thus far, and this is right up there with some of the best. I am very pleased with all of the details included in the sculpt, and while, like all SWB releases, it could use a little bit more paint for weathering, this release has a lot of personality. I think this is one of those things that best comes through in the pictures, so I have tried to get shots of all of the neat details. The highlights of this includes the control panels in the dash, the back exhaust system, the seat, and under the removable side panel. Like Luke’s speeder, there is a part on the side that opens to expose the engine, so this toy is actually taking us into more detail than we ever saw in the movie, which is a nice touch.
Additionally, the cargo net is cool feature rendered well here, and I am glad they went with an actual net here as it hangs naturally and has room to be adjustable to put various things into storage. Of course, some generic junk has been included as a separate piece, so you have display this thing before or after a long day of scavenging. The brake flaps on the back can also move in and out, so that is another neat feature, and all of the dents and imperfections throughout the body of the speeder each have a story to tell, so there is definitely a lot of personality. The stand is cool, too, as it looks like an air swirl under the body of the speeder, and it has a ball on it so you can tilt the speeder up and down, and side to side.
Of course, Rey in her scavenger outfit is included, and while I was sad we had to wait this long to get this look for Rey, it was worth it because this release would feel incomplete without her. The figure is executed nicely, and it has all of the detail this costume demands. I normally abhor soft goods, but what is used here is well done and it makes it easy to pose Rey naturally on the seat. The portion of the wrap that falls over her mouth is removable, but the goggles are not, I guess I just assumed they were. At first I was a little chuffed about that, but honestly, SWB struggles the most with face and eye paint (c’mon spring of 2018 and photo real tech!) so I think I am good, actually. Rey gets her trusty staff as well, and it can be stored on the side of the speeder, “just like you remember” from the movie. Honestly, I think this is the best Rey we have seen in the Black Series yet, so she just helps seal the deal on this release.
I was able to get the plussed up Luke Speeder at SDCC this past summer, and while it is a great toy and very iconic, I like this one just as much. Everything about it is executed well, and with a little bit more paint weathering this baby will be looking just about perfect. I am glad the vehicles have been seemingly successful for this line, so I hope we will get to see a lot more. I know that awesome looking dewback is coming up soon, so I cannot wait, but get me Falcon cockpit, or even an X-Wing and I will be very pleased. This speeder is available at most retailers, but BBTS is a great one, so head right HERE and getcha one. You will not regret it.
