Just opened these from Amazon - Leia's likeness is AMAZING!!!! She's both soft and determined. Fantastic.

Did we know Luke's mouth was open? I didn't and I'm not thrilled. I think the prints are slightly off on both versions I received.

Opened up Luke and Leia tonight and man... I've been saying it for a while, but when this line is on, it can compete with imports. These are really amazing updates to previous versions. Leia's got amazing ROM for a robed figure and look looks fresh off the farm. I feel like Luke could've used another accessory or two but otherwise no complaints. 

Luke and Dagan shipped from Amazon and should be here later today. No movement on the others just yet.

Not sure if I knew Luke's mouth was open either, but it doesn't bother me that much. He was very much the "wide-eyed optimist" in ANH, so I think it works. Never really pay attention to how much someone's mouth is open in a film, but maybe I'll go back and pay attention. It's still a neutral enough expression that it looks natural and not distracting, at least to me. But I agree- sometimes Black Series looks even better than imports, when they really nail a likeness. I think Luke and Leia both look great (though the printing can make a big difference too).

Having Luke in hand, he does look a little ditzy with his mouth slightly open but let's face it, Luke was literally a little ditzy in that first movie. I don't hate it. 

I don't love needing to remove Leia's head to swap the hood on, but the way they did the hood (up and draped) is very cool. I kinda wonder if an easy to pop and swap head from her would fit on any of the older, atrocious likenesses of Carrie, cos this one is quite well done. 

Seems legit.

Lately, whenever I look at Star Wars Black Series figures, all I can think is how fucking DESPERATELY the team needs to stop being so cheap and embrace swappable hands. Leia with nothing but a trigger finger and a grippy hand is just... so shit.

The new Wave with Leia, Luke, Degan, etc. is shipping now from Hasbro Pulse.  I think I'm most excited about Degan.  But that Leia looks incredible.  

Got Luke and Dagan in yesterday and I like them a lot. Luke is a big improvement over past releases. I actually think the likeness is pretty darn good in person; I guess I lucked out with a good face print. It definitely looks like Mark from certain angles more than others, but I know who it's supposed to be even without the body, which I can't necessarily say for other releases. As far as I'm concerned, Hasbro can and should keep soft goods to a minimum from here on out. A select few robes, skirts, and capes only, and even then, a mix of soft goods and plastic is preferable, like how they did Palpatine recently.

Dagan is fun too. Definitely a unique figure, having only one arm. Likeness-wise, I don't know if they quiiite nailed it. To me, it almost looks like an alternate universe version of Cal. I also for the life of me can't seem to get the saber peg to fit in all the way. May have to try boiling it- it barely fits as is, and the double-bladed saber is definitely my preferred look for him. Still, everything else on him is nice and clean. I'm just happy to have another character from the games that isn't Cal or an army builder!

Bazil and Vernestra shipped. I reckon I could've waited on these, but I'm still a little protective of the Acolyte in general and figured I'd preorder to show a sliver of support. Also Bazil - I don't know how you hate a weird little alien tracker. He's pure Star Wars shenanigans. 

My Luke and Leia arrived from Amazon and I'm expecting a second set from Pulse, which also shipped. I haven't opened them yet, but in package, they look so good. I'm really wanting some upgrades on Threepio, Han, and Chewie on this level.

@normdapito I think both Han & Chewbacca have been leaked!

Posted by: @andru

↑

@normdapito I think both Han & Chewbacca have been leaked!

That's great. I'm actually not entirely sure how I'd upgrade Chewbacca, but Han for sure needs a body that's somewhat thicker, or better proportioned, and a face print. Chewie? Maybe more range of motion. They're stingy about swappable hands, but I've never loved how they handle his fur. At his sides, it's sculpted hanging down from his hands, but when he's got his hands raised for his bowcaster, the fur is flying. Swappable hands might be a solution? I donno, hair is one of those things on action figures where there's never been a great solution. Long haired characters lose range of motion, but poor Chewie is covered in it. It's a wonder his figures can pose at all.

 

I've never disliked the original Han (at least with the improved face printing) but seeing these two in hand I would pick up a new ANH Han with the newer articulation and layering. 

I wonder if they could take some lessons from Marvel Legends in terms of making a Chewie with better ROM. Some of their bigger hairier figures (Sasquatch, Wendigo, Ursa Major, Beast) have pretty solid articulation but still look like giant walls of fur. Too big for Chewie but some of the techniques must be transferrable. 

YakFace posted a photo of a cloak that could point at a potential Stranger figure coming. It certainly looks like his. YakFace is usually pretty good with keeping posts and teases to a minimum unless there's a real chance of it happening, so I'd say it's promising. If/when they do release it, I hope they go all out- helmeted and unhelmeted heads, both lightsabers, whatever else, even if that pushes it into deluxe territory. I know I'd get two no matter what.

I think it's pretty crazy that the first real Stranger collectible we got was one of those little foam keychain things. I know Funko did a regular Qimir, but nothing with the helmet. Been fun seeing the race to get Stranger merch out and which company wins; looks like it could very well be Hasbro.

Pulse finally delivered my second copies of Luke and Leia, so I finally opened them and... Meh! I do appreciate the sculpted clothing as opposed to the soft goods on the previous figures. That's a clear upgrade. The likenesses are solid. Leia is great, Luke is good. I am not fond of the fact that Luke's binoculars cannot plug onto his belt, and that you have to stretch his hand for him to hold them at all. I don't need Luke to come with a lightsaber either. He wielded it like twice in the movie. I do like the alternate hood for Leia, and will display her wearing it up.

Having these two in hand made me realize that an upgrade for Han may not really be that necessary. The main draw for these figures is the conversion from soft goods to sculpted plastic. He wouldn't benefit from that. But BEN KENOBI would. I need an upgrade of him in this style now.