Poe’s Point > Star Wars Black 6″ Series

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Now it’s time to address the bantha in the room: the Star Wars Black 6-Inch Series.

As many of my toy geek friends can tell you, I’ve often stated that a 6″ Star Wars line would bankrupt me. I’ve probably said that on this very site. In response, a number of SW collectors told me it would never happen, that Hasbro was too committed to the 3¾” scale.

Well, they were all wrong.

Click for hi-res version

Click for hi-res version

STAR WARS ® BLACK SERIES 6-INCH ACTION FIGURES
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Fall 2013)
In 2013, Hasbro takes collectible STAR WARS action figures to the next level with the introduction of the BLACK SERIES action figure line! For the first time ever, Hasbro is introducing a 6-inch scale of the greatest characters from the STAR WARS universe. This exceptional collection of figures features incredibly accurate design and a high level of articulation. Each sold separately.

There will be 8 Star Wars Black Series 6-inch action figures available in 2013, with the first wave—Luke, R2-D2, Darth Maul and a Sandtrooper—hitting in August.

A4301000_6in_Luke_helmet_blaster

Click for extremely hi-res version

I’m still digesting this news. This is exactly the sort of reveal that immediately sends me head-over-heels into a new toy obsession – it happened with MOTU 200X, it happened with Mezco’s Hellboy Comic line, it happened with DCUC and MOTUC.

The only reason it may not happen this time is because my obsession for this line has been pre-empted by a toy line that I never even imagined could exist: S.H.MonsterArts. But things could change once I have the figures in my hand. I suspect I will really get into this line, though it may not happen until I get my ANH Han Solo and Boba Fett. Then all bets are off. After that, PGPoA may have a new SW-inspired design and I could be writing SW fan fiction.

The first wave of figures include X-Wing Pilot Luke, R2D2, an Imperial Sandtrooper and Darth Maul. Maul is obviously the odd man out, though still a fan favorite of sorts. I’m not big on the X-Wing Luke – we’re never going to get an in-scale X-Wing with this line – but I suspect we’ll see this body sculpt again, and again, and again as we get the rest of the Red and Rogue Squadrons. The R2D2 and Sandtrooper should be great, but for $20 I sure hope Artoo comes with some cool accessories (preferably related to the original trilogy and not jetpack-extensions from the prequels).

We only have pics of Luke so far, though I’m sure that will change after Hasbro’s Toy Fair event tomorrow. But the Luke sculpt looks great (so much that I’m wondering who’s doing this – Phil Ramirez, maybe?) But it’s a prototype, and we should all be prepared for how the production versions might come out.

Articulation-wise, this figure reminds me a bit of the Mattel Ghostbusters figures, but that could just be because it’s a guy in a jumpsuit. I’m still not a fan of the swivel-elbow joint as opposed to a proper biceps swivel and hinged elbow, and I’m concerned about how well the hips will function, but I’ll just have to see how the figure is in hand.

My main concern about this line is the price point ($20 apiece) and availability. These figures are six inches tall and are designed for adult collectors. Between a perceived smaller market and the higher production cost, I suspect there will not be nearly as many of these figures as any given SW 3¾” figure. The problem is every existing SW collector and a whole slew of previously non-SW collectors like me will be going after these toys. I’m guessing these will have DCUC-like problems with availability. Long story short: pre-order these online if you want to make sure you get them all.

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20 Comments

  1. Dayraven

    I think, with Disney behind this line, and big plans to expand the brand, you will absolutely be offered an in-scale x-wing if the line gets past the third or fourth wave. Seriously. You might not like the price tag but it’s coming man I’d take my oath on it.

  2. Raf

    I saw this a week ago and instantly knew I’d get into this line. I haven’t bought SW before cause I knew it would bankrupt me. But this 6″ line screams for me. I heard a rumor that Boba might be a SDCC exclusive. But you know how the intranets love their gossip

  3. I think I've come to that point where I need to start making the hard decision to avoid certain toylines no matter how cool they look. I'm happy with my collection of 3 3/4 Star Wars figures and most of them have great sculpts. A new line of Star Wars figures at a new scale is just going too take up too much space and money.

    • I've wondered before whether the announcement of a 6" line of SW figures, followed by a flood of new fans of the scale to the fandom, would create something of a backlash among the 3 3/4" collectors. (Not that you're doing that at all, but your comment made me think of it.)

      I'm the opposite – I've never really collected the 3 3/4" figures, so I'm psyched for these.

    • stack32

      I think the backlash has been held back until after Toy Fair, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it if it looks like the smaller scale is being cut back in favor of the larger figures. However, it doesn't seem to me that fans of the different scales actually interact that much, so maybe any backlash will stay fairly muted. I have been surprised at the arrogantly dismissive attitude of some (not all) 6" collectors towards 3 3/4" figures though.

    • I agree with you in that this is a great starting point if you haven't collected Star Wars action figures. For a lot of people, though, I imagine you start to question if you really need versions of the same characters in different scales.

  4. stack32

    It's curious to me that people keep bringing up the price for these, especially MOTUC collectors. Sure, they're going to be fairly expensive, but if they look like the photos (which they won't) they seem to be somewhat reasonable.

    • I don't think the price is necessarily unreasonable, but at this price point I've got to take my toy budget into consideration – just as I do with MOTUC and S.H.MonsterArts. With $10-$12 figures I can be a little less stringent.

  5. PresidentJuggernaut

    Gentle Giant does sculpting work for other companies, in this case Hasbro, with their digital scanning technology. Another example is the Bridge Direct Hobbit stuff, they worked with GG too. And Toy Biz during the LOTR figure lines. When Rebelscum reported that leak about Gentle Giant working on 6" figures, Gentle Giant was working with Hasbro on these.

  6. I want to buy these selectively. I'm only interested in the OT characters and even those, I'll likely only buy the core characters. But I suspect you're right and the best way to go will be pre-ordering them by the case online, which is how I get my Marvel Legends. Not only will they be hard to find at retail, but online e-tailers will likely be charging a premium for the individual releases. Looks like I'll be selling my unwanteds on Ebay.

  7. Rebelscum had reported these were Gentle Giant figures, though I don't ever recall seeing any GG prototypes at any SDCC

    • I can believe Gentle Giant were involved in the making of them, but what would they be scanning/reproducing? CGI versions of the characters…?

  8. Benjamin

    I'd assume they're the same scale as Marvel Legends, as they're being done by the same company (or dept) within Hasbro. Only time will tell though. If they're smart, they'll have them on display next to an Iron Man Legends fig or something.

    • stack32

      Hasbro can't manage to keep a consistent scale between GI Joe and MU, or even within MU for that matter, so I'd be shocked if they matched very closely with anything else.

  9. Black Arbor

    My only concern is collection integration. This line is 6 inch scale. The movie masters are technically 6 inch scale, and DC Classics and Marvel Legends are 6 inchers. But movie masters are obviously shorter than DCUC and ML. Are these going to be the same way?

    • Well, Movie Masters are made by Mattel. I suspect these will be in scale with Marvel Legends, since Hasbro makes those as well.

      While I do prefer the six-inch scale, I've given up hoping that my "six-inch scale" lines are actually in scale with one another. S.H.MonsterArts certainly isn't 🙂

  10. I hadn't heard about that. I remember ThreeA was trying to pitch a 6" line, though. They had a Boba Fett prototype.

  11. Mysterious Stranger

    Is this the same line that Gentle Giant was showing off at SDCC a couple years ago?

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