Issue 02 : Saturday 21st November, 2015
See Page 3
See Page 3
See Page 5
What’s on Our List to Santa for Xmas 2015 See Page 4
STAR WARS Product Landing at Aldi & Lidl
Issue 02 : Saturday 21st November, 2015
Arise, Lord Vader When the Walgreens US exclusive of The Emperor's Wrath Darth Vader was announced on Force Friday back in September, we speculated how well the “removable” hand feature would work. Alongside the force lightening lit up head, the hand was the other element that Hasbro needed to get right to allow us to display this version of Vader in his fallen pose from Return of the Jedi. This week we got our answer with this promotional picture from Hasbro. Not only is the pose really good, other than perhaps that slightly unnatural knee, but the damaged hand does look to be partially screen accurate rather than just popping off and leaving no detail underneath.
The Walgreens Vader has already gone on online order in the US, but there is still no details of a wider spread UK availability. It took a while for the previous Walgreens Exclusive, that of the Prototype Boba Fett, to hit UK shores and that was generally via secondary sellers. Although A1 comics in Scotland did secure some stocks for themselves. It seems that collectors will need to rely on the independents and the secondary market to secure this Vader figure. A number of initial pre-orders at ID Toys seem to have been de-listed from pre-order at present. I would also watch Kapow Toys who have a knack of securing exclusives from both overseas retailers and the major conventions.
Welcome to issue 2 of the revamped SatTOYday news round-up. Having made the move to this new format, this 2nd issue is beginning to look and feel more like I had in mind, so I hope you like it This week the content is very Star Wars heavy once again. We are but a month away from the cinema release of The Force Awakens and the brand continues to dominate, while other companies and brands such as NECA, Marvel and Diamond have quietened off ahead of Christmas. Talking of Christmas, I have jumped on the Top 5 present band-wagon this week to pick my Top 5 Movie/TV Action figure merchandise for Christmas 2015 (I'd love to hear if you agree or not). I am not sure how you are reading this newsletter right now because are now publishing across a number of platforms - and as a reader I would love you to pick the one that is easiest for you. 1. You can read us directly at the website HERE.
McFarlane’s Walking Dead range of 5 inch scale Action Figures is now 8 series strong, and this week the team at McFarlane started giving out some hints as to how Series 9 would shape up Along with the quote that “sculpts are coming along nicely” the shared images are simply silhouettes of the 6 figures that will make up Series 9 as listed below Checkout ToyHypeUSA for a more detailed article, or checkout the McFarlane Facebook page Walking Dead, Series 9, will be available in stores February 2016.
Kapow Kylo! One 6 inch Black Series Exclusive that is already hitting UK shores, as well as Kmart shelves in the US, is the Kylo Ren and Starkiller Base. Kapow Toys have this in hand now for £29.99 plus postage. This variant version of Kylo includes a snow weathered cloak as well as a diorama “Starkiller” snow base which will eventually link into at least one other figure to create the full diorama. This version of the mysteries Kylo Ren also includes a variant light saber vs the wave 1 release. Both versions now are confirmed as accurate to the broad saber that Kylo uses in the movie. We assume the identity and pose of the 2nd figure will be kept securely under wraps until the film has premiered.
● Beth Greene ● T-Dog ● Constable Michonne ● Water Walker ● Grave Digger Daryl Dixon ● Death Scene Dale Horvath (exclusive)
2. You can sign up to have the newsletter delivered in PDF format by email every Saturday, fill in the subscription box HERE. 3. We will continue to share links on our TWITTER and FACEBOOK feeds so simply give us a Like/Follow. 4. And brand new for us as of this week is our publication on ISSUU which is a self publishing magazine site you can therefore subscribe to us there and receive the new issue each week to your PC or indeed to any Tablet or Mobile with the ISSUU app.
Visit our UK Directory of Stockists of Action Figures and related Memorabilia. The stores are listed in geographical area as well as online stockists. We are always looking for your help to keep the listing up to date, we are also happy to work with stores and stockists with expanded advertisements. If you would like to make a submission, or discuss potential advertising partnerships, then please contact us on Facebook, or via email at mephitsu. archives@gmail.com
Issue 02 : Saturday 21st November, 2015
Amazon UK are now listing the 6 inch Black Series Tie Fighter and exclusive Tie Fighter Pilot as in stock. The price, as always with Amazon, will fluctuate around the £169.99 RRP and behind the Amazon stocks will be 3rd party sellers. As we reported last week, this monster has also shown up on shelves in Forbidden Planet, Smyths and Toys R Us - so this one is definitely on its way en masse. If you are picking this up, why not share your thoughts over on our Facebook feed.
Bandai update their website this week with details of their upcoming R2-D2 and BB8 double pack. This 1/12 kit will be released in December.
The BB8 model is an ambitious one as Bandai are quoting that once built that the figure will mimic the rolling movement as seen in the movie.
R2-D2 will be a re-release of the figure that was packed with R5-D4 earlier this year. BB8 will be a brand new release. The R2 will be identical to the earlier release and will come with the various arms and attachments so that the collector has a number of choices on how to assemble and display him.
Tesco stores have gone live with their Christmas aisles this week, which includes sections dedicated to toys. Within this is a 3.75” scale Star Wars First Order Tie Fighter, including pilot, for the great price of £30 “BB-8 dedicated stand, it can reproduce the behavior rolling in the lower body of the sphere” - Translated from Bandai Japanese Website
To differentiate R2 from the previous release, Bandai are including an exclusive base section which is meant to represent the floor of the Death Star. Marvel 3.75” fans may also be interested in a new set that has also shown up in Tesco. The set, priced at £15, contains 5 POA figures of Iron Man Mk43, Ultron and an Iron Legion
“comes with base comes with one of the image of the floor inside the Death Star. Also possible to be linked with other products of the pedestal of the sale” - Translated from Bandai Japanese Website
We have published three new reviews this week, starting with two from the Funko Legacy Game of Thrones range. Checkout the links via the images to visit the review page for Brienne of Tarth and Robb Stark. We also continue our Star Wars theme with a review of the Amazon Exclusive - Evolution of the Stormtrooper. Again, click the link in the image - or go to our review page for all the Star Wars reviews to date, including this new pack of 4 troopers.
This 2-pack will RRP at 2,592 Yen, which converts to $21 or £14. Sadly US and UK collectors will find it almost impossible to get this set anywhere near the RRP. Bandai’s licence forbids them selling this set outside of Japan. Therefore anyone wanting this set will have to get creative in obtaining it from Japan. BB8 and R2-D2 are due out December 2015
Issue 02 : Saturday 21st November, 2015
Wave 4 will carry forward the Tie Fighter Pilot, and bring us new figures in General Hux, Asty X-Wing Pilot and the standard First Order Snowtrooper. Rey and BB8 will also be carried forward, and we hope the droid is enough to stop Rey warming pegs with Finn.
A number of independent retailers have started taking pre-orders for both Wave 3 and Wave 4 of the Star Wars Black Series.
That leaves us still in the dark over the Dorkside news from a month a so ago which had a completely different lineup for wave 4, including characters not yet revealed.
Wave 3 will contain two new figures the Tie Fighter Pilot and the Resistance Trooper. There will then be repacks for the First Order Stormtrooper, which will be welcomed. As well as Rey/BB8, Finn and Kylo Ren.
The simple answer is that what Dorkside reported is likely to be a Wave 5 and hit just after the movie premieres on the 17th/18th December
Sadly the inclusion of Finn will likely lead to even more peg warmers.
Read More at our Black Series Coming Soon Page
Christmas 2015 is coming up fast, and there will be numerous letters to Santa heading into Post Boxes over the next few weeks. As a collector I’ve had a good look at all the offerings this Christmas, and I have come up with the 5 items that would be on the top of my Christmas list.... we’d love to hear what is on your list, head over to our Facebook page to tell us - and we’ll do our best to pass it on to Santa for you
I have a soft spot for Diamond Selects 7" figures, and with no Marvel goodies this Christmas then collectors will find themselves switching allegiance to DC and these new Gotham figures based on the Fox TV show. Out of the first wave, Oswald Cobblepot is my favourite and I suspect the one that will disappear from stores first.
Since her appearance in the first teaser trailer, Captain Phasma is reaching cult status even before the movie has been released. Phasma is packed in wave 2 of the Black Series and is only just hitting UK stores, and is being picked up by scalper. Forbidden Planet are taking preorders with an ETA at end of November if you want to hedge your bets vs trawling the stores.
This weeks edition has been very “Star Wars Heavy” and for collectors of Star Wars there are a couple of release dates this coming week to be aware of. Tuesday 24th of November sees the release of the Disney Elite Darth Vader in stores and online (the US will get this in stores on 23rd). Online orders are expected to go live around 8am - follow us on Facebook for notification when these are up. Less exciting, but more intriguing, is the release on Thursday 26th of November of these 6 inch “Hero” figures at Aldi. These are apparently 4 POA with no leg articulation and will set you back £6.99 each. The range includes Snowtrooper, Stormtrooper, Finn, Kylo Ren and Darth Vader. We hope to have a set of these to review on the 26th
Doctor Who fans have a real soft spot for the short lived 8th Doctor, and Toys R Us are fulfilling a lot of collectors wishes with this 8th Doctor as seen in the 2013 TV short, Night of the Doctor.
The Aliens Power Loader from NECA has been out a month or so now, and prices are starting to drop which may tempt in collectors who looked enviously at the piece but wouldn't pay the £100 initial price tag.
If this is on yours or a loved one's Christmas List then you will need to keep an eye out for this going in stock on site which should be any day soon.
A great centerpiece to any NECA Alien collection, but if you are buying this don't forget to pick up Ripley also so you have a driver for the loader on Christmas morning
It’s not just Aldi who are getting promotional Star Wars Stock next week. Head over to Lidl from Monday 23rd for more Star Wars bargains. Top of the list is going to be the 3.75” Star Wars Imperial Troop Transport at £16.99. This has never really hit UK stores in any depth and will be highly sought after. Alongside the Transport at the same price is the Rebels Inquisitor's Tie Fighter. Other items include role play Lightsabers, also £16.99, choose from Yoda, Darth Vader or Kanan. Other items include the 12” Hasbro Hero figures as well as what looks like a selection of last years Command packs.
For sheer size the Black Series 6 inch scale Tie Fighter is a monster and will be on a lot of collectors lists to Santa. Whether you have the room in your house to display the thing is another question? Amazon have this in stock at present, and with only the odd unit showing up on shelves at Toys R Us or Smyths, online is going to be your friend.
Issue 02 : Saturday 21st November, 2015
New Netflix Merchandise Marvel announced a number of new licence agreements this week that will bring merchandise based on Netflix shows Daredevil and Jessica Jones to the masses.
Tamashi Nations updated their wabe site this week to include their next 1/12 Star Wars SH Figuarts figure the First Order Riot Control Stormtrooper.
“As fans continue to demand unique items to wear and collect from Marvel’ s deep stable of characters, Marvel is rolling out its merchandising and retail plans for popular anti-heroes and vigilantes Daredevil, The Punisher, Jessica Jones and Deadpool”
The mention of NECA within the announcement may have got some fans excited for possible Quarter Scale figures, but NECA soon came out and confirmed their involvement would likely run to Heroclix miniatures and perhaps including these characters in their Scaler range. Diamond Selects involvement, although not confirmed, will likely be within their Minimates line and their range of Bust Banks. They have said 7” Select figures based on Daredevil are not in the pipeline, nor are viable at this stage - but they also said things can change. Funko on the other hand wasted no time in following up the Marvel announcement with promotional images of their first three Daredevil POP figures - Black Outfit Daredevil, Kingpin and suited Matt Murdock
In terms of the wider 1/12 Market, this is another figure that we have already seen from Hasbro - but as you can see from the dynamic shots, this one will have a much wider range of articulation as we expect from the SH Figuarts brand.
While stocks last, Amazon UK 3rd Party Seller Foxchip are selling the NECA Alien Queen at £81.80 * This item is now a year on the shelves and not going to hang around much longer as NECA have already done one re-run and will now be looking to replace her on shelves with their new Red Genocide Queen. Time to bite (pun intended) if you are still missing Her Majesty from your collection. *price was accurate at time of publication
Action Figure collectors will be serviced within this deal with new Marvel Legend figures from Hasbro
The Riot Stormtrooper is due to be released in May 2016 and will retail in Japan for 5616 Yen - this converts to £30 in the UK or $46 in US. However, collectors will need to pay shipping and import tax on top of this.
“Fans will have the chance to build out full collections for the first time with collectibles from Diamond Select, Funko, Sideshow, Kotobukiya, and NECA coming to retail. Additionally, Hasbro will add Marvel Legends collector figures and Hot Wheels will unveil collectible die-cast vehicles next fall. Mad Engine, C-Life, Hybrid, Freeze, Fifth Sun, Silver Buffalo and Bioworld will each be launching a robust lineup of product including men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, footwear, bags, home goods, and drinkware. The merchandising programs will be rounded out with additional offerings including collector plush, stationery, consumer electronics, and novelties. And this assortment would not be complete without the collected Marvel Comics editions where these popular heroes originated.”
WEEKEND VOUCHER OFFER If you are Christmas shopping at Smyths this weekend, then check out their weekend voucher offer. Print the voucher - that we have attached to the back of this weeks edition - and you can save yourself £6 when you spend £50, or £12 when you spend £100. Star Wars fans should be reminded that the 6” Tie Fighter is landing at Smyths, so the voucher would bring this down to £157.99 Read the full Press Release HERE
I’m Batman NECA’s 1:1 scale range will be expanded to include a 6ft 2in Batman next year. Announced this week, the full size Batman is based on his appearance in the Arkham video games and will be released around March 2016
Happy Hunting
This actual size foam #Batman replica figure is based on Batman: Arkham Knight, the final chapter in the acclaimed video game series. Standing a full 6’ 2” tall, Batman was created directly from the digital files used in the making of the game. The figure is made of foam rubber and latex that’s carefully hand-painted for incredible detail, and the finishing touch is the Dark Knight’s swirling fabric cape, tailored from mixed materials for game accuracy. Ships in two boxes; very simple assembly required. Starts shipping to retailers in March 2016!