STAR WARS Black Series StormTrooper

Presenting a Star Wars Black Series 6" StormTrooper!

The Black Series Stormtrooper is actually one of the more coveted pieces to be created in the series because of its troop-building potential and we at the Dungeon were extremely lucky to find this on retail.

We have never seen it on retail again, and those that do have it do not seem keen to part with it.

We've always felt sorry for the way StormTroopers were depicted in the movies i.e. the inability to hit anything; being taken apart by little teddy bears. These are the Emperor's elite troopers! Inferior to their Clone counterparts for sure (Commander Cody hated them), but still no pushoevers. So we're glad that books like Allegiance and Choices of One by Timothy Zahn gave us a better look at what just a handful of StormTroopers can do. This "Hand of Judgement" would go on to form Grand Admiral Thrawn's new 501st Legion.

We hope that the new movies will redeem the StormTrooper name - assuming the Imperial Remnant from the Expanded Universe survives.

STAR WARS Black Series Princess Leia

Presenting Princess Leia from the STAR WARS Black Series 6" toy-line.

This I believe is the 3rd STAR WARS Black Series figure we've reviewed following Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul and R2-D2 and we were all praises for this new line and are still now fantasizing over rumors that a Black Series X-Wing will be released in the immediate future - it would be HUGE!!!!

So when rumors of a Princess Leia in a Steel Bikini was going to be released, we absolutely had to get it. We waited patiently for it and then we heard that it was being circulated already in chase quantities throughout dealers in Metro Manila. As luck would have it we finally found one in Kramer's Toy Warden in the Black Market of Greenhills.

And here she is, the most iconic slave outfit in the galaxy. Princess Leia in her Steel Bikini!

Star Wars Black Series Mara Jade

Presenting the Star Wars Black Series Mara Jade action figure.

I have mixed feeling about Mara Jade given the recent news about the Star Wars canon. For all we know, in the next few months/years, Mara Jade will cease to exist. Everything I've grown to love and care for this character may disappear just because some studio executive at Disney said so.

Sad.

So for the uninitiated, in the event that Mara Jade disappears from the Star Wars universe, allow us to tell us who she is. Mara Jade is a Jedi Master in the Expanded Universe; a member of the Jedi Council, former smuggler, Captain of the Jade Shadow; former Hand-of-the-Emperor (Agent of the Empire who answers solely to Palpatine) whose final mission for Emperor was a failed mission to execute Luke Skywalker on Tatooine.

Mara Jade is also known as Mara Jade-Skywalker, wife of Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker, Master to Jaina Solo; Mother to Ben Skywalker; ancestor of Cade Skywalker.

Mara Jade would eventually fall to the treachery of Jacen Solo.

STAR WARS Black Series R2-D2

Presenting R2-D2 from the Star Wars Black Series.

Now note that this is supposed to be a part of Hasbro's new 6 inch series, but R2-D2 is still to scale so he's about 3 inches tall instead.

Even his box is smaller.

So you might feel that you're being cheated out of buying a smaller figure in what it supposed to be a 6" series of toys.... and it does feel a bit that way... but can you imagine what you would be scrambling for if they decide one day to release an X-Wing fighter big enough for the Black Series Luke Skywalker to sit in?

I guarantee you'll be scrambling then for a Black Series R2-D2.

And if they never bother....well.... R2-D2 makes for a nice paperweight.

Star Wars Black Series Darth Maul

Presenting the Star Wars Black Series Darth Maul.

Now again before you jump out of your chair to buy one NO THE BLACK SERIES DOES NOT INCLUDE A LIGHT-UP LIGHTSABER - that's Photoshop (because I think it's cool).

Without a doubt, this is the gem of the First Wave of Black Series figures to hit the market. Not that I don't appreciate the Black Series Luke Skywalker. Speaking of Luke Skywalker, you should know that the Black Series Darth Maul is juuuussssttt a tad bit taller than little-old Luke.

Now if you thought that the Star Wars Vintage Darth Maul was the bomb, just wait till you see what the Black Series Darth Maul can do!

Star Wars Black Series Luke Skywalker

Presenting Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars Black Series.

Now before you go balistic NO THE BLACK SERIES DOES NOT INCLUDE A LIGHT-UP LIGHTSABER - that's Photoshop (because I think it's cool).

Anyway, this is Hasbro's most recent and quite interesting venture involving the release of 6-inch tall figures to accompany their regular new 3.5" figure line. Luke Skywalker Rebel Pilot is one of four figures involved in series 1 of the Black Series line that includes R2-D2, Darth Maul and an Imperial Sand Trooper (Troop builders start drooling, they Sand Troopers look awesome).

Anyway, as I understand it, Series 1 has yet to reach International Distribution levels (But they're already available in HongKong and the Philippines), and there is much debate as to whether we should embrace Hasbro's move to the larger format or curse them to the high heavens, so here's a peak at the Black Series Luke Skywalker.