The Hunt Is On - The Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Tatooine Skiff Special Action Figure Set Found

While I've managed to pre-order the phenomenal Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Jabba's Tatooine Skiff from EB Games Australia, it's less clear if and when the accompanying Tatooine Skiff Special Action Figure Set will arrive down under. Our best bet is that, like the skiff, we'll see it released on 'Triple Force Friday' this October 4th. Fortunately, I won't have to wait that long - as I managed to pick up this trio of figures loose on the secondary market for close to RRP.

This set features repacks of the Vizam and Brock Starsher from The Black Series (both of whom I missed the first time around) along with a brand new figure, Vedain. Each figure features the expected minimum of fourteen points of articulation, while Vizam and Vedain's helmets are also removable. All three carry blaster pistols, while Brock also comes armed with a vibro-ax. Ordinarily, Vizam is also packed with a rail-mounted cannon, however this wasn't included in my particular purchase (and, unless you have the Sail Barge, isn't really that useful).

Now all these skiff guards need is a skiff to guard!

The Rise of Skywalker Second Teaser Trailer and Teaser Poster Released

While we all expected to see some new footage from The Rise of Skywalker at D23, most of us expected this to be in the form of a behind-the-scenes sizzle reel - just like the one we got for The Last Jedi. Instead, we were surprised with something that basically amounts to a second full teaser trailer. You can check it out below.

While the entire trailer only features about thirty seconds of new footage, there's an enormous amount to take in: B-Wing, Y-Wings, C-3PO with red eyes, a Blockade Runner, and an entire armada of Imperial Star Destroyers... And then of course there's that shot at the very end. But while the internet no doubt goes wild with speculation, it's important to remember that these trailers are deliberately crafted for the purposes of misdirection. Obviously, this is even more true when we're dealing with a film by the very father of the 'mystery box'. Everything else aside, this teaser is exactly what I need right now. A brief, thrilling reminder of how momentous this film will be - but without giving me even the slightest hint of how it's all going to end.

Less impressive, however, was the accompanying poster:

While I love the foreground imagery of Rey and Kylo dueling, the appearance of the Emperor in the rear is just... off. There's something about his face that doesn't look quite like right - almost as though his its animated - and this tends to throw off the entire composition. Regardless, this is only the teaser poster. We'll no doubt see an official (and more traditional) theatrical poster very soon.

What are your thoughts on the second teaser trailer and teaser poster for The Rise of Skywalker? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!

Obi-Wan Kenobi Live-Action TV Series Announced

The long-rumoured - but never confirmed - live-action Obi-Wan television series has now been officially announced by Disney at this year's D23. Details are still thin on the ground, but Disney has confirmed that the series will be set eight years after Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, with Ewan McGregor reprising the titular role.

I, for one, couldn't be happier. This is the one story I've been hoping to see ever since Disney first announced that it would begin producing 'spin-off' films and television series. John Jackson Miller's novel Kenobi remains one of my favourite in the old Expanded Universe, so I can't wait to see a new take on Obi-Wan's desert adventures in the years between the prequel and original trilogies.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this announcement? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!

The Mandalorian Trailer and Poster Released

This year's D23 is now underway, and the Star Wars reveals have already begun - starting with our first look (at least, for those of us who couldn't attend Celebration) at the trailer for the upcoming live-action series The Mandalorian. You can check it out below.

I have to admit that the tone of the show looks a lot more mature than what I'd expected from Disney television show. Then again, this is the company behind the MCU. Their ability to tell dark - yet still thoroughly entertaining - tales is well documented. Indeed, the fact that Jon Favreau (creator of the Iron Man films) is behind the show should give us a pretty good indication of what we can expect to see from the Mandalorian.

In addition to the trailer, Disney also unveiled this gorgeous poster for the show:

As well as giving us a great look at The Mandalorian's ship - the Razor Crest - this poster also gives us our clearest indication yet that (at least part of) the show will be set on Tatooine. I mean, those are Jawa sandcrawlers, right?

What are your thoughts on the trailer and poster for The Mandalorian? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!

The Hunt Is On - The Vintage Collection 3 3/4" Luke Skywalker Special Action Figure Set Found

Last year, San Diego Comic Con gave us a phenomenal exclusive Vintage Collection  set in the form of the Doctor Aphra Special Action Figure Set. This year, they've done it again with an exclusive Luke Skywalker Special Action Figure Set. The set features two brand new figures - Stormtrooper Disguise Luke and Rebel Pilot Luke - along with a (much-needed) upgrade to the previously released Black Series Jedi Knight Luke. Given the lack of distribution down under, I hadn't held out much hope of getting my hands on this set. Fortunately a reliable eBay source came through, and I managed to score this trio loose for close to RRP.

In truth, these three represent the very pinnacle of 3 3/4" figures. The Photo Real treatment means that these are some of the most accurate Lukes we've ever seen. Previous releases just don't even compare. What's more, Hasbro have finally been sure to correct some egregious errors from the past - like packing Jedi Knight Luke with his correct (armless) Jedi cloak. The Rebel Pilot Luke is a must-have for my contingent of Rebel pilots, as his previous best release - all the way back from 2006 - leaves a lot to be desired. The Stormtrooper Disguise Luke fills a rather glaring gap in my collection of Original Trilogy figures, and while he might share much of the same body as his previous Legacy Collection iteration, he now comes with that gorgeous, crisp (and far more screen-accurate) Stormtrooper helmet we first saw packed in with the Stormtrooper Disguise Han exclusive figure. The two will make a great pair on display.

All-in-all, I'm absolutely rapt with this phenomenal little set. With these acquisitions, my Vintage Collection Hunt List is complete - at least until new figures are announced for this year's 'Triple Force Friday'. Bring on October 4th!

Star Wars Resistance Season 2 Trailer Released

Yesterday we received the bittersweet news that the second - and final - season of Star Wars Resistance will premiere on 6th October. You can check out the trailer below.

It's hard to not be a little disappointed by this announcement. While Resistance hadn't yet reached the lofty heights of The Clone Wars or Rebels, it showed a lot of promise - and this trailer certainly gives us a hint as to how much bigger its world was going to get. That being said, Resistance only ever had a limited time frame to work with (specifically, the twelve galactic months in which the Sequel Trilogy takes place). With that trilogy being wrapping up, I'm incredibly curious to see where Disney and Lucasfilm decide to take Star Wars animation next.

What are your thoughts on the trailer for season 2 of Resistance? Be sure to let us know via Facebook or Twitter, or by sending an email to relicsoftheforce@gmail.com!