Action Figure Review: Tech from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

   The members of Clone Force 99, better known as the Bad Batch, have been some of the best Black Series releases this year and I'm excited to checkout another one from the most recent series of figures. It's time to check out Tech, the science and technology expert for the team. I'm impressed that Hasbro has been cranking these guys out so fast although that's likely because they first appeared in season 7 of The Clone Wars back in 2020. In fact, the team was designed around 2011 and appeared in some unfinished animatics back in 2012. I love the concept of the Bad Batch and while I'm still making my way through the show, I'm eager for more of them. Tech is a very fun, very interactive action feature that feels like he could fit in with the G.I. Joe Classified Series because of all of his cool gear and how he can tote it around. Let's check out Tech after the break...

Action Figure Review: Q9-0 (Zero) from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

He's quicker than organics. And smarter, too!

   You know The Mandalorian is a hit when Hasbro is really starting to roll out more side characters from the series. While we're not getting figures like we did in the past for the Prequel Trilogy releases, it's pretty cool that the Black Series is starting to flesh out the world of The Mandalorian with figures like Q9-0, AKA Zero. Voiced by Richard Ayoade, Zero has thus far only appeared in two episodes of The Mandalorian, most prominently in Chapter 6: The Prisoner where he was part of the squad of scoundrels tasked with rescuing a prisoner from a New Republic prisoner transport ship. The Mandalorian has had some great droids so far and while Zero isn't as memorable as IG-11 he definitely feels like a figure that would have been released if Kenner had been producing toys for the show back in the day. He's very reminiscent of 4-LOM, too, so here's another killer droid for your collection. Let's check out Q9-0 after the break...

Action Figure Review: Aurra Sing from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   I'm continuing my review miniseries of Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV figures and today I'm checking out Aurra Sing, the Palliduvan bounty hunter who first appeared in Episode I (briefly!) and later made a name for herself in The Clone Wars. Aurra Sing is one of those characters who initially was just popular due to her unique appearance but over time she became an interesting character who was sort of a mentor and a maternal figure to young Boba Fett. Bounty hunters, especially alien bounty hunters, almost always make fantastic action figures and it's pretty cool to see Aurra Sing make her way into the Black Series. She's part of the most recent series of figures released alongside of General Lando Calrissian, Tech, Q9-0, and Koska Reeves which is a pretty strong series of figures. Interestingly, Hasbro sourced her to The Clone Wars instead of Episode I. While she did appear in both, and actually had dialogue and such in The Clone Wars, I still kind of wanted to see her as an Episode I figure since that was her first appearance. Oh, well. Let's check out Aurra Sing after the break...

Action Figure Review: Wrecker from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

      At a recent online event a few weeks ago Hasbro showed off upcoming figures for Omega and Echo which still haven't gone up for preorder. Hasbro did manage to get out the original four members of the Bad Batch in 2021, though, which was quite welcome. I've now acquired all four members of the original Clone Force 99 and I'll be reviewing them (along with a few other Star Wars: The Black Series releases) in the next few days. I reviewed Hunter back in July, so now let's move on to Wrecker, the muscle of the group. Whether talking about physical power or explosive power, this demolitions expert is your guy. I love Wrecker. He's just such a lovable guy and his relationship with Omega adds a lot of heart to the show. Wrecker is one of Hasbro "deluxe" figures which are getting to be a bit of contention with collectors. Wrecker might be a bit taller and bulkier than his squadmates but is he really so huge that he deserves to be a deluxe release? That doesn't seem to hurt his sales, though, as I saw him when he first came out a few times and then he was gone, unlike the previously released deluxe Jar Jar Binks who his clearance a few months back. Clones and armored characters are almost always popular, though, and Wrecker is a pretty impressive figure. Let's check him out after the break...

Toy Review: Trap Jaw, Havoc Staff Skeletor, and Tri-Klops from Masters of the Universe: Figural Bag Clips by Monogram International

 

   I received both of the Walmart exclusive Monogram International Masters of the Universe: Figural bag Clips for my birthday back in September but I only reviewed the first set back in October. Let's take a look at the second set today which features some more Evil Warriors to pester the heroes. It turns out that Monogram International has a second set of bag clips out which features four of the figures from these exclusives (Trap Jaw, Tri-Klops, Man-At-Arms, and Battle Cat) along with the She-Ra that was released as an SDCC exclusive a few years back and six all new clips (Teela, Moss Man, Panthor, Hordak, and new versions of He-Man and Skeletor). I'm going to have to start looking for those! I love the design of these little guys and they're fun to hang up and display. This set is another cool little MOTU collectible and now that these seem to be showing up on clearance you can probably snag a deal. Let's check out these three villains after the break...

Action Figure Review: Skeletor from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe by Mattel

 

   I'm really enjoying Skeletor in the Netflix series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and I'm really liking this new design, too. It's still clearly Skeletor but there are some new ideas mixed with details from other Skeletor media interpretations (he reminds me of some of the depictions of Skeletor in the modern DC Comics MOTU series). So far though, I haven't been overly thrilled with the toys of Skeletor from this line. The sculpts are pretty good but the paint work has left a lot to be desired. Today I'm checking out the 8.5 inch Skeletor with some optimism that the larger scale might fix the problems of his smaller line mates. Will this be a hit or a miss? Let's find out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Man-At-Arms from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe by Mattel

 

   8.5 inches isn't a common action figure scale but since this is a line targeted at kids it seems Mattel wanted to have multiple SKUs on shelves and pegs to encourage retailers to order lots of product, thus the line has two scales. Man-At-Arms is a pretty cool looking figure who manages to look more like he should belong in Centurions or G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 than Masters of the Universe. You can see elements of the classic Man-At-Arms here, though. Let's take a closer look at this 8.5 inch version of Duncan after the break...