Over the holidays, I took a little bit of time to think about what I’d like to see changed/added to the Black Series in the future as a way to improve aspects of the line. Originally I scrapped the idea of this article but was encouraged to post it. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments.
Here are but a few of my personal wish items for the line in no particular order and no hints/teases are implied with anything listed below:
End the “Malibu Stacy-ing” of releases in the guise of making something “exclusive” just to maximize tooling investment
- Recent examples Baylan & Shin’s “exclusive” mercenary cloaks and Dagan Gera’s “exclusive” arm
Restructure releases of the Clones of the Republic two packs to eliminate “hostage packs”
- If it includes a named clone/Jedi, don’t pack in a generic “grunt” trooper (ex: Mace Windu/187th and Obi-Wan/212th sets) – it undermines troop building (repeat purchases = more money to be made)
- There are a lot of named clones that could paired up as exclusive two packs with no new tooling (ex: 104th “Wolfpack” battalion – Sinker, Boost, Comet, Warthog or Waxer and Boil from Cody’s 212th Battalion)
- ARC Trooper 2pks (Colt, Havoc, Blitz, Hammer) – again minimal new tooling needed, but ensure proper helmet design and soft good kamas for effective posability
Where are the Geonosian Warriors?
- The Battle of Geonosis was a kind of a big deal in Attack of the Clones/The Clone Wars. We have plenty of battle droids and super battle droids for our Phase I clones to fight but there is a completely unrepresented faction with the Geonosian Warriors.
- They can be released as individual (mainline) or as exclusives (ex: Sun Fac), or ideally as two packs (in the small plastic free boxes). There is definite army building as well as repaint opportunity in their design for AOTC, TCW, and Republic Commando
- Success of drone/warrior Geonosians could then warrant a Poggle the Lesser to expand the Revenge of the Sith line
Please, more McQuarrie/Concept Art Two Packs
- I’d love some more newly tooled figures especially McQuarrie stormtroopers, Luke Starkiller, Han, Chewbacca, female Starkiller hero, and of course R2 and 3PO to name a few. There is a lot of potential in exploring other concepts in the saga but I feel that the McQuarrie era has some of the most recognizable for this subset of figures.
Time for some new Fetts
- While there has been no shortage of Mandalorians in the Black Series line, the construction techniques that have been perfected across the various Mandalorians in recent years should in turn be applied to all new versions of BOTH Boba (TESB) and Jango Fett. With Jango, I’d even welcome a deluxe version that includes both jetpacks, poncho, flight/pilot head gear, flame effects (for wrist and jetpack) and laser blast effects for his Westar-34 blasters
Hasbro is just scratching the surface of the LEGENDS / PUBLISHING / GAMING Figures – DON’T STOP NOW!
- Darth Bane, Starkiller (Sith Stalker Armor), Kyle Katarn, Guri, Lumiya (Dark Woman), Leebo, Clone Emperor, Luke Skywalker (Dark Empire), and please finish SCAR Squadron/Task Force 99.
- So many games to pull characters from like Battlefront Rebel Troopers, Sith Trooper/Imperial Soldier (SWTOR), Republic Trooper (SWTOR), Rahm Kota, and all-new, accurate (bigger bodied) Clone/Republic Commando(s), the possible list is extensive
Haslab deserves another shot – period. But in order for it to achieve success, it needs to be something that:
A) promotes multiple purchases from collectors (not just speculators)
B) include progressively better tiers – not just an exclusive cardback/coin or cardboard backdrop – a figure/figures truly exclusive to the campaign
C) sub-$500 pricepoint ($299-$399 range is ideal)
Thanks for coming to my TBS talk. Again, this all my opinion and preferences. Feel free to add more suggestions in the comments.
