Black Series Figures That Make Me Eat My Guts

Posted by Chris on 05/08/24 at 07:05 AM Category: Vintage Collection

https://www.banthaskull.com/images/news/tbs_i_wish_was_in_tvc.jpg

I imagine someone once said that Vintage Collection fans are jealous of what product Black Series fans get, and Hasbro should do something about that. The first part of the statement is certainly true. The second part was probably internalized, and we got Carbonized as a result. Obviously it's not the Black Series gimmicks of which we are envious. It's the 100% all new from the ground figures that turn us green. Here are four in particular that crushed me when they were pipelined for TBS.

Anakin Skywalker (Episode I)

We have never had a super articulated 3.75" figure of Anakin Skywalker as he appears for the bulk of Episode I. The only super articulated Anakin we have from that source is the Padawan version that appears briefly in the closing minutes of The Phantom Menace. That figure has such minimal display value. We desperately need a proper Ep. 1 Tatooine Anakin in the Vintage Collection for our displays, but also like Count Dooku, it's a glaring omission from the TVC ranks.

Padmé Amidala (Battle of Theed)

We have never had a super articulated 3.75" figure of the Theed Battle Padmé. The best version we have is MH17 - Queen Amidala from 2012's Movie Heroes line. That release has ball jointed elbows, but that is the only thing that distinguishes it from a 5POA figure. It's insane that we don't have a super articulated release of Padmé's action piece from Episode I.

Ki-Adi-Mundi

We have never had a super articulated 3.75" figure of Ki-Adi-Mundi. I've been stumping for an all new Ki-Adi-Mundi figure for quite some time. The best one we have dates all the way back to 2005. That was #29 - Ki-Adi-Mundi from the Revenge of the Sith line, but that release has swivel elbows and no ankles. To the best of my knowledge, Ki is the only prequel-spanning Jedi without ball jointed elbows. Even Stass Allie and Khaat Qiyn have them, but not the Jedi Master with actual speaking lines.

Princess Leia (Ewok Village)

We have never had a super articulated 3.75" figure of an Ewok Village Princess Leia. While some will argue for the Thirtieth Anniversary Collection Episode VI collector tin release, I feel the best version we have is 1998's Freeze Frame Princess Leia Organa In Ewok Celebration Outfit. That figure has gigantism (as do all of the existing releases). It's much too tall for a Carrie Fisher figure. I've wanted an Ewok Village Leia since I was a kid, and I don't think that itch has been scratched. The one thing I do not want is a figure using that TBS digital sculpt with the ridiculous "you wanna go" stance and scowling head. Can we please stop trying to reinvent Princess Leia as some sort of fierce cage fighter? It's an insult to the source material and the late Ms. Fisher's perfomance.

Even more frustrating is how Black Series fans get all this newly tooled action figure love, and don't appreciate it. The TBS Ewok Village Leia is currently ~$10 on Amazon (via storefronts).

You may be surprised by something that is not on the list. It's because I feel like there's virtually zero chance of these figures ever making it to the Vintage Collection. Momaw Nadon at least has the Lloyd Christmas "one in a million" chance.