The Black Series 6" - General Discussion Thread

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Now that we know these are coming please use this thread to discuss all things related to the newly announced Black Series figures.

Hasbro unveils 'Star Wars' Black Series action figures

New toys are on a bigger scale and will focus on characters from the original movie trilogy.

Star Wars action figures are growing up with their audience.

After 35 years of fantastic plastic standing tall in pop culture at 3¾ inches, Hasbro is releasing the Star Wars Black Series this year, beginning a new set of 6-inch figures that will feature more articulation and an increased attention to detail.

Priced at $19.99 each, eight figures are planned for 2013 — Hasbro will primarily draw characters from the original Star Wars trilogy of films while also bringing in key players from the prequels.

The first wave of four, due out in early to mid-August, includes Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing Fighter flight suit, fan-favorite droid R2-D2, bad guy Darth Maul and an Imperial Sandtrooper.

"We consider them the best figures that Hasbro's ever produced for Star Wars that meets the sensibilities of romancing the character as well as the playability and poseability that fans really appreciate," says Derryl DePriest, Hasbro vice president of boys marketing.

Hasbro has had success with the scale before with the 6-inch Marvel Legends figures based on Marvel Comics heroes and villains. In terms of Star Wars, though, the Black Series will act as a transitional point between the 3¾-inch toys — "which is rooted in the childhood memories of generations of now-grown kids," DePriest says — and the 12-inch Sideshow Collectibles figures for adult collectors.

The current "vintage"-style line of 3¾ figures will also continue under the Black Series banner.


In creating something new and different with Star Wars, the color black became an inspiration for toy designers, DePriest says. "It's one of the main colors of Star Wars all the way back to the beginning, and it's the approach that Lucasfilm has taken with their collector-oriented product line. We're bringing that simplicity and essence and focus on the character now to the toy aisle."

The Black Series appeals to those newbies who want to start a series from the start as well as those hardcore collectors who gobble up anything having to do with the words "Jedi" or "Empire" and "are looking for something new and their interest isn't as piqued by the 15th cantina alien we have yet to do," DePriest says. "We realize folks want their iconic characters delivered up in a new way."

With Star Wars: Episode VII coming from new Star Wars director J.J. Abrams in a couple of years, as well as comics, novels and other media adding to the universe George Lucas started in 1977, it's a good time to figure out different scales and toys for the next generation of Star Wars fan, according to DePriest.
Before then, however, the Black Series also gives a chance for parents to connect with their own little Star Wars fans.
"Our focus here is the adult collector, the dad," DePriest says. "We know they have their own generation of youngsters they like to share the adventure with. It can be something for dad, and the 3¾ world can be something for the kids to share."


So what does everyone think of a new scale?
 
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This is terrible news as far as I'm concerned......it's not like I have to purchase them(I won't be)but it seems like a pointless reinvention of the wheel.....

i don't see the logic in this....Sideshow have the larger,pricier market cornered,so I don't understand exactly WHO these are aimed at....Kids no longer have an interest in action figures but without vehicles and playsets these are doomed to bomb...Galactic heroes succeeded due to cool cardboard environment pieces and great vehicles....12 inch figures appeal to the quality seeking high-end collector.....who exactly are these 6 inch figures aimed at???

Hasbro really does suck at the moment....I see no redeeming information forthcoming and my expectations of the upcoming toy fair are actually in the negative....

i can't see them knocking anything"out of the park" anytime soon.....

Darren
 
That's the main reason that I wouldn't want to see a new 6" line, because I think that's all they would do.

If it stayed a sub-line, then I would be fine with that; but I think that's far too shallow of a character selection for it to completely replace the 3.75" line.
I meant as a sub line. I never said forsake the curent scale and just stick with this supposed new one.
 
The way prices are these day, I'm afraid the 6-inch figures will be more in the $17.99-18.99 price range by the time they come out. And more like $22.99 in specialty stores. Heck, the Mall here sells TVC for $14.99 a pop in their toy stores.

I'd buy 6-inch figures of 2 or 3 of my favorite characters like Han and Fett but no way am I committing to another line. I just swore off DC Universe classics and Marvel Legends, and I'm trying to focus on 3.75 inch now. Bad time for that!
 
I think Hasbro might see this as a way to freshen up the same characters we've been seeing for a long time. Also, this might be a Hasbro reaction to non US markets worlwide. Maybe the larger figures do better overall at retail or they have market research that parents and kids will buy more overall. Maybe kids like bigger figures???

Is this line supposed to appeal to kids or collectprs or both?
 
The way prices are these day, I'm afraid the 6-inch figures will be more in the $17.99-18.99 price range by the time they come out. And more like $22.99 in specialty stores. Heck, the Mall here sells TVC for $14.99 a pop in their toy stores.

I'd buy 6-inch figures of 2 or 3 of my favorite characters like Han and Fett but no way am I committing to another line. I just swore off DC Universe classics and Marvel Legends, and I'm trying to focus on 3.75 inch now. Bad time for that!


Yes, price will be a big factor is this. I won't start collecting a whole new line. An impulse once, yes, but not a whole line and the price will make it easier to skip.
 
I would love a couple main characters in 6'' but imagine what could happen putting GG and Hasbro together for this. That might not be a great idea. I would much rather have NECA tackle this but that wont happen.
 
Price is a factor for me since, it's not high-end like SideShow. I collect both SS 12inch figures and Hasbro 3 3/4" figures but, I don't see myself collecting 6" Hasbro figures.
 
price and look of the figures / accessories for the figures will be a MAJOR factor in whether I'll invest in them or not. if they are in the process of making these 6" figures then sculpt and accessories are going to be everything. I want super detailed, super articulated, 100% accurate figures.... especially if they are going to be starting around the $15.99 price point and up.
 
6" seems like a hard sell, and very niche market to me. Not many lines in this size have done very well. I still see Star Trek Warp collection figures gathering dust every now and then, and as I recall, the Epic Force line, was an Epic Fail.

Why Hasbro insists on spreading themselves so thin, across multiple lines, is beyond me.!? And at the same time they are laying off people.
 
Ok going to throw this one out there for everyone to discuss while I gather more intel. Super-articulated, 6-inch scale line with AMAZING likenesses and detail. What do you think? Would you be in or is it an easy pass?

The very idea is as ridiculous as buying Blu-ray Discs of DVDs you already own. I mean, if you have the money to do that, then God bless ya! But your Blu-ray player will play the DVDs just fine, and if you're not a HUGE stickler for high-def, then why waste the money?

I have boxes and plastic tubs and kitchen cabinets FILLED with 3 3/4-inch Star Wars figures. I'm not changing sizes now.
 
I think it would have been interesting had a 6-inch line been launched at retail this year. With the supply chain backed up with E1 3-3/4-inch figures, I bet a lot of people would have picked up a 6-inch figure out of sheer frustration of not seeing anything new and wanting to buy something Star Wars (that wasn't aimed at kids). It'll be interesting to see what capacity these are released in or if they end up getting released at all.
 
I'd be all over OT stormtroopers and/or sandtroopers in the 6" scale (that's really all I have in any scale), but only with great sculpts and super-articulation. A high quality probe droid would be nice, too. Accuracy and SA are the main selling points for me. For quality pieces (materials, build quality) I'd have no problem paying more, but I'd expect considerably better than what's usually offered at the 3.75" scale.
 
I would buy a 6" Darth Vader if he has a great sculpt, and superior articulation.
 
6" would be the best news in years for me, in rleation to the Star Wars brand. I'm so over the limitations of the 4" scale, and I have sold off most of my 4" stuff - so I'm all set for the reboot.

Bring it!
 
This is going to sound a little mean but...a part of me almost enjoys how badly hasbro is running this license into the ground. Maybe enjoy is the wrong word...it's more like I find it completely fascinating. I'm
amazed as to how...they can take a pop culture icon like star wars and f it up so badly, due to glib corporate practices. It's amazing..nearly every choice they make makes me cringe. I still can't get over the flood of Episode 1 3d product. Lol now they want to launch a 6 inch line? The people at hasbro are crazy...I love it..but they are just crazy. Force amp'es....squishy star wars minis...angry birds...killing vintage.....lol this is entertaining. **** it up Hasbro...**** it up real good!!
 
I might pick up a few 6" figs, but I have neither the patience or space to start collecting a new scale of Star Wars figures. I could see myself getting the main characters from ANH, and maybe the bounty hunters, but that's it.
 
Very very excited about the possibility of a 6 inch range, I would buy them all! :D
 
If they replaced the 3.75" line for a 6" line, I would be disappointed. They need to finish what they started. If the 6" line was just an additional line for collectors to consider, I couldn't care less. Make a 9.67" or a 10.17" line for all I care. If some great looking figures came out of those lines I might buy a couple of my favorite characters, but I certainly wouldn't collect a line that size in any real sense of the word. It would just be a novelty. Besides, vehicles add a cool dimension to collecting and you can't make many vehicles for that scale. It's hard enough now making properly scaled vehicles for 3.75" figures.
 
Umm, is this confirmed or just a what if? Unleashed was cancelled because it struggled but maybe that case would be different if they were more articulated. Anyway, if their research shows demand then go for it so long as they don't abandon the 4 inch line especially if investing in the 6 inch line helps their budget for more 4 inch figures. If they abandon 4 inch however, I am done collecting forever and will spend my time making customs and hoping that sculptors out there will take it upon themselves to make head casts out there of any characters that Hasbro hasn't gotten to.
 
I'm interested in seeing how they turn out. Can't say I'm against the idea, or that I wouldn't buy any of them. I dabble a little in 6" scale figures...Batman, BSG, Captain America, NECA's Robocop, and a few others but that scale is not a major part of my collecting focus. If they are done well, I can see picking up select figures, mainly the major characters, much like they way I collect Sideshow figures. As nice as they are, I tend to only get the main characters and pass on the secondary ones for many reasons...mainly cost and space. I can see myself collecting a 6" line in much the same manner...if they are done well. As others have already said, Hasbro hasn't had a great track record in this scale as far as Star Wars goes. Even though I don't collect them, if they are on par with Marvel Legends I am definitely interested...
 
Even though I don't collect them, if they are on par with Marvel Legends I am definitely interested...

I was looking at some of these just last week and thinking how terrible they were! 6" just makes me think of He Man. Just awful.
 
Ok going to throw this one out there for everyone to discuss while I gather more intel. Super-articulated, 6-inch scale line with AMAZING likenesses and detail. What do you think? Would you be in or is it an easy pass?

If the price was right, count me in. At the very least, I'd be up for collecting all the major OT characters.
 
army building would be out the window for sure. there is something appealing to this, but it could go horribly wrong. have to wait and see.
 
Remember when Hasbro did 6" figures last time? Mega Action? How did that work out for them...3 figures and out.

Yeah, and the likeness on those 3 mega-action figures sucked, not to mention they didn't feature loads of articulation. To top it off, only 1 character had appeal (Maul), so it's a poor example to use that as a formula for potential disaster if they tried it again. I guarantee if Hasbro made, say, an ultra-articulated Boba Fett & Darth Vader with excellent likeness right out of the gate, all the naysayers would buy 'em.
 
...is this really necessary? How about you focus on making the 3/34 inch line as good as it can possibly be, Hasbro, before you start with the gimmicks?
 
...is this really necessary? How about you focus on making the 3/34 inch line as good as it can possibly be, Hasbro, before you start with the gimmicks?

i'm 100% for the 3.75" line and want to see it continue for a long time.... as far as the 6" line is concerned, I would be interested to see what they would come up with but I'm in no rush to drop the extra $$$ on the line. I'd be all for SA versions of Vader, Fett, Luke, and Leia as well as some cool EU characters like Starkiller, and perhaps even stormies and clones but I'd be serious evaluting all of the figures before making the commitment
 
Having grown exasperated and even a bit bored with the Star Wars line and jumping ship to go whole-horse on MOTUC, a limited (major characters only) line of 6" SW figures would be just the thing to bring me back to the property (as far as collecting goes; I still adore the films).


Come on, Hasbro! Hook me with a super-keen, nicely (but not overly) articulated Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and/or Han Solo and I'll throw some of my hard-earned moolah in your direction again! Keep the mainline going (it'd be blasphemous not to with the sequel trilogy and new Disney era coming), but give me a nice, comfortable line I can be casual about-not having to hunt fiercely at odd hours to maintain.
 
I'd actually might comeback to collecting Hasbro, if these 6 inch figures are well done. I don't think these will ever take the place of the 4 inch figures because there is no way they would be able to cover all of the more obscure characters that they can cover in a smaller scale. This line will probably focus on the big characters anyway.

I for one would love to have an affordable Vader without a see-through cape and silly silver string without having to this myself.
 
Other than picking up the Jar Jar Binks figures and Jocasta Nu I pretty much stopped collecting after RotS.

So the idea of an awesome super articulated 6" line of Star Wars sounds like a great idea to me. Might bring me back.

Hopefully they start small and slow. And gear up if the popularity is there. I would start with maybe 2-3 Waves of 3.

And maybe do them in groups of memorable scenes. That way you encourage someone pick up all 3.

I'd also absolutely make the first wave of it based on Return of the Jedi.

Darth Vader
Luke Skywalker: Jedi Knight
Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious
 
Yep I have been following what Paul is saying and it does not look like there is gonna be a 6 inch line since he is not interested in it, so to me that is more like a 75% chance of a no go from hasbro. He seems to have some insider info and he said he might be able to let the cat out of the bag if he gets the green light. He said that Toy Fair will pleasantly surprise people.... keeping fingers crossed.
 
If they abandoned the 3 3/4 line, I'd throw in the towel and call it quits. No hesitation whatsoever.
Same here.
Whether they cancel the 3.75" line or not, I have no intention of collecting the 6" line whatsoever.

I can see the appeal from their POV, that way they could focus on the core characters all over again.
I can also see the basic line taking a back seat so they can concentrate on the bigger scale.
 
I have a feeling that Hasbro is reducing all their 3.75" lines to very limited articulation and at lower pricepoints for kids. 6" might be their sole collector offerings. I think it's what they're doing to their Marvel lines, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it affect Star Wars too.
 
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