Custom Figure Contest at JediDefender Reminder

Just a reminder that the gang at JediDefender are running a nifty Custom Figure Contest. Click on over for all the details on how you can create a custom figure and enter to win various prizes for your effort!

The Clone Wars Season Two - Are You Ready?

To help you get ready for Season Two of The Clone Wars, StarWars.com has posted two new videos. The first video, Animation, checks out the improved look of the animation in Season Two. In the second video, Clones, actor Dee Bradley Baker discusses how he puts a unique spin on the soldiers of the clone army.

Drawing the Clone Wars: Cato Parasitti

All the aspiring artists out there can head on over to the Official Star Wars Website for a lesson on how to draw the Clawdite changeling bounty hunter Cato Parasitti from Season Two of The Clone Wars animated series! Illustrator Jessica Hickman explains how with an easy-to-follow step by step process.

Legacy Collection Wave 9 In-Stock at EE

Did you miss out on buying the Return of the Jedi wave at HasbroToyShop the other day? Well then, here's your second chance - Legacy Collection Wave 9 (aka 2009 Wave 4) is in-stock at Entertainment Earth! Click on over before they are sold out again!

WOTC Galaxy at War Miniatures Preview #3

Wizards of the Coast has posted their third preview of the upcoming Galaxy at War expansion set. This preview looks at the Battle Droid Sergeant and Commando Droid Captain minis. Head on over for the details on these new minis heading your way in October!

DK Celebrates LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary

On October 10th, select stores in over 65 cities across the U.S. will join DK Publishing in celebrating the release of LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary. The public events will include LEGO giveaways and other freebies. Check out StarWars.com to see if an event is planned near you!

Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG Update

BioWare and LucasArts have announced that they are now accepting applicants for testing Star Wars: The Old Republic. Space is limited and reserved for 'The Old Republic' on-line community members. If you are interested in testing, click on over and sign-up for the community!

Shipping From Dark Horse This Week

Arriving at your local comic shop this week is Star Wars: Legacy #40 from Dark Horse Comics. Can't wait to read it? Then check out Dark Horse's site for a preview to tide you over!

Star Wars Action News - Podcast # 214 Available

Star Wars Action News has posted their latest podcast episode entitled A (Vintage) Leg to Stand on. In this episode, the SWAN team reviews the vintage Kenner Action Figure Display Stand, as well as its modern counterpart, the Action Figure Display Diorama.

Star Wars Chopsticks? What Will They Try Next...

Have you ever craved a way to inject more Star Wars into your Japanese dinners? Well you're in luck! StarWarsShop.com is now taking pre-orders for the Star Wars Chop Sticks from Kotobukiya. Choose from either a Vader/Yoda set or a Luke/Yoda set.

Plenty of New Figures In-Stock at HasbroToyShop

A number of new Legacy Collection and Clone Wars figures are in-stock over at HasbroToyShop.com. Click on over to see what's left from the new 2009 Legacy Collection Wave 3 (TPM) and Wave 4 (RotJ) or the 2009 Clone Wars Wave 6 and Wave 7. (Apologies if all the good stuff is sold out by the time you read this!)

TRU Clone Wars Republic Gunship Update

The latest exclusive Clone Wars Republic Gunship, the "Crumb Bomber" deco gunship, is now in-stock and ready to ship at ToysRUs.com. The Gunship hits stores at the new $69.99 Deluxe Vehicle price-point, which is sure disappoint the cash strapped collectors out there.

On Sale This Week at Toys R Us

This week at Toys R Us, you'll find a number of Star Wars toys on sale! In addition to the great sale prices, you'll also find another promo offer - a free Clone Wars Commander Ponds figure with any Star Wars action figure or accessory purchase of $30.00 or more! Click on the thumbnail to check out the ad.

Hasbro Force FX Asajj Ventress Lightsaber at EE

EntertainmentEarth is now taking pre-orders for Hasbro's new Force FX Asajj Ventress Lightsaber. The lightsaber replica includes a special coupling piece - if you buy two sabers, you can connect them to create a double bladed replica.

Legacy Collection Wave 9 Found at Retail

Wave 9 (aka 2009 Wave 4) of the Legacy Collection basic figures line is arriving at Toys R Us stores across the US. The wave includes eight new figures from Return of the Jedi - Death Star II Luke, Jabba's Prisoner Leia, Paploo & NoApaak, B-Wing Pilot Nien Nunb, Major Panno, Giran, Malakili, and Sail Barge Nikto.

Star Wars Soundboards Update - Emperor Palpatine

The Official Star Wars Website has added twenty new Emperor Palpatine clips to the Star Wars Soundboards. Click on over and have some fun with everyone's favorite Sith Galactic Overlord.

Get Ready for Season 2 with Downloadable Goodies

Season Two of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is almost here! Are your kids looking for a way to pass the time until The Rise of the Bounty Hunters debuts on Friday, October 2nd at 8pm (ET/PT)? Just click on over to StarWars.com to download a number of activities to keep you busy!

Plenty O' New Preview Pics @ JediDefender

Our pals over at JediDefender have posted a slew of new images of upcoming Hasbro Legacy Collection figures. Click on over for a preview of some of the great figures coming to retail this Fall!

StarWars.com Galaxy at War Miniatures Preview

StarWars.com has posted a preview of the Galaxy at War expansion set from Wizards of the Coast. This preview focuses on four new Clone Trooper themed miniatures. Head on over for the details on these new minis heading your way in October!

Drawing the Clone Wars: Todo 360

All the aspiring artists out there can head on over to the Official Star Wars Website for a lesson on how to draw Todo 360, Cad Bane's techno-service droid from The Clone Wars animated series! Illustrator Jessica Hickman explains how with an easy-to-follow step by step process.

A Look Inside Star Wars Insider #112

StarWars.com has posted an excerpt of an interview with James Arnold Taylor, the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Clone Wars. Click on over to check out the excerpt and then grab a copy of Star Wars Insider #112 for the full interview.

Clone Wars Y-Wing Bomber at Amazon.com

Are you tired of looking for the new Clone Wars Y-Wing Bomber and seeing nothing but a sea of Shadow ARC-170s at your local stores? Well then, click on over to Amazon.com where the Y-Wing is in-stock and ready to ship! Thanks to our pals at JediDefender for the tip!

WOTC Galaxy at War Miniatures Preview #2

Wizards of the Coast has posted their second preview of the upcoming Galaxy at War expansion set. This preview looks at the Hondo Ohnaka and 'Strike Leader' Asajj Ventress minis. Head on over for the details on these new minis heading your way in October!

Lucas and Filoni Discuss Clone Wars Season Two

StarWars.com has posted a new interview with The Clone Wars creator George Lucas and supervising director Dave Filoni. Click on over to check out what to expect in the series' second season, which begins Friday, October 2nd on Cartoon Network!

Star Wars Action News - Podcast # 213 Available

Star Wars Action News has posted their latest podcast episode entitled Want to be a Clone Commander? In this episode, the SWAN team checks out the exclusive Clone Commander Manual and Commander Ponds figure from Toys R Us, as well as the usual store reports and Hasbro Q&A.

On Sale This Week at Toys R Us

This week at Toys R Us, you'll find a Buy Two Get the 3rd Free deal on all three lines of Star Wars basic action figures. In addition, you'll find the same offer on assorted Star Wars video games as well this week!

The Force Unleashed "Ultimate Sith Edition" Preview

StarWars.com has posted a preview of the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Unleashed collectors edition. Named The Ultimate Sith Edition, the game continues the story of Starkiller, Darth Vader's secret apprentice. Click on over for all the details on the contents and a look at the packaging for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions.

Sideshow Collectibles Edition Size Update

Sideshow Collectibles has set the final edition size for the exclusive edition 'There Will Be No Bargain - Luke Vs Rancor' Polystone Diorama at 250 pieces worldwide. If you missed out on pre-ordering, don't forget you can still sign up for the wait list!

Legacy Collection Wave 8 Found at Retail

Wave 8 (aka 2009 Wave 3) of the Legacy Collection basic figures line is arriving at Target and Walmart stores across the US. The wave includes six new figures from The Phantom Menace - Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rum Sleg, Gungan Warrior, Queen Amidala, Holo-Chair Darth Sidious, and Clegg Holdfast. Collect each new figure to build yourself a new droid - L8-L9!

WOTC Galaxy at War Miniatures Preview #1

Wizards of the Coast has posted their first official preview of the upcoming Galaxy at War expansion set. This preview looks at the Commander Ahsoka Tano and Jedi General Obi Wan Kenobi minis. Head on over for the details on these new minis heading your way in October!

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron Update

StarWars.com has posted a new video feature on Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron, the upcoming video game from LucasArts. Click on over to check out the video and learn how this installment in the Battlefront series makes the battle bigger then ever before!

New Star Wars Battle Packs Up for Pre-Order

Entertainment Earth is now taking pre-orders for four new 2010 Star Wars Battle Packs. Two of the sets are based on Clone Wars series episodes, Holocron Heist and Jedi Showdown; while the other two sets are based on the movies, Birth of Darth Vader and Tatooine Desert Ambush.

New Clone Wars Deluxe Figure/Vehicle Sets Revealed

Entertainment Earth is also taking pre-orders for three new Clone Wars Deluxe Figure/Vehicle sets. Wave 5 of the line contains three new sets - Clone Scout with AT-RT, Anakin Skywalker with Desert Sport Skiff, and Commander Cody with Barc Speeder.

AFX Exclusive Clone Wars Commander Fox ArtFX Statue

ActionFigureXpress is now taking pre-orders for an exclusive Clone Wars Commander Fox ArtFX Statue from Kotobukiya. The statue costs $59.99 and is limited to 300 pieces worldwide. Look for it to ship next month.

Toys R Us is Heading to the Mall for Christmas

Toys R Us has announced plans to open 80 new Holiday Express stores at malls across the country for the upcoming holiday-shopping season. In addition, there will be TRU mini-shops set up inside 260 Babies R Us stores as well. Follow the link for all the details.

Shipping From Dark Horse This Week

Arriving at your local comic book shop this week are two new comics from Dark Horse - Knights of the Old Republic #45 and The Clone Wars #9. Can't wait to read them? Then follow the links for previews to tide you over!

Star Wars Action News - Podcast # 212 Available

Star Wars Action News has posted their latest podcast episode entitled Gazing into *Abyss*. In this episode, the SWAN team talks with author Troy Denning about his latest book, Abyss, the third book in the Fate of the Jedi series from Del Rey books.

Target Geonosis Arena Sets Hit Amazon.com

Thanks to their internet sales partnership with Target, the Target exclusive Geonosis Arena Showdown 2-Packs are now in-stock at Amazon.com and ready to ship. Thanks to all those who wrote in with the tip!

Hasbro Q&A Update for September 12th

Hasbro has updated their website with the latest round of Star Wars Q&A. Click on over to check out the answers to all the questions submitted by the particpating Star Wars fan/news/media websites during the last Q&A session.

On Sale This Week at Toys R Us

This week at Toys R Us, you'll find a number of Star Wars toys on sale! In addition to the great sale prices, you'll also find a promo offer - a free Clone Commander Manual with any Star Wars purchase of $30.00 or more! Click on the thumbnail to check out the ad.

Star Tours Version 2.0 Coming in 2011

At Disney's D23 Fan Expo this weekend, Disney confirmed that the much rumored renovations to the Star Tours attraction are true. Check out the Official Star Wars Website for all the details on Star Tours 2.0, coming to the Disney theme parks in 2011.

Clone Wars Web Comic - "Hunting the Hunters" (Part 3)

StarWars.com has updated the Clone Wars Web Comic with new pages! The latest update, Hunting the Hunters (Part 3), takes place between Seasons 1 and 2 of The Clone Wars animated series. Click on over and head to page 184 to check out the new comic pages.

Walmart Clone Wars Octuptarra Droid Hits Retail

The Walmart exclusive Clone Wars Octuptarra Droid has landed at Walmart retail stores across the country. This massive droid (and reports are it's pretty big) will set you back around $35.00 plus tax.

Clone Wars "Under the Helmet" 2-Packs at Walmart

Also popping up at Walmart stores all around the country are the new Clone Wars Under the Helmet figure 2-packs. This wave has two new sets, both based on the action on the planet Rishi - Clone Trooper Echo & Commander Cody and Captain Rex & Clone Trooper Fives.

Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG Update

LucasArts has posted another update on Star Wars: The Old Republic, the upcoming massively multiplayer online PC game. The latest feature checks out Coruscant and it's role in the game.

Sideshow 'Luke Vs. the Rancor' Diorama Pre-Order

Sideshow Collectibles is now taking pre-orders for the 'Luke Vs. the Rancor' Polystone Diorama. Click here to pre-order the exclusive edition or here to grab the regular edition when the exclusive sells out.

Hasbro Star Wars Q&A - Session 16

On August 21st, we sent our sixteenth batch of questions to Hasbro to once again take part in their Star Wars Question and Answer sessions. Today, we've got the answers to those three questions!
1. Since it looks like the Winter'09 ESB wave has more figures than needed for a 6-piece droid, can you shed a little light on which pieces will come with which figure in that wave?

** You are correct in that this wave does have more "new" figures than it is supposed to, since six figures are needed to complete any protocol droid. The answer is because R2-X2 was originally designed as a "pure" package refresh brought into the basic figure line for the first time. However, as we got further along we realized that the original deco when R2-X2 was first released in a multi-figure pack, was incorrect and with Lucasfilm we corrected the deco. As a result, it is basically a new figure to replace the old. So a simple package refresh became like a new figure.

Here are how the parts break out of the "true" six new figures slotted for this wave:
Luke Snowspeeder (HK-50 head); AT-AT Driver (HK-50 body); Bespin Wing Guard
(HK-50 L Arm); Willrow Hood (HK-50 R Arm); Zuckuss (HK-50 L Leg); Concept Art Snowtrooper (HK-50 R Leg).

The other six "redundant" parts are:
Snowtrooper (HK-50 L Leg); R2-X2 (HK-50 R Leg); Commander Bacara (HK-50 Body); Plo Koon (HK-50 L Arm); Agen Kolar (HK-50 R Arm); Commander Deviss (HK-50 Head).


2. If the Hasbro Star Wars team was able to contribute to the current "Fans' Choice Poll" with none of your usual worries (like costing or case make-up or whatever), what would your collective top five look like?

** We canvassed a few members of the team and did not find a unanimous top 5 list. This reflects not only the wide variety of interests, but the high quality of choices still at large in the figure world. In no particular order: Snoova (resculpt); the actual "Sith" species; Mandalorian Neo Crusader; Bastila Shan; Joe Johnston concept Imperial Guard; Phase 2 Dark Trooper (2 votes so technically the #1 choice here); Guri; Weequay Skiff Master; Widdle & Oochee 2-pack; Yuuzhan Vong (more slender sculpt); Luke in Emperor Guard disguise (resculpt); super-articulated Rancor with elbows and knees (hey, that's not eligible!); Nera Dantels; super-articulated AT-ST driver; Bettybot; female Stormtrooper from Legacy 0; Jaxxon; Ponda Baba; Dr. Evazon; Aqualish Technician (Clone Wars); Nelvaan Warrior (mutated - he'd be HUGE!); Shado Vao.

3. Our Galactic Heroes Sandpeople need a beast of burden! When are we going to see a nifty GH scale Bantha? Pack in a couple Sandpeople, Ben, Luke, and the Droids and you've got the makings of a great scene!

** While there are no plans for a Galactic Heroes Bantha right now, he's one of the beasts that's high on our creature wish list. Chances are good that you'll see one in the next couple of years.

Hasbro Clone Wars Diorama Contest Reminder

Hasbro has asked us to pass along a reminder that their Clone Wars Diorama Contest ends on September 25th. Follow the link for all the details on how you can enter for your chance to win $1000 worth of Hasbro Star Wars toys and the chance to display your creation at the next Star Wars Celebration!

Discount Deal on the Target Wedge's X-Wing Starfighter

At select Target stores and Target.com, the Wedge Antilles' X-Wing Starfighter is on sale for $45.99 this week. The trick is that it's an unadvertised sale in the stores, meaning you have to scan it to see if your store has it on sale. If you happen to have a Clone Cash coupon to apply to the purchase, you can bring the price down to just $40.99 plus tax!

SWG:TCG The Shadow Syndicate Expansion Pack

StarWars.com has posted a new feature on The Shadow Syndicate, the fourth expansion set for the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game. The expansion set features more new character and loot cards and will be released later this month.