Tomb Raider joins G.I. Joe at Comic-Con

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding G.I. Joe Classified Series Collaborative Lara Croft Tomb Raider at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

G.I. JOE CLASSIFIED SERIES RETRO CARDBACK COLLABORATIVE LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER

(HASBRO | Ages 4 years & up | Approx. Retail Price: $44.99 | Pre-Order Thursday July 23 at 5 PM ET; Available Fall 2026)

G.I. Joe is a highly skilled, on-demand, special operations force of men and women from around the world. Lara Croft, the TOMB RAIDER, is a legendary truth seeker and adventurer whose globetrotting explorations have brought her fame and notoriety. It's only natural their paths would cross while exploring the jungles of Cobra Island in this amazing collaborative between Hasbro and Crystal Dynamics. New to the G.I. Joe Classified Series line, Lara Croft TOMB RAIDER comes ready for adventure, with multiple points of articulation for high poseability. This Lara Croft TOMB RAIDER figure contains 16 character-inspired accessory pieces including alternate head, 2 alt hands, 2 climbing axes, backpack, grappling hook with handle and rope, recurve bow and arrow, quiver, the Dagger of Xian with sheath, and dual weapon accessories; plus a removable bandolier.

Look for other G.I. Joe figures and toys to build your roster of heroic G.I. Joe’s and Cobra villains (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.).

Lara Croft is based on her appearance in the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis video game coming to PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series S|X, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on 12th February 2027. Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a sequel to Tomb Raider: Underworld, has been delayed until 2028.

Despite a premium price tag, Lara Croft quickly sold out on Hasbro Pulse and fan channels when she went up for pre-order. I managed to pre-order mine along with Action Man from Star Action Figures in the UK in time for Christmas.

Pre-order G.I. Joe Classified Series Collaborative Lara Croft Tomb Raider at Amazon (affiliate link).

Have you pre-ordered G.I. Joe Classified Series Collaborative Lara Croft Tomb Raider? What other collaborative crossovers would you like to see in the future? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars SDCC exclusive from Jazwares

Lucasfilm licensee Jazwares has announced its San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) exclusives, including a concept art variant of Boba Fett’s Slave I from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, which will sell for $60.

Read the official press release:

"Based on its concept art and model prototypes from the production of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™, the Starship comes packed with a pivoting cockpit and wings, an opening side panel, a removable weapons rack, an extending boarding ramp, positionable chin cannons, a seismic charge hatch, and more."

The fan-favourite Ralph McQuarrie design will be a must-have for fans (myself included) when it goes on sale on Friday, 23rd July. I might ask Nick Smith, our US-based reporter who is attending SDCC, to pick one up for me if it hasn't sold out.

Are you getting the Jazwares Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron exclusive at Comic-Con? Let me know in the comments below.

Gunship announced as Star Wars HasLab

At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), Hasbro announced its Battle of Geonosis campaign for 2026 with a Star Wars HasLab.

Read the official press release:

"Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship

The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship transports you right to the heart of the first battle of the Clone Wars on Geonosis and its aftermath. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones™, this speedy attack ship led the rescue mission of the Jedi remaining after Count Dooku and the Separatists’ assault, setting a cascade of rockets and laser fire onto the Separatist droid army.

LAAT/i (Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry) Republic ships can be seen in epic battles scenes across Star Wars, including the animated classic Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ and its more recent counterpart, Star Wars: The Bad Batch™. The HasLab team is thrilled to bring you one of the franchise’s most recognizable and celebrated vehicles.

If funded, this ship will make the perfect tribute to one of the defining moments in the prequel trilogy. Let’s get into the details!"

Take a closer look with Hasbro designer Chris and special guest Adam from Lucasfilm's product development, who sold me on backing it.



The last Gunship toy I owned was from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, which I sold to a fellow Star Wars fan and collector a few years ago. Like many fans, I have reservations about the £449.99 price tag and tiers.

After pontificating for a few days (The Ghost is still boxed), I’ve decided to back the HasLab for now, if only to support the campaign and reach 8,000 backers. I appreciate that this is a good problem to have. Will it be another Rancor? We'll see in September.

Will you be backing the Star Wars The Vintage Collection LAAT/i Gunship HasLab on Hasbro Pulse? What do you think of the price? What are your thoughts on crowdfunded collectables? Should it be a retail release? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro teases Tron toys at Comic-Con

Hasbro's Steve Evans teased Tron toys based on Disney's original Tron, Tron: Legacy and the upcoming Tron: Ares at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Evans handed out 3.5-inch floppy disks, which contained a teaser image.

Christmas 1982 was all about the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K, Disney's Tron and Steven Spielberg's extra-terrestrial. I wanted Tron action figures and vehicles. It looks like Hasbro is about to grant that wish this holiday season.

Which Tron toys would you like to see from Hasbro? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars creator coming to Comic-Con

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, is heading to San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Lucas' space opera franchise has a storied history with Comic-Con dating back to 1976.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome George Lucas to Comic-Con for the very first time,” said David Glanzer, chief communications and strategy officer of Comic-Con. “Nearly five decades ago, Star Wars made one of its earliest public appearances at our convention, along with a booth featuring Howard Chaykin’s now legendary Star Wars poster as a promotional item.

Lucas will be joined by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) and artist and Star Wars prequels production designer Doug Chiang for a panel that will explore the power of illustrated story and offer a sneak peek at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

“Now, to have Mr. Lucas return, this time to debut the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, is a true full-circle moment. His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum’s mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning.”

SDCC is set to run from 24th July through 27th July. I wish I were attending this year.

Are you looking forward to SDCC? Let me know in the comments below.

Worlds of Doctor Who at Comic-Con Museum

Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction opens today at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego.

US-based Whovians (including our own Nick Smith) can see and interact with a timey-wimey collection of props and sets from the beloved BBC sci-fi series streaming on Disney+.

“We are delighted to be working with BBC Studios and Sarner International to bring this fascinating exhibition that merges the worlds of science, fiction, and the popular arts through such a celebrated show,” said Comic-Con Museum Executive Director Rita Vandergaw. “This is the first time it will ever be shown in the country, and we can’t wait for fans to experience it.”

Although the exhibition will delight Doctor Who fans (myself included), attention was paid to making it approachable, said Steven Swaby, the curator.

“You don’t have to know everything about the show to enjoy this exhibition,” Swaby said. He added: “Making it accessible and inclusive is really, really important because we know museums and science centers have a very broad audience. So, it’s not just for Doctor Who fans, but you certainly get a lot out of it if you are a fan.”

The exhibition at the Comic-Con Museum is scheduled to run through March 2026.

Are you excited about Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder? Will you be attending the exhibition? Let me know in the comments below.

Is Doctor Who a success on Disney+?

During the Doctor Who Hall H panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), Disney+ and the BBC announced that The War Between The Land And The Sea — a new five-part spin-off series written by showrunner Russell T Davies and Pete McTighe — is on the way.

Rather than the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), the new series will revolve around a group of humans working together to face the Sea Devils, a race of ancient, ocean-dwelling creatures who first appeared in Doctor Who in 1972.

The fan-favourite marine monsters last appeared in Legend of the Sea Devils. The new Whoniverse spin-off begins filming soon with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Russell Tovey, Jemma Redgrave and Alexander Devrient leading the cast!

Now that the dust has settled following the conclusion of Doctor Who season one, Nick Smith, our US-based veteran Whovian, looks back at the start of the Disney+ era.

Guest post by Nick Smith

The Star Wars prequels. Google+. New Coke. Sometimes the hype is so high, that nothing can live up to it.

Expectations were massive for writer/producer Russell T Davies’ first full season of Doctor Who since the noughties. Many fans reenlisted during his original run on the show; some were captivated children when it began. There was no way that Davies could meet their expectations. But that wasn’t his goal.

A sense of freedom shines through the 2024 episodes of Doctor Who that isn’t present in Davies’ 2005 relaunch. Visually, he can now do anything; there are dinosaurs, talking infants, diabolical animated musical notes, and a CGI boss battle. Budget-wise, he has more to play with than ever before. And when it comes to story, he has slipped the shackles of pseudo-science, moving the Doctor into the fantasy realm.

If anything, Davies has tried to do too much in a handful of episodes. There’s a lot of exposition, as the Doctor (played by Ncuti Gatwa) explains to his companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) who he is and what he does. Donna Noble’s daughter Rose (Yasmin Finney) returns, but has little to do. The Doctor falls in love - a bigger upheaval to the show than the Timeless Child saga - but there are no consequences. There’s no time to get to know Ruby, and returning characters like Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) and Sutekh (Gabriel Woolf) act out of character.

The usually stoic Kate is warm and friendly; Sutekh is far less eloquent and sinister. It’s as if their familiar names are chucked in to please the fans. Both should have been new or different personae.

The pace of this series seems rushed, with unlikely heroes popping up to save the day: a baby with a flamethrower, and John Lennon with a piano. Almost every week, the Doctor defeats an indomitable god, over-emoting as he goes.

When the show slows down, it’s delightful. 73 Yards focuses on atmosphere, a sense of dread, and is our one chance to gain a deep understanding of Ruby’s personality. In other adventures, small moments centred around her family are touching and believable. Boom focuses on one location, building up tension as the Doctor tries not to get himself blown up. Otherwise, the rhythm is discordant and breathless throughout the season, as if the show has been edited for the TikTok generation.

Davies aimed his 2005 season at young kids, hoping to lure them into watching his program with fart gags, piggy aliens, and high adventure. His latest stories see a return to this tone; Space Babies includes the biggest, silliest joke about flatulence Doctor Who has ever cracked. There’s an effective focus on visual imagery, from iconic close-ups of the Doctor’s face to the memorable sight of Sutekh being dragged through the time vortex.

But style over substance was never Doctor Who’s bag, and the best stories, like Boom, work on multiple layers: a dilemma and an insensible child for the kids to latch onto, and relationship drama and the theme of legacy-building for the adults.

With a Christmas special lined up and a 2025 season already in the can, the hype continues, albeit tempered by the unevenness of this year’s offerings. There’s room in Doctor Who for broad comedy and body horror, tales of love and bright redemption, but the producers would do well to remember that the TARDIS has all of time and space to explore, and there’s no need to rush.

Ultimately, season one of Doctor Who is subject to the cultural shift of a streaming era, where fewer fans are sitting around a telly at primetime on a Saturday (circa 2005). Willow was removed without warning on Disney+. I hope the Doctor doesn't suffer a similar fate after two seasons.

Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and Disney+ outside the UK and Ireland. Season one is available for pre-order (affiliate link).

Have you watched Doctor Who season one? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).

The Toys That Made Us is back!

The Toys That Made Us is returning to television screens after 5 years!

The cult-favourite documentary series debuted Christmas 2017 and I binged season one on Christmas Eve. For three seasons The Toys That Made Us was a love letter to fans (myself included) of He-Man, G.I. Joe, LEGO, Star Trek, Star Wars, Transformers and more on Netflix. There was also a spin-off series, The Movies That Made Us, focussing on classic films including Aliens and Jurassic Park.

During the pandemic, Nacelle produced A Toy Store Near You on Prime Video (affiliate link), which was comfort viewing during lockdown. It was a poignant reminder of how great independent stores are and the communities they forge.

“By far the most consistent comments we’ve received over the last 5 years have been some sort of inquiry about the future of The Toys That Made Us,” says Brian Volk-Weiss, Nacelle Founder and CEO. “We’re honored to be able to bring this series back to the fans that have waited so long to see it return, and we appreciate the support over the last 5 years that helped make this a reality.”

Episode topics announced at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) include:

Ghostbusters
Hot Wheels
Superhero Toys
Polly Pocket
Fast Food Toys
Pokémon
American Greetings
Nerf

No deal has been announced regarding the upcoming fourth and fifth seasons. However, Netflix has the first three seasons available.

Nacelle is also reviving several 1980s toy lines through toys and animated series, including Biker Mice from Mars (which is co-produced by Ryan Reynolds) and RoboForce (co-produced with Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions). They also produced action figures for the sci-fi series The Expanse and acquired the 80s toy brands Sectaurs and Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa.

Are you looking forward to seasons four and five of The Toys That Made Us? Let me know in the comments below.

HasLab takes to the sky with Cobra Rattler

Hasbro announced the G.I. Classified Series Cobra Rattler Ground Attack Jet HasLab campaign during Thursday's G.I. Joe panel at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

Here's the official word from Cobra:

"Your antissssipation is finally over! The Cobra Airborne is readying for launch but needs your assistance to fund its crowning achievement of aviation ingenuity. M.A.R.S. Industries, in concert with HasLab, has developed a 6-inch scale G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Rattler Ground Attack Jet. In order to initiate our takeoff sequence, we are in need of 9,000 backer orders by the end of the Campaign. For each HasLab vehicle you pledge, you’ll receive a Cobra Rattler jet along with an action figure of Flight Commander Wild Weasel featuring premium deco, detailing, and articulation for poseability."

The Cobra Rattler with Wild Weasel action figure looks amazing and, as I never owned the original fan-favourite toy, I've already backed it. The folding wings and included flight stand will make it easier to display.

The only fly in the ointment is the first tier at 11,000 backers! It's a set of Cobra Airborne Squadron patches, which should have been an action figure (Destro?). More so given the HasLab campaign is £324.99 in a cost of living crisis. The Cobra H.I.S.S. HasLab was £299.99 with 4 action figures. 14,000 backers unlocks a Cobra Rattler Gunner action figure and 18,000 backers unlocks the pilot Baroness action figure.

Hopefully, Hasbro will respond to fans' (myself included) concerns on social media. How about an early bird SDCC exclusive tier?

Given the number of backers needed, the latest G.I. Joe HasLab should be fully funded this weekend.

Will you be backing the G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Rattler Ground Attack Jet HasLab on Hasbro Pulse? Are you going to wait and see if all the stretch goals are met? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro at SDCC

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding brand and partner panels at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). This year marks the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the 40th anniversary of Transformers, and the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

The Hasbro booth (#3213) design has been updated to better engage fans and create a more immersive space. The Hasbro Pulse Toy Store is back, and this year's design by Tom Whalen includes an impressive second story for live interviews.

There are four exclusives at SDCC this year. Marvel Legends Death's Head, G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander (Once A Man), Transformers Legacy United Voyager Class Fractured Friendship 2-Pack, and Star Wars: The Black Series Darth Maul & Sith Speeder. Limited quantities will be available to pre-order on Hasbro Pulse after the convention. While supplies last.

“We are thrilled to return to 2024 San Diego Comic-Con with an evolved booth design and even more exhilarating experiences for our fans,” said Tim Kilpin, President of Toys, Board Games, Licensing & Entertainment at Hasbro. “This year, we are particularly excited to celebrate our upcoming film, TRANSFORMERS ONE, and bring an immersive and interactive showcase that will truly spotlight the creativity and innovation behind our iconic brands. We can’t wait to reveal fan-favorite products from BEYBLADE, TRANSFORMERS, G.I JOE and more to create countless unforgettable memories alongside our dedicated fanbase.”

HASBRO BRAND AND PARTNER PANELS

Attendees are invited to learn more about Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE brands and MAGIC THE GATHERING’s Mark Rosewater and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS with premier collaboration brands, Star Wars and Marvel, through special panel experiences featuring new product reveals and major updates, along with other partner presentations.

Thursday, July 25
· PARAMOUNT PICTURES: TRANSFORMERS ONE: July 25 at 11:45AM – 12:45PM | Hall H - Paramount Animation & HASBRO Entertainment bring a panel discussion and exclusive footage presentation to fans with talent Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Keegan-Michael Key, along with the Director, Academy Award® winner Josh Cooley, and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura.

· Hasbro G.I. JOE Brand Panel: Thursday, July 25 at 5:00PM - 6:00PM | Room: 25ABC - Join the G.I. JOE development team for a LIVE launch of the new Classified Series HasLab! This behind-the-scenes look will also feature additional new product news, including never-before-heard stories, digital character renders, in-hand figure prototypes, pre-order launches, and maybe even a special guest.

Friday, July 26
· Marvel Legends Panel with Hasbro: Friday, July 26, 12:30PM - 1:30PM | Room: 5AB - The Hasbro and Marvel product experts will discuss exciting news about Hasbro’s ever-popular Marvel Legends product line! Attendees will also get a sneak peek of upcoming, never-before-seen items, followed by a Q&A for your burning Marvel Legends questions.

· Hasbro Star Wars Panel: Friday, July 26, 2:00PM - 3:00PM | Room: 7AB - Join members of the Hasbro Marketing & Design teams as they discuss the popular Hasbro Star Wars line, including the Black Series and The Vintage Collection. Attendees will get an in-depth look at Hasbro’s latest action figure offerings from throughout the saga. Word on the Holonet is there may also be a few surprises. May the Force be with you!

· Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Panel: Friday, July 26, 6:00PM - 7:00PM | Room: 25ABC - Join the Hasbro TRANSFORMERS Toy Development team as they take you behind the scenes to unveil the latest character figures from across the iconic brand. Plus, time permitting, there will also be a Q&A session filled with trivia and more!

· Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Across the Morphin Grid: Friday, July 26, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM| Room 5AB - After 8 years and over 120 issues, BOOM! Studios’ Power Rangers universe is coming to an end… but not without a few final surprises! Join Melissa Flores, writer of the climactic “Darkest Hour” event, alongside the iconic Ryan Parrott, the original Pink Ranger, Amy Jo Johnson, and the original Black Ranger, Walter Jones, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the final issues of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers… and an exclusive look ahead at what’s next. Moderated by Matt Hotson (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Return).

· TRANSFORMERS & G.I. JOE The Energon Universe is HERE: Friday, July 26, 4:30PM – 5:30PM | Room 5AB - WELCOME TO THE HOTTEST COMICS IN THE WORLD! TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE, and Void Rivals from Skybound have taken over the comic book world and we’ve got the top secret reveals you can’t miss. Superstars Robert Kirkman (Void Rivals), Daniel Warren Johnson (TRANSFORMERS), Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander), Tom Reilly (Duke), and Sean Mackiewicz (SVP/Publisher, Skybound) deliver the panel that will have everyone talking!

Saturday, July 27
· Celebrating 50 Years of Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday, July 27 at 10:00AM - 11:00AM | Room: 6DE - Dungeons & Dragons is celebrating 50 years! From countless hours of adventures and storytelling, new editions and book releases, to the rising tabletop entertainment and pop culture takeover. Come listen to industry experts as they share how Dungeons & Dragons has taken its place on top of the pop culture dungeon

· Magic: The Gathering Panel, Blogatog Live: Saturday 6:30 pm -7:30 pm | Room 24ABC Magic head designer Mark Rosewater presents this one-man program in which he re-creates his daily blog, answering the audience's questions about the making of the popular trading card game and revealing new, never-before-seen cards, mechanics, and more!

Sunday, July 28
· Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern Panel: Sunday at 11:00AM | Room: 32AB Taliesin Jaffe (Critical Role) moderates a panel about the hit off-Broadway theatrical experience Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern which includes co-creators David Carpenter (producer, Puffs) and Sarah Davis Reynolds (game designer, Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern), Set/Costume/Prop Designer KC McGeorge (Dimension 20) and other special guests. The panel will discuss the creation of the show from idea to page to stage and include a Q&A session with the audience.

Hasbro’s booth at SDCC this year is #3213. The booth is next to the Star Wars pavilion, Mattel Creations, LEGO, and other SDCC hot spots.

Are you looking forward to SDCC? Which panels are you excited for? Let me know in the comments below.

Doctor Who x Star Trek

Ruby Sunday's (Millie Gibson) reference to Star Trek in Space Babies wasn't a throwaway line.

Doctor Who series showrunner Russell T Davies and Star Trek franchise executive producer Alex Kurtzman will headline an Intergalactic Friendship Panel at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). An exclusive creator-to-creator conversation about the art of storytelling in alternative universes and to celebrate the power of friendship.

Doctor Who has captivated audiences since its launch by the BBC in 1963. With Ncuti Gatwa currently portraying the 15th Doctor, the series continues to break records, including being the UK’s most-viewed scripted show on Christmas Day 2023 for under-35s. Meanwhile, Star Trek, with its 60-year legacy since being introduced by Gene Roddenberry, remains a beacon of cultural diversity, scientific exploration, and boundless imagination. Today, it spans 11 TV series, 13 films, and over 900 episodes, available in more than 200 markets worldwide.

In related news. The TARDIS will be materialising at SDCC this year for a Doctor Who Hall H panel with Ncuti Gatwa, Millie Gibson and Russell T Davies, as they discuss all things season one and more.

The beloved sci-fi franchises have a storied history including the Doctor and the crew of the Enterprise battling Borg and Cybermen in IDW comic books.

Would you like to see a live-action Doctor Who and Star Trek crossover episode? Let me know in the comments below.

Cobra Commander (Once A Man) at SDCC

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) returns later this month.

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding exclusives from G.I. Joe Classified Series, Marvel Legends, Star Wars: The Black Series and Transformers.

G.I. Joe fans (myself included) will be excited to know this year's SDCC exclusive is from G.I. Joe: The Movie.

G.I. JOE CLASSIFIED SERIES #130, COBRA COMMANDER (ONCE A MAN)

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $39.99 | Available: Summer 2024)     

New to the G.I. JOE Classified Series line, Cobra Commander (Once A Man) comes ready for adventure, with multiple points of articulation for high poseability. Inspired by the character’s mutated appearance in G.I. JOE: The Movie, this 6-inch action figure contains 9 character-inspired accessory pieces including 4 alternate hands, alternate helmeted head, cracked faceplate, dagger, backpack, and weapon accessory.

Includes an additional figure of Cobra Commander degenerated and mutated into primitive snake form. A transparent sleeve guards a phenomenal lenticular image depicting the horrific fate of Cobra Commander. Inside, the windowed display showcases the figure, accessory loadout, & dynamic digital renders.

Look for other G.I. JOE figures and toys to build your roster of heroes and Cobra villains (each sold separately, subject to availability). Available exclusively at 2024 San Diego Comic-Con. Attendees can request a time slot to purchase Hasbro products at the Hasbro Booth (#3213) at the Hasbro Pulse Toy Store through the San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives Portal.

Limited quantities will be available to pre-order on Hasbro Pulse after the convention. While supplies last.

Are you excited about G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander (Once A Man)? Are you looking forward to SDCC? Let me know in the comments below.

Marvel Legends Death’s Head at SDCC

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) returns later this month.

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding exclusives from G.I. Joe Classified Series, Marvel Legends, Star Wars: The Black Series and Transformers.

Death’s Head originally appeared in Marvel UK's The Transformers comic and Doctor Who Magazine (DWM)! As a fan of both franchises, this is exciting news from Hasbro's Marvel Legends. The cult-favourite mechanoid (no relation to the robot enemy of the Daleks) bounty hunter is an SDCC exclusive.

MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES DEATH'S HEAD

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $39.99 | Available: Summer 2024)     

Bring the excitement and wonder of the Marvel Universe to your collection with the Hasbro Marvel Legends Death's Head figure! Inspired by the character's appearance in Marvel Comics, this collectible 6-inch figure is fully articulated with poseable head, arms, and legs. Comes with 6 accessories, including shield and weapon accessories that can be displayed on his back. This premium figure comes in an exclusive window box package inspired by the character's retro collector card.

Hasbro Marvel action figures' 6-inch scale make them great for posing and displaying in fans' collections. Reimagine Marvel Comics-inspired scenes with Marvel Legends action figures (each sold separately, subject to availability). Attendees can request a time slot to purchase Hasbro products at the Hasbro Booth (#3213) at the Hasbro Pulse Toy Store through the San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives Portal.

Following San Diego Comic-Con, limited quantities will be available to order in on Hasbro Pulse, and other select retailers, after the convention. While supplies last.

Cool, yes?

Are you excited about Marvel Legends Death's Head? Are you looking forward to SDCC? Let me know in the comments below.

Darth Maul & Sith Speeder at SDCC

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) returns next month.

Our friends at Hasbro have sent over details regarding exclusives from G.I. Joe Classified Series, Marvel Legends, Star Wars: The Black Series and Transformers.

Star Wars fans (myself included) will be excited to know this year's SDCC exclusive celebrates the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES DARTH MAUL & SITH SPEEDER

(HASBRO | Ages 4 and Up | Approx. Retail Price: $59.99 | Available: Summer 2024)

STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES features 6-inch action figures, vehicles, and roleplay items from the 40-plus-year legacy of the STAR WARS Galaxy, letting fans create galactic scenes with a faithfulness to STAR WARS comic books, movies, and series. This STAR WARS set is detailed to look like Darth Maul & his Sith Speeder from STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE. Comes with 6 accessories, including his signature double-bladed Lightsaber™ and a pair of binoculars.

With exquisite features and decoration, THE BLACK SERIES embodies the quality and realism that STAR WARS devotees love. Look for more STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES action figures to build your own STAR WARS galaxy (each sold separately, subject to availability).

Available exclusively at 2024 San Diego Comic-Con. Attendees can request a time slot to purchase Hasbro products at the Hasbro Booth (#3213) at the Hasbro Pulse Toy Store through the San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives Portal.

Limited quantities will be available to order on Hasbro Pulse after the convention. While supplies last.

Are you excited about Star Wars: The Black Series Darth Maul & Sith Speeder? Are you looking forward to SDCC? Let me know in the comments below.

Ahsoka LEGO Star Wars sets announced

During San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), LEGO announced new LEGO Star Wars building sets for Ahsoka on Disney+. Ahsoka Tano’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle building set and New Republic E-Wing vs. Shin Hati’s Starfighter building set. These join the Ghost & Phantom II building set.

Ahsoka begins this August on Disney+. The highly-anticipated Star Wars live-action spin-off series sees Rosario Dawson reprise the titular role of fan-favourite Ahsoka Tano from The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. Ahsoka continues her hunt for Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen), Heir to the Empire.

Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, Design Lead for LEGO Star Wars, commented: “We’re so excited to bring these three notable products to the LEGO® Star Wars™ range. The new Star Wars: Ahsoka series is a major development within the Star Wars franchise, and we absolutely loved bringing these exciting vessels to life in LEGO brick form. We can’t wait for fans to begin on their latest adventure by building these fantastic sets, immersing themselves in the latest epic story from the galaxy far, far away."

You may be wondering where's Grand Admiral Thrawn? I'd imagine LEGO is going to announce more tie-in building sets soon.

LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka sets are available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Ahsoka premieres with the first two episodes exclusively on Disney+ on 23rd August.

Will you be adding LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka sets to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro Pulse Con 2023

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) has concluded. This year's Christmas in July for geeks was filled with amazing announcements that have hurt collectors' wallets (mine included).

Hasbro celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023 and announced the incredible Star Wars The Vintage Collection The Ghost HasLab, which has almost reached 8,000 backers and will surely go into production. This may be my first Star Wars HasLab after missing out on Jabba's Sail Barge (The Khetanna) and Razor Crest.

The Star Wars Retro Collection Star Wars: Return of the Jedi multipack soon sold out on Hasbro Pulse in the UK. I was able to pre-order the sought-after set as it includes Yak Face and Mon Mothma. Yak Face is one of the rarest vintage action figures released by Kenner. I passed on Yak Face and Sy Snootles and the Rebo Band in favour of Transformers back in the day. Where's a TARDIS when you need one, eh?

During SDCC, the fourth Hasbro Pulse Con was announced and I've got my eye on the G.I. Joe Classified Series Crimson Strike Team (Tomax, Xamot, and the Baroness) exclusive. Who doesn't want to see the Baroness in red, evoking the Red Shadows from Action Force?

Read the official Hasbro press release:

"Hasbro Pulse Con is BACK! That’s right, we’re returning for our 4th Hasbro Pulse Con event and it’s due to be the best one yet! Just announced today at SDCC, this event is bringing your favorite brands, like Star Wars, Marvel, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Power Rangers, Dungeons & Dragons, Avalon Hill, and more to your screens for a product packed one day celebration on September 22nd, 2023 beginning at 11:00am ET. Mark your calendars, set a reminder, and get ready your shelves ready, fans! More information coming soon, so stay tuned!"

Are you looking forward to Hasbro Pulse Con 2023? What announcements are you hoping for? Let me know in the comments below.

Ghost announced as Star Wars HasLab

On Friday, the long-rumoured and highly-anticipated Star Wars The Vintage Collection The Ghost HasLab was officially announced by Hasbro at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

Fans and collectors hoping for the Ewok Village from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi may have to wait a little longer.

The Ghost as it appears in the Star Wars live-action spin-off series Ahsoka is coming in hot.



Hasbro needs a win after the previous Star Wars HasLab The Black Series Rancor and Reva (The Third Sister) Force FX Elite Lightsaber both failed to be backed. Ironically, the Rancor almost got funded after one of the creatures appeared in The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+.

Hasbro and Lucasfilm have learned lessons.

Like many fans, I thought the iconic Ghost spaceship from Star Wars Rebels was going to be £599.99 or more. However, it's £499.99 (still expensive) and will go into production if it reaches a minimum of 8,000 backers by the deadline of 7th September, which it will quickly achieve.

This HasLab wisely eschews early bird incentives that can be divisive. The base offering includes General Hera Syndulla and Phantom II with a mini bust of Chopper. The stretch goals are Ghost crew members Ezra Bridger, Kanan Jarrus and Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios.

Sabine Wren will be sold separately as a deluxe figure. There will be fans aggrieved at this. However, Hasbro could announce bonus stretch goals if the crowdfunded project is highly successful like the Star Wars HasLab Razor Crest.

I've not owned a large-scale Star Wars vehicle since Kenner's Imperial Shuttle from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. The Ghost is a gigantic collectable and will look amazing alongside The Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter. Like the N-1 Starfighter, the Ghost doesn't include electronic lights and sounds. This may be a deal-breaker for some fans.

We're in a cost of living crisis, but I've backed the latest Star Wars HasLab (my first) and will worry about clearing space for the Ghost later - it's not expected to ship until December 2024 - a lot can happen in 18 months.

Whilst The Vintage Collection Jabba the Hutt and Boba Fett's Throne Room sets (available in limited quantities during SDCC) are enticing after a 40-year wait, I've cancelled both my pre-orders on Hasbro Pulse to fund the Ghost.

Will you be backing the Star Wars The Vintage Collection The Ghost HasLab on Hasbro Pulse? What do you think of the price? How do you feel about crowdfunded collectables? Should it be a retail release? Let me know in the comments below.

Robosen Grimlock coronation day at SDCC

Witness the Dinobot king's coronation at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

Hasbro and Robosen have announced Transformers Grimlock Auto-Converting Robot - Flagship Collector's Edition.



“We invite fans and collectors to embrace the future of robotics and experience the unmatched craftsmanship and innovation with our latest edition to our collection,” said Sean Tang, Director of Robosen USA. “We’re excited for them to own the most powerful Dinobot in the world.”

G1 Grimlock voice actor Gregg Berger has returned to lend his voice to this auto-converting app-enabled robot, which has been 7 years in the making! Grimlock joins Transformers Robosen Optimus Prime and is available for pre-order on Hasbro Pulse.

“Robosen continues to impress me with their cutting-edge tech masterpieces. The state-of-the-art engineering on this incredible new Grimlock robot represents the Transformers brand in a way that has never been done before—until today, and we’re excited to showcase the beloved Dinobot for our passionate fans at San Diego Comic-Con,” said Casey Collins, President of Global Licensed Consumer Products and Business Development, Hasbro. “Our Transformers Robosen line proves our ongoing commitment to innovation and powering the imagination of future generations for years to come.”

12-year-old me would be awestruck unboxing Robosen Grimlock on Christmas Day - technology has progressed since my Tomy Omnibot in the mid-eighties. Due to the cost of living crisis, I won't find Grimlock under the Christmas tree this holiday season.

What do you think? Would you spend $1499 on a robotic Grimlock? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars R2-D2 from Gentle Giant at SDCC

It's San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) this week and Gentle Giant is bringing an exclusive R2-D2 (Droid Factory) jumbo action figure along!

Read the official description:

"It's R2-D2 as you remember him! For the first time, Gentle Giant LTD is releasing R2-D2 as you saw him in the 1979 Droid Factory set. Measuring approximately 7 inches tall, R2 comes with a removable third leg, so he can cruise around Mos Eisley like he owns the place! This exclusive figure comes packaged in a full-color box. Playset not included."

Kenner's vintage R2-D2 action figure was the first Star Wars toy I owned 45 years ago. There's an homage to the fan-favourite toy in Star Wars live-action spin-off series Ahsoka on Disney+.

Will you be getting Gentle Giant's exclusive R2-D2 if you're at SDCC? Let me know in the comments below.

Steven Spielberg figure from Jurassic Park

Mattel Creations has announced an exclusive Steven Spielberg action figure from the collector-acclaimed Hammond Collection celebrating 30 years of Jurassic Park.

From Mattel Creations:

"Thirty years ago, Steven Spielberg recreated dinosaurs on the big screen and started a global phenomenon. Today we’re celebrating the man, the myth, and the movie with the Jurassic World Hammond Collection Man Creates Dinosaurs Steven Spielberg figure. He even comes with a camera, personalized director’s chair, and a Dilophosaurus with a removable frill and animatronic stand to reenact the magic of the original movie."

George Lucas was immortalised as a Star Wars Black Series Stormtrooper action figure by Hasbro to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm. As a lifelong fan of Spielberg's movies too, like many, I would love to add this Mattel action figure to my collection. However, I'll have more luck discovering a new dinosaur species on the Jurassic Coast.

Mattel VP and Global Head of Action Figures PJ Lewis says, "To celebrate the 30th, we wanted to honor the visionary that brought Jurassic Park to the big screen. Spielberg is a legend and we’ve never seen an action figure of him before, and he is just as much a part of the legacy as the dinosaurs and characters in the film. The team created the first-ever action figure of Steven Spielberg based on a behind-the-scenes photo from filming Jurassic Park."

The Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Steven Spielberg Figure will be available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) and in limited quantities on Mattel Creations.

Will you be getting the Steven Spielberg action figure? Let me know in the comments below.