Entertainment Earth extends access to rare Star Wars figures, signaling increased availability of exclusive lines.
In the world of action figures today, the main takeaway is the realization that what was once exclusive may not stay that way forever. Entertainment Earth is opening its doors to a wider audience by offering pre-orders on a range of figures that were previously restricted to Pulse/Disney Store exclusives. This includes notable names from the Star Wars universe, such as The Vintage Collection’s Imperial Remnant Stormtrooper Builder Pack and Phase I Clone Troopers Builder Pack, as well as figures from The Black Series like the Jedi Temple Guards. This move could reflect a broader industry trend of making coveted exclusives more accessible, potentially influencing future collectible distribution strategies.
Transformers and the Evolving Play Value
Hasbro continues to innovate within its Transformers line, this time with the Core Class Fossilizer Vertebreak from the War For Cybertron: Kingdom series. The Fossilizers, known for their skeletal dinosaur beast modes, present a flexible play pattern as their figures can be disassembled and reconfigured into new characters. This could be seen both as an effort to engage new audiences and as a nod to collectors who enjoy less conventional mechanics. These additions maintain the tradition of innovating within well-established franchises.
Nostalgia and Animated Throwbacks
McFarlane Toys brings a touch of nostalgia with their new offerings from Batman: The Animated Series. The Zatanna figure, a callback to her 1993 appearance, continues the trend of revisiting beloved animated series for both long-time fans and new collectors. Meanwhile, in a clever licensing move, Netflix’s expansion of their “Stranger Things” universe into animation with Jazwares’ Eleven action figure offers another avenue for nostalgia-driven merchandise, tied to the animated “Tales from ’85” series.
Independent Lines and Original Content
The landscape for independent and original content in action figures remains diverse with offerings like “Wolfsbane” from Fresh Monkey Fiction’s The Order of the Crimson Moon collection, reviewed here. This figure’s detailed design and backstory—channeling a spirit akin to iconic mercenary characters—demonstrates how indie creators continue to carve niches between mainstream IPs. Similarly, Big Bad Workshop’s “The Saboteur” offers customizable aesthetic for collectors building out 1/12th scale displays, further reviewed here.
Lastly, the Masters of the Universe universe continues to expand its rich lore with figures like “The Great Black Wizard,” part of the “Powers of Grayskull” series produced by Mattel. As detailed here, this line revisits characters from He-Man’s ancient past, providing an evolving storyline for both collectors and long-time series enthusiasts.
