Star Wars Action News - Audio Podcast Feed

Note: Star Wars Action News' enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie's blog post. Sideshow Collectibles has gone deep in Star Wars lore with their premium format figures. After starting with big characters like Luke, Han, and Vader, they have gone EU with Darth Malgus and Shaak Ti from The Force Unleashed. They've done Clone Wars with Captain Rex. But they never made a Chewbacca...until now, and Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie have the exclusive version in their podcasting studio. Is it worth getting? Listen to the full review in this episode! Also in this show Marjorie and Arnie review Hasbro's Star Wars Black Series Wave 3. With a mix of characters from the original trilogy, the prequels, the Clone Wars cartoon, and the EU, listen to find out which figures stand out--and which won't stand at all! With a final look at the 2013 Sithmas Gift Exchange and a sticky, dripping tongue, it's all in this brand new video podcast of Star Wars Action News!

Note: Star Wars Action News' enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie's blog post. In 2013 Gentle Giant had the Admiral Ackbar Magnitude bust, Sideshow Collectibles had Premium Format Figures from The Force Unleashed and The Old Republic video games, and LEGO sold a Fury-Class Interceptor from The Old Republic. In short, for Star Wars collecting companies the universe expanded last year. In this episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast join Arnie, Marjorie, Nathan, Brock, Steve, and Jerry as they look back on the strange and interesting year where companies tried to find a footing marketing Star Wars while biding their time until Episode VII in 2015! We look back on the books, busts, statues, 1/6 scale figures, LEGO sets and so much more in this new video-enhanced Star Wars Action News podcast!

Since Kenner resumed making Star Wars figures in 1995 collectors have had a steady stream of items to buy, but in 2013 Hasbro changed up the game and collecting may never be the same.  First there is a line of 3.75-inch figures with articulation levels reminiscent of the 1970s.  Then Star Wars figure collectors had to think big--6-inches big--as collector-focused figures got a new scale for the first time in 35 years.  How did fans react to these changes, and what is in store for 2014?  These are the topics in the first part of the Star Wars Action News 2013 in review podcasts, so take a listen and hear what the Star Wars Action News team had to say!

Collecting Hasbro's Star Wars toys is filled with highs and lows, and this holiday season it seems to be both at once! While the new 6-inch and 3.75-inch Black Series figures remain elusive, bargains abound on exclusive vehicles and figures. On this week's podcast Marjorie and Arnie look at the discounts and tell you how to save the most money on the toys, and also discuss what these markdowns may mean for future exclusives. All that, plus a detailed review of Hasbro's Black Series Wave 2, including Mara Jade, Pablo Jill, and more! Also on this week's show it's a special focus on Star Wars trading cards. Jerry's Vintage Viewpoint focuses on the rerelease of the Star Wars Radio Drama from Highbridge Audio, and looks at the new Topps trading card set based on the Radio Drama. Then Marjorie and Arnie talk to Topps sketch card artist Christian Slade about his work on the cards, as well as his new prints coming from Acme Archives on Dec 15th! With a report from this weekend's Toy Man Toy Show, a new sixth-scale Tauntaun, Imperial Probe Drones, and more, it's all on this Star Wars Action News podcast!

Black Friday isn't what it used to be...it's not even Friday any more! With sales having started Thanksgiving Day and some stretching through the weekend and even to "Cyber Monday" bargain shoppers now have almost a full week of savings. Stay on target for Star Wars bargains with this episode of Star Wars Action News! Marjorie and Arnie run down the stores with Star Wars items on sale to let you know which bargains are worth fighting the crowds, and which you can sleep through! Also on this episode is the annual Star Wars Action News holiday gift guide! With gift ideas for men, women, and children, and in all price ranges, listen to find what to get the Star Wars collector who seems to already have everything! The entire Star Wars Action News team has contributed ideas. From books to lightsabers, toys to statues, jewelry to original art, it's all here in today's podcast! Plus listen to win a set of Star Wars Radio Drama CD-sets from Star Wars Action news and Highbridge Audio! And don't forget to sign up for the Star Wars Action Sithmas Gift Exchange! Sign-ups end December 2nd. Get and give some Star Wars joy this season by joining this Secret Santa gift exchange! All the details are at http://www.swactionnews.com/Sithmas/

Star Wars Episode VII draws nearer! We now have a firm release date. On December 18, 2015 fans will finally see a cinematic vision of Star Wars post-Return of the Jedi, 32 years after Episode VI's release. On this week's Star Wars Action News podcast your hosts Marjorie and Arnie discuss this news and anticipate a holiday season full of Star Wars goodness! And the 2013 holiday season is upon us! From new Christmas ornaments in stores to gift sets, decorations, and more, the hosts run down all the new Star Wars holiday items and where you can get them cheapest! Also this week, Arnie talks with prolific Star Wars Author Ryder Windham about his newest book, the Death Star Owner's Tehnical Manual. Ryder discusses his first Star Wars projects with Dark Horse and how he has come to write so many Star Wars junior novels and reference books. With Steve providing a new UK report, Johnathan reviewing the K-Mart Exclusive Endor packs and Scanning Crew sets, a review of the new, more affordable, Star Wars Frames books, and so much more, it's all in this week's super-sized edition of the Star Wars Action News podcast! And don't forget to join in the Star Wars Action News holiday Sithmas exchange! Give and get an extra Star Wars gift this season by joining in this "Secret Santa" exchange with another Star Wars Action News listener. Head to swactionnews.com to see all the details and the sign-up form.

New Hasbro product is hitting fast. Exclusives are shipping from Amazon, as well as showing up on store shelves at Toys R Us and KMart. Also from Hasbro Black Series Wave 2, both 6-inch and 3.75-inch, are shipping from online retailers. On this week's Star Wars Action News hosts Marjorie and Arnie look at some of the new 6-inch figures, Slave Leia and Greedo, and run down the exclusives. Also this past week came the eBook editions of J.W. Rinzler's Making of Star Wars books. Enhanced with more photos and multimedia content, listen to find out if the new features make this worth a purchase, or re-purchase if you already own the hardcover editions. With cranially-enhanced holiday decorations, a report from the Winter London Film & Comic Con, and more, it's all on this episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast!

In just a few years New York Comic Con has grown to have attendance second only to the 40-year-old San Diego Comic-Con. This year had big name stars like Sylvester Stallone, Sigourney Weaver, and more signing autographs, perhaps the highest profile autograph stars at any convention. On this week's Star Wars Action News podcast Marjorie and Arnie report on the Star Wars reveals from Kotobukiya, their exclusive Art-FX+ R2 unit, as well as the other Star Wars collectibles at the con. But the biggest Star Wars reveals were not at the Javits Center. Hasbro had no presence at NYCC, but they held a private press event the Wednesday before the con and the Star Wars Action News hosts were there. Listen to find out what was revealed, and what wasn't. Plus find out Hasbro's answer to "what's right with Mara Jade?" and news on the notorious Black Series bubble issue. With an update on all the new toys hitting stores from Johnathan, as well as a Vintage Viewpoint looking back at the Kenner Ewok toys, it's all on this episode of Star Wars Action News!

In 2007 the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars brought an onslaught of toys, collectibles, and commemorative items. But of all the 30th Anniversary items only one provided new insight into the Star Wars saga -- J.W. Rinsler's The Making of Star Wars. With that book's success Rinzler followed up with The Making of The Empire Strikes Back for Episode V's 30th anniversary in 2010. Now, Rinzler completes his trilogy with The Making of Return of the Jedi, and he may have saved the best for last. On this week's Star Wars Action News podcast Brock gives a hands-on review of this impressive tome, which is in bookstores today! Also on this week's show, Marjorie and Arnie have the entire first wave of Hasbro's 6-inch Black Series figures in hand. With X-Wing Luke Skwalker, R2-D2, Darth Maul, and a Sandtrooper, how does this new line of figures hold up? Listen to hear their review. With some real (trick or) treats in Target's Halloween section and a report from Project Comic-Con in St. Louis, it's all in the new Star Wars Action News podcast!​

The latest Star Wars expanded universe novel is Kenobi, a standalone story telling of the Jedi's arrival on Tatooine, including the locals and Tuskens with whom he tussles! The book is appeasing Star Wars fans worldwide, and now Arnie sits down with author John Jackson Miller to talk about this Western-inspired tale. Also in this week's episode Johnathan's back with his On The Pegs segment and Steve provides a UK Report. It's all on this week's Star Wars Action News podcast!

What happens when over a hundred of the world's most avid Star Wars collectors gather in one place over a long weekend? Fun, shopping and more! On this week's Star Wars Action News Marjorie and Arnie report on the Labor Day Weekend International Collector's Event, or ICE convention, put on by some of the Seattle Star Wars collectors. They toured two of the largest Star Wars collections in the world, went on toy runs en masse, got amazing exclusives, and watched an original 35mm print of Return of the Jedi--the 1983 version!Listen in as the hosts are joined by Gus Lopez, the hosts of the Galaxy of Toys podcast, Star Wars crafts expert Amy Sjoberg, and owner of the world's largest private Star Wars collection Steve Sansweet. It's all on this exclusive report podcast!

Have you found the new Hasbro figures? All Hasbro's new lines, Black Series 4-inch, Black Series 6-inch, Mission Series, and Saga Legends, are showing up across the US. New toys are a welcome relief to the modern Star Wars figure collector after many months with no new releases, and on this week's Star Wars Action News podcast the coverage continues. Listen to this week's podcast for a hands on review of the new 4-inch Black Series figures. Then vintage Star Wars collector Jerry takes a look at the Saga Legends figures and provides his views on their five points of articulation. Also on this week's show Arnie and Marjorie review Sideshow Collectibles' new Shaak Ti The Force Unleashed Premium Format figure. They call it a "Premium Format" and it certainly comes with a premium price tag--is it worth it? Listen to their review, and then join in the discussion on Sideshow's recent quality issues. From bad paint to shipping damage, reports are rampant regarding poor quality control on the Sideshow products. More, Sideshow's Customer Service seems less than willing to make it right. Arnie provides his first-hand experiences on this week's podcast. With Brock reviewing John Jackson Miller's new Star Wars novel Kenobi and a look at a Star Wars collectible that will shake your caboose, it's all on this week's Star Wars Action News podcast! Action Figure Collectors; If you enjoy collecting action figures also check out Issue 94 of the Marvelicious Toys podcast where Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin talk to former Hasbro Senior Product Designer David Vonner about the evolution and future of action figure collecting. While Vonner worked on the Marvel line the information given applies to all action figures. You can hear this interview at Marvelicioustoys.com.

New figures are on the pegs and Marjorie and Arnie are back in the Star Wars Action News studio ready to review them! On this week's podcast the hosts look at new new Saga Legends figures from Hasbro. With limited articulation and smaller card backs these figures have divided collectors between those who demand more collector-oriented figures and those who find the limited pose-ability a throwback to vintage collecting. Hasbro claims they're some of the best sculpts they've ever done. Listen to find out the final verdict!But with the new items shipping there seem to be new problems for collectors. The figures seem to have problem staying on the cards, and reports are widespread regarding shipping damage to the Amazon exclusive Slave I. Even those who received perfect Slave I vehicles may still have issues as many report manufacturing issues and missing parts with Boba Fett's iconic ship. Marjorie and Arnie run down these disappointing details.With listener voicemails giving their thoughts on the toys, a review of the Star Wars chess set, and a Legend-ary Darth Maul collectible, it's all on this week's Star Wars Action News podcast! We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you'd like to hear on the show!

This weekend was Wizard World Chicago 2013, and the Star Wars Action News crew were there, as were tons of Star Wars toys. From rare vintage Star Wars items from Hasbro and Palitoy to new Black Series figures in both scales! With a new show layout and big guests, listen to find out if you should attend the next Wizard World in your area!But the biggest news of the week is Hasbro's new Black Series figures! The new wave of 3.75-inch figures are hitting stores coast to coast. The hosts provide a carded review of these new figures and detail some problems that carded collectors may need to watch out for!With Star Wars burlesque at Chicago's Gorilla Tango Theater, disappointment at D23, and more, it's all in this week's Star Wars Action News! We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you'd like to hear on the show!

It was the biggest Star Wars party of the year--STAR WARS CELEBRATION EUROPE 2! Six years after CE1 Celebration returned to Europe with a slew of celebrities, exclusives, and guests. With Episode VII announced anticipation couldn't have been higher, and Star Wars Action News was there. Hosts Marjorie and Arnie made their first Celebration Eurotrip to take part in the Collecting Track and report on the events. Listen now to hear them, as well as Jerry, Steve, Daryl, and more as they bring Europe home to you on this milestone episode of Star Wars Action News! We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Star Wars Action News listener poll and tell us what you'd like to hear on the show!