Since 2013, Hasbro has been pumping out incredibly detailed, 6-inch plastic versions of our favorite Star Wars characters in what’s called the Black Series. We all know it well. Those eye-catching boxes that always have us drooling in GameStop, Toys-R-Us and Target. Pair that with the 40th anniversary of the Star Wars franchise this year and you get the new 40th Anniversary Black Series line. And this time Hasbro is going back to where it all started.
The series features old-school, Kenner packaging design cues and the very same character line-up as the one released in 1977 in collaboration with A New Hope. The series was announced at the Hasbro Fan Media Event at this year’s international Toy Fair in New York. The entire line contains about fourteen figures in all, which are laid out in waves (see below).
First on the list is the “Legacy Pack” which is modeled after the original “Early Bird Certificate Package,” including a display stand, reversible back-card and “vintage-inspired” 6-inch Darth Vader. Beautiful. This is expected to be released in Spring time of this year.
Next up would be considered “Wave 1” and is expected to be released in Spring of this year. It includes Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, Han Solo and R2D2. The figures will be in the same 6-inch Black Series style, but will be encased in that famous, retro packaging and will include multiple options depending on the character (R2D2 comes with Luke’s lightsaber that he launches at the Great Pit of Carkoon!).
Wave 2 has a release date of June of this year and will include the Stormtrooper (my personal favorite), C-3PO, Chewbacca, the Tusken Raider, Death Squad Commander and the Jawa.
Then there’s the ThinkGeek/GameStop exclusive, R5D4 and the Orlando Celebration exclusive, Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing suit. R5 has a release date of April 21st. Both look well worth the wait!
And there you have it. The the jaw-dropping, drool-inducing 40th Anniversary Black Series line-up. Beautiful, isn’t it? Keep a look out at HasbroToyShop.com for when these bad boys are available. And shout out to StarWars.com, RebelScum.com and StarWarsToyNews.com for all the great info. Images were taken from StarWars.com and itsalltrue.net. Good luck on your scavenging adventures and may the force be with you!
