Tag Archives: Marvel

This week I got some new toys! One in particular is a modern update to a vintage Star Wars collectible I’ve wanted for a long time. I’m really happy I got this as it showed up on Hasbro’s eBay store only for a short time, and I wasn’t able to secure the vintage counterpart before the value shot up recently. Check it out by clicking here!

Full Story

Collecting is not a competition, many people will love both the Star Wars and Marvel franchise, but it will probably still be very satisfying for most Star Wars collectors to learn that just now the Star Wars HasLab surpassed the Marvel HasLab. The Sentinel had an impressive number of 21,913 backers, but the Razor Crest just now crossed that mark.
Star Wars went through a difficult phase in 2018, after years of rapidly declining merchandise sales, but ever since then the numbers have increased again. Hasbro have been reporting growth for the brand ever since early 2019 and to see that the second Star Wars HasLab is now the most successful HasLab campaign yet is certainly a very good sign for the franchise and the brand. Let’s hope Hasbro will use that momentum to release many more Black Series and Vintage Collection figures and sets in the coming months. And hopefully, The Mandalorian will be a huge focus.
What does the fact that Star Wars just beat Marvel mean to you? Did you back both the Sentinel and the Razor Crest? Do you think Hasbro will take note and increase their Star Wars output in 2021? Click through for more.

The Razor Crest is blasting the Sentinel

Full Story

The comic book industry, like so many other industries, is suffering a lot at the moment. A few days ago the largest comics distributor in the US and UK, Diamond Comic, said they will stop distributing comics for the direct market (i.e. comic book shops) for the next few weeks. And with Diamond being the exclusive distributor for Marvel and DC Comics, that means pretty much all the big titles won’t see a print release in the next few weeks. Now the big question is if comics would still be released digitally. And both Starwars.com and Lucasfilm announced that the relaunched Doctor Aphra comic from Marvel would see a release as a digital exclusive on April 1st. But now a source at Marvel told comic news website “newsarama” that the info is inaccurate and that there will be no digital release for Doctor Aphra #1.  And apparently that source was correct, Starwars.com changed their preview article and now it says “coming soon”. Digital is only a fraction of the print market and selling the comic as a digital exclusive may not be the best option, especially for a relaunched #1 title. Also, comic book shops will need a lot of hot sellers once they reopen and selling comics as digital exclusives may put even more burden on them. And of course Marvel and DC love relaunches, because #1 releases usually sell a lot more than issues from long running series. And a printed comic would most likely make more money. The main Star Wars title was relaunched a while ago for that reason as well. So delaying the release of Aphra is probably the best option for both Marvel and comic book shops. But as a result of this comic book fans waiting for new Star Wars issues probably need to have a lot of patience in the next few weeks.

Marvel Dr Aphra #1

Before you see The Rise of Skywalker I highly recommend you check out our review of Marvel The Rise of Kylo Ren. Want to know more about the Knights of Ren? Want to know WHAT a Ren is? Want to see what REALLY happened at Luke’s Jedi Temple? Or how about when Ben Solo met his new Master? Well, all this and more can be found in our review of issue #1. So far, this series looks like it will answer a lot of the questions the Sequel Trilogy has left out thus far. Be sure to leave your thoughts after you check it out and keep an eye out for our review of Marvel Star Wars: Empire: Ascendant coming soon! Click here to check out The Rise of Kylo Ren now!

Here is the cover for issue #2 of the upcoming Marvel comic series, written by the amazing Charles Soule, The Rise of Kylo Ren. It will be a four-part mini-series covering the backstory of Kylo Ren and the Knights of Ren. This cover might already answer some questions. We know the Knights existed prior to Kylo, and now we see one of them has a lightsaber. Does that mean they ARE the Acolytes of the Beyond from Aftermath? Is it the same girl, Kiza, that was consumed by the Dark Side presence in her mask and was given a red lightsaber by Yupe Tashu? I’m just saying, it’s looking more and more likely! Hopefully, we get these answers and more from this series which I will be doing a review of when released. You can also pre-order issue 1 from Marvel here. So tell us, what does this cover say to you? Either way, I’m always happy to see Luke wield the green! Click through to read the solicit for the series which actually reveals a bit more important info!

Full Story

The Star Wars comic universe is getting quite expansive. I am a fan of the few series I’ve read, especially the Darth Vader comics with Doctor Aphra, and I am looking forward to the upcoming Galaxy’s Edge series. Even though there are so many comics, it seems unlikely that Hasbro will be pushing a new comic 2-pack line any time soon. That doesn’t mean that comic characters are out of the question, of course. What would be the best way to introduce these characters? Click through for more…

Full Story

This will probably surprise no one. Marvel Comics has informed comic retailers that the “Shadow Of Vader” comic, which was supposed to be released early in 2019, has been cancelled. As you may remember, Chuck Wendig was originally hired to write the comic but was let go a few weeks ago by Marvel because of his behavior on Twitter. Wendig had already written three volumes, but Marvel will neither use the already written material nor will they hire someone else to finish the comic. Vader fans will have to wait for something new from Marvel. The Vader comics are relatively popular. The regular Darth Vader comic series is among the top 20 best selling Marvel titles, on par with the regular Star Wars comic. So the Dark Lord of the Sith will most certainly be featured in upcoming projects.

Variety has an interesting exclusive article about Disney’s plans to make MCU shows for their upcoming streaming service. That alone would not be worth mentioning really, what is worth mentioning is that Variety also reports that the MCU shows will not just feature main characters from the movies, but that each character, such as Loki or Scarlet Witch, will be played by their MCU actors, Tom Hiddelston and Elizabeth Olsen. What could that mean for Star Wars? Click through for some speculation!

Full Story

While the retail apocalypse is a much discussed topic, with the disappearance of TRU in the USA and UK the most memorable blow to brick and mortar toy retailers in the past few months, the toy market still saw very strong growth in the first half of 2018 in most markets, including the USA which posted really strong numbers. And one of the leading trends of the global toy market? It’s collectables and youth electronics! How did action figures fare? And where exactly is Star Wars? It used to be the number 1 toy property worldwide not so long ago. But not anymore. Click through for more details!

The Number 1 Toy Property Worldwide

Full Story

It’s Back! After a brief hiatus, Comic Research Droids Review returns with this next entry in the Darth Vader series. Vader has just returned after his fight with Jedi Master Infil’a and bleeding his Kyber Crystal, but he is badly damaged.. Take a look at how Lord Vader pulls himself together, makes his first return to the Jedi Temple, and comes face-to-face with a new threat in Darth Vader- The Chosen One (Part VI). Don’t forget to drop me a line with your requests for future reviews! Coming up next is the Mace Windu miniseries.

ThingsFromAnotherWorld.com has nearly EVERYTHING on sale for up to 75% off including pre-orders for the new comics and novels, ARTFX Statues, Pop! figures, and everything else. Take a look at all their Star Wars items and see what you can find. The new Kylo in TIE Silencer Pop is on sale for $23,  Yoda & R2 Dagobah ArtFX statue is only $49, and the ROTJ Luke ArtFX Statue is only $63! These are just a few of the many things on sale. What did you find?

The Dark Lord of the Sith finally has a Jedi Lightsaber, but he’s about to find out that it’s not that easy to corrupt a Kyber Crystal in this next entry in the Comic Research Droids Reviews. Vader had just vanquished Master Infil’a and taken his Jedi weapon, but now he must corrupt the crystal within to claim it as his own. Take a look at how Lord Vader struggles with the conflict within himself and how Anakin Skywalker fights to break through the darkness in Darth Vader- The Chosen One (Part V). Don’t forget to drop me a line with your requests for future reviews! Coming up next is the Mace Windu miniseries.

Those who prefer to wait for the trades can now pre-order the entire Marvel Darth Maul mini-series from Target.com. It’s marked down to $11.59 and I believe that it is definitely worth it a read. The overall character study of Darth Maul mixed with his first Jedi encounter makes for a great series without overwhelming the already complex Maul story line. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out our reviews on the Darth Maul series in the Comic Research Droids Reviews.

After a long wait, the latest Comic Research Droids Review is here (sorry for the delay!). We last saw the Lord of the Sith being thrown from the mountain in pieces. Come see how he pulls himself together so that he can continue his battle with Master Kirak Infil’a in Darth Vader- The Chosen One (Part IV). Don’t forget to drop me a line with your requests for future reviews! Coming up next is the Mace Windu miniseries.

We previously reported on an upcoming Marvel comic series featuring Captain Phasma and there is also a new  Phasma novel due out on Sept 1st. This seems to be an awful lot of story coming for a character who had nearly as much screen time as the Nightwatcher Worm, but she is supposed to be utilized much more in The Last Jedi and both Gwendoline Christie and Rian Johnson have seen to that by creating her new backstory. More after the jump.

Full Story

Starwars.com announced that Marvel’s flagship Star Wars series will be getting a new creative team beginning with issue #38 this fall. The writer/artist team behind the first Darth Vader series, Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca, will be taking over for Jason Aaron.  More on this after the jump.

Full Story

It has come to an end! The Darth Maul mini-series goes out with a clash, bang, and a sizzle. I found this to be a fitting end to this mini-series that gave us a deeper look into the character that we all love. See what I thought made this final issue one not to miss with the Darth Maul – Book I (Part V) Review. If you haven’t yet,be sure to stop by the Research Droids Reviews Comics section and leave your thoughts in previous reviews. Is there a comic series you want to see reviewed? Then drop me a line with your comic review requests!

If you’re a fan of the new Darth Vader series like me, then you have been patiently waiting to see the showdown with the Jedi Kirak Infil’a! Did the waiting pay off? Was the battle everything it should’ve been? Find out now in the latest RDR Comics review of Darth Vader: The Chosen One (Part III) and share your thoughts and opinions. If you haven’t yet, stop by the Research Droids Reviews Comics and leave your thoughts in previous reviews. Is there a comic series you want to see reviewed? Then drop me a line with your comic review requests!

We’re one issue away from seeing the finale of this mini-series play out, but meanwhile this was an epic issue. The co-operation between Maul and Eldra plays out so well, but you can feel the tension as it builds between them. Make sure you check out this latest addition in the Research Droids Reviews Comics section with Darth Maul #4. Come and see why you should be excited for the final showdown. Be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments and don’t forget to drop me a line with your comic review requests!

When we last left Maul, he had just found the Padawan after sneaking around the auction.What is Darth Maul going to do now that he has come face to face with his enemy? And how will he make it out of the auction filed with dangerous gangs and criminal syndicates. Join us as we continue this amazing series with Darth Maul #3. Don’t forget to catch up with our other reviews in the Research Droids Reviews Comics section. Be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments and don’t forget to drop me a line with your comic review requests!

Darth Maul had just learned about an auction on an item that he can’t resist. Now, he just needs to find out where it is and how to get in. Check out who Maul enlists to assist his efforts in Darth Maul #2! If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the other Research Droids Reviews Comics section and don’t forget to drop me a line with your comic review requests. Your requests will decide what series I do next!

Darth Maul was one of Star Wars biggest one hit wonders when his time in Episode I was cut short by a young Obi-Wan and after losing him for good recently in Rebels, but it’s nice to know there’s still more to tell! I’m playing catch up with the newer Marvel series for the new Research Droids Reviews Comics section, so today I bring you Darth Maul #1. Come and see why I can’t get enough Maul with the latest review. Be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments and don’t forget to drop me a line with your comic review requests!

There are apparently a lot of Poe Dameron fans out there and LucasFilm and Marvel felt there was enough there to warrant his own comic series. The series may have a lot of readers, but it isn’t one of my favorites and this one-off Annual didn’t make it much better. That being said, this issue did add a bit of depth to the character we see on screen in The Force Awakens. Check out what I thought about this Annual issue and be sure to check out the other comic Research Droids Reviews. While you’re there, be sure to share your thoughts in the comments. If there is a series you think I should review, be sure to drop me a line and let me know!

The first official Jedi Temple Archives Marvel Comics Research Droids Reviews is now up. Come and take a look at why I think the new Darth Vader series is one of the best yet with The Chosen One Part 1 and Part 2. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section and let us know how you feel about the series thus far. This is a new section in our companion RDR database, so let me know what you think and if you have any requests for other Star Wars comics, be sure to drop me an e-mail

Recently, I shared my review on the new Marvel Darth Vader comic which is written by Charles Soule. I thought it was a fantastic start to a new series that explores an area of Darth Vader we have yet to see and are eager to see; his first steps as the mechanical, maniacal apprentice of Emperor Palpatine. In a recent interview with Marvel.com, Charles shared his thoughts on the Emperor, Darth Vader, and where this comic series is going.

Full Story