Royal Guard with Bogling (Halloween Edition) [Star Wars/The Black Series]

What's Halloween without a ghost or two haunting the holiday? To answer that, we've got one of this years holiday Star Wars items. A Target exclusive Halloween Edition Royal Guard member who was apparently a victim of the second Death Star explosion. As always, I manage to get a few holiday edition Star Wars toys each year. The Mrs usually gets me the Halloween Droid Factory toy in addition to whatever Halloween and Christmas items they have at stores. A few weeks ago, we picked this guy up at our local Target while excitedly checking out all the new spooky season merchandise. I don't think there's ever been a holiday edition Star Wars toy I haven't liked, but this one is particularly cool. The Royal Guard are usually seen standing by Emperor Palpatine in their striking red robes, keeping vigilant watch over the Supreme Leader of the Galactic Empire. This one must being watching over his throne in the wreckage as he's clearly passed on. Cast in white glow in the dark plastic *yay* and draped with a white glow in the dark *omg* cloth cloak is our ghostly guard.

I hadn't noticed before that the guards are wearing armor under those robes... but it makes sense that they would. From what I understand, this mold was originally released in 2017. I wouldn't be able to tell though as he's got all the articulation that I've come to expect from current 6" figures. As for accessories, our ghostly guard has a tiny little pistol and a staff. These are the ones Royal Guards commonly carry, so it makes sense that even in the after life he's got his gear. Did I mention they glow in the dark too? They do and it's wonderful *I'm going to explode*. The pistol stores inside a holster, but mine tended to fall out easily. So be careful not to loose yours. *mines safe* Completing the look is a skull face variation of the Royal Guard visor. Our ghastly guard is all set to haunt the wreckage of the Death Star. Hopefully whatever scavenger who decided to loot and pillage the remnants brought an extra pair of space pants.

Like most Black Series holiday editions there's a partner figure in the form of a little Bogling who has been turned into a goblin! The adorable little scamp is painted in green with red eyes. It may be hard to tell in my *obviously not professional* pics, but he's got a little pair of slightly different colored shorts. Of course with the name, I couldn't help but to think about Boglins... but that's a different little creature all together. Boglings are normally adorable little critters and this one's definitely a goblin up to all sorts of mischief in a galaxy far, far away. This is a great little set and I'm not sure if your Target has any left, but I'd advise you to get one if they do. Not only is it a great Halloween toy, but it's a fun version of a really well made Star Wars toy. The force is definitely with this ghost.

Spider Maul: Far From New Hope

I've been a fast fan of the Star Wars Mission Fleet toys, specifically the Gear Class (standard/basic class). While the larger vehicles are cool, the charm is in the way cool accessories they package with the figures. Jet packs, little helicopters, and jet skis really add something to the little figures.

I've been speculating this is a result of Hasbro's Micronauts line they had planned that never materialized (maybe it will eventually). I don't know if I'm right, but they sure do seem Micro inspired. I love Star Wars, and adding in some extra far out to the mix is a welcome addition.

After what felt like an eternity, Hasbro has finally graced store shelves with a second wave of Gear Class. It's a small wave. A repeat of Boba Fett, a Clone Shock Trooper (good repaint of the wave 1 Clone Trooper), and Darth Maul. Darth Maul here is as he appears in the various animated series. Not dead and with robotic legs. Spoiler alert: He got cut in half in a movie that came out 21 years ago. 

Like all Mission Fleet figures, Darth Maul is a mini figure with a pleasantly rubbery plastic. The toy is decently articulated and has that distinct sculpting that the Mission Fleet toys have. Think of a cross between a classic Kenner Star Wars figure and an Imaginext figure. He has that 5 points of articulation a Kenner would, but the shoulders of an Imaginext. For such a basic toy, it gives him an extra touch of movement that's pretty nice.

Maul has his trademark double lightsaber. It's just as awesome as it was when I first saw it in 1999. His included accessory/vehicle is a spider droid that doubles as his spider legs. The spider unit is pretty neat, some of the legs swivel for posing or stability. There's a spot for lightsaber storage and it has amounted gun. Darth stands on a little platform with foot pegs to ensure a snug fit. It's a chunky representation of his cybernetic spider legs that's hard not to like. It's a badass little figure from a neat little line. I dig it.

Warriors In The Stars

It's Christmas time, I'm sure you've noticed. Another thing you may have noticed is all The Mandalorian merchandise available while you've been Christmas shopping. Star Wars has been synonymous with Christmas my entire life, which is probably why I was so welcome to the Disney movies (aside from Solo) being a Christmas season thing. It just seemed natural for new Stormtroopers to raid Walmart just in time for seasonal shopping.

The Mandalorian now has two seasons under it's belt, both of which dropped just in time for all those cool toys to be on wish lists. After all these years of my wife tolerating my love for Star Wars, now she's enjoying it quite a bit herself. So I can't help but to indulge her with every Baby Yoda thing we can get. 

I think one thing about the show I definitely love is the redemption of Boba Fett. Trying to avoid spoilers as much as possible here, but he's on the show. He's on the show and he's a badass. I won't go into too many story details or anything, because a few of you may not know more than seeing folks talk about him on social media. But he's alive and he's the Boba Fett we all wanted him to be in the original movies.

Like others my age, Boba Fett was always the biggest bad ass in the galaxy. This was 100% due to him looking cool and having the best action figure. In the movies he was awesome, but didn't live up to the fanfare dorks like me produced. The prequels built on that a bit with the introduction of his father, Jango. 

The various cartoons did as well with other Mandalorians. Then The Mandalorian comes along with a hero in that familiar armor and he's the bad ass my old Kenner action figure was. Though the actual Boba didn't get to shine as much as we wanted. Until now, anyway. Now he's the character we all said he was thankfully. 

There's always a contingent of self righteous nerds who'll crap on Boba and anything else that has the nerve to be popular. They'll still have a problem with him... and The Mandalorian. Magically, go figure. But for us who love the guy, we're happy to see him get his moment. Also the show, it's a good show that does the legacy proud.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Earlier today (it's Sunday as I'm writing this) I got in my viewing of the new Star Wars movie, The Rise of Skywalker. I've been looking forward to this all year and had a great time with the movie. I've loved Star Wars my entire life and have really appreciated having a new movie every year for the past 5 years. Though after this movie, it's going to be a few years before the next. I guess a break is in order (grumble grumble). I'm no movie critic or reviewer, but I thought I'd discuss it a little. Just in case I get spoilery, it'll be under the break. Mobile readers... uh, it might get spoilery below.