Episodes

  • Episode 406: Size DOES Matter

    Episode 406: Size DOES Matter
    Sep 30 2013
    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!​
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  • Episode 407: NYCC 2013

    Episode 407: NYCC 2013
    Oct 14 2013
    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!
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  • Episode 408: Look My Head Look So Big To Young Eyes?

    Episode 408: Look My Head Look So Big To Young Eyes?
    Oct 28 2013
    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!
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  • Episode 409: The Death Star Plans are NOT in the main computer--they're in this book!

    Episode 409: The Death Star Plans are NOT in the main computer--they're in this book!
    Nov 11 2013
    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.
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  • Episode 410: Black Friday Deals and 2013 Holiday Gift Guide

    Episode 410: Black Friday Deals and 2013 Holiday Gift Guide
    Nov 28 2013
    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/
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  • Episode 411: Get the 411 On Star Wars Discounts

    Episode 411: Get the 411 On Star Wars Discounts
    Dec 9 2013
    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!
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  • Episode 412: 2013 Year In Review Part 1 - Hasbro

    Episode 412: 2013 Year In Review Part 1 - Hasbro
    Dec 23 2013
    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!
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  • Episode 413: 2013 Year In Review Part 2 - Statues, Books, LEGO, and More!

    Episode 413: 2013 Year In Review Part 2 - Statues, Books, LEGO, and More!
    Jan 6 2014
    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!
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