Vinylmation Review - Star Wars #4

Star Wars #4 was released during Star Wars weekends in 2014. Despite the shift to 8 figure sets, Star Wars continues to have 12 figures per series. There have been some mixed feelings about this series, which is why I wanted to give my review.

Things to love:

• If you're a big Star Wars fan, the first thing to love it that it's a Star Wars set. There is so much to explore within the Star Wars universe, that I think it's great Disney keeps making Star Wars Vinylmation. Especially with annual Star Wars Weekends
• This series has more of the lesser known characters, which will appeal more to big fans who might not want to get the same characters over and over again
• Memorable characters - I think it's awesome that there's a Wampa and a Tauntaun in this set! They're pretty memorable and we haven't seen them before
• Do-Overs - looking back at the first Star Wars series, some of the characters really could have been done better in my opinion. Vinylmation was still evolving, expanding and finding it's stride. But perhaps this series gives collectors a chance to own more intricately designed figures that we've seen in the past. The Boba Fett combo topper in particular is much better than in Star Wars #1
• Variation on repeats - yes we have another R2, Leia, Luke and Han, but they're not identical to previous releases of these characters. Luke and Han are in their Hoth attire, R2 is on Dagobah, and Leia is dressed like she is on Bespin. They are central to the Star Wars Saga so you should expect to see them again in this series. I think this set would have been less popular without them
• Appropriate use of a variant - while not amazing or impressive to me, the Luke variant at least makes sense, as it reflects an actual scene from the movie. The figure has also been well designed and I especially love his ears. I don't like when variants have no meaning and are created purely for the sake of it

Things that aren't so great:

• Well, if you really don't enjoy repeats of figures, you won't like this series. One third of the figures are characters we've seen before
• Unknown characters - I'm a pretty big Star Wars fan, I've lost count of how many times I've watched these movies, but I'm not one of those people who knows every little detail. I'm not familiar with the Ugnaught, Zuckuss or 4-LOM, so I can see how half this set would not appeal to some collectors

Star Wars #4 Boba Fett Combo Topper Release

The Star Wars #4 Combo Topper boxes have been released today at D-Streets and at the Disney Store online where they have already sold out. There are 2 different combo topper figures to choose from: classic Boba Fett (pictured left) and concept Boba Fett (pictured right) both designed by Casey Jones. These combo figures are open window and can be seen before purchase (although guests were not able to choose their figure when ordering online). They sit on top of a Star Wars #4 blind box with a mystery, unknown figure inside. You can pick up a combo topper for $24.95

Star Wars #4 Jawa and Droid Set Release

The final combo set for Star Wars #4 and Star Wars Weekends 2014 has been released today at D-Street. This is a two 3" figure set of a Jawa and R5-D4 from Episode IV: A New Hope. Both figures were designed by Maria Clapsis and have a limited edition of 2,000. This set retails for $29.95

Star Wars #4 Palpatine Release

A limited edition Emperor Palpatine figure has been released today at D-Street, designed by Casey Jones. This figure looks similar in appearance to the Obi Wan Ghost variant from Star Wars #1 and the Princess Leia Hologram figure. Palpatine has a limited edition of 2,000 and is sold in an open window box, for a retail price of $16.95.

Star Wars #4 Rancor and Keeper Set Release

Today the Star Wars #4 Rancor and Keeper combo set has been released at the Walt Disney World Resort for Star Wars Weekends. This set includes a 9" rancor figure and a 3" figure of his keeper from Star Wars Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Both figures were designed by Casey Jones. The set retails for $59.95 and has a limited edition of 1,000.

Star Wars #4 Luke & Yoda Combo Pack Released

The Star Wars #4 Luke and Yoda combo pack has been released today at Disney's Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. This is a two figure pack including a 3" Luke Skywalker and a Jr. Yoda figure on Dagobah, both designed by Casey Jones. The set retails at $29.95 and has a limited edition size of 2,000

Star Wars #4 Released Online

Star Wars #4 was released last week at the Disney Parks and has been released today at the Disney Store Online. This is a 12 figure blind box set featuring 11 commons, 1 chaser and a surprise variant figure. The set was designed by Maria Clapsis and Casey Jones, retailing for $12.95 per blind box.

Star Wars #4 Release

Star Wars #4 has been released today at the Walt Disney World Resort ready for Star Wars Weekends. This is a 12-figure blind box set, 11 common figures and a chaser. The figures were designed by Maria Clapsis and Casey Jones, with each box retailing for $12.95. This series is due to release at the Disney Store online Monday 19th May.

Star Wars #4 Eachez Release

The Star Wars #4 Eachez blind boxes have been released today at Darth's Mall for the Rebel Rendezvous event. The boxes have a limited edition of 2,500 and will continue to be sold during Star Wars Weekends while supplies last.

Pictured right is the common figure R2-MK, limited edition 2,250. On the left is the variant figure R2-D2, limited edition 250. This means there's a 9 in 10 chance of pulling the common and a 1 in 10 chance of pulling the variant. Both figures were designed by Thomas Scott and each blind box retails for $16.95

Star Wars Eachez Preview

The Rebel Rendezvous Event's Merchandise Catalog has previewed a Star Wars Eachez figure that will be released at Star Wars Weekends. (Available for purchase via Random Selection Process if you attend the Rebel Rendezvous Event). The common figure is R2-MK (pictured right) and there's a 9 in 10 chance of pulling that vinyl. The variant is R2-D2 (pictured left) and there is a 1 in 10 chance of pulling that figure.

Each Star Wars Eachez blind box will retail for $16.95 and these figures have a Limited Edition size of 2,500. Both figures were designed by Thomas Scott.

Star Wars #4 Preview

Steven Miller posted a preview on the Disney Parks Blog last week of the upcoming Star Wars #4 series. The series will release during the Star Wars Weekends event in May this year. The picture he posted shows us 3 of the figures and indicates that the series will be based on The Empire Strikes Back. (The Rebel Rendezvous Event's Merchandise Catalog states that this will be a 12 figure set comprising of 11 commons, 1 chaser and 1 variant).

I am loving the look of the R2-D2 figure on Dagobah that's illustrated on the side of the box! The figures pictured (going left to right) are: a Snowtrooper (or Hoth Stormtrooper), Han Solo on Hoth and Luke Skywalker on Hoth.

Steven Miller also announced (although no pictures were posted on The Disney Parks Blog) that a Limited Edition combo set will also be released during the event. Similar to last year's Jabba and Salacious Crumb set, this year's set will feature a 9" Rancor figure and a 3" figure of his keeper.

(Source: Vinylmation World)

This all sounds like great stuff for Star Wars fans! I Can't wait to see more!