Are Clone Troopers the Future of The Black Series?

[@lackofsleipnir3801]

Clones are the radio hits that support the new character passion projects.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@lackofsleipnir3801 this is my new favorite analogy. It’s perfect

[@jaihelton]

I like the idea of the made to order multi packs. Can you imagine a Max Rebo Band multi pack! Great video , keep up the good work

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@jaihelton multipacks are perfect for those very obscure teams. Just put them all out at once, and Hasbro won’t lose money on having made too many! Thanks for checking out the video

[@TheZooBoy111]

Great video Tommy, very level headed take! My main issue is not necessarily even CLONE troopers, just troopers in general, and clones are just the main troopers we get. World building new characters is my absolute favorite part of being an action figure collector. So I will absolutely take Gregor, Neyo, Howzer, even some other minor named characters. It’s just annoying to get a lot of army builders. I know a lot of people disagree with me, but troopers, even tho I do buy them, are not the reason I collect. Cantina Aliens, despite not having any backstory ON SCREEN, are at least unique individuals. It also just bums me out to see characters like Sebulba not sell as well. The STAP’s sales also shocked me. If Prequel Era figures pegwarm, I feel like it sends a bad message to Hasbro, that we as collectors don’t want a Boss Nass, Dexter Jettster, Poggle the Lesser, or even the OG cloners, KAMINOANS!

[@JoshEisleySpaceport]

Clones are an easy sell regarding supply, demand, and versatility. They can make bank off of clones to foot the bill for more and new bucks, cantina alien and beyond (fingers crossed for a Durge).

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@JoshEisleySpaceport seems pretty straight forward, doesn’t it?! Hopefully Hasbro catches on

[@The_Mojave_Mailman]

Im in my mid 20s but i didnt have cable or internet so I didnt grow up with clone wars. Even though i didnt see it in thesters, Revenge of the Sith is easily "my" star wars and the vast majority of the star wars collecting i do is based around that movie. Recently ive branched into the clone wars too but after i finished my "the best of" OT collection, im just fully focused on ROTS and Clone Wars. Ir soesnt help that it sells out so fast that its hard to find and you have to pay scalper prices

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@The_Mojave_Mailman if you’re looking for an easier way to find new figures, check out my Discord! We share links for new figures in there all the time

[@Clonewarscollector]

I'm 29. First movie I saw in theaters was Phantom Menace when I was like 4. I went and saw ROTS like 6 times in theaters. I actually discovered The Clone Wars when I was in college but even before then I was a huge fan of the clones. I am a cloner through and through. I started out only wanting to get clones for my collection. I buy all the veil ones and make customs as well. But my new passion is buying OT figures and jedis to fill out my shelves.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@Clonewarscollector Captain Rex was my first Black Series figure. There’s a reason for that, which is my affinity and nostalgia for The Clone Wars. Rex was the hook on the line, and I have expanded the collection ever since!

[@OutOfTheBasement]

Appreciate the level-headed analysis on this topic, Tommy! I can always rely on you for having an actual conversation about this topic instead of trolling (even as a cloner, lmao). Nobody is saying clones don't sell. No sane collector is trying to make the claim that clones aren't popular or that they don't sell. What I've always said is that I am personally upset at the state of 1:12 Star Wars demand trends. I have no issue with Clone Troopers (I buy every single one), I just think it's sad that clones are the only thing that will sell beyond a shred of doubt. No risk assessment necessary! It's upsetting that pretty much nothing else is a guaranteed sell, because the market is dictated by what sells and what sits (generally speaking). I fully acknowledge that cantina patrons struggle, and I think that's sad for someone like me. Because that means I won't get the things I want in spades like Cloners will. What I find really wild is the younger collector's reluctance to anything that isn't what they grew up with if that makes sense. Obviously this is generally speaking. I wasn't alive for the OT, but you know I buy everything from the OT. I grew up while the PT was releasing in theaters, so of course I love the PT. But I also watched 2D Clone Wars, 3D Clone Wars, Rebels, more modern stuff, etc. We're at the point where collectors are passing on something like the STAP, but saying they would've picked it up if it was Filoni Clone Wars blue...it's absolutely crazy to me. You have tons and tons and tons of clones but what about the CIS?!? Being at the point where younger people don't have the nostalgia/appreciation for The Phantom Menace (a literal prequel trilogy film) is very interesting to me. Sometimes it really does seem like a "if it's not a clone I don't want it" situation. But even turning off the OT talk and looking at the prequel film stuff releasing. The STAP struggling is lame...I mean heck even look at Sebulba's sales #s compared to some others. It's just sad that something like a prequel alien that is a unique sculpt of a fun character isn't doing as well. Again, not saying if you like clones you're an idiot. I just wish the market demand trends had more variety. I wish the younger crowd still had that appreciation for the cinematic masterpieces that make up the OT. They are preserved in the National Film Registry for a reason, they changed cinema forever. I wish more collectors (especially younger) wouldn't restrict themselves as much. But maybe that has to do with $.

[@DavidEdge69]

A great and balanced comment J. Every point you make is correct. I've said it many times to you before, and I'll place it in a nutshell here, 80% of Black Series Collectors are Bellends... Assholes, if you will. With no YT channel myself, I'm entirely not bothered about offending people.

[@DavidEdge69]

I buy all of your pree-kwell shite, so you can at least put up with my OT demands is something I could also say to the wider "community"...

[@Commander_Bly327]

I find all of this “state of the hobby” talk fascinating. At bones of the issue, I think Hasbro would like to make a profit. The more, the better. The consumer would like to have product made that they want to buy. If Hasbro doesn’t think the demand is great enough to make a profit on certain figs, they don’t want to make them. Of course, this doesn’t apply to new media expressions of the entertainment, as I believe a portion of the marketing budgets for new content is allotted for figs n’ such. If a smaller segment of the consumer base wants OT aliens, then maybe made-to-order is the way to go?

[@OutOfTheBasement]

@@Commander_Bly327 I'd be so down for made-to-order. Anything to get 1/12th SW figures of things I like. Which to be completely fair with everything...Hasbro does deliver that on a lot of fronts because I love PT, TCW, etc. -Justin

[@Commander_Bly327]

@ Right. They have made, and are making, great stuff from many corners of the Star Wars universe. It’s helpful to remember that this is more of a fine-turning discussion, rather than a “HASBLOW are a bunch of idiots!” rant. 🫡

[@darthmoocher8077]

Great Video and I do agree with all of what you said... As being a collector that's buying all characters lol! I am now picking and choosing the clones at this point but any OT aliens and droids are instabuy, even if its one a year lol!

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@darthmoocher8077 and that’s another topical video I’ve got on my list; voting with your wallet. All too often I see collectors wanting things and then not supporting them when they come out! I do hope Hasbro digs deeper into those OT aliens. If they start pumping out some of Jabba’s denizens, I’m going to cave! Thanks for watching, Mooch!

[@darthmoocher8077]

@@BlitzTransmissions That's is my motto now, if you want Hasbro to produce characters then support them when they do! Make reviews, videos, blogs etc!

[@StraightOtohGunga]

It is no lie that repaints help fund the line, you explained it pretty eloquently and it’s also definitely a thing where a slight age gap means the difference between PT preference over TCW.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@StraightOtohGunga it is kind of wild to me just how much of a disparity there is for the want for figures from media that came out within a decade of each other. It was kind of a shocking realization

[@commandercook]

Fantastic analysis! Hopefully 2025 is a banger for both parties

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@commandercook thank you, Cookie! I have a feeling we’re in for a great year next year

[@DavidEdge69]

I'd refer to Dustin' from the small but up and coming BS channel, Out of my Closet, that there is literally no comparison between Hammerhead and the 14th version of "Commander Shit-Bird"... I thought he said that very eloquently! 😅

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@DavidEdge69 as far as new tooling goes, absolutely. The unfortunate part is that those aliens just don’t appeal to as many people

[@DavidEdge69]

Those people are WRONG!!!!

[@klassikk9758]

most of the points/arguments you make i agree with. i started collecting this year and im 30 year old. i grew up with the prequels more than the clone wars 2008. i started buying vintage star wars figures but they were too small in my opinion and i bought some black series and am a black series collector since then. i prefer clones to cantina aliens just because i dont like the design of most cantina aliens, although id rather have unique characters like brutus and prince xizor and other aliens than clones. i didnt buy momaw because i couldnt care less about him. regarding the obiwan 2pack.. the figure is really hard to get in europe and i just need that obi-wan, the clone trooper can just stick in the back with my other clones so even if he is on the old body i dont care that much. yea you cant oversaturate the market. they should balance the releases between droids, jedis/sith, clones, aliens and so on thanks for the great video again

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@klassikk9758 I love hearing people’s stories on their collecting habits, thanks for sharing! You also bring up a great point with that Obi-Wan/212th 2-pack. I’m happy to hear you’re able to get your hands on that Obi-Wan now, he’s a fantastic figure!

[@Commander_Bly327]

The power of first!

[@Lord_Funk]

Beat you with 3 minutes. Sooorryyy. 💚😉❤

[@Commander_Bly327]

@ I was first before there was first. I am the sigma and the rizzler. No one may come to first except through me.

[@Lord_Funk]

@@Commander_Bly327 Eheh! Sigma is so 2024. Soon is 2025. Who has the longest beard wins. 🧙‍♂

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@Commander_Bly327 the power of first! 🥇

[@jhawkjedi3346]

Boy I sure hope not. I have tons of clones and other than a couple like galactic marines or Kashyyk clones that I’d still like to add, I’m done with clones. On the other hand, I want my shelves to represent the saga AS A WHOLE. That means providing more minor characters like 2-1b and nien nunb. It comes down to balance. As you described, the community is made up of collectors of a wide variety of age and each has their own desired favorites. In my opinion it is hasbros job to provide a balance of character releases from each of the major films every year. It’s not just a matter of cantina aliens vs clones, it’s a matter of all types of characters from all of the films being provided in the line. It’s not rocket science. Give us balance and everyone is happy. If the more obscure OT or PT characters need to be produced in smaller numbers and done as fan channel exclusives then that’s what needs to be done. I have been saying for a while that the ideal haslab for black series are packs of minor characters. Black series is a line that is really about the figures themselves - the detail, the paint, the sculpt. It’s not about vehicles due to the larger scale. So world building in the black series should be done having minor background characters in the line almost as accessories to all the main characters on our shelves. Give us haslabs of 4-6 minor characters with high quality sculpt, paint apps, piece count, at $40 each for a total of $240 or so. Cantina aliens, rebel military, droids, geonosians, kaminoans, nemoidians, cloud city denizens, jabbas denizens, OT random droids, etc etc. balance is key. I’m really tired of this gate keeping in the community of one group telling another that one type of figure is more appropriate than another.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@jhawkjedi3346 you brought up a great point here, being the difference in how people display their figures. I separate my figures by the movie or series they’re from, so clones are always going to be a purchase for me. I agree as well that HasLab multipacks would be a great idea. They can go all out and put all that passion of design into so many one-and-done characters

[@Commander_Bly327]

Interesting topic considering the line is at the end of its run. Good thing there’s still Veils.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@Commander_Bly327 oh that’s right! Dead line

[@andresantonio3339]

How the hell is the line at the end of it’s run.?

[@Commander_Bly327]

@@andresantonio3339 The Black Series is already dead. 2025 will be last chance for Hasbro to squeeze out the value of the existing molds. If you just wait til mid-year 2026, you’ll be able to find whatever you need @ discount retailers, if the scalpers don’t get there, first, of course.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@ he’s being sarcastic. It’s his only form of communication

[@ericheinke2865]

More Clones announcements, Black Series need to add more OT Aliens from all 3 movies

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@ericheinke2865 I’m wondering if Black Series will get some of this “Return to Tatooine” love TVC has been getting

[@StraightOtohGunga]

I am curious to get your opinion on this. For me, I am at the point that I want all clone straight repaints to be handled by Veils and I want Hasbro to give us everything that requires new sculpting such as galactic, marines, clone pilots. Etc

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@StraightOtohGunga I would want Hasbro to handle it all, only because I’m a Veils HATER! 🤣 I do think Veils is scratching an itch for a lot of big clone fans that Hasbro just can’t do at the same volume

[@dougstone9308]

If we haven't had it yet can we get the 212th Airborne trooper ? Would be hella cool. You could custom paint it to be the clone sharpshooter from SW:BF 2 (2005)

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@dougstone9308 that would be awesome! I hope Hasbro releases one next year for the Revenge of the Sith anniversary. I would definitely pick up at least one, and I would also get any characters from Battlefront!

[@dougstone9308]

@BlitzTransmissions "Watch those wrist rockets!" Haha I'd get a few and custom them for people.

[@Commander_Bly327]

Agreed. Seasoned citizens & uncs still collect action figures. Weenie Hut Jr’s patrons seem to prefer the dolls. To each their own, I say.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@Commander_Bly327 certified Black Series HATER

[@DavidEdge69]

First!!! I've technically army-built Greedos by purchasing so many of him. I'm piss-bored of "Cones" figures now. It's easier to say I don't have an original 332 and the boxed Con Exclusive Rex out of every BS "cone" they've ever made. I have every other cone. I even bought a squad of green ko cones from Alli-Barber, just so i could have a few of them as well. If the cone is a trooper, I have 3 or more of every one. Some I have 6, 9, or 12 of. Enough of the bloody cones. I want Aliens, and lots of them. If I'm absolutely honest, I'm not bothered about what new Collectors want. I WANT ALIENS!! Lots of bloody Aliens. More Aliens than you can shake a stick dipped in shit at!! ALL OF THE ALIENS.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@DavidEdge69 your want for aliens at such volume is exactly why I think Hasbro should place them in multipacks going forward. Get at least two out at a time!

[@DavidEdge69]

Cantina and Jabba Multi-pax would be wonderful!!

[@astorm62]

I am.....old 😂 but I prefer the black series, that being said. I think that both lines could cross more films and characters to help present a more balance. Great topic, as always, Tommy. 👏

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@astorm62 I agree with you wholeheartedly there. I think Hasbro is on the right track at the moment by pushing new media to the big box retailers and the legacy media to fan channels for the collectors that want them

[@themaxreboexperience5221]

We need more pilots.

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@themaxreboexperience5221 clone pilots!

[@Yuuzhanvongg]

Hasbro also sucks with paint quality. You are lucky to find a figure that doesn't have really bad paint mishaps.

[@Yuuzhanvongg]

I cant stand removable helmets. The fact that theire isn't 2 alternate heads for the Clones is laughable considering the price

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@Yuuzhanvongg for the clones especially I would much rather have swappable heads as well

[@mattymatt1979]

Dont trust anyone with a First order shirt.

[@carloscunningham319]

That's your or yaw opinion lil Timmy ain't the one with the money the adults are the ones with the money plus from the ages 21 and up want more Starwars vintage collection cantina figures and more Jabba denizen figures and beast/monster packs the black series are ok they take up way too much space plus they make way too many think about this if they would have came out with a Black series cantina set super expensive plus take up a whole room alot of collectors don't have that much room unless their all ready stable with their own home not a apartment or still staying at home like alot of the young collectors like I said starwars vintage collection are loved by both collectors young and older plus it's vehicles animals/ creatures and play sets go too Walmart Target Black series are flooding their shelves you don't see vintage collection figures flooding shelves their really hard too find on shelves unless it's vintage collection Lando Ollie's Ross TJMax JCPenney all are flooded with the Black series the prices even dropped down from 10-6 bucks a pop where vintage collection are hard too find in the wild because I collect both but I prefer vintage collection

[@Lord_Funk]

F1rst! 😃

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@Lord_Funk first! 🏆

[@HeadHunterKillCounts]

its annoying because they dont even do the clones that well no black brow and the innaccuricies on fordo and jesse are just terrible and i rarely see clones stocked at local retial mainly just peg warmers

[@BlitzTransmissions]

@@HeadHunterKillCounts as a member of the 501st Legion, my eyes go RIGHT to thise inaccuracies. There’s a reason we don’t see the clones in stores, it’s because they are popular!