Star Wars: The Black Series - No, Just Luke

[@J-T-A]

"I try to get out, but they keep pulling me back in!" ~ Michael ̶C̶o̶r̶l̶e̶o̶n̶e̶ French

[@adamkieffer6827]

*Watching Michael do a Luke head-swap that wasn’t ever meant to be done.* The fans are still doing the best work.

[@blackRXrider]

The fans still crying Disney ruined their childhood

[@stephenvargas5806]

@@blackRXrider It didn’t ruin my childhood since I can always watch the OT whenever I like. However the ST does suck.

[@vigo894]

Don't be a shill.

[@Iodine74]

I think part of the possible allure of the 6" size is that the figures sit in an adults hand proportionally almost the same as the 3.75" did when they were kids.

[@ImTheKingOfHyrule]

That's actually a great point that I never considered. In a little hand a 3.75" action figure is a lot bigger than it is in an adult's hand, so for an action figure aimed at an adult fan, 6" makes perfect sense.

[@Daldi564]

Dude, I'm legit jealous of your Thrawn trio. Luke and Mara Jade look perfect together

[@davidburns7506]

I made a custom Mara Jade. All you need is the Marvel Legends Retro Black Widow, the arms from the 40th Luke work pretty good, and a purple lightsaber from Jaina Solo

[@Daldi564]

@@davidburns7506 I'd prefer to display her with the Lightsaber Luke gives her at the end of the Last Command. To me, it has more impact.

[@johnmiic]

@@davidburns7506 You use Luke's arms? Which 40th Luke? Do you have another base female body you use?

[@brown22sugar25]

13:24 “And you never become legendary by standing around.” *Boba Fett has entered the chat*

[@bluedonkey9963]

Haha

[@retroblasting]

Literally the only example of that working, and such a tired fan crush it is...

[@jamesshives5679]

@@retroblasting I liked the video for the most part but that particular line is curious to me. What action figure's purpose isn't to simply stand around?

[@craighofmann638]

@@jamesshives5679 Well, they're meant to be played with. But, I get your point, these figures in particular have been made to appeal to adult collectors; which means, when not being potentially used for Toy photography, they do just stand around.

[@brickcowboy9994]

Conspiracy Theory: Hasbro is fully aware of the screen inaccuracies. They intentionally release the toys with flaws so they can sell an “improved” version later on to trick collectors into buying the same toy multiple times.

[@astray401]

I agree with this conspiracy theory.

[@GradiusPilot]

This is definitely the plan.

[@Beserker-cw4rf]

Not a conspiracy at all. It is fact.

[@ieatshit1]

@@astray401 Not a conspiracy, just great marketing.

[@newwavepop]

no conspiracy going on there, it is sort of blatant. and they are purposefully marketing 6" figures as being for the adult collectors, whom they know will be bothered with a slightly updated version coming out where as a kid might not care as much because he already has it.

[@jasonknight8581]

I'll never forget that episode of Little House on the Prairie when Ma Ingalls had to outdraw an Imperial Probe Droid as a blizzard rocked Walnut Grove.

[@velvetplatz1024]

Oh yeah, that was the BEST episode ever!! Truely legendary.

[@jasonknight8581]

@@velvetplatz1024 Yep. I won't even mention the climatic lightsaber battle between Nellie Olsen and Laura.

[@velvetplatz1024]

@@jasonknight8581 Oh yeah...poor Nellie in that scene...oh sorry, for those who haven't seen it, "SPOILER ALERT!"

[@dalastar3]

They really need a support group for obsessive collecting. It's a slippery slope for the OCD crowd out there.

[@joluzonng2302]

*raises hand* 'My name is Jolu, and it's been three weeks since my last figure purchase.'

[@Michaelengelmann]

This dude is WAY into it and gives nerd culture a bad name

[@poboxchristmas380]

@@Michaelengelmann Nerd Culture would be math and science stuff. Not knowing the difference between nerd and geek is what gives you a bad name.

[@Michaelengelmann]

@@poboxchristmas380 sure 🙄

[@poboxchristmas380]

@@Michaelengelmann just trying to educate.

[@GuanRytheFantastic]

Ok, as if I couldn’t respect Mike more than I already do.....his Hoth Luke face swap and reconstruction....that’s some next-level amazeballs

[@Ruylopez778]

RB criticising Hasbro: "All too easy."

[@retroblasting]

Get a better argument.

[@Ruylopez778]

@@retroblasting I mean I enjoyed watching you point out their flaws

[@autoneurotic]

I love the Black Series and and am generally content with how they are out of the box. I don't seek out every single one, though I'm not as selective as you. I find they display great with Black Series in the back of a shelf, with similar vintage Kenner figures in front.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

HASBRO: We made the definitive Star Wars toyline ME: Define "Definitive".

[@colorin81colorado]

Definitive they say? I do not think that word means what they think it means! Inconceivable!

[@gladspooky9455]

Definitive while still costing 10 bucks. Did you expect a toy company to spend a hundred dollars on each figure to make it perfectly screen accurate and still sell it to you for 10 bucks?

[@colorin81colorado]

@@gladspooky9455 I'm sorry but my father spent a big part of his life working on plastic injection moulds and other moulds in his roll as a toolmaker. Today's methods have made things even easier for those manufacturing toys... The first one out of the production line is always the most expensive... After that most others are pure profit... There is money to be made in good quality toys... But good quality toys makes them less profits in the short term!

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

LMAO @ "A typical US toy department as of February 2013..." Looks the same as 2019. 2020. 2021. (We miss you, Toys R Us...)

[@YourUncleBenis]

I wouldn't say the same... Marvel Universe isn't there anymore to make it actually tolerable.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

@@YourUncleBenis oh yeah I had a decent collection of MU. Traded 90% of it for the endgame hulk baf wave.

[@AllysonA8281]

I feel like I’m watching a Werner Herzog documentary every time I start one of your videos, Michael. The serious tone pulls me in instantly.😅 I agree with you on all points with this line. Unfortunately, I have gone in so deep I fear there is no way out. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will...

[@JasonGray71]

We're hooked. It's OK to be hooked. Just acknowledge that you're powerless over your addiction & give in. There is no such thing as the perfect high!

[@dispassionateobserver]

Sculpting an accurate Mark Hamill face has proven to be quite a challenge. I have yet to find a Luke Skywalker action figure that I'm 100% happy with.

[@orinanime]

Right?! It's crazy . So many other Star Wars actors' likenesses have been pulled off effectively. But for some reason, there's always SOMETHING off about Mark Hamill's face.

[@a_world_made_of_cardboard]

This is a testimony to the dedication of an idea: Getting the best representation of an iconic character. Your dedication to this task is legendary.

[@johnmiic]

"You never become legendary by standing around!" You better TM that slogan & sell it on a T-Shirt & Bumper sticker with a pic of an action figure. That's a damn good quote.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

Polar opposite, I jumped in headfirst, got the entire first wave and most of everything that came out since. 6 inch scale is my jam. Jarjar is pretty awesome hahaha

[@JohnMSmith-ol2yc]

Star Wars content is always my favorite...thank you for what you do.

[@mechamanblade8465]

"Remember that inaccuracy on the figure? Well, they fixed that but will inexplicably break something else at the same time." Pretty much sums up how Hasbro/Takara is handling Transformers right now.

[@marcgordon3462]

I thought no video from retroblasting would dethrone my favorite video from your channel....the captain America video, but I was wrong. I loved this video, your knowledge alone is amazing. Thanks Michael and the retroblasting team.

[@SaeParsan]

Lol ”you never become legendary by standing around “ Boba Fett: hold my beer

[@katiepersons6575]

If you're crazy about Empire, you gotta have at least one Boba Fett...

[@bluehero-96]

Boba Fett? BOBA FETT? Where?!

[@katiepersons6575]

@@opticracer3927 I'm a sucker for Boba, so I have the Carbonized one, the non carbon and the RoTJ Tatooine Boba. The last one is probably my favorite.

[@katiepersons6575]

@@opticracer3927 I can't afford to collect more than one line. XD

[@DarthIllusive1]

What do you always say Mike? " The fans do the best work!" Nice job on that Hoth Luke kitbash. Looks amazing!

[@richardlee2120]

The Hasbro Black Series is obviously meant for the adult collector to be displayed as having a 6 inch scale Millennium Falcon or Death Star is impossible. As a vintage collector, I like some of the Black Series figures, and they can be addicting.

[@LewisChristisonVids]

Remember how in the first two waves Sandtrooper, Darth Maul, R2, & Han all came with a nice selection of accessories because they were meant to be the premium "collector" line? After that initial batch we're lucky if a figure came with more than just a single gun. I'd recommend getting Jaina Solo if you can find her for a good price. Once of the best female figures Hasbro has produced, period.

[@bee-beargaming]

Your story Michael is so reliable of just going down the rabbit hole. Happened to the best of us mate.

[@georgeaitken2719]

I’ve never heard the name Luke mentioned so many times so quickly it shows how many versions there are of the character

[@ToonamiT0M]

I admire your devotion to your collection. Excellent work on the customizing.

[@insanefun1]

I was surprised with Han Solo from Empire and Endor. Thought they were just re-releasing old sculpts with new paint till I looked closer at his vest and jacket. Anyone having issues on Boba Fetts warped helmet?

[@The_Sandcrawler]

Don’t forget to pick up an Heir to the Empire Luke with Ysalamiri accessory for your Thrawn! 😉

[@cappeca]

Figures for rent, they stay in your collection for a while, until a new and improved one gets released. The only winning move in this game is not to play.

[@newwavepop]

i still ignore it, i WILL NOT start collecting 6" figures period. over 30 years of collecting 3 3/4" figures, i will not start over, especially because the big toy companies are trying to strong arm collectors into it. ill just be happy with the years and years worth of figures o already have.

[@superermac55]

Man your dedication to that Hoth Luke is something to be applauded. Truly amazing work

[@schlaackmusic]

"...Star Wars toys in any other scale just don't work." I'm primarily a Micro Machines collector, so how dare you. Also the only Black Series six-inch figure I ever owned was Darth Vader. It was a cool display piece, but I wasn't overly attached and sold it before I moved. Thank you for another great video.

[@MoparMcNeer]

Many classic collector sentences begin with, "I told myself...."

[@winstonsmith3370]

I love this man’s ingenuity and perseverance in the face of Hasbro’s best anti-collector efforts

[@spiderwebstudios]

Bro, Yavin Luke's head is compatible with the jedi knight body? or do I need to modify it?

[@frankdavf4599]

I have my hands full only by trying to accquire some of the figures.

[@FakeWoodTable]

My photorealistic head is spinning. Great video!

[@HerbieIWALVG]

YEESH... my head is swimming. Your attention to detail is admirable!

[@GAMERDANKAR]

That Hoth Luke is sick, great work Michael!

[@BobbyLCollins]

"These figures aren't worn, they're simply fatigued from combat exertion!"

[@joefleming2053]

Whoa! I’m gonna need to pick up a few Yavin Lukes and get busy customizing! Thanks for the tip, Michael!

[@nps1016]

I like the Black Series figures, they’re more detailed than the Star Wars figures we all grew up with. Great review as always, Michael, keep on doing what you’re doing.

[@theshadowofthedarkknight9329]

“ Thanks to my friend venkman... “ Ghostbusters flashbacks are coming back.

[@bikerscout7467]

Great video on the various Black Series Lukes. I was in the same boat, didn't think much of the early Black series human faces, but in the last 3 years or so they have improved leaps and bounds. I was able to modify the horrendous Hoth Han solo hood to close the gap, by cutting the scarf part away from the sculpt, attaching a piece of felt to the remaining part of the hood to close up the gap and painting it to match the rest of the hood. I then closed the back with some miliput and attached the separate scarf at the end of the process. Looks so much better and no gap!

[@awesomeatronik]

Gotta admit this seems a little bit too OCD for me. I'm just super happy getting a Jedi Luke without the tunic and with the open jacket.

[@kevinwilliams7717]

@retroblasting they are doing the same thing that they did 20 years ago with the 3 3/4 line. Making 40 versions of each figure so people will continue to purchase them. They’ll keep going until the lake is fished dry.

[@thebigv75]

Great video! I’ve taken a similar approach: I only collect Luke Skywalker with the green lightsaber from the return of the Jedi. I have my favorite Leia outfit (Hoth) and plan to replace my ANH Han Solo with The ROTJ figure.

[@The_Wayfaring_Smuggler]

Take a shot every time Michael says "Luke".

[@kaiblumenstein5209]

What a Great Job :-) Okey, it is a lot of work but now they are one of a kind and you‘re truly own. I customised some of my beater Kenner Figures and had loads of fun doing it.

[@trooper326]

Things can get out of hand real fast.

[@trence5]

@3:20 YEP, that how it all starts. I only wanted one, the Walmart ROTJ Luke with the black tunic on but never saw in store nearest me. And now I'm glad. @4:03 as a Transformers collector, I definitely concur.

[@_Only_Zuul]

i love your videos! wish you can do more frequently!

[@BruceKenobi]

what a delightful video!!! "premium whiskey?!" LOL!!! I really liked your style an knowledge Michael. The pictures and details really prove your points. Please more of this kind of videos on custom figures.

[@tomlewis4205]

I could have sworn the "black series" was initially just a reference to the cheaper box/card art they were going with- turning a downgrade into a feature. 😉

[@Sano1970]

Oh what a joy when you got the algorithms just right. I’m revisiting some RB backstock. ❤

[@OliverKane3582]

The line has gotten so much better. Now we have updated versions of all these figures, plus we actually have a Mara Jade. The line has only been getting better and better.

[@retroblasting]

Hello, this is the past speaking. You've reached a video that was made in a time before right now. Please hold while the party you've dialed is never reached.

[@nunyabusiness4904]

I was born in the mid 90s so my earliest Star Wars figures were a couple of the original run from Empire through Jedi my brother and I got from our mom and Power of the Force, and when the Prequels came out we really hit our stride with Star Wars figures and it was great that they were all 3-3/4" because they all (somewhat) had compatibility for vehicles and weapons, my Millenium Falcon from the 90s saw use from the time I got it at 3 or 4 all the way through when I stopped playing with figures in 2008 or 2009, it saw use from everyone from Power of the Force Luke through Captain Rex. Even though art style and sculpt quality varied wildly throughout these figures them being all the same scale and the imagination of a child made it all work. I kind of feel bad for kids these days who ended up with a mix of scales, if your Han Solo is 3-3/4" but your Lando is 6" it's gotta make scenarios more complicated especially if you have vehicles you want to use in your adventures.

[@deathtron5000]

That is a lot of swapping but your final results look great . Love your channel and thanks for sharing.

[@powerfulaura5166]

Hey Michael, typing from Australia to let you know I really hope RetroBlasting has a video about those 12-inch scale Kenner Star Wars toys in the works (probably a Follies, Broken Vader & all). I recall Melinda instructing a tutorial on the Princess Leia Doll's buns. I'd like to learn more about their R&D/marketing & relative obscurity during the period in which they were commercially available, why they're so rare today. My Gen X borderline Boomer dad-incidentally also named _Michael_ actually-got most of them as a kid in the '70s ('til this day most of those still have their boxes), that he let me & my brother play with in the 2000s, as well as telling us anecdotes about how he got them & all they had been through.

[@FatherAxeKeeper]

I've been waiting for you Retro Blasting update, we meet again at last

[@ericturczynowsky3243]

"What is this premium Whiskey?!" * Shows picture of Jack Daniels * That had me giggling like an idiot

[@retroblasting]

Yes. Simply because it's known as "Black Label" is why I used it.

[@ericturczynowsky3243]

@@retroblasting precisely why I laughed...better than if you used Johnny Walker, which would ruin the joke

[@JRSanchez93]

I’m happy they’re finally doing face printing on the Rogue One figures. Using various pieces for other figures since I hated the job they did with Jynn.

[@NewtonDKC]

@11:24 Michael, I used the Luke Snowspeeder head and the hat/scarf from the Cassian Andor figure you had shown earlier (those were marked down to like $5 in my area). The Hat/Scarf is nearly perfect so a bit of paint and it even fits over the Snowspeeder head snug but with a couple drops of super glue you can make it perfect - I decided to leave mine removable in case I do something more in the future. But just an alternative take to yours which is fantastic and wish Hasbro would do more swappable faces and /or heads, hands, etc!!!

[@ryanbones7117]

Appreciate your experience and insights but my personal view is that the movies are the original art and the toys that may be slightly different do still provide a new avenue of alternative adventure.

[@No1.OriginalTrilogyStarWarsFan]

Great video as always Mike.

[@PrimeTimeTreasureHunter]

That Luke Skywalker with the rogue looks like Lady Elaine Fairchild from Mr. Rogers. LOL

[@redadamearth]

Personally, I still just can't get into the 6" figures. Just not a scale I'm fond of. But you've definitely done a good job Frankensteining the pieces into a good looking set.

[@pac1la]

That Luke Hoth came out excellent, great work! Jealous of that custom Mara Jade for sure.

[@themaypole]

Sneaky algorithm hiding this video from me, but I found it I tell you! Great talk as ever. Half the fun of figures for me lately is customising so this was jus simpatico

[@mickbrisgau5786]

Michael: „I‘m okay with the Head-Sculpt. I grew up with the Kenner line.“ Also Micheal: „The Belt is inaccurate!!!“ XD I love your Videos! :-)

[@SeanSolo8]

Awesome Hoth Luke!! Nice work and very entertaining video! You explanation of thinking most of the head molds looking good was perfect! If you played with Kenner, these are next level! 🤣

[@TheJosiahPayne]

Ok, but where did you get that Mara Jade custom? It's incredible!

[@derektorres6260]

Great video and great job on the Hoth Luke

[@KoujiAlex]

This video was incredibly informative, well done and enjoyable! Congratulations on such a great job. As a figure collector, customizer and figure kit basher myself, I found everything you said very interesting. Loved the in-depth analysis of all the figures. Would love if you could do a similar video for Black Series Princess Leia figures at some point as some of her figures are top notch such as Hoth, Bespin Escape and Yavin IV, while others such as Slave, A New Hope and Boushh could use some customizing help.

[@riadm2959]

"I'd like to take his face... off." - Nick Cage

[@NewtonDKC]

@9:58 LOL!!! Best analogy of that awful Hoth Han Hoodie that I’ve ever heard! The plastic shrinks so you’d think Hasbro would sculpt such things slightly larger to allow for shrinkage. Luke Jedi’s vest is just as bad, it really should be longer. But after watching this I fell asleep and in my feverish nap I started getting this weird dream-vision with the Little House on the Prairie theme playing but with a desolate snowy landscape instead of a grassy hillside, a title something like “Cramped Emergency Shelter on the Snowfield” and the requisite Empire cast popping up in place of the Ingalls family. Oddly for the youngest little girl, I see the Wampa running down a snowbank, first with ears and domed head, but after the tumble the close up of the Wampa that gets up has no ears, a rounder head and seems somehow different, not like twins at all. And the “based on books by Leia Ingalls-Wilder Organa Amidala Skywalker” barely fits on the screen. Thanks for giving me this weird missmatch of 70s and 80’s media, Well done Michael (Landon)! ;-)

[@80sTransfromersFan]

I got into The Black Series once I found them on clearance at Ollie's for 5 buck! Back in 2017 .And I was in! I love them now.

[@chadchesney3858]

Man I like your channel. Like your tough reviews. I disagree with you though on this one. 6 inch is, in MY MIND is a BETTER SCALE. I think it’s the ideal scale. 12’’ is too big. They’re DOLLS. But 3 3/4 inch is just too small. Wrestling got it right. 6 inch. Love it on the figures. Inconvenient for play sets ok.

[@joluzonng2302]

Couldn't agree more about 'The Black Series' being made to just stand around and look good. I collected so many of them in the beginning, and they just take up so much room standing on a shelf, that I decided last year to just focus on 3 3/4 collecting.

[@SFforlife]

Holy moly, what a headache! I admire your perseverance, Michael. That sounded tough. I too have resisted a foray into the Black Series due to there being so many different versions of the same characters. I’m glad you made it work for you though, even though that really should’ve been Hasbro’s job all along. The fans are *literally* doing the best work.

[@kucko-macko]

These new photorealistic heads are too uncanny valley for me. Much more prefer the earlier releases. I'm ok with toys looking like toys and not like wax figures.

[@Darthbauer951]

Bespin Han head on to ANH body works pretty well for my liking

[@roccolomeli1117]

If you got rid of the video and cut out like the first few minutes of audio you sound like a crazy person

[@ydin9]

"..continual revisions and reversions of things you bought ten times over in the past" - isn't that essence of every figure collecting :D. But yeah, love with when some people understand to make their own part replacement and add-ons instead of releasing whole figures only.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

Hooray for the original Lando looking better!!!! That's the one I have, and didn't give in to the new one. Thanks for telling me I did good.

[@georgemiller8370]

Enjoyed this video. Well written and produced. Also, really like your t-shirt. Very very cool. Where to find? Let me know if you have time. Thank you!

[@sgtkit685]

Think 6” became the new standard because the companies were giving up on them being toys. Like you’ve pointed out in other videos They’ve given up on play sets, & the collector (travel) boxes of the 70’s-90’s.

[@rkramsey]

Love this video. I once said I would only ever pick up the one or two BS figures that I wanted from The Mandalorian. However, I soon found myself falling down the same rabbit hole as my desire to customize and kit-bash the ideal version of my beloved Star Wars characters became a hobby during lockdown. “My” Luke and Kenobi lines are still my favorite figures.

[@venger78]

Now that is a great Hoth Luke head mod!

[@paulcoy9060]

I don't collect Star Wars, but this is beautiful. I'm going to recommend this to a friend who collects and modifies computer keyboards.

[@andrewtaylor940]

I only sporadically pick up the Black Series figures if one catches my eye for something. But the 6” scale Snowspeeder is amazing. It’s about as close as most of us will come to an affordable studio scale filming model. As for why 6” scale became popular? Some of it is the scale itself. 1”=1’. Which makes it very easy to do backdrops, dioramas, photography etc.

[@jeffreyrobillard5037]

Love the intro.... this whole video put a smile on my face and really made me laugh. I had no desire to buy Black Series figures but that Han Bespin looked so good on the Walmart peg. Since then I've accumulated a dozen more figures, Obi-Wan's, a few Luke's, DJ from The Last Jedi, and of course some Han Solo's.

[@ashokupad]

I really love the personal testimonial aspect to your videos; it’s so relatable. I didn’t even click on this one (6”? Feh.), but as usual got immediately stuck on your rapid-fire, on-point delivery. I am happy to say that I have deftly managed to steer clear of the 6” figures. But even as I say this, I need only glance up to see a Black Series Grogu Holding fast to holding fast to the leg of my 3 3/4” Din djarin (What-they’re perfect together!), and I know sitting in my closet unopened are four simple-boxed 6” figures from Germany. My mother-in-law bought them for me, and even attempted to only buy OT! She got me Jedi Luke, Vader, Chewbacca, and...First Order Stormtrooper, bless her heart!

[@1314Bn]

4:28 Hey Vader! I think I found your arms. They’re tiny but I think they’ll do....

[@georgelea4297]

Another awesome video Michael

[@starwarcam3581]

I agree with the criticisms wholeheartedly, and have plenty more criticisms myself, but there are certain times in which The Black Series does create a definitive figure that requires no updates and never will, such as the Bespin Escape Leia that you mentioned, Gamorrean guard, Admiral Akbar, Royal guard, death trooper, Dooku, Cad Bane, the wide release Captain Rex, Zeb, Jar Jar, Padawan Kenobi, the entire Solo movie line (which no one owns). However, the times in which they reach this definitive level make the mistakes all the more frustrating.