Saturday, December 31, 2011

"Who's Left?" 2012 - The Phantom Menace


We're kicking off our special report "Who's Left?" 2012 with Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Read on for our full list of characters from the first Prequel Trilogy film who are still yet to be made into action figures by Hasbro!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Sponsor Announcement - Big Bad Toy Store


Click here for an exciting update from our sponsor BigBadToyStore.com about the latest Star Wars listings and their year-end sale!

Rebel Reviews – VC82: Daultay Dofine


Today we examine the latest Nemoidian, Daultay Dofine. Should you add this "stunted slime" to your collection? Read on to find out!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Wampa Pen - What makes a true fan?


Remember that deleted scene in which C-3PO tears the sticker off the Wampa Pen and the Snowtroopers accidentally open the door? That's pretty comparable to what's happening here. Read on for some of my opinions; tonight I focus on "What makes a true fan?"

Rebel Reviews – VC78: Battle Droid


Today's review covers the new Vintage Collection Battle Droid. The figure is not a 2-pack like previous releases, so should you shell out the cash to get one? Read on to find out!

Sponsor Announcement - Man of Action Figures


Click here for the latest exciting update from Echo Base News sponsor ManofActionFigures.com!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Sponsor Announcement - Big Bad Toy Store


Click here for an exciting update from our sponsor BigBadToyStore.com about the latest Star Wars listings and their year-end sale!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Rebel Reviews - VC81: Ben Quadinaros


Today we take a look at one of the worst characters from the Saga: Ben Quadinaros! Should you bother picking this one up? Read on to find out!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Entertainment Earth reveals two Deluxe Packs!


Entertainment Earth
reveals two of the four Deluxe Packs due for 2012 - SCUBA Clone and Republic Sub and Anakin Skywalker and Republic Recon Fighter. No images, but watch the link for updates.

Rebel Reviews – VC77: Ratts Tyerell & Pit Droid


Today we start reviewing the brand new Phantom Menace-themed wave of The Vintage Collection. Is Ratts Tyerell worth the effort to track down a little early? Read on to find out!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!


Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas from all of us at Echo Base News!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Echo Base News interviews Bai Ling


This is certainly one of my most interesting and fun interviews yet! I recently had the chance to chat with actress Bai Ling about her role in Revenge of the Sith as Senator Bana Breemu. Her scenes were cut out of the film (but can still be seen on the DVD), and back in 2005 she claimed that this decision was directly related to her appearance in Playboy magazine around the time of the film's release.

Six years later, Bai Ling seems to have a much different outlook on her Star Wars experience. In this exclusive in-depth interview, she fondly shares some of her stories as well as her views on George Lucas, Natalie Portman, her other film projects, returning for The Clone Wars, a Bana Breemu action figure, and more! Plus she also announces an upcoming acting project, and shares details about her new music debut entitled Rehab. Read on for all the excitement!

Rebel Reviews - VC51: Barriss Offee


To finish up our Attack of the Clones (plus one Clone Wars micro-series) theme for the week we're revisiting our review of Barriss Offee from a few months back. You may have missed out on Barriss from the hard-to-find Wave 7, but thankfully the wave is being re-released next year. Is she worth tracking down? Read on!

Rebel Reviews - VC54 ARC Trooper Commander


Very sneaky Hasbro, not too often that you can sneak a legit 2003-04 era Clone Wars figure into the line, but Hasbro has managed to get us "Fordo" into the line and on a Vintage card to boot! Is the ARC Trooper Commander a figure that you'll want?

Customizer Spotlight - 12/23/2011


Commander_Kurgan is in our spotlight today with his take on the Sector Rangers. Click here to check out some more of his work!!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

BBTS Update - 12/22/2011


Click here for an exciting update from our sponsor BigBadToyStore.com!

Rebel Reviews - VC45: Clone Trooper


We're reaching the end of our week of two-a-days for our newly renamed Rebel Reviews! David and I are finished with the Attack of the Clones wave, Vintage Collection Wave 4, and we're moving on to other Episode II figures in the rest of the collection. Should you upgrade your Phase I army to the new Clone Trooper mold?

Rebel Reviews - VC47: Fi-Ek Sirch


It's a new look for Echo Base News Reviews, now being known as Rebel Reviews! Chris and I are also going to try to do some catching up with 2011's offerings in The Vintage Collection by doing two reviews per day this week. Our Rebel Reviews marathon continues this afternoon with Fi-Ek Sirch from Wave 6. Is this update to the Nikto Jedi Knight released back in 2002's Saga Collection an exciting addition to the line? Read on!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Rebel Reviews - VC30: Zam Wesell


It's a new look for Echo Base News Reviews, now being known as Rebel Reviews! David and I are also going to try to do some catching up with 2011's offerings in The Vintage Collection by doing two reviews per day this week. Our Rebel Reviews marathon continues with Zam Wesell. Is she improved over the Sneak Preview figure way back in the day? Read on!

Rebel Reviews - VC33: Padme Amidala (Peasant Disguise)


It's a new look for Echo Base News Reviews, now known as Rebel Reviews! David and I are also going to try to do some catching up with 2011's offerings in The Vintage Collection by doing two reviews per day this week. Our Rebel Reviews marathon continues this evening with Padme' Amidala in Peasant Disguise. Should you pick her up, or keep an eye out for the $5 sale at TJ Maxx?

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Rebel Reviews - VC36: Senate Guard


It's a new look for Echo Base News Reviews, now being known as Rebel Reviews! Chris and I are also going to try to do some catching up with 2011's offerings in The Vintage Collection by doing two reviews per day this week. Our Rebel Reviews marathon continues this evening with the Senate Guard from Wave 4. Is this army builder enough of an improvement over the 2005 version to warrant a purchase? Read on!

Star Wars: The Old Republic is here!


Star Wars: The Old Republic launched today! Don't forget to pick your copy up today if you didn't pre-order it! We'd love to hear you discuss your progress in-character or story in our forums! The Old Republic Facebook page has linked to a sweet album from their launch.

Rebel Reviews - VC29: Kit Fisto


It's a new look for Echo Base News Reviews, now being known as Rebel Reviews! Chris and I are also going to try to do some catching up with 2011's offerings in The Vintage Collection by doing two reviews per day this week. Our Rebel Reviews marathon continues today with Kit Fisto from Wave 4. Have we finally got the perfect Kit Fisto figure? SPOILER ALERT: Yes! Read on!

Monday, December 19, 2011

MOAF Update - 12/19/2011


Click here for an exciting update from our sponsor ManofActionFigures.com!

Rebel Reviews - VC35: Mace Windu


It's a new look for Echo Base News Reviews, now being known as Rebel Reviews! Chris and I are also going to try to do some catching up with 2011's offerings in The Vintage Collection by doing two reviews per day this week, starting with Mace Windu from Wave 4. Will you be throwing a party over this upgrade to the purple blade-wielding Jedi, or is he not worth your time? Read on!

Rebel Reviews - VC32: Anakin Skywalker (Peasant Disguise)


Special guest review for The Vintage Collection? That's right! This week I'm looking at my TJ Maxx haul, starting with Anakin Skywalker (Peasant Disguise). Is he worth adding yet another Anakin to your collection?

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Force is with us on Facebook!


Echo Base News is also Keeping Star Wars Cool on Facebook! Click here to check out our page and please be sure to "like" us for more exciting Star Wars content and occasional giveaways for fans! 

Friday, December 16, 2011

Echo Base News Reviews - ARF Trooper & AT-RT Walker (Wal-Mart exclusive)


James Arnold Taylor interview, new layout, banner and a review AND it's Friday? Now, if only everything could work out so perfectly...like this ARF Trooper. We heard a Summer release date not too long ago, but "Keeli" and Buzz just showed up within these past two weeks! Were they worth the wait?

Echo Base News interviews James Arnold Taylor


While The Clone Wars takes a month long hiatus, we have been taking a look back at some previous interviews that we have conducted with some people who have lent their talents to making the Star Wars galaxy come alive. Now, though, I would like to post a brand new interview I feel very honored to be able to do: James Arnold Taylor! James Arnold Taylor provides the voice for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Plo Koon and has done a handful of other assorted characters. We got a VERY cool video with this interview, so click through to see the video and hear what he had to say!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

BBTS Update - 12/15/2011


Click here for an exciting update from our sponsor BigBadToyStore.com!

Two new Original Trilogy offerings from Gentle Giant!


Gentle Giant has revealed two awesome looking upcoming products from the Original Trilogy! 
Click here for a closer look at the Nien Nunb mini-bust, and click here to check out the Jumbo Vintage Hammerhead figure.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Echo Base News Reviews - Clone Trooper Buzz and BARC Speeder


Sometimes, plans don't quite work out. Sometimes products are delayed about a month, sometimes they come early, and sometimes, Wal-Mart gets two Deluxe packs with Summer release dates that don't come out until Winter. Buzz is a victim of this - was he worth the wait?

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Echo Base News interviews Artt Butler


We're not going to pretend like we know WHY The Clone Wars has taken a month hiatus (in the middle of an arc, no less), but we thought that this would be a great time to look back at our interviews with those who helped shape and voice the television show! In an excellent stroke of luck, I was able to interview Artt Butler, the voice of (during the Clone Wars) Captain Ackbar the same week as the premiere of the episode! This was an exciting interview with a newbie to the Star Wars universe and he was such a cool guy to talk with. Click here to see what he had to say about the opening to Season 4!

The Phantom Menace wave hitting retail and eBay!


Our friends at Jedi Temple Archives are reporting that figures from The Phantom Menace wave of The Vintage Collection are arriving at US retail, and some have already been listed on eBay! Click here to head over to JTA for a full list of figures that are available and to see some in-hand carded pics!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Echo Base News interviews Adrienne Wilkinson


It doesn't feel like it, but I have only been a part of this site since the beginning of the summer! My first interview was with Miss Adrienne Wilkinson, the actress who provides the voices of Maris Brood in the Force Unleashed and the Daughter in The Clone Wars during the popular Mortis Trilogy arc! Since The Clone Wars is taking an enormous month long break (right in the middle of an arc, too!) we're going to revisit some past interviews with some talented actors and actresses that helped shaped the Clone Wars galaxy! Read on to see what she had to say!

Echo Base News Reviews - CW64 R7-D4


We all know that I have a few unpopular opinions. Let's face it, I'm one of the five people who actually enjoys the Stone mold. Now, which view do I find unpopular in the Droids: to prefer this or the old mold? Well, read on and find out!


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Echo Base News interviews Tom Kane


In our first ever video interview back in May, voice actor Tom Kane discussed highlights of the first three seasons of The Clone Wars and hinted at what's to come in Season 4! Tom Kane is best known by Star Wars fans for playing Jedi Master Yoda in the series, and he also plays Admiral Yularen and does the opening narration for each episode. As Season 4 takes a month long hiatus, we're revisiting a few of our past interviews with the people who have helped bring the show's various characters to life! Click here to view the video on YouTube and be sure to share it with your friends!

Echo Base News interviews Meredith Salenger


At Star Wars Fan Days back in October, I chatted with actress Meredith Salenger about her roles in The Clone Wars, including the fan-favorite Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee and the Coruscant criminal Ione Marcy from "Lightsaber Lost." As Season 4 takes a month long hiatus, we're revisiting a few of our past interviews with the people who have helped bring the show's various characters to life! Click here to take a look back at the interview with Meredith Salenger, who will also be voicing a yet-to-be-announced new character later in Season 4!

Echo Base News interviews Sam Witwer


Back in June our much missed reporter Mike Martinez (who passed away in July) conducted a very cool interview with actor Sam Witwer that covered his Star Wars experiences starring in The Force Unleashed video game and voicing The Son in the fan-favorite Mortis story arc of The Clone Wars. Sam Witwer will also be voicing Darth Maul in his highly anticipated appearance in The Clone Wars! As Season 4 takes a month long hiatus, we're revisiting a few of our past interviews with the people who have helped bring the show's various characters to life! Read on to view the full interview again!

Echo Base News interviews Stephen Stanton


Back in May I got a chance to interview voice actor Stephen Stanton about Captain Tarkin and his other voice roles in The Clone Wars. As Season 4 takes a month-long hiatus, we're revisiting a few of our past interviews with the people who have helped bring the show's various characters to life! Read on to view the full interview again!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

MOAF Update - 12/10/2011


Click here for an exciting update from our sponsor ManofActionFigures.com!

Echo Base News interviews Alan Ruscoe


Actor Alan Ruscoe played three memorable characters in The Phantom Menace; Jedi Master Plo Koon, Neimoidian captain Daultay Dofine, and the Twi'lek Bib Fortuna. As we approach next year's exciting re-release of The Phantom Menace in 3D, I chatted with Alan about his involvement in the first Prequel movie. This interview was originally conducted back in June.

Echo Base News interviews Colin Ware


Last weekend I had the chance to conduct a very interesting interview with Colin Ware, the man behind Lushros Dofine in Revenge of the Sith and also a member of the film's make up department. Read on!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Echo Base News Reviews - CW60 Kit Fisto


When I went to find my car this morning, I was definitely reminded of why we're doing these snowy reviews.. brrrrrrrrr. How does this latest CW EU (latest, as in, second) offering stack up? Should you be interested?

Echo Base News interviews Toby Longworth


With the 3D release of The Phantom Menace just around the corner, we've conducted a brief interview with actor Toby Longworth about his contributions to the film. Read on and check it out!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Echo Base News Revisits - Anakin Skywalker in Snow Gear!


Well, we Iowans are getting our third snowfall of the year...technically, the first that's gonna stick for a while! So, to "celebrate" or celebrate (depending on how you think of snow), Echo Base is taking a look back and forward at the same time and reviewing Hasbro's Snow Gear offerings! We've looked at Snow Koon and Snowbi-Wan Kenobi, so for the rest of the week we're looking at the figures with less punderful names (Rex, Anakin and Kit). How did we rate Anakin Skywalker in Snow Gear? Go back and find out!

BBTS Update - 12/8/2011


Click here for an exciting update from our sponsor BigBadToyStore.com, including details about their Black Friday sale!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Echo Base News Reviews - CW53 Plo Koon (in Snow Gear)


Not sure if there's anybody who isn't aware, but Snow Koon and the to-be-reviewed Kit Fisto make up the first CW EU to be released in the basic line! (The BARC with side-car was featured in a storyline about slavery, giving its ideas to the current arc.) Is Plo worth it?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Answers are in for Hasbro Q&A!


The answers are here for the most recent round of Hasbro's Star Wars Q&A. Please note, this is the last session for 2011. Hopefully the wonderful program will continue in 2012, but I digress. Read on for the answers!

Echo Base News Revisits - Obi-Wan Kenobi (Cold Weather Gear)


What happens when you mix college finals, freshmen and snow? Well, you miss a Monday review and you instead get a whole five days of snow related reviews! Today and Thursday, we will revisit reviews of Snowbi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin and Rex in Snow Gear from their appearance in "Trespass" and tomorrow and Friday will feature reviews of the new Snow Koon and Kit Fisto in Snow Gear figures! Did you need reminded of the snow? Well, stick to Echo Base and enjoy!!