Here Is Everything We Know About The Black Series 2019!
1/1/2019 The Black Series Hasbro
By Christian "Criz Bee" Bortz
Here is a look at everything that we know thus far of Hasbro's The Black Series 6" line for 2019. We predict that we'll see most of the figures before the Summer is over, because Disney/Lucasfilm and Hasbro will certainly gear up for Star Wars: Episode IX in the Fall with figures based on the new Star Wars movie.
Let's take a look at what has been officially announced for 2019.
Black Series XL
Hasbro announced during New York Comic Con 2018 that a new format will join The Black Series family called Black Series XL. This gives us fans the opportunity to get figures in the Black Series which are bigger and taller. This is similar to the Gamorrean Guard and Moloch figures which are currently exclusively available at Target stores. With the bigger format however comes a bigger price, which is set at $29.99. We don't know yet if those figures will be numbered.
The very first figure which we can look forward to is the fan-favorite General Grievous from Star Wars: Revenge Of The Sith. The figure will come with a premium soft-goods cape which has pockets on the inside for all the lightsaber hilts. General Grievous will have two arms which can be extended out into a four arm battle stance, and Hasbro will include four lightsabers and a droid blaster. The figure will be out in Spring 2019 and it is not exclusive.
Black Series Archive
Just like the Black Series XL series, The Black Series Archive line will be all new for 2019. The Black Series Archive series is a way for Hasbro to bring back popular figures to new fans. In some cases Black Series figures which have not been available at retail for several years go for a premium on the secondary market ($100+), and this is a good way for Hasbro to bring those figures out again, and give new fans the opportunity to acquire them at regular retail prices. Every figure will be released on a blister card and all human figures will utilize Hasbro's photo real face printing technology. Even Yoda will be given the photo real treatment, and the figure looks outstanding in person.
It was announced that 2019 will see a limited run of seven figures, which are Boba Fett, IG-88, Bossk, Luke Skywalker (X-Wing Pilot), Yoda (Original Trilogy likeness), Biker Scout and Anakin Skywalker from Episode III.
The back of the packaging will pay homage to the first released version of the figure.
Black Series Centerpiece
The Black Series Centerpiece line is on hold currently and no new diorama sets have been announced for 2019.
Black Series Exclusives
Hasbro has announced several exclusive Black Series figures for 2019 already. All three figures listed here will include a new clear see-through display stand which will function like a "slipper". Gamestop/ThinkGeek will have an exclusive Black Series Rocket Trooper from Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: Battlefront II in Spring 2019.
Target stores will have an exclusive Luke Skywalker Black Series figure based on Star Wars: A New Hope. The figure was first shown in a Hasbro diorama during San Diego Comic Con 2017. Luke will be in Imperial Stormtrooper disguise and have wet hair, just the way we saw Luke in the Trash Compactor on the first Death Star. The figure will come with an Imperial blaster rifle, a communicator and removable Stormtrooper helmet.
A highlight for fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be the Black Series Obi-Wan Kenobi figure which will be exclusively available at Walgreens stores in Fall of 2019. This is the first time Hasbro's photo real face printing technology will be used on an Obi-Wan Kenobi figure. Even though the Fall 2019 release date is vague, it should be in stores by the time Lucasfilm/Disney releases brand new Clone Wars episodes on the Disney streaming service.
Black Series Vehicles/Creatures
Hasbro has made no announcements for new creatures or vehicles for 2019, and even though this assortment isn't the fastest seller, the collecting community seems to embrace what Hasbro has released so far. We've enjoyed all releases in this assortment and the 2018 Dewback and Enfys Nest with Swoop Bike are fantastic, so let's keep our fingers crossed that we'll see more in 2019.
Black Series Basic Figures
Hasbro has released several images of Black Series 6" figures coming to the basic assortment in 2019. We don't have the numbering for the figures yet, but we do have press images, and in some cases additional information. In 2019 we'll see Vice Admiral Holdo from Star Wars: The Last Jedi, a Battle Droid and Jedi Master Mace Windu from Star Wars: Episode I, Padme Amidala from Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones, Dryden Vos and Han Solo (Mudtrooper) from Solo: A Star Wars Story, Ezra Bridger and Chopper from Star Wars: Rebels, Doctor Aphra, 0-0-0 and BT-1 from the Doctor Aphra comic book series.
Dryden Vos looks interesting because the figure will change the color of the facial scars depending on the room temperature. Chopper looks amazing as well, he'll come with an additional stand so that he can be displayed standing or in flying mode. The Black Series Ezra figure will have the likeness from the first seasons of Star Wars: Rebels and it will feature the new neck with a tripple ball-joint. Doctor Aphra is an entirely new interpretation of the character (it's not simply up-scaled from The Vintage Collection 3 3/4" figure), Tripple Zero will come with an extra set of hands and the Han Solo Mudtrooper figure will come with a helmet so that it can function as a troop builder figure as well as Han Solo.
Summary For 2019
We are excited going into 2019! Hasbro has officially announced 22 Black Series 6" figures, which is a lot, and we expect all 22 figures to be out before the Episode IX push starts in Fall of 2019.
For a complete guide to Hasbro's The Black Series action figure line have a look here please: Star Wars The Black Series.