Roundup: StarWars.com adds Episode VII section

Episode VII on StarWars.comStarWars.com. A year and change after the announcement, the official site has added a section for Episode VII. (via)

Actors. It’s not that really a big surprise that J.J. Abrams wouldn’t be talking to Samuel L. Jackson or Ewan MacGregor regarding Episode VII, but Mark Hamill? So said Jackson in a recent David Letterman appearance, anyway.

Billy Dee and Rebels? Maybe not so fast on that rumor that Billy Dee Williams will be doing a voice on Rebels. Lightsaber Rattling quotes the full conversation.

Horrors. I originally clicked in this expecting to think ‘I’ve seen worse,’ but io9 may be right: This might really be be the ugliest Star Wars shirt ever.

Up close with Hasbro’s Black Series Mara Jade

Black series Mara Jade (Yakface.com)

Yakface has posted a look at the new Black Series Mara Jade figure in their Toyguide. I’m afraid the 80’s hair isn’t much better in these pics.

Black series Mara Jade (Yakface.com)Black series Mara Jade (Yakface.com)Black series Mara Jade (Yakface.com)

There’s a hefty gallery that gives you a good look at the figure… We’ve already gone over our disappointment over the catsuit, but how does the new figure compare to the previous ones, in your eyes? They provided a picture to compare and everything:

Mara Jade figures from 1998, 2007 and 2013 (Yakface.com)

The previous figure are from 1998, left, and 2007, center. Thanks to Yakface for permission to run a few of the pictures – head over to their gallery for many, many more.

UPDATE: Yakface has an easy fix for the, ahh, head issue.

Her Universe celebrating Ashley’s birthday with new tee, Ahsoka sale

hu-cupcakesIt’s Ashley Eckstein’s birthday, and Her Universe is celebrating by debuting a new ‘Come to the dark side – we have cupcakes‘ t-shirt, plus 40% off on all Ahsoka Tano-themed items and free Her Universe lanyards with every order. The birthday specials run through Sunday.

Ashley will also be appearing on the RebelForce Radio podcast tonight (7pm PST/10pm EST) for a “birthday bash.”

Celebration Europe: a trip around the store!

The Celebration Store had its soft open on Thursday night, with exhibitors, VIPs, and Jedi Master level-badge holders getting a shot to pick up their Celebration merchandise. Her Universe’s shop was part of the Celebration store, and Ashley Eckstein was on hand to give us a tour of the Her Universe gear at Celebration. Plus shirts, football/soccer gear, barware, and a visit from Admiral Ackbar?

Several of my fellow convention attendees enabled my shopping, and I escaped there with a ton of damage to my credit card bill. But I did show off my new Boba Fett messenger bag to Jeremy Bulloch!

UPDATE: Here are the Thursday photos!

Our first look at Kotobukiya’s Mara Jade

Sketch for Kotobukiya's Mara Jade statue

Sure, she’s in the catsuit, because of course she is, but it’s still pretty neat. This sketch, by Shunya Yamashita, was posted on the Kotobukiya Facebook today. (Thanks to @ASMzine for bringing it to our attention!)

Kotobukiya will be part of the Star Wars: Collectibles Update panel Friday at SDCC. Mara will be their second EU figure – Jaina Solo was the first.

UPDATE 7/19: According to reports from SDCC, the Mara statue will be out February 2014, and the Jaina one will be re-released.