One of the cool aspects of
The Vintage Collection is that this line includes not only the classic characters from the Original Trilogy, but Lucasfilm has also opened up the doors to include characters from the Prequel Trilogy as well! So this is a fun mix for longtime fans who fondly remember the classic cardbacks, as well as new fans who enjoy the prequel characters.
The second wave features characters from
Revenge of the Sith, since that's the most recent movie that is still fresh in people's minds. In addition, there's an additional figure carried over from the canceled
A New Hope-themed wave, just in time to bulk up fans' troops.
"Free" Boba Fett Offer:
The offer continues with this wave. Much like the first wave, the stickers are removable.
"Ultimate Galactic Hunt" Foil Variants:
Although not specifically called UGHs, there are silver foil chase variants for each figure in this wave, as well as carry-forwards from select figures from wave 1. If this type of thing appeals to you, happy hunting. I purposely went out of my way to find the non-foil versions because I open my toys anyway, so there is no appeal for me to have a foil logo on my cardbacks.
VC12: Darth Sidious:
 | Kicking off this wave is an all-new figure of Darth Sidious from his dramatic duel in the Senate against Jedi Master Yoda. This figure has been at the top of many fan polls over the years, and frankly, it's shocking that we didn't get this figure sooner. While it's not 100% film-accurate, there's a lot to love here: the figure is super-articulated, the facial detail is downright frightening, and there's even a snap-on Force lightning bolt.
The lightning doesn't stay on very well, which doesn't bother me so much...Sidious looks better without it. The soft goods are pretty cool as well, although the black "coat" is very poofy, due to the material chosen. He looks more like he's wearing a mink coat instead of a Sith robe.
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VC13: Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader):
 | Here's the first of the "refreshed" figures in this wave...the bulk of this figure is from the TAC 2008 release, with the addition of new arms and head with "Sith Eyes" from Mustafar.
Which brings up an important point...this is technically a "Darth Vader" figure, since Anakin became Vader by the time he went to Mustafar. This is something that will be reflected in a future release, so look for the title to eventually change.
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VC14: Sandtrooper (Sergeant):
 | This Sandtrooper figure is the inevitable "Greatest Hits" repack of the figure from last year's exclusive Dewback set. The figure now includes a BlasTech T-21 Light Repeating Blaster Rifle, which is a challenge to get the figure to hold it properly.
If you haven't gotten your fill of Sandtroopers the past few years, or if you missed out on the Dewback set, this is a must-have. Even if you have, you should still get this, since this is one figure that should have been made 32 years ago in the original Kenner line. Granted, a "dirty" deco and the scanners that are on the card would have made this figure better, but it's still pretty great.
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VC15: Clone Trooper:
 | Another inevitable release, this kit-bashed figure features the body of the Clone Trooper from the Gelagrub Battle Pack, with the left arm from another Clone Trooper figure, making it a generic white clone. The helmet is missing a few details, which will no doubt be changed in future releases.
The added articulation of the ball-hinged hips allow for more possible poses, so this is sure to be the basis for all future clones going forward.
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VC16: Obi-Wan Kenobi:
 | This "Greatest Hits" figure is one we have seen MANY times over the years, and it's still a great figure. If you missed it before, then you should pick this up, because it's got nearly every accessory from the movie. But there's really nothing new here for longtime collectors.
The only thing that really detracts from this figure are the hinges in the ankles being the wrong color. It's an unfortunate trend over the years to have these, because they really stick out as just being wrong.
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VC17: General Grievous:
 | Here's an interesting release. This was supposed to be part of the 2009 Legacy Collection, but it was canceled...no doubt to take advantage of the cool cardback of TVC! As far as the figure itself goes, Hasbro has made a few changes to this "refreshed" figure, including adding wrist articulation and a new deco. Otherwise, this is essentially the same figure from The Legacy Collection, just with an added accessory...a cape.
Oh, but what a cape it is! The dual-sided cape is pretty sweet, especially because of the inner pockets where extra lightsaber hilts can be stored.
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VC18: MagnaGuard:
 | The other NEW figure in this wave is surprising just how good it is.
With a brand-new sculpt and NO action features, this update of "Grevious' Bodyguard" is fantastic. multiple points of articulation allow for some dynamic poses and the addition of a soft goods cape is a nice touch. Not to mention the cool Electrostaff accessory, which includes a neat energy effect on each end that is removable.
No doubt this will be repainted down the road so we'll have the other deco from the film, but you'll want to add this to your must-buy list.
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VC19: Clone Commander Cody:
 | I hate to admit it, but I do not like this figure. I didn't like it in 2006 when it was released in The Saga Collection, and I didn't like last year's release either, despite many improvements such as added articulation and detail.
This figure is a cross between "Greatest Hits" and "refresh", because there have been some paint changes and the belt has finally been corrected (although the peghole for Obi-Wan's lightsaber still doesn't work.)
No, the reason I dislike all Cody figures is because that damn jetpack won't stay on! If you breath to hard next to him, it falls off. Not fun.
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Stay tuned for more updates later tonight on the official
Rebelscum.com Facebook page as I head back into the studio for more photos of this second wave from
The Vintage Collection!
 "Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader)")
 "Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader)")
 "Sandtrooper (Sergeant)")
 "Sandtrooper (Sergeant)")
