Rewatch: Rogue One A Star Wars Story

 Rogue One: Rogue One was always the movie we needed in the Star Wars universe.  It gave us fans such hope in the franchise.  Just a great movie leading up to an iconic moment.  Having just finished Andor I had to watch this again, right?  I watched it Friday night and it does hit differently after watching Andor.  Andor is great and perfect lead in to Rogue One.  The movie carries much of the same tone and pays off all that the rebellion went through in the series.  I like this movie so much I've only seen it a few times.  And I'm glad that's the case.  I really enjoyed it and much was like new again.  The way it should be.  I'll stop gushing but it was a fun week for a Star Wars nerd.  

Star Wars Black Series Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati

 

Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati are figures from Ahsoka television series.   These are both excellent characters, so I jumped on the figures when they were released.

I think this is a great figure.  The detail is really good.  It looks like the actor. I like how his armor looks.  Just so good.

Shin Hati's figure isn't bad, but it seems to suffer when next to the Baylan Skoll figure. The face doesn't look near as good comparatively.

 Baylan Skoll is a former Jedi Knight who now serves the remnants of the Empire, specifically the witch Morgan Elsbeth as she tries to bring back Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Shin Hati is Skoll's apprentice.

The backs of each are fine.  No issues here.

While I do like the Baylan figure more, I'm overall happy with both of these figures.  The actor playing Skoll has sadly passed, and his character was recast.  Still, I'm excited for season two of Ahsoka which is rumored to be released next year.

2022 Hro DC: Unlock the Multiverse: Chapter 2 Starter Box

 2022 HRO DC Ch2: I liked the Black Adam movie and still think it was more a victim of what happened to the DC movie universe as a whole as opposed to the movie itself.  

These cards by HRO also had a digital presence.  Looks like HRO has gone out of business.  I do like these cards.  They utilize good art, or in the case of Black Adam which had been recently released, publicity photos and/or art.  I'm fan of all three of these characters so another win here.

That first card is an Iconic Symbols card.  I like the simple look and how the art is the focus.

The back of each physical card contains a QR code that would connect to a digital copy, or "Twin," on the Hro marketplace app. The app and website enabled users to buy, sell, and trade the digital assets with other community members. Monthly digital-only pack drops and collection rewards were available through the Hro app and marketplace. (the site and apps are no longer available)

I couldn't find a great checklist for this set.  Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be uncommon with some of these sets.

Had these for little over a year but for some reason I'm just getting around to showing them off.  Just lots of cool stuff.

I like the variety in this box.  HRO DC cards are still available on Amazon and aren't expensive.  I'm sure other resellers have them as well.  Some cards go for high prices on eBay.  I can't find the cards numbers from eBay on the checklist, so I'm not sure how they fall into these sets.

Again, with the movie coming out during the timeframe this chapter was released, it was Black Adam heavy.  I like that.  I miss getting cards from the movies and this will be as close as we get for Black Adam.  I really like the bottom center JSA card.  Pierce Brosnan was such a great Dr. Fate.

Fun box of cards.  I'll get more of these.  Either in the form of sets from eBay or more boxes to open.  I think the grandsons will enjoy opening packs.

BREAKDOWN:
58 – Total Cards
20 – Black Adam Movie
15 - Common
11 – Uncommon
10 – Holo Cards
6 – Superior
5 – Epic Holo
1 – Legendary

Andor Season 2

 Andor: Just wow.  While season 1 was a bit of a slow burn this season they went all in.  I can't recommend Andor enough.  It is one of the best series or movies in the Star Wars universe.  The characters, the story, the pace, scenes, moments.  At first, I was against them releasing three episodes a week, but it really worked.  While watching episode 9 I texted a buddy and said the boss will have find a replacement for me.  I just sent my resume into the Rebellion.  The series will take you right up to Rogue One which is on my re-watchlist for the weekend.  I could drone on and on about who and what I like about this series.  Needless to say, I highly recommend Andor.

Random Wax: 2024-2025 Donruss Basketball

24-25 Donruss:   Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may well be the MVP this season.  He led the league in scoring as well as free throws and fields goals per game, while shooting 51% from the field and 37% from deep.

All three of these players helped get their teams into the second round.  Tatum and the Celtics have struggled while Edwards and Haliburton, and their respective teams have done well.

That Nikola Topic is a Holo Green Laser Parallel.

Under contract through the 2025-2026 season, Austin Reaves will likely not take his player option for 2026-2027 ($14M) and will look to secure a big payday with LA or another team.  By then LA should be in the midst of rebuilding around Luka, so it'll be interesting how this plays out.

Good pack of cards and a good pull.  I'm really enjoying the playoffs.  We've had some surprises and some really good games.  Fun time of the year.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
5 – Rated Rookie
2 – Holo Green Laser Parallel
1 – Franchise Features

Random Wax: 2025 Topps Baseball Hanger Box

2025 Topps:  Shohei Ohtani is having another great year.  What this guy has done is nothing short of amazing.

Cutch cards are always good pulls but I'm not sure about that alternate jersey.  This design is solid and one I like.

Jackson Merrill has been red hot this season even though he's already missed over a month due to injury.

Here we have a Checklist card.  Topps gives us fun photos on these.

All three of these are good photos.  India's is my favorite.  He looks like he's been very busy in that game.

Team card.

That Rocchio card is a Diamante Foil Parallel.  I pulled two of those in this box.

I like the information we get on the Team card backs.  I say it every time, but we really do need the numbers in the team leader's section.

A couple of Jazz Chisholm Jr. inserts in the form of 2024 Greatest Hits and 1990 Topps Baseball inserts.  I like seeing season highlights on cards and this retro 1990 look.

Seth Lugo and Hunter Greene are having good seasons and Nolan Arenado is trying to have a bounce back year.

Some horizontal love.

Stars of MLB are more colorful this year and I like that.  Fun box of cards.  Plenty of stars and some players I'm a fan of.

BREAKDOWN:
59 – Total Cards
10 – RC
4 – Stars of MLB
2 – Team Cards
2 - Diamante Foil
1 - Checklist
1 – Holo Foil
1 – Rookie Cup
1 – Future Stars
1 – Greatest Hits
1 – 1990 Topps Baseball

2024 Panini Zenith Football

 2024 Zenith: One of the biggest "What If" stories in NFL history, Bo was nothing short of spectacular in the short time he was in the league.

This Zenith design is much different than year's past and really has a Pinnacle design to me.  I like it even though it wasn't at all what I thought I'd find.

Zero stats or player information on the back but I still really like these backs.  The photo with the helmet is great.

Nice pull with the Brock Bowers RC.  I'll pick up more of these cards so maybe I'll get a Jayden Daniels at some point.

Looks like you get one retired great from each team.  I always enjoy retired greats, so it makes me happy especially when I get to see Bucco Bruce on cardboard.

My one insert was this A to Z of Sterling Sharpe.  I'm seeing him in more sets lately which is great. Good cards and you'll be seeing more of these from me sometime in the future.

BREAKDOWN:
30 – Total Cards
8 – Retired Greats
5 – RC
1 – A to Z