[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_facebook type=”button_count”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][vc_tweetmeme share_via=”YinzBuy”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″ css=”.vc_custom_1653711658128{margin-top: -5px !important;}”][vc_pinterest][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I love Star Wars, and I tend to collect things (perfect storm, I know). So, of course I’ve been interested in getting my hands on the Black Series collectable figures. Tracking them down and realizing the vast number of them has led me to wonder: why are Black Series figures so expensive?
After all, the average retail cost of a Black Series figure ranges from $20 – $40 USD. However, that’s just the cost of the currently available characters. Like most collectibles, they’re retired after a period. Then, you’ll see prices go up as the third party sellers and collector market drives it.
Outside of the Black Series, Star Wars figures are found for as little as $5 per character. So, I decided to find out what drives the increased cost of the Black Series, and decide for myself if it was really worth it.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Reasons Why the Black Series Figures Are So Expensive
- Limited Supply
- Correct Scale
- Overall Size
- Official Licensing
- Attention to Detail
- Character Specific Accessories Included
- Expansive Collection/Character Availability
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Limited Supply & Getting Your Hands on a Black Series Figure
One of the biggest reasons for Black Series figure expense boils down to the age-old model of supply and demand. If more people want one than are currently available to purchase, the cost will go up. Third party resellers and scalpers will take advantage of a desperate collector and drive up the price.
So, what causes the issue in the first place? Well, as it turns out, Hasbro, the makers of the Black Series collectibles, has a lot of the blame here. When new characters are announced, they offer timed pre-orders. If you miss out on this very precise window and limited quantity, you need to wait for the official release.
Once the figure actually hits the open market, collectors will flock to major retailers to try and get their hands on one. After spending many years working in retail, I can personally tell you this is a nightmare. Stores get limited stock, if any, and it sells out extremely fast. That’s not even counting store exclusives, which only make it to some retailers. It’s a literal needle in the haystack.
If you don’t happen to find one in this time period, then you’re facing third party resellers: namely, people who were able to get their hands on one or more, and are now willing to sell it to you. However, they’re going to want more money than the retail price, driven by limited supply.
A lot depends on the character as well. Iconic, household names (looking at you, Darth Vader) are going to have a lot more demand than less mainstream characters. I can waltz up and find a Black Series Greedo without issue. Don’t worry Greedo, I still love you (for not shooting first!).
50th Anniversary Black Series Greedo
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The Look of the Black Series Figures
Another main factor in the expense of the Black Series figures is simply the “correctness” of them. Instead of knockoffs that are out of proportion, wrongly colored, or sloppily done, expect the Black Series to deliver consistent, quality figures.
They’re officially licensed by Star Wars, meaning that the characters will be true to screen look, and not altered in some way to attempt to skirt the issue.
50th Anniversary Black Series Darth Maul
Black Series figures are 6” tall and offer an accurate 1:12 scale model. This puts them on the larger end of most action figures, and keeps them consistent with a lot of the Marvel characters available. Not that I need to start another collection…
Of course, you’ll find larger sized dolls and articulated toys available. In terms of a true action figure, though, this is a great size to enjoy the details.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Inclusion of Character Movement and Themed Accessories
The inclusion of articulated limbs and detachable, rearrangeable accessories is another thing that makes the Black Series figures special, and worthy of the expense.
Sure, you could find one-piece, pre-molded figures for a better price, but one of my favorite things to do is use my figures to recreate iconic scenes. Without an array of accessories and poseable joints, that wouldn’t be an option.
Black Series Han Solo #08
The Black Series figures feature an average of 1-3 accessories per character, depending on the complexity of their outfit. For instance:
- Princess Leia keeps it simple by only packing along the Medal of Bravery from A New Hope
- Han Solo arrives with a blaster rifle and blaster pistol accessories, as well as the matching holsters. He’s ready for any type of firefight!
- Jar Jar Binks comes with a shield, an Atlatl for booma throwing, and a Cesta javelin-style accessory. Surely one of these is going to work out for him, right?
If you’re purely a collector that leaves figures untouched in the box, maybe you won’t be as invested in the included accessories. For me, the immersive and accurate experience is the part I enjoy most.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Excellent Character Availability and Expansive Collection Options
Having an extensive selection of characters available is both a blessing and a curse for collectors. In fact, there are over 500 Black Series figures in the collection, with more already announced.
So, why does this contribute to why Black Series figures are so expensive? If you want to have a complete collection, at an average retail price of $30 each x 500 figures, that’s $15,000 USD.
Let’s not forget that that’s an ideal world where you can track down all of the characters and find them in stock for retail costs. Add in third party prices on the resale market, and you’ll be looking at even more.
Even if you wanted to pick a particular character to collect, it’s still significant. For instance, there are 19 Han Solo Black Series figures (so far, anyway). If Han is your favorite character and you’re only collecting him, you’re still looking at a bare minimum of $570 for his figures alone.
I, like many collectors, enjoy the thrill of the hunt and always aim to get the best deals – even on rarer figures. However, any way you look at it, a true collector is going to find that completionist scenario expensive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Are the Black Series Figures Worth Anything?
When you’re going to be dropping that kind of cash on a collection, it’s normal to ask: are the Black Series figures worth anything? Will they appreciate in value enough to pay your kid’s college tuition?
The short answer is: no, it is unlikely that the Black Series figures will be worth anything, at least until some time passes. Rare and exclusive figures though will see their value increase in a significantly shorter amount of time.
This is based on that same concept of supply and demand. The Black Series only began in 2013, so there is still a reliable supply of them. Star Wars figures that are worth more money are those produced back in the 1970’s when the movies first debuted.
Black Series Princess Leia Organa Yavin 4
They’re obviously no longer produced and more likely to have been lost, damaged, etc, which means the supply has lowered.
That being said, getting an extremely rare release or holding onto a Black Series figure for the next 50 years could net you a similar result![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Do Black Series figures go up in value?
Like most collectibles, the Black Series figures do, and will continue to, go up in value over time. The more time that has passed since a release, the greater demand will become, and prices will rise.
Additionally, figures that were released as part of a special event (such as a Comic Con) or released to a specific retailer will go up in value sooner. This is because items with extremely limited quantities like that means supply will run out sooner.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
What is the rarest Black Series figure?
Currently, the rarest Black Series figure is the Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite 2-pack.
This was actually one of the first 10 Black Series releases ever, back in 2013. What makes it rarer than the other 9 releases that year was that it was limited to only the San Diego Comic Con for purchase.
In the current market, this Boba & Han set is selling for around $400!
2013 Boba Fett and Carbonite Han Solo
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Are the Black Series Figures Worth the Cost?
Ultimately, Black Series figures are worth the cost, if:
- You are a Star Wars fan and collector
- Poseable characters with good detail is important
- A vast collection with a lot of variety is appreciated
- Searching for and obtaining rare figures excites you
In addition to the figures, the Black Series contains a lot of other collectibles to really fuel your collecting ability. There’s an entire line of vehicles, character helmets, and even lightsabers to explore!
If you’re into lightsabers, we’ve taken an in-depth look at how much lightsabers cost, from Disney to the Black Series and more!
Check out our full review of the Boba Fett Black Series helmet. This wearable helmet features electronics to make you feel like the bounty hunter himself!
Relive Luke Skywalker’s iconic trench run by building the LEGO Red 5 helmet as a part of their Star Wars Helmets collection!
Love accurate movie replica collectibles? If so, then check out the Ghostbusters Plasma Series Neutrona Wand made to look just like Spengler’s from Afterlife!
