I don't normally buy myself specific things during the holiday season, but there was a very minimal chance that I'd find these under the tree so I shelled out the cash at Toys R Us when I went looking for minifigs:

Stars Skrall for $5. Probably the only Stars I would get, I was happy to find him at a good price. Black swords (both types), the helmet...

But here's the kicker:

When I recommended the Hero Factory 2.0 in the Staff Gift Recommendations I didn't think they would actually be available. But TRU also had Furno 2.0, Breeze 2.0, and, what I picked up, Evo 2.0. (I'm holding out for the white set at the least, and maybe the orange one.) What threw me off first was that they all have an orange lid.

I really enjoy the new pieces and the way the armor attaches to the limbs. What is also interesting is all the connections using minifig-sized rods (think lightsaber blades). I look forward to taking advantage of those. The lack of technic pin holes is slightly offsetting, but these look to have other uses that it will provide a fun, new building experience.

-CF