There are a lot of unanswered questions by the time the credits roll on Star Wars: The Force Awakens but if there is anything the film leaves us with that’s unequivocal, it’s that Rey is the main character of the story. She is also, hands-down, the best character in the movie. You know it. I know it. But unfortunately, the marketing department behind Star Wars either has their Mickey ears pulled too far down over their eyes to see what’s obvious to the rest of the world, or they didn’t think that a female character can garner the kind of merchandise demand male characters can.
Guess what happened? #WheresRey became a thing in the wake of Rey being ergregiously left out of lots of Force Awakens-themed merchandise where she clearly belonged. Target hilariously released a six-action figure pack that included: Poe, Finn, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, a First Order Stormtrooper, and a First Order TIE Fighter Pilot. You know, all those important narrative anchors from the film. Never mind that the person for whom the title references is not present there. After that, Hasbro caught flack for releasing a Force Awakens Monopoly set featuring Finn, Luke, Vader, and Kylo, but has since promised that another version with Rey is forthcoming. Hell hath no fury like Rey fanatics scorned.
But while the #WheresRey movement is an important one in terms of showing these merchandizing bozos where the demand really lies, it is also not meant to be a blanket statement that there is no Rey merchandise available. We here at Talking Comics have compiled some of the most awesome Rey-centric swag we could find:
APPAREL
- Rey Costume For Kids
- BBFFs T-Shirt
- Rey Group Girls Hi-Lo Top [Author’s Note: Someone thought Rey must really like droids.]
- Star Wars Girls’ BB-8 and Rey Girls Short-Sleeve Graphic Tee
- Star Wars Girls’ Rey w/Weapon Short-Sleeve Graphic Tee
- Star Wars Retro Rey and BB-8 Men’s Graphic T-Shirt
- Rey Sleep Set for Girls
- Rey Sublimated Art Tee for Girls
GAMES
- Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition: Star Wars The Force Awakens Playset [Author’s Note: There is a potential spoiler regarding Rey’s lineage within a line of dialogue in this game that is not presented in the film, so play and purchase at your own risk!]
- Pinball FX2 – Star Wars Pinball: The Force Awakens Pack [Author’s Note: This add-on is also available on consoles and is out on Jan 12]
- Star Wars Hands Down Game
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Duels Card Game
- Star Wars Guess Who?
- Star Wars Chess Set [Author’s Note: Rey is the Queen—the best character gets the best chess piece, seems fair.]
BOOKS
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Novelization
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Before the Awakening [Author’s Note: This is written by Talking Comics favorite Greg Rucka and features images from Phil Noto!]
- World of Reading (Level 1) – Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Rey Meets BB-8 [Author’s Note: I want to go back in time and make this the first book I ever read.]
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Rey’s Survival Guide (Replica Journal)
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Coloring and Activity Books (w/STICKERS!)
TOYS & DOLLS (OKAY FINE, “ACTION FIGURES”)
- Rey’s Lightsaber
- Rey and BB-8 Elite Series Die-Cast 6” Figures
- Star Wars Black Series Rey Figure
- Rey’s Speeder LEGO Set
- Millenium Falcon LEGO Set (feat. Rey, Han Solo, BB-8, & more)
- Rey LEGO Figure
- Funko POP! Rey [Author’s Note: There is a Hot Topic exclusive “scavenger” version available as well—if you can find it!]
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Deluxe Figure Playset
- Rey Wacky Wobbler
MISC.
- itty bittys Rey Stuffed Animal
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Rey 6’ Standup
- Rey Poster Print
- Rey Badge Poster
- RoomMates Rey Giant Wall Decal
