star wars "saga"

[anarky]

I think they're re-launching the "classic" line on vintage-style cards. I know they made a big deal about doing something to get lapsed collectors back, and about AOTC figures on vintage cards for the first time. (I'm guessing that means no TPM or ROTS waves.)

It sort of reminds me of the post-ROC GIJoe line, Pursuit of Cobra. It was pushed back to fall because, as they said, retailers have plenty of stock on hand. That's no joke. Aside from the stuff I've bought and what went on clearance, I think all the local Targets still have exactly the same Joe stock they had in July.

[Ran]

Same here. It seems like they couldn't keep the 25th Anniversary basic figures on the pegs, but the movie line is peg warming more worse the Indiana Jones line. Maybe that is part of their logic switching to Star Wars vintage cards.

[Senor JabbaJohnL]

I think they're re-launching the "classic" line on vintage-style cards. I know they made a big deal about doing something to get lapsed collectors back, and about AOTC figures on vintage cards for the first time. (I'm guessing that means no TPM or ROTS waves.)

Well, originally it sounded like AOTC was going to be the first wave out, but now I guess they switched it to ESB for the 30th anniversary and everything, so I bet that's why AOTC was singled out on that slide. It seems like ESB and AOTC are getting waves this year, and then the other four are getting waves in 2011, from what they've said in past Q&As.

The news from the Q&As today was the epitome of a mixed bag. We got confirmation on the AT-AT, Jabba, vintage line, Dack, Cloud Car Pilot, and a bunch of other stuff, but we also got more than enough doom and gloom. Fuck.

[anarky]

Ah, gotcha. I forgot that a slowed-down line relaunching in the fall meant only a couple of waves in 2010. I'm betting either A) the entire line bombs because people have forgotten about it (hope not and doubt it), or B) everything keeps getting wiped out so quickly, we see the first two 2011 waves by December (far more likely, especially with a very long break to clear out current stock).

I also bet a lot of the HTF stuff will continue hitting if, as Hasbro says, the stock exists. It might turn up at closeout stores in late 2010 or early 2011, too.

[Ran]

So what you guys are saying is that, as an OT collector, my shopping this year is going to be very short. One ESB wave, a couple vehicles, and a Jabba?

And that ESB wave consists of Bespin Luke, Hoth Leia, Deng:arrr:, AT-AT Commander, Dack, and a Cloud Car Pilot.

What's left to be revealed at Toy Fair?

[anarky]

Hopefully Jaxxon.

[Senor JabbaJohnL]

Well, it's still possible that they have some other stuff that we don't know about yet, like in the exclusives program or something. I really wonder how much they're going to show at Toy Fair, what with Comic Con and Celebration V coming up in the summer (they said they wouldn't show Jabba until CV, which means I'll see it first in person and literally shit and jizz my pants right then and there).

[anarky]

JJL's note to self: bring extra pants to CV.

[anarky]

AT-AT specs have been released:

STAR WARS AT-AT
(Approximate Retail Value: $99.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)
In space, size does matter, and Hasbro certainly kept that in mind when creating its all-new, highly detailed STAR WARS AT-AT. The AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) played a significant role in the Empire’s military assault in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and it will play an equally important role in every fan’s toy collection this year! Measuring more than 24 inches tall, nearly 28 inches long, and 12 inches wide, this colossal vehicle holds up to 20 STAR WARS figures – 6 of which can fit in its head alone! – and includes so many play and electronic features true to its on-screen counterpart that it’s hard to believe! From the zip-line in its body and articulated legs for superb poseability, to its LED lights and authentic movie sounds and phrases, this is the must-have addition for STAR WARS fans of all ages. Includes a 3 ¾ inch AT-AT driver action figure and a pop-out speeder bike.

I'm underwhelmed. Sorry. Can't be excited about this.

Why? Because the fucking thing is 24" tall and 12" wide, a height/width ratio of just 2:1. That has to be the fucking fattest AT-AT of all time. It's somewhat amusing to see that, already, the same people who complain that fucking Djas Puhr's holster is five degrees off from how it doesn't appear in the movie are ecstatic, simply because it's a new AT-AT.

The way I see it, if there was already a mold that cost about $90 the last time it was released, if you're going to re-do it from scratch and make a $100 vehicle, I want that fucker to be absolutely perfect, or at least as close as is humanly possible to do in plastic.

Instead of size, they go for flashy shit, probably because Hasbro still hasn't figured out what market research companies figured out ages ago (but aren't going to tell stupid toy companies who think otherwise because they pay a lot): kids are so easily led during market research sessions, because they don't understand it's not a question of right and wrong, and always say what they think the execs want to hear. (Which is why we got all our AOTC figures with dumbass action features, because the kids are given toys with rockets and shit, and so they think they're supposed to praise the dumb shit, when they really want what we want: decent fucking figures.)

[Senor JabbaJohnL]

I don't know. The picture that leaked a few weeks ago looked pretty good, if it was indeed the Hasbro version.

I wouldn't write it off based solely on the description of it, but those dimensions do seem wonky. Toy Fair is only ten days away, so we'll see it then.

[anarky]

Unless they made a typo in the description, there's no fucking way that thing is what they said: 12" wide and 24" tall. It also looks, though it's tough to tell, that that one is slightly taller than it is long, not jiving with 24" tall and 28" long.

I did think of one possibility: it could be 12" wide with open hatches, or some stupid add-on rocket launchers, or something. That could make me reconsider.

[Slicker]

That thing still looks like shit. It looks the same as the old one and has that huge fucking head which has always bothered me.

[Ran]

That thing is goofy and the measurements don't sound right. The torso might be 24" long x 12" high. That would make the overall height close to 3'. Can't see the torso being more than 8-10" wide. If I had the time, I'd load the image into AutoCAD and try to scale it. But, I don't have the time or interest.

I'm quite content with the POTF2 version I picked up for a quarter of the price.

By the way, my only complaint on Djas Puhr was the lack of knee articulation.

[anarky]

What's funny, a pic from a German toy show has leaked, showing the new AT-AT is pretty fucking sweet, and the dimensions given were either off or factored in something folded out or added on. I say I like it, and now everyone else is iffy. It's like a forum full of fucking Joe Liebermans over there. "I don't like your plan. Here's my plan. You like my plan? You do? Well, then, I don't like my plan either!"

[Sleazer]

As someone who barely collects anymore...I'm super excited for AOTC figs on vintage cards, I'll definitely get a few. I can't wait to see who they select for this release, and which pics are used for the cards.

I'll probably get an ESB 30th vintage or two, as well. Can you imagine if they did a 30th anniversary 2-1B? That would be awesome (yes, I know it won't happen).