Crazy, Crazy Antics
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1 How should I re-attach stickers (labels?) that have dried out and fallen off my vintage SW vehicles and playsets? How can I prevent this from happening in the first place? -Thomas
Well, keeping stuff in a cool, dry place is the typical answer to preventing problems, and so far it's worked for me and the many toys I've had for a very, very long time.
As far as re-attatching dried out stickers, I have had a few stickers that just wouldn't stick in the first place, and the Elmer's Glue Stick I used to re-attatch the back engine label seems to have been the best solution-- ten years later, it's still there.
2 Remember all those problems with the eyes ripping on Interactive Yodas? Did they fix that with the new ones? I remembered reading those letters and emails people were getting that Tiger was trying to fix the problem. And there seems to be a new batch of them with spots on their faces and such. I was thinking I could buy a spare if i find one for like $10 in case mine's eyes do eventually tear. Have you heard anything? -Brian
Nope. How about you guys?
If you can get a spare for around $10, that ain't half bad. But keep in mind that you never know how/when a material will deteriorate (action figures included), so don't send me a nasty note in 10 years. (Not that something will go bad, but hey, I know I'm not the only person who has a Boba Fett whose limbs are getting sticky for some weird reason.)
3 Do you have any idea where I can find decent looking stands for 12" scale figures on the Internet? Specifically, I'm looking for something for the Japanese Marmit figures. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated. -Troy
There's a variety of products out there that may or may not work for you. Pretty much any Barbie or GI Joe stand should work, but there's also display cases and other items as well. Personally, I'd stick with a case or a doll stand, the former of which is available at most craft stores, the former of which is at (cheap plug) P&P Products.
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$15 CAN? What's that, like $1.90 US?
Seriously though, it seems a little high for a discount store, but not too shabby overall. (Not great either.) I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear of more showing up, considering how few surfaced during the first go-round, but I gotta say this is the first I've heard of them being offered again through Diamond (which is not the case in the USA) or Hasbro (who, well, you never know).
Kyle Katarn was supposed to resemble the actor from Jedi Knight... but just for the head. The body is allegedly from the original Dark Forces. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. (If it was GL, the armor would be plaid.)
I have all these guys open. And I must say, the Spacetrooper can only be appreciated open. Ditto with Leia, Luke, the Darktrooper, the Sentinel (short, but still nice)... heck, most of 'em are pretty great. As far as value in the future goes, they could be worth millions, or pennies. The second the "trend" aspect of this hobby goes away, there'll be like fifty readers of all SW websites and none of this stuff will probably go for more than retail, if that. So don't concern yourself with future value. If the only reason you bought this is because you want to sell it, and you don't like 'em, it's time to stop collecting.
5 I remember seeing custom made instruments for two of Jabba's band members, one was Sy Snoodles. Where can I find them? -Scott
Toymaniacs.com was selling them, check their site for availability.
6
Not that I'm aware of. Hasbro's being (characteristically as of late) tight lipped about their line-up beyond a few months.
It could happen... and it might not. But at least the Leia/Han set is down to two bucks where it's still available. (Typically.)
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Vehicles? Well, just look at the list of MicroMachines they made... there's quite a few choices, some of them worthwhile. More TIE variants, "ultimate" sets, the Cloud Car, and the Blockade Runner come readily to mind. There aren't as many "signature ships" left, but there are quite a few second- and third-tier options remaining. (Now did they or didn't they announce an AT-AT outside the mindstorms one? Never can remember...)
Playsets... well, ya got me. Why they're avoiding this, I don't know. I took a gander at "Watto's Junkyard", a new 2001 set, over the past week. Haven't bought it yet, dunno if I will... it's two podracers and a Watto, as far as I can tell. Hardly a junkyard, unless you consider unassembled pods junk, in which case they could just as easily threw a Watto figure in any Lego bucket and called it "Watto's Junkyard." But I digress.
So far, no real playsets have been released. Pseudo-play environments exist with Naboo Swamp and the B-Wing Fighter, but if you're like me, you want a Death Star Hangar for your Imperial Shuttle and a Bespin Freeze Chamber. I think that if they really want to continue this line past year 4, they're going to need to bring out playsets.
So hopefully soon. C'mon, give us our Sandcrawler, Lego. (Hasbro seems to be waiting on that one.)
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If it wasn't on our checklists, it was never confirmed "officially." (Since I do the list, "official" means "from what I've heard from my peeps, yo.") I think these guys may have appeared on one of Hasbro's retailler lists. These are the B&W fax things with a bunch of products and prices, many of which will come out, several of which may have never made it past very early conceptual stages, if that.
So in a nutshell: it wasn't meant to be.
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Well, the second wave of accessory packs were either never shipped to stores or shipped in such small quantities you have no hope of seeing them anytime soon, unless the clearance god Markdownus smiles upon you.
Places like Entertainment Earth and DNS Toys have had them in the past, and I can reccomend both as being great places to look for this stuff.
The second wave of sets had the Pod Race set (kinda cool), a Hyperdrive Repair (not bad, especially if you have a Royal Starship), a Tatooine Disguise set (eh... decent guns at least), and a Rappel Line Attack set, which is my favoritest of the batch. It has a line with suction cups and a backpack with a wheel on it so a guy can slide accross the room. It's pretty slick.
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As far as I know, this was slated to be a Target Exclusive at some point in 2000. Since this is 2001 and nobody's got it, I guess it's either just delayed or... well, who knows?
Anybody out there got more info?
FIN More... uh... later.
I just saw a couple of MM Die-cast Slave I's(the newer packaging) go for a rediculously high amount on EBay($50-$60). This is the only one I got from that 2nd(I believe) wave of MM Die-Cast. What other Die-cast were released in that wave, and was the whole wave difficult to find? Were there shortpacks? Any chance of these showing up in stores again? Just wondering if there were any MM laying around in warehouses anywhere. -bobafett14
Well, never say never... this item wasn't especially hard for me to find on several occasions during the initial run of the die-cast ships. Actually, the Death Star was the only one I never saw in stores, I had to get mine from a contact... so hey, anything is possible. These were around and just kinda sat around when they first hit...
Other ships in that wave include the A-Wing, Snowspeeder, Executor, TIE Bomber, and TIE Fighter. All of which you would know if you would read our fabulous (and mostly correct) checklists area.
2 I'm thinking about buying from a local comic shop a Luke in Bacta from Applause. I slightly remember this being offered in a Wizards catalog. Is it still available to order? How many were produced? Whats the demand for this?(Note: I didn't ask for price) Suggestions on this one? Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. Also I have a pewter slave Leia I got as a giveaway a few years back from Electronic Boutique. It comes in a white box similar to the Lays Obi-Wan, but it also has a EB sticker on it with some print below. Same thing, how many made, etc. Thanks! -bobafett14
It's a very decent piece, but not fantastic-- especially for what people ask for it. It started at something near $120, but has gone for under $75 and lower (you didn't ask, but hey, why not.)
I think a pretty small number were made, but I might be wrong. It was a pretty small run.
Leias were just promo items, I have no production run information unless an item was numbered or specifically marked like "1 of x000". Considering how many stores offered it, I would assume it's a sizable number... but the demand is about zero.
3 Have you ever heard talk of making a Bothan figure? Borsk Fey'lya is in several of the novels - he seems a logical choice. -Carlson
As an Expanded Universe character, it's anybody's guess. One minute, they say "no more." The next... Rowwwoeoworoeroerorrrr and a new Darth Maul. No plans have been made known to yours truly.
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I don't collect any packaging variations (save for weird foreign goodies I get in trades), and well, some people have gotten EXTREMELY goofy when it comes to what does and does not constitute a variation. If a figure holds a weapon in a slightly different place or is posed just a wee bit different with no new packaging, a variation, it isn't.
I buy anything I deem significant-- new paint jobs, new heads, different weapons, that's about it. While there are many Klaatus, even the tan and grey arms just don't matter to me. Now, blue and green lightsabers or snap cloaks or something like that will grab my attention.
5 have you or any of your peeps yo! heard of any plans to run a promo for the jedi master points? have you heard of any polls right now asking our opinion of hasbros lack of action on this obvious redemption promotion they have overlooked for the past year and a half. -ORBLES3
Galoob, in five or so years, has never offered a Star Wars promo despite having points on each and every one of their packages. Therefore, Hasbro is not obliged to run one, either. No plans exist for any promos in the USA at this time that we've been made aware of, but with Episode Two on the horizon, I'd expect something soon.
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Where did these 2 appear in the movies?
The V-35 is not the Lars Family Landspeeder, because that was already in
collection X.
See ESB:SE for the refineriers, and the Landspeeder appears somewhere in ANH:SE.
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She appears in the Podrace sequence, on the side of the screen, just her. Actually pretty easy to miss unless you're looking for her.
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I'm also curious to know if Hasbro has plans to re-release any other
vehicles from its vintage line. Thanks a lot.
Hmm... my Locust is more brown than fleshy. But it is kinda flesh-esque... a darker color would have been nice. Odds are they're all just like yours.
Other vehicles are on the way. I saw a Hiss III for the first time just the other week (still need to snag one), and a lot of ships are said to be coming this year, like the Striker Jet. Although confirmations I have not persued.
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And what's with those Mattel Rock-Em Sock-Em Robots figures? Blue and Red must really be pissed.
Well, I saw a Masters of the Universe reissue today at Wal-Mart for the first time. And it looks like a really lousy figure in a deluxe collector's box... maybe this one was just painted poorly. The low quantities (10k,15k for He-Man & Skeletor if I recall) justify the price, however it's quite easy to turn down with so many other toys out there that are just as good for twice the price. Hasbro's Joe reissues (two figures for $6-$8) are a bit nicer, even though packaging art and original deco is sacrificed. (Call me crazy, but I really dig the new Cobra Commander and Snake Eyes.) So: for what they are, the new Masters are worth it. However for my dollar, I'd rather have something else. (Those new 12" Joes are only eight bucks at Target!)
And those Rock-Em Sock-Ems... wow. Weird. I have a feeling I'll be buying the entire line in Kay-Bee's 2 for $5 bin sometime next year.
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I'd probably just try to re-bend it with a vice or some books or something. Or even better, watch the clearance aisles and look for a beat-up, kicked around figure from which I need a part, snag it, swipe the saber, and save the rest for future custom fodder. (Oh, you're planning on making a Beat from Jet Grind Radio, too.)
FIN Also, I've been told Hasbro has fixed the Interactive Yoda problem. Dunno how to tell, though. So there ya have it. More Friday. (Sooner if someone can hook me up with a painted set of PVCs.)
Is there a reference guide you can refer me to for a physical reference of a Star Wars character? I am a big fan of KW Jeter's Bounty Hunters series and I would like to see a pic of D'Harhan. He was the Bounty Hunter with a cannon for a head. Unlike what Lavar Burton says on Reading Rainbow, my imagination can only take me so far. -DMS
Not of which I'm aware. Anybody?
2 I just recently purchased the Riddell Miniature C-3PO head from KBKids.com since it dropped to $14.99 and I already have the Fett and Vader versions. I seem to remember there being more of these (I'm almost positive there was a Luke X-Wing helmet), but when I went to check Riddell's web site, I found that all they deal with now is NFL items. 1. Do you know if Riddell has completely stopped manufacturing the Star Wars items?
2. Do you know what other helmets were available and where might one get them from?
Riddel's been doing NFL stuff for quite some time, but Star Wars was just a flash in the pan. Five helmets were released (the four you mentioned and the Stormtrooper), and many others were in production. Chris Reiff (the guy who worked on these) had a bunch of 'em on his website for a while, including possibilities for the second series and concept art. A TIE Pilot helmet seemed to have gotten quite a ways along, but at the original SRP of $75-$90, these things didn't sell well. I really like them, and only own the X-Wing pilot one, myself... it was a great product that apparently wasn't meant to be. For more than one series, anyway.
3 How about this: I was noticing the poncho on the Mos Espa Disguise Qui Gon (or Cal-Gon, whichever you prefer) is exactly like Luke's in ANH and is an awful lot like the unblinking eye and the wreck of the Hesperus (think Stonecutters). -Jason
And it's just like "Crossing the Desert."
My hunch: you can read ANYTHING into these films in terms of continuity goodness. Yes, Luke's poncho is similar to Qui-Gon's, and yes, you can see a poncho like Qui-Gon's in Obi-Wan's hovel in Star Wars. HOWEVER-- in a cut scene (scenes, really) you can see Luke in his boncho *before* he meets Obi-Wan. And on Earth, most people are good little automatons so many of which will buy the same thing. (Like those stupid vests that people wear, in summer, in Arizona. But I digress.)
So good eye-- there is a definite similarity. But as to its significance..? My guess is they just used an existing design when making the flick, but there's two more movies to explore the connections between the first and second trilogies.
4
Well, most of the Transformers: Car Robots toys have articulation because it's necessary for their transformations...
As far as Hasbro's 4" figures, it's because of sculpt. They don't want to hurt the look of the figure in favor if articulation, which makes sense considering only I and seven others open their figures. As far as 12" figures, well, why not use the Joe bodies? I went to Target yesterday and saw a really nice 12" Joe on a card with a basic outfit and a gun for eight bucks. That's a pretty good deal, and if they can get something like that out that cheap, I'm sure a $25 12" Star Wars figure could have a better body. Alas, they probably just cut costs because they think-- and I'd wager accurately-- that most fans don't even open the things.
At least swapping heads with a Dragon figure is relatively easy.
5 I have a solution for the question asked on [Wednesday's] Q&A (question #10). This is the question regarding bent sabers (or plastic parts that are warped). This process is best set up in a kitchen, so the stove and sink are handy. Boil some water in a pot and dip the plastic item into the hot water for about 5 seconds. Remove the item and correct the bend while it's still hot (using some gloves or tongs). While holding the piece in place, run cold water over it. The heat creates flexibility, so the item can be re-shaped and set again (with the cold water). I use this technique to loosen the heads and arms on 3 3/4" figures when I'm customizing. This has also come in handy with re-shaping sabers and making Marmit armor a little more flexible (particularly on the Marmit Stormtroopers). I'm confident in this process and have reshaped many a gun, sword, arm, etc. (without having to resort to the "ol' stack o' books trick").
The person doing this should take care not to get burned (literally, I can envision idiots going to the ER now). Also, the items should not be immersed for more than a few seconds (especially anything that's painted). It could ruin if it's left in for too long. 5-7 seconds should be plenty, but the person should use their best judgement. (I have this mental image of melting
Han Solo's now). Hope this advice helps...
Excellent points... I had to use some boilin' water when assembling my Marmit trooper and getting Wild Bill's hat on. Thanks for chimin' in!
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I think that was an early name for the characters, but I could be mistaken. It's entirely possible fans just coined it, but doubtful. (Comments, corrections?)
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See the end rant of today's column. (Nobody's asking questions much.)
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Well, it's just as much an issue of race as well as gender. Why only Twi'lek girls? What, gamorrean chicks not good enough for you? And what about the Ewok women? They go around in nothing but a hood!
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Vocabulary time, kids!
Wizard: Publishers of ToyFare, Wizard, and lots of other magazines. Easily spotted by colorful layouts, exclusive repaint figures, a generous helping of fart jokes. (And we all love our fart jokes.)
Wizards Of The Coast: Owners of Magic: The Gathering, the Star Wars RPG, and Dungeons & Dragons as well as the new owners of the Star Wars Fan Club. WOTC is owned by Hasbro.
So WOTC will probably take over publishing duties on the Star Wars Insider at some point in the near future. Fantastic Media (Dan Madsen's company, if I recall) will be putting out-- I think-- at least one more issue. You know, the one that's been delayed for like four months and is due out any time now.
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Hasbro US-- as of last Summer-- said they had no product made for the American market, but apparently Hasbro Asia and Europe both did order product. While communications errors happen, my guess is no, no Eopies will show up in the USA at Kay-Bee anytime soon. Cases of Jabba with the announcer have shown, and if the Eopies would show, it'd probably be with them... alas, it was not meant to be.
Buuuuuuuut anything can happen.
FIN And since we're all enamored with those cartoon-accurate non-transforming TransFormers (I've been wanting to see toys like this for years), here's the word on Series II: Hot Rodimus (Hot Rod or Rodumus Prime, my guess is the latter), Grimlock (Dino mode), Optimus Prime (Truck), Minerva (aka Nightbeat [aka Token Female {what, no Elita-1?]), Galvatron (woo-hoo!), and what I think is Powermaster Optimus Prime. The chase figures will be Roddy with the Matrix and Optimums Prime holding Megatron in gun mode. Pics available [here], on a Japanese web page that has been getting both US and Japanese TransFormers goodies early for some time. (Not a lot, but some is all ya need.) Since so many of you seem to be getting sick of the non-SW questions, I have for you a proposition: send in some good questions, and I'll move all my non-SW talk & news to 16bit.com in the future. Well, that's not entirely true. I'll still write about whatever in this section. I did get more positive feedback than negative regarding the TransFormers blurbs, so those'll continue. More Q&A Monday.
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