Questions for July 29, 2004
Q&A Archive

San Diego’s International Comic-Con gave us our first chance in a long time to talk with the team at Hasbro about a few of the issues and questions collectors have had recently. While much of what was on display was previously announced, there were some surprises, and more than a few questions answered. Between the panels, several trips to the booth, and other opportunities at the show I was able to talk quite a bit with product designers and brand managers about the line; past, present, and future. It certainly sounds like Hasbro has an exciting year planned for 2005, and I for one can’t wait for that Cantina wave to hit the pegs!

With all this info fresh in my mind it’s time for another edition of Question Mark. Thanks again to everyone that submitted a question for this update, I’ve got plenty of emails to get through and some time opening up over the next several weeks so let’s get to it and see if we can’t keep things going for awhile.

On with the show:

1
Is it just me or has Hasbro really dropped the ball on the Jedi council scenes? The first two sets were great, but I've now seen pics of the coming sets and am very disappointed. They are barely trying at any new figures. Adi Gallia and Stass Ali appear to be the same figure. Shaak Ti is in a new sitting position but her arms are still in an action pose like she's holding a lightsaber. I still plan to buy these to complete the council but what happened? Did Hasbro just get lazy?

Well frankly, yes and no. Hasbro did drop the ball, but it wasn’t the Star Wars Team’s fault. Direct market exclusives like these are handled by another department, formerly known as Hasbro Direct. While it’s disappointing to see what they’ve done with what could have been some really great sets, it is typical of how they operate. Rather than create new figures, they usually piece together what they can with existing parts. Call it lazy, but it’s how they’ve done this sort of thing for year. As you could tell in this case, they’ve used the exact same figure for both Adi Galia and Stass Ali, only darkening the tone of the skin to set them apart. Shaak Ti is the same as the Saga release from the waist up and Agen Kolar is no different than the Eeth Koth figure released late in the Power of the Jedi line. It’s disappointing, original sculpts of the Jedi Masters in their robes would have been great, a the least changing up some paint schemes, but from a certain point of view I suppose it still gives us something to look forward to from Hasbro.


2
Here’s a question I don't believe has been asked in awhile. At least it’s never been answered to my knowledge. Will we ever see a 3 3/4 scale Sith Infiltrator? It was the coolest original ship of the prequels so far and in the top 3 all time in my estimation (Slave 1 and the Falcon topping the list). I think it would be a great jumping off point when the OTC line slides into the EIII line. What do you think? -Tom Mundy

As Hasbro said time and time again when the issue of ships came up, it’s just too costly to produce vehicles for the line, much less large ones like the Infiltrator. At this stage of the game, without an appearance in a new movie, I doubt we’ll ever see this vehicle come to be. The period surrounding Episode I was the only chance this vehicle had, and that time is long gone. I’m sure whatever new vehicles are produced next year will center on Episode III, after that (2006 and beyond) I suppose it’s possible, but I wouldn’t count on it.


3
I just received three OTC Vintage figures from amazon.com and noticed there are no Jedi Master points. Are they on the OTC line? Or are they being phased out? Do you know of any plans from Hasbro to start the Jedi Master Points auctions again or offering anything else for the points? I have amassed over 2000 points and would hate for them to go to waste. -Aloha, John W.

Asked about this at Comic Con; Jedi Master Points are out, they’ve gone back to a more standard POP, but Hasbro has not ruled out that the JMPs could be used in some future offer. While at this time they have nothing planned, they are aware there are collectors out there with massive amounts of points saved up, so it remains an option for them. I ran a couple ideas past them; like the Unleashed cardbacks, a set of VOTC or basic OTC cardbacks, packs of stands or clamshells, they seemed interested but… Honestly, unless you keep tripping over them when you come into the room or they pose some other severe health risk, hold onto them and see what the future brings.


4
Has the AOTC Anthony Daniels figure been released? I never found him. I only found the Emperor once and he was alone on the shelf. Was the Anthony Daniels figure in this assortment?

Also, has the General Madine Wave with Han in AT-ST Driver outfit and General Lando Calrission wave been released yet? I've only just been able to find the Star Destroyer wave w/in the last few weeks in my area (n. KY), around the end of June. With reports coming in that the OTC waves are hitting, I'm afraid I may have missed this wave somehow. Will these figures be repacked into the OTC waves? -ren

Though difficult to find, Lt. Dannl Faytonni was released, and did come in the same assortment with the equally difficult to find Emperor, WA-7, and Janus Greejatus. As with all late figures for any given year, there’s a good chance they’ll turn up again, but if you’re not willing to take the risk picking them up by other means probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. Good luck – I just realized I’m missing this wave as well…

Yes, the Madine wave has been found, though not in huge numbers. Cases are still in the system, but in many areas they have been jumped by the newer OTC figures. Good new (sort of) is that all three figures are planed for re-release on OTC cards. If you absolutely have to have the Saga versions you may have your work cut out for you, if all you require are the figures you will have a second chance at them.


5
I was wondering if Hasbro plans to reissue the VOTC figures in basic assortments in the future. I absolutely love the sculpts and poseability of these figures and they are the best they have produced to date. Unfortunately at over $10 a pop not to mention the beautiful vintage packaging makes you not want to open them. It would be nice if these sculpts were released in a basic assortment similar to the Hall Of Fame so that collectors could buy a set to open without having to destroy the vintage packaging. -Dave

Unfortunately, the bulk of the cost associated with these figures is not found in the packaging, it’s the figures themselves. Taking that into consideration, I have a hard time seeing Hasbro offer these at a lower price point in any package. Certainly at this time there are no plans to release the figures in anything other than the current package, a box set might be considered down the line but there are no guarantees. As much as it may hurt, to full appreciate these figures we’re just going to have to tare into that beautiful vintage style card.


6
Hasbro really seems to have taken a step in the right direction with the new VOTC collection as far as sculpts and articulation goes, but are they going to be released in more "opener" friendly packaging? The vintage style card is cool, as is the clamshell, but couldn't we get these as a series of four packs or at least on regular (and cheaper) cards for those of us who are going to rip into these. -Matt (Sith_Lord_Cptn_Winkee)

As answered above, it’s the articulation and detail that’s ringing up the bulk of the cost, not the card or the clamshell. Though nothing is planned, anything is possible, but I have to think the high cost would still be a factor. As nice as these figures are, I wouldn’t be able to wait for what could only be at best a slightly cheap box set, and I wouldn’t suggest it to others.


7
Have you heard if Master Replicas has any plans to release the new version of the display cases by themselves? I sure would like to have the new version for some of my older sabers.

No plans that have been announced, and from my conversations with them it doesn’t sound likely. There’s a big question surrounding how many they would need to run, for which sabers, and what to do with any overstock; it just doesn’t sound feasible. Besides that, I have to think most collectors would want to stick with the original case, just for collectible value alone.


8
I noticed the images for the new Kmart exclusive Cantina 3 pack states that it is Scene 1. Do you know what the plans are for the subsequent scenes or am I being a little too optimistic to think this means that we will see more?

Not too optimistic at all, in fact scene two was just shown at Comic Con. A third scene has also been thrown around, possibly containing a rounded end section of the bar, but I’m sure we’ll have to wait and see how these sets do before getting the final word on that.


9
Hi, I just discovered that Hasbro released "Hall of Fame Figures" in the Saga line. Can you tell me how to tell the hall of fame ones from the other ones? Is there a special marking? I can't seem to find it. -Chris

Hall of Fame figures are best identified by the lack of a collection number on the back of the package. A full round up of the complete set can be found here in our Photo Archives, be sure to check out the cardback images to see what I mean.

10
I was wondering when Episode III comes out, wouldn't it be better to have two different kinds of figures? One with the simple articulation and paint from the original line of figures and one with articulation like the G.I. Joe figures and better paint. I believe this would make both kids and collectors happy. At the very least simple figures would fit the vehicles and both kinds could use the silver and black version of the cardback to tie the trilogies together. -Jim

I wouldn’t hold much hope for Joe-like articulation, but Hasbro did mention the line would go back to a two collection theme similar to what they did with Episode II. This time around look for “more palatable” action features in collection 1, and collector focused figures in collection 2 (minus the drastic action poses). Hasbro felt this worked well with the Episode II/Saga line and with some tweaking will work well again in 2005. It may also be good to note that once the initial push of Episode III product is out there, Hasbro plans to filter in figures from other parts of the saga; identical to what they did in 2002.

As for figures fitting better in vehicles, we’ll have to see, but the impression I got from the team at San Diego is many of the issues regarding this and similar problems collectors had in 2002 have been addressed. It will be interesting, it certainly sounds like Hasbro has everything figured out for 2005.


Until next time...


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