Questions for August 24, 2004
Q&A Archive

Ended up working on photography for the better part of last week, but the latest edition of Question Mark is finally ready to go. Following up on our Battlefront Biker Scout question from last time, Jamie Sullivan writes that according to a recent announcement in the LucasArts newsletter, the figure will be available "some time in the near future" through that site. A tip though, the figure will likely be made available first to LucasArts members before being made available to the general public. Since membership is free, there's no time like the present to sign up and get a little Star Wars gaming news on a regular basis. Thanks again to all who submitted a question for this edition, I'll be sure to get to even more of them real soon.

On with the show:

1
I remember reading on Rebelscum that Gentle Giant was going to release mini busts called Bust-Ups... When are they coming out, where can I find them, who are going to be the first ones modeled, and how much are they going to be? -/J

Gentle Giant's Bust-Ups are due out this September, will be available at on-line specialty sites and comic/hobby shops, the first set consists of: Han, Luke, Leia, Chewie, C-3PO, and Yoda, and should retail for about $5 each.


2
I am writing in regard to the Kotobukiya ArtFX Clone Trooper Exclusives that were released in Japan last year. There were RED, YELLOW and BLUE versions. I managed to acquire a YELLOW Koto Clone Trooper last year from a vendor here in the USA, who had imported it from Japan. He sold it to me for a very reasonable $100 at the time. Ever since then, I have had my eye on getting the RED and the BLUE versions. However, the prices on these have always been outrageous, reaching up to $300 each + massive shipping charges from Japan.

I am a BIG Clone Trooper fan, as these are my favorite characters from the new films. So I am strongly considering biting the bullet, and spending mega cash on these to complete the set. However, I am hesitant to do so. Because all of the Kotobukiya ArtFX models, that were only available in Japan in the past, have now been released for distribution
in the USA at much more reasonable prices. Have you heard any word on the RED and BLUE Kotobukiya Clones being released in the USA?

Perhaps soon we will all be surprised by an announcement, stating that these will be also available in the USA? Maybe, to keep them limited, they might decide to sell only through StarwarsShop.com? Or release a massive multi-pack that is exclusive to the USA that might contain all 3 colors, and possibly a 4th GREEN color? That would be sweet! Just speculation, but you never know. I just don't want to make a mistake that I'll regret later. I am only a College student, and I don't have money to burn. Should I wait or should I buy them now from Japan at these expensive prices? Let me know what you think? -Harold L. Barreto

At this time there has been no indication Kotobukiya has any plans to redistribute the red, yellow, or blue Clone Troopers here in the U.S. I asked about this last year at Comic Con and they pretty much told me they would not be doing this, they would honor the exclusive nature of the Japanese offers. While it's possible a Clone Sergeant (green) could be released in the U.S., there's been no mention of it that I've heard. I've been watching for the red and blue Clones as well and while most have opened with huge starting prices, I have seen many auctions close without a single bid. I think these exclusives are hot right now, but over time prices should mellow out. Certainly though, if you find an auction (especially for one already in the U.S.) keep an eye on it.


3
Do you know of any online Checklists that have the figures in order of the waves they were released in? I have found a few checklists that have the figures in alphabetical order though I was hoping to display my carded figures in order of release. -Patrick

Actually I do, sort of… It's not necessarily a checklist, but Dan has gone back through our Photo Archives and re-arranged most of the basic figure sections by wave and/or release order. We're currently working on a more comprehensive list, but for now this should do the trick.


4
I have a question about the TRU exclusive Millennium Falcon Spaceship. What is the deal concerning the cockpit? Is it "redesigned" as Hasbro claimed? Using the old mold to save time is understandable - however, if this Falcon suffers from the same problems as the last one (can't put more than one figure in the pilot's seat) then I am disappointed. I am sure that all of us want a new larger mold for the Falcon but lets face it - we are not going to get one... So could you give me the info concerning this ship before I drop serious money for what may prove to be another Hasbro screw up? -Darth Parker

Actually, the Falcon is not a TRU exclusive; the vehicle has been showing up at Target, Wal-Mart, and elsewhere. Now, to the cockpit upgrades; in essence, what Hasbro has done is removed the two posts that used to support the dash/control console. In effect, they've given us a little more room within the confines of the cockpit, but it can still be a tight fit. Depending on which versions of the Han and Chewie figures you use, you can get both characters in there reasonably well. The smaller (pre POTJ Millennium Falcon Mechanic) versions of Chewbacca obviously work better than the larger ones, and the less dramatic the pose, the better Han Solo is to work with. In the end you may not get the exact look you might want, but with a little effort (less than previously) the cockpit will hold both figures.


5
I have a question regarding the Clone Wars Topps cards. Does the retail box contain the same cards as the hobby box? I know the battle motion cards and stickers are there, but are there sketch cards in the retail box? -JB

No, sketch cards are only found in the 'hobby' box, they are not available in the retail packs.


6
I'd like to know more about this 'Deluxe' Super Battle Droid Builder set, so I can decide whether to open it. Chiefly, is there some way to order additional cans of 'Quick-Steel' (tm) compound? I suspect it's probably very similar to Play-Doh, but doesn't Play-Doh shrink when it hardens?

Among the other figures I bought was a 'Hall of Fame' Vader, without the silver details painted on his nose and 'chins'. (I have an identical one WITH the details.) Is this an error, or did they make a substantial number of these?

I also got a duplicate HOF Luke Skywalker... and I noticed that unlike my first one, this one has a CLEAR display stand. What kind of production numbers are we looking at on the different stands? -Alex Newborn; Florence, AL

There is no re-order information on the "Quick Steel" (Play-Doh) compound, and unless you can find yourself some metallic blue-gray Play-Doh you're pretty much stuck with the limited supply that comes with the figure. As it is the feature is not intended to be permanent; it's more of a reusable activity toy type thing. If you do plan on applying it in a more permanent manner, expect the "Quick Steel" to dry out and crack over time.

HOF Vader: Sounds like an error to me, impossible to say how many or how few were made.

Clear vs. Black stands: Hasbro doesn't usually share production numbers so the best I can do is guess. Judging by when the black stands appeared at retail (clear stands shipped first in most areas) I'd think it's probably close to 50/50% overall. The clear stands were readily available for some time before the black stands showed up, and you can still find a mix of both at some stores.


7
1) I've been looking over photos of the "Episode I" Ki-Adi-Mundi figure and the Saga 2002 version... are these the same sculpt? With the exception of Ki's right hand (the Saga version is more open than the Ep. I version one is), it seems that it's just a paint scheme difference (the shirt under the Jedi cloak and some skin colorations).

2) I saw on a German site that there's a third wave of "Animated" Clone Wars figures coming, including Winter Wear Padmé, General Grievous, R2-D2 and C-3PO. Is this old news, speculation, or just make-believe?

3) What's the release for the "Vintage" Original Trilogy Collection going to be like? Will most major retailers (Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Toys "R" Us) be getting them, or is this a high-end retailer only deal? Also, when should we start seeing the "regular" OTC figures start hitting stores, and will those have the "standard" 4.99 SRP?

4) Han Solo in AT-ST Driver Outfit... is it just me or does the photo on this figure look Photoshopped(TM). I don't recall Han doing any costume changes while on Endor... am I just not paying attention or is this a "figure that never happened" (much like Playmates did with several of their "Star Trek" figures)? -Telly

Aside from the left arm both are from the same sculpt. The 2002 version features some added deco, and there are some slight color variations form one figure to the next, but they are essentially the same otherwise.

This would be relatively new news; Hasbro announced the third wave last month at Comic Con. Looks cool, I personally can't wait.

The VOTC should be available at all the retail chains you listed, and then some. Basic figures are shipping now, already showing up in many areas, and should be everywhere soon. It may vary from retailer to retailer, but the SRP for the Basic line is still around $5.00.

AT-ST Han Solo is most definitely a Photoshop job. There's never been any promotional or behind the scene's imagery of Harrison Ford in that costume, thus Hasbro had to 'create' something to put on the package. As far as that scene is concerned, all he ever really had to wear was the helmet, and maybe one glove… Still, I suppose that wouldn't have made for a very thrilling toy so Hasbro took the figure one step further.


8
Could someone tell me how I could buy the mask or costume or a replica when princess Leia plays bounty hunter in Boushh disguise when she frees solo from the carbonite no one ever remade the mask that I no of the only place I seen it was at the Smithsonian national air & space museum.

While I seem to recall seeing or hearing about a Boushh mask/helmet being offered at one time, I can't find any current offers for one now; I even came up empty on eBay… Odds are if the helmet you saw at the Smithsonian was in the gift shop, it was something manufactured a while ago, maybe by Don Post Studios. If the one you're referring to was actually in the exhibit, well then that's an actual movie prop and not available for purchase. If you are interested in seeing something like this offered you should let Rubies (www.rubies.com) know about it. They currently hold the license for Star Wars costumes and would be in the best position to do something about it.


9
I am really digging the artwork on the new SW Unleashed figures! I bought the new version of the Slave Leia just for the artwork. My question is, do you think there is any chance Hasbro would make copies of the new artwork available to the public, such as in an 8"x10" format? They truly are fantastic works of art, and you really can't enjoy it on the card, and of course if you tear off the blister to open the figure, then the artwork is ruined. I know I would love to purchase copies of some of the artwork to hang on my wall. Do you think anyone else feels the same way? What do you think? Can you use your powers of persuasion to convince Hasbro to make these available? -Greg Romine

Well Hasbro did hand out Unleashed Tusken Raider cardbacks at Comic Con, and seemed interested when I asked about the possibility of offering the art in poster size editions, but nothing appears to be on tap for the near future. It may be a long shot, but you certainly are not alone in your appreciation of the Unleashed artwork. Hopefully Hasbro (or someone else) will come around to the idea, I think a lot of fans would like to see more of these decorating their walls. For certain, we'll do everything we can to keep the idea in Hasbro's mind.

10
I'm working on a custom figure of Derek "Hobbie" Klivian. So I looked up the pictures on the official Star Wars site for reference. The picture I found in the databank clearly shows Hobbie to be wearing the same helmet as the Dutch Vander (Gold Leader) Figure I recently purchased. Did they just re-use the gold leader helmet in "Empire" or is there some canon "inside the Star Wars galaxy explanation" for this? -Markus

As far as canon, I don't recall a specific explanation for this, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out there was one. In the real world, many different props were re-used in each of the Star Wars films as it was easier/cheaper than fabricating all new ones. For example, the head of bounty hunter IG-88 was originally used as part of the cantina set in A New Hope, and likewise, Bossk's yellow flight suit could also be seen in the cantina as well. If you watch closely, you'll find all sorts of instances like this throughout all the Star Wars movies.



Until next time...


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