Questions for January 21, 2005
Q&A Archive

I didn't want to let another week get away without an update, so here goes nothin'. Thanks to everyone that's submitted questions this week, if everything goes as planned I should have a couple more updates ready for next week. Enjoy the weekend, an keep an eye out for those Preview figures!

On with the show:

1
Was wondering if there was any news about the new line with: Myo, Feltipern Trevagg, Dannik Jarriko, & Sandtrooper, hitting stores yet? I see them on eBay, toy sites but not in stores, hope maybe you guys got any info on it, don't really want to pay $12-$15 each for them.

There were a few reports right before Christmas, I actually found that wave at a local Toys 'R' Us around that time, but not much since. Give it a couple weeks; the figures are definitely "in the system," it just may take some time before they're fully distributed.


2
I was wondering why the figure of "Admiral Mottie" states that he is an Admiral when in the credits at the end of Star Wars call him General Mottie (actor who played the character was Richard Le Parmentier)? Was he an Admiral or a General?

As far as I know there's never been an official explanation about the change in rank, like so many other inconsistencies you can probably chalk it up to one of the aftermarket resources/licensees. Contrary to what some may think, Lucas leaves a lot of the finer details in these films wide open, leaving up to others (like Kenner and such) to figure them out. In this case where we have an established name and rank, it probably came down to a practical need for variance between Tagge and Motti. I believe 'Admiral Motti' originated with West End Games and just kinda stuck. Certainly, any licensee since then has used the Admiral rank, despite the fact the character is listed as a General in the credits.


3
With the release of the Queen Amidala Celebration Ceremony OTC transitional figure, I can now pretty much complete dioramas of four of the five movie finales . . . except TESB! Any ideas when they'll issue Luke & Leia in those outfits?

And don't they ever make an action figure smile? Natalie Portman had a killer smile at this moment of the movie, but this figure again has a stone-cold face. It seems the only smiles are on the Galactic Heroes!

I wouldn't hold my breath. As it goes, the finally of Empire does not stand out as one of the more exciting resources for action figure ideas. The only worthwhile figure from that entire sequence (IMO) is Lando in his Corellian duds, and I'm beginning to doubt we'll ever see that figure made. Getting right down to it, you have Leia in a white dress (which we have plenty of), and Luke in what looks like rather plain pajamas; not something Hasbro usually leans towards. While I'm sure collectors would appreciate the effort, I don't see much of chance that Hasbro will work these into the line. If Hasbro were to magically bring back the Cinema Scene line and run a theme of finally sets these figures might stand a better chance; otherwise I'm afraid they're just not meant to be.

I think the general rule of thumb when it comes to facial expressions on action figures is the plainer, the better. Once you start putting expressions on a figure, you really begin to lock it into a specific scene or mood. Maybe to some collectors it's not such a big deal, but then again look at what kind of reaction Mace Windu (Geonosian Rescue) received when it was released…


4
I had recently bought a copy of "Star Wars" Ultimate Guide to the locations of Episodes 4, 5, and 6. I am sure you have seen it...its incredible. In response to the last Question Mark # 9 about the Tonnika Sisters. Upon reading this book I noticed in the section of the book that showcases the Cantina...and gives a brief history about certain characters within the realm of the cantina...I noticed Ackmena (Holiday Special) , and I noticed this about the "Tonnika Sisters"

I quote.. "Mistryl Shadow Guards Shada D'ukal and Karoly D'ulin impersonate the notorious con-artist twins, Brea and Senni Tonnika."

A line of reference points them out.

WELL WELL WELL....since they aren't actually the Tonnika Sisters....I think there is a loophole for Hasbro to actually create these hallowed characters. I think Hasbro designers can do this for the simple fact that they can create the "ACTUAL" Sisters...not the impersonators...because in my opinion...that is what these 2 actors were portraying in A New Hope...We never saw the actual Tonnika Sisters...we saw impersonators...Its plain and simple. Now...let's find a way for Hasbro to realize this too. Maybe in an EU line? -Robert (Chicago, Il)

I remember having a lengthy talk with one of the Hasbro designers about this very angle, and he summed it up best by saying, if they didn't resemble the characters on screen, then they wouldn't the "Tonnika sisters"… It's one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't scenarios; someone will always complain and Hasbro would just rather not have to deal with that. I know it doesn't seem like much, but it appears that's Hasbro's story and so far they're sticking to it.


5
I have been opening my VOTC figures that I have more than one of. I noticed these guys don't really have pegs for their feet to stand them up! I know they stand up in a variety of positions well on their own. But there are some poses I want but need a stand for. They don't work! Why is that?

Also, how do you think our collecting community worldwide affects the ability for kids to get their toys? I been thinking about this for a while, and the way it works at my nearby stores, the collectors rule. They know when the toys are coming and sometimes even have an inside source to help. Do kids end up with crappy toys they didn't really want because somebody was waiting when the doors of the store opened to get his three copies of Darth Vader? I hope not. I know you guys have a credo about "collect to collect" I wish that it was more widely recognized and followed. In the meantime, I try and leave an extra Boba Fett or two for the kids. -JB

Well, actually seven of the twelve do have peg-hole, only five do not. Chewbacca, Leia, and R2 have no sign of peg-holes; Leia's feet are probably just too small, R2 features rolling wheels, and someone at Hasbro most likely thought Chewie looked better with sculpted feet. Boba Fett and the Stormtrooper both have shallow indentations where peg-holes should have been. I'm not 100% sure why this is, but one possible reason for could be on account of the ankle articulation… Yet, there are other figure with the same articulation that have holes… It's a mystery.

This most definitely can be a problem when new figures are initially released however the way the case packs are phased in and out, the problem usually lessens over a period of time. While it may be hard for kids and parents to track down that brand new Darth Vader figure, after a few weeks or a month they'll usually find it warming the pegs. VOTC is a good example, as new cases shipped the newer figures were hard to come by. In the end even the stormtroopers were easily found (at least in my area). I'm sure for a kid that follows the line closely and knows when there are new toys out there it can be quite frustrating, but with very few exceptions most everything that's released can be picked up eventually.


6
Quick question: does the newly re-released animated Asajj Ventress have holes in her feet this time? -Chris

Quick answer: No. Same mold as the old one, no room for holes.


7
I have been through about 8 months of "Question Mark" and I have only noticed 1 question about the Galactic Heroes line! I can't believe there aren't more people asking about these, these are the coolest Star Wars line of toys I have ever seen! Being the parent of a 3 1/2 year old boy, we are in heaven with these figures. I do have some questions about them...

1) Are they going to release the Playskool sets from 2002 such as Stompin' Wampa, Fast Through the Forest, Duel with Darth Maul, and Arena Adventure like they did with the Falcon & X-Wing? I see them on eBay but some people want an arm and a leg for these and I did not know they were out the first time around.

2) Any news about any upcoming waves beyond the Tatooine wave? I have seen some pics of EP. III figures but nothing from existing films.

3) Is the Stormtrooper 2 pack still shipping out to stores? I am not having luck finding these and I will use Ebay as a last resort! -Chad in Austin

No plans have been announced that include a re-release of those specific sets, but as Hasbro reused in part or in whole the Falcon and X-Wing, I expect we'll see some of these back in the line at some point. In the meantime, try checking you local KB Toys; last time I was in my local KB several of these sets could be had at discount prices.

So far no news other than the Episode III 2-packs, but Hasbro appears committed to the line and we should see more classic trilogy, and possibly Episode I & II sets, later in the year.

I've seen a bunch of Stormtrooper 2-packs lately at Target and Toys 'R' Us, I would hold off on eBay for now, they should be available in due time - that is if you haven't found them already…


8
I was wondering if there is any chance Hasbro would make a screen scene involving The Lars Homestead, from either episode 2 or 4. What are the chances they would make something like that? -Capt'n RC

I'd say there's a better chance we'd see something covering the Lars Homestead in one of the TRU Multi-packs, but in all honesty it just doesn't sound like an exciting enough theme to warrant serious consideration by Hasbro. I'm sure collectors wouldn't mind another shot at the old Owen and Beru figures, maybe throw in R5-D4, a Gonk, a moisture vaporator… but I don't imagine it would be a big mover at retail. Same goes for any possible Episode II version; it just doesn't have that spark Hasbro tries for. Still, who knows, stranger things have happened.


9
Are there any other brands of Star Wars protective cases besides ProTech? If so... What brand are they? Where can I find them? Which ones are better?

[Also] If you happen to know if protective cases are made for Spider-Man 2 carded figures or Justice League carded figures or Harry Potter carded figures or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles carded figures or Lord of the Rings Trilogy carded figures or The X-Files carded figures... -Valdez López

Aside from ProTech (Starcases) I'm not aware of any other major manufacture producing clamshell cases at this time. If you're interested in high grade acrylic cases, Cloud City Collectibles has started up their own ToyCases division and do offer custom made cases for any number of figure lines. For the ultimate in action figure protection I would lean towards some kind of acrylic case, but doing so is a very costly proposition. For the dollar conscience, Starcase by ProTech is probably still your best bet. As for alternate lines, ProTech does make cases that accommodate some other line, and ToyCase can build to your specifications, but you'd have to check with either company to see if they offer anything off the shelf for any of the lines you mentioned. Good luck!

10
What's the deal with Obi-Wan's two R4 droids having the rounded R2 heads? I know the one in AOTC was explained away has having been built by Anakin. I have always wondered if George didn't call all the droids R2 something or other and that Kenner started giving them different numbers. If I remember correctly, didn't Luke call R5-D4 an R2 when its motivator blew on Tatooine? -Jonathan Mullins

You guessed it, another instance where the finer details were left for others to flesh out. Luke does in fact refer to R5-D4 as an R2 unit in ANH which pretty much tells me the whole droid-dome designation thing was handled by some outside source. Some of the early role-play games, Kenner, and various character guides probably did most of the work filling in these details, but Lucas clearly reserves the right to change any of that at his leisure. Obi-Wan's droids have been named R4 for whatever reason Lucas wanted them named that way; they've clearly been scripted as R4's so who's to argue. When it comes right down to it, many of the details fans came to accept prior to the Prequels will just have to be re-worked a bit, now that Lucas has redefined them in these new movies.


Until next time...


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