Questions for August 11, 2005
Q&A Archive

1
Why does Entertainment Earth charge out the nose for their exclusive Astromech five packs? Five figures (with no accessories) for $5 each would be $25; instead the sets are $40 each, almost twice as much. Does Hasbro have any idea how insane this is? Did Hasbro think that they couldn't have sold the same thing through their new online store for a much more reasonable price, instead of giving EE these sets as exclusives? I love the Astromech toys, but, damn... -Ryan S. (Spring Hill, Florida)

Welcome to the world of limited run exclusives. Because these figures will not be available through the normal retail channels, and will not enjoy the cost-reducing factors higher production and wide spread distribution brings with them, the price per piece has to be higher. I have no idea what the production numbers will be on these sets, but I’m sure it will be less than the standard retail run. Basically fewer units must carry the burden of production; therefore you end up with a higher unit cost. Add on top of that any extra costs that Entertainment Earth feels must be absorbed and whatever profit they’d feel they’re entitled to, and the cost just keeps climbing. No matter how simple these figures may seem, there’s nothing simple about getting them made, shipped to the U.S., and distributed out to customers; all of that cost money, and in order for the offer to work, that cost has to be covered. And honestly, when you boil it all down, we’re looking at $8 per figure (before tax and shipping), which isn’t really all that bad considering some of the other exclusive offers out there ($12.99 for Wedge Antilles), and the current $6 price tag at retail…


2
I know that plans for Republic Commando figs were mentioned at Comic Con, but any idea on whether the four commandos will be offered on separate cards or in a box set of some sort? Also, release date? -Jason Clayborn

They were? I must have missed that memo… Not to say that Hasbro isn’t looking at the possibility of Republic Commando figures, but so far there’s been no indication of how or when such a figure[s] would be made available. I certainly hope we’ll eventually see this figure, but for now we just have to wait for more facts.


3
I was lucky when they released #49 thru #53, I got them right out of the case @ Wal-Mart, yet I haven't seen them again. Will we go thru this with the rest of the figures? And if so why? It’s not real fair that they ship 1 or 2 cases (with only 3 new figures in it) out per store so the BIG KIDS and the little kids never get to see or buy the figures. Do we have an idea what Hasbro is thinking?

While most stores receive 2 or 3 cases initially, additional cases usually follow shortly thereafter. It’s not uncommon to see a break between deliveries, give it some more time and you should see those figures again. Also, we generally see the ‘new’ figures carry over into the next assortment so they’re available for fans that missed them the first time around. Apparently retail likes assortment-based distribution, new figures every couple weeks keep customers coming back again and again. For as long as Hasbro is making Star Wars figures, I’m sure they will be distributed in the fashion. At the onset, it may seem like the new figures are extremely rare, but after the dust settles most figures usually end up being quite easy to find.


4
I was wondering, what will the Battle Pack "Attack on Coruscant" Clones be like. There is a picture, but I cannot make out what the Clones look like. I love the Clone Trooper Figures, and I plan on buying every variation I can get my hands on. Please help me out. Thanks! John W.

At this point it’s anyone’s guess what the final product will look like. The images shown at Comic Con seemed to show two different make-ups. The boxed front image showed red clad ‘Bacara’ with a selection of other clones, the box art on the back showed a blue clad ‘Bacara’ with a slightly different selection of clones. Both seemed to show a blue 501st trooper, and I can kinda make out what looks like a gray clone and an olive green clone, but I suppose those version could change. In one image there even looks to be an all white clone, no black deco at all… Stay tuned; as we get closer to the set’s release, we’ll likely see more definitive images of the final product.


5
My four year old absolutely loves playing with both the Jedi Force and Galactic Heroes lines and I had a few questions regarding them. Seeing as how some of the less common Jedi such as Mace and Kit Fisto have made it into Galactic Heroes form, do you think there is any chance other Jedi such as Ki-Adi Mundi, Shaak Ti, or Aayla Secura will make it into this form as well? Also on the Galactic Heroes topic, since they are re-releasing the Hoth figures from the pre-Galactic Heroes Playskool line, do you think there is any chance they will release either the Wampa or the Tauntaun as well? I also had a Jedi Force question. My son loves this line too but he is upset that Vader is the only Villain in the line. Are there any plans that you have heard of to create more Jedi Force Villains? A Clone Trooper, Grievous, or even a Boba Fett would look awesome in the scale of this line.

When it comes to Galactic Heroes I think the door is wide open for some of the lesser-known Jedi and other characters. The figures themselves are very simple, given time I think Hasbro will cover a good many of them. No word yet on some of the beasts from the Playskool line, but it certainly would be a good idea. My kids are into these figures as well and between the three boys we only have one Tauntaun; making that available again would sure solve a lot of arguments in my house… Yeah, it is too bad Vader is the only bad guy in the Jedi Force line. Unfortunately, that doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon. Aside from what’s out now, the only other figures we know are coming up are Han Solo, another Chewbacca, Obi-Wan with Boga, and a Luke Pilot (yellow) with speederbike. While I feel the line is screaming for a Boba Fett, Stormtrooper, General Grievous, and Darth Maul, there’s been no word at all. Hopefully if the line makes it into 2006 we’ll see some of these characters covered.


6
Here in my country, Mexico, the problem with Star Wars is a little complicated. I guess are a lot of collectors of Star Wars here in Mexico (conventions, exclusives etc) but Hasbro Mexico, still worried about their "Target market": Children. But I’m sure the Mexican children don’t expend [as] much money as Mexican adult collectors do. A lot of products that I´ve seen on the web never arrives here. But you still can see huge displays in Wal-Mart’s, department stores, and toy stores of the Darth Vader Helmet. (I think that article is not what Mexicans fans are expecting And I’m sure Hasbro has a lot of returns of this item) ¿What’s going on with Hasbro?? This year we don’t even have a convention. Other problem is the "market rats" people that have deals with the employees in the stores to reserve the rare items, sometimes in Wal-Mart’s the Star Wars merchandise arrives and in two hours they don’t have the most Precciatte things (Obi wan and Boga?? I’ve only see once and there’s only one!!) The point is ¿Does Hasbro international can do something for their Mexican costumers??? -David Porchini (Mexico City)

Unfortunately, it sounds like the situation in Mexico is very similar to what we hear from other countries. My advice is to rally support from your fellow collectors and appeal to Hasbro International for help. Generally when a sizable group of potential customers present a problem, Hasbro tends to listen. I’m not sure how industrious you are, but you may also consider opening your own on-line business. It may just take someone who understands Star Wars fans to turn the situation around.


7
Has there been any word from Hasbro if they plan on doing a "Fan's Choice" figure in 2006? Since they last did the "concept" Stormtrooper; I would love to see a "concept" (aka "Holiday Special") Boba Fett. -Jason L. Weatherly (Arkansas)

I believe there was mention of another Fan Choice poll at Comic Con, but a specific date was not given. I’ll ask around, but I assume if Hasbro was going to run one for next year’s line it would have to be pretty soon.

…I’m all for a concept “white” Boba Fett, let’s hope that makes the list!


8
What do you think the chances are of us getting Daultay Dofine, or Tey How, or both in The Saga Collection Battle of Naboo Wave, and is it true that Daultay Dofine was rumored at one time? -Josh

Well, a little birdie once told me Hasbro had a Dofine figure ready to go, but it never developed. Earlier in the year we saw Hasbro release a couple figures that had apparently been held over from the Episode I line, if they are looking to do it again, I wouldn’t be surprised or disappointed. At this stage it’s anyone’s guess; I tend to think that wave would most likely feature Maul, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon, but Hasbro could end up picking something out of left field… Let’s hope.


9
I’ve been involved with Rebelscum for as long as I can remember.... a friend recently turned me onto Super Shadow. I’ve never heard of this through you guys or starwars.com. Is this guy real? Is he really George’s friend? Will he be able to do the last 3 movies or possible remakes of 4, 5, 6? Are any of his posts legit? -Lance

From what I’ve gathered the general perception of Super Shadow is that he is a fraud. I personally haven’t seen any evidence that would lead me to disagree with that opinion.

10
I have been looking for info on the color variation of the ROTS cards. I have found #1-#28 & #37-#39 to have been release on a purple and or blue card (the purple or blue is the color of Darth Vader helmet on the card) you can clearly see a difference. Also the purple cards are the same color as the sneak preview figures, when the ROTS line came out I found both but now I can’t find any purple did they stop making the purple and if so at what number?

At this point I think it’s too early to try and lock this error/variation down. There are plenty of figures shipping, and plenty yet to ship. I personally have seen slight card color variations on pretty much every figure so far, I don’t think anyone can say with complete certainty that one figure was only available on one color cardback, or that one color has been discontinued. Stay tuned though, once the line has moved beyond the Revenge of the Sith collection we’ll start to get a clearer picture of the impact this error has had.


Until next time...


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