Questions for April 11, 2006
Q&A Archive

1
With all the new [Gentle Giant] Episode I (Maul and Qui-Gon) and Episode III (Clones and Grievous) been announced are the rest of the Jedi council going to be represented? Would love to see Ki-Adi-Mundi, Coleman Trebor and Plo Koon. What happened to the Sidious bust? The release date has been a bit vague. Any news?

I don't know about the entire Jedi Council making it to Mini-Bust form, but I'm sure we'll see a select few before Gentle Giant wraps things up. I would guess the biggies like Ki-Adi and Plo Koon are a safe bet, but I personally wouldn't expect to see the likes of Coleman Trebor. There's probably a better chance of seeing the complete Jedi Council in the Bust-Ups line, but nothing has been mentioned yet. As for the Palpatine/Darth Sidious mini-bust, I hear it has shipped to retail/distributors and should be showing up very soon. No delay, just the standard operating procedure…


2
Is the name Roron Corob, the Ithorian Jedi from the Clone Wars cartoon, a tribute to artist Ron Cobb who drew the design sketches for hammerhead as well as several other cantina creatures?

While I haven't come across official confirmation of this fact, it seems far too obvious to be a coincidence. It certainly sounds like something that should be noted in the StarWars.com's Databank, but it's not and a search for Ron Cobb doesn't provide much help. I'm inclined to think this is a nod to the work Cobb did on the original film, though I can't find anything to back that up.

UPDATE: I've gotten word now from a couple readers; it seems this little factoid is confirmed on the Clone Wars Volume 2 DVD, during the audio commentary. Big thanks to Eric and Scott for the heads up.


3
I have been looking around for more info on Riddell SW Helmets. And my search led me to the TOMY Helmets. I noticed that the TIE Pilot had two lines from the lenses to the chin. More poking around resulted in the term "widows tears" which is bestowed on the "most feared pilot." That being said, was this paint scheme ever in a movie or toy? -DarthCrack

It doesn't sound like anything from the movies that I recall, nor have I encountered a toy matching that description, but it could very well be from the comics or other form of Expanded Universe. Most of the time this sort of thing is done to get more mileage out of a particular item, TOMY probably figures they can sell twice as many TIE Pilot helmets if they change up the deco… While it can be fun for fans of the EU to see aspects of the non-movie world in collectible form, often time it's just a tool to increase sales.


4
I just read your Q&A and had a thought. Someone asked about the 6-foot toys r us millennium falcons. I have heard they used the same Kenner mold and just super-sized it. Has anyone ever thought that Hasbro could use that mold and super-size it, just not to 6 feet. How about one that is about double in size. They could change/add details to the inside and people would have a better scale Millennium Falcon, which we have all wanted. I do think they added a bottom turret to this ship too…Wouldn't that be a very satisfactory idea.

Even doubling the size of the current Falcon would require a new pattern; it may be easier and less expensive than starting from scratch, but it would cost. Now, what's the market for such a beast; would every Star Wars collector buy one (or two) and even if every collector did would it be enough to cover cost and turn a profit? Most likely not. Would retail pick up an item double the size and price of the current toy? No. Could Hasbro sell this on their website, or offer it as an exclusive? Sure, they could do that, but the bottom line is they couldn't sell enough of them to make it a profitable venture. There are a lot of cool things Hasbro could make for the Star Wars line, but facts are facts and if the standing record shows things like this don't make money, Hasbro can't move forward.


5
The tape on some of my vintage items is starting to weaken and loosen a little bit. Would putting new tape over the old tape to strengthen it hurt the value?

Anything you do to your vintage toys that puts them outside of "original factory condition" could certainly hurt their value. It might make the package look nicer, but you run the risk that a prospective buyer would balk at the 'upgrade.' My advice, leave it alone and let the buyer decide if he or she would like to re-tape the box.


6
A few Q&A's ago you answered my question about me storing my figures in baggies when I move. So I'm not going that route thanks to your advice. I heard from a few people that they store their figures in those plastic fishing tackle trays like the ones you can get at Wal*Mart. So I bought a bunch of those and they work great! But I'm wondering if I should put a small hole in the side of each case for extra breathing? Do you think that would be helpful in any way? -James

I use those boxes too; they've been a big help in organizing my loose collection. I would not suggest drilling any holes for the simple reason that the boxes are not sealed airtight like baggies generally are. Even closed there's more than enough air flow to keep your figures from harm, though you still want to store them in a cool, dry place. I actually use U-Haul Legal Totes to store these cases in. I forget how many the tote will hold, but you can get a good number in them (standing vertically on the hinge side, and couple more horizontal on top) and they stack pretty well for storage.


7
When will the ATTAKUS Falcon diorama be available for purchase? Will there be a pre-order, and how much do you think it will cost? -bryan

The Attakus Falcon is already available overseas, our sponsor Toy Palace has it posted 'in stock' for a mere $2,951.67 US. As we understand it, the Falcon Diorama will only available here in the States via StarWars.com. Several of the metal mini-figures are currently list at StarWarsShop, Obi-Wan is currently in stock, I assume the full diorama will be offered soon.


8
Has anyone attempted to contact Mark Hamill in order to get his response to Sideshow's new 12" Jedi Luke? Granted, Star Wars collectibles are released all the time, and actors can't possibly be hassled every time a new item is released, but Sideshow's new line of 12" figures has actually been something of an event---lots of speculation and lots of anticipation. I recently sent Sideshow Collectibles an e-mail asking if they'd received any comments from Mark Hamill himself. As of now, my question has yet to be answered, so I thought I'd ask you instead. I've heard that actors typically receive complimentary copies of products made in their likeness for approval, as a courtesy, or both. Is this common practice? While I can't, of course, be certain, I think Mark Hamill (a collector himself) would be very pleased with the job Sideshow has done with their first "Order of the Jedi" figure. Sideshow's forums would light up like Christmas with all the responses his response would generate, don't you think? -Brett G

As far as I know there's been no comment from Mark Hamill regarding the new Sideshow 12" figure, and no indication Sideshow has provided him with a piece for review. If the opportunity presents itself, we'll certainly ask if he's seen the figure, but there's no telling when that might be. As a collector it certainly would be kinda fun to get his take on the new line, and it could be quite a boost for Sideshow, provided he likes the figure…


9
Hey, have you heard anything about a Celebration IV? I have very much enjoyed the others and I have heard Steve Sansweet hint around about it…

I have heard 'things' about Celebration IV, mostly rumors and wishful thinking though… So far there's been no official news about an event beyond the hints dropped after CIII and Comic Con 2005. Judging by how the announcements have been handled in the past, I would think if CIV is being planned, it would likely be announced a year before the event date - plenty of time to make arrangements.

10
I'm sorry to direct this non-toy related question to you, but nevertheless it's a very important question to the Saga timeline that no one else can explain clearly and it's driving me crazy!

Question: Does ROTS (EP3) happen 1 year or 3 years after AOTC (EP2)? Numerous "reliable" Star Wars sources seem to indicate either 1 or 3 years and it's confusing. Magazines like SW Insider seem to imply that it's 3 years, based on articles like the Clone Army (the Clone Troopers fought for 3 years).

But in the Ultimate SW Visual Guide, the Galactic timeline implies it's only 1 year! Even it's pages on the Clone Wars cartoon indicates the series' events occur within a 1-year timeframe.

But then again in the ROTS Visual Dictionary, it states the opening battle scene happens 3 years after the Battle of Geonosis. But how can this be, when the events in A New Hope take place 19 years after Vader is born? See what I mean? Who's correct then?

If you can't put this question up on Question Mark, do you think you can direct this question to someone else that can give the accurate answer once and for all?

Please help enlighten me and others (if anyone else has noticed this dilemma too). -Leonard

I have it on very good authority that the events in Revenge of the Sith begin three years after the final scenes of Attack of the Clones. I think part of your confusion comes from the thought that the events in A New Hope take place nineteen years after "Vader" (not Anakin) is born. Remember, Vader was 'born' on Mustafar, when the good man that was Anakin ceased to exist. Remember too that Luke and Leia are about nineteen years old in ANH; hard for them to grow to that age in less time… It's probably just a play on words that's caused the mix up, but according to the myth, there are indeed three years between Episodes II and III.


Until next time...


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