In my area, these lines sell well:

Star Wars:  Lot's of collectors around here.  The only stuff that ever hangs around are leftovers from last year.

Marvel Legends:  There are a lot of fans of this line here.  Word is that wave 5 showed up, and you woulnd't know is since the collectors around here have been choming at the bit for it.

Muppets:  Sure, they don't have a presence at TRU anymore, but they don't hang around Target or various other chains for very long.

Lord Of The Rings:  With the exception of some items that shipped late in the TTT run, and the first assortment of ROTK, this line sells VERY well.  It's tough to find some things even when they're current.


Simpsons:  There's a diminished interest in the Simpsons lately, but just try getting some of their exclusives, or a basic figure assortment when it's fresh out of the cases.  They're gone before you know it.

MOTU:  These were REALLY hot when they initially came out.  They've cooled off some, I imagine because of the case assortment, but they still move.

Beyblades:  I had no idea there was such an interest in these!  It's crazy to see people after them in the toy aisles!

Transformers:  According to some of my industry sources, Transformers are probably THE hottest toy line going!  The sales numbers are incredible!

Sports Picks:  Can you say hot?  Or perhaps HOT?!?!  The NFL line is SCORCHING HOT, and the other lines trail behind.  NHL is hot in Canada beyond belief, to the point where I've heard numerous anecdotes of fistfights in toy aisles.  McFarlane has a goldmine here.

McFarlane Matrix:  Sure, their case assortments stink.  They've packed too many Neo's into the first assortments cases.  Now, they're just as hot.  When I hear word that the new assortment has shown up, all I find are empty cases.  And the hunt for the Virus Twins in series one was an unenviable one.

These are the lines that just sell unbelievably well in the NY area.  And let me tell you, we've got a PLETHORA of collectors and dealers in this area.

That just kills me!  If only I could tell you why.

Well, I respectfully disagree Spuffy.  A new Bossk is not good news, IMO.  This is one of the few POTF2 figures that was pretty good.  And that self-same POTF2 figure was just re-issued in the Ultimate Bounty 4-pack.  Not good planning, IMO.

If we were to get another Bounty Hunter in the Star Destroyer wave, I would have hoped for 4-LOM.  That's one figure that was in need of resculpting, with it's wasp-like waist.  The protocol droid sculpts have gotten much better in recent years (TC-14, K-3PO, Deluxe C-3PO, R-3PO), and 4-LOM's body is based on a protocol droid.  Just hold your POTF2 4-LOM next to the SAGA Deluxe C-3PO and you'll understand where I'm coming from.

The other choices in the Star Destroyer wave are good by me.  And with only 3 basic figures in the set, I think we might be in store for an Ultra figure for this wave.  My guess is Darth Vader with meditation chamber.

The Battle of Yavin wave is definitely a hit with me.  I like the sculpts and the character choices.  Dodonna, IMO, should've been done as a vintage figure, but that's me.  Antilles is my favorite of the bunch.  I like the work they did, and with the custom I made of Antilles as well as casting my vote for him in the Fan's Choice poll, I'm a happy guy.  Gold Leader is a good addition to this wave as well.  He's got signifigant lines, and plays a small but important role in the attack on the Death Star.  Plus, he was played by Rosie LaRose of Strange Brew!  That makes him cool in my book just by virtue of that fact.

It looks like they may indeed have sculpted a new Rebel blaster for the three Rebels.  A nice touch, since the one that came with the POTJ/SAGA Trooper was a little small.

The Imperial TIE Pilot seems a little odd, but to be expected from this wave.  Who else would Hasbro use to represent the Imperials in this battle? Pilot Vader?  Please, the POTF2 CommTech Vader serves that purpose perfectly.  As for our TIE Pilot, It looks like it might be a different sculpt than the one that's been issued with the three recent TIE exclusives.  The helmet looks slightly larger.  It definitely bears further examination.  The blaster looks like the smaller Imperial blaster that's been shipping since POTJ.

All in all, I like what I see, with the exception of the Bossk news.

Nice action filled episode tonight.  And a cool cliffhanger, too!  I'm only guessing here, but I think it might have been Durge with that ARC Trooper in his cross-hairs.

Thanks to Morgbug for coming through with some Sports Picks for me.  I'm gathering stuff for you from your list.

Who's your best buddy in the whole world Nick?



 

YOU ARE!  YOU ARE!  Thanks, the package arrived in good condition.

Nice new versions of our favorite tricksy little hobbitses!

The hand is removable.  But, yeah, it should be a stump with some wires protruding.  But then, we couldn't have gotten that nifty   repaint of this figure in the Imperial Forces 4-Pack.