Since I collect SO MUCH of the Star Wars "stuff," from many of the various lines, I decided several years ago to cut back and only collect Original Trilogy stuff when it comes to the Action Fleet (and Micro Machines) line.  It was a tough decision, and these new ships are making me seriously reconsider...  But if I started up with the AOTC stuff, that means I'd have to go back and get ALL of the TPM Action Fleet as well, and from what I've heard, there's some pretty HTF stuff in that line.  I dunno...  The obsessive compulsive completist in me is screaming DON'T DO IT!  I think I'm just going to continue to hold off on the Prequel stuff for now, but they certainly do look nice!

I really have mixed feelings on these two.  I'm always happy to get any new Original Trilogy figures, since that's where my heart really lies.  Obviously brand new, never before made figures would top my list, but I'm good for some main character rehashes as well, if I must...

I realize Han's coat color is "a bit" off the mark here.  But at least he's got his hood up this time, and a couple decent accessories to boot.  I could definitely do without the lame "action stance" (why Hasbro?), and the inclusion of a "lightsaber slashing" action feature is absolutely beyond bizarre here (again, why Hasbro?!).  But all in all, the figure's not too bad.  I can probably splash a coat of more accurate paint color on Han's jacket.  Nice that they gave him the locator accessory that originally came with K-3PO, since it was Han's after all.  The added goggles and mask is pretty cool as well - especially considering that they're removable.  I don't even mind the lightsaber that much, as long as Hasbro puts out another Tauntaun soon with split-belly action feature (the only action feature that I'd ever actually want).

The Mynock blasting Chewie's pretty nice.  Looks like a good amount of articulation (though I'm not sure what the left knee only articulation is for).  The shooting feature of the gun will likely be cool for the kids, but I'm glad to see Hasbro include the other part of the gun with the scope to put in the place of the blaster effect, if that's not your preferred method of display.  The gas mask and Mynock are nice additions as well.  I do think Chewie looks a little too hairy around the neck area though.

All in all, not too bad, but still room for improvement (as is often the case with Hasbro).  Now start pumping out some new OT background characters and I'll be one happy dude!  Here's hoping that the new Snowtrooper is along the lines of the Commtech Stormtrooper!  Should be some pix of this cool cat hitting the net pretty soon...

Well, apparently nobody's actually commented on this line with the initial 4 releases in hand so far...

I picked up a couple of the Tie Fighters from the 5,000 entry gig that Lego did last month.  The Tie-Fighter was pretty cool, but fairly simple in design, so much so that I put the thing together without actually looking at the directions (that was certainly a Lego first in my life).

But, I picked up the first four mini sets two days ago at Target ($3.99 each), and I've got to say that these sets are absolutely COOL!  Especially when you think about the price - $2 for each individual ship (even less if you factor in the fact that you're getting an extra fourth of a Tie Bomber in each set).  They come in a small, clear, upwards standing package.  The detail in these things is absolutely amazing considering their size and price.  They pretty much mirror all of the features in the Hasbro toys.  It's amazing what Lego can put together in such a small amount of actual pieces.  We're talking rotating guns, opening X-foils, articulated Scout Walker legs, etc., etc.

All I've got to say, is pick them up if you see them.  If you're a fan of Star Wars, Legos, miniatures, or any combination of the three, you won't be disappointed!  This is most definitely my new favorite line, and I look forward to many more vehicles from it.  You'll be quite surprised with the detail and authenticity in these tiny little ships.  Awesome!

So, what are you waiting for...?!

After the dramatic pause of A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..., I was immediately hooked the second that bright yellow Star Wars lettering hit the screen and John Williams triumphant Star Wars main theme came blairing out of the theater's speakers at the beginning of A New Hope.  The rest is history...

I was six when Star Wars came out, and it pretty much took over my childhood (along with video games and Little League that is).  Of course, having all of the toys to go along with the movie was a given.  I was a completist, even at the age of seven.  I loved the Star Wars figures, and had to have them ALL.  I vividly remember when my neighbor was the first kid in town to get the 12-backs.  Of course I got mine soon after, and this trend continued well into 1984, though I had to temper my Star Wars fandom a bit in Jr. High, when it wasn't very cool anymore.

But I jumped back into collecting in the early 90's when I was off in college (still kept myself in the closet though), and started snatching up at conventions all of the Vintage POTF that I had missed out on, then followed by the early Galoob offerings, finally sealing my fate with the release of the POTF2 line.  Carded and loose completist ever since September of 1995!

But it all started with that opening scene of Star Wars, way back in May of '77...  The movies and toys (I call them collectibles now) pretty much go hand in hand IMO!

Does anyone know if those new Kubrick figures have hit Japan yet (or anywhere else for that matter)?  I'm talking about the Bounty Hunter and the "Early Bird" sets that are the first official Kubrick figures that are to be released.  Also, does anyone know of any reasonably priced sites or people that you can buy them off of?

For some reason I really like these figures.  I picked up almost all of the bootleg SW Kubricks a couple years back, and have really been looking forward to these new and officially licensed versions since they were announced earlier this year.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I wonder what prompted Hasbro to switch from their originally announced Shuttle Tyderium (the stolen rebel shuttle), to this final version of the Imperial Shuttle instead...  I'm glad they did - it's an Imperial Shuttle after all, whether the Rebels had swiped it or not - and most of us think of the Imperial version surrounded by the Imperial troops anyways.  Besides, what the heck kind of cool box art could they have come up with for the Shuttle Tyderium?  Whatever it may have been, it wouldn't have been close to being as cool as the Imperial diorama.

I'm also stoked to see that they darkened the cockpit window up more accurately, which was one of my two gripes (three if you include FAO's price).  They didn't fix my other gripe unfortunately - the upside down side guns at the base of the wings.  Oh well...

I never got the Vintage version, so I've been looking forward to scoring this one for quite a while, despite it's ridiculously high price.  Bring it on!

My wife went out of state two days ago for a wedding, and made me promise to wait until she gets back on Sunday to see it, so I'm unfortunately stuck in a holding pattern on this highly anticipated flick as well...  

And I'd have to agree with your second best trilogy award there too Scott.  Behind the Original Trilogy, but (I might get flamed for this) ahead of the Prequels...by a pretty fair margin.  Of course George still has a slim chance of rectifying that, but he's got a LOT of ground to make up at this point!

FOTR was amazing, and from everything I've heard, TTT is even better.  I can't wait!

Yep, I knew you were a Cheesehead from some of the football threads I've seen 'round the boards (usually the ones where OCB's trying to convince us all that the Vikes are the greatest sport team in history, or maybe just the NFC North, don't quite remember now     ).

You might've caught my post pronouncing my wife's loyalty and fandom towards the Pack - after Morgbug and OCB called her and I out on it!  Curious how a girl born and raised here in SoCal could develop such a fanaticism for a team so far away, but it's definitely there alright!  She prances around the house almost every Sunday in her Brett Favre jersey, yelling and screaming at all the NFL games on the tube.  Unfortunately, we only get a few Packer games out west each year, so she's especially crazy on those days.  I'm therefore a Pack fan by default, 'cause I want the wife to be happy, of course...

But my true loyalty lies with the Raiders and *cough* Rams, even though they both split town on us.  My wife and I will probably have to divorce if the Silver and Black ever meets the Cheeseheads in the big one!  But until then, we'll stay very much in love.  But if things keep proceeding as they are this season, our marriage may indeed be doomed...    

Now where is Scott to welcome you aboard, anyways?!  Maybe he just refuses to welcome a Packers fan.  But he gave me a warm welcome despite being a (Championship) Angels and Lakers fan, both of whom he despises as well, so I'm sure he'll suck it up and say hi to you here... we'll see...  Scott...  Where are you?  Now come on out and play nice with Mr. Cheesehead, won't you?!