The deal of the day here...


http://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=100024

12" Battledroid 2-Pack...

The Exclusive version is actually interesting, being the "1138" designation on one of them (unlike Gree who just has a stand).  I'm shocked for $120 they're selling 2 Battledroids though.  that seems very inexpensive. 

They seem really sharp though, but the guns look a tad small to me.  Maybe I'm just too used to Hasbro's sculpt though.  It probably is a smaller gun as I know Padme looks a little off holding the battledroid rifle.  It looks like a cannon.

Anyway, this was the surprise of the day for me...  2 12" figures for pretty cheap.

...In another form?

I was thinking about the "Build-A-Droid" pack-ins the other night.  Mostly about how much I missed them, ultimately, and how they were persuasive in getting me to buy figures just to finish a droid here and there.

But I was thinking too, how many droids can you crank out?  At this point it's rough...  I could see generic battledroids making it into the ranks, but will people care?  I can see some more EU droids or whatnot, but I was thinking maybe the "Build-A-_____" concept could live on in another way?

Build a Clone?  Build a Trooper?

Something where you could mix/match parts may go a long way too...  Clones, while having some color or gear variety, ultimately would mix/match well if Hasbro planned out the idea in advance enough.

They've not said BAD can't come back, just that it's on hold during Vintage...  At today's prices, getting something extra with a figure is about the only way to feel like you're getting a bonus or any bang for your buck.  Extra gear on a figure like the Gammie makes the price easier to stomach, but likewise you have a figure like Logray where $8.99 + is stickershock.

Is there room for the "Build-A-____" concept to grow beyond droids?

Figured I'd start one just for statues to make it a little simpler as they come out to just slip them into one thread (like busts).

And with that, as per our front page, Gentle Giant announced a slick Episide V statue of Darth Vader!


link

The floor lights up, which I think is pretty neat.  Makes it more of a centerpiece to me, to have that going on with it.

Also posted is a loose shot of Commander Blackout...


Clicky

Looks like a really sharp deco. 

So I was thinking the other day about this...

The Deluxe Figure w/Vehicle line is neat, and they are doing the Yavin Tech w/Sled...  Not a bad choice since people are into the set, but what about other "Original Trilogy" based ideas?

I was thinking about this more in the context of the "just off screen" designs rather than things that were actually in the movie, but really either one would be cool I think.

One I'd really dig seeing, from the movie, is the Hoth Speeder/Gun Platform thing from the cut footage...  It's just about the size for a Deluxe Figure w/Vehicle format I think, and a Hoth Trooper variation with it would be ideal (or Luke I guess, with maybe a more weathered deco?).

I was also thinking it'd be really neat to see an MLC-3 update though...  A modern sculpt of the cool tank design.  It's something I still pick up to use with modern figures, actually.  I just love the MLC-3 though, as a small gun carriage.  It reminds me of a Bren Carrier from World War II or something like it.  Rolling along with Fleet Troopers, giving some supressing fire when they need it.  A mini-tank.

I could also see Hasbro whip up a Rebel Speederbike with a unique Rebel Scout...  Not the McQuarrie design, something a bit more traditional and like the Imperial bike, or a Swoop perhaps.  Even a repainted Swoop sculpt they have like the Pirate Speederbike Bane came with?  With a cool Rebel Scout figure on there, it could really do well I think as an army builder.

I was thinking also that little "pod" type speeder from Mos Eisley would possibly work as a Deluxe Fig w/Vehicle...  Not sure who you'd sneak in with it, but it's OT based, unmade, and maybe could include some kind of Bounty Hunter character?

I just really would like to see the Deluxe line expand from the Clone Wars a bit and look at the Original Trilogy more...  the upcoming original designs from Hasbro are neat, and have inspired me a little bit to hope for some expansion of the line.

What's being listed as "Wave 8" pre-orders are up at EE...

Vintage Wave 8

Vintage Wave 8 Rev. 1

Doesn't seem to jive with the "Wave 8" figures we've been talking about though, and seems instead to be the Revenge carded guys.

Sandtroopers got another early proto image, this time it's the rumored Taun-Taun... 


Clicky to see it.

The beast appears to have added ball/socket shoulders, and ankles, as well as a new removable saddle.  check out the stirrups.  Pretty slick that those are done that way IMO.  

The left horn's broke, which is what Luke's had, so that's further confirmation that this is the rumored Luke's Taun-Taun, which I believe also turned up in Euro TRU computers if i'm not mistaken.

The figure should be pretty interesting.

Also of note...  That left horn's a separately sculpted/molded piece.  Leaves it open for them to do a new horn rather than resculpting the entire head, to do Han's more generic Taun-Taun...  Doesn't bode well for a split-belly feature though.   

I really like the details to the saddle now though.  Much nicer.  I expect the figure to be pretty flawless too...  it's been way too long for Hoth Luke to get a decent figure.

When they do Han's less distinct ride, I'd really dig seeing them do a Hoth Rebel scout then, using Han's taun-taun sculpt.  I've always wanted a Hoth Scout for some reason, have some of the wranglers holding its reigns and stuff.

New exclusive E3 Obi-Wan, as per our front page...


Clicky to check it out.

Due out in July.  Looks pretty slick, and limited to 1100.