For me, my basic "standard" is ball/socket knees, angle-cut elbows, ball/socket neck, and I'd like ball/socket shoulders.  THat's what I think should be standard for the line, however an army builder like the DST should get a little better...  SA or damn close to it (IE: I could lose the ankle joints and ball/socket torso, but that's it).

That idea with multiple heads is a good one too Paul considering 21st Cent. Toys is getting in the habit now of including an ENTIRE torso with some upcoming figures for "army building" variety it seems, plus multiple heads with some figures.  Hasbro can do the same or better I'm sure, especially since their figures sell for $1 or $2 more each.

I've got some renewed hope with the Clones and Firefighter recently pictured but when I look at Veers I just think how bad Hasbro could tank a resculpt of the Death Star Trooper...     That Veers figure just lacks quite a bit in my book (Like a removable hat, the back of his armor, and knee articulation).

21st Century's "Area 21" has some info on the upcoming Platoon line...

Yes, you too can own your own Tom Berrenger(sp) figure now!    And Charlie Sheen, and Willam Defoe...  And others. (Johnny Depp too folks)

Now, what does this mean?  Well, the likeness of the Sahara figures was...  eh.  I've seen worse, but I've seen WAY better.  These could be hit or miss but some early images had leaked a while back I believe and the Berrenger sculpt looked absolutely incredible, down to every deep scar.

For you customizing fans, how cool shall it be to make  Willam Defoe IMperial Officer, or Tom Berrenger bounty hunter, right?  Right. 

Here's the release info though...

Hopefully pics soon!

For those who may not already know, 21st Century Toys Inc. secured a licence to produce a series of vehicles and action figures from the award winning film PLATOON. In a recent breifing from 21st Century Toys earlier today, AREA-21 was updated with the progress of the Platoon project. Fans have been eagerly awaiting to hear more details about this exciting line of new vietnam era figures and vehicles. Today AREA-21 has some answers for you!

The burning question from fans has been centered on the Action figures themselves and the question has been raised asking if these will be all new figure molds, head sculpts or what exactly? AREA-21 is pleased to announce that the Platton figures will be ALL NEW from the toes of the boots to the tops of their helmets! -That is right fans you heard it here first! Fans will be excited to learn that your favorite characters from the film have been faithfully sculpted and reproduced into a 1:18 scale action figure, capturing the likeness of Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Johnny Depp and others.

The good news doesn't stop there! Each new 1:18 scale PLATOON action figure will feature all new articulation points in the construction. These promise to be the most poseable, highly detailed action figures to have ever been produced by 21st Century Toys. AREA-21 will be the first to update you with more information and release dates on this exciting new product line as soon it becomes available. 21st Century Toys has not confimed an estimated shipping date at this time.

I'm really stoked to pick these up.  I've resigned myself to only collecting WW2 vehicles, and all figures.  No tanks from other eras, no planes at all really unless it's just something uber special, but with the line's figures expanding in diversity I'm ok with just focusing on them.

BTW, further proof that small companies are paying exorbitant fees for licensed stuff...  If you think it's cheap securing the likeness rights to Johnny Depp, or Willam Defoe, think again...  I've said it before and I'll say it again, I've seen a number of items 21st has had to pay a license fee for...  Everything from the name Dodge to a historical character's likeness to a specific plane's noseart.  You'd be A-freakin'-mazed what these can cost, and they're costing a lot to an incredibly small company compared to Hasbro.

There's guys out there that will tell you Hasbro does the best they can what with their licensing to LFL and all, but I say to you that if a company as small as 21st is incurring many licenses, and at very high costs, and still getting us the utmost high quality toys for less, than Hasbro (a publicly held corporation and #2 US Toy Company) can do better with its Star Wars line.  I'm sorry, people just don't seem to see that other companies out there, 1/10 Hasbro's size, do a lot more with a lot less. 

The Platoon line's been a long time coming, so I'm stoked for this.  I must have a Charlie Sheen Imperial Trooper...  I must.

Oh well if Jack sent you then now I understand...  Jack Mehoffer's been around a lot.

Nobody puts Greenday in the corner... 

Hey, Michael wants to go outside and blow bubbles! 

Uh, wait...

K-Mart is still a pretty big presence up here...  Sounds like the South is pretty well dominated by WM/Target, but up in Pittsburgh KM is still your neighborhood store for many areas.

That's gonna change I think, but yeah it's still a common sight up here.

I loved KM during the POTJ run...  They got every wave in and I probably bought more SW there than year than any year prior, and I'd say I havne't shopped more consistantly at any one store since.  I've always just spread out my dollar to whoever had what I wanted...  Though KM and KB have lost my dollar because of their inflated prices.

On the other hand, KM was the only one who I could find some of the final 12 at this year on Black Friday, so they're still a viable shopping option for some of us...  With them teaming up with Sears, that's a plus for them.  I'm thinking they're just abandoning the last of the fat at this point, which is what they should do I guess.  Move on and improve.  I wish they'd just be a more competitive source for toys...  Selection's been comparable to other stores but price makes me loathe buying from them.  I only bought there on black friday because figures ammounted to $3.50 each after the sale price.  I was more than happy with that.

Starkid,

Use the private messaging feature for private discussions, not the main board.

Guys...

Try not to dwell on repeat trolls, it's really not a worthy discussion at all.  When he does his thing he's dealt with.  Feel free to send a PM to mods or report posts if you feel he's here unbeknownst to anyone, however we've caught him before he's even made one post every time so far, just waiting for him to basically post something for confirmation.  Problem's taken care of though every time so he's hardly worth a topic guys, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

As per the front page, there's boxed images and content pics up from Slave1.jp.

I'm still desperately trying to figure out how I can get about $200 together to buy this and not feel like a complete turd.  I want this model kit though...  It's so sweet.  It's funny how this kit probably will put any Code 3 or MR item to shame if completed well by the modeler.  Fine Molds X-Wing was such a vastly superior item compared to the Code 3 X-Wing, and Code 3's Falcon is a blatant knock-off of the completely inaccurate AMT/Ertl Cut-Away Falcon that this FM kit will inevitably be much the same...  Painstaking to build, but I believe worth every bit of frustration.