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Kenner Retro Collection / Re: 3rd Party Kenner Retro-Style Toys
« on: April 16, 2025, 01:40 PM »
I think the Holo Jedi he refers to are the glow-in-the-dark Jedi Ghost 3-pack that Stan Solo sells.
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17
Kenner Retro Collection / Re: 3rd Party Kenner Retro-Style Toys
« on: April 11, 2025, 09:26 AM »
I will go into a little more detail than Rob did but he's 100% correct in everything he says. The story is interesting once all the pieces get put together.
The unofficial mythology here is all about the rivalry between Krahn and Smith. Smith built Smith Lord Creations, Krahn expressed interest in being SLC's American distributor through The Fans Strike Back, but before anything happened there, Smith decided he was done with the business and offered to sell it outright to Krahn. Krahn accepted happily.
Krahn began cranking out SLC product through TFSB. He began preselling Banthas and "the 13." At the same time, Smith had second thoughts or misgivings about selling his company and started a new one doing the same thing called Stan Solo. He went back to his old Chinese factory contacts to do this, and so both Stan Solo and SLC figures were made at the same factory.
Krahn did not appreciate this very direct competition from the guy who had sold the company to him. Smith alleges Krahn leaked shipping information to authorities about "bootleg toys" to get Smith's product seized when imported to England. If that was his strategy it backfired horribly on him because soon after a shipment of SLC Stormtroopers was seized by American customs. Krahn blamed the Chinese factory and tried to force them to replace the seized figures, but the factory refused. As the argument escalated, the factory simply stopped responding and ceased working with both SLC and Stan Solo( which accounts for why Smith stopped making astromech droid variations at that time, he lost access to all of his mold inventory.)
Smith picked up by moving on to a new factory and producing new figures and new molds, starting over for essentially the third time. He continues to thrive in his niche.
Krahn was hurting because the seized Stormtroopers were allegedly a presell that he could not fulfill until he found a new factory, made new molds, and got them produced again. This is where it looks like money started going from one thing to cover another ( though that could have been going on the whole time with him.) The worst result was he didn't have established contacts in China and when he did get back into production it was with inferior quality. The Slave Leia figure he put out is all the example you need for this.
As SLC had lost the money invested in the molds for the "13" when they lost the original factory (who, lo and behold, did in fact at least partially produce the whole run of 13 figures) it then became a problem of Krahn never having the ability to catch up enough financially to get that process started again. Losing the original factory also cost SLC the ability to make the Bantha for all the same reasons.
In the end the most damning part of the process was that, as it started to unravel, Krahn repeatedly lied and tried to spin his way out of issues with customers. He was never able to catch up with what he'd spent and lost, his reputation tanked, and TFSB and SLC effectively disappeared.
The unofficial mythology here is all about the rivalry between Krahn and Smith. Smith built Smith Lord Creations, Krahn expressed interest in being SLC's American distributor through The Fans Strike Back, but before anything happened there, Smith decided he was done with the business and offered to sell it outright to Krahn. Krahn accepted happily.
Krahn began cranking out SLC product through TFSB. He began preselling Banthas and "the 13." At the same time, Smith had second thoughts or misgivings about selling his company and started a new one doing the same thing called Stan Solo. He went back to his old Chinese factory contacts to do this, and so both Stan Solo and SLC figures were made at the same factory.
Krahn did not appreciate this very direct competition from the guy who had sold the company to him. Smith alleges Krahn leaked shipping information to authorities about "bootleg toys" to get Smith's product seized when imported to England. If that was his strategy it backfired horribly on him because soon after a shipment of SLC Stormtroopers was seized by American customs. Krahn blamed the Chinese factory and tried to force them to replace the seized figures, but the factory refused. As the argument escalated, the factory simply stopped responding and ceased working with both SLC and Stan Solo( which accounts for why Smith stopped making astromech droid variations at that time, he lost access to all of his mold inventory.)
Smith picked up by moving on to a new factory and producing new figures and new molds, starting over for essentially the third time. He continues to thrive in his niche.
Krahn was hurting because the seized Stormtroopers were allegedly a presell that he could not fulfill until he found a new factory, made new molds, and got them produced again. This is where it looks like money started going from one thing to cover another ( though that could have been going on the whole time with him.) The worst result was he didn't have established contacts in China and when he did get back into production it was with inferior quality. The Slave Leia figure he put out is all the example you need for this.
As SLC had lost the money invested in the molds for the "13" when they lost the original factory (who, lo and behold, did in fact at least partially produce the whole run of 13 figures) it then became a problem of Krahn never having the ability to catch up enough financially to get that process started again. Losing the original factory also cost SLC the ability to make the Bantha for all the same reasons.
In the end the most damning part of the process was that, as it started to unravel, Krahn repeatedly lied and tried to spin his way out of issues with customers. He was never able to catch up with what he'd spent and lost, his reputation tanked, and TFSB and SLC effectively disappeared.
18
The Vintage Collection / Re: RUMOR - 2025 TVC Troop Builder Snowtrooper 4-Pack
« on: April 10, 2025, 10:57 PM »
The seller's eBay record is pristine and lengthy, he's selling other similar items, and he put another Snowtrooper set up with a higher price already.
I don't think it's a custom.
I don't think it's a custom.
19
The Vintage Collection / Re: TVC and Tariff Pricing
« on: April 10, 2025, 07:32 PM »
In general, TVC and TBS are made in China, while Retro and Epic are made in Vietnam. iirc.
20
Kenner Retro Collection / Re: 3rd Party Kenner Retro-Style Toys
« on: April 5, 2025, 10:48 AM »
Quality on the SLC figures looks good from the photos so far (I am not buying) and that makes sense when you put it all together. SLC was set up by Chris Smith, who then wanted out and sold it to Chris Krahn, before Smith decided he wanted back in and started Stan Solo. So for a few months or a year, both companies products were being produced by the same factory. Until things fell apart and that factory stopped working with them.
Stan Solo knew what he was doing so when he switched to a new factory he maintained the quality. SLC did not, and probably went with the low bidder...which showed in the Slave Leia.
At any rate, all this new old stock appears to be coming out of that original, good factory. I would be surprised if it was a new run and not just getting rid of everything that was made circa 2020.
Stan Solo knew what he was doing so when he switched to a new factory he maintained the quality. SLC did not, and probably went with the low bidder...which showed in the Slave Leia.
At any rate, all this new old stock appears to be coming out of that original, good factory. I would be surprised if it was a new run and not just getting rid of everything that was made circa 2020.
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Kenner Retro Collection / Re: 2025 Kenner Retro Collection ANH Wave
« on: March 5, 2025, 02:57 PM »Well, I was only off by 12 hours.
Not sure if this will be like the last one that was easy to find in store or the one with Mon Mothma I never saw anywhere. Better safe than sorry I guess. I got one.
The ROTJ pack with Mon Mothma was a Pulse/Disney exclusive, so unless you went to one of the parks your only option was online for that.
I preordered this one just to be on the safe side...and I will buy extras if they show up in stores.
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Kenner Retro Collection / Re: 2025 Kenner Retro Collection ANH Wave
« on: March 2, 2025, 01:24 PM »
It is supposed to be 1pm ET.
I agree about preorders...if it is anything like the TPM Retro pack from last year I will miss the order and find plenty in stores.
I agree about preorders...if it is anything like the TPM Retro pack from last year I will miss the order and find plenty in stores.
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Kenner Retro Collection / Re: 2025 Kenner Retro Collection ANH Wave
« on: March 1, 2025, 11:30 PM »
This wave/6-pack was shown at Toy Fair today. They are a Target exclusive for $59.99, going up for preorder Wednesday March 5th.
I'm in!
I'm in!
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The Vintage Collection / Re: 2025 Hasbro Pulse Fan Stream Reveals
« on: February 26, 2025, 05:13 PM »Hammerhead is going to be $12.49 within two months. Guaranteed.
As a fan-channel release I am not so sure. He will at least not pull a Cobb Vanth at Walmart and Target.
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The Vintage Collection / Re: Vintage Collection Rumors
« on: January 30, 2025, 03:34 PM »
Looking at that C-3PO closely, it is the same old craptastic removable panels TVC version they keep putting out since 2010. The right arm's weird pointy elbow and very specific finger pose are dead giveaways, as is the barrel chest.
(That said, Jayson did update his rumor list to include C-3PO today, so the plot thickens.)
(That said, Jayson did update his rumor list to include C-3PO today, so the plot thickens.)
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Star Wars Anthology / Re: Rogue Squadron
« on: January 12, 2025, 03:29 PM »
I hope beyond hope that sanity prevails and the "Rogue Squadron" project moves to the OT era as well, even if I realize that it will probably not include the characters from Stackpole's very enjoyable novels.
If they move forward with the project as set in the sequel era as it was originally announced I will be much less interested, if only because of the limited appeal of the muddy Resistance/First Order conflict.
If they move forward with the project as set in the sequel era as it was originally announced I will be much less interested, if only because of the limited appeal of the muddy Resistance/First Order conflict.
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The Vintage Collection / Re: 2023 HasLab - TVC The Ghost
« on: December 16, 2024, 11:40 AM »I ordered one Ghost....and I have two labels created in FedEx.
This could get interesting.
I didn't know Neca was selling the Ghost...
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Kenner Retro Collection / Re: 2025 Kenner Retro Collection ANH Wave
« on: December 8, 2024, 07:49 PM »
At the live presentation in England where these were revealed, Steve Evans showed an image that had the 1979 Walrus Man on it, as well as Luke's medal and Han's helmet.
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Kenner Retro Collection / 2025 Kenner Retro Collection ANH Wave
« on: December 8, 2024, 10:52 AM »
Announced/pipeline today, a new A New Hope wave consisting of:
Rebel Fleet Trooper
Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise)
Luke Skywalker (Yavin Ceremony)
Walrus Man
Sandtrooper
Dr. Evazan
Rebel Fleet Trooper
Han Solo (Stormtrooper Disguise)
Luke Skywalker (Yavin Ceremony)
Walrus Man
Sandtrooper
Dr. Evazan
30
Disney Parks Droid Factory / Re: 2024 Disney Star Tours Starspeeder 3000
« on: September 28, 2024, 02:14 PM »
Wow, I am surprised they sold you the carded sample that comes with the set, that is the only piece of the set with the limited edition number on it from what I've heard...that's something I would have a hard time justifying taking off the card. I agree you might want to hold out to see if that figure comes out some other way in the next year or so before freeing him from the packaging.