I had never seen those before Scott, those are kind of neat.  I was just looking through some listings on ebay for the, there seems to be quite a few of these buggers indeed.  Not something I'm going to collect, but kind of a neat little line.

I think I'm actually kind of leaning the same way Morgbug, although I never really got into this line (same with MOTU, a theme with Mattel-handled lines maybe?).  I got the Zipline Bats, and I thought that figure was so outstanding...and I looked into what else was out there.  I've always been a Batman fan, and thought it might be a nice "small" collection to have.  Then after I saw what was out there, the line's problems, and the possibility that it might almost be over...I kind of reconsidered.  I'm thinking about holding out to see what the next animated line has to offer.  I like these comic versions, but I just don't know if the line will last too much longer from the sounds of it.  And, seeing a collector of the line such as yourself give up on it says a lot to me to that maybe it isn't worth it to try to get into.  I'm happy with my Zipline Bats for now .

I actually got back into collecting (not counting childhood stuff) a little later than most of you.  For me, it actually started around the time of Phantom Menace, when Star Wars hype was at a big high again.  I worked at a local store (a Pamida for those of you who have heard of them) in our town when I was in college, and remember when the first shipments of Star Wars figures came in.  A co-worker and myself ripped open the boxes a little early, and were able to buy whatever we wanted before we put the stock out.  I thought I would just buy 6 Episode I figures, just to have some, but it went downhill from there.  After that, I discovered the POTF2 line, which I thought had great sculpts compared to vintage (looking at some of them now, I think they look terrible...but at the time, they looked great).  I first picked up a commtech Han and Luke, and then I remember finding the site Brian's Toys and picking up a number of loose vintage and loose POTF2 figures.  I got to 20 or so modern figures, and it was downhill from there.  I believe CollectStarWars was the first collecting site I came across, and was my favorite at the time.  After spending a long time lurking, I eventually joined up and posted every so often.  I also migrated to Rebelscum when that merger took place, and began to post there a little more regularly.  Once Galactic Hunter started up, I was on board there as soon as I could be.  I started to pretty much just post there, because I thought Rebelscum's forums were getting kind of wacky.  Then, I heard more about JediDefender here from Scott, and eventually came over and joined up.  I'm very thankful he told me about it, because this is my favorite community....and probably actually the only one where I have actually gotten to know some of you as friends, and by name.  I now post mainly here, and occasionally at GH (but the traffic is low there at times).  I have posted the occasional reply over at Rebelscum too, but probably less than 10 times since I joined up here.

To be honest, I kind of stayed away from posting at first...because I didn't want to be one of "those guys".  I was pretty uneducated on the whole forum/board thing at the time, and now I have really embraced it.  It is a great way to meet people with common interests, and it is fun to chat about it.  I have met some great people through these boards too, and I think sometimes it is just nice to know that someone else out there is "like me".  None of my friends (high school or college) collect anything like this (toys, movie stuff, etc.)...so it is a little harder to talk to them about it.  They think its neat when they see it, but most of them would have no clue about most of the lines, characters, figures, etc. that I would talk about.  And, to be honest, I always think that some of them probably think it is silly....but oh well, its my only hobby so what else am I going to spend that expendable income on?  Overall though, I don't think I'm a snob.....I do wonder sometimes when I see people in the aisles if they belong to one of the online communities, but I don't think I would ever have the guts to go up and ask them.  Honestly, I don't know how a person could really collect a line anymore these days without some online news.  With the way things sell, don't show up, or have chase figures, etc., I don't think I would even know what is out or coming out without some sort of news source.  Its funny thinking back to buying vintage figures when I was a kid, I didn't have any idea what was coming out or when, you just went to the store and saw the figure and "cool, I want that".  Of course back then, most things weren't hard to find it seemed.  The only snobbish way I think I am is that I maybe have a little bit of a preference to the communities here and at Galactic Hunter (which is much of the same people).  Particularly here, I have never met so many helpful people in a community...it seems like everyone here is looking out for one another, and that is nice.  There are so many nice people here, and it is a great community to be a part of.  I thank all of you for making it that way, and keeping it that way.

I was wondering the same thing Mikey, unless that letter is reserved for Big Bird or something?  I have no idea.

Definitely not a stellar debut for the store.  I didn't get in quite in time to place an order (was hoping to get a Kermit as well), but I guess it works out ok.  It really stinks that those of you who got orders in got them cancelled, but the $50 gift certificate makes up for it I think.  Hopefully no pertinent credit card information or anything like that leaked out, otherwise, things should be ok.  Plus, it sounds like you are guaranteed to get those patches too.  I hope every still is able to get what they wanted, but I will give the store credit for trying to make things right with the GC.  Some places would just say "tough" and "order again".  Good luck to everyone who did place orders though, hope it all works out and you still end up getting what you wanted.

Thanks for the info on the Batman releases.  I have actually been looking for the 1989 Batman movie on DVD lately, but haven't been able to find it (except online).  I have heard that the DVD itself isn't that great, so I'll just hold out for the SE next year.  Thanks again!

I've been thinking quite similar to you Morgbug, I really like this line (and want to collect it), but haven't been sure if/how I can justify it (especially to the Mrs.)  She thinks I collect plenty with Star Wars alone.  I should have just bought the FOTR box set earlier too, but now there are current figures I like as well.  And, like you said, at the prices now they are so much more tempting.  I know one thing, if these had been 3 3/4" I think I would have been all over them from the get-go....although they do a great job with these 6" figures too....but space is a premium in our office right now .

Oh...by the way, thanks for the offer of the Gimli, Morgbug.  I'll have to wait and see what I'm going to do about this line right now, but I really do appreciate the offer.  Thanks again!