Just completed another transaction with Matt, receiving a great package of goodies yesterday.  He has really been helping me keep up with stuff that I'm not finding around here, and really goes out of his way to help you.  And, even though I'm not even a carded collector...I have never seen anyone pack up figures as well as Matt.  Thanks again buddy!  Don't hesitate to deal with our friendly JediMAC.

That's a lot of what tempted me as well Scott.  The only DC comic I ever read growing up was Batman (or anything related to Batman), I was mainly a Marvel kid otherwise.  However, Bats is probably my favorite overall.  I really enjoyed watching the Super Friends growing up, and actually am somewhat interested in the newer Justice League show as well.  I have considered both the Super Friends and JLA lines from DC Direct because of that.  Also, sorry...one other question...have any of you been collecting the current Justice League line from Mattel?  I know it is riddled with variants as well, but what do you think of the regular figures if you have any of them?  I've been tempted a couple of times to get at least the "team".

Yeah, I was wondering that too...what exactly is in store for this line in 2004?  Obviously Mattel has problems with case ratios, etc., and there seems to be more than enough different "bat-variants".  Is the line continuing at all, or is it done as soon as "The Batman" starts, sometime in the fall?

I have looked at some of the DC Direct stuff, and that stuff is really nice too.  Since I haven't had comics for quite some time, I don't really go in comic shops anymore...but their line of stuff really looks great too.  I'm kind of in line with Morgbug though, I was looking for a nicely done, cheaper line to collect.  I'd just like to have a small, nice looking Batman collection to have......and now that consists of Zipline Batman .  I guess I'll wait and see where this line is headed before I jump in, or just wait for the next line if it is done well.  I will admit, I do kind of like the look of the new Batman (from "The Batman"), so we will see.

What other non-Bat figures are in the 6" Mattel line?  There is a Robin, Freeze, Killer Croc, Joker, Superman, and Nightwing?  I wasn't sure, I haven't followed the line close enough, but I was just curious.  Thanks for all the help and advice everyone.

Yeah, that was a heartbreaker to the Spurs on Sunday Scott.  Should be a great game tonight, kind of wish it was on ESPN so I could watch it.  The more I watch/listen to/read about Kevin Garnett, the more I think he is one of the class acts in the league today...on and off the court.  One of the biggest reasons I like the Wolves as well, I have always had respect for him.  Also...I hope you finals prediction is right  

Not sure where this should be posted, since some of this will be Saga product and some might be OTC.  Anyways, this list was just posted over at Rebelscum, and since it included the Sandcrawler, I figured I would post it here:

New Hasbro Stock List
Posted by Jeremy on February 25, 2004:

Thanks to Sprout we now have an inkling of what Hasbro will be bringing us this year. The list was good and long, and aside from the figures, multipacks and vehicles Rebelscum has already posted (see Related Stories at the bottom of this post) the following items are new and unannounced:

Basic Figures 4-pack Assortment

3-3/4" Naboo Final Conflict (June 2004)

3-3/4" Jedi Council Scene Packs

3-3/4" Jedi Council Scene I Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Adi Mundi (March 2004)
3-3/4" Jedi Council Scene II Obi Wan, Plo Kloon, Ickath (May 2004)
3-3/4" Jedi Council Scene III Shaak Ti, Chema, Sta Sta (July 2004)
3-3/4" Jedi Council Scene IV Anakin, Sae Sae, Adegalia (September 2004)
3-3/4" Convention / Toy Fair Figure (July 2004)

Classic Vehicle Assortment

3-3/4" Y Wing (August 2004)
3-3/4" Tie Fighter w/New Wings & Pilot (July 2004)
3-3/4" Sandcrawler (June 2004)
3-3/4" ESB Slave I with Boba Fett (July 2004)

So, it looks to be there will be another 4 Jedi council sets (thus allowing us to utter the immortal phrase "the circle is complete"!), a mystery promotional figure, another Y-wing (rehashed or remodelled we do not know), a TIE Fighter with NEW wings and a re-released Slave I (which has been rumoured for some months now - but will it be the SOTE/POTF2 or Saga one?). The scale of the Sandcrawler has now been answered as well, calming fears that rumoured pricepoints would not have allowed it to be 3-3/4" scale.

All of the above items are FOB, meaning that retailers must order them in bulk direct from Hong Kong so remember that release dates are when they will be available for shipping from the Far East and NOT when they will be available on shelves. You should add 4 to 8 weeks to get a better estimate when you will actually see these toys arriving.

Although I think most of us wish Hasbro would just release new figures, it seems like they have been having a little bit of recarding fever over there lately.  I don't really mind some figures being re-released, especially if they are on those new, spiffy, OTC cards.  That being said, I'm not sure why they even had that Hall of Fame wave, since we're getting many of those again on OTC cards.  They should have maybe started the cardbacks sooner, or held off until later.  I will say though, the repacks don't really sit around here very long either, so that is a good sign I suppose.  If the recarding is a necessary evil to us, are there any figures you wouldn't mind seeing re-released (either for you, or for others).  Maybe some figures that would hold up well, comparable to current sculpting/quality?  I don't really understand why they haven't recarded the POTJ Bespin Capture Han Solo, since they like to have a Han out at all times, and they have done the Commtech one to death now.  Also, many other POTJ and Saga figures (Sandtrooper, FX-7, Ephant Mon, Cloud City Chewie, Bespin Luke, etc.) are quite well done, and wouldn't be terrible recarded figures either.  Any suggestions you might have?

Here's the latest results:

R2-D2 with holographic Princess Leia: 15%
Admiral Motti : 17%
Ree-Yees : 12%
Death Star Trooper : 7%
Han Solo in Stormtrooper Disguise (from 2001 Trash Compactor Scene Pack): 26%
Imperial Scanning Crew Trooper (from Millennium Falcon Carrying Case): 23%

Although I don't have the Imperial Scanning Crew Trooper, I guess I am a little surprised that it is doing so well.  The pictures I have seen of this figure haven't really impressed me, and it most definitely wouldn't "fit in" with the sculpting quality of the current figures...at least in my opinion.

I was curious as to what some of your opinions were on the POTF2 Rebo Band pairs, as well as the Rancor.  These are two things/characters that I have always wanted to have in my collection, and I have been considering trying to pick them up on ebay (eventually).  I kind of held out in case they were "re-done" like many other figures are these days, but I don't think that they (particularly the Rancor, due to size) will be.  Anyways, I was wondering if many of you think the sculpts, etc. hold up well compared to the current-day offerings from Hasbro.  If you can offer any of your opinions on these pieces, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!