Mdarthdaddy - Michael pointed out to me in an email recently that the Anakin (Secret Ceremony) figure has an original Saga card variation and a new yellow stripe on the left side card (darker blue).

Questions:

1. Why?
- Are they doing this to get the early releases out to people that couldn't get them due to the shipping problems and bad cards the early 2003 figures were on?

- Are they just doing it to create some consistancy? Seems a bit late for the Anakin figure at least.

2. Are there other figures that have had the same card variation? I have heard there may be a Boba Fett on both types of card too. If so, which figures have you noticed beyond the mentioned Anakin?

3. Here we go again with the card changes. Almost a repeat of the first 16 (if in fact others have the same change) Saga figures with the inserts. I am not a fan of this. I wish these types of changes would be left alone and not done at all. It makes no sense and it drives variation/error collectors ape.

Let me know if anyone has found others. I actually was able to find both Anakin's on a fluke, so I can try scans for those if any are interested...

The new Toynami Thundarr the Barbarian figures and I met up yesterday and I had to buy Ookla. Next to Chewie, he's the tops! These figures are really well done. The articulation and sculpts are beautiful and dead on likenesses too! For those of us that used to wake up and watch this classic Saturday cartoon (along with Tarzan, Spidey & Amazing Friends, The Herculoids...) we can again rejoice in our youth and relive those simpler times!

I shelled out about $15 for Ookla and seeing it was the only one I've seen anywhere, I feel very fortunate. It's a price to pay for nostalgia, but worth it to me!

Seeing as I stooped collecting the vintage as a youngster and did not pick up the bug again until the Episode 1 era, I missed the Modern Power of the Force entirely until I started working my way back after the EP1 craze died down a bit. I am curious about how one used the COMMTech chips that came with the Modern POTF until they release the COMMTech chip reader with the EP1 figures? Was it a short enough wait that it did not matter, or was it something that frustrated collectors until it's release?

Mace and Yoda are always talking about the prophecy. Is this documented anywhere? Does anyone know the specifics of this phophecy?

I recently went to a small club in Boulder Colorado and saw the Anthrax 'Taking the Music Back' tour. They came with E Town Concrete and Lamb of God. Anthrax were great as to be expected and are still so energetic and intense live. John Bush has been a favorite since early Armored Saint and having seen Anthrax many times (1st was 'Spreading the Disease' tour), I am still amazed by their presence and talent.

With that said, I was also blown away by Lamb of God. Having never heard of them, they had me captivated and stunned during the entire set. I usually swear off unknown opening acts, but I could not ignore their brilliant musical abilities and overall innovative approach to metal. I went out immediately and bought both of their cds. Their debut, 'New American Gospel' is a breath of fresh air in the stale lungs of contemporary music. They are tight, complex and heavy as a ten ton hammer. It's an astounding effort for a first album.

"As The Palaces Burn' is about 10 times better than their first and that's saying a lot. It's heavier! It's faster and the guitar and drum parts are fluid and complex and just addicting. Since I bought 'Palaces', I haven't listened to anything else and each time it gets better and better!

If you are an old school thrash/death metal fan then you need to pick up some Lamb of God! They are Dream Theater without the Styx lead singer and much heavier. But equally as talentedand just plain harsh! I think of bands like old Max Sepultura, Kreator in their hey day, Dark Angel and even a little Slayer.

I promise you will not be disappointed! Some lead singers are hard to get past in order to enjoy the music. While Randy is gruff and barks out the vocals, he is apt for the music and not overbearing. The lyrics are also poiniant and extremely dark.

Hope you try them and enjoy them as much as I am. If you already like them, chime in and tell me your thoughts.

When I received my package all was there and in good order. Wai fulfilled his end and he has proven to me that he is worth trading with. While the wait was frustrating and this post caused some concern, he completed the trade as promised. No matter what has been done in the past, he has begun to re-establish himself as a 'Good Trader'. His offer to send first is a statement that he intends to reclaim his good name and I think he has done that here.

Is his shoulder bolt SMOOTH or does it have grooves in it?!!

Hasbro is beginning to make me think it's grooved. Aside from the 'error' Sentry figure, they have grooved the bolts on the Silver TRU figure and now the Droid Factory Flight figure too! They are getting lazy and not destroying old sculpts, or they are trying to convince us that the error is the Smooth bolt version. I am getting a little po'd here. Get it right Hasbro and call me when I can get some consistency with different figure releases of the same character!

I would love for someone to help clear up a few things with these.

What I know...

Every figure was released with a .00 version and some with a .01.

There is an error with a photo of the Han Solo coin. They both say, 'Bespin Han Solo' but on some of the the .00 versions an image of the Hoth Snowtrooper coin appears.

Han Solo was packaged with a Hoth Snowtrooper Coin in some cases.

The .00 version all have 'Millennium Minted Coin' text behind the coin and all other variations have no text.

My questions and requests...

If anyone has one or more of these, I would love to see an image of the box back to clarify some things.

What version (.00 or .01) did the Han figure come with the snowtrooper coin?

Guess that's it. Any help is appreciated...

What figures do you know that come with the Han Solo text below the Snowtrooper coin image error? I know that the .00 version of C-3PO, Palpatine, Luke & Leia have this error. Do Han Solo, Chewbacca and Snowtrooper have it too?

Is there a .01 version for C-3PO, Chewbacca or Palpatine?