Author Topic: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.  (Read 65505 times)

Offline Matt

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Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« on: August 5, 2006, 02:33 PM »
From Rebelscum's 6/24/06 411 report:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 3/4" Limited Edition Vintage Assortment:

For the third wave of VOTC figures, we can expect much of the same, but as mentioned above, there is no point fixing what isn't broken. The new wave includes:

    ANH
    Jawa

    TESB
    Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues)
    Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)
    Han Solo (Bespin Outfit)
    Bossk

    ROTJ
    Princess Leia Organa (Endor Battle Gear)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Something semi-interesting from this week's Q & A:

Is it Hasbro's intention to release all of the vintage Kenner figures in the high end vintage figure series? If so, will we be seeing an "ultimate" version of Leia(Bespin Gown) sometime in the future? (YF, 8/04/06)

Well, that would be nice to have such an end-point in mind. But rather than commit to that as the goal, we'll just have to say "wait and see" and take each wave as it comes. We're focusing on the higher demand figures first.

---

I may be reading too far into things, but to me, this almost confirms that re-doing the entire vintage line in this format isn't gonna happen.  And the reason is that, if they're going for the "higher demand" figures first (read: main characters, army builders, and iconic aliens), then by the time they get all of those guys out of the way, they're gonna be left with all of the second- and third-tier vintage figures.  You know:  the Rancor Keepers, the secondary Ewoks, the Nien Nunbs.  Mostly all the garbage Jedi figures, basically.

Here's the entire vintage range:

Star Wars

     Luke Skywalker (2004 VOTC)
     Princess Leia Organa (2004 VOTC)
     Artoo-Detoo
     Chewbacca (2004 VOTC)
     See-Threepio (2004 VOTC)
     Darth Vader (2004 VOTC)
     Stormtrooper (2004 VOTC)
     Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi (2004 VOTC)
     Han Solo (2004 VOTC)
     Jawa (RUMORED 2007 VINTAGE)
     Sand People (2006 VTSC)
     Death Squad Commander
     Greedo (2006 VTSC)
     Hammerhead (2006 Saga)
     Snaggletooth
     Walrus Man
     Luke Skywalker: X-Wing Pilot (2006 VTSC)
     R5-D4 (2006 Saga)
     Death Star Droid
     Power Droid
     Boba Fett (2004 VOTC)

The Empire Strikes Back

     Leia Organa (Bespin Gown) (2004 OTC)
     FX-7
     Imperial Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear) (RUMORED 2007 VINTAGE)
     Rebel Soldier (Hoth Battle Gear)
     Bossk (RUMORED 2007 VINTAGE)
     IG-88
     Luke Skywalker (Bespin Fatigues) (RUMORED 2007 VINTAGE)
     Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)
     Lando Calrissian (2004 VOTC)
     Bespin Security Guard
     Yoda (2004 VOTC)
     Ugnaught
     Dengar (2004 Saga)
     Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) (RUMORED 2007 VINTAGE)
     Lobot (2004 OTC)
     Princess Leia Organa (Hoth Outfit)
     Rebel Commander
     AT-AT Driver (2006 Saga)
     Imperial Commander
     2-1B
     Artoo-Detoo (with Sensorscope) (2004 VOTC)
     See-Threepio (with removable limbs)
     Luke Skywalker (Hoth Battle Gear) (2004 Saga)
     AT-AT Commander
     (Twin-Pod) Cloud Car Pilot (2004 OTC)
     Bespin Security Guard (black)
     Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot (2004 Saga)
     Zuckuss (4-LOM)
     4-LOM (Zuckuss)

Return of the Jedi

     Admiral Ackbar
     Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight Outfit) (RUMORED 2007 30AC)
     Princess Leia Organa (Boushh Disguise) (2006 Saga)
     Gamorrean Guard
     Emperor's Royal Guard
     Chief Chirpa (2006 Saga)
     Logray (Ewok Medicine Man)
     Klaatu
     Rebel Commando (2006 Saga)
     Weequay
     Squid Head
     General Madine (2004 Saga)
     Bib Fortuna (2006 Saga)
     Ree-Yees
     Biker Scout (2006 VTSC)
     Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard Disguise) (2004 Saga)
     Nien Nunb
     Nikto
     8D8
     Princess Leia Organa (in Combat Poncho) (RUMORED 2007 VINTAGE)
     Wicket W. Warrick
     The Emperor
     B-Wing Pilot
     Klaatu (in Skiff Guard Outfit)
     Han Solo (in Trench Coat) (2006 VTSC)
     Teebo
     Prune Face
     AT-ST Driver
     Rancor Keeper
     Lumat
     Paploo

The Power of the Force

     Artoo-Detoo with pop-up Lightsaber
     Luke Skywalker (in Battle Poncho) (2006 Saga)
     Romba
     Amanaman
     Barada
     Imperial Gunner (2006 Saga)
     Han Solo (in Carbonite Chamber) (2006 Saga)
     Luke Skywalker (Imperial Stormtrooper Outfit) (RUMORED MARVEL 2-PACK)
     Anakin Skywalker
     EV-9D9
     Warok
     Lando Calrissian (General Pilot) (2004 Saga)
     A-Wing Pilot (RUMORED 2007 30AC)
     Imperial Dignitary
     Yak Face
« Last Edit: August 5, 2006, 02:55 PM by Matthew »
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Offline Matt

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #1 on: August 5, 2006, 02:34 PM »
And here’s what they’ve realistically got left, after tossing out what’s been done recently and what’s rumored for next year:

Star Wars

     Artoo-Detoo
     Death Squad Commander
     Snaggletooth
     Walrus Man
     Death Star Droid
     Power Droid

The Empire Strikes Back

     FX-7
     Rebel Soldier (Hoth Battle Gear)
     IG-88
     Han Solo (Hoth Outfit)
     Bespin Security Guard
     Ugnaught
     Princess Leia Organa (Hoth Outfit)
     Rebel Commander
     Imperial Commander
     2-1B
     See-Threepio (with removable limbs)
     AT-AT Commander
     Bespin Security Guard (black)
     Zuckuss (4-LOM)
     4-LOM (Zuckuss)

Return of the Jedi

     Admiral Ackbar
     Gamorrean Guard
     Emperor's Royal Guard
     Logray (Ewok Medicine Man)
     Klaatu
     Weequay
     Squid Head
     Ree-Yees
     Nien Nunb
     Nikto
     8D8
     Wicket W. Warrick
     The Emperor
     B-Wing Pilot
     Klaatu (in Skiff Guard Outfit)
     Teebo
     Prune Face
     AT-ST Driver
     Rancor Keeper
     Lumat
     Paploo

The Power of the Force

     Artoo-Detoo with pop-up Lightsaber
     Romba
     Amanaman
     Barada
     Anakin Skywalker
     EV-9D9
     Warok
     Imperial Dignitary
     Yak Face


Random thoughts:

*There's a lot of crap in there that a lot of folks probably wouldn't be too keen on paying $10+ for

*There's a few figures in there, that, while not having been done in the last year or two, were done so well originally that there's not a whole lot that can be improved on with them.  I'm thinking specifically of FX-7, the 2004 TIE Fighter Pilot, and Amanaman here, although there are probably a few others, too

*And there's a few figures, although being done recently, could probably stand for the vintage treatment.  Luke Hoth and the Skiff Guard and General Landos would probably be good candidates

*Hasbro has repeatedly stated in the Q & A's that they have no plans for doing POTF-style vintage cards, and it's been thought by some that the coins may be the reason for that.  But with the coins returning in the basic line next year, I have to wonder if that may open up the possibility for some POTF-style vintage releases

*The only way that I can see the vintage line being completed is if they start to (gulp) repack some of the main characters back into the line, and start to thin things out a little.  A fantastic way to do that would be to start using some of the original logo or alternate-photo cardbacks:

Luke (gunner picture/ROTJ logo)
Artoo (original and bunker-blasted pictures)
Chewie (original picture/SW logo)
Darth Vader (SW logo and new picture/ROTJ logo)
Ben Kenobi (new picture/ROTJ logo)
Han Solo (new picture/ROTJ logo)
Boba Fett (SW logo and new picture/ROTJ logo)
Yoda (new picture/ROTJ logo)
Stormtrooper (SW logo)
Threepio (SW logo)
« Last Edit: August 5, 2006, 03:17 PM by Matthew »
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Offline Artoo

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #2 on: August 5, 2006, 03:09 PM »
After all of the main characters & AB the line will fall. :'( So after this wave they should put one warmer vintage figure in each wave.
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Offline Ben

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #3 on: August 5, 2006, 04:37 PM »
I liked the idea of VOTC back in 2004, and was willing to pay the $10 price to get them.

While I liked the 2006 Saga series, this idea really need go no further. Sure, a few more characters wouldn't be a bad thing, but if they start putting stuff like Ewoks and Nikto on these cards, it'll be time to hang it up. The Jawa is slightly insulting, especially if only one is in the package.

Just release the figures on the basic cards for $7 instead of $12 fancy packaging. I like seeing the vintage cards, but I don't think it's so much worth $5 extra. And I hope they quit sticking in-demand army builders in these waves. I'd love to have more Biker Scouts and Stormtroopers, but it's too expensive. They COULD repack those instead of camo Battle Droids, but I can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which gets filled first.
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Offline Rob

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #4 on: August 5, 2006, 06:24 PM »
Given the unbearable junk they showed at Comic Con - I'd gladly pay 12$ for more VOTC figures - as many as they can crank out over the next 5 to 10 years.

Offline Dressel Rebel

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #5 on: August 5, 2006, 08:11 PM »
Given the unbearable junk they showed at Comic Con - I'd gladly pay 12$ for more VOTC figures - as many as they can crank out over the next 5 to 10 years.

Amen.  I see that first wave of 8 figures up for pre-order at EE, and I don't even want them.

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Offline Rob

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #6 on: August 5, 2006, 08:14 PM »
I'm interested in the droid and the movie-accurate green clone (even though I have about 5 of them...).  Other than that, it's all junk.

Offline Artoo

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #7 on: August 6, 2006, 12:40 AM »
I personally think SA versions of the 2 Landos & Hoth Luke are needed.
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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #8 on: August 6, 2006, 12:45 AM »
Given the unbearable junk they showed at Comic Con

I'm starting to agree with people like you. When I first saw all this prequel "Final 22" stuff, I thought about how awesome it is, and how they're some of the best figure ever. Now I'm starting to gag when I see them. I've decided to only buy the BARC troopers and the camo clones, simply because I can't seem to resist camouflage.
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Offline Jeff

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #9 on: August 6, 2006, 01:20 AM »
*There's a lot of crap in there that a lot of folks probably wouldn't be too keen on paying $10+ for

Yeah, there are really only a few VOTC/VTSC figures they could do at this point that I really want them to do. 

Don't get me wrong, I'll buy them all if they make them, but my life will go on just fine without SA VOTC Rancor Keeper or SA Pruneface.   :P

I'd really, really like to see them get to the ones below.  The rest = meh.

Star Wars
     Death Squad Commander
     Walrus Man
     Death Star Droid (silver, not black)

The Empire Strikes Back
     Rebel Soldier (Hoth)
     Han Solo (Hoth)
     Princess Leia Organa (Hoth)
     Rebel Commander
     Imperial Commander (Black Uniform)
     Bespin Security Guard (Black)
     Zuckuss
     4-LOM

Return of the Jedi
     Gamorrean Guard
     Emperor's Royal Guard
     Klaatu (Jabba's Palace)
     Weequay
     Nikto
     The Emperor
     B-Wing Pilot
     AT-ST Driver

The Power of the Force
     Artoo-Detoo with pop-up Lightsaber
     Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper) - I'm not counting the Marvel POS version.   >:(
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Offline Artoo

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #10 on: August 6, 2006, 01:46 AM »
Star Wars:
Death Star Commander
Walrus Man
Death Star Droid
Gonk Droid (Re-paint)

ESB:
Hoth Han Solo
Hoth Luke Skywalker
4-LOM
IG-88
Zuckuss
Dengar
Boba Fett (VOTC '04 re-paint)
Hoth Leia
Rebel Soldier
Bespin Security (Both races)

ROTJ:
Emperer Palpatine
Palpatine's Royal Guard
Gamorrean Guard
 Nien Numb
B-Wing Pilot (Variations)
Admiral Ackbar
AT-ST Driver
Lando Calrissian (Skiff)

POTF:
Stormtrooper Luke (Unless the Marvel is SA then I'll re-paint)
R2-D2 (Pop-Out Saber)
General Lando

I want more Ewoks but they should be 2-Packs.
I also want all of next year's rumored line-up.
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Offline Nicklab

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #11 on: August 6, 2006, 02:03 AM »
Having grown up with the line from it's inception and having the perspective on it that I have now, there are definitely some things I'd like to see in this line.

The 12 Back Figures.  The 12 back figures were the iconic first releases of the line.  With that in mind, I'd really like to see Hasbro address these.  So far we've got the following:
-Luke Skywalker
-Princess Leia
-Han Solo
-Chewbacca
-C-3PO
-R2-D2
-Obi-Wan Kenobi
-Darth Vader
-Stormtrooper
-Tusken Raider

So that only leaves the Death Squad Commander and the Jawa from the original 12 backs, right?  Basically I'd like to see those two as soon as possible.

I guess if we were to be real sticklers about it, we have gotten a number of these figures on other cards (Vader on TESB, Stormtrooper on ROTJ).  And there might be some costume differences on Vader.  But I think that's only something you'd address if you were REALLY obsessed with the concept.

Now beyond that?  The 20 back card is a good place to start.  We've gotten 2 of the figures that were first introduced on the 20 back card in this format.  I think it might be cool to touch on the rest of the 20 back figures in the near future, but not absolutely necessary.

As for the rest?  I agree, core characters and army builders are a good direction to go in.  There's definitely some fodder in that respect for this line in The Empire Strikes Back.  But I'd also go so far as to do the Bounty Hunters.  I think they're interesting enough characters to get some consideration.

As for other characters?  How about the mail-away figures from the vintage line?  I remember a fair ammount of enthusiasm about the mailaways at the time.  The ones I can remember?  Boba Fett, Bossk, 4-LOM (actually Zuckuss), Nien Numb, the Emporer, Admiral Ackbar, etc.  Go in this kind of direction and I think the vintage style line can have some legs.
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Offline Matt

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #12 on: August 6, 2006, 03:39 AM »
Jeff and "Artoo," our want lists are fairly similar:

Star Wars: 

Death Squad Commander
Walrus Man

Empire:

Han Hoth
Leia Hoth
Luke Hoth
IG-88
Zuckuss
4-LOM
Dengar

Jedi:

Weequay
Klaatu
Emperor's Royal Guard (how can the ROTS version be improved upon?  Besides a new weapon.)
Gamorrean Guard
Admiral Ackbar
The Emperor
Lando Skiff
Luke Jedi

POTF:

Barada
Anakin
Yak Face
Lando General
Luke Stormtrooper (if the Marvel version turns out to be balls as I suspect it will)
Artoo saber (only if they can recreate the bunker-blasted look somehow)

I guess I'd go for almost everything except for the Ewoks and the non-helmeted army-builders (never floated my boat).

The 20 back card is a good place to start.  We've gotten 2 of the figures that were first introduced on the 20 back card in this format.  I think it might be cool to touch on the rest of the 20 back figures in the near future, but not absolutely necessary.

Out of the 20/21 backs that are left:

Hammerhead
Snaggletooth
Walrus Man
R5-D4
Death Star Droid
Power Droid

I'd be down for a new Walrus Man--he could use a re-visiting.  Two of those were just done in Saga, and there might not be a whole lot left to improve on with them.  Snag, DSD and Gonk would be a hard sell for me at this point.  What can be done with them to give them added-value?

Quote
How about the mail-away figures from the vintage line?  I remember a fair ammount of enthusiasm about the mailaways at the time.  The ones I can remember?  Boba Fett, Bossk, 4-LOM (actually Zuckuss), Nien Numb, the Emporer, Admiral Ackbar, etc.  Go in this kind of direction and I think the vintage style line can have some legs.

You mean to make the next mail-away promotions be for actual vintage mail-away characters, and not just bull**** characters like Georgetrooper?  Yeah, that I could get behind.  It'd be a nice nod to the vintage line.  Someone not too long ago suggested having a mail-away for a "secret action figure," just like the old days.  I totally love that idea--but the secret wouldn't last too long, in this day and age.

The Jawa is slightly insulting, especially if only one is in the package.

I think there's some things they can do with the Jawa to really "make it worth it."  Kinda like what they did with the VOTC Yoda.  Separate legs is a biggie (they still haven't done a two-legged Jawa in the modern range, have they?).  A cloth cape is a must, and as a really-cool callback, they could include a vinyl-cape, too.  Super-articulation is a must (as much is possible on that small a figure, anyway), and as many accessories as possible.  I also wouldn't mind seeing a new "light-up eyes" feature (like a press-button deal), but some people don't care for that sort of thing.

Quote
Just release the figures on the basic cards for $7 instead of $12 fancy packaging.

Ideally, yeah.  They've proved that they can do VOTC-style articulation and accessories in the basic line (now whether they choose to or not is another matter entirely).  But, since the retro-vintage line seems to be pretty popular and isn't going away anytime soon, we might as well talk about what we'd like to see for it, yeah?
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Offline Darth_Anton

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #13 on: August 6, 2006, 11:43 AM »
While I love the idea of re-making every vintage figure as a VOTC/VTSC or whatever, I don't loose any sleep over whether or not we'll get all. I certainly think we'll get many of the cool important characters, and I think Hasbro will certainly make sure an army builder will go into every wave.
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Offline DoctorPadawan

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Re: Let's discuss the future of the retro-vintage line.
« Reply #14 on: August 6, 2006, 11:56 AM »
I honestly think that they should stick with the main characters and army builders for the Vintage lines.  A lot of the vintage figures have been updated fairly well in the regular action figure line (Hammerhead, Power Droid, R2-D2 sans gadgetry, Cloud Car Pilot, etc), and some of them would be a little too esoteric (read: retail suicide) to make as a 10 dollar figure assortment (the Rancor Keeper being the most blatant of these).  That being said, here's what I would like to see from the vintage line in a 16 figure line (four for each film/collection, excluding next year's rumored figures):

STAR WARS:
-Death Squad Commander
-Death Star Droid
-Snaggletooth
-Walrus Man

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK:
-Hoth Han Solo
-Hoth Luke Skywalker
-Hoth Rebel Soldier
-IG-88

RETURN OF THE JEDI:
-Gammorean Guard
-Squid Head
-Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight)
-Princess Leia (Endor Poncho)

POWER OF THE FORCE:
-Yak Face
-Anakin Skywalker
-Imperial Dignitary
-Lando Calrissian (Rebel General)