Although I'm not sure when I will dive into it, I have always wanted to get a small collection of vintage carded figures.  I know I couldn't afford to do the entire line (unless Hasbro would stop making stuff, and I'd have more collectibles income to go towards this area), so for now I'd just like to slowly work towards getting some of the "main" characters.  I still have a ways to go on my loose collection as well, but thought I'd maybe save here and there and try to pick up a carded figure every so often.  The one I want to start with is Han Solo, probably the Bespin or Endor version.  I'd kind of like to get them on the movie card that they are actually from, but maybe sometimes it is cheaper to say do a Bespin Han on a ROTJ card.  Anyways, what is the best route to take for someone starting out?  Is ebay the best way to go for carded figures?  Any tips for a newbie?

I think I'd go with Tarkin or a Stormtrooper Han.  Either one would have been pretty cool.

When you started (or re-started) collecting, did you ever think it would go as far as it did?  Whether it is Star Wars, another toy line, or something totally different...did you ever think your collection would grow to what it is now?  Maybe some of you never did stop in the first place.  For me, I had quite a few vintage Star Wars toys as a kid...most of which I still have..but didn't actively collect anything Star Wars after that.  I didn't even jump in initially with the POTF2 re-release (although I did look at them from time to time).  For some reason I never just started up.  I remember when I first got back, it started with a "I'll just get....and that will be it".  For me, it was around the time of Episode I, and I worked at a retail store in college...and I picked up 6 figures:  Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Darth Maul, Yoda, C-3PO, and R2-D2.  I got the ones "from the OT", and then the other ones I knew were main characters.  I also picked up the commtech versions of Han and Luke, and said that would be it.  I just wanted to have those.  Well, and a Vader.  And a.....

Then...I ended up picking up more loose POTF2 figures via ebay, retail, or online.  Ever since then it has snowballed.  I wasn't a completist during the Episode 1 time, but did pick up quite a few.  Then came POTJ, and I decided to get every single one (I think I did miss one or two at the end though, like Jar Jar w/tongue).  Ever since then I have been selective in my purchases (for the most part), but do pick up most of the basic line.  I've also expanded into other areas (Unleashed, finishing out vintage line, glasses, Galactic Heroes, etc.).  I have also picked up some LOTR, Spidey, and Marvel figures along the way (along with some other miscellaneous figures), that I know I never would have even known about or gotten into if it wasn't for collecting Star Wars.  I guess, when you first started collecting in modern times, did you say "just this one, or that one", did you intend to be in it for the long haul?  Which figures did you want (who were your "just this")?  Did you even realize the scope of what was (or would be) released?  I am in no way unhappy with what I have purchased, I really enjoy my collection (and continue to), but looking at it, I never would have guessed it would have went this far (or that I'd have spent this much!).  What are your stories?  

Marvel had their 2nd quarter report, and also mentioned a few details on current/upcoming movie projects.  SuperHeroHype has the details HERE  Some interesting bits include:  Spidey 2 DVD in November, Fantastic Four movie in 2005 (which we knew) also possible Iron Man movie late 2005/2006, and a number of other properties listed for 2006 and beyond (Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Captain America, X3, Spidey 3, Iron Fist, Black Panther, Thor, Namor, Ghost Rider, etc.

This card series looks tempting to me as well.  As a kid, I always really enjoyed the Topps series that were out back then.  I have a complete set of the vintage ROTJ cards, and have hoped to pick up the other movies ones eventually too.  From what I have seen of this series, they look like they are made to look similar, which is really cool.  This might be a fun card set to try to collect.  Is anyone here planning on picking these up?

Not sure if I can come up with 10 or not, although there are always some further background characters to explore.  Otherwise, not too much left from the main ones really...wouldn't mind seeing a few resculpts though, those POTF2 figs just don't hold up in some cases.

1. Zuckuss (resculpt) - missed the 1st version
2. 4-LOM (resculpt) - ditto #1
3. Luke Snowspeeder (resculpt)
4. General Veers
5. Luke/Leia Medical Frigate
6. Lando (smuggler's gear)
7. White Bespin Guard
8. Hoth Rebel Trooper
9. ICMG (for Scott)
10......

Not sure, a few choices.  I wouldn't mind seeing a fig like Torryn Farr or Major Bren Derlin, but like Scott said, it might be a likeness rights issue with the latter.  Some of the ones I wanted the most (resculpts) have been taken care of lately with Dagobah Luke, Yoda, R2, etc.  Although I didn't mind the Saga Hoth Han, I wouldn't mind seeing that figure redone...in a more neutral, articulated, vOTC style Han figure...but I guess we could say that for a lot of figures .  As I start putting these newer figs on display, it just seems like the vast majority of POTF2 figures pale in comparison...and there are a number of resculpts that I wouldn't mind.  Sure, some still look ok, but when you look at figures like vOTC Han, Stormtrooper, Chewie, etc....you just know they could do so much better.

Yeah, another good one this week, kind of cool seeing the General's quarters....as well as a couple of characters in the shot as well.

I was wondering where these have been showing up as well.  I thought I have read of sightings at both TRU and K-Mart now?  Also, how much have they been going for?  I think the ANH sets were up for sale at Amazon last I checked, and thought about ordering them there, but I think they were $6.99  per set.  I didn't know if that was in line with other prices, or a little high.  Definitely want to pick up those OT sets, maybe the AOTC ones as well (at least the Yoda one ).