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Messages - Brian

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31
The Black Series 6" Figures / Re: Hasbro Selfie Series
« on: October 1, 2022, 06:48 PM »
I tried it as well, but didn’t really see the likeness either. I think the $60 price is just for the weekend, then it jumps to $80? It would be kind of fun if it looked reasonably close, but it will probably be a case by case thing.

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As far as actual (non pipeline) reveals, it seemed a little light again compared to the other brands. I do think they are somewhat held up by Lucasfilm, so it isn’t necessarily the team. As always, what they show looks good, it is never a question of quality…just kind of, I don’t know, boring? Super psyched for Wicket, long atop my personal wishlist. I’m also excited for the focus on ROTJ, even though it is heavy on repacks. Jedi was the first movie I remember seeing in theaters, and those are really the action figures I remember buying the most too, so I’m excited for the 40th line, both new and re-used.

Glad to see the Bad Batch coming to TVC. I know many have been waiting on these. And the Andor figures and Cantina pack look nice too. Again, everything looks good it is just so little and a lot of the same. Excited for future stuff like the Endor bunker and other related surprises. Was really hoping for a surprise HasLab reveal for TVC…like an Ewok village, Death Star, Ghost, whatever.

It might be the fandom being unhappy a lot, the result of higher prices, or the competition from other brand teams that do it better…but I’m just not as enthused for of a lot of it as I used to be. I’m definitely not out, and still a big fan, but I think I’ve gotten a little burned out with some of it. I collect other lines, like Marvel and Joe (and soon Indy), and they just seem more “fun”. Variety of characters, colorful in many cases, and more newness in many cases. I’ve been in the process if paring down and changing up what I display, and ended up packing a lot of Black Series away because it just seemed like a shelf full of black, white,  brown, and tan.

Again, not trying to sound womp womp, because I do like what was shown…it is good product…just not particularly exciting. I’m enjoying Andor as a show, but I’m not sure how much I want a huge collection of it. They have covered a lot of the primary OT stuff, so that sort of leaves Mando (and related) for my interest at this point.

Indy looks great though…😉

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Other Toy Lines / Starting Lineup
« on: September 30, 2022, 06:59 PM »
I meant to post something about this the other day when they launched, and now the whole narrative around them is the price (which is crazy), but outside of that I was/am kind of excited about these. I had many of the vintage lines from the various sports, and the thought of having possible versions of my favorite athletes sounded very cool. Add to that, I am a huge NBA fan, so this first wave speaks to me quite a bit. As much as I’m tired of talking/hearing about rising prices, it is definitely an issue here and that kind of stinks. I realize there are probably a lot of licensing things going on with the league, teams, players, and shoe companies…and they seem to maybe be going for a slightly different audience than the normal action figure collector. We’ll see how these do. I’m still excited, but the price will probably keep me from being “all in” to picking some favorites. If they get into 80s/90s Legends….yeesh that will be tougher.

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Hall of Justice / Re: DC Comics' "Super Powers"
« on: August 3, 2022, 05:24 PM »
Has anyone found the new McFarlane “relaunch” of these? The reviews I’ve seen have been pretty positive, and they seem to be priced decently for today’s toy aisle. Super Powers was one of my favorite toy lines growing up, and is still really fun as an overall look, so I’m really looking forward to these. Of this first wave, the Batwing in particular seems like a lot of fun. Hopefully these do well so we see more, although they are WalMart exclusives….ugh.

35
The Vintage Collection / Re: SDCC 2022 Hasbro Panel/Reveals
« on: July 24, 2022, 03:59 PM »
I hate to pile on, but really ho-hum on the Star Wars front…..again. Granted, what they release generally looks really good, but there is just so little of it. And what is there really isn’t “new” for the most part. Three TVC reveals, a Klatoonian Raider repacked from the walker, a Mando Luke - which, while cool, isn’t exactly new new, and Cal Kestis which is great and pretty well requested.

Then the Boba Starship. I know times have very much changed, but this has gone from $70 (and I think went on deep discounts at the time), to $200. Sheesh. I’ll admit I kind of want one, but don’t think I’ll be able to justify it. I really wish we could get the stand separately for the earlier version we got.

The retro stuff is neat but woof I did not know about the pricing. That went from a definite buy to a I’ll have to see. As for the Black Series, much like the TVC stuff, they look great. Nice figures, mostly from current entertainment, and that’s ok. Prices here, like everywhere else, keep rising. It has forced me to consider this my “premium” line much like others might look at Hot Toys or Sideshow. Other than the newer Stormtroopers, I have sold off any army builders or duplicates and will be going with a one of each rule for this line - and highly selective at that. I’ll leave army building for the TVC line, and that isn’t much better. Some of it is just coming from my overall collecting attitude as prices rise and space dwindles. Some were smart enough to point it out when Black Series began, but can I really collect two entire lines of the same characters?

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Other Toy Lines / Re: 2022: What Are You Collecting?
« on: June 28, 2022, 05:27 PM »
Thought this fit well enough here, but are the price increases (combined with real world stuff as well) changing your collecting plan at all? With 6” Hasbro stuff inching into the $25-35 (more for deluxe) range, TVC in the $15-25 range, things like ReAction going $18 or more, and S7 Ultimates from $55 all the way to $75!, it definitely seems like some things will have to change.

I know for me personally, I’ve been pulling back on a lot of lines that I was previously “all in” with. I used to pick up all most of the Black Series figures, but honestly have been sticking to more and more of just the main characters from the new media and even past movies. The OT heroes have largely been covered in every flavor at this point, and the other stuff we’ve had for years in 3 3/4” I feel like I’m just rebuying a larger pricier version now…and I just don’t have the room for them. I may completely change my mind later, but for now that’s where I’m at and just going back to my 3 3/4” roots with Star Wars (and 6” stuff from Mando)

With everything else, it is a matter of being WAY more choosy. I was getting to where I was going pretty complete with a lot of the Ultimates figures because I really do like them, but I just can’t afford them all anymore. So no more complete Thundercats, just going to finish the core team and the last couple Mumm Ra’s mutants, and be done. Same possibly for Silverhawks, although we haven’t gotten any of those yet. I’d like to stay up with Turtles, but it may have to eventually go as well. I picked up Optimus from that line, and like it, but nothing else for now.

For regular Transformers, I really only plan on finishing out the Dinoboots as they put them out. Sludge is next, and hopefully they will get around to Snarl and Swoop in that form eventually. For Joes, I’ve gotten a lot of the Classifed line which I really like. I’d be all in on the o-rings, but those a slow trickle. With Legends, it is less “whole waves”, and more picking and choosing, although this is still my main focus these days.

In general, less. I’ve been selling stuff weekly, really trying to focus in the collection. I need to steer clear of the “gotta catch em all” mentality, and just buying what I really like and will put out on a shelf. Even if it is a one off. But overall, man it is pricey. I remember when I first started collecting having a monthly budget of $30. That’s like, one figure (or less!) these days.

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But how am I gonna fit all those Bith on my already crowded ANH shelf???

I'm still debating which way to go with this.  If it were 3.75" I would get enough to fill out the band, but with 6" I'm not sure I'm going to get more than one Figrin and one Nalan.  Getting six will be expensive and take a lot of room.

As I’ve been paring down and selling off things the past few years, I’ve come to the decision - with space issues - that I’m keeping extras/army building buying to 3 3/4” only. I just don’t have the room aside from just packing them away. So if I grab these, it will likely only be one of each as well unless something drastically changes budget or space wise.

38
We had two Beskar Mandos and a Death Trooper at our Target the other day, so grabbed one of each. I’m pretty sure these didn’t come in a case and were just sent in the toy pack boxes Target gets because we only had those three and the cards were all destroyed. Honestly it is too difficult to try to get minty cards on these flimsy boxes anyways, so I guess I don’t really care. Love the new cloth goods cape on Mando, sweet figure overall.

39
As someone who opens pretty much anything, I for the most part could care less. The only figures I keep on card anymore are doubles I get of OT characters that show up in the TVC line. I could see TVC being the “exception to the rule”, or maybe we will just see a switch to a look like the deluxe Fett. I’d like to see them finish out the original 96, but beyond that who cares. I’m fine with all cardboard. Like others, I get most of my stuff online anymore anyways, so paint is a gamble either way. Honestly I can’t say I’ve had a ton of trouble with paint overall since the face painting tech started being used.

To each their own, and I know everyone has different collecting habits/goals. It might be my age or years in the hobby, but I have more perspective on the world at this point and see how silly our complaints sound outside of a vacuum. “Did they stop making your toy line?” “No, but they are putting them in different boxes!” If cutting the plastic helps the world a bit, fantastic, give us the cardboard. Honestly I think most of the concern is over the TVC line from what I’ve seen. Maybe we have taken it for granted a bit. It used to be once or twice a year in the VOTC days, or it would go away sometimes and then come back like earlier TVC days. Like I said, finish the 96 in this same style, and then move on or make them special releases.

40
The Vintage Collection / Re: 2020 TVC Haslab Razor Crest
« on: February 16, 2022, 09:41 PM »
Got mine yesterday, finally got to open it today. Like others have said….wow. Looks so great, so much detail. No idea where I’m going to put it, but I am a big fan of the stand. Kinda wish they made ones like that for other vehicles. That weapons locker though….oy.

41
The Vintage Collection / Re: Big Items of the Future!
« on: February 10, 2022, 09:25 PM »
Was talking with a friend this morning and wanted to ask the questions here too...  seeing what you get for $230 with the Jabba's TBOBF Throne Room, how are you guys feeling about a Death Star Playset?

- Would you want to spend $1k on a similar set that was like 4 of the Throne Room sets stacked on top of each other (thinking along the lines of the Kenner DS set)?  I'm hoping it'd be way less than $1k since there wouldn't be 4x the accessories of the Throne Room, but still it's gonna cost a LOT if they go this route.

- Would you want any DS Playset to be more modular and something in-between the $50 walls and the $230 Throne Room - like $100 trash compactor, $60 Conference Room, $250 full Detention Cell level with cells, etc?  Then you can pick and choose what to buy/skip.

- Have you come to the realization that this stuff is just trending too expensive and not worth it anymore?  Like $50 for a Tantive Hallway is one thing, but $250+ for a diorama is crazy?

This is exactly what I’ve been thinking about lately. I preordered the Throne Room today as soon as it was available, but I’m really starting to consider the prices (and storage/display footprint) of everything I get. We all keep saying it, but prices are creeping with all lines, all properties, all companies and it is really forcing us to make tougher choices.

Just the last couple weeks I saw some of the newer MOTU Revelations Masterverse figures, and the inclination is to grab them right away. Then I consider that I spent the last year plus grabbing most of the Origins line. And years before that a pretty good run on Classics. How many lines covering the same characters do I really need to collect?

Same could be said for Star Wars. Although I’m not a completist, I buy some or most of each of their lines. Black Series. Vintage Collection. Retro. I love them all, but don’t have room for everything. Most of my Black Series is packed away other than one shelf of about a dozen figures representing the OT, and the same for Mando. Things would be so much easier if I only collected one thing 🙄

But yes, price is definitely becoming a factor…and getting worse. As excited as I would be if they announced some form of Death Star playset like this, I would be holding my breath waiting for the price. I know I personally couldn’t just drop $800-$1000 on a toy.

42
Joe Defender / Re: 2022 3.75" GI Joe - The Return of the O-Ring!
« on: February 10, 2022, 01:51 PM »
Just got mine delivered today, same feelings as all of you. I’m really excited that they are going back to these, and I hope the line continues for awhile. I was hesitant at first to open them as well, but like you mentioned the card backs are so thin. So thin in fact that even with being inside the print box, outer box, and shipping box there are still creases on mine. It doesn’t matter, I want to open them anyways. Just can’t understand why the card stock on these and TVC is so cruddy but the Marvel retro stuff (both 3 3/4” and 6”) is very sturdy. Kind of wish these were coming out with a little more frequency, like 15-20 per year, but maybe we will get there eventually.

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Very cool. Pricier than I’d like, but also not incredibly surprising. I’ll definitely preorder one, and hope they continue “playsets” like this in the future. To me, this reveal really saved the livestream today. Lots of things we’ve gotten before otherwise. Man has collecting changed over the years, for a variety of reasons. I can’t imagine them dropping a $200+ playset during the POTJ days.

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The Black Series 6" Figures / Re: Hasbro Pulse Fan Livestreams
« on: February 9, 2022, 12:45 PM »
That’s how I feel as well. It has been said before, but the wait between character reveals in “new media”, and the time when we get the figures in our hands is ridiculous and I think hurts the momentum of the line somewhat. I mean, yes, we still buy them but the grumbling gets louder and you may miss casual fans that were interested. I don’t know if it is a Lucasfilm secrecy thing, or Hasbro, or a combination…but it simply takes way too long to announce and release characters that have been shown a year or more ago.

It’s like, we saw Boba in Mando 2 in 2020…why can’t that figure be ready to go and shipped in solid cases if nothing else is ready? Heck, we got solid cases of each member of the Eternals in at Target (that are still there in many cases), why can’t they take one of the most popular characters of all time and ship him out. I know there is plenty of room on Black Series pegs around here for him. They finally announce the Dark Trooper (looks great), then say he’ll be here next year? I had to preorder him on a card that will have expired/changed by then! 😂

I really think that Throne Room play set saved their bacon today. It is pricey as all get out, but at least it is new and looks amazing. It seems like all these other Hasbro lines (Marvel, Joe, TF, Power Rangers) can really rock these livestreams (and have product from current media actually available), but the Star Wars team is slow or their hands are tied. The quality of the product isn’t the problem. I actually think most of it looks outstanding, it just seems like the news and releases are such a cluster.

Another issue, is maybe the entire Star Wars Saga is getting to be a lot to cover in one (two) lines. I’ve maintained that Mando should have a dedicated line of its own, preferably in 3 3/4” scale so we can gets vehicles, beasts, and playsets. Keep the mix of everything in Black Series. I’d still want TVC figures from other media (particularly OT), so it is tough. Maybe move the “finish the 96” stuff to readily available Pulse exclusives, I don’t know. Just feels like we are missing out on a lot of cool stuff from these shows. Imagine a ROTS sized line (ok maybe that is excessive) focused on Mando, or Book of Boba together.

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Joe Defender / Re: 2022 3.75" GI Joe - The Return of the O-Ring!
« on: January 22, 2022, 11:47 AM »
Honestly, I am really excited about the return of the o-ring figures. A couple years ago I started tracking down some Joes I always wanted as a kid, and many of those have gotten PRICEY. I’m all in for these new packs. I was super bummed I wasn’t able to back the Skystriker, but between being right before Christmas and our water heater deciding to go out, I just didn’t think it was a great idea at the time. Definitely regretting it though. Excited for the rest of this line though, got notice that the Snake Eyes/Storm Shadow pack is shipping soon. Between these and the Classified announcements, the Joe team is really killing it these days.

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