This past weekend I picked up some new display shelving for my collection (thanks to some advice from dustrho..thanks!), and had the chance to look over my collection as I took the figures down, and then put the display back up when I was finished.  I actually have enough room now for all of my collection, ships, figs, etc.  A few things that I noticed while I was looking at the different characters and how to set them up...and this just my opinion.  In many cases, most of the figures prior to POTJ don't seem to look "quite" right with the newer offerings (POTJ, Saga, etc.).  That is, with the exception of the commtech wave.  There are certain other exceptions as well, and I'm not saying all of the POTF2 figures are bad...because they aren't....but they just look...different in some way.  I think sculpting has advanced a little since that time, particular with POTJ, some of Saga, and what we have to look forward to next year.

Also...there are times I wish that things were like the vintage days from the standpoint that each character had only one version in a particular outfit.  Although it is totally my fault because I bought them, the display seems to look strange when you try to set up the Geonosian battle, and have three Jangos to use, in essentially the same outfit.  Same with some of the Anakins (HD, Tatooine, Secret Ceremony), and the Maces (yikes...lollipop, screaming, and deluxe...the deluxe is actually my favorite).  I do realize at the same time that we need to have main characters in the line, and when sculpting has advanced quite a ways...and I get excited when we see new versions coming out (such as 2004 Hoth Luke, Jedi Luke, 2003 Hoth Han, etc.)  That is a little different to me because I usually replace the older, POTF2 versions with the better versions.

Finally, there are still a few that need to be re-done.  I really think that an OT-era Yoda could be remade now, with the sculpting/technology that is available.  The POTF2 ones just don't look overly great to me, although they were nice at the time.  And also, I have to say looking at what is coming in 2004, I am very excited.  Like many of you, I prefer figures this way...similar to what POTJ offered us.  I am very happy to not see any buttons on my figures, and to see them very well sculpted, painted, in some cases a nice base, and articulated well for who the character is.

Anyways, sorry this is so long...I had a break at work here to type something up, so I took the opportunity.  Some of this stuff has been discussed before I know, but these were just some thoughts that crossed my mind when I had some time to spend looking at my collection this weekend, and I felt like posting to see if any of you felt the same way, or differently.  I needed to see what some people's opinions are, other than my wife...who is abundantly supportive, but isn't quite as in to these types of discussions .  Thanks for letting me rant....looking forward to collecting in 2004!  Feel free to post any of your thoughts on this, or anything else!

I actually majored in this sort of stuff in college (although I don't work in it now)...so I should be better than I am.  I actually eat pretty healthy (avoiding fast food, balanced diet for the most part), but I have never been a big veggie eater.  I get lots of fruit, there are very few that I don't like...but there are so few vegetables that I can eat.  I really wish that I liked salads, the ones my wife gets when we eat out look tasty, but I just don't like them for some reason

let's see how long it lasts before you have all the fellowship characters hidden in the house

Actually, my wife has been pretty great about everything.  She has seen both of the figures, and although she thinks that our house is full enough with Star Wars alone...she didn't throw a stink when I picked up these figures.  Now, if I decided to collect nearly the whole line like with Star Wars, that might be more of a problem .  But, we don't have the room for that anyways.  For now it will be strictly Star Wars, and maybe a handful of LOTR figures....let's hope that lasts

I was curious which of the figures lines (if any, or all) from Clone Wars that you are thinking about, or currently collecting?  I had first planned to collect these figures as I see them in the stores only, and actually saw my first basic CW figure this weekend (Anakin only).  I had already bought a Screen Scene and Hoth Han, so I ended up skipping it for now...plus, Anakins never seem too tough to find.  Anyways, now with the announcement of the animated line (which I am kind of excited to see), are you going to wait and collect only that line?  Are you going to collect only the current Clone Wars line of product (which I believe is done by the end of the year or so?), or both (or none)?  I was just curious.  I have been thinking about holding off for the animated line, but since they are a Target exclusive, they may be tough to find, we'll see.  Just looking for opinions...can't wait for the cartoon "micro-series" to start.

Happy birthday, have a great one!  God bless!

I found the second Jedi Council set this weekend (along with the 2nd War Room, but I haven't gotten either of these yet, since these are all $20 a pop).  I have a question for those of you who have found any of these sets, is there a way to open them without trashing the boxes?  I am a 100 percent opener, but for some reason I haven't opened these sets yet, because I just think they display really well in the boxes.  However, because of space and the fact I want to open them, I'd like to crack them open and put them together to display them better.  Also, on the subject of seeing the second sets.  Do you think we will ever see the first sets again?  I was thinking about picking up the second war room the next time I see it, but I'd want to have the first one to go with it .

I'm still trying to decide whether or not to go ahead and preorder upcoming waves of figures, or hope to find them at retail.  Although retail has gotten a little better around here lately, I don't live in a town with any Wal-Marts, Targets, TRU, etc., and have to drive 30 to 40 miles to find them.  My wife and I usually go on the weekends, and I have had decent luck lately (found screen scenes 2 this weekend, and finally a Hoth Han!), but I can't be there when they open at 8 to find the latest figures.  I would prefer to shop at retail, but I definitely don't want to miss out on these 2004 offerings, they look like some of the best figures yet.  Are any of you taking your chances with retail from now on?

TheForce.net posted some new spoilers from their "insider" Darth Friday.  Some of these are pretty interesting, and pretty big....including talk of a death of a major character.  Even though this is the spoiler thread, I figured I'd post the link by itself just to be safe.  As always, we should probably take these with several grains of salt, but its interesting discussion none the less.  Also, if this should be merged with the other spoiler thread, I'm sorry... I wasn't sure if that was the "definitive" one or not.

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