JediDefender.com Forums
Collectibles => Past Hasbro 3.75" Lines => Clone Wars '03-'05 => Topic started by: JediMAC on August 10, 2003, 07:16 AM
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Those awesome newshounds over at GH (http://www.galactichunter.com) are reporting that there will be ANOTHER new 4" Clone Wars figure line coming out. This one will be different in that the figures are going to be styled like the animated cartoon likenesses from the actual series instead (think Vintage Droids and Ewoks).
If this indeed turns out to be true, I think I'm going to seriously YAK. Why the hell would Hasbro do this - it makes no sense to have two separate, but very similar figure lines going on the same relatively obscure EU property that is likely not even going to be all that popular (toy wise) in the first place!
Besides, they said at Comic Con that the CW line would not be continuing on in 2004. So what gives? Are they lying, or is this one of those things like Ben said "From a certain point of view..."? Just pick ONE Clone Wars figure line and stick with it - be it the animated one, or the one that we've already heard about. There's not going to be enough market to support both. Not even close. This is indeed some very disheartening news IMO, in the midst of such a positive time with all the great new upcoming 2004 Saga stuff being shown.
So, what do you guys think? Would you favor one CW line over the other? Will you even bother with "cartoon" looking figures? Will you buy both? Speak up! :-*
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I will buy them... :o Who knows, they may become really rare and valuable like the Ewoks and Droids are... ;D
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Well, I was there and from my understanding is that what GH reported is false. The Hasbro rep I spoke with mentioned about the Clone Wars cartoon and their new figures, but the new figures are what you've seen already (i.e. Durge, Asajj Ventress, ARC Trooper, etc). They never once mentioned Clone Wars figures with the same body style that totally resembles the Clone Wars cartoon characters.
I was there, so I do know what I'm talking about. If Hasbro really are making those figures to resemble the Clone Wars cartoon characters, then that's just stupid. But, of course I would more than likely end up buying them. :P
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That's good... I think they (Hasbro) are starting to do a GREAT job with the 2004 figures we have seen so far. Why screw it up with new goofy-looking figures... we already have enough of those... ::)
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I will buy them... :o Who knows, they may become really rare and valuable like the Ewoks and Droids are... ;D
thats what everyoen thougth back in 95, whent hey kept everything carded...
only for it to be worth less than a sack of dirt now...
also, i recall Hasbro sayign that they wouldn't do an animated line?
i mean hell why bother witht he current one out?
I hope it never happens...
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Well, I was there and from my understanding is that what GH reported is false... They never once mentioned Clone Wars figures with the same body style that totally resembles the Clone Wars cartoon characters.
I don't think this was news that came out of Chicago's WW show. GH said their "spies" uncovered the scoop. Obviously, until it's officially confirmed or pictures get leaked, take the scoop with a grain of salt. Hopefully it doesn't happen!
Andy, I think roguestormtrooper was just joking around there! Hopefully...
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I actually wouldn't mind a few of these, but yeah, it makes no sense now. This could be something offered through the fan club, or perhaps Cartoon Network will do these on its website or something like that.
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This news actually came from a pretty reliable source... and when I questioned my HK source he neither denied nor confirmed... saying that "most of what GH reported looked to be good ;) ;)".
I actually would love to see what these will turn out like. I always thought the CW line should have been done in an animated style (ala Ewoke/Droids).
If you have ever seen the Samurai Jack figures you know that if done right they could rock.
If I hear more I'll lyk...
I do welcome them though...
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Wow, a lot of folks are really four square against animated style figures, Im sort of surprised.......
I dont think its a bad idea, because it appeals to two different audiences.
You've got your figure collectors/Star Wars fans who want the realistic versions, so they match the rest of the line. Then you've got your cartoon fan group (and Cartoon Network has been known to create some pretty heavy legions of followers for their animated shorts and other cartoons) who want cartoon authentic figures.
Im excited about both to be honest, because I love the style of the Clone Wars cartoon, and think figures based directly on it would do it justice.
Maybe the line will be done in conjunction with Cartoon Network or something (they were wanting to create their own line).
Ill just throw in my typical addage: Dont like em? Dont buy em. I just cant stand when someone doesnt like the figures, they think they shouldn't be made. Just because you dont like them doesnt mean other fans dont want them, or deserve to be able to buy them.
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I just cant stand when someone doesnt like the figures, they think they shouldn't be made. Just because you dont like them doesnt mean other fans dont want them, or deserve to be able to buy them.
Shhhh... not here Adam.
Also one other thing... I respect what Chris mentioned... and definitely believe he was told different at CWW.
One thing w/ Hasbro is one person will say one thing... while another will totally discredit that.
It all depends on how much one cares to leak out and how much the other doesn't care to leak out.
It's also a who ya know deal... like the whole world seems to revolve around.
So though I honestly believe Chris was told no way...
I do believe there's a good chance these are coming down the pike and some just would rather keep it secretive til they feel the time is right...
I can say that w/ the statement I got from my friend in HK... we'll see these sometime soon.
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Ill just throw in my typical addage: Dont like em? Dont buy em. I just cant stand when someone doesnt like the figures, they think they shouldn't be made. Just because you dont like them doesnt mean other fans dont want them, or deserve to be able to buy them.
I have no problem with "animated" styled figures, nor do I have a problem with Hasbro doing a line of them. But just not TWO separate lines of Clone Wars figures. Based on what we've seen so far from the regular CW line, there's going to be some SERIOUS peg warmers here. Add to that a whole 'nother line of CW figures and you've got a very saturated market for a toyline that probably isn't going to be anywhere near as popular as the regular Saga line.
BUT, my biggest problem with running TWO separate CW lines, is that if these things do start warming the shelves en masse, retailers are going to start SCALING BACK on ALL the Star Wars stuff. We've learned very well from past experience that retailers often don't have the SLIGHTEST clue when it comes to what's in the different case assortments. If Star Wars is warming the shelves in some manner, a lot of places will simply cut back on their orders of ALL Star Wars, and that includes the much more important Saga line that we've been begging for for a couple years now - a line similar to the earlier POTJ line directed at the "adult collectors".
So my fear is that two separate and potentially floundering CW lines could adversely affect the ordering of Saga case assortments by many retail stores, not to mention they'll also be taking up very valuable shelf space that would be far better served for the Saga line.
So the question you have to ask yourself, is would you rather have a TON of Clone Wars figures, of two very differing styles? Or would you rather have plenty of new Saga (POTJ2) product to go around and just one CW line? The answer's pretty easy if you asked me.
I just don't think there's enough room in the toy aisle for THREE DIFFERENT Star Wars figure lines. That's all. I don't have anything against the animated style...
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I see where you guys are going, but I also see it a little differently.
The CW line has a different SKU/DPCI/etc from the regular Saga line, so when these show up as not selling, stores will scale back on those skus, instead of Star Wars in general.
I also cant see the likelihood of both of these lines being in stores together, so maybe one would follow the other. And while I have my doubts that an animated line is coming (although I give a lot of weight to stuff the GH crew posts), I also doubt it would be on such a high retail scale as the regular line. Basically I see a line of 10 or so figures, all of which are an exclusive of some sort. I dont think Hasbro could convince large chains like Target, WalMart, Toys R Us and KBToys to dedicate space to three seperate Star Wars lines, they are having a hard enough time with two...
Another thing to keep in mind is this: The cartoon hasn't started yet. This cartoon could end up being a huge hit, so huge it would create a market for cartoon based figures. On the other hand, it could flop.
If these were going to happen, then they are in very early production (so early in fact, that even protos havent been developed most likely). Take Hasbro's pace on production and distribution of new figures, and these things wouldn't be on shelves for another 8 or 9 months.
Also consider the cartoon schedule: 20 episodes, split into 2 "seasons" with the first ten coming by years end (which "just by chance" happens to be the schedule for the regular line of Clone Wars figures). The second "season" wont air until a few months into next year, and presumably, given the short term nature of EU lines, the current Clone Wars line will have come and gone.
Basically, I see an animated line coming out around March/April/May of 2004, and having a small production run and probably a higher price. I'd expect Hasbro (or Cartoon Network) to target stores like EB Games, Sam Goody, Media Play and Suncoast. Stores which are known for typically carrying high end collector based toy lines. Given that, they'd probably run about 8 bucks each. Make them limited editions, and you sure as hell know they'd be a hit. Because everyone knows, when you put Limited Edition and Star Wars on the same package, people go nuts.
I would also say that with the nature of Hasbro, not everyone is going to know about this line, and almost definately not the crews they are sending to conventions, because they wouldnt want this leaking out from an official source, and getting the upheval it naturally would (first by those that dont want it, and then a possible second, when those that want them dont get it, because the line ended up getting cancelled before making production). Hasbro business personal (Marketing, Sales, etc) are far removed from those that are developing product lines, and if the product development people want to keep it hush hush, they arent going to let the business guys know about it.
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I'll have to wait and see photos of them, but right now my answer is NO, I WILL NOT BUY THEM.
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Going along with my above post, if they were exclusive to stores like Media Play, Sam Goody, Suncoast and EB:
I think they'd be good candidates for being made in the same style as the Clerks (and other View Askew movies) "InAction" figures. Little non articulated plastic figures. The Clerks figures rock, and are excellent likeness right out of the cartoons, and the Clone Wars cartoon even has a similar style. Just make them an entirely different line and sell to a different market
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Its sounds like if these happen, they would most likely be timed for the inevitable DVD release of the cartoon series. Makes a lot of sense to have something new to tie them into and makes it easier to sell in to retailers.
As it already appears Clone Wars isn't a retail phenomenon (aside from the irritation of finding the clonetrooper multipacks - all clones refresh pack NOW please, Hasbro) I can't see this being anything more than whats already mentioned above, just a one-shot tie-in line. I'd be behind it if that were the case. If it prevents or jeopardizes the Saga line through normal retail channels? That's another story. Forget it. That's a recipe for Peg Poison.
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They should have done this in the first place and not wasted our time to begin with...
Idiots are running that place I swear...and like the rest of the line (Sans Senor Yoda for kicks and the cool looking Saesee Tiin) Pass!
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if they release this second Clone line it should be through macdonalds or burger king and not through retail!!!
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Well, Hasbro's big announcement of Classic Trilogy stuff for next year has kind of over-shadowed this other news:
New 3 ¾” Animated Figures!
As announced earlier this year, the Clone Wars are coming to life this Fall on Cartoon Network via an animated micro-series. And Hasbro will be offering an exclusive line of animated style figures focusing on the core characters from the Clone Wars animation! These figures will be a Target exclusive and will be available at the beginning of 2004. Wave 1 will include 3 key heroes and 1 new villain from the Clone Wars including:
· Anakin Skywalker
· Obi-Wan Kenobi
· Mace Windu
· Asajj Ventress
Look for the first look at Anakin in the Star Wars Insider #72. And check back soon for images of these figures.
http://www.hasbro.com/starwars/pl/page.headlines/id.952/dn/default.cfm
I'm looking forward to seeing what these things look like, which is a bit strange, since I have absolutely no interest in any of the other Clone Wars stuff at all. . .
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Well another Anakin, Mace, and Kenobi on the way at some point. I wish they would have made up their mind before putting out the current CW line. They are running the risk of pegwarming in my opinion. Hope the cartoon is a hit so these can sell.
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I'm actually more interested in these than the regular crap...that is the way they should have gone from the start
I'm thinking of these in terms of the Justice League line that is out there right now in terms of style...why they chose Mace over Yoda is a head scratcher though
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JL style would be cool, or Clerks "INaction" figure style. Bulky, blocky (hey, that sounds vaguely familiar...) and cartoony. Well, maybe not so much bulky, but when else will I get that reference in? :)
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as long as they don't go too nutty with these, I won't go postal. :P
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Yeah, why didn't they just do these? Hmm. I am kind of looking forward to these, though. Hopefully they turn out cool. And where is Yoda? Grr. Wave 2 probably.
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Pics are up at RS of Anakin, Obi-Wan, Asajj, and Mace (I think).
They look cool and at the same time like a happy meal toy. Pretty harmless, though, and a neat little sidenote line.
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They look awesome, Obi Wan and Asajj in particular. I agree, a nice little side line.
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Pix here too! :-*
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/10-03/cartoonanakin.jpg)
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/10-03/cartoonmace.jpg)
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/10-03/cartoonasajj.jpg)
(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/10-03/cartoonobi.jpg)
Sweet! 8) ...and cool little bases there!
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OK, now that I've had a little time to digest the new line here, I've got to say that I think they look pretty damned cool, in a cute, cartoony kinda way! THIS is the line that Hasbro should've gone with all along I think, instead of wasting their time with that Frito Bandito Yoda and chicken-necked Mace CRAP. Granted, I would've still wanted Hasbro to find a way of bringing the CW 3-packs and vehicles into the standard Saga line though.
I just hope that the market can withstand all three different lines at retail. Hopefully though, things will go as has been rumored, and this animated line of figures won't actually start until the standard CW line of figures is finished. That way there will still be only two different Star Wars toy lines at retail at any given time, rather than three which is probably spreading the market too thin.
But now that I've seen how cute these little guys are, I want some more! Hopefully Yoda, the other Jedi, some Clones, etc. make it into this animated figure style too. I'll be really bummed if we just get these four, and that's it...
EDIT: Hmmm... Upon closer inspection, methinks the articulation on these figures is looking pretty dicey. I'm not sure if I see anything more than 2 points at the arms (and maybe a couple wrists and necks?)... Hopefully I'm totally wrong about that though. Hard to tell with all the lined folds and edges in their outfits. Jesse, what say you Mr. Super Inspector? :-*
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Interesting, GH is reporting these as Target exclusives. Is that a confirmed thing? Fingers crossed they offer them online like the A-wing if it's true - that was the easiest exclusive I've ever gotten, though Targets here have been pretty good about availabilty anyways.
I've done some digesting as well (yes, I've been sitting playing Galaxies all night, thinking about toys). It certainly seems like what they should have done with CWs at the outset. There's no mistaking these as their own thing, and they burst with personality. Not something I'm honestly interested in collecting with the same gusto as the movie line, but I can appreciate these. I'm just more into the movie line.
And I guess that's my point - it's so obvious this is a seperate line from Saga, that they can peacefully coexist. That's what is plaguing the current CW figures and I'm glad they're trying something new.
I'm no Jesse, but I can only really see arm articulation, hence my PVC happymeal comment. Makes it feel like a Suncoast item to me. That's not a bad thing, mind you.
Again, not my cup of tea personally, but it doesn't jeopardize space/availabilty of the line I'm focusing on, and they are really neat looking. Thumbs up!
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They don't do much for me so I'll stick with the regular line.
Of course, I say that now....but will I have enough will power to NOT buy them when I see them personally. :P
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I kind of like them. The Asajj looks a little more alien than I think she is though. Almost Taun-We-ish without the long neck.
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I'm not sure what it is about these, but I like them too. Like said above, the articulation looks kind of iffy, but I guess I can live with that since it will be a limited line most likely. I just like the "cartoony" look of them, more in line with the show, and something different for those who want to collect them. If I am able to find them, I think I will pick them up...and I might actually pass on the other Clone Wars line in favor of this one now. I hope they do a few more figures though, particularly a Yoda and Clonetrooper, etc. I'd really like to see the main focuses of the cartoon (whoever they are), get made as well. I agree with those who have said, this is what they should have done with this line all along, with the exception of the Clonetrooper 3-packs, which are great in their own right.
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The Asajj looks a little more alien than I think she is though. Almost Taun-We-ish without the long neck.
That's exactly what I was thinking. The picture might have been taken at a bad angle or something, but she doesn't look right. The other figures look pretty cool, and I will definitely be snagging these up.
On a side note I saw that Clone Wars Cartoon commercial for the first time on Cartoon Network last night. Much better to view on the 36" TV than my 13" notebook display. 8)
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These were announced by Hasbro last week as Target exclusives in the same press release as the Jedi Luke and Jabba Wave Announcement
I am decidedly less excited about these than what I was before
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Meh, not so impressed. I may not go out of my way to find these. Interesting in a cartoon-y sort of way, but won't fit in at all with the other stuff.
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Yuck! They look okay, but not that good. You'd think that the animators would at least try to get the characters to look like the real life counterparts. Like I said, the figs are okay, but I probably won't buy any of them.
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You'd think that the animators would at least try to get the characters to look like the real life counterparts.
That's how those guys draw their characters, just like in Samurai Jack. It's their drawing style, and I actually like it.
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Not to say that these aren't well done or anything, but I hate them.
:P
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I think they are horrible. Why did they give Anakin a pompadour and Hammer-pants? Ice Ice Baby Anakin looks pretty crappy. Of course, Obi-Wan is the worst one of the bunch (IMO). The figure looks more like Richard Chamberlain (the way he appeared in Shogun) than Ewan McGregor. No thanks.