Not a sale per se, but I have it from a friend who runs a 5 Below that she got an email regarding the "new" (new for that store) Vintage Figures.

She told me they got word that there was to be a Star Wars wheel barrow display going up in the near future at the front of the store, similar to last year.  She wouldn't commit to saying it would have new product, but she got word from higher up to do the display after Halloween's display comes down or something along those lines, and she said usually that means new cases of stuff.

She said they don't always know what's coming, but usually those displays get new items.  It's probably what's been found (AOTC Clone, AT-RT Driver, any remaining AOTC wave stuff too), but she said she's sure her higher-ups were really pleased with sales of figures last year.  They were floored, actually, and she said they're "aggressively" trying for more because it was a bit of an experiment that went smashingly.

At 5 bucks a pop unpunced...Five Below has quickly jumped up on the "My favorite stores" list.

I started listening to the SWAN podcast discussing all this, and one of their contributors sat in on the conference call with Disney announcing all of this yesterday.  Apparently, this has been "in the works" (meaning Disney buying Lucasfilm) for over a year now, so they really have done a nice job keeping things secret.

I have to say, not that I wasn't still reading/collecting/coming to the forums, but this news has reinvigorated my SW fandom.  I was still loving the collecting - and the movies - but just having new movies to look forward to is really cool.  It might be great, or it might be horrible, but at least it will be fun to talk about.  Like Jeff/Scott/others have mentioned, having kids makes it all the more exciting.  We have a daughter, but she's always been way into SW as well, and it will be fun to go through these years of anticipation and experience the new movies together.  I'm in the same boat as many here where I vastly prefer the OT, but I still remember what a fun time it was in the waits between the prequel movies - analyzing each little spy pic, leaked detail, etc. in the forums and trying to figure out what was coming next.

This will be so much different as we actually knew the end game for the PT, now it could be anything.  I'm fine with them creating something new and not going off of previously written EU stuff.  The Zahn trilogy aside, I could take or leave most of it, and haven't actually read a whole lot of it either.  I respect those that really have an attachment to it, and understand why it might upset some if it gets "overwritten" like the CW has done - but really, the EU is so huge at this point, it really is impossible to not step on toes there.

I noticed on Mark Hamill's twitter that he posted a congratulations to George for the deal, and said he can't comment on Episode 7 until he gets all the facts.  I wonder if they've had at least initial "hey, would you be interested?" discussions with him, or perhaps he is just playing it safe just in case.  Either way, and exciting time for Star Wars, and I think that we needed it in some ways.

You mentioned about having kids.  when I came home I had fun with it all... I told the kids (3 1/2 and 5) that I had an announcement for after dinner.  So I told them there was going to be a new SW movie, and had fun with it, got them all excited.  They both jumped around, cheered, and yelled "That's awesome!"  So, now they are all excited. So when we're going to bed te 5 year old says to me...can we go see it the fist day it comes out?  I think I had a tear in my eye.

A true fan.

One additional note on the timeline of the 3D films...It makes me wonder if when they announced AOTC and ROTS being released back to back, and ramped up the schedule a bit if they didn't know this was coming and very close to sealing the deal at that time.  Now makes sense they would want to release ROTJ 3D right before they release EP7 in 2015.  Looking back they probably knew this to be true, and I'm sure it took forever for all the paperwork and red tape to be cleared...it all makes perfect sense now. (Could you imagine the 3 ring binders and team of lawyers at THAT meeting?)

Also makes sense whey we haven't heard many major announcements as to future projects over the last few years.  Info on the TV show has been a black hole for a while now.  Usually anything SW leaks out way ahead of schedule...they did a pretty good job of keeping this one close to the chest.

I think I'm in the same camp with Jesse, I'm not really excited about all of this and right now I'm leaning towards not really liking it.

I agree that we'll probably get all three of the OT movies in 3D in 2014, it would be the perfect lead for a new film in 2015 just like the SE version in 1997 were for the 1999 release of TPM. 

I think that when it comes to sequels, I'd like to see Hamill come back as Luke in the Obi-Wan role, mentor, wise sage that helps set things in motion.  But I don't really need Fisher or Ford unless they wanted to skip far enough ahead that the films could be about the Solo kids and Ben...which I'd be more than happy to watch.

I think the EU, as we know it, is gone.  I could see them keeping some of the characters but use them in new roles in the films.  I think the 6 Saga Films and probably the Clone Wars will be kept as continuity, since George had his hands directly on them, but the books, comics, etc?  Gone. 

I know a lot of people are attached to the EU, but I don't necessarily have a problem with it being wiped out.  In general, the audience for new movies will be far greater than the audience for all the EU stuff.  Losing the Thrawn trilogy would kind of suck, and I enjoyed Legacy, but I stopped reading the novels a long time ago because I didn't care for a lot of it....except the Republic Commando series, and that's already been wiped out.

Haven't been around the net much since the announcement, just looked up the factual press release stuff, but my Twitter account blew up like it never has before and I can just imagine what's going down on some of the otheR Sites right now...plus all the non-collecting fan blogs.  I'm sure it's an equal mix of hope and "that mouse's dick is small but my ass still hurts."

I mentioned this over on the PSWCS list, but some of my concern is more selfish; I'm wondering if this new ownership will have any impact on fansites, fan clubs and groups like the 501st?  I'm wondering if we'll be able to continue our medallions for charity or if I can do another giveaway at the next Celebration without being arrested.  Should I expect a C&D?  I don't know.

   E...

Don't let him fool you guys..he's excited as can be and can't wait to get a Princess Leia outfit for that stuffed Minnie Mouse he sleeps with every night.

Bob

Haha!  That comtech reader is about the only thing I've opened over the last 10 yars or so (other than what the kids get and play with)

I actully used it with the EPI figs.  haha, just makes me laugh.

Funny the best stuff I love to trade is all the garbage freebies, giveaways, conventoin freebies and promos, freebie posters the comic stores get etc.

there is never any worries of having buyers remorse, worrying about what is worth more or less, or trading for a "fair" pice...becasue it's all freebie giveaway type stuff.  Love it...you can always have fn with that stuff.

FYI,

The Five Below in Monroeville had all the above mentioned figures late last week.  As far as returning they will give you in store credit ONLY.

They had the ST with corrected pant job,as well as the earlier AOTC wave  Zam, SBD, Mace, Obi- Amidala ugly gown, etc.  What is niceis they put them on the shelf vs. hangng them, so you get the unpunched cards...trouble iafter a few weeks the cardbacks  are beat to hell.

I'll post here as well.

I ordered a Tri-Logo case off ebay.  I paid about $4 more per fig.  but what the heck with all the uncertainty with this line. Plus the Tri-Logos tend to have very small runs, so a small run of a more limited wave to begin with could turn out to be interesting way down the road.  It came this Wed. afternoon.  The figs are just fantastic.  The Accessories are extremly plentiful in this wave.  The Aurra lightsaber box with lightsabers is pretty neat.

The Republic trooper is outstanding...lots going on wiht it.  Love the color scheme.  The "Teenage years Ahsoka" is great.  The Royal guard is phenominal (love the extra helmet and shoulder pauldrons.  The Lumat with all his accesssories is pretty cool.  The OT figs are so detailed...they are wonderful.  Even what I would call the "ho hum" figs like the Naboo Pilot Gungan warrior and the podracer are very well done.

Lots to like about this wave.  Huge thumbs up!

Not sure exactly where to post on the last vintage wave 17 yet..but here goes.

I jumped on an auction for the Tri-Logo version of last wave (17) of the vintage line.  We all knows what tends to happen with the last waves don't we?  In addition, does anyone know what the production runs may be on this last wave.  Hearing all kinds of things, and thre's a weird "vibe" with this wave.  It's an online store only dealthistime around, so I'm guessing production runs will obviously be low, but also worried that they won;t move as quickly, not having the brick and mortars selling as well.  These may show up in weird places..yet to be heard or determined.

I'm hearing from a few folks that the Tri-Logos were cut way short of production this time around (and they usually have a much lower run anyhow).  Curious to see what everyone is hearing.  For the couple extra $ it was per fig I figred I'd bite the bullet and take a chance on the Tri-Logos this time around. (only once before did I ever jump on a new modern wave qucikly, so we'll see.

Any additinal noise on this line, pelase post..curious to see what othrs are hearing.