Good times & safe travels to those of you going to Celebration 6!  I wish I could've made it to this one, but sometimes life gives you a better plan.   

If you've got an opening, I'm game!

My own Tournament of Champions list was fairly balanced between PT, CW and OT selections.  I actually didn't care for any of the EU characters that made the cut.  In fact, none of my EU list made the top ten in that category.  And I only voted for characters in the ToC that I had voted for in each individual poll.

As for how the ToC shook out?  It's definitely based on the people who were voting.  And JD has traditionally been oriented more towards fans of the OT.  Hence the results. 

Do I like all of the results?  No.  I think Jaxxon is a silly exercise in kitsch, and Dash Rendar comes across like a relic of the EU past.  My own EU list was rooted much more in recent EU lore.  As for the PT and OT results?  They're pretty good.  But ultimately when you've got a community voting, not everyone is going to like ALL of the results.

There are definitely significant differences between the Kenner Rebel Commando and ALL of the versions that have come out in the modern era.  That original POTF2 version might be the closest in appearance to the vintage figure, but it also has all of the limited articulation of a Kenner era figure.

And then there's all of these versions we've gotten:  molded on helmets, removable helmets, troopers with facial hair which takes away from their troop building appeal, bald troopers, different ethnicities, headsets with plugs, DVD tin sets, softgoods vs molded vests.....BLECK!

I'm just waiting for TWO good Endor troopers: 

First Version:  A kitbash of the current TVC Endor Rebel Commando with the following:
    -Generic appearance (with the option for a running change for Nik Sant)
    -Plastic molded vest (ala SAGA 2002 Endor Rebel)
    -Including rifle, blaster pistol with holster, helmet & backpack)

Second Version:  A new SA Endor Rebel in the full jumpsuit
    -Generic appearance
    -Including rifle, blaster pistol with holster, helmet & backpack)

With all of this clamoring for the Royal Guards, I have to hope that Hasbro might be looking to carry them forward into the Droid Factory line.  This is a repack I wouldn't mind in the least, and would probably be welcomed by a lot of collectors.  Especially if Wave 17 is only available online.

Well, I may just be skipping the carded Phase II Commander Wolf, now.  I wish the 'troops had a bigger image of it so that we might be able to discern any differences between this version and the carded release.

WOW!  It turns out that the IRON MAN - THE ARMORED AVENGER line is turning up at TJ Maxx stores, too!  I found the concept Hammer Drone and the Movie Series electronic War Machine!