I was gonna complain that the bike won't fit the scout like it should, but screw it I know I want a new Speederbike.

The old sculpt is so oversized and gangly...  They need a new one with a clear stand for it to "hover" on.  Sculpt it to-scale to the VOTC Scout...  I'd gladly buy this beast.  I'd buy dozens actually if the price wasn't outrageous on it. 

Anyway, on the new photos...

My opinions are pretty much all positive based on the early photos we've seen.  There is stellar articulation on each figure.  It appears to me they all got spared the Hasbro Quality Axe as I call it, which is a first for 2006.    I mean, a whole wave of hits?  How can you NOT love that?

The Sandperson looks like you can work with his softgoods, Han just looks good in that pic.  That really is a nice job done on that coat.  The Greedo is cool enough I guess but it does appear to indicate their continuation of this line...  Personally I preferred VOTC but that's me.

Luke, fantastic...  Scout, fantastic...  Han's my favorite right now though.  That's everything I ever wanted in a Han Endor figure.  Count me in for several.

I gotta get a case pre-ordered on these now, it's without a doubt a pile of stuff I want.

I wish they would offer us these at a lower price.  $8, and I'd be happy.  I seriously wouldn't complain about buying armies at $8, I would buy customizing bits at $8, i'd even keep the packaging at $8...  $10+, especially if they're really gonna keep this going, is gonna be hard.  I mean, $10 ewoks are hard to justify...  Same with Ugnaughts, Jawas, various astromechs...  Even the aliens it gets tough to deal with financially. 

The case ratio of 2x each figure really makes one wonder...  Will these reship in different mixes or is this it?  I want more Scouts and Sandies...  Finding them will be a bitch.

Hasbro's gotta get it in their thick heads at some point that some of this crap sells steadily no matter how many you put out.  #41's sold steadily even though they backed up.  AT-RT Drivers sold steadily...  They can't keep an AT-AT Driver on pegs around me, even at the $7 price.  I just can't believe they'd sink the $ into molding/tooling up a figure like that Scout then limit it in some ways...   

The mold toolings are fixed costs that you only are able to limit through increased production and sales.  Granted some things are risky choices to recirculate in the line, but Stormtroopers and Scouts?  The way to drop those fixed costs is to put them back out there...  Same with the Evolutions Sandtrooper.  VOTC Han over Cantina Han...  It's the smart choice, and they're the figures more appealing to all buyers too...  Hell I'd buy another VOTC Han if I saw it on a basic card...  Paint his hands grey and put a headset in and I'm sold on that figure just for that little difference.  I could use it for customs even if nothing else.

OK, I'll let ya know if I get one successfully from them in the near future though for a low price and if you want one you can let me know or whatever then or I can even drop you their information.  They seem a cordial lot.

The classifieds are down there somewhere.

Yeah Commander, the sculpt was the CW SA Clone sculpt with a new head made to fit the ball/socket joint.  It was used for both ROTS Target Clones and MAYBE the Star Wars Shop Clone too but that one I didn't take a very close look at to be sure.

I know it was used on the Target Clones though...  The Clone 5-pack though was the Jetpack Clone sculpt, so as not to confuse you. 

The only thing about the accessory sets was that Toy Maniacs had them for ages...  If ya wanted to go the online route.  That was what I did at the time for those.  If they'd been the first set they'd have blown out the door.

For me, the toughest finds were figures i never saw in stores...

-Sio Bibble
-TC-14
-R2-B1
-Swimming Jar Jar
-Ascension Amidala

I found a Pit Droid 2-pack and holo Sidious but only once...  So for me they're close seconds in the running.  The others I had to trade for.  I still dont' have Ascension Amidala out of those... 

These are just basic figures though.  They're at least findable...  Stuff like Eopie w/Qui Gon, or Bonus Pit Droids...  That's stuff I want but man I just doubt I'll ever get it.

Eh, well if you're not a completist that certainly would be a dilemma...  It's a long year, so hopefully these get repacked with more desireable figures, that's for certain...  If there was a case of SOra, Sun Fac, and the Clones...  maybe a single repack like Jango perhaps, then I'd consider that case.  I want more of Sun Fac, I can sorta justify more SOra...  I can't justify another Jango except it'd make a kid happy I know.    How Hasbro doesn't see the benefit of heavier packing with the Clones is beyond me...  If there's anger to be focused it's at the, once again, totally asinine case ratios that company gives out yearly. 

It's a little early to be in a panic, no doubt...  However I never saw a 41st Shocktrooper, only saw the black Clone Pilot 2 or 3 times as I recall, and the final 12 I'd have missed completely on most if not for K-Mart unloading a ton on Black Friday and on the cheap...  And even then they went fast, of course.

Ordering a case isn't always a bad idea then if you're concerned on something...  It's pretty obvious Scorch and the Utapau Trooper are going to be in big demand...  The real question is now whether or not Hasbro is going to MEET that demand.  It's so early in the year and SO much crap has already shipped...  There's a lot of year left for things to reship, but like last year there's some things that just didn't ship heavily to some areas or it was gobbled up really fast...  Sometimes getting your case order in early isn't such a bad idea, especially if you find a ration mix that fits your collecting goals and such.

Personally, I haven't seen that all Clone Trooper/Scorch case ratio yet. 

Welcome aboard to Jedi Defender...  Look around, check out the store finds area too because there's a number of Cali guys around here.

And just generally enjoy the site.  Ask questions if ya have any.  Have fun!