Any word yet on Nov. 1 prices at Best Buy, Target, and Toys R Us?

Wow, already a variation from Hong Kong!












Hardy har. No, this is a knock-off, which is evidently inspiring over here for Hasbro. Personally, I prefer this CHiPs look.

So far, Serenity's earned  $17,600,000, which ain't much, but it only cost $40,000,000 to make.   They always say opening weekend is the magic number as far as sequels are concerned, but I don't know if its as big a deal nowadays as it used to be. Overseas markets and DVDs will bring in more than $40m I think, and maybe enough to justify a sequel. I think Joss has got it in him to continue the story, and I know he's got enough creative control to not let it go to a hack writer or director.

Univeral has the rights to Serenity movies, but part of the terms of the contract were that they can't make a TV show for 10 years (non-compete with FOX.) 

Yeah, I think its a state law in Louisiana that all stores have to sell some kind of alcohol.  In other places, Wal-mart's lack of liquor sales was heralded as a kind of trustworthy trademark of a company that maintains good family values in the midst of such a sinful society. I guess really they just hadn't yet branched out into the booze market.

Have happy ones, Jayson and Brad.

So, did you end up sacrificing something you really love Brad?  Like your under age sobriety?

Hey Thanks! Didn't know my b-day was in there.

Happy birthday to Rob, from another Rob.

And working back, to Jesse. And Jim.

This is an interesting topic, Morgbug.  Good replies too, everyone.

I don't know if they are dying, so much as diversifying.  The ones we were introduced to, the 3¾" size, are pretty much going the way of 12-backs.  It sounds like GI Joe is moving away from this size, and Star Wars is pretty much the last holdout (though I'm sure there are others I'm not thinking of).  The lines we like are more adult oriented of course, so we see them moving into the collectible realm.  I think there will always be a place for them in the kids section though.

At the big retailers, we notice the shrinking Star Wars and dissappearing LOTR lines, but what seems to take up all the rest of the space? Wrestling and Power Ranger figures here, followed by tons of TMNT. I know nothing about the wrestling figures, except they take up way more space than practically anything else in the stores.

I think action figures will change sizes and features according to different trends, but its a staple of the toy business and there will always be a demand with kids.  Sure, seems to be more and more diversions for kids, and plenty of competition, but I don't seem them dying out.