JediDefender.com Forums
Collectibles => The Vintage Collection => Topic started by: Jeff on February 2, 2023, 01:00 PM
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I guess I missed starting a thread for this pipeline reveal last night...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fn-snhPXgAAPoSh.jpg)
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Hope Obi-wan gets some new tooling -- facial expression, sculpted body damage, anything -- and not just a re-use of the already-released figure with a spritz of paint all over him simulating chunks of dirt.
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Hope Obi-wan gets some new tooling -- facial expression, sculpted body damage, anything -- and not just a re-use of the already-released figure with a spritz of paint all over him simulating chunks of dirt.
One thing about that pipe-lined two-pack...it should be a new Obi-Wan. I don't think they can just repaint the wandering Jedi figure for that one.
Add in a few world-building entertainment-inspired accessories (rocks) and we've got a $59.99 exclusive on our hands!
Where's young Leia? Fifth Brother? Fourth Sister? Tala Durith? The Grand Inquisitor? TVC NED-B? Bail and Breha Organa? Haja? Owen and Beru Lars? Flea / Vect Kokru? Roken?
I'd much rather have any of the many secondary characters Rob mentioned than this two-pack, but I get why they'd make it. I'll wait and see before deciding on this one for now. If the cost is too high or there isn't enough new tooling in the set, the TAC/TFU battle-damaged Vader may be a good enough stand-in for now.
The Luke... I can't say I'm excited for at all. I haven't looked at the costumes side by side, but it sure seems like it can't be that different from the Imperial Cruiser version of Luke that we are just now getting. I'd have much rather gotten a much-needed update of an OT Luke (Tatooine / Farmboy Luke & Dagobah Luke immediately come to mind). But better yet, how about a NEW figure from The Book of Boba Fett instead? Peli Mott would have been nice to go with the upcoming N-1.
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I'll be interested to see how Hasbro presents this particular incarnation of Luke. A deluxe figure might be in order where he's got the backpack and Grogu. Those ant construction droids would be cool, too. But the likelihood of something like that being made seems pretty slim now.
I'm really happy with the announcement of the OWK duel 2-pack. It seems pretty obvious that Vader will be built on the Darth Vader (The Dark Times) body. Evidently the chest plate on that figure is removable, so Hasbro can easily plug in a battle damaged chest piece. And the likeness of the new ROTJ Vader looks a little like Hayden Christensen, so I can see how that might be the likeness we see through that damaged section of the helmet.
I'm really curious about the Obi-Wan figure. Hasbro obviously repainted the Wandering Jedi figure in order to make the Tibodon Station figure. Based on the costume from that final episode, I can see Hasbro re-using the legs and the head of the WJ figure. But the upper body and arms need to be that darker Jedi tunic that he work on Jabiim and during that duel. That kind of accuracy matters here.
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It seems pretty obvious that Vader will be built on the Darth Vader (The Dark Times) body.
As will the ANH Vader with Interrogation Droid, and the ROTJ Vader with Electrocution / Skull / See-Through effect, as will the Vader in Meditation Chamber ($89.99), and Glow in the Dark Vader (for no real reason whatsoever) and the red-painted Vader FoR CHriSTmAs!!1!
Or, the one I actually would want that they probably wouldn't do, this Vader on the funeral pyre.
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As will the ANH Vader with Interrogation Droid, and the ROTJ Vader with Electrocution / Skull / See-Through effect, as will the Vader in Meditation Chamber ($89.99), and Glow in the Dark Vader (for no real reason whatsoever) and the red-painted Vader FoR CHriSTmAs!!1!
Or, the one I actually would want that they probably wouldn't do, this Vader on the funeral pyre.
Don't forget a redo of the Target Lava Reflection Vader just in time for the 20th anniversary of RotS!
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Yep. I also forgot Hoth Vader with snow on his boots, and Marvel comics Vader.
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Yep. I also forgot Hoth Vader with snow on his boots, and Marvel comics Vader.
Infinites Vader
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In all honesty I would buy a ANH Vader on this body type, and an ESB Vader. All the other novelty Vaders I'm fine with.
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It seems pretty obvious that Vader will be built on the Darth Vader (The Dark Times) body.
As will the ANH Vader with Interrogation Droid, and the ROTJ Vader with Electrocution / Skull / See-Through effect, as will the Vader in Meditation Chamber ($89.99), and Glow in the Dark Vader (for no real reason whatsoever) and the red-painted Vader FoR CHriSTmAs!!1!
Or, the one I actually would want that they probably wouldn't do, this Vader on the funeral pyre.
The key question here is this - will Hasbro recognize when collectors have tapped out on the new sculpt?
But if they went back and did the complete meditation chamber from TESB? Because that 500th Vader only had the seat. I would so be up for that.
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I don’t know that there is such a thing anymore. If Hasbro is reusing a mold for a 5th or 6th or 10th time, their overhead is so low that all it takes is a fraction of collectors to care and it’s profitable. These retro prototypes are a good example of it. There are completists who are 30 years in that they’re taking advantage of (guilty as charged) and then there are enough people who just like them or want one or whatever that they sell just fine, even though I feel like a huge number of collectors (at least those commenting on websites and social media) think they’re stupid and want it to end.
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I dislike the inanity of the Retro Prototypes so much so that I was planning to do a weekly feature on my Instagram highlighting how Hasbro could reuse the molds in fun creative ways with 0 new tooling, a la all the different droids Stan Solo has done, but there could be so much more that would be fun and unique. Like, I would absolutely buy a Bespin Luke with in Burger King glass blue deco, or Hoth Han with a ANH Han head. Or any of those droids...
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I saw a couple of the retro prototype Luke X-wing pilots last week at Target. For a moment I thought maybe I should pick these up for a friend. But then I couldn't really think of any friends in my area that I trade with and are actually collecting these. It seems like the novelty may have worn off.
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The only thing that got me to pick up the Retro Luke Prototypes last week whe nI saw them and consider buying one was the unique lightsaber colors...the orange and purple, specifically, looked like they would be neat to have.
But not at $15 a piece. I didn't buy, but now I might go looking for weird colored 3rd party retro sabers, because that orange one was kinda cool.
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But not at $15 a piece. I didn't buy, but now I might go looking for weird colored 3rd party retro sabers, because that orange one was kinda cool.
I found what must be a case or two’s worth at my Target in Chicago on Thursday.
They were priced at $18.29. A five-POA rehash with no paint apps with a higher price tag than a regular TVC release. It’s unreal.
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It seems pretty obvious that Vader will be built on the Darth Vader (The Dark Times) body.
As will the ANH Vader with Interrogation Droid, and the ROTJ Vader with Electrocution / Skull / See-Through effect, as will the Vader in Meditation Chamber ($89.99), and Glow in the Dark Vader (for no real reason whatsoever) and the red-painted Vader FoR CHriSTmAs!!1!
Or, the one I actually would want that they probably wouldn't do, this Vader on the funeral pyre.
The key question here is this - will Hasbro recognize when collectors have tapped out on the new sculpt?
But if they went back and did the complete meditation chamber from TESB? Because that 500th Vader only had the seat. I would so be up for that.
My son loved Darth Vader when he was potty training, so I used that 500th Vader to show him everyone goes. He's 7 now and still calls him "Potty Vader."
That said, I really want a full meditation chamber. I don't care if I have to buy a 3rd party 3d printed kit.
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I was looking for another thread when I came across this one, and I was shocked. This set was actually announced back in February? And we still haven't seen it yet?!?! Fingers crossed that it's going to be revealed at Hasbro Pulse Con. I have to wonder if there was a problem in the development process with this? Was that the reason for the delay?
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I was looking for another thread when I came across this one, and I was shocked. This set was actually announced back in February? And we still haven't seen it yet?!?!
Yeah, considering both figures are essentially kit-bashes of existing OWK Vader/Obi-Wan figures, it is kind of strange that we haven't seen this yet. Maybe Pulse Con like you said...
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Revealed at long last!
Star Wars The Vintage Collection Unveils Obi-Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader Showdown 2-Pack (https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-obi-wan-kenobi-darth-vader-showdown/?fbclid=IwAR2SuKUfQRskH-cYVMT6YnbVqtl7xbbksTq8gmajWh2Yi9QmIQ0t9BGodjM)
Preorders go live on September 19th
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Thanks, Nick.
Is it the 19th, which the article states early? They also state the 14th at 1pm Eastern at the end. ??? I suppose check both days.
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I was wondering the same thing when I saw someone bring up the September 14th date for preorders. Evidently it was confirmed with Hasbro's PR company that it will be available for preorder tomorrow, September 14th.
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Finally, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader action figures!
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Finally, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader action figures!
For $40! $40. Must be the #fancybox tax this time...
STAR WARS: THE VINTAGE COLLECTION OBI-WAN KENOBI (SHOWDOWN) AND DARTH VADER (SHOWDOWN) 2-PACK
(HASBRO/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99 / Available: Fall 2023)
On a desolate, rocky planet, Obi-Wan Kenobi confronts his past in a decisive battle against his former Padawan and friend Anakin Skywalker—now known only as Darth Vader. Fans can celebrate the legacy of STAR WARS, the action-and-adventure-packed space saga from a galaxy far, far away, with this premium 3.75-inch scale STAR WARS: THE VINTAGE COLLECTION OBI-WAN KENOBI (SHOWDOWN) AND DARTH VADER (SHOWDOWN) 2-pack inspired by STAR WARS: OBI-WAN KENOBI live-action series. This figure features premium detail and design across product and packaging inspired by the original Kenner line, as well as the entertainment-inspired collector grade deco. Includes 2 figures and 5 entertainment-inspired accessories including Obi-Wan’s Lightsaber and Darth Vader’s battle-damaged helmet.
Available for pre-order 9/14 at 1pm ET at Amazon and additional fan channel retailers.
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For $40! $40. Must be the #fancybox tax this time...
Let me see if I've got the math right:
+ $17 Obi-Wan Kenobi (carded and kitbashed)
+ $17 Darth Vader (carded and kitbashed)
+ $6 cardboard box to hold it all together
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Close Dave...
+ $17 Because we can
+ $17 Because we can
+ $6 Be thankful it wasn't $12
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Close Dave...
+ $17 Because we can
+ $17 Because we can
+ $6 Be thankful it wasn't $12
Hasbro execs be like
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTWuMIhYURdQVfymFUQdRlu80mHVvARkS7ZGw&usqp=CAU)
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I get that the cards are important for some collectors, but I feel like we're all carrying the water for them here. Nevertheless, I'm pretty excited for this set.
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Now up at Amazon -> https://amzn.to/45SBV3O
and EE -> https://ee.toys/JCUYL6
#ad #sponsoredlinks
Also at Pulse -> https://hasbropulse.com/products/star-wars-the-vintage-collection-obi-wan-kenobi-2-pack
(not a JD sponsor)
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Looking at the pics on pulse, sometimes the Vader is called "Darth Vader (Showdown)" and other times it is "Darth Vader (Duel's End)". Weird...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6Agh4ZXUAA5Maz.jpg) (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6Agj6vWgAAzw73.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6AgbcRWYAAXEXb.jpg) (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6AgfFcXoAAGHk0.jpg)
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Must be some early production pics and they changed it during development?
BTW, thanks for the links Jeff. Used them to preorder my two.
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I get that the cards are important for some collectors, but I feel like we're all carrying the water for them here. Nevertheless, I'm pretty excited for this set.
Yup, totally agree. I’d be honestly fine seeing TVC retired again.
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Like the set. Hate the price… well, dislike the price. Not as bad as $45 speederbikes feel.
Anyway, I enjoy the final product because this was one of my fave sequences in all the D+ shows. I’m glad to have it… but yeah I hate the current pricing. Repainted Fetts being the worst offenders somehow.
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Like the set. Hate the price… well, dislike the price. Not as bad as $45 speederbikes feel.
Except those speeder bikes have regularly been available for $25 to $30.
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That Darth Vader cardback has to be one of the LAZIEST cards I've ever seen them do. It's basically the same as the Dark Times Vader card...
(https://hasbropulse.com/cdn/shop/products/F4475_PROD_SW_VIN_TUCSON_001_Online_2000SQ_2000x.jpg) (https://hasbropulse.com/cdn/shop/files/F8721_PROD_SW_VIN_VICKSBURG_058_2000px_300DPI_2000x.jpg?v=1694694503)
If the whole point of this Vader is his lightsaber-slashed helmet, doesn't it kind of make sense to make sure that is prominently featured on the cardback?!?
It's like Hasbro went to the official site's Darth Vader databank entry (https://www.starwars.com/databank/darth-vader), grabbed the picture and went, "done".
(https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/images/darth-vader-main_4560aff7.jpeg?region=0%2C67%2C1280%2C720)
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Real artists and creative people cost money. Why work hard when you can mail it in? All you need is some unpaid interns and Google and you've saved yourself a bunch of money and effort.
I'm sure Hasbro has fired all the artists they got when the bought Galoob, but I remember some of the MicroMachines playset boxes as being fantastic works of art. I whish Hasbro spent 1/100th of the effort on packaging artwork that some of the people did back in the heyday.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/7532/15657632633_6899d09bbc_b.jpg)
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With this version of Darth Vader, I thought there was an obvious choice for the image on the cardback.
(https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Obi-Wan-Kenobi-Darth-Vader-with-Broken-Mask.jpg)
Or...
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTQ1YzdmYTAtMzU3YS00OWJjLThhMTItMzkxZjdhZDUwMmMxXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UY281_CR18,0,500,281_.jpg)
But watching the scene, these are really tight closeups, and the shot composition is very much horizontal - intended to fill the frame. A cardback filmout needs to be more vertical.
Plus there's the lighting - or lack thereof. The incidental lighting of the glow of the lightsabers is all there is. And when it goes from blue to red? That red does not read well on the black of Vader's helmet. It makes the exposed face look demonic, but the definition of the rest of the helmet is somewhat lost.
Hasbro has definitely done some heavy lifting in the past with cardback artwork on TVC cards - the deleted scene figures, the realistic Clone Wars renditions, etc. This would have been a similar case. So it leaves me wondering if this was a call on the part of Hasbro's packaging design people? Or perhaps Lucasfilm wanted something more neutral?
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but I remember some of the MicroMachines playset boxes as being fantastic works of art.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/7532/15657632633_6899d09bbc_b.jpg)
Oh, the memories. Under-appreciated, even by me back in the day.
Hasbro answered a cardback pic question a few months ago (I think a clonetrooper) and how none of the available references would work. From that I see they do put some thought, but to everyone's point, probably not enough resources to do extensive work on the image.
For me, the issue -- not a real problem -- is that collectors could get the figs mixed up if they just glance at the pic.
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I do at least like the Obi-Wan cardback, but agree with the overall sentiments about the high price & the lazyish Vader cardback. The Obi-Wan figure looks good. It's hard to tell if that is a new torso or if it comes from another older Jedi figure. If it is a new piece, I'll bet that is a sign we will see some other Jedi figures soon.
I also wonder if the "Showdown" vs "Duel's End" text had anything to do with the delayed reveal of this item and if both versions made it to production?
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It's hard to tell if that is a new torso or if it comes from another older Jedi figure. If it is a new piece, I'll bet that is a sign we will see some other Jedi figures soon.
With new Phase 1 Clone Trooper, Dooku, and DLX Jango all getting pipeline reveals, more AOTC Arena Jedi coming would probably make sense...
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So I have been taking a look at the calendar lately with an eye towards Hasbro's 12 - 18 month development timeline. All while factoring in their "We saw it when you saw it" take on some characters first appearances in movies or Disney+ series. And the estimated delivery date for this set actually lines up with that timeline. And IIRC, the Grand Inquisitor should be showing up around that time as well.
I feel like the OWK series was somewhat unique in that we got figures of show characters fairly close to the premiere of the series. But we're just coming off of this pretty substantial TBOBF mini-beat where Hasbro offered at least 3 basic figures, a convention exclusive and the Tusken 4-pack within the space of 2 or 3 month - and at the end of that 18 month window! So does anyone think that we're likely to get much more from the OWK series? And what other OWK characters are you hoping to get if we're almost in this next Hasbro TVC "mini-beat"?
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So does anyone think that we're likely to get much more from the OWK series? And what other OWK characters are you hoping to get if we're almost in this next Hasbro TVC "mini-beat"?
Iffy at best. Maybe Qui-Gon Ghost if there's a second series and he's part of it or if Hasbro revisits him for TPM. Tala, too.
There are more characters than I thought that I'd like see made.
My top choices in no particular order:
Gui-Gon, spirit
Tala Durith, Imperial outfit
Haja
Leia, child
Luke, child
Fourth Sister
Dinosaur bounty hunter
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So I have been taking a look at the calendar lately with an eye towards Hasbro's 12 - 18 month development timeline. All while factoring in their "We saw it when you saw it" take on some characters first appearances in movies or Disney+ series. And the estimated delivery date for this set actually lines up with that timeline. And IIRC, the Grand Inquisitor should be showing up around that time as well.
So why then does it take this long for 3.75" but not 6"?
Black Series got Grand Inquisitor, 5th Brother, 4th Sister, Tala, etc WAY faster than 12-18 months.
Same with Andor. Black Series has Bix, Luthen, Mon Mothma, but nothing on those for TVC yet...
Same with Bad Batch. BS6" has TWO versions of Wrecker, Hunter, Tech, Echo, Omega and TVC has... one version of Hunter.
To me, this feels a LOT more like Hasbro knows the TVC crowd will still be there to buy figures 12-18 months after a show but there is a much greater need to "strike while the iron is hot" in the Black Series stuff.
It feels like BS6" gets much more timely attention for creating new things while TVC fans are forced to wait... I'm not sure if that is a resourcing thing, a desire to not compete with themselves (putting the same 3.75"/6" figures in stores at the same time), or what. I mean, I guess we've proven over the years that if we are still buying/wanting NEW figures from 40+ year old movies, waiting a year or two for a new figure isn't a big deal. :P
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To me, this feels a LOT more like Hasbro knows the TVC crowd will still be there to buy figures 12-18 months after a show but there is a much greater need to "strike while the iron is hot" in the Black Series stuff.
I think Hasbro has said this in a way about 6" collectors. I believe they characterize 6" purchasers as more impulse driven, I like that and want one for my desk, which is why I think you see so many Christmas decos, video game figures, and other random items that might be more curiosities. Obviously there are still the hardcore fans that buy a bunch of these too.
I do wish Hasbro got their **** together on TVC. Collectors will buy these whenever they get made, but if they want a successful retail product at Target and Wal-Mart, it sure would help if they came out with a full wave of figures pretty close to the release of a new title. Adam Pawlus had some recent commentary on this on his site that was pretty good. I get Disney wanting to hold back wildly surprising characters like Grogu from Hasbro's radar, but when you've got main characters in teasers six months ahead of time there has got to be a way to close that gap between premier and toy release. Sprinkling a figure here and there over the following two years is not going to make for a successful line at retail.
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Got the 'shipping soon' note from Amazon... due 10/17 for my order.
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My Amazon order for this got pushed back even further into December. Although there could be another email changing the date to Thursday. IDK what is up with Amazon sometimes.
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I also got the pushed to December email.
Same thing with that Retro ROTJ pack.
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Got the 'shipping soon' note from Amazon... due 10/17 for my order.
I just got a shipping notice from Amazon saying it'll be here tomorrow. Hope Amazon gets your sets to you guys sooner than December!
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WTF???
So I ordered this from Amazon. I've got a December delivery date, but they already charged me. Not cool!
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I've had times where that happens on an item like this. Supposed to ship then gets delayed. I'd expect a refund message in next couple days. Then they'll recharge when actually ship.
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Got an email from Pulse for this one... shipping soon.
So the Amazon delay is moot now, I canceled that order.
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Was traveling this week and didn't get a chance to open the box from Amazon until today. This set turned out really great. $40 is still a bit tough to swallow, but not enough for me to pass on the set so Hasbro wins again.
Looking at the pics on pulse, sometimes the Vader is called "Darth Vader (Showdown)" and other times it is "Darth Vader (Duel's End)". Weird...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6AgbcRWYAAXEXb.jpg) (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6AgfFcXoAAGHk0.jpg)
In case the variant hunters were wondering, the pack I got from Amazon was the "Darth Vader (Duel's End)" version (on both the box and cardback).