I read over at SuperHeroHype.com the other day that there are already talks of a Punisher 2.  There was an interview with Punisher star Thomas Jane, and he mentions that if this film is a hit, he is already signed on for two more...and the villain in the second one will be Jigsaw.  I'm really not familiar with the Punisher character, except for when he guest-starred in Spidey or Wolverine comics when I was younger, but I assume this is one of his major baddies?  I don't know if I'll see any of these movies, because I'm just not big on the Punisher myself, although I do like comic movies.  I'm waiting for Spidey 2 .  Good news though for fans of Punisher, if this one does well, sounds like there could be more at least.

I didn't get a chance to order anything the previous time, but did sign up for an account shortly before it shut down.  It didn't accept that account when I first tried to log in, so I signed up for a new one.  They didn't have a t-shirt in stock that I wanted to order (that I saw last time), so I ordered one Indy Kermit.  Everything seemed to go through just fine, $15 for the Kermit, $4.95 shipping, free patches and promo card.  I got a confirmation e-mail too.  Hopefully I did everything alright, and it stinks that so many others are having problems.  You'd think they would have had it all figured out after all this time working on it.

Sorry if this has been asked before, but are Marvel Minimates going to be (or continue to be) offered at retail places?  I know the TRU nearest us has the four packs, but I was wondering if they were going to be carry future waves...or if other stores might be as well?  I was just curious if they would be able to be found at retail...at least somewhat (I understand exclusives and chase figures might be an online-only type of thing).  If I have to collect the majority of the line from internet stores, I might have to stay away from it.  Just curious if anyone knew the retail situation...thanks .

By the way, they are great little figs though.  I only have the Spidey four pack and I already want more .

Just a mini update, after evaluating what I really like/enjoy and looking at the year.  I've also noticed a few different members selling/purging their collections, so I was wondering if anyone else's year has changed at all as far as collecting/collections.

Collecting

Star Wars - 3 3/4" figures, ships, beasts, etc.  Not a completist, but most everything that is released...especially OT.  Also, OT-based Unleashed and Playskool/Galactic Heroes lines.  If I have extra money, or lulls in collecting, I might pick up a few more loose vinty figures.

Marvel World - Marvel Legends I have stuck to X-Men only so far, and hope to continue to for the most part (maybe that series 8 Doc Ock when it comes out).  The rest of the line is tempting as well.  I also have a Spider-Man 2 Spidey, and the Parachute Spider-Man from the Spidey Classics line, and I think I might try to broaden the Spidey collection a little with some villains (especially that upcoming box set).  I also took my first jump into the world of minifigs, picking up a Spider-Man Marvel Minimates four pack this past weekend.  I'm thinking about collecting more of these, they are fairly affordable and don't take up much space to store or display.

Not Collecting, or Very Limited

Lord of the Rings - I really, really like these movies, and the toy line is great as well...but there is just so much to get, I'm so far behind, and to be honest...with almost all of my budget/space devoted to Star Wars, and what little is left over going towards Marvel stuff, I just don't have the money or space.  I have a Legolas and a Smeagol, and I'll just leave it at that hopefully.  Maybe an odd figure here or there throughout the year, but I'm going to try not to give in.  Great line overall though.

MOTU - The line is pretty much done now anyways, and I now (thanks to Scott) have the one figure I wanted, Roboto.  I was too far behind in this as well to begin with, so I'm just going to leave it at that.  Figures were very nice, the line was just handled horribly.  Space was another issue with this line for me.

Muppets - A really great line, that has always (and probably will continue to) tempt me.  I don't have any figures, so the fact that I'm way behind here too helps me out.  I still would like to pick up the Indy Kermit if/when SWShop comes back online, and I might look at getting a Rowlf or Fozzie some day.

Batman/Justice League - I was somewhat interested in this, just being a Batman fan, but I picked up Zipline Batman and I think I'll leave it at that for now.  Not that I don't like other characters from this, as well as Justice League/Super Friends, but Mattel handles the lines poorly...and honestly, I'm just more of a Marvel person anyways.

So I think I am going to (at least try) to just limit myself to mainly Star Wars, with a sprinkling of Marvel stuff here and there.  Those are really my favorites, and what I enjoy to collect the most.  Space and budget becomes a big factor to me...especially with so many lines being in the 6" scale, and outside of Star Wars I have room for very little (not really even room enough for the Star Wars stuff I want either ).  I'm hoping this minimate pack I bought doesn't open up new doors (LOTR minimates, SW Kubricks), since minifigs don't hurt the space issue really .  Have any of you changed your minds on what you would like to collect, or had companies change them for you?

I really enjoyed this series as well, and I have them all on tape too.  I would like to see a DVD of these though, hopefully that's coming up eventually.  The series really makes me want more animated figures, although I've seen enough of the series 1 figures hanging on the pegs for now.  It would be nice to get animated figures of Padme, the droids, Grievous, and ARC trooper, and the various other Jedi that appeared.

Definitely going to be an interesting playoffs this year, especially in the West.  Kind of an odd game for the Lakers yesterday from what I saw with the highlights.  Kobe passing up shots, Shaq not getting many off, and just inconsistent play.  I'm sure they'll get things together come playoff time though, they usually seem able to.  I'd really like to see them match up with the Grizzlies in the 1st round, not sure if that will happen or not though.

Hoping the Wolves can hang on to that top spot in the West, that will help them a lot (psychologically too I think).  Spurs are playing great ball at the right time again, and look tough for the postseason.  Sacto impressed me being able to beat the Lakers, didn't think they would.  Maybe they'll be ready too.  And a heck of the battle going on for that 8th spot in the West too.  Mavs have been playing better with the small ball lineup lately too, not sure how that will translate in the playoffs...maybe winning one round, depending on who they play.  Can't wait for all the playoff goodness to get going though, its going to be fun to watch this year.  Not sure about the East, probably comes down to the Pistons or Pacers...or possibly the Nets.  Glad to see teams like Milwaukee and Miami in there though, some fun teams to watch as far as the East goes.

Well, I took my first jump into "mini-fig" land this weekend.  We were shopping, and there was nothing new on the Star Wars pegs, so picked up a mini-mate set at TRU for around $8.  I bought the four-pack with Spider-Man, Venom, Green Goblin, and Damaged Spider-Man.  I should have never done this, because now I want to get more of these little guys.  They are very cool little figures, nicely articulated, and they score big points with me because they don't take up too much display space.  Plus, even though they could be cheaper, I don't mind paying around $2 a figure.  They had a couple of different types of packaged sets there...ones with plastic windows, and oens with solid boxes, with pictures on the front.  Are the solid boxed ones the newer releases (or how they release them now?).  The one I got was a solid box (they didn't have any Spidey ones in plastic window form, mainly just Daredevil sets.  Anyways, I hope this hasn't started another addiction, but I already want to go pick up an X-Men set next time we're there .