Yeah, thanks Jeff for the pics of the ESB VOTC figures.  I'm really looking forward to this whole line.  I do agree with what some others have said though.  Although I really do like this Yoda, and it looks like it could be the best of what they have released (soft goods looks really well done on this one), it doesn't seem like they've ever been able to quite "get" his face sculpt or color.  I always thought they could nail him, since "aliens" usually are easier for the toy companies to do.  Overall, it does look nice though...the green could be a bit lighter and that would help a lot.  I'm not a fan of the soft goods on this Lando either, the POTJ one seemed much better.  However, the sculpt does look pretty nice...with good articulation too.  3PO looks good, but it is tough to make out what his articulation is...and where it is.  Overall, all of these figures have seemed to have great sculpts so far, our only questions seem to mostly be with soft goods and/or articulation.  Hopefully we'll get another "figure spotlight" this week from Hasbro, they never did update with the carded version of Vader (as alluded to), but I guess they did only say "later", so that could be any time.

I don't understand that either Brent, and the pre-sale price is plenty high on this auction too.  This line is still so tempting, I came across several KOTDs, Pip and Merry in armor this weekend, and really wanted to pick them up.  If I hadn't just gotten a few new Star Wars figures, I might have had better luck talking the Mrs. into it .  I thought I read that you picked up KOTD and the Morgul Lord recently Brent, what do you think of them?  I was thinking about sticking to just a few main characters if I got into this line, but a few others like these are tempting too.

Just read over at LOTRGuide.com that it appears the Black Gate of Mordor Gift Pack (Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Aragorn, Mouth of Sauron w/Horse) has started showing up on ebay (presale I believe).  Here's a few of the auctions:

Ebay Auctions

Hopefully that link works.  This could be an interesting set, any of you interested in it?

I know what you mean Brent, ships seem to be the worst.  I don't think I could ever go and sell anything I have...especially Star Wars....but packing some up has become an option.  Its just nice to have as much on display as possible, but if it really starts to become an issue, some of the PT stuff might get packed away for awhile.  For now I'm ok (except for a few ships that can't make it out for now), but after some more time (especially after Episode III and if I am able to pick up more LOTR or Marvel stuff), I'm going to have to figure something else out.  Maybe just display the real favorites, or best of the best .

Thought I'd check in again to see how everyone's displays (or future displays) are coming along.  We recently moved, and I got the chance to get things out and put them up again this weekend.  I am displaying my collection(s) in our office, and took the doors off of the closet in there and put my shelving up in that closet.  Those hold my POTF2-POTJ-Episode I-Saga and hopefully future OTC figures.  I have some ships displayed too, although not too organized yet since there isn't enough room.

I have my Unleashed displayed on the top of our desk, as well as a movie Spidey and the parachute Spidey from the Classics line.  On top of our desktop computer tower I have the talking Yoda and an extra loose 25th anny. Han/Chewie.  On a small shelf within the desk, I have some vintage BK glasses (and an R2 mug from applause) on display.  There is also a little area with the four Spidey minimates on display.  I also have a bookshelf set up which holds the POTJ B-Wing (that thing doesn't fit anywhere else!), the Cartoon Clone Wars figs on the top, with the OT Playskool SW, boxed 25th Anniversary sets, the Target Obi-Wan glass, Trash Compactor Screen Scene, Adventure Kermit, my two LOTR figures, and my Marvel Legends figures (5 of them).  On the bottom, I have placed prequel ships (Slave I, Jedi Starfighter, Anakin/Zam speeders).

To be honest, it is kind of hard to keep everything out on display, and I have been considering packing a few things up (still haven't found room for Gunship or all of the ships yet).  Do any of you ever consider doing this?  Sometimes these are reasons I consider collecting just OT and limiting PT stuff to save space.  Then again, the ships are really what are tough to find space for.  Plus, I'd like to expand (a little) my collections of LOTR and Marvel Legends/Spider-Man.  Do any of you consider selling/purging parts of your collection, only displaying specialized things, or any other displaying options?  I'd be glad to hear them.  I really want to enjoy my collection, but I'm a person that doesn't want it to get looking "cluttered", if you know what I mean.  What do you do (or think about doing)?

Seems to me for SW we are paying for a license, we should be paying  $3-$4 a figure based on the amount of plastic and accessories we are getting to comparable toy lines

I really agree with this Scott, like I said, I like the 3 3/4" scale (actually would have really liked a LOTR line in this scale, like SW), but looking at the figure size/plastic used compared to other lines, $3 to $4 would be more in line (and would be great).  I remember in the vintage days figures were around $2 to $3 weren't they?  Good times, even though I was a kid and didn't have that much money anyways  

Aside from repacks, case assortments, and other issues that so many of the toylines seem to suffer from nowadays, which toy line do you think combines aspects such as sculpt, articulation, accessories, packaging, and overall price point into the best "bang for your buck" if you will?  I'm not familiar with each and every toyline, mainly paying attention to Star Wars and a little bit of Marvel and Lord of the Rings, but while looking through the toy aisles this past weekend, this question popped into my head.  For example, if you look at the new offerings in the Star Wars line this year, the sculpts have been pretty spiffy I think (especially for the smaller scale), accessories have been hit and miss depending on the character, but not too bad overall, and articulation is definitely hit and miss, although better than it has been.  To me, although I'd always take them cheaper, I think $4-5 isn't too bad for these figures, especially remembering the $7-8ish days of Episode I and POTJ while unpacking some things this past weekend.

On the other hand, since the new Trilogy line of LOTR figures has come out, it has been even tougher to leave these on the pegs.  They are bigger, so you're already getting more plastic (although for me, I like the 3 3/4" scale, and have a tough time displaying the bigger figures), usually pretty good accessories, great articulation (even if it becomes loose after awhile), as well as great sculpts more often than not.  All this for around $5 to 6 from what I have seen (closer to $6).

The same holds true for Marvel Legends.  Although they are somewhat limited, not seeing quite as many releases throughout the year (which is ok sometimes), you have overall good sculpts, articulation above and beyond most other lines, some pretty neat characters, usually a comic book included (depending on your neck of the woods), and a decent sized base in most cases.  Accessories are somewhat limited on many characters outside of the book/base though.  These seem to be in the $6-8 price range, usually on the lower end depending on store.

Otherwise, those are the lines I am most familiar with off-hand, and really they aren't too bad of values on any of them to me.  Like I said, I'll always take them cheaper, but the prices aren't too bad (especially considering most were higher priced before).  There are other action figure lines which approach the $10 range per figure, some that have "packs" where the price is spread out (minimates are $2ish per figure in the 4 to 5 packs, but much smaller figures for $2 a piece as well).  Anyways, I guess I was just curious which line or lines out there right now are a good "value" in your opinion?

Indeed very sad. Greatest President within my lifetime.

A little late to post here, but I agree with this statement as well.  I'm glad that he at least lived a full life (93), but it is still sad to see him go.  I remember being little, growing up with him as President, and actually "trusting" in him as a kid, thinking he was pretty great.  I don't know if kids today can have the same confidence in their president(s) as we were able to in the 80s.  Rest in peace