Quote from: Matt_Fury on January 29, 2021, 06:30 PM

I’m currently traveling (family emergency) and missed the livestream.  I also missed placing orders for Ashoka and Maul on Hasbro Pulse.  Luckily, they are still available on Entertainment Earth.

I want multiples of the AT-ST driver and probably a couple of Leias....but I am not at all happy they are exclusive to Walmart.

It seemed like a cruel joke that after that whole big wind-up at the top of the livestream, the first wave of TVC figures they announced were Walmart exclusives.  WTF???

Especially because the whole “96” thing has been something that at least the original fan base has been calling for for years. I get the need for retailer exclusives, it is just part of the business at this point, but for something like these original 96 - which are mostly repacks or refreshes with either face scan or minor updates - it seems like it would be perfectly suited as a Pulse or Fan Channel exclusives.

I know we didn’t really do a “best of 2020” thread, but I just had to bump this one up again in my appreciation of this figure. Not only was it nice to finish the Rebels crew, but Zeb was hands down one of my favorite figures from last year. Excellent job of taking an animated character and adding just enough realism to bring it into the movie universe. I’ve been close to pulling the trigger on a second one just to have another one to mess with, but just a fantastic toy. (Now if we could only get the crew in TVC as well)

I picked up a second of these one of the times the price dropped on Amazon, and was finally able to open one up last week. I get some of the complaints, but I actually like it quite a bit. Looking forward to adding the second to it, but man does it take up some real estate. have to figure out where it is going first.

This is why the loss of the basic line sucks. I know there was a ton of vitriol around 5 POA, but it was nice for actually having some decent character selection that we likely won't be getting any other way. TVC didn't become more expansive with it's fall, we just have less options now. It would be nice if they could revive the basic line in some form or another. That there isn't a basic Mandalorian dedicated line seems like leaving money on the table if you ask me. Missed opportunity.

Agreed 100 percent. Don’t get me wrong, I love my OT movie product (and the others as well), but there has definitely been a part of me that throughout watching seasons 1 and 2 that was thinking “man, I just wish they had a dedicated 3 3/4” line for this”, even if it was all we got for awhile. So many characters, background aliens, vehicles, beasts, etc. It almost seems like it could have had the same appeal that the vintage line did in its time. Sure, maybe more kids have moved on to video games/devices, and at an earlier age, but I think it would still be selling like crazy.

And like it was said, it isn’t like things are pegwarming at retail, it is just a lot of “one and done” opportunities at the store. I was just telling my wife the other day that collecting has truly become a buy it if you see it game, or you very well won’t see it again. I even saw the Black Series Jar Jar sell from 6 down to none in about a week at our Target.

The lack of releases I don’t really get. I’ve definitely heard, and believe, the whole licensing cost issue....but at the same time they license Marvel as well, and let me tell you as a Legends collector they have NO troubles getting those out. Too many really. The amount of figures per year there really is staggering. Similar for Transformers. But Star Wars and GI Joe is a trickle, and then helloooo secondary market.

I hope it isn’t the end of 3 3/4”, but it certainly isn’t the bright times for the line. It really does feel like an after thought anymore, with the company and retail in general.

I didn’t think this necessarily deserved a new topic, similar in nature. In the process of going through the collection and reorganizing things, I’ve started displaying a little less for a bit cleaner look. Although I have added shelves, there is less “stuff” per shelf if that makes sense. For the Black Series, I have two sets of floating shelves that hold roughly 20 figures each (not the same shelving from my original post). One set I have dedicated strictly to Mandalorian, and...at the moment...the other is dedicated to Empire (fave movie).

However I’ve thought in the spirit of refreshing things and rotating out I would maybe change this up. I first thought about choosing 20 OT characters, but now I’m wondering if I should just pick 20 figures from the entire saga. I was just looking for some of your thoughts on who you would choose. I was originally thinking on,y one version of each character (maybe most iconic), and sort of thought about leaving out figures that don’t have the updated face printing (those just look so much better), so for the time being that sort of eliminates the New Hope crew.

The first few picks are obvious...Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, R2, 3PO, Vader. Then you get to a character like Obi-Wan...A New Hope, Spirit, Clone Armor? Bounty hunters...just Fett? Do you stick with OT, or go all encompassing? I guess, what would your 20 be (of figures that are available)?

New Year, time to check in with the 2021 outlook. I know I kind of reply to myself here, but I like to have record of my plans - and also to look back in the past to see what was of interest back then. I’ve personally been a broken record as I continue to plan on cutting back, but the more nostalgia driven stuff that is released the more difficult it gets. Here’s what I’m thinking about this year:

Star Wars
Vintage Collection and Black Series. Honestly I wish I could just pick one. Vintage Collection is where my heart is, and Black Series has really been killing it for awhile now. Anything OT or Mando they want to give us, and picking and choosing elsewhere. As much as I love the variety, with all the Mando figures I’d like to see - and more new media on the way - I sometimes wonder if they should focus primarily there.

Marvel
Legends. Probably the best retail line around these days. Tons of releases, lots of variety, decent prices. I don’t buy them all, and I don’t know if I could even if this was the only line I collected.

MOTU Origins
I think I am all in. I’ve picked up what has been available so far, and I’m in for everything else that has been announced. This was my big line as a kid, and these remind me of those so much. I’m happy with the more collector figures from the Classics line, but I’m happy that there is this “fun” line as well.

G.I Joe Classified
I love the figures, but the line is a real pain to find so far. I hope to keep going, but it depends on difficulty. Side note, I’ll keep up with the retro releases as I can (hate the WM exclusivity though)

TMNT Ultimates
I have the first wave, and I REALLY like them. A little pricier, but you do get a lot with each figure, and I like that I can just preorder them and know that they’ll show up. Less stress.

Other Stuff
I pick up the odd Transformer here and there, but I think I just about have all that I’d want. Getting the Thundercats Ultimates as well, not sure if I’ll go all in like TMNT, but would definitely like to get the main team at least. I have found it fun to pick up samples from some Kickstarter lines, some outstanding work done there.

I’d really like to get more of these, but we will see what budget allows. I did pick up Dargon and Spidrax from the first round, and absolutely love them. Those types of figures helped to remind me of how much I enjoy the 3 3/4” scale.

I’ve been trying to pick up the figures from this line that I remember from when I was watching wrestling, which for me runs roughly mid 80s to early 90s, when I was ALL IN with wrestling. I didn’t get the first ring but ended up getting the Snake Mountain one to get Hulk Hogan. I’ve also picked up Macho Man, Warrior, and Jake the Snake. The figure I want the most, Mr T, is nowhere to be found locally or online. Looking forward to Roddy Piper and Ricky Steamboat later in 2021 as well.