Judging by the site we are on, we all know why we collect Star Wars figures, legos, or other memorabilia...be it nostalgia, the love of the movies, etc.  But, I was curious why you might collect other lines.  The other day I was talking with my wife about collecting the MOTU line, needless to say she wasn't overly enthused about the idea of another toyline creeping into our house, and she asked me why I wanted to collect them.  For me, I guess it was kind of hard to explain...I don't "play" with them, I don't "need" them necessarily, I just enjoy it and I suppose a lot of it is nostalgia with that line as well.  I'm still not sure if I'm going to be (or be able to) collect another line like this, and I suppose there is more than enough Star Wars stuff out there for me to collect, and that is my first collecting love and comes before any of the other lines.  I guess my question is, why do you collect the "other" lines?  Am I the only one who looks sometimes at these "toys" (aside from Star Wars) sitting on my desk and wonder, why, really, do I buy these?  Not that I don't think many of the other lines we all collect aren't great, because they are, but I do sometimes wonder why...I guess its hard to explain .  I was just wondering what some of your explanations are...thanks .

Although many of us (myself included) haven't found much of the 2003 product, for those of you who have, or by judging from online pictures..which figures are you happy and/or satisified with from this year so far.  I think the 2003 figures have taken quite a beating (much of it justified IMO), and it hasn't seemed like there have been many figures people are happy about.  I also think that this year has seemed to kill the fun for many completists, and even some Star Wars collectors totally.  I know some figures that I was initially excited about (Throne Room Luke primary among them), I have been disappointed in now reading other reviews and seeing more detailed pictures.  I personally am really looking forward to receiving Hoth Han, the Yoda with Younglings, Pit of Carkoon Boba Fett, and the Snowtrooper when my Kebco order ships...but what are your favorites of this year so far?  From what we have seen 2004 could be a banner year for Star Wars collecting, and a return to the type of figures we have been waiting for (classic trilogy, mix of core and background characters, POTJ style sculpting, more articulation).  I guess my question, if you weren't a completist, or weren't starving for new figures due to the drought, which figures from the year 2003 (so far) would you still have bought?

I wasn't sure if this belonged here or in the Other Toy section, or even in the Saga section....but it kind of covers a number of lines.  My question deals with the packaging...boxes, cards, etc.  Do you keep it?  If so, do you keep it all, some of it, only certain lines...or why do you (or do you not) keep it?  Personally, I have kept the majority of my packaging....card backs (only ones that have different backs), no bubbles, ship and beast boxes (but flattened)...but, I'm not exactly sure why I keep them.  Until we are able to move to a different house, my wife and I are kind of running out of space to even display my collection, let alone keep the packages.  I suppose I should just throw them all away, not much reason to keep them, but for some reason I just don't.  What do you do with your packaging?  Just curious to see some thoughts and opinions.  Thanks .

When I was first going to post this topic, I thought "favorite movie trilogies", but some favorites have two movies, or four, or six, etc.  So, I went with the franchise tag, hope that isn't the confusing way to do it.  Anyways, how do you rank your favorite trilogies, sequels, sagas, franchies, etc.?  Here are my faves:

1.  Star Wars Saga (if I had to split them, the original trilogy would be first on this list by a landslide...the prequel trilogy would be second, but depending on how Episode III is, it might face a little competition from others, though when it comes down to it, its still Star Wars, and I still love it)

2a.  Lord of the Rings (I really feel this is the "Star Wars" for this generation, the way the OT was for us.  I feel the story of these movies is amazing, and I'm sure I would enjoy the books just as much...haven't read them yet.....but these movies aren't just great for effects, action, etc....they are just good movies IMO)

2b.  Indiana Jones (very close with LOTR for me, nostalgia might be a big factor in that.  I really enjoy all of these movies, and really don't get tired of watching them on cable either....can't wait for the DVD release in November )

3.  X-Men (I really liked both of these movies so far, hope that they can continue for a few more without losing the entire cast.  Just fun movies)

4.  Austin Powers (I know some people don't care for them, but I think these movies are hilarious.  I have enjoyed each one so far, although some of the luster has worn off of the first one due to it being on television so much.  Still great movies, especially for a good laugh)

5.  Back to the Future (these were good movies as well, some of my favorites as a kid.  I enjoyed the first one by far the most though, and still haven't bought the DVD set for that reason, not sure if I want the other two as bad or not.  Second isn't too bad, never got into the third one for some reason though)

I'm sure there are more that I am forgetting right now, but that's the top of the list for me...that I can think of right off hand at least.  Any other opinions?

I just wanted to share a positive garage sale trip with my fellow forumites.  My wife and I went out to some garage sales this past weekend in our hometown (we were looking for furniture for an extra bedroom), and we happened to come across a sale that had a few Star Wars collectibles.  Although I'm sure they are not worth much, I didn't care, because I thought they were neat.  I picked up a Millenium Falcon plate from the Hamilton Plate Collection, as well as an Applause R2-D2 mug.  Both were in great shape, and I ended up paying $8 altogether.  Not exactly "super rare scores", but I was happy with them.  I just thought I would share.  Feel free to post any other finds, garage sale, flea market, etc. here if you want to!

Hey guys, I just saw that these pictures were posted over at the RS forums...some amazing new figures here!




Any thoughts?

(by the way, credit goes to boba_jp from those forums for finding this....although I don't post over there anymore, I'm glad I take a look from time to time)

Just consolidating some threads ~ OCB

I'm not sure if a lot of people will see this, since it is a Marvel Legends thread...but I had a question for you avid collectors (and possibly Spider-man collectors).  Which version of Spider-man from that line is the best overall version?  I have been wanting to pick up a regular version (no water blast, super parachute, or whatever), that would fit in with the Marvel Legends figures.  Which red and blue costumed Spidey would be the best (and is somewhat attainable)?  Any opinions?  Thanks in advance.

Although the majority of us still haven't found the 2003 figures, I thought it might be fun to predict what we might see in 2004...using what knowledge/rumors we have heard, as well as Hasbro's past tendencies.  There are a few figures which we are pretty sure we know we are getting: Jedi Luke, the Fan's Choice winners, Jabba the Hutt?, and some others that I am probably forgetting...but what do you personally think we could see.  Following the pattern of having the main characters have a version each year, we might be able to break down which version we might see.  For example...

Luke Skywalker:
--We just had an X-Wing version in POTJ, as well as Bacta Tank.  We had a Stormtrooper version (although scene-specific) this year.  We had a Bespin version in Saga, as well as an upcoming rehash of a Tatooine version.  There is also a re-release of the POTF2 Hoth Luke on tap for this year in one of the figure packs.  We are getting a Jedi one this year, and another (hopefully ultimate) version next year some time.  That might be the Luke we get next year, other possibilities include Dagobah and Endor (although I doubt we'll see two from ROTJ in the same year)

Han Solo:
--Well, we have the commtech one re-released this year, a Hoth version this year, an Endor version (without the coat) last year, and a great Bespin version from POTJ.  We also had the stormtrooper version from the screen scene (although scene-specific).  One version I could think of that might be a possibility is a carbonite Han, with the possible focus on Jabba's palace coming up, and a remake being needed?)

Chewie:
--Not sure what else could be done with Chewie, but a lot of that is the fact that I think the Cloud City one is superb.  I know Hasbro likes to release Chewies, so maybe a new Boussh's bounty one is a possibility.  Or, they might just wait another year, because I'm sure we'll get an Episode III version.

R2-D2:
--There always seems to be an R2 around, I'm hoping for a drink-tray version...again with the rumored ROTJ theme for part of next year.

C-3PO:
--Other than the one-time rumored Ewok diety one, I don't know if we will see one or not.  I think I also read at one point there might be a Jabba's palace version (slimy?), but I don't know if that is true or not.  Either one would be fine, again, we will probably get a version with Episode III the following year, if that makes a difference.

Leia:
--a few options with Leia, she actually hasn't been seen in awhile.  We are getting the re-release ANH (new likeness) version this year, as well as the one that was in the screen scene, so I'm thinking probably not another ANH version.  A bespin gown Leia would be welcome, and is probably needed somewhat.  We had a ROTJ leia in POTJ (General, as well as Slave), although the General one was not a big favorite.  An Endor Leia, or a Boussh Leia are also possibilities?

Vader:
--Again, Vader has had most versions done already, but we will most likely see another next year...and maybe in Episode III, we will see this outfit?  I'm not sure what would be a good option, maybe you guys have better opinions.  One without an action feature is fine with me .

Lando:
--Personally, I'd like to see a skiff guard redo...or even a general one.  I was happy with the Bespin one from POTJ, although it is kind of action-posed.  Lando in Han's outfit might be another idea.

Obi-Wan/Mace Windu:
--I'm putting them together, because we could probably use more basic versions of both of these figures (prequel-wise).  However, we have gotten several versions of each over the past year...and there is a pretty nice Mace coming up in the Screen Scene the way it looks.

Yoda:
--Again, we've had quite a few lately.  Only one I'd really like to see is a new sculpt OT version.  I think they could make one much better than the POTF2 days now.

Well, this is getting long, but I just wanted to throw a few ideas out there.  What are some of your predictions for 2004?  Like I mentioned earlier, I have seen rumors of a ROTJ/Jabba's palace focus for at least part of the year, but who knows if we will see that or not.  We are supposedly getting a little "2004 preview" at Comic-Con next week, so maybe that will shed a little light on things.  I was just curious to see some of your thoughts.  I didn't mention any beasts or vehicles, but feel welcome if you have any ideas.  Thanks, and sorry for the long post .