I remember all those things as well Jeff, those were good times though in card collecting.  I still remember when brands were just starting...the first "Upper Deck" cards in baseball...the Griffey Jr. was the highest price card at the time I think.  The "Pro Set" cards in football (if I am remembering the name right).  The Hoops and Skybox cards in basketball, I remember Skybox being a little more expensive.  I still have all of my b-ball cards, most of my football, and some of my baseball cards.  Simpler times back then, could buy a box of cards for like $20 to $35 depending on the cards.  And there were actually 10+ cards in a pack for awhile there.  Good times.  I remember the Billy Ripken "error" card too, had to laugh when I read that...forgot about that one.

I see ActionHQ has the VOTC Han, Obi-Wan, and Leia in stock now and ready to ship (for $15.95 a piece).  Hopefully some of the other online stores (EE in particular) will be getting their shipments soon as well  I don't think I have personally looked forward to figures this much in quite some time, although I do wish they were a little cheaper.  But, they appear to be showing up...and perhaps the Luke is lagging behind in a different assortment since he isn't offered here either.

I noticed that article too Scott, I could see that being the title possibly....especially since Lucas likes to "go back" and use things from the past, and "Revenge" was nearly used for ROTJ, but changed because a Jedi wouldn't be "revenging"  .  Probably couldn't say the same for those wily Sith lords though.

On a side note....it seems like I really get down on the prequels every once in awhile...I still enjoy them, but am just more of an OT person at heart.  That said, it seems once the hype starts for Episode III, and the more I see on hyperspace or various sites, the more excited I start getting for the movies again.  I guess, at the end of the day, its still Star Wars....even if its often not as good as the "good ole days".

Thanks for the heads up Mikey, that's a heck of a deal on the Simpsons sets.  Hopefully we can get over to FYE sometime this week, I'd like to pick up Season 3 if they still have it in stock.  I have troubles dropping $40+ on many of these TV sets, but $15 you can't beat.

Well, I picked up LOTR figure #3 for myself this past weekend, a Trilogy Gandalf the White.  I'm slowly working on the Mrs. and sneaking one in a shopping trip here and there.  Target had quite a few Trilogy figures hanging on the pegs, and I figured Gandalf is one that doesn't show up quite as often (at least around here), so I'd go that route for now.  Really like these figures, hope to get a few more

Checked out a few stores this weekend again (Target, TRU, Wal-Mart).  The Target had the Leia Cup set, which I picked up (still no sign of Luke/Anakin though).  As far as figures, Target had a few leftovers from the Jabba's Palace and Yavin waves, as well as the TRD Luke/Hoth Han/Snowtrooper/SC Anakin assortment.  Wal-Mart is currently carrying only that assortment (Luke/Han/Snow/Ani).  TRU still has a lot of Dignitaries and Outlander Club waves hanging on the pegs, as well as Ultra Jabbas.

I guess a Holo Emperor would be better than recarding that awful Saga version, as long as the holo wasn't based on that one.  I was really hoping it would have been a VOTC-style Emperor, with cloth, articulated knees, etc.  That would have been a great nod to vintage days, when you sent in for the Emperor then too.  Plus, to see anything more out of the VOTC line is a good thing.