I was kind of surprised to see ArtoosNews decide to close up shop.  They ran a pretty good site over there, and I visited there somewhat frequently.  They might not have been the first with the latest news, but their visual guides were some of the best.  Hopefully someone else takes them over, I always liked the multiple views of the figures (both there and at OfftheCard.com).  I take it Off the Card is closed down as well?  I haven't been able to bring that site up for awhile, and now it just redirects to AN.  Anyways, its too bad things turned out the way they did over there...it looks like it got ugly in their forums, etc.  I never really visited that part of their site, but it looked to have gotten nasty.  I will miss going over there to "quick reference" a certain figure or two from their visual guides.

Thanks for all the opinions so far everyone, I've been trying to figure out what to do.  My wife isn't overly crazy with putting a bunch of stuff on the credit card (and honestly, neither am I)...but I just don't want to miss out on these 12 figures.  It seems like it is between EE and Kebco, and I have been trying to decide which way to go.  Entertainment Earth seems to just have the first wave up for preorder (the New Hope ones I think), for $90 for a box of 8.  Kebco has all 12 up for preorder, $10.49 for members, $10.99 for nonmembers.  I was thinking about going with Kebco just because I don't want to mess with the extras, and just want to preorder to make sure I can at least get one set of these...then try my luck at retail for the extras.  I'm generally patient when it comes to orders too, but I will be kind of anxious to get these figures when they come out.  Sometimes Kebco has been fast for me (I got the Yoda/Han/Boba Unleashed and 12" Yoda from them last August or so), but sometimes they are really slow (I got the Saga figures I preordered in April last year..Hoth Han, Mynock Chewie, etc. in November, and I still haven't gotten the Snowtrooper I preordered from them at the same time).  However, I did have them "hold" the Snowtrooper now until my Unleashed Luke/Chewie ships out (all three have been pending for over a month now).  Anyways, thanks for the opinions, it sounds like many of us are preordering these to make sure, now I just need to decide who to go through.  Thanks again.

That is unbelievable, the most clones I've ever seen in one picture before, that is for sure.  I barely have room on my shelf for the 12 or so various clones I have right now (a couple pilots, one 3 pack, 2 preview ones, one ARC, one deluxe, and the rest are the 4/23 red ones).  I could never imagine (or really want to) spend that much just on Clones, but it is impressive none the less.

Although I know that sometimes "resculpt" is a dirty word to some collectors, I was curious if there were any main characters, or characters that have already been done, that you would like to see re-released.  Don't get me wrong, I'm with those of you who want all-new characters as well...but at the same time, I look at some of the figures that we have gotten or are getting this year (that have been done before in POTF2), and the difference is unbelievable.  Some examples that I think were (or look to be) done well:

Hoth Luke Skywalker
Jabba's Palace (Jedi) Luke Skywalker
Skiff Guard Lando
Bossk
Dengar
Bespin Leia
Dagobah Luke
Lobot
General Lando
Yoda
"Vintage" OTC Han Solo
...or even POTJ/earlier Saga figures such as Bespin Capture Han, Bespin Luke, Cloud City Chewie, Commtech Stormie, etc...

Even though we have seen these figures before, I don't think we have seen them done this well.  Knowing what Hasbro is capable of, are there any others that you would like to see done (or re-done, as it is)?  Keep in mind, I know many of us would like to see other characters before resculpts...but I was just curious who some of your choices might be.  Here's a few of mine:

Endor Han Solo (possibly one of the "vintage" OTC figures?)
Leia Boussh
Bib Fortuna
R5-D4
Han/Luke Stormtrooper Disguise
Luke/Leia Endor
Grand Moff Tarkin (I don't have the POTF2 one, but it looks a bit buff)
Admiral Ackbar
Ewoks (Teebo is good, but it would be nice to see the rest from the vintage line done)

There's many others I'm sure, those are just off the top of my head....I was curious to see some of your opinions.

I was just curious if any of you have (or are considering) preordering the "vintage" OTC figures.  Although we have only seen Obi, Han, and Luke (and Leia on the cardback) so far, I think that these look like some of the best modern figures Hasbro has ever released...and to me, are the "ultimate-ish" versions many of us have wanted.  I have been trying to stay away from ordering online for the most part (we don't use our credit card much), and with the help of some nice people here at JD (and a little luck at the stores now and then), I have been able to keep somewhat caught up on the figures this year.  However, with the rumors of these being a "one time deal" and not seeing multiple shippings of these waves, I am worried about missing out on these.  I have seen that EE has cases for preorder (of Wave I), and Kebco also has these figures up for pre-order.  I guess I am just trying to decide what to do, and I am curious what many of my fellow collectors are doing about these figures.  Anymore, I usually try to wait it out on things, because between friends on the forums and later shippings to the stores, I can usually find what I am looking for (or pick it up on ebay or something later).  However, if these are a "one time deal" I am afraid they might become quite pricey after they are released.  Anyways, what are many of you doing about these figures?

This will probably be their next "Fan's Choice" idea :







Your Choice!

I could see what you mean Scott, as I have been re-evaluating my space issues lately too.  I have just been buying the OT characters, and that helps some.  But, to be honest, I have a Chewie and the new Luke on the way sometime...and I don't really have anywhere to put them .  Plus I hope to pick up Bossk and possibly the Tusken Raider (after I see what it looks like).  I don't really want to stop collecting them though, and I hope that you don't have to....but I could see where space would be a concern too.

Well, it looks like Grievous is now confirmed, even via the Official Site today.  You can check it out at: StarWars.com(no Hyperspace membership required!)  Also, here is a picture of the Clone Wars Animated take on this character:

"The General"