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« on: January 5, 2022, 07:00 AM »
Marvel is a good example. Both Galactus and the Sentinel were spot on Haslab projects for that line. The roll out and reveals for both projects were handled well and the bonus unlocks were what the backers wanted. I only scratched the surface of Marvel as a kid. I had a few of those figures that came with shields that had the little lenticular cards in them. I think I had Woverine, Doc Ock, Spiderman, and Magneto. Today, I have actually bought all the retro line for Marvel because of the Star Wars retro line. I ordered the original Marvel wave kind of as a lark when it was up on the Hasbro site and I really liked the card art and the nostalgia of a "vintage" style Marvel figure. I have managed to keep up with the line and have them all displayed loose and kept the cardbacks. I don't really do toy runs, but I have actually seen these figures on the pegs in Target when I have been shopping. Most of them I have ordered on line, but have had no problem getting them from the on-line retailers. The regular Star Wars retro figures I have not seen in stores at all. Most waves have been difficult to order. The exclusive figures that came in a game have been the only ones I have found at retail. I have had no success with any of the multi color figures at Target. I had to ebay most of the ANH and ESB waves. I managed to get a few ESB figures from Zaavi's UK store. Somehow got the Boba Fett from there, but it took a long time after they were released to ship and they cancelled about half my orders due to lack of product. Really the only wave I was able to secure without too much trouble was the first Mando wave. I also managed to get the second Mando wave on preorder from Hasbro. I know the retro line has mixed feelings overall, but it hits me in the vintage sweet spot. I've even got to the point that I'm exploring custom vintage style figures to add to my shrinking collection. Honestly purging most of my Hasbro stuff and concentrating on things I like has sort of reinvigorated my collecting. I'm really concentrating on vintage stuff, but haven't pulled the trigger on too much. I am enjoying looking through listings. I will probably never finish off the last 17 figures or Droids or Ewoks due to cost, but you never know. May start looking at vintage vehicles. I also always loved the micro collection. I still have a few pieces from my childhood. Prices aren't too bad on those sets so I may try to pick up a few and see where it goes.
Overall, I feel everyone's pain with Hasbro. It is crazy to think that the Star Wars line came back 25 years ago now. Imagine if Kenner had continued even another five years past 1985. I'm kind of surprised Hasbro has hung on to the license this long. Toys are a much different market than when we were kids. My kids were done with toys like action figures a lot early than I was. I was still playing with my GI Joe and Star Wars figures into middle school. I honestly wonder what the true breakdown in sales between kids and collectors is. Hasbro always seem to state it was much more heavily in favor of purchases for kids, but in all these years I only ever saw collectors buying stuff when I did toy runs.