Buncha lazy bums 'round here... 

Happy Belated Birthday wishes goin' out to Darth Broem, who celebrated the big 33 yesterday...  Hope it was a great one, Brian!

- M

Hey James, welcome to ye olde JD!  Glad to have you stop on in.  Hope you enjoy the cozy, friendly vibe in here, and stick around for a while - even if you're a vintage snob. 

Holler if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on anything.  We're here to serve.  Looking forward to chatting with you around the boards...

- Matt

If it's admittedly a photo that she took, and not a photo of her, perhaps it's a photo of a sibling.

I believe you meant cousin, right Rob?

What about on the pages of her friends?

Uh-oh... 

I can't remember who the detectives were here that "Unmasked" GNT... I'm surprised you guys don't want to stand up and take a bow (although I can understand why you don't, because GNT would sue you...

I don't think the folks who solved the "World's Greatest Mystery" have ever tried to be secretive about it.  Heck, one of them was even chatting with you about it that night, as the events were unfolding, Josh.  Remember?  But really it was mostly just one person who solved that puzzle.  I was just along for the ride, and to offer my moral support throughout the project.

The funniest part back then wasn't the picture itself (he's a normal enough guy)...

 

...The easiest way to diffuse the whole thing would have been to just post a real picture if that wasn't him, but he chose to threaten people with lawsuits, call for bannings and invent cousins with the same name.

Well, not quite the same name.  Please don't forget that he also went into his high school's website later that night, and changed the spelling of all of the "Gregg" names attached to his picture, to just "Greg".  That was my favorite part, and certainly the most concrete evidence against him.

Thoughts?

BUt I do know... I would stick with OT.

Definite "ditto" from me there.  I usually stick to OT with the stuff that's relatively higher-end (though I did bite on all the mini-sabers), and as I've seen with the Clone bust insanity in the GG line, there's no way I'm going to let a non-Hasbro licensee lead me down that dark path.  There's a relatively "limited" amount of possibilities with OT helmets, so hopefully this line doesn't continue on indefinitely like some of the others.  So what kind of possibilities are we looking at here for the OT?

Stormtrooper
Boba Fett
TIE Pilot
X-Wing Luke
X-Wing Wedge...
------------------
X-Wing Biggs
X-Wing Porkins
Darth Vader
C-3PO
Rebel Fleet Trooper
Death Star Trooper
Death Star Gunner
AT-AT Driver
AT-AT Commander
Snowtrooper
Cloud Car Pilot
Lando Skiff Guard
Boushh
Scout Trooper
Endor Rebel Trooper
AT-ST Driver
Royal Guard
A-Wing Pilot
B-Wing Pilot

I think that's about it.  24 x $50 = $1,200.  Ugh!  Did I miss any likely/obvious ones?  Hopefully MR just sticks with actual helmets, and the less obscure ones at that, and doesn't broaden the line to include things like droid's noggins, but if they did, you'd obviously expect to see 2-1B, IG-88, 4-LOM, EV-9D9, 8-D8, 3PO repaints, etc.

The line certainly has potential, if the price point is acceptable to the majority of potential collectors.  That was the downfall of the Riddell line though, I think, though I believe their's were originally even higher IIRC, at around $75ish SRLP.  Granted, they were all easily attainable on eBay in the $20's not too long after their release, aside from the Stormtrooper, of course.  Not to mention that line was probably a little before it's time, as one of the first, if not THE first, "higher-end" collectible lines for Star Wars.  It'll be interesting to see what MR can do with the line now...

The MR scaled helmets are the same size as the Riddell helmets. MR bought the tooling from Riddell...

Just what I was going to mention, Bruce, as far as what I recall hearing on this line.  I'm really going back and forth on collecting these, as they're a bit on the pricey side (got my 4 Riddell helmets for less then $25 each), and this could be one of those lines that goes on for quite some time adding further to my problem with display space.  Of course, I loved the brief Riddell line (and no, Brent, I never got the Stormtrooper, so shut up!), so I'll already be forced to deal with a couple duplicates from MR from the get-go.  I dunno...  I'm sure that damned C4 exclusive Wedge helmet will pull me in.  But if I miss out on it at C4, then my interest in this line will probably be over before it even begins.

So for those that already have the Riddell ones, and plan to collect these MR ones next, what are you going to do with the Riddell versions?  Sell them?  Just collect the all-new ones from MR?  Or grab what's essentially a duplicate?  Just curious...

Granted, I collect the .45 saber/blaster minis, so I suppose those are right in line with collecting these helmets.  These definitely look sharp, no doubt.  But $50 sharp?  Not so sure...  Ugh.

I hate to sound repetitive, but WOW.  Brilliant work, as always Greg.  I hate it when you and a couple other talented fellas show off your wares, 'cause it makes my collection feel completely worthless since I can't make cool scenes like you guys!  Very jealous, I am. 

That's an interesting suggestion there by Nick too, on the CG Endor planet and holo Death Star piece.  I'd be quite interested to see how those look together (Nick, got any pix?).

Looking forward to seeing the Briefing after your polishing touches with the last few figures you add in Greg.  Keep 'em coming.  I always love (and hate) admiring your work...

- Matt