So apparently there's this new book out called "Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy."

And why should you care?

Because it reveals things. BIG things. About the upcoming Maul/Mandalore arc. 

Spoiler: Lots of people die.

It is an interesting read, but it bears mentioning that they did not just wrap up a bunch of TCW scripts and turn them into a novel. This reads like an entirely separate tangent that does not necessarily represent where the show is going, any more than the Clone Wars comics do. I am skeptical that Filoni would allow the rest of the season to be spoiled so blatantly. I'm sure there will be some similarities, but I'd be surprised if all that stuff actually came to pass on the show.

As for the weekend episode, I liked seeing Walrusman. That's about the best thing I can say. I don't understand the plot at all anymore. Why was there a Republic Attack Shuttle there? Where did it come from? Ditto the cruiser in orbit? Where were the Separatist ships? I thought nobody knew they were there?

Clone Wars edition, such a lackluster year doesn't really justify a separate thread, sadly:

BEST CARDED FIGURE: Scuba Ahsoka, by default since this was the only remotely interesting new figure released this year. It's a great likeness, but the articulation sucks. Darth Maul was actually a better figure but I'll split hairs here since that was not a signle carded offering.

BEST VEHICLE: The Republic Dropship by default. We only got 3 mini-vehicles all year anyway, and the one with Anakin was a little boring (please re-release in original paint apps) and the scuba set was just painted so godawful terribly I can't give it any sort of praise.

BEST EXCLUSIVE/MULTIPACK: Darth Maul Returns, cause it was either this or that BP with the three clone repaints, and what is exciting about that?

I did spend a LOT less on new toys this past year, not so much by choice but as a result of Hasbro's unwillingness to sell more Clone wars toys. I knocked out a lot of stuff on my list last year though.

For 2013:

Star Wars: Whatever TCW swag they see fit to release, maybe another  class I, BP, and a few figures? Also need a few odd vintage variants, hollow tube tusken raider, red haired Hoth Leia, etc. and that pesky orange haired Luke!

DCU: new Watchmen figures courtesy of Club Black Freighter, cannot wait for these!

Hanna Barbera: new Zandor and Tundro figures from the Herculoids cartoon

Walking Dead: anything and everything they decide to bless us with, no Minimates though

Still trying to avoid that Hobbit line, I've made it this far, so that's good. Don't see any other new stuff out there with much appeal, but there's still tons of old stuff I've had my eye on...Micronauts, GI JOE, etc.

One thing that helped a TON in 2012 was selling on ebay. I had a nice little side business going most of the year, definitely helped defray the out of pocket expenses. I look forward to continuing that this year.

Mostly though, 2013 will be the year I get back to my music collection! It's been neglected badly since the SW bug bit me again a few years back, but I'm ready to dive back in...

It occurred to me tonight that outside of the two I bought way before X-Mas, I never saw Fox on the pegs again after that. I hope this is not typical "last wave in the old line look" syndrome and short-packed to hell. I was hoping to see him in heavier numbers.

So, seriously, what does this mean for the Clone Wars line? Are we getting new figures this month or not? If not, when?

It seems silly to me to delay the animated stuff because it has nothing to do with this vintage/BAD mess and the show IS ON RIGHT NOW.

The TCW pegs in my area are all pretty much a wasteland now. The second, and presumably more exciting, half of the season is about to kick off. Maybe get some toys on the shelves?

HTTR!

Beating the Cowboys at home for the NFCE championship...almost surreal it was so excellent. 

I never thought it would take 13 years between division titles, but I suspect the wait til the next one will not be as long. What an amazing run!

Just goes to show the importance of the draft, and how drafting well can change the whole course of a franchise. Not to mention organizational stability. The front office finally figured that out.

Gonna be one helluva game come Sunday. Wilson and the 'hawks are scary good on both sides of the ball.

i see they are selling DTF figures now...eesh. I cant see those moving even at $5. how bout some tarkin wave?

I finally got around to picking up the "Blue Gun" IG-86 variant MOC off eBay. It took me awhile to dig out my original one to see which I had. Luckily I have plenty of time for little projects like this with the line on hiatus right now. Woot!