Get Those Toothbrushes Ready!
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1 Do you think playmates is making the same mistakes with the Simpsons line that Hasbro did with E1 ? What I mean is shortpacking some figs in cases (i.e. Lisa, Grampa, Smithers) -- I never see them on shelves, and making endless resculpts of main characters that seem to be sitting on shelves (Homer, Bart, Bowling Homer, Sunday Best Bart, coming soon Kamp Krusty Bart, Sunday Best Homer, etc, etc - the only real Homer resculpt that seems interesting is Homer in Underwear). Also, do you think they made a mistake with the items packed in with some figures. Barney with a sandwich comes to mind (I've NEVER seen him eat on that show - how about a Keg), and more noticing is the Krusty with a bunch of Krusty Krap Products, which Krusty admits himself, he never would touch. Wouldn't the obvious pack-in for Krusty be a) A PIE (duh !) and b) Mr. Teeny the smoking monkey ?
PS - The Wiggum fig is the best thing since Removable Helmet Vader. I can't wait to get my Mayor Quimby.
(No, it's not Star Wars, but I likes it.)
So far, Playmates has done reasonably well with its whole resculpt thing. As "freebie," exclusive, or otherwise special figures go, we've gotten three extra Homers as to what appeared in the regular assortment, and one extra Bart. And since one version of each of those characters appeared in a highly-demanded Toys "R" Us set... I say OK.
As far as Homer goes, yeah, we're looking at a very narrow area of resculpts. What's there to do outside of new heads and accessories? Not much. If it was part of a larger set... that might work. However I doubt we'll be getting the other characters that appeared in the Pin Pals episode (and after they left the logo off the bowling shirt, well, that's just as well.) Outside of Treehouse of Horror episodes, there aren't many Homers I can think of them to make. Evil Homer, complete with maracas? Fat Homer, with dialing wand? There isn't much to do, but at the same time, most Simpsons characters aren't exactly that popular. I see scores of Chief Wiggum and Barney every time I go out.
So far, there has been 1 Bart and 1 Homer in every figure assortment. This is understandable, but at the same time, well, I doubt many fans like the idea that 1 out of 3 figures they buy will be a character they own. Unless the line relies on exclusives or direct market figures for some of its more obscure yet fan requested characters (Prof. Frink & Disco Stu, anyone?), it's entirely possible that this will be yet another great Playmates line that has the potential to succeed like Star Wars, yet just kinda fade away. Until showing up at Kay-Bee with new stickers on the cardbacks.
When looking at accessories.... well, these are still being marketed to kids. Or so it seems. Parents don't like explaining things like kegs to the young 'uns. Heck, if anyone remembers the buzz surrounding the Austin Powers in Union Jack Undies deal, where the kid saw the film and his mom freaked out about the *toy*, which the kid could not have bought without their approval and/or financial support... you see where I'm headed. (And I *liked* Krusty's accessories. C'mon! The cereal? Dude! There's plenty of room for more stuff with the TV Studio with Sideshow Bob.)
2 Why does Hasbro always seem to have lower production on the "army builders"? For example, don't they realize people would be more likely to buy one POTJ Boss Nass and two or more of the Gungan Warriors? Or one Luke and a trillion Stormtroopers? -JC
Actually, this is a fairly recent phenomenon.
Up until the Naboo soldier that shipped with Panaka, army builders were around. If you looked, they were available, with few exceptions (AT-AT Driver, of course, Death Star Trooper.) With POTJ, we've got the magnificent Coruscant Guard, the nifty Security Battle Droid, the great Gungan Soldier (found one, love it), and the Tusken Raider. Lately, I've gone to a few stores, and amazingly, see a lot of Battle Droids. (Why? I have no idea.) The Coruscants seem to be shipping... but not in big numbers. And don't get me started on the Gungan.
As far as sales go, most people buy either their favorite figures or in many kids' cases, just the heroes with a scant few villains. (Kids are weird that way.) I think that at $5.99 and with more of these guys being out there, armies would be built a little more... but at the current conditions, it seems Hasbro ain't interested in helping flesh out dioramas too much. At least the Biker Scout is slated to ship at 3 per case when he shows up.
3 Here's a movie question rather than a toy question: How do you think the Empire transports their imperial walkers to the surface of the planets, such as Endor and Hoth? It seems to me that they are too large to be carried in the imperial shuttles, especially the AT-AT. Any Ideas? -Harry
My fanboy rationale says that drop ships of some sort were involved.
My shmuck side says "the producers wanted AT-ATs, they got AT-ATs."
4
If they were, odds are you'd know about it by now. This column isn't meant for figure announcements, that's why we've got an A-1 news page.
5 just a follow up question from for your answer on Friday regarding the future of SW micro toys. You mentioned the Microverse line possibility but didn't seem too keen on the idea. My question is, does Hasbro own the Star Trek "Innerspace" line of micro toys? I think they have pretty good details, moving parts and play value. I know its hard to look into the crytal ball for SW2 but if Hasbro owns this line, we may have another candidate for future SW micro toys. Just speculating at this point but it would be great if you can confirm the ownership of the "Innerspace" line and maybe comment about its possibilities, thanks again! -Ed
Erm...
Playmates Toys produced the Innerspace line of Star Trek toys, and as a company that is not owned by Hasbro, well, Hasbro does not own that product line. (I think there was a name change or two along the road as well for Innerspace.) But as of right now, Playmates is not making any new Trek product, I believe I read this was due to the license running out and their opting not to renew it.
I picked up quite a few of them when they first came out, and they were kinda neat. Not as good as Action Fleet, I dare say, but not bad for the money.
As far as possibilities are concerned... well... about zero really. Hasbro could very well produce its own Micro line or use one of the many of which it currently owns (Microverse, MicroMachines, Action Fleet), buuuuut Hasbro doesn't own the Playmates line.
6
I actually liked most of Shadows. I got bounty hunter stories and a decent (not great) video game out of it.
Opinions are pretty sharply divided on comics, novels, and so forth. So yeah, for you, it sucks. For me, not.
7
While we think the contrary, we are not entitled to collect toys. We like to do it, and in any normal world, enough of everything would be made available, should kids want to buy them. Of course, you know and I know that most figures are made in numbers so small most kids don't even know a lot of these figures will ever come out.
International markets are-- and I am making a sorta informed statement here, nothing out of Hasbro's mouth-- typically secondary to the homeland. It's true with video games and toys, and it used to be with movies. Does it suck? You bet. Radiant Silvergun was never released here, and it's a great game. Lots of TransFormers are never released here. It's a whole "the grass is always greener" scenario where nobody, nowhere, will ever be happy. Hell, there's even a lot of neat Star Wars stuff that's never been released in the USA. It's just the way things are, and lots of other countries just won't be getting the stuff. Hobbies, sadly, aren't meant to be easy.
8
But then something new caught my eye. I don't know if you've heard of
these figures made by the Japanese company "Kubrick," but they look like Lego
figures, about twice the size. They showed the Blair Witch figures from this
line in ToyFare several months ago and the store had those as well as three
sets of Planet of the Apes figures (the little buried statue of liberty is so
cute) and three sets from the classic Star Wars trilogy (one box of figures
from each movie).
Really funny and pretty darn cute, why haven't these guys gotten more
press over here? Plus, what's the story with these? Do they go with a
building set of some sort?
Kubrick figures are made by Medicom, who have been making excellent high-quality (high-price) collectible sci-fi and anime figures for years. This new type of figure seems to be a trend sparked by Star Wars Lego and Playmobil figures, as Medicom has made Devilman, Evangellion (a great series, BTW), and Planet of the Apes Kubricks. Dragon Models, best known for their military, police, and Jackie Chan 12" figures, also released a line of "Dragon Minis", basically another form of this type of figure.
They're pretty neat, and while I don't have any yet, I one day hope to find some of them cheap. $30 for 3 Apes figures ain't gonna happen.
They're neat, and if you read the right press, well, I read all about 'em. :) The
In a nutshell, Japan digs "cute" things. Superdeformed plush dolls and all of that. So it fits right in with their style.
9
Darth Vader's Star Destroyer was released in the ESB era of toys and was pretty neat. It has the action features you mentioned along with an escape hatch, a orange hologram thing (presumably meant to represent the Emperor), and other neat features. As far as the foot pegs go... well, I assume it's meant to be a torture chamber, but I can't think of any reason why it would be produced on this toy other than to add some play value to it. Sorta one of those "make your own story" deals.
10
This is next year's list. Keep in mind anything can be yanked off of or added to this list. This list also might have been made up to nine months ago, or more, so it could be wrong in a lot of spots.
Odds are it's most likely for real. But if a figure gets yanked, don't start whining-- this is not a document meant for customer eyes.
FIN
Re: Gungan Genders. People wrote in pointing out female gungans appear in TPM and in the games. Since I own neither, I can't check this. But that should answer that.
More Tomorrow.
Actually, there's a bunch of different foreign cards. Trilogos were brought in closer to the end of the line, a lot of Palitoy figures only had one logo before the infamous triple logoed cards surfaced. As far as cardbacks and fronts... well, it's a different card. As a difference, it's either a different item or a variation, and the distinction becomes pretty vague when dealing with carded figures. Sure, POTF Chewie and ESB Chewie are the same figures on different cards, but each collector has their own opinion regarding their being an original item (i.e., new packaging) or just a rehash. It's the glass is half full deal.
Loose stuff: shelves.
Boxed stuff: shelves.
Carded stuff: mount on walls.
The lines are recorded in the playsets. The figures are encoded with something that causes a certain sound to play.
4
Well, a black droid is on tap for next year... odds are Hasbro just wanted to give us something that wasn't a repaint for the past few years. (Resculpt, yes, but not repaint.)
Well, they did it already. Luke, Han, Chewie, and Vader got remade in 1995 as a Toys "R" Us exclusive set which most fans hated. Me, I think it's a bad idea to release toys from a dead line... they're gone. And widely available on the secondary market if anybody wants them. A few vintage figures like IG-88 and EV-9D9 VERY closely resemble their vintage counterparts.
So I say yes to previously unmade figures from the vintage line, but no to ones they did. If it were up to me.
6
Well, such an idea isn't impossible, but it is unlikely. We got Trek Turtles and Universal Monster Turtles... but well, Playmates owned a lot of licenses then. So it'd be cool, but well, just really unlikely. I don't think Hasbro would allow it.
7
If it were up to me... well for sci-fi, probably Back to the Future. I don't think there's a market for Doctor Who. (Yes, I know of the fan gatherings.) I've always thought a Doc and Marty would look good on a shelf with a Delorean and a hoverboard. (But Mattel might have issues with that.)
8
Considering a lot of people complain about getting non-mint items from the club anyway, it would make sense to offer them to members. But hey, that'd make sense and would be a nice way to repay fans instead of people who happen to be in the area. Ah well.
9
Check out The Art of ROTJ: Max's Red Ball Jett Organ has a seat cushion
level with the keys (with a hole for the puppeteer, yeah), and all the
sculptures and sketches seem to show him with two all-purpose limbs,
presumably used as legs when he's walking and arms when he's sitting.
Well... hmm... yeah. A lot of things were made by Kenner in the old days... so far, there's a lot of evidence pointint toward their making the Cloud Car Pilot's outfit from the head down, along with designing much of the Cantina aliens' outfits. And it seems in this case, they may have given Max legs. I never thought of it before, but yeah, I've never seen his legs outside of toys. Hm hm hm.
10
The *same* figure? Zero. From the beginning Hasbro's made it known that a in-store figure will be different from its previous mail-in release in some way. Hantrooper's been mostly redone, Spirit Ben had at least a new arm, Mace Windu got changed quite a bit... you see where this is headed.
So if you want the old mail-ins, prepare to cough up some dough.
FIN
More Tomorrow.
Actually, I like what I see, but so far, not enough to buy 'em. I've seen all three on shelves, and while I was really stoked about the Destroyers... well, for some reason it didn't grab me the same way the Porkins a foot above him did.
If they ship in small numbers, they'll do fine. They seem to be selling, just not insanely fast, and hopefully they'll continue to do so. But ya never know, these could be down to four bucks a pop after x-mas, at which point I'd definitely score myself a set.
Sometimes the club has new stuff, sometimes they don't. The Faamba is an FAO Exclusive (at least for now), so it ain't goin' nowhere. Tanks are supposedly gonna show up somewhere soon, and new figures there are pretty random. They were the first with CommTech POTF2 R2-D2 with Holo Leia, and that whole wave. So, well, they get stuff sometimes, and other times, they don't. You might have also noticed a big time gap since the last issue.
It's a part number referring to-- and only to-- the packaging. More specifically, the cardback.
While it is true there are variations to the toy that SEEM to correspond with a shifting number, it's only a coincidence.
Basically, it goes like this: the lower the number, the earlier the release. Star Wars figures had two-digit suffixes until-- I believe-- 1999, starting with Episode One. (The same system was used on Beast Wars and other Hasbro lines.) When a change, any change, is made to the actual packaging's design, the number is changed. So if they add a comma, or a "d" to "an" to make "and" like on the very first Obi-Wan, the digits are changed.
In some cases, the releases could start with a higher digit. Many Expanded Universe figures started with .02 or .03 and not .00 like many other figures.
There's no real easy-to-ID system of what's what. Basically, there's a lot of lists and memorization... I kept up a list through the end of 1998, and with all the rampant changes in E1, stopped doing it.
Short answer: an easy way to ID cardback changes. I am loath to use variations because variations are usually done to make a different product, these changes were almost always made to correct a Hasbro mistake. (And with cardbacks, there have been many.)
4
Even though I said I was done with this question, I think it needs to be repeated.
Watch your local stores and catalogs. There's a bunch of unsold figures that have yet to be distributed outside Hasbro warehouses. They need to show up somewhere... and probably soon...
The slides need to be removed, yeah. The slot in the binocular was designed to accomodate the slide, not the cardback... although you could probably make it fit with some modifications to the binoculars.
6
I have one almost finished on my oft-delayed toy/game site. I'll announce it here and on the main page as soon as the Simpsons area is ready... because that's my first big section.
7
Well, Kay-Bee got Rancors, and Factory 2U got Banthas. I'm assuming they got most if not all of them out already, but hey, stuff tends to show up when you least expect it. So with all the toys showing up in stores, keepin' up frequent toy runs would be a good thing to do.
8
Well, just about every SW gun is based on an existing design, only modified slightly. So I guess they just decided that since it was such a minor character-- to the point of most people never realizing it was on camera-- that the design didn't really require too much extra design.
9
Well, I've heard Blight came out but I've never seen him. There were the two Jokerz figures... and... um... that's it. Sad, really, as I wouldn't mind seeing some Batman Beyond villains, especially considering how great some of the character designs are.
Batman... well, ol' pointy ears sells. Sad but true. Kids buy him, and well, breaking success is a bad thing for a business to do, but if Hasbro wants to make villains, I'd buy 'em. I found a McGinnis Batman with the silverhawks-esque arms and cloth cape, and so far, that's the only figure from the line I've bought, but I might get the Jokerz some day. I'd buy a crotchety old Bruce Wayne should they make one...
10
I was lucky enough to get a promotional copy, so here's what I think.
It's good. Real good. Tons of pictures of all sorts of things you have never, ever seen anywhere else. And they're good pictures, too. The question is: how much disposable income do you have?
It's a great, GREAT book, but expensive books can be a real pain because odds are you won't read it enough to justify the price tag. Some libraries have it, I'd advise taking a look at it there first, because odds are you'll get enough out of it for a few afternoons that you won't need to buy it. Unless you need the reference material for something, and many of us do.
FIN
The Ultarama logo is, in fact, a little slice of paper that slides into a slot on the front of the base. So all you need to do to get rid of it is to not put it in when you assemble it. Since it's easilly removable, it's pretty easy to make your own tags if you're so inclined.
It's pretty great for displaying 4" figures, if this is the kinda display environment you're looking for. There's cases for mounting on walls from P&P products, a variety of stands from US Forces and Real Stands, and tons of other stuff. So while all of these are really good, each is different and, of course, you'll need to pick the one that suits your specific needs.
Well, each company has its own quantity discounts for stands, but let's face it, if they aren't what you want the price won't matter.
Tape... nah. Tape's bad. The blue tacky stuff is used by a lot of people, although I've never been a big fan of it. Odds are you're best off buying stands a few at a time, or just a few-- not every figure has trouble standing on its own. Actually, Hasbro's been really good about making most new figures stand up without help. POTJ E4 Obi-Wan "TIMBERRRRRR" Kenobi being an exception, of course.
I might be wrong, but I'm fairly sure Kenner's Adventures of Indiana Jones line from.... 1981 or so has the same sized cardback as vintage and new Star Wars. So anything you use for those should be A-OK, and, of course, each type is different and suited to different collectors.
I know of no case that offers protection from blocking light that would cause the figure card to fade.
4
(Did he? News to me.)
At the Casa de Pawlus, my Star Wars goods are on a smattering of shelves all over my cavernous den. ("Cavernous" is "claustrophobic.") There's a bunch of metal shelving units and shelves around the ceiling, as well as other off-beat storage solutions like a bunk bed (sans bed), book cases, and other stuff. In other words, it's an organized mess.
Check Target, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart for a variety of storage solutions in the way of shelving. Frequent sales can really make it easy to build an excellent display environment.
I remember seeing a place that was selling long rectangular plates with
about 10 or 12 pegs on it. The plates could function like the 3-pack plates,
holding figures and a background, and there was also some sort of case the
plates could slide into, acting like shelves. Do you know who makes or sells
those?
What is the best ppp (price per peg) you've seen (and only if you're willing
to do the math)?
As always, it all depends on whatcha need for your own unique solutions.
INDIVIDUAL FIGURE STANDS
ProTech Stands: I've never actually seen these, but they look very similar to the Action Stands in the pictures. They're also quite cheap-- as low as $0.16 per when ordering 500 or more, but only $0.40 when ordering one to five. Easily the best price. They're located at http://http://www.wholesalecases.com/star-wars-supplies.html.
REAL Stands: I've got a few of them and frankly, I don't much like them. These clear stands each have two pegs, so odds are more than likely that one of them will go unused. The cheapest price (pre shipping and not including any special offers) is $0.51 per when ordering about 100. They're located at http://www.realstands.com.
The Earth: Not bad. One stand for each foot for POTF2, one stand for vintage, so they're a little different than all the other stands. $0.50 per, and good, if a wee bit expensive. Definitely worth having for some figures. They're located at http://www.theearthtoymall.com.
GROUP FIGURE STANDS
Ultarama: A huge diorama that has two levels. Easily accomodates at least two or three dozen figures, has peg sizes for new and old Star Wars. They claim it holds 80 figures, although I have my doubts that it would work out well and look decent if you crammed that many on it-- I've got roughly 44 figures on one and it looks really crammed in some spots. $28 & shipping. They're located at www.ultarama.com.
CASES
ProTech: Offers a variety of Star Case-esque products for new, old, large, and small figures. Check website for availability and prices. They're located at http://www.wholesalecases.com/star-wars-supplies.html.
When it comes to stands for individual figures, ProTech offers a hell of a good deal. However, well, each display is different. P&P's cases look great in offices or on walls in rooms where space is a premium, and the Ultarama offers a vast playset-like environment that is easily expandable.
If you can afford it, it'd be great to get some of each for different purposes and your own personal test drives.
6
Well, truth is we don't know yet. Some figures have been found to act up lately, such as my Boba Fett figure I've had for years that was originally a mail-in is starting to have squeaky arms, and I've discovered I'm not alone. And I take incredibly good care of these guys.
As far as yellowing goes... keep 'em in the house. And don't smoke. Smoke can wreak havok on an otherwise nice clear plastic or white plastic toy. I know you're saying "oh, screw you, I'll smoke all I damn well please." Well, don't come crying to me when your NRFB TIE Fighter from 1978 looks like a slice of cheese.
As far as future problems, well, we don't know. Everybody is a little skittish, but most are confident that their figures will not melt into a puddle in the next few years due to plasticizers breaking down. But some might. I know of no web resources that discusses the issue in particular to Star Wars toys, but I'll post it if I find it.
7
A lot of people ask why I give cynical, often possibly mean spirited answers to questions. This is a question that you need to answer for yourself, as they're your toys, your money, and your hobby. I don't know you. At least I don't think we've met. We might have. I have a bad memory for this sort of thing. Just do what makes you happy... that is, after all, why you're here.
If you're one of the many peons who keeps asking me what his Darth Maul is worth-- and I really don't know why you people bother to write in with the disclaimer at the top-- stop buying this stuff. You're supposed to buy stuff that you like, not that you think will pay your kid's college tuition. (Let 'im get a job. Or a scholarship. Or hold up a bank.)
... there weren't many display-related questions, actually. So that's that. On to other topics...
8
They feel different, but unfortunately, it's not something easily described. Repros typically feel more brittle, but if you really want to be able to tell the difference, try and find a store with open figures so you can examine the weapons. It's a skill best learned soon.
9
I'm actually writing a paper on this topic this weekend. (Think "Imminent Doom of Star Wars on TV." Who says you need to pay attention to write a good paper...)
I don't think it's been done because it's fared poorly, constantly. Aside from airing the films on TV, every made-for-TV Star Wars adventure has been aimed at a decidedly younger audience and is typically swept under the proverbrial rug.
Would an animated series work? If it got done by the right people. (Let me write it. I can do this. Or Paul Dini and Bruce Timm from Batman.) SOTE's time has come... and gone. I'm still a little surprised an X-Wing adventures or animated anthology series has yet to surface, but looking at post-ROTJ trends, odds are we'll start seeing something after Episode III.
10
Actually, they were pretty OK. Not fantastic, not crappy, but-- I think-- worth it if you're a fan.
Toys "R" Us, a variety of comic stores, and other retailers had them, and many comic stores still do. Check ebay and collectible toy sites for availability and pricing, which I believe will be adequate and cheap. Maybe not the variants.
FIN
I didn't get Final Fantasy 9 yet. I've gotten every FF since 1 on the NES, thousands of years ago. I'm freakin' out here!!! AAAAAIIIGGGGHHHH!!!
Everyday, nope. However "How is everybody?" "Same as always." "That bad, hunh?" tended to come up quite a bit in the past...
I have no idea... so I'm going to go look it up. (Just FYI, all: before I go on sabbatical, I'm gonna leave you guys with a list of books you should read. Libraries or potential gifts, you'll be glad you bought them.)
According to the Star Wars Visual Dictionary-- a must-have photo/info reference guide from DK Publishing-- they're "gear harnesses." Whatever those are.
Not a bad idea. Thanks for writing in!
4
Gramuk! Of the mountain clan! Beware the mighty... oh, never mind.
Well, one was classic, one was prequel. They may as well be different characters. Personally, I think it had to do with the fact that Hasbro had a bunch of figures in development that got switched around and well, this is just how the schedule worked.
As far as the saber goes, fan consensus is that this is an end-of-the-movie-but-before-he-hacks-off-the-stupid-freakish-braid Kenobi. Much like Naboo Anakin, these figures more or less exist-- in my opinion, anyway-- to allow for post-E1 adventure type stuff.
Not right now, they aren't. But allow me to say this: they suck. They're big and don't hold many figures. You're better off using tackle boxes (may I reccomend the Plano 3700) or even just shoeboxes. The Falcon Case is suck incarnate. Except to get the figures, there are no reasons to buy these. (And man, I *want* scanning team members.)
6
Well, if I recall correctly they did pretty well on our recent Episode One poll. I think they'd be great, especially if they came with a special Sebulba or some cool accessories.
7
I wish. I don't think any merchandise was made for that film... which is kinda surprising, considering it and its stars have such a following.
I mean, even Andre's got a posse...
8
*98*? That was the beginning of the really, really bad time. Most Freeze Frame figures released in Collection 3 remain very difficult to find, and just try and find any Expanded Universe figures outside the Fan Club. Back then, I saw one Spacetrooper on the pegs-- actually, in an abandoned cart-- never saw a Darktrooper, and never saw a few of the guys. Plus there was the whole Fan Club Four situation, and fans were going ballistic after finding out the new wave of eight figures with flashback photos were to be resculpts. 1998, my friend, was bad. 1997 was better, though, with most figures being around if one was willing to go to more than one store. Tarkin, Ceremonial Luke, Slave Leia, Admiral Ackbar, and that awesome new Gamorrean Guard all in one year... that was a good time.
I think it's very possible you will begin to see a glut of Collection 1 figures soon. The new Obi-Wan-- the classic one-- sat in numbers around 4 or 5 at the local Wal-Marts for a few days. And this is a BRAND NEW FIGURE. Sick. Depending on what gets shipped to stores, a glut could happen... could. I hope it happens at a time when an army builder I want is shipping, like maybe the Gungan Soldier, or the Mon Calamari Colonel. (Which both have something unpleasant in common.)
I also hear the Sebulba and Fode & Beed are out, but I have yet to see them in person or anywhere outside of ebay. Really lookin' forward to finding those two.
9
Well, for the Death Star or Star Destroyer, all you need is some spray paint, a scanner, a printer, and an Ultarama. (Be creative wit dem Decipher CCG backgrounds they make for some cards.)
For Hoth... well, my advice is to walk the aisles of Home Depot for various components and wiring. You can find some great stuff there.
10
The only answer I've heard that I liked came out of Galoob. They said that LucasFilm's official stance was that Han wears black-- hence their micro figures being always black.
Hasbro says they matched the prop as it appears in the archives. But considering their 12" one is brown and their 4" one is purple, something clearly is up.
If you ask me, my memory tells me it's a very, very dark blue. But it could be black lit kinda funny.
I did ask Hasbro about the unusual Hoth Han figure from 1996, but the response wasn't exactly satisfying. They said they made him as he appeared on film, but well, uhhh... he never was dressed in that hat for more than a split second without his hood over it.
Since Hasbro seems to be taking their time with new Han figures, and the quality shows, I wouldn't doubt new versions of our old favorites could be on the horizon. As long as they're good, I'll be first in line to buy a newly sculpted Han Carbonite, or especially Han Endor or Hoth.
FIN
Ahhhhh.... sweet repose.
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