10 Of 30 Ain't All Too Bad...

I was anxiously waiting for these things to arrive at the "right price" (obviously at a "late-issue rate"), and the wait has eventually paid off. While I didn't manage to get all thirty, ten of the "3o Years of Star Wars Covers" of the July 2007 edition of EMPIRE (what a pleasant coincidence) magazine were snapped up on sight! While it would be desirable to get all 30 (plus the super-rare Jar Jar cover), I'm happily settling for these ten :)

Some Basic Stuff

Recently acquired are the ARC-170 Elite Squad Battle Pack, as well as the Buboicullaar Creature Pack from Sideshow. Another addition to my bunch of Battle Packs, as well as my "Sideshow Jabba Theme".

In Safe Hands...

With these two guards managing security, who wouldn't be? Just picked these up from my favourite collector store - the Senate Guard (blue) and Royal Guard (red) Gentle Giant mini busts. Production numbers #4128 and #4022 of 10,000 pieces respectively for the Senate and Royal Guards.

Conceptually Expanding, Completion In Sight...

Just in off from eBay, is the Concept General Grievous figure, which is a starwarsshop.com exclusive. Too bad they (starwarsshop.com) do not do direct shipments to Malaysia anymore (but why?!) - so I had little choice but to resort to the secondary market. That leaves another 2 more McQuarrie concept figures to complete the 2007 set - Han Solo, and Rebel Trooper. Soon, soon... :)

The Anniversary Continues...

Just in this evening - are the next two waves (wave 5 and 6 respectively) of the 30th Anniversary Collection. These new figures include some gems like Darth Revan and Darth Malak from the Expanded Universe (Knights of the Old Republic computer game), "tattooed" Anakin Skywalker, Roron Corobb, and Yoda with Kybuck (from the Clone Wars animated series), and classics such as Han Solo (with torture rack) and Lando in smuggler's outfit. Also included is the HUGE Hermi Odle, and two McQuarrie concept figures namely the "Starkiller Hero" (which eventually evolved into Luke Skywalker) and concept Snowtrooper - also "General McQuarrie" himself, sporting Hoth uniform and gear.

Finally I Get The Picture...

After more than 2 months waiting for it to arrive ("thanks" to the Royal Malaysian Customs, you guys are the absolute best!), the Code 3 Star Wars A New Hope Style-D 3D Poster (now ain't that a mouthful!) FINALLY landed. And that was just when I was about to give up hope!

Bought this off the internet from Entertainmentearth.com as they were clearing it off during a warehouse relocation excercise. It's far less than half what it was originally priced at, so I just couldn't resist :)

A Bit More Ka-Ching!

Ok so they aren't made of real silver, but nevertheless, the exclusive Star Wars convention/celebration coins for 2007 are quite unique and very collectible (what isn't, right?). Recently added to my Star Wars coin collection, are 2 pieces of the Celebration Europe coin, from the event of the same name held in London from the 13th to 15th of July 2007 (again, wrong time, wrong place... I was). While being quite similar to the Celebration IV coin (read earlier post), instead of "Celebration IV", it has "Celebration Europe" on the back (duh, obvious isn't it?). Yay... just waiting for my San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC) 2007 coin to arrive, and I'll have a complete set of conventions and Star Wars event this year, none of which I actually attended (sob). Next year probably... ?

The Hunt is Over!

Well, the hunt is finally over - with the acquisition of the remaining nine Ultimate Galactic Hunt action figures for 2007 (read earlier post "Going Back To Basics"). What a relief! I can now finally sleep in peace! :)

SDCC Exclusive

Thanks to a fellow collector, I managed to recently get hold of the San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC) 2007 exclusive, Concept Obi-Wan and Yoda by Ralph McQuarrie. Again, another "what would've been" for the Star Wars universe - which has made 2007's line of action figures, very interesting indeed. Cheers Andy, you the man! :)

Going Back To Basics

After a very, very dry spell for the Star Wars scene (thanks to Transformers, which I've also hooked myself onto hehe) - finally, a bunch of new Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection ("TAC") figures. Ranging from numbers 22 to 28 in the series, the figures include M'iiyoom Onith, Elis Helrot, Animated Debut Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight), CZ-4, Umpass-Stay, and Concept Darth Vader. What I like about Onith and Helrot, is that they come with curved cantina bar sections - finally - I can construct a proper cantina bar diorama scene :)

Since I took a straight case (of 12) figures from a local collector shop - I was informed earlier on that there would be some repeat figures of Mace Windu, Galactic Marine, and R2-D2 from the earlier TAC waves (yawn yawn) - but little did I know (until picking up the case) that these were actually Ultimate Galatic Hunt ("UGH") 2007 figures! Oh no! Hasbro's doing it again... just like they did for 2006!

While the UGH 2006 figures came with "silver-finished" packaging and a silver action figure stand each, every UGH 2007 figures comes with "gold-finished" packaging and a gold coin. Sweet :)

More Leia

This Limited Edition Mini Bust of Princess Leia (#5950 of 6000) was recently added to my collection. She's looking rather smashing I'd have to say :)

Hoth Diorama (of sorts)

Thanks to the recent Hasbro Warehouse Sale (which was absolute hell due to the lousy layout and total lack of any form of crowd control!) - I had managed to secure some Hoth-themed mini-figures (from the Unleashed Battle Packs line) to do up a Hoth-themed diorama (of sorts). Well, I just thought I'd throw in "everything Hoth" regardless of size or scale. So there you have it, the Kotobukiya Snowtrooper, Unleashed Battle Packs mini-figures, Star Wars Miniatures AT-AT, 3.75"-scaled Wampa, Taun Taun and Luke - and some other stuff here and there.

Hasbro Malaysia, if you're reading this... a piece of constructive advice... try and arrange your Warehouse Sale in such a manner that it provides better "traffic flow" so as not to cause pain and injury to visitors, especially small children.

Diversion Redefined!

Alright! So I've gone "a bit far" with this recent diversion....

I've managed to secure myself a number of Deluxe, Voyager and Leader Class Autobots and Decepticons at retail, in addition the the Titanium Series Bumblebee which I totally ignored weeks back (phew!). The local Transformers toys scene looks quite crazy so far. Kids, working adults, and "aunties and uncles" are sweeping these toys off the shelves in a matter of a day or two - tops! And not to mention the scalpers... oh yes, scalpers... this time they're having a FEAST! Thank God I'm sticking to my "I'll-buy-if-it-looks-nice-and-is-at-retail-price" rule, instead of the usual "must-buy-all-or-else-cannot-sleep-at-night" one (typically applies to Star Wars). Oh and yeah, I've finally played Transformers : The Game for the Playstation 2, and I must admit that it's harder than it initially looked... As for the Star Wars collectibles scene this time around - on the other hand, it's rather boring as the latest arrivals are primarily repacks and repaints (ran out of creativity, hmm Hasbro?). I'm hoping to see some new stuff soon.... bring 'em on! :)

A Slight Diversion

Ok so I told myself that I wouldn't indulge in Transformers - simply, because I never ever have. Not once, never! But then... came along this Hollywood blockbuster movie of the same name, and now you have it... what I call a "Slight Diversion" from the norm. Picked up a few Titanium Series Autobots and Decepticons - as well as the Deluxe figures (or are they vehicles? hmmm..) of Swindle (from the Transformers game apparently, which I've never played), as well as Barricade (yeah... I remember this guy from the movie). Am not expecting to "go the longhaul" with Transformers toys... basically will only grab those that I come across at retail, and at retail prices (sorry scalpers!). And even for that - only those that "look nice" (to me that is), which is probably as subjective as can be :)

Expanded Universe Comic 2-Packs

Stumbled upon these interesting Comic 2-Packs at Toys R Us yesterday noon - which are the continuation of the series (another 3 already released earlier on). This round, we have Luke Skywalker in Stormtrooper Disguise and R2-D2, Obi-Wan Kenobi and ARC Trooper, as well as Quinlan Vos and Vilmarh Grahrk. All 3 sets include a comic each, which I've never read or will probably never come around to reading, as I'm not that great a fan of Star Wars comics. Just thought these figures looked way cool :)

Latest Star Wars Titaniums

Bumped into these "by accident" at the local Toys R Us outlet near the office this evening - while waiting for the mechanic to come and help get my car fixed on the way off from work (bloody battery!). The latest Star Wars Titanium Series vehicles to arrive are : AT-AP (All Terrain Attack Pod), A-Wing Fighter (green repaint with extra decals), B-Wing Starfighter (grey and orange repaint), the Tantive IV, and a rare gem from the Battlestar Galactica Titanium range - the black-and-blue Colonial Viper Mark II (from the new TV series). Great stuff! Many thanks to a fellow collector who was kind enough to let go of the short-packed viper... I almost didn't get that piece! AT if you're reading this... "betulllll... tak tipuuuu....."

Kotobukiya's Ralph McQuarrie Concept Luke and Vader

Yet another "concept piece" is the Kotobukiya version of "what would have been" Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. True to the original artwork by Ralph McQuarrie, this limited edition set includes both characters posed in confrontation. A lot larger than the common 3.75-inch action figures, these vinyl statues are about 3 times the size. Luke's breathing mask is even "semi-removable", interestingly enough.

Gentle Giant's Princess Leia as Jabba's Slave

Any young boy that didn't find Princess Leia in Return of the Jedi as hot, especially in her Jabba's Slave outfit - either grew up to be a homosexual, or a retard.

This moment of Star Wars history, is nicely captured by Gentle Giant - in yet again, another great piece of work.

Leia's likeness is spot on!

Limited Edition #29 of 5,500 pieces produced.

Obi Wan Kenobi & Jango Fett Mini Busts

Ok so I wasn't actually "hunting" for these gorgeous pieces this evening. What was supposed to be a "I'm just going to go out and buy a magazine" ended up in "these pieces, have - I must!". The realism of the sculpts are spot on! What's best about Jango, is that he comes with 2 heads, one being "faced" while the other being "helmeted" (if I may use such "terminology"). Jango's "metal" parts seem to be real metal, making him rather heavier than the usual Star Wars Mini-Busts produced by Gentle Giant Studios.

Obi-Wan is Limited Edition Numbered #5958 of 6000, while Jango is #86 of 9000 pieces produced respectively.

Happy Father's Day 2007

My lovely wife bought me this "Father's Day Card And 2 Figures" pack for Father's Day 2007! And that's two sets she got me... one with wishes, all signed and stuff - and the other one "carded" and intact for keeps.... Sweet!

This is to all the fathers out there... "May The Force Be With You!" :)

Celebration IV Exclusive Giveaway Coin

Yet another exclusive item from the Star Wars Celebration IV, is the Hasbro 30th Anniversary Coin.

Ok so it's probably not as "valuable" as the "medallion" pewter coins that were also given away, but it's still exclusive nevertheless (yes, for exclusives, a sucker I am).

Got this off eBay. Again, a cheaper option instead of flying all the way to Los Angeles (although I wish that did actually happen!). With my luck, it'll probably appear through the local toy retailers. But then again, probably not - Hasbro Malaysia is so unpredictable when it comes to Star Wars.

Star Wars Celebration IV (2007) Exclusives

Just managed to get my hands on these two gems. Ralph McQuarrie's Concept Exclusives, consisting of "what would have been" R2-D2 with C3-PO, and Luke Skywalker. These figures were on sale (or practically given away!) at the recent Star Wars Celebration IV held at Los Angeles from the 24th to 28th of May 2007. And where was I? Wrong country, wrong time :(

Being based on "concept drawings", it's exactly because these characters didn't actually make it to the final movie cut of Star Wars, that makes them gems, to me at least.

For the current 2007 action figure collection (ok, TOYS if you wanna call them that), there's a whole host of Ralph McQuarrie (the guy behind the designs) Concept Figures including Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Han Solo and a couple of others. An interesting year it shall be :)

Latest 2007 Collection Pictures Uploaded

As it says, the latest pictures from my collection have been finally posted. I'm continuing to run out of space in the house! Click on the link at the right to access the Picasa photo gallery.

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