Q&A With JTA: Our Third Column!

1. What have been the most popular and least popular figures in the [various] action figure lines? This would include the original line from the 1970's. That's a lot of area to cover. Also, it wouldn't just mean sales, but popularity among collectors. (Andy)

JTA: Andy, this is an excellent question but it would be physically impossible to answer this because to include a list of this size (probably anywhere on the web) is just not possible at this point. There are too many figures and varied opinions where it would be unlikely that any two people would have remotely similar lists anymore. Many collectors tend to rate their favorite figures from one collection at a time. Fans often create written or mental lists of the best figures from The Saga Collection, and/or the best figures from the 30 (77-07) line, and/or the best figures from The Legacy Collection, et. al all separately. If you recall, JTA recently worked with some of the best Star Wars collecting sites on the web when we created our Special Report: A Digested Look at the Legacy Collection which was a comprehensive look at just ONE HALF of the Droid Factory line. You must have seen just how huge that thing was, right?! We had great success with that report and because of it, we want to try to coordinate this event for every line look change going forward. Hopefully you can check back with us (annually/biannually?) as these reports are created so you have the critics' perspective on Hasbro's prolific line. As far as the vintage line goes, well, that is different. It's hard to have a least favorite figure in that line if you asked us our opinion. The original vintage Kenner figures kind of rate equally even if you really do have your own personal favorites! It's just an area that would be taboo to class any part of it as "bad". And back to the modern figures, I don't even think I could come up with an accurate Top 10, 25, 50 or 100 list myself because I love so many more figures than that already equally! So our whole point is that there are just too many figures to compile a "best of" or "worst of" lists. Some may try to start this, but it probably will never be accurate.

2. Are there ever going to be any more EU figures made for the [basic figure] line like from "New Jedi Order" & "Tales of the Jedi" or are we still going to see the same few characters made over and over again? (Christopher G.)

We have received a few rare treats in the past few years in regards to the EU. My focus is on the New Jedi Order. We have received Mara Jade, Corran Horn, Jaina and Jason Solo and Kyle Katarn. Do you think that there is a large enough fan base for Hasbro to successfully [sell] more Jedi from the NJO? Since Hasbro killed the Comic Packs I see little hope. I know there were plans for new Vong figures at one time and a Jedi Master Luke from the invasion series I think would sale really good as Luke always seems to do well. What do you think? (Tommy)

JTA: Characters from both New Jedi Order and Tales Of The Jedi will be few and far between for the time being. The basic figure line changes its focus year by year and right now the focus is on The Vintage Collection (thank goodness). Fans strictly into the films have felt neglected the last couple of years in a few ways because both The Legacy Collection (blue), the Legacy Collection (red) and even a lot of the 30 (77-07) was Expanded Universe lovers' dreams at times more than purists' dreams. Generally Original and Prequel Trilogy items were tweaked and seen through they eyes of the EU. Stuff ranging from Disturbance At Lars Homestead, the Dagger Squadron B-wing Fighter, the Ecliptic Evader TIE Fighter and the TARGET exclusive Imperial TIE Fighter all were created with Expanded Universe lovers in mind (even though all of these items could have been released based on an Original Trilogy scene in the films). (And if you've noticed, most if not all were clearanced out at rock bottom prices.) This also proves to us that Expanded Universe support is not nearly as big as the noise we hear from fans clamoring for more. This doesn't mean that we won't see more EU coming our way. And it also doesn't mean that we don't want to see more because we absolutely do. A better balance is needed (and we don't mean 50% EU and 50% films. (Maybe 90/10 or 80/20.) Rebelscum met with Hasbro staff at Celebration V this year and put together a nice report found HERE and we suggest you check it out. It goes over what EU figures will be coming into the basic figure line as well as a lot more information. There are definitely more EU figures coming our way besides Bastilla Shan, but it definitely will not be on the same interval as years past.

3. I can't get over how much I love the return of The Vintage Collection. They're the only ones I am keeping carded other than OTC. I was wondering if you knew, or you could send to Hasbro, if the following figures are planned for a vintage release:
a) Zuckuss - this would be the FIRST TIME all 6 bounty hunters would be on the same backer card (and the CV exclusive does not count).
b) Stormtrooper on Original Star Wars card
c) TIE Figther Pilot
d) AT-AT Driver
e) Anakin Skywalker spirit (the old version, not Hayden Christenson)
f) Emperor Palpatine (ROTJ)
g) Grand Moff Tarkin
h) Death Squad Commander (in classic grey tunic)
i) Slave Leia
j) Emperor's Royal Guard
k) Imperial Gunner
l) Rebel Fleet Trooper
m) Garindan
n) Jawa 2-pack (one with cloth outfit, other in plastic for nostalia)
o) Imperial Scanning Crew Member ( maybe the one with the non-released head). (Christopher K.)

JTA: Hasbro definitely knows all of our wishes for The Vintage Collection (especially when it comes to the figures that were originally released in the Kenner line) but it's unlikely that they will be able to get them all out by the time The Vintage Collection comes to a close in 2012. (Let's hope that strong sales of this line ensure its longevity long after that!) And we personally will never be able to tell you what is coming from Hasbro until it is officially made public by them. But we however do a pretty good job of distilling Hasbro's "slips" and other revealing comments from their cues and answers in our highly developed Rumor Report found HERE in our forums. (You're one of our forum members by now, right?) We recommend bookmarking this page somewhere on your computer because we update it frequently when we get the updates from Hasbro. Many of the figures you listed are on the "radar" at some point. And you can bet we will let our readers know immediately when we get word of juicy details like this! P.S. Definitely check back with JTA when the next Hasbro Q&A gets posted! We sort of asked a similar question of yours to them and we can't wait for their answer!

4. Just want to start off by saying I like your new column, it is always handy to have a extra resource to rely on in the world of SW collecting. I was curious if you have seen any size comparison shots of the new TRU Slave I and the '02 version? I have read that the new one is big but I am curious as to how much larger it is compared to the most current version to date. From the pics I have seen on your site and others it looks like it is going to look real sweet in Empire colors. (Daryl)

JTA: Thank you very much, Daryl! Here you go! Your wish is our command! (Apologies that I had to use my dried out backyard as a background!) Click each image below for a full and bigger view!

5. First off let me say Hasbro really has impressed me this year with things like the [Bespin] Cloud Car, AT-AT and mail away Boba Fett, and while I'm glad and super excited for The Vintage Collection I'm starting to feel Hasbro is cutting corners or purposefully not giving collectors what they really want. For example, the new Sandtrooper should have the orange pauldron and should be dirty (like the original one referenced on the back of the card), also the new Jedi Luke should have the cloak especially if they are going to put it on the original card with the cloak. Do you feel Hasbro intentionally does this sort of thing to release them later (more definitive version) or do they just want to do the bare minimum when it comes to collectors wants, because what I have seen in various forums or fellow collectors I have spoken too, it seems like we all have the exact same complaints like the TVC Grievous that doesn't stand up or the new prequel Yoda on the vintage Return of the Jedi card. It just seems they don't want the majority of collectors 100% happy and like frustrating us, I know you can't please everyone all the time but these complaints I've mentioned are widespread. Please share your thoughts on this topic. (Eric)

JTA: You have addressed many of the same cares and concerns we also have with Hasbro and The Vintage Collection. Whether it's because Hasbro is way too focused on The Clone Wars line or they are asleep sometimes at the wheel when it comes to the realistic figures, there are certainly some egregious things happening in a line that should be definitive in every way possible (including both figure aesthetics as well as packaging). A prequel Yoda on a Return Of The Jedi card back is simply unforgivable. But we feel that the Luke Skywalker (Jed Knight) figure was an honest mistake. This new figure coming out was meant to update the "Death Star II" Luke Skywalker figure (per Hasbro) and not the classic vintage Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight). Lines got crossed between Hasbro and the factory and couldn't be fixed in time. (But it's certainly a lot easier to swallow than that Yoda figure isn't it??!!) We bet we will see an official "Jedi Knight" Luke Skywalker before too long. The upgraded and enhanced TVC General Grievous is really a great figure whose issues unfortunately overshadow its positive points. The problem is that Hasbro continues to use rubbery plastics which won't work with a character that is to support a large and tall frame/structure. But we don't think that is an example of Hasbro making a mistake exactly. Grievous is so much more improved than the 2008 TLC figure and we are thrilled to have that cape. He will stand, but it is indeed a bit of a balancing act! And yes, the Sandtrooper absolutely enrages us. It should have definitely been released with the "definitive" orange pauldron (which would have made it unique to the one included with the Dewback And Imperial Sandtrooper exclusive) and absolutely with a very dirty paint job. We don't care how much more it would have costed Hasbro to add a dirty look to the figure's paint job. They need to repack a few more figures or whatever else they need to do to allow for a bigger budget that would pay for better paint applications, especially on the figures that need it. The new MagnaGuard has a dirty paint job, why couldn't they do the same for the Sandtrooper that really shouldn't have been released without it? It's embarrassing at this point in the game that this doesn't bother Hasbro and they continue to release crystal clean Sandtrooper action figures (and clones too). We challenge them to find one clean Sandtrooper in A New Hope. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! So we ask them to please start making the figures more like the film. The Evolutions sandtroopers were beautiful; what has happened now besides cost increases? Stop being cheap we say! There are other ways to amortize costs!

6. I remember at one point Hasbro saying that a new Captain Fordo was going to be in the basic line-up. Has this ever been asked again? We haven't heard anything about him since, and with LucasFilm saying the old Clone Wars micro-series is now off-limits, is he dead in the water? (Jacob)

JTA: Per Hasbro, he is indeed coming! During the recent July 15, 2010 Hasbro Q&A, JTA specifically asked when more Tartakovsky Clone Wars figures were coming (including Captain Fordo) and this was their response:

"Lucasfilm actually asked us to stop producing figures based on the Clone Wars microseries in order to make sure there is no confusion with the current series. Aside from L8-L9 and K'Krukh, who were already in development, we have followed this direction. Captain Fordo will be coming out though, sort of. He will actually be Captain Fordo's body and deco, but will be a generic trooper and not named Captain Fordo, per Lucasfilm's direction. As for future characters from the Clone Wars micro-series, given the aforementioned direction, it's not likely."

You can read the rest of this Q&A session in our forums HERE. While it's great that Captain Fordo "Generic Trooper" (does this designation enrage anyone else and why is Lucasfilm, Ltd. anti-Tartakovsky?) is coming our way, we really want to know when we'll see a Nelvaan Warrior (a figure that has been on Hasbro's own most-desired figures-we-want-to-make list for quite some time now). But that one looks to be NEVER now! Hey, at least "Fordo" is finally coming!

7. I just received my rocket firing Boba Fett (thank you Hasbro!) and [it] got me wondering. Since Gentle Giant is starting to do a 12" jumbo retro figure line, have [they] ever considered doing a straight re-release of the original vintage Kenner Star Wars figures. Having a "new" vintage Boba Fett has made me wanting more... (Jim)

JTA: Hasbro has addressed questions like this in the past. It is something they really want to keep doing, but it likely will come in the form of exclusive releases. While they admit success and great feedback with figures like the Bounty Hunters: 4-LOM/Zuckuss set, it really interests a niche audience more than the entire pot of collectors. If you want to see more figures like this, then you have a responsibility to make your voice heard! You'd be surprised to find out just in JTA's own experience how many of our readers appear to not be into figures like this. For example, as of this posting, 11% of our readers who voted in the Rocket-Firing Boba Fett poll (in our Research Droids Review on it) gave this a rating of "poor" which shocks us! Who gave this figure the lowest score possible? Johnny-come-latelies? Miserable collectors? People who received their packaging damaged from the post office? We just don't get it. This was one of the best things Hasbro has ever given us. It even beats the Early Bird figures from 2005 in our opinion. But our point is that not everything appeals to everyone. Anyway, be sure to vote in the polls in our reviews because your voice is important. We pass our poll information to Hasbro and it may affect what comes to us in the future, you just never know. Spend the extra second to vote in our Research Droids Reviews polls as well as post your comments in forums or whatever way to ensure more figures like this will come our way. Hasbro does check these areas out and they'll never know what's hot and what's not if not more of you cast your opinions! None of us have the right to complain unless we document our satisfaction or dissatisfaction somewhere. It's really a lot like politics.

8. In a previous Q&A session Hasbro revealed that they would be re-releasing the Legacy Collection AT-ST. Is the one in the upcoming Hoth Battlepack it or will it be released by itself as well? (Nicholas)

JTA: Right now that is indeed the one they are talking about that will be available in TARGET around December. The good news is that this new AT-ST will come with a super-articulated AT-ST Driver as well as a Hoth-inspired deco. (And we're hoping for a few other tweaks too, like a head that doesn't fall off with a mild gust of wind....) We're not sure if Hasbro (or another retailer) will take the risk and try to sell it again for $45+. That was way too expensive and the 2009 LC AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport) ended up at ROSS along with the Octuptarra Droid and Dewback With Imperial Sandtrooper for around $19.99. Getting more "things" with it will make a higher price (if they feel it needs to command a higher retail price point) certainly more palatable.

9. When are we going to get a Death Squad/Star Destroyer Commander to FINALLY complete our Early Bird sets? I'd really like to know if we are ever getting a Death Squad Commander. (Tray)

JTA: We honestly won't know until Hasbro tells us but in our best educated guess, this is the time to get him out there, somewhere in The Vintage Collection. While many are content with 2007's Death Star Commander satisfying this requirement, the Kenner figure is indeed different from that figure in a few ways, from the "apparent" gray uniform to the communications cord coming down from the left side of his helmet. Hasbro has a no-brainer easy and simple repaint on their hands (and maybe a simple retool of the helmet) that will make a plethora of fans and collectors very happy. We sure hope he gets officially announced by Toy Fair 2011 because we need more "Star Wars" card backs in The Vintage Collection and this is a big one, one of the original 12! The last time we remember this figure being brought up can be found HERE in our forums. And just so you are aware, there is still debate on whether this character is indeeded wearing a gray/dark olive green uniform or if it the lighting washing out the black. People may disagree about this just as much as they do about the coat of Han Solo (Hoth Gear). But Han's coat has already proven to be brown. It appears we need more clarity when it comes to the "Death Squad Commander".

10. I'm worried about another glut of pegwarmers. Even the new Vintage line doesn't seem to be moving now. Does Hasbro marketing look at Amazon or eBay to see what products are in demand? TCW Aayla Secura is going for as much as $40. In January 2009, Ahsoka Tano went for $60, until they re-released it in the red phase. I agree with your rants regarding marketing issues. How do they decide which figures to run and for how long? I hope I never see another Saga Legends Plo Koon or Saesee Tiin again. (Jeff)

JTA: We are slightly concerned but maybe not as much as you are, Jeff. While it's still too early to breathe a sigh of relief, we have already received two waves of The Vintage Collection, two waves of Saga Legends and three waves of The Clone Wars line by the end of September this year (for most areas). We judge the success of distribution by how many waves of the figures actually get out, especially the realistic line. If you recall the same time last year, we were still waiting for the second wave of the Legacy Collection to hit pegs and had to wait almost an entire month (late October on average) before that second ROTJ wave starting showing up. And despite some spotty build up of figures, The Vintage Collection is moving quite well, thankfully. Some of the "new" Saga Legends figures like Greedo, Bossk, IG-88 and Battle Droids are moving quite well too. We think you are safe and don't have to worry about more Saesee Tiin and Plo Koon figures in the Saga Legends line anymore. Hasbro has confirmed that they pulled them out of the lineup. Hasbro claims that they select kid-friendly figures for the Saga Legends line. But they can't keep releasing the same Jedi over and over as proven by the peg-warmers. As far as the last couple of waves of the red/Season 2 phase of The Clone Wars line, we think Hasbro dropped the ball. We will never concur with those that say these were available in healthy quantities. We never saw half of them at retail ever which makes us think they are sitting somewhere ready to go on clearance (but we have no proof of this). Keep expressing that you haven't been able to get these into your collections and we bet they will see rerelease again shortly. Hasbro does listen to us (sometimes) and since repacks are an inevitable way of life for collectors, the hard to find figures have a great chance of being rereleased again.