Saleucami Trooper (BD25) - Hasbro - Legacy Collection (2009)
Star Wars Collectible News, Photos, and Reviews

The Hasbro Menace And The Phantom Lurking Over The New Line

Posted by Paul | January 05, 2012 at 10:20 PM ET

It's time to voice another rant. What JTA will be calling the Star Wars [The Phantom Menace 3D] line look, it definitely has a few good moments, but it is starting off by metaphorically leaping off of a high-diving board with no water below. Are you interested in what we have to say? Then click through to read more!

Another season. Another multimedia event push. Another line look from Hasbro. This has been happening cyclically since we've been collecting. Within a product year, there is usually a nice healthy dose of action figures that Hasbro impresses us with, but it seems as of late that what becomes the "main line" is actually hurting the overall health of the line. Ironic isn't it? This inferior product inundates retail risks hurting the "good" parts of the Star Wars toy line because what should be coming to stores doesn't. (Yes, there are different assortment numbers for each line look, but it's quite a coincidence that collector-focused figures are always feeling the brunt of distribution. Hasbro sees to it that the other stuff gets into stores, don't they?) Distribution for collector-based lines gets exponentially worse year after year. And since 2008, we as a collecting whole have had a more difficult time locating the premium/collector-focused action figure for our respective collections than ever. We thought things were terrible in the Fall of 2009, but Hasbro has somehow stepped further out of the process completely, hoping that distribution would autocorrect itself. It didn't. And the many collectors that became victims of The Vintage Collection's poor distribution got so burned out that they left the hobby altogether. On top of not even being able to find The Vintage Collection easily, prices that started at $7.99 climbed to almost $11 a figure, the equivalent of salt in the wound. And then let's not forget how Hasbro actually advised us to find The Vintage Collection online and buy case assortments with only 3, 4 or 5 new figures with the rest of the case carry-forward figures. So not only did we have to pay ridiculous prices, we were being told how to spend our money we gave to Hasbro. Sheesh! The drama went on and on and on until even more collectors got fed up and said they were out.

So here we are in a new year. More money is likely to be thrown Hasbro's way by the hard-working collector class of people like you and me. But we have also heard collectors relieved that they don't have to spend any money is 2012 because of all the rehashes. (Actually, the latter worries us more.)

How is the line opening up? We're glad you asked.

MOVIE HEROES Wave 1:
Super Battle Droid (repack of 2005 ROTS figure - $4.99 in 2005, $8.99 in 2012)
Battle Droid (repack of 2005 ROTS figure - $4.99 in 2005, $8.99 in 2012)
R2-D2 (repack of 2005 ROTS figure with new electronics - $4.99 in 2005, $8.99 in 2012)
Shock Trooper (repack of 2007 TAC figure - $6.99 in 2007, $7.99 in 2008, $8.99 in 2012)
Destroyer Droid (repack of 2005 ROTS figure - $4.99 in 2005, $8.99 in 2012)
Darth Maul (repack of 2007 TAC figure - $6.99 in 2007, $8.99 in 2012)
General Grievous (repack of 2005 ROTS figure - $4.99 in 2005, $8.99 in 2012)
Darth Vader (repack of 2003 SW "Saga" figure - $4.99 in 2003, $8.99 in 2012)
Clone Trooper w/ Jetpack (repack of 2005 ROTS Deluxe figure - $9.99 in 2005, $8.99 in 2012)
Yoda (repack of 2005 ROTS figure - $4.99 in 2005, $8.99 in 2012)
Qui-Gon Jinn (a new figure with action features collectors don't want)
Obi-Wan Kenobi (a new figure with action features collectors don't want)

And then let's not forget about the awful first wave of Battle Packs including Rebel Heroes (with the Comm Tech Han Solo risen from the dead and the Bespin Chewbacca with no articulation) and the Geonosis Assault Battle Packs with the same Jango Fett from 2002. Sigh. Sigh Sigh. Did we not learn from the Comic Packs and Evolutions lines that starting off a line with repacks is damaging to the future second wave of a line. Look how long it took to get that second wave of Legacy Collection Comic Packs out. They almost came out a year later. And the third wave had to become an Entertainment Earth exclusive. So, here we go again. Why must we endure this nonstop circle? We hope there are a lot of ignorant parents out there who aren't knowledgable to the fact that all of these repackaged figures can be found for pennies on the dollar in other packaging. Because they're going to be the only one scooping us this product, not us. It's obscene!

Is this really the way to start off a new line? I know Hasbro is banking on capturing kids' attention with this line, but they once again are distancing themselves from collectors. A wave of 12 TVC figures is wonderful, but we fear that this is what Hasbro is intending on pacifying collectors while they shove a less well-rounded line down our throats. The Walmart "Discover The Force" exclusives look enthralling and we are actually excited for them, but why is Hasbro dropping everything else like hot potatoes? Obviously collectors will gladly welcome The Phantom Menace figures from The Vintage Collection. But is it wise for Hasbro to ship out all of the Movie Heroes "repeat" figures and at an increased price? Why wouldn't they ensure that new figures like Padmé Amidala and Jar Jar Binks didn't get released in the inaugral wave.... but the same old Shock Trooper would? At worst they could use some reverse psychology on us and almost fool us into buying something from that horrid Movie Heroes line. (We tend to buy up anything "newish" we see!)

And then there's the poor The Clone Wars line. Did Hasbro kick you to the curb? After three years of trying to entice adult collectors, many of us finally caved in and began to embrace the line. And now Hasbro is abandoning it recklessly. 19 total figures for 2012? Is that accurate? Or is it an early April Fools' joke? While we're thrilled for the almost dozen all-new figures, even the carry-forward figures Hasbro have chosen aren't making sense. Cold Weather Plo Koon? That has been a peg-warmer here in the Keystone State at least. I am sure it has becomes a peg-warmer elsewhere too. It was a novelty action figure in The Clone Wars line, meant to appeal to a niche audience. And it's one of the coveted 19 figures for 2012? You couldn't just give us 19 all-new figures? There are a ton of clone troopers and clone commanders we still need. You couldn't repaint any of the great sculpts you already have and give us stuff WE WANT? Something is just not right at Hasbro. I could keep going, but I assume you catch my drift.

For the very first time in my collecting life I have no excitement for the new line. This is coming from a collector who buys EVERYTHING Hasbro makes, opens it up and photographs it for this site since I have come aboard. I have every Saga Legends (in every line look) and even though nothing will beat the Saga Legends line from 2007/2008's 30 (77-07) line, the others throughout the years until its demise in 2011 all have some good figures give or take. Now that Saga Legends is dead, I just cant' get excited about figures from 2003 and 2005 taking up space from other figures that deserve to be on the shelf instead. I think Yarna is more deserving of rerelease than the 2005 ROTS Deluxe Clone Trooper with Jetpack. But that's me. I guess be glad I don't run things. While there is no way I can say I am "out" I can tell you this will be the very first year since 1995 I am not buying one of everything. Hasbro - you have been advised. I am/was a collector who bought every single thing you made and now I am no longer. This is serious. You have burned me out. This is not the way celebrate and embrace Episode I. And you are upsetting my stomach and my friends' stomachs about what you may have up your sleeves for the rest of the 3D release of the films. Please come up with a more enticing plan. You're trying to sell us a bridge again, but this time I am not buying it. Enough is enough. Stick to what you excel at.... like all-new super-articulated action figures. And that's what we're referring to as The Hasbro Menace. You are your own worst enemy. You have punctured a wound in your bottom line by deciding to go this route and you don't have any plans to stop the bleeding. We're trying to help illuminate the phantom that will be detrimental in killing the line.

We also suggest reading our floor report on the Movie Heroes line from New York Comic Con. There are many other startling facts listed there as well. Check it out.

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