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Adam Pawlus: I Am Calling You Out!

Posted by Paul | April 01, 2014 at 07:56 PM ET

Don’t worry folks. The purpose of the acerbic title to this article is to catch your attention. It’s not meant to imply genuine hostility, nor is it meant to describe any true feelings I have towards my well-respected colleague. Without coming across as sappy, you should probably know that it was both Adam May and Adam Pawlus at Galactic Hunter that helped inspire and perhaps shape the direction JTA took when I came aboard in late 2008, as I became more vocal on the site. And I respect their tireless hard work more than words can express. (more....)

Adam Pawlus is a man I respect. That isn't said lightly. He was doing things for the hobby when no one was doing anything. I never had an opportunity sadly to join his newsletter back in the day, but I followed his work originally on Rebelscum.com and Yakface.com until he ultimately landed at GalacticHunter.com, a site that really became the premier Star Wars fan site and my personal favorite for years. If you wanted rumor reports, early reveals and great photo archive entries, there was very little reason to go elsewhere. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

While I have already made this article sound like a eulogy, it was more importantly my goal to confront Adam on his most recent Q&A, particularly his answer to question number 2. You can look at it here, but the question submitter asks “I know that you're a fan of the more kid-friendly products Hasbro has been releasing lately. I am too. Do you get sick of the attitude of the collector community regarding this stuff (Saga Legends/Rebels are "Happy Meal toys", the 12 inch figures are "shampoo bottles")? I've been collecting since the Mego Super-Heroes days and I understand that what I'm collecting are toys. Why does it seem that people want to bash something that is clearly designed to be played with?”

Adam responds (and this is just portions of his answer) “People feel sheepish saying they collect toys, especially younger people,” “Given the relative price point, I set my expectations accordingly. A $10 12-inch figure, I have low expectations - and Hasbro more or less meets them.... It's really quite impressive that Hasbro has managed to tap into the younger kid/gift giver market with a figure of this size at a fair price,” and “Sure, what we're getting is confusing and may do long-term harm to the collector market, but I think the fact that you're actually reading me still write about these damn things 19 years later proves that it's entirely possible that Star Wars can do no wrong. There's a market, even for stuff we don't all love.”

I don’t think I could disagree more with his answer(s). So, it’s time for all of us to have lowered expectations? A line that we have held with high regards and stringent expectations since its new inception in 1995? We have held Hasbro accountable to make quality products for both kids and collectors. Why must we now toss quality out of the window and possess a lackadaisical attitude about the Star Wars products I want to buy for myself or the kids in my life? Hasbro meeting lowered expectations is a just a sad thing. I can’t believe we are even talking within these terms. When did “it’s OK” ever become acceptable to drop your hard earned money on and you’re supposed to be fine with these sentiments? When did the “gift giver market” dictate what needs to be on shelves? Are we really more concerned with the unplanned/spontaneous and unorganized last minute children’s birthday party goers dropping an instant $10 on Star Wars shampoo bottles and hope they know that they’re not wasting their money? Is this really acceptable? Are we really going to tell ourselves to be happy with paint jobs where eyes are melting/dripping off of the sides of figures’ faces? Tell me this isn’t so!

I also don’t like it when I am lumped into a group by someone who claims to know the status of my mind. It’s borderline enraging for me. Adam, I am not sheepish about anything Star Wars related. I am proud of my collection, proud of the hobby, and even more proud to bring a cart full of the latest quality Star Wars figures to the checkout lane. I feel no shame, I don’t feel like a fool, and when there is a quality product to buy, I tell others about it. Word of mouth has been very fruitful to the hobby. Just because I am not satisfied with the poor quality of Saga Legends and Mission Series figures does not mean that I am sheepish, nor does it mean I am wrong for having the feelings I do. And whether I agree or not, if you like these budget low quality figures, more power to you. I don’t understand what you could possibly find redeeming in them, but I WILL NOT presume to claim I know what those feeling are.

Star Wars might not be able to do any wrong, I think that’s an awfully bold statement, but Hasbro can do wrong, and they have. The line is the most abysmal it’s ever been. But we all know the many arguments surrounding that. However, there are beams of bright hope trying to bust through the walls as we speak (SDCC anyone?), and for that I am elated. But five points of articulation have NOT saved the line. In fact, it’s added to the clutter. Aside from a few popular figures, these collections are just rotting on store pegs. Obviously the gift givers are in hiding, or on sabbatical, or they just don’t exist. I don’t know. We are living in collectors' Groundhog Day it seems anymore.

Anyway. Adam, I luv ya man. You’re still an inspiration and I publicly acknowledge graciously your contributions to our hobby. But please see the other side of this debate.

Your friend,

Paul Harrison (Advocate for super-articulation).

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