Toy Fair 2009 - Diamond Select Toys
Date: February 14, 2009 at 03:22 PM ET Topic: Diamond Select Toys
The
Diamond Select showroom at Toy Fair 2009 was a sight to behold. The big
news this year is the aggressive continuation of the Ultimate Quarter Scale (UQS)
line of figures. While the verdict out on these is somewhat inconsistent
with collectors, the products shown are incredibly stunning and sure to invigorate
interest in the line. Click
through to read about all about it!
Diamond Select has taken
extreme care and caution to perfect this line. Great
improvements have been made to the sculpts and paint applications, the accessories
are more authentic, and the choices for characters are becoming more exciting!
The biggest news is that
we will soon be treated to a Han Solo (Episode IV), Darth Vader (Episode V),
Darth Sidious (Revenge Of The Sith – crimson
robes) and Emperor’s Royal Guard. These four are in the prototype
stage, and Diamond was not allowing photography. But be
prepared, they are stunning and will be necessary additons to your Ultimate Quarter
Scale collection. The
only approximate relase date available was for the Han Solo figure, and it looks
to be available some time in June 2010. Another nice perk is that Diamond
Select will not be commanding more money for the Ultimate Quarter Scale Darth
Vader. It was
also explained that although a new body will not be cast for the figure, he will
be indeed be taller as lifts in the boots will be added as well as additional
height in the helmet.
Many collectors have commented
about the poor likeness of the human characters. It
is evident that Diamond Select has heard these whispers and have taken great
strides and have improved them significantly. The finished productions
are beautiful! They have also tailored the costumes expertly and have provided
a product that will surely compete with the high-end Sideshow Collectibles ¼ scale
line.
Right now, the approximate release schedule is:
Han Solo (In Hoth Gear) (Episode
V) – FEBRUARY/MARCH
2009
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode IV) – FEBRUARY/MARCH
2009
(These two figures are shipping together.)
Mace Windu – APRIL
2009
Anakin Skywalker (Episode
III) – MAY
2009
Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) – JUNE
2009
Emperor Palpatine (Episode
VI) – JULY
2009
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode III) – AUGUST
2009
Han Solo (Episode IV) – Approximately
SPRING 2010
Darth Vader (Episode V) – TBD
Darth Sidious (Episode III – crimson robes) – TBD
(Possible Exclusive)
Royal Guard (Epsiode VI) - TBD
Additional Notes:
Mace Windu will come with the Jedi Training Screen as seen in Episode I.
Anakin Skywalker will come with his signature Jedi outer robe as seen in Episode
III.
Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) will come with a very large femur bone, similar
to the one that came with the TAC figure.
Emperor Palpatine comes with
his signature cane and interchangeable hands.
Royal Guard will come with
a force pike.
Darth Sidious will be packaged
with his lightsaber.
The Ultimate Quarter Scale
figures will continue to be available at Toys R Us and other speciality stores
like comic book shops. DST is looking for other vendors
to add these figures to their retail space as well. The Ultimate
Quarter Scale figures will continue to retail for $79.99, although prices will
vary depending upon where the product is purchased.
DST is also developing a
Star Wars banks line and these are shaped in the busts of the characters. The Vader bank is available in stores now, with a “no
helmet” version coming in JULY 2009. Also shown, but no photography
allowed was the Yoda (Episode I and Espiode II) bank. This bank is due
in AUGUST 2009. The MSRP on these banks is $19.99.
Click
here for our Toy Fair 2009 Diamond
Select Gallery.
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