As we come to the final day of the year that was 2024. How good of a year was it collecting wise? I'll get into it. The title should be a giveaway, but it wasn't all bad, but then again it wasn't all good. But, I am the type of person who wants the bad news first, so naturally that's where I'll start. So it's time to look back on the year that was and say "good riddance!". Especially if you're a Vintage Collection fan. Like me, and most of my readers are. So let's get the bad news out of the way first.  The Bad 1. Long waits between waves. My first new figure of 2024 was reviewed in April. That's 4 months! Meanwhile the Black Series had 2 waves out by that time. It's not that Black Series had figures out, it's that the VC had none in that same time frame. It also isn't good for brick and mortar retail: if pegs sit empty for too long, something else takes their place. So about the 1st wave of 2025? That will come later on.  2. D...

 The movie A Christmas Story is one of my favorite Christmas movies, but if I'm being honest, my absolute favorite Christmas movie is Die Hard. Yippie ki-yay, Merry Christmas! But back to the topic, I relate so much to A Christmas Story because of Ralphie wanting nothing more than a Red Ryder BB Rifle. How many of us growing up wanted something so much for Christmas that we actually got it? And of course didn't shoot our eye out! Fortunately for my parents, I never got anything that would make me shoot my eye out, although a couple GI Joe vehicles with launching rockets came close. I'd even get a BB Gun when I was 10, and never ever shot it at a metal target. Which was Ralphie's mistake at the end. Fortunately for me growing up, I got 2 straight Christmas's where I got my version of the Red Ryder BB Gun.  Since this is a Star Wars blog, I'm going to focus on what I got in 1983, instead of what I got in 1984: which was the entire collection of both Super Powes an...

  Honestly, like the Heir To The Empire 3 pack, I did not see this coming. At all! Revealed the other day in the final Gift The Galaxy wave (along with a Black Series Clonetrooper and Super Battle Droid), the last 2 weeks have been a pleasant surprise for VC collectors. Which is great since 2024 is not what I'd call a great year for the Vintage Collection. So far, 2025 is looking GREAT! I'll give my breakdown of all 3 figures, and what other similar 3 pack could be in the works (I hope!).  Here's a look at all 3 figures, out of the package:  Impressive. Most impressive! In a way, since Anakin is from Tatooine, this could definitely be considered part of the Return To Tattooine that will be the main focus of the VC for 2025. Now onto the individual figures.  1. Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker  This Anakin is from the 2003 Clone Wars Microseries, as shown by the cape. There is another version of this figure coming on the Ahoska card, and the upper body is similar to V...

 When I posted my thoughts on the ANH Retro figures, my counter indicated that as my 399th blog post. So naturally that meant my next post was the 400th, and that's a big deal. One of my all time favorite comic books is Batman 400, as it had an intro written by Stephen King, and it celebrated Batman through the ages, as the main plot of the comic involved the escape of Batman's foes at Arkham Asylum at the hands of Ra's Al-Ghul. Batman had help from Robin (Jason Todd, who had just taken the costume), Talia Al-Ghul, Catwoman, Commissioner Gordon, and Detective Harvey Bulloch. There were numerous guest artists, plus it had Batman team up with Catwoman while Robin and Talia joined forces. The latter team would be interesting as Talia helped resurrect Jason from his death at the hands of the Joker. If the plot sounds familiar, it was replicated 90 issues later when the Knightfall Saga began. The bottom line is, it's a favorite comic book.  So what to do about my 400th post?...

 Behold!  Let's just take a moment and drink this all in. I'm not big on Retro Collection figures lately. I did love getting the entire 1st wave of Mandalorian figures, and some others from Kenobi. But what I've preferred, and other collectors have noted, is Hasbro needs to make Retro figures not made by Kenner. Stick to the OT, and lines from that era like Droids and Ewoks. I'll break down these 6 figures, but it will all be speculation on my part, so take note.  1. Stormtrooper Han. This should have been made in 1985. Well, 1978 or 1979 actually. I expect it to be like the Kenner Stormtrooper Luke and be able to actually turn his head. The helmet may come in its own bubble, similar to Skiff Guard Lando and Boushh Leia. Plus the normal Stormtrooper blaster.  2. Sandtrooper. I am going to draw some hate, but given Hasbro's lacking paint apps on some new figures, I doubt any weathering or dirt will be painted on him. He should come with his large gun, and my guess is...

  2025 is a big year in so many ways. It's the 20th anniversary of the last George Lucas live action film. Some say that one is the best of his stories. It's the 40th anniversary of the original POTF and the 30th Anniversary of POTF2, and the retail presence of Star Wars toys is still there. Impressive. Most impressive. For some collectors, the Black Series is their preferred line. One thing I'm glad I wrapped up is that line. But I keep my eyes peeled for whatever may end up at Ollie's. Although I was disappointed that the newer Marvel Legends aren't in scale with the Black Series. My Erik Killmonger and Shuri figures will just have to be boxed, although I gave Erik's spear to Morgan Elsbeth. My preferred brand is the Vintage Collection. It's easier to store loose figures, and it doesn't take up as much space. But like many VC collectors, I have some high hopes for the line next year. So I'll give my thoughts as to what I expect, what I feel will ac...