My Collecting Rules/Random Threads Of Randomness

 I am in the process of doing photo shoots on Greedo, Han Solo and Chewbacca, and since they aren't done, and LoSerU is likely to be shredded by the Gumps (writing this on Nov 5th; update: boy were they), I thought now would be the time to publish a post I had planned on a while back. As a collector, we all have our own rules, and opinions. Some of my rules are simple, some of my opinions are unpopular. Which is the fun thing about collecting. Plus I'll give insight as to why I still collect, although the price increases are going to limit what I get. So I'm just going to dive in, and it's not all Star Wars related. 

MY COLLECTING RULES

1. Caped super heroes need cloth capes. One reason why I didn't buy any McFarlane DC figures was the vinyl capes. Batman and Superman need flowing capes, and this was also something Mattel didn't do. Which is why I like what Spin Masters has done with their 4 inch line, and McFarlane Toys has started doing recently with both the Michael Keaton Batman and Christopher Reeve Superman. Of course the best super hero toyline ever was the Kenner Super Powers line (I like the Spin Masters 4 inch line), and while McFarlane Toys has done a good job, and a better job on the capes, unless they get the Joker, Penguin and Lex Luthor in the line next year it will be a failure on the villains side, but a success on the heroes side. Same with Star Wars. Vader needs a cloth cape, so does Dooku, and any Mandalorian who wore one. 

2. Accessories must be included! If a figure has an open hand, it needs something it can hold or interact with. A Jedi needs a lightsaber, a Stormtrooper his blaster, you get the idea. Vintage MOTU sold a Weapons Pack which was brilliant, and done for Classics a few years back. It would be great for Origins and Masterverse but that's just me. But for Star Wars it would be EXCELLENT!! 

3. Easy to team build. For Star Wars, it's kinda hard. But MOTU Origins was very fun because it was easy to acquire the characters, just waiting on Two Bad, come on Mattel! I dont need a Sharella or another Snake Man. At least with Star Wars it's been easy (sometimes) to get what. For the McFarlane Super Powers line I found most of the original heroes wave from the Kenner days (minus Aquaman and Hawkman), including Nightwing (Dick Grayson hasn't been Robin since the early 1980's). But I have found a Tim Drake Robin, as well as a gray and black Batman. 

4. Being able to find items in stores. This one was hard for me, especially in 2019. I didn't quite trust preorders until Covid so, I overspent in 2019 on several figures. But for me, the fun is going into a store, and finding something. While nothing can top going into Toys R Us (unless one opens up near where I live, although the new ones likely won't be as large as the original stores were), I do get some satisfaction checking toy aisles at Wal-Mart and Target, plus Gamestop (even though most of the time it's futile). Preorders take out the fun of examining the figures, then picking out the best one. On preorders you have to hope and pray whoever put the figure in the box was as discriminating as you are. Sadly, if you want something you have to preorder it. Because Wal-Mart and Target, as well as Gamestop aren't consistent with action figure offerings. 

5. Remember the Number One Rule: Buy what you can afford. Don't take into account just the dollar value, also take your space into account.

MY UNPOPULAR STAR WARS COLLECTING OPINIONS

1. I'm not threatened by the Epic World of Action/Epic Heroes Line or whatever the new name of the line will be (source: Yakface) (The new line will be named ActionVerse).  As a matter of fact, I think it helps get kids into the line, and may steer them into the Vintage Collection when they get older. Getting kids into Star Wars toys is a good thing for the future of the brand, and for Hasbro to get future customers. Plus, some figures like the Darktrooper look really good, and can fit in with VC figures. Besides, the tooling budget that the VC and Sixers fight over isn't applied to this line. 

2. I initially liked the 5 POA figures. Yep. I did. But only when posed in the standard Kenner pose: straight arms and legs. When they put the figures in action stances, that's when I lost interest. But they should have put those figures on Kenner style cards, but not made officially Vintage Collection numbers. 

3. The Black Series is a necessary evil. Initially I hated the Black Series (Sixer) figures. A new scale, the double knee joints, gross. But, going pinless on the joints, and better sculpting has benefited the line, and the Vintage Collection since sometimes they can be shrunk down. See Cal Kestis, and Darth Revan for proof. 

4. I would accept 15 POA as the standard articulation for the VC, but ONLY if Hasbro guarantees us that we get more newly tooled figures. Right now we have 17 POA as the standard articulation count. Disqus commentor John Morin is a favorite poster of mine, and just as Randy is known for his "5 POA is not okay!", John Morin is known for his "Me no like thigh swivel!" posts. He's kinda like Bizarro, but occasionally offers some severe third degree verbal burns to trolls. I wouldn't mind ditching the thigh swivels. The Sixers have done it, as they have barbell hips. But, all VC figures should have barbell hips. I would sacrifice the John Morin Joints (credit to MAKMCSWF for that name) if it meant we would get more new VC figures. The Sixers lost thigh swivels, but toe articulation was added. I doubt it's possible to do toe articulation on a 3.75 inch figure, but barbell wrists could be possible, and I'd be thrilled if that would be the standard. But if the articulation is cut down, add some extra hands, cloak/robe if applicable. 

5. Hasbro needs a partner company for the Vintage Collection. This isn't new, Hasbro let's Super7 handle 3.75 O Ring GI Joe figures, they've also let Playmates do Power Rangers figures. When you look at the Sixer scale, SH Figuarts and Mafex pushed Hasbro to do a better job on sculpt and articulation. Butterfly shoulder joints are standard on SHF and Mafex, now they have become that for the Black Series. Here's my thoughts: Hasbro makes Mains, an occasional alien weirdo and troop builder. The other company gets to release more alien weirdos, supporting Mains (like Galen Erso, Baze, Peli Motto) and minor Legends or main Disney Comics characters. That way, collectors get the figures they want, Hasbro can make extra money, and another company gets to show what it could for SA 3.75 inch action figures. Admittedly, this is the least likely thing that could happen. But if it did, VC Collector's demands could be met. 

BLOKEES MAY BE THE FUTURE

I have been kinda obsessed about these figures as soon as I saw a video review of them on YouTube. These are models, 4 inches tall, but unlike the Bandai models, these have articulation. Sure, they look animated, but I see something like this as the future of the toy industry. Putting something together yourself doesn't sound fun, but these look like they are worth the effort. They also have 6 inch line that is exactly like the Bandai construction, but they're articulated as well. The downer is no cloth capes. These 9 figures were $81 on BBTS, but they're sold out. The 6 inch Vader model is the new Sixer price, but the 6 inch Stormtrooper is $22.99 on BBTS. 

RECENT HAULS

I have the Anakin that goes with Padme, but I don't have his set piece. I passed on this Padme years ago, and made up for that mistake. The Death Star Accessory Set wasn't bad, the accessories are useful, the figure isn't. I wanted to see if the belt would fit Finn, but nope. The House Droid, I mean Mouse Droid is going in my Sixer bin, and I can't resist a good torture droid. 

Target has these on clearance for just under $19 in stores, where available. But at nearly $28, this should have been a $22 figure, tops. At Gamestop it's $35! I bought 2, and they'll go well with Darktrooper Gideon. But I won't review them. I've managed to get a THWG with the long rifle, the blaster pistol fits well in his right hand and holster, the knife is useless and the riot shield and stick can also be held by the Stormtrooper figure, with the Stormtrooper doing a better job of holding the shield. I had to place both figures into just boiled water because I couldn't move the knee joints, and they're both doing fine now. 

I've also opened up Greedo, and the Tonnika Sisters from the Cantina HasLab. Greedo is going to be in my Top Figures of 2025. The Tonnika's are well worth the wait! Bria is a figure that can be used for a new Mara Jade or Aurra Sing. Senni is tall! I mean she's almost as tall as Vader! The Tonnika's will be the final figures I review this year. Next week will either be Greedo, or Han/Chewbacca. 

FINAL NON STAR WARS RELATED UNPOPULAR OPINION

Back to Masters of the Universe: I absolutely HATE Prince Adam turning into He-Man. As much as Anakin hates sand, that's how much I hate that. It fits more in line with the super hero element (DC actually suggested it, and Mattel and Filmation ran with it, heck Superman even went to Eternia!). The first 4 mini comics, along with the next 8 that introduced Ram Man, Man E Faces, Tri Klops and Trap Jaw are in my opinion peak Masters of the Universe. Sure, there are a few later mini comics I enjoyed, but the early ones determined how I played with those toys when I was younger. I didn't like it then, I don't like it now, and I prefer He-Man to be a barbarian. 

Thanks for reading! A special thanks to Chris and Nomad at BanthaSkull for allowing me to post this link in the comments! Please share this link on your social media accounts so I can get more readers! 

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