It's been a while since I last posted anything, hasn't it?
I'm pleased to report that everything is going well here at the Collection HQ, but I've been insanely busy finishing off my uni course over the last few weeks and haven't had much time to do anything beyond filming, editing and writing essays. And yes, that includes eating and sleeping! With all of my big deadlines finally out of the way however I thought I'd unwind today with a bike ride and a spot of action figure photography...
Somewhere along the line, Teebo from POTJ has become one of my favourite figures to photograph, and today was no exception - I wasn't even planning to go anywhere that wooded, but still bought him along just in case and was rewarded when I found a very cool spot along an abandoned railway track.
I tried something a bit different today and left my Canon 600D at home and instead took out my old PowerShot A530, a point and shoot I was using way back when I first got into this hobby. I found I was focusing a lot more on composition of the shots than anything else, and whilst the auto focus led to a lot of blurry takes I was able to get a reasonable amount of usable pics. It was a lot of fun and a lot easier than carrying around my bigger camera, so I might be using it a little bit more in the future...
*
This old chestnut...
On another note, the Emcat and I are moving house! We're downsizing to start saving for the future, which means we're doing a lot of sorting and clearing out. Toys will be sold amongst the shedding, but at the end of it I'm going to have the kind of streamlined, focused collection I've been after for a while now - as well as also having the space and funds to add to that collection further down the line. Whilst all this is going on there'll probably be another absence of posts, but hopefully for nowhere near as long as this last hiatus - more than anything, I'm looking forward to finding a whole host of new locations to explore and share...
Man, it's good to be back. To those of you still out there, many thanks for reading!
The 2014 New York Toy Fair was a real moment of triumph for the Star Wars Black Series line as a plethora of new figures were displayed, including the incredible ROTJ brace of Jedi Luke and Darth Vader. The all-but-confirmed Speeder Bike with Scout Trooper was also on show, along with an amazingly hideous Jabba the Hutt, and any fears I had about the line pricing me out have disipitated next to the thought of getting these guys. A quick scout of eBay confirms I can get two thirds of wave two for a reasonable price, whilst wave five (or 2014 wave three, confusingly) may just be the first time I buy by the box, and cost be damned. If the Black Series needed fresh momentum, it certainly found it this weekend...
With the future of the line looking more than just a little bit secure, it seems like now would be a good time to follow up my original article, and take a look at the next few figures that I'd love to see Gentle Giant and Hasbro tackle!
5. C-3PO
This one's such a no-brainer that I questioned whether to include him on the list, but everyone's favourite protocol droid (by default of being pretty much the only one we see) is starting to look like a gap in the Black Series line up - there's only so long you can keep him and R2 seperated, after all! I'd love to see a vac-metalised, ANH specific figure with a dusty paint job, removable left arm and additional restraining bolt and communicator accesories. If a definitive OT version is looking out of the question, then Hasbro needs to pull out all the stops on making the characters episode specific, and this would be a great place to start.
4. Qui-Gon Jinn
On the subject of episode specific... I may have sold my wave one Darth Maul, but I'd still be interested in seeing how the smartest Jedi in the prequels would look in 6" form. Liam Neeson put in a performance head and shoulders above the other actors in The Phantom Menace, which gave Jedi Master Qui-Gon due gravitas amidst all the noise and CG fireworks. Of the few characters I would like from Episodes I-III, he's near the top of the list. Throw in a commlink, poncho and breathing apparatus with the standard lightsaber and cloak and we have a winner!
3. Bib Fortuna
Since we're getting the gloriously grotesque Jabba the Hutt as part of the deluxe line his Twi'lek majordomo shouldn't be too far behind, and just think what a figure this would make in the 6" scale. I'd prefer sculpted outer robes similar to those employed on the Darth Maul figure (as long as the articulation isn't too hindered), but either way I think Gentle Giant have the skills to knock this one out of the park in terms of the sculpt. Throw in Salacious Crumb* and we're golden.
*With Crumb teased as an SDCC exclusive (exclusively for scalpers) along with Jabba and his dais, I know this last point is wishful thinking but I'm gonna throw it out there anyway...
2. Princess Leia Organa
The 3.75" line hasn't seen an update to the original Princess Leia in a decade now, which makes me hope against hope that Hasbro will impress us soon with her hignessness in the new scale. I'd go for sculpted robes that are again made from soft plastic like Maul's outer cloak, so the Princess can still be as articulated as possible underneath. Pack her with an interchangeable head for hooded Tantive IV action, along with both a sporting rifle and Stormtrooper blaster and I'd consider this figure nailed.
1. Ben Kenobi
Definitely 'Ben' Kenobi. Now we've seen Darth Vader and both the Bespin and Jedi Lukes, it's time to see the original lightsaber wielder. Make him with a soft plastic outer cloak (I'm noticing a trend here...), interchangeable heads for displaying with either the hood up or down, two sets of hands for both two-handed duelling and Jedi mind trick posing, and I'd call him done - capable of both fighting with cyborg Sith Lords or confusing multiple repainted Sandtroopers. Instant win!
Deluxe Set: Ewok and Glider
I know we're unlikely to get AT-STs for the Ewok to bomb, but how much fun would this be? For sure it'll be a cold day on Mustafar before we see it, but a guy can dream can't he? Dream about flying teddy bear toys, I mean?
Yes. Yes he can. If anything this weekend proved that the Black Series is here to stay, and secondary market prices are also making most of the figures worthwhile (with the obvious exception of Boba Fett). Despite my still legitimate complaints, I think I might be in for a few more figures from this line yet...
5POA. If you’re a fan of Star Wars action figures at present,
or most current licensed toy lines for that matter, that term is likely to evoke some
strong emotions one way or another. With the reveal of the 5POA Kanan figure
from the upcoming Star Wars Rebels line (above), I think I’ve finally hit a
moment of clarity with regards to my own stance on the articulation debate.
As a rule I try not to let the excessive negativity of
online forums get to me, and sometimes find myself taking a contrarian position
just to counter that aggressiveness – I can’t help it, I have a natural
aversion to sharing a viewpoint with some of the more… dedicated forumers out there. It was this attitude, along with
genuine curiosity and an appreciation for the fact that Hasbro were making
action figures affordable again that I picked up my first Saga Legends figure,
the Super Battle Droid. Despite some initial reservations this purchase was
swiftly followed with Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Shock Trooper
from Saga Legends, and the Darth Vader/Seeker Droid and 212th Clone
Trooper/Battle Droid sets from the Mission Series. I’ve now essentially got a
small selection of vintage style Revenge of the Sith action figures, but as
cool as they all look together… I’m not really sure what to do with them.
A small selection of Saga Legends
I enjoy taking photos
of my toys when I can find the time, but I’ve struggled to get much mileage
from the Saga Legends in that regard. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rather Childish
(RIP?) as much as the next toy collecting Star Wars nerd, but there are two
factors stopping me from ripping him off as much as I’d like: firstly, my
photography skills are nowhere near as developed as his, and secondly the
vintage figures have a certain charm that the Saga Legends toys emulate, but
don’t quite match… And that’s probably as close as we’re going to get to an empirical
value for nostalgia. As pilot figures I think they look great, and I would love
to pick up a Class II (accurately scaled) Jedi Starfighter with which to
display either Anakin or Kenobi when I have the funds. Beyond that though, I’ve
really run out of interest, and that’s only confirmed that this isn’t the
action figure line for me.
And the thing is, it’s really not. I called it when the Saga Legends were first announced, and after giving them a fair go I’m happy enough
to say that these figures aren’t for me. They’re for my nephew, his friends,
and any other kids discovering Star Wars for the first time, and I am not gonna
fault Hasbro for that – after all, it was an affordable kids toy line that got
us all hooked in the first place, whether it was vintage or POTF2. That’s why
I’m OK with the new Rebels figures being 5POA, because it means staying affordable, and
might even lead to a new group of collectors eventually joining the party - something that’s definitely required if the line is ever to reclaim the heights it once
scaled.
Star Wars Rebels: Ezra Bridger & The Ghost
The Saga Legends toy line isn’t for us, and the Rebels cartoon
(a Disney channel exclusive, no less) isn’t for us either. If we enjoy it, that’s a different matter; but
it’s not for us, and amidst all the
pitchfork wielding about how the new Rebels characters have been designed purely
for kid appeal, or that the latest figures aren't the greatest quality,
that’s something entirely worth remembering.
I'll get off my soapbox now...
Thoughts prompted and images snatched from the always awesome FLYGUY.
There's been an exciting development in the Star Wars toy world this week, with the low key announcement that MediCom Toy Inc. will be producing 6" Star Wars figures under their Mafex banner, through which they've already released Amazing Spider-Man and Dark Knight Rises Batman figures. I've seen images of their existing releases (and the upcoming ASM2 Spidey) and have to say they look very impressive, particularly the bulkier, armoured Batman. If they can bring this level of quality to the Star Wars line (imagine Boba Fett, the various types of Troopers or Vader himself with quality builds, accessories and interchangeable parts) then I think we're going to be looking at some very exciting additions to the Black Series lineup.
The reaction on message boards has been unusually positive, although there has been some understandable consternation over the price, with amounts from $40-70 being mooted. However the lower down that scale you get, the closer you come to the Wave 3 price for the Black Series figures out here in Europe anyway (which at £25 equals $41.61, as of today's rates). That's an amount I'd be willing to pay for a better quality mid-range collectable - which, just to be clear, the Black Series is not.
I think another reason for the not-negative reaction (which for a Star Wars board is as good as a standing ovation) is because this is finally another company being given the means to compete with the license. Hasbro were good for so long, but it's undeniable how badly they've cocked up in recent years. Now the Mafex figures will be import only, so it's not going to harm the big H's bottom line at all, really - but it could be a very sharp reminder that they need to take care with this license, if the import figures embarrass their Black Series counterparts too much.
On top of it all though, I'm looking forward to a company making a 6" Boba Fett figure that they actually want to sell, rather than utilising not one, but two separate release strategies that allow scalpers take full advantage. Imagine being able to buy a Boba Fett at retail at a reasonable price, huh? Madness, I know...
I’ve had very little time to focus on action figure reviews
or photography over the last few weeks as my university course has grown
increasingly hectic (it’s the final year rush!), but one thing that’s kept me
going in that time has been Spotify, and in particular the fantastic work of
John Williams. Whilst I’ve been happily listening to his scores for Harry
Potter, Jurassic Park, and The Book Thief, it’s really the Star Wars soundtracks
that made me fall in love with his music, over and above, say, the incredible
themes for E.T. or Indiana Jones.
The thing is that when you begin to consider
the music as a separate entity to the films a very different order of
preference emerges, and the prequels don’t seem quite as bad anymore… With that
in mind, I proudly present:
The Star Wars Soundtrack Countdown
6. Return of the Jedi
Coming at the tail-end of the OT, the Return of the Jedi soundtrack has
its moments, such as the soaring, operatic majesty of Luke and Leia or the
haunting Emperor’s Throne Room. However the music rarely takes off, and never
feels quite as vibrant as the earlier scores, due in large part to the production which is almost muted
and flat by comparison to the earlier records. The Special Editions were the hardest on this film as
well, as we were ‘treated’ to the appalling Jedi Rocks and inferior Victory
Celebration tunes – celebrate the love indeed. Like the actual film, the Jedi
soundtrack has some depth, but a lot of filler. Still worth a listen though!
5. Attack of the Clones
On a similar note (hah!), the Attack of the Clones
soundtrack has some beautiful moments, such as Across the Stars and Yoda and
the Younglings; but it still falls a bit flat in places – Zam the Assassin and
the Chase Through Coruscant is as bitty and noisy as the horrible, horrible
scene it scores, for example. However, tracks like Confrontation with Count
Dooku and Finale really emphasises the intended mystery of the Sith, and on the
whole it’s a collection of beautiful music with a building, tragic undertone
that sells the story far better than the actual film. It’s an undeservedly
elegant score.
4. Revenge of the Sith
Revenge of the Sith comes the closest out of the prequels to
matching the quality and tone of the OT, and as such it’s far more in harmony
with its score than the previous two episodes. I’m still confused as to why
Battle of the Heroes was composed and used when Duel of the Fates would have
been equally (if not more) appropriate, but it’s a fine tune in and of itself.
We’re also introduced to the brilliant, alert General Grievous, which is a sharp continuation of themes from The Phantom Menace album. The soundtrack is punctuated with
stabs of the Imperial March, and the closing A New Hope and End Credits is the
perfect way to tie the two trilogies together. It might not have a beautiful
high point like the ROTJ or AOTC albums, but as a whole this soundtrack is
greater than the sum of its parts.
3. The Phantom Menace
The soundtrack that started the debate. In my factual and
scientifically endorsed opinion this is only the fifth best Star Wars film, but
the soundtrack runs the top two extremely close. This album was pretty much all
I listened to over the summer of 1999, and it’s a score of unexpected majesty,
beauty, and fun – waking up the neighbours by blaring out Augie’s Great
Municipal Band and End Credits every morning certainly fulfilled my bizarre,
Calvin-esque rebellious streak; Anakin’s Theme is one of my favourite
tracks from the whole saga, and even Jar Jar Binks gets a bone with a playful,
enigmatic introductory tune. That’s even before we consider the commercial impact of the
frenetic Duel of the Fates, as exciting as the fight scenes it accompanies… Regardless of your take on the success of Lucas’
decision to show a more regal and refined galaxy, John Williams delivered the
goods in spades.
2. The Empire Strikes Back
I struggle with the Empire soundtrack, because it’s simply
amazing – from an objective viewpoint, it can be genuinely considered for the
title of the greatest film soundtrack ever. However, and I’m being subjective
here, I listen to it fairly frequently and find myself skipping the ends of
tracks, before the Imperial March comes crashing in and destroys the mood the
previous music created. I get it, how the never-too-distant fear of the Empire
is perfect for the film, but from a selfish point of view I’d really enjoy
being able to listen to the soul edifying grandeur of Yoda and the Force
without having to worry about turning the volume down almost immediately
afterwards.
But maybe I’m being too critical; after all, this album gave
us The Asteroid Field, City in the Clouds, Han Solo and the Princess, Yoda’s
Theme… And of course, the Imperial March. It’s a classic.
1. Star Wars
Now, I’m not the kind to think that Star Wars is the
greatest achievement of the saga (however great an achievement it is), and I
love the fact that we have two complete stories, those of both Luke and Anakin
Skywalker. However the score is a huge part of why Star Wars exists as it does
today, and Williams nailed it at the first time of asking. The Main Title is a
cultural touchstone, enough said. Beyond that there are moments of beauty and
adolescent melancholy galore with The Hologram/Binary Sunset, and Tales of a
Jedi Knight/Learn About the Force, weighted against the drama and tension of Burning
Homestead. The beauty reaches a high point with Princess Leia’s Theme. There’s
the playfulness that sets this film apart from the others in The Dune Sea of
Tatooine/Jawa Sandcrawler and Cantina Band, and the glorious, rousing The
Throne Room/End Title caps both the listening and the viewing experience off perfectly.
The Star Wars soundtrack established the themes and pattern
for the others to follow, and however great Williams’ achievements on the
other five films, or any of his countless other classics, no other soundtrack surpasses his work on this.
John Williams is The Man.
The music of Star Wars is one of the elements of the
franchise that I enjoy the most, and do so on an almost daily basis. Whatever
order you may put these soundtracks in, we should all be grateful that such
masterful music exists for our listening pleasure. All the same if you think
I've got it the wrong way around, let me know in the comments!
