The big show is over and we've uploaded over an additional 100 photos for your viewing pleasure of the NYCC exhibit floor. I love browsing the dealer booths in hopes of finding a good deal on a few older or vintage pieces that I need in my collection, and while I don't have $60,000 in spare change to bid on a copy of Avengers #1, the looking and picking are always fun from t-shirts to posters, and of course, plastic.
Hasbro repaints 2009's awesome AT-ST mold, repacks it in a Vintage Collection box, and offers it up as a K-Mart exclusive. For $34.99, it's rightly priced without a figure compared to the $44 that included one with the Legacy Collection Wal-Mart exclusive. Are the superb Vintage packaging and enhanced deco enough to make you collect another Chicken Walker?
Out of all the scene specific Vader's, an "Emperor's Wrath" is probably one of the more symbolic in the saga. Perhaps this figure should have been badged as "Redemption" Vader, though it doesn't have as cool a tone. This is the third Force Lightning energized 'Wrath" Vader in the line (although "Emperor's Wrath" as a sub-moniker isn't mentioned on either card variant), the first as far back as 2000's Power of the Jedi. The Vintage Collection version includes a detachable hand, Force Lightning effects, and what's become a signature look for this scene specific figure; a transparent helmet.
Leia Organa in her glamorous Bespin gown has always been one of the princess' more ornate outfits in the saga. Her standard white color pallet was starkly disrupted during the Cloud City sequence and it was a great change of pace from a costuming standpoint. The figure renditions over the years have attempted to recreate the outer gown, from the vinyl cape of the classic vintage Kenner version to the more woven POTF2 Princess Collection that would be more appropriate as window dressing. For the 2012 Vintage Collection, you get two variant cardbacks with one paying homage to a "Lost Line" look to go with a nicely sculpted and articulated figure. But did Hasbro get the gown right?
The Lucasfilm Pavilion was the usual hotbed of activity with lots to see and shop, and unless you had an aversion for crawling, slithering, reptiles like a certain world hopping fedora wearing archeologist, then the live snake display touting the release of the Indiana Jones series on Blu-ray was certainly a highlight.
Are these the droids you're looking for? One certainly is. We're eternal fans of the galaxy's motorized domestic help, and Hasbro recreates Kenner's classic packaging once again for this Target exclusive, which like the original, faithfully includes modern versions of R5-D4, a Death Star Droid, and an all new Power Droid…GONK!
The Target exclusive Vintage Collection Special Action Figure Sets make a return this summer with their gloriously recreated Kenner packaging. And while previous sets were mostly style over substance, the latest two include all new figures which ups the desirability and open them factor. This second Villain Set includes an all new nicely sculpted and detailed Snaggletooth that you'll definitely want to add to your collection of boozin alien barflies.
The galaxy's most exquisite navel gets a re-release of her Clone Wars action figure after being short circulated in 2009. Aayla Secura comes with a jetpack, lightsaber, and 14 wonderful points of articulation. Check out all her photos in our latest Image Bank update!
The commander of the elite Senate Guard transitions into Phase II armor and penalized with less leg articulation, but Commander Fox looks absolutely smashing in his Target employee colorway. And while this figure could easily be that retailer's exclusive, he's available in general circulation as the 18th Clone Wars assortment figure for 2012. That is if you can find him.
The brave,noble, chin pondering Jedi Knight gets an update in 2012 that is an overall improvement in terms of sculpt, but loses some articulation in the process. Hasbro must not have been entirely happy with the version from 2011 and decided to issue a new, sterner looking, head sculpt a year later. Obi-Wan even comes with a climbing pack for some play value.
We typically like our variants with some point of interest or backstory to them, and while the red bandana Kithaba isn't by any stretch of the imagination a vinyl caped Jawa, the fact that Hasbro changed up to better match the actual character and vintage version is interestingly cool.
The standard brand bearer and primary clone for The Clone Wars series gets an update in 2012 that transitions him into Phase II armor. The new Captain Rex looks absolutely magnificent, with great sculpting, awesome deco and weathering detail, and shares some parts with CW2 Phase II Clone Trooper. What he lacks in articulation (8 points), Rex certainly makes some up for in aesthetics. But will that make the cut for pose happy collectors?
We can blame Canada for this cool carded variant of VC20 Yoda. The Jedi Master is packaged in a Return of the Jedi cardback with the iconic photo that was featured in the original Kenner release instead of the more correct, and dare we say not as iconic, Revenge of the Sith card that was distributed here domestically.
Another version wasn't on my top priority list, but there's plenty to like about the new Clone Pilot, especially since he features new sculpting with re-used parts from previous figures that complement the upgrade. A few ROTS era pilots have been released for battle packs and Evolutions sets over the years with varying degrees of quality. However, this well executed design partnered with some kit bashing and the appeal of a film scene specific representation makes VC97 pretty close to if not definitive.
The deadly female Mandalorian Bounty Hunter is the second Vintage Collection action figure from The Old Republic video game. Shae Vizla includes swappable heads to display her helmeted and un-helmeted and she even comes with some flame effects like it's 2002.