SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES
By Adam Pawlus
Photography by Mike Sullenger

SAN DIEGO, JULY 16 2005-- After months of speculation, one of the best kept secrets was unleashed on the collecting populace: Sideshow Collectibles, known for some of the best 1/6 scale figures in the business, managed to work a deal out between Hasbro and Lucasfilm to get some figures made in this rotting scale, possibly giving it some real life. 

The original 12-inch figures from the 1970's were some of the first items to shoot up in value with collectors, and are remembered for good detail for the time, great accessories, and Chewbacca and Darth Vader being taller than the likes of Han Solo, who was taller than Luke or Leia. Word on the street has it that Sideshow will do what Hasbro didn't, and that's try to make the tall characters into tall figures, with shorter figures being made for shorter characters. While not rocket science, it's good business, and potentially a very exciting way to do things for this slightly higher priced line. Rumors on the floor were hinting at prices near $49.99, which, while high, might mean that the few figures you do get from the line will actually not disappoint. There was no confirmation on the first release in this new series-- the naked 12-inch Sideshow body in a Jedi cloak with a lightsaber was just a nice little illustration and not (we're told) necessarily indicative of the first release, which is apparently rumored to be a Jedi Temple Attack Anakin Skywalker. 

While Hasbro has apparently dodged Fan's Choice, Sideshow is embracing it with a Fan's Choice 12-inch Expanded Universe figure being one of the very first things they're going to do for the line. While they did not want to confirm these just yet, let me assure you that Galactic spies do overhear things and we were astonished by how excellent the choices were. Sure, two were obvious, but the rest all showed that Sideshow understands what fans want, what looks good, and what would make you say "wow, Hasbro won't even give us those!" Right now, the future of the line is very much in motion and there's a lot of opportunity. 

The very first figure should be announced in the Fall, but it might not. The very first figure should be released in early 2006-- but it might not. A lot of questions are floating around, like just how limited will these be, will they be filled with exclusives like Hasbro's line, and when we'll see certain characters. While I couldn't get answers to them all, I did manage to find out that cloth parts are apparently easier to do than plastic ones-- so things like Clone Troopers and Stormtroopers are less likely to be available early in the line. One might speculate Jedi would be easier, given the cloth, which is great for fans that either missed certain characters or are looking forward to some great designs finally seeing plastic. All I know is, if we're talking limited, a Sideshow Plo Koon would be a most excellent way to say "we're sorry you missed Hasbro's, now chew on this!" Or something.

Also on display in their booth for Comic-Con is the amazing Darth Maul 1:1 scale bust. Sideshow partnered with Spectral Motion to produce this beautiful take on the tatooed Sith Lord. The hood itself is a cloth replica of what was seen in the film, and the almost lifelike likeness gives one pause for Dark Side fear. You can pre-order this amazing piece today at Sideshow Collectibles and is due to ship in the 2nd quarter of 2006.

Sideshow's Comic-Con exclusive Luke Skywalker was pre-sold out and was only available for paid pick up at the show.