Jump to article:

• July 20 - Hasbro Preview Night
• July 21 - Hasbro Day 2: Star Wars

I've been up for roughly 20 hours, just slipped away from dinner, and am not entirely sure when this is going to get uploaded. So enjoy this awkward recollection of the event!

REPORT CARD

CONVENTION EXCLUSIVES: B
FIGURES: A-
FIGURES (SPECIAL): C-
VEHICLES: B
TITANIUM: A
PRESCHOOL: A
ATTACKTIX: Incomplete

Of course, this is so far, and merely the opinions of one over-tired reporter. Read on for the reasons, and of course, there's always the chance to re-grade after we see the full picture.

CONVENTION EXCLUSIVES (or, Come Get Some)

Hasbro finally stepped up to the plate to deliver what other, smaller, much less known companies have done for years. With HasbroToyShop.com, the booth is offering a number of items at fantastic prices, and of course what matters is they're special for the show. The 501st Stormtrooper (Comic Con Exclusive, San Diego 2006) was first on deck at the fairly outrageous price of $14.99. The 2004 Vintage Stormtrooper was repackaged, with one additional paint operation and a new display base. Is the base worth $5? That's debatable. It is a cute souvenier, though, and as it's a true item for fans, it's great to see Hasbro make an exclusive that's fun if you can get it. And if you miss it, well, it's not like you missed out on something incredible.

The Darth Vader's TIE Advanced X1 Starfighter was the same as the Toy Fair 2006 edition but with a sticker. Moving along, the Transformers Alternators Nemesis Prime sold out its preview night allotment for $24.99, and this reporter is not ashamed to say he gobbled one up right away. Now, if Hasbro would only make BotCon exclusives this east to get, I think I'd be a little happier across the board. The trio of exclusives is a great sign of things to come, and I sincerely hope everybody that wants these can get them.

Finally, a 2006 Saga Collection poster was shown. It should be noted all signs point to this not being the entire 2006 line, and there's some debate as to if it's really the entire Saga Collection at the time I wrote this. Hasbro's distribution for the poster should be applauded-- reach into a giant GNK droid and grab as many as you'd like. Score one for showmanship!

UNLEASHED (or, the lease is up)

7-Inch Unleashed reruns are on tap, as you've no doubt seen, with reissues of General Grievous, Boba Fett, and others as retail exclusives. No new molds were shown, despite rumors that some of the Top 5 accounts (Target, Wal-Mart, etc.) will be offered new sculpts as exclusives. I'm so not optimistic it isn't funny.

The Unleashed Battle Packs were on display, and it's a line that gets no respect. (It's in the same way that you got no respect when you had the same teacher for math as your older brother and they expect you to be a genius and you aren't. But... different.)

The recently released Hoth Packs were out there to see, including such characters as Leia, a Probot, Darth Vader, and so many Snowtroopers you'll go nuts. The (as of yet) only two Battle Bases proves that Hasbro can indeed crank out vehicles and playsets in a compelling, exciting scale. The bad news is no new products were shown and for $20+ a whack, the Battle Bases may have dug themselves a premature grave, thus making them another entry in the Star Wars Toy Martyr Hall of Fame next to the Action Fleet line and of course the original 7-inch Unleashed.

All signs point to the 4-packs continuing, at least for a while, with more Jedi and more Clones and other Imperial awesomeness. While I can appreciate the line, and in many respects view it as a worthy successor to the soon-to-fail-but-awesome lineup of miniature toys, it seems to have a huge uphill battle with winning over collectors. (Not with me, though. I'm a sucker.)

It's odd that G.I. Joe's awesome 2.5-inch figure line costs $7.99 for a four-pack, has more articulation, more action features, and in some cases, small vehicles. Why can't Star Wars get that kind of treatment? Both products are great, but hey, they're virtually compatible. Surely someone's working on a tiny pull-back Speederbike by now.

3 3/4-INCH STUFF (or, the only important part of this or any article)

Hasbro showed a lot of stuff. Some of which you've seen. Basic Figures showed nothing you haven't seen online, the entire Naboo set was there and more are expected later in the week. That's how Hasbro does things. Much like last year, I'm expecting another "death march" wave to get us to 2007 stuffed with repaints and fan-friendly figures to drive you bonkers well into the new year. (Which, due to how and when this is being written, have no doubt been announced by now.)

The Mace Windu Squadron for Target was on display, showing Hasbro loves to tinker with Star Wars and make toys that look like they're a part of the saga, despite having never appeared in a movie or cartoon or anything else as far as I know. With an SRP of $20, it's a fantastic item-- 4 Clones and a rehashed Mace Windu is a god deal.

Exclusive Vehicles on display in plain sight including Target's Snowspeeder & Kit Fisto Jedi Starfighter, Toys "R" Us' TIE Fighter, AT-AT, and X-wing.

Regular vehicles included the first real glimpse at the Darth Vader's Sith Starfighter, complete with giant Imperial logos. (I love faction logos. [Decepticons forever!]) The new Trade Federation Tank and Hailfire Droid were on display as well, showing Hasbro's dedication to expanding the Universe themselves with new and original designs. (Who knows, maybe this will translate to figures soon!)

Two mystery ships were on display as well. One is obviously a TIE Fighter and is presumed to be small-wing white/grey version of the vehicle, although some of us are holding out hope for a special "Rebel" TIE Fighter or one that space pirates took over from the Droids animated series. The other covered vehicle appears to be an AOTC-styled Jedi Starfighter, although it's difficult to tell if this is the case or if either are just a red herring.

The Tin Figures were out as well. Get tins and figures for $25-$35. These are the new "Evolutions" packs, in a way, except they're kinda pricey and feature few new figures. For Episode I, you'll get Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul, and R2-R9 (made from an R4-G9 mold). Episode II gets you a new blue Clone Trooper with removable helmet, Count Dooku, Evolutions Anakin, and a retooled Jango Fett-- it's the same old figure without the capture claw, which is great to see. The Episode III set is similar, with Mace Windu, another Anakin, a prequel Yoda with what seems to be Vintage oTC soft goods, and the awesome AT-RT Driver repaint in white.

So for the record, 2 of the 3 Evolutions figures are coming back, but not the Darth Vader from the Anakin to Vader pack. (So far.)

Several other items in this scale were covered by sheets and we can't say much more just yet. But we've been lead to believe it's going to make you happy.

TITANIUM SERIES (or, the part that's more important than you think)

For Forged Figures, C-3PO, R2-D2, and many more were on display. I must say R2-D2 was easily the most striking, it really jumps out at you. In this size, a number of Marvel Comics characters are coming in 2007-- and they're nice. But the oversized canister and the $15 price point aren't things fans like, despite the notion that heavy, collectible figures are a really exciting prospect. But hey, who doesn't love Snowspeeder Luke coming back?

As far as could be told, no new Ultra Vehicles were on display. So, next.

The tiny vehicles for Titanium Series was a genuine treat. Dewbacks, Anakin's Clone Wars Jedi Starfighter, General Grievous' Starfighter, an Endor deco AT-AT, and piles and piles of new vehicles were out there to remind you that Hasbro is really giving this line a fighting chance. After being left at the altar, so to speak, with Action Fleet, MicroMachines, and other mini sizes more than once, it's great to see so much new product that doesn't suck being made available. And if/when Hasbro decides to try making 3 3/4-inch scale Titanium vehicles, we will declare them our new best friends. (Admit it, Hasbro, you want to do a Titanium 3 3/4-inch scale General Grievous' Starfighter. You cannot deny this, I know it to be true.)

GALACTIC HEROES (or, genocide and death droids for toddlers)

Hoth Leia! Droid repaints! A new Darth Vader! Bespin Luke! Lando! Holy crap, buy me now! Hasbro seems to be giving a fantastic push to this scale, making long-time fans very happy to see a large variety of classic characters being made in this adorable little scale. Plus it gives us all an excuse to buy ourselves baby toys. (Er... not that we would buy ourselves baby toys...)

With Bespin Leia, a purple Mace Windu clone, and the return of a bunch of hard-to-find figures from the past, it's almost as exciting as the announcement of a black Astromech. Oh wait, they did that too! Well played, Hasbro. Well played.

The line's future has more support than we've come to expect. I've also seen the Marvel Characters in this scale and can't wait. If there's one thing I love, it's character collectibles. If there's two, it's a character toy that's obviously made for someone who can't read. Of course, this time, Hasbro went beyond the usual audience for toy fans and decided to make something for toddlers. (Yes, yes. BURN.)

ATTACKTIX (or, they'll put yer eye out)

Marvel and Transformers were on display as were some classic Star Wars items. The future for this miniatures game looks to be very bright, although no GI Joe items were on display. Nor were any Godzilla. For shame.

THE MYSTERY DISC

Kir Kanos' buddy will be revealed on Friday. (Don't spoil the surprise. Shhhh!) The other items in the booth, I presume, will be uncovered as well but at the moment it doesn't look like there's a ton of room for surprises. But Hasbro has proven time and again, that if you really want to keep a secret, make sure the only place it exists is in their slide show on Friday.

HASBRO OVERALL

The really exciting things, to me, were the new 6-inch Titanium Transformers, of which there were many. These are great. The new 2.5-inch scale GI Joe Cobra HISS looks awesome, and the new Marvel stuff seems to look fantastic.

Best of show for most fans will undoubtedly take the form of Transformers Classics, and of course I'm wildly biased. $10 updates of Astrotrain, Starscream, Bumblebee, and Hot Rod? It's like Santa got my letter! (But decided to ignore the part about Soundwave.)

Xevoz and Zoids, sadly, were still absent from the show. (By and large. A resourceful friend to you and me managed to find some Japanese Zoids to be had. Hooray for LB Murasame Liger.)

With the product show, there's something compelling about seeing Marvel switch from Toy Biz to the House of Mr. Potato Head. Might distribution improve? Could we expect to see new items that are a little bit stronger as toys? And most importantly of all, can I get a plush Werewolf by Night? Only the future knows for sure!

WE'RE ALL RIDERS ON THE STORM

So there's your first day's commentary. Or Day 0, for those of you who are a fan of the concept of a place holder for "nothing." Having spent most of the time hawking catalogs in booth #2343 (I think) I can't exactly vouch for everything I'm saying.* I got to see and say hi to Steve Sansweet, who continues to be one of the awesomest people ever, as well as the crews from Yakface, Rebelscum, and probably others who I'm forgetting who will be given yet another reason to hate me. (As always, apologies in advance. As I've said to many, I've got rotten manners and am horrible with names and faces.)

(*- if you saw a frazzled man in glasses shouting to "Come get some paper with stuff on it," "The death of print has been greatly exaggerated," or "Gutenberg was right, print is amazing" that was probably me.)

--Adam Pawlus