Will Blog For Toys
“They drummed you out of Hollywood, so you come crawling back to Broadway." — Helen Lawson, Valley of the Dolls
Welcome to the first daily edition of Galactic Blogger, which we here at Galactic HQ hope will become a daily feature, and a daily fixture for you collector types. I’ve been on sabbatical (that’s Español for plastic surgery) for a few months, but I’m back – hoping to spice things up here at Cazador Galáctico.
Most Target stores keep “guest” comment cards in small racks at their registers. Make a point of sending in cards every few months to let their HQ know that Star Wars products are needed and wanted in your area. (It doesn’t hurt to mention manufacturers like Hasbro, too.) They’re postage-paid, and they help to keep your local Star Wars section well stocked.
Hunter’s Heloise: Compressed air (aka computer airspray) can be picked up at stores like Costco and Fry’s at three for $9.99. This is a quick and painless way to dust your hoards of figures and accessories. (And your busts, dolls, plush, 3D posters…)
Top Ten Jabba’s Palace Figures
That Hasbro Must Make Sooner Than Immediately*
1. Gargan – Two tons of fun, and a killer rack. Why hasn’t this nasty slag been workin’ those pegs? Space hooker! (Thanks Randy!)
2. Ishi Tib – There are two versions to choose from in Jabba’s Palace, and the head is already sculpted. Why not sell us a “refreshed” version of old Bird Lizard?
3. BG-J38 – This hologame playing droid isn’t exactly exciting, but considering that C-3PO is a mincing prisspot, I think he should be made post-haste. (Blogger’s Note: I am a mincing prisspot, too, so I can say that with impunity.)
4. Ak-Rev – The Max Rebo Band’s Weequay drummer is desperately needed (with the drum, natch) to complete the band. Since Ak-Rev is a pretty generic Weequay, I recommend a kit-bash, and a Battle Pack (or two if you throw in the dancers – preferably with bending knees) that would give noobs the whole band in one shot. What kid doesn’t want an alien band and its skanky dancers who are enslaved by a psychotic slugmonster? (Skanky dancers enslaved by a slugmonster? Why does Kevin Federline come to mind?)
5. Weequay (Tan Tunic) – No matter how dull a figure is, if it’s in a crucial scene (in this case, the Skiff sequence) we want it. Surely this figure could be cobbled together by “The Team” with minimal fuss.
6. Woof – The Klatoonian with the faux-fun-fur skirt. Oh yes, we want him just because he was in the vintage Kenner line, but he does have a unique fashion sense with that fun fur skirt and the silver helmet thing. Very Gaultier.
7. Barada (Red Pants) – Again, another skiffy that we’d like to see. This one could be a quick repaint of the existing Barada figure. He’s just a variant, more or less, but we want to fill our Skiffs with plenty of Sarlacc chow. He’s also part of the vintage Kenner line-up, so he must be made.
8. Sarlacc – Why not? A rubber puppet sand-textured matte, or re-release the Skiff and pack it in. People LOVE quasi-womblike, vaguely misogynistic monsters. (Some people love them quite literally. We just want one to eat our action figures. Wait! That sounds… ah, forget it.)
9. 2-1A (The Last Translator) – Think of this as a twofer, Hasbro. Give us the tortured 2-1A (with torture rack, no cheaping out here!) from Jabba’s Dungeon, and you can update him to be the 2-1B that puts Vader together from Revenge of the Sith. We’ll take what we can get, really.
10. Yoxgit – He’s the little Ugnaught in red. Kitbash city, babies!
*Hermi Odle and Umpass Stay would be here, but they’re on the qualified rumor list for next year, so let’s not upset Hasbro‘s apple cart.
A totally unreleased Astromech Droid with red detailing can be seen in promotional images for the 1999 Naboo Royal Starship. We’re calling it R2-AP in honour of Adam Pawlus, who lobbied to get collectors two vast Astromech Boxed Sets from Entertainment Earth. Note that this is not the figure that appeared on the box images – this is from art used for the 1999 Toy Fair catalogue.
To kick off the new Galactic Blogger, I’m giving away a stash of goodies from my own, personal Galactic Goodie Bag stash. Simply add a good word or two to the comments section* this week, make sure to include an e-mail address where you can be reached, and you’ll be entered for this week’s prize(s). Goodies will include action figure(s) and posters, and whatever else I might have stashed away for you crazy kids. Nothing is sacred here! (And if this thing takes off, I will hook a brother or two up with stuff from conventions and other goodly gatherings. You’d better know that the Galactic Blogger will be rolling all day during San Diego Comic Con as we receive updates frequently, no constantly, from our crew on the ground.)
The goal of the Galactic Blogger is to impart some information on ya that might not be ‘newsy’, but it’s worthwhile all the same. Sometimes there will be coupons, sometimes deals, sometimes just cool gadgets that we think Star Wars geeks might like. You’ll never know unless you come back again and again.
The Galactic Goodie Bag is always open, and we (the edit/royal we) also reserve the right to pick recipients simply out of the blue, so commenting is good*. (Make sure to include your e-mail address!!!) We welcome any donations from e-tailers who would like a plug or two in the Galactic Blogger.
Hot Topic stores (venture forth if you dare) have four cool belt buckles for us Star Wars geeks. Stormtrooper, Vader, Fett, and the Star Wars logo. They’re pretty rockin’, and they’re $22/per. (Yes, I know some of you still wear your vintage belt buckles, but I’m trying to bring you guys up to speed a little, y’know?) These would look pretty sweet helping to geek out your daily khakis and jeans. (Note: This was not a plug, just some cool stuff.)
Speaking of cool stuff. This is stuff you actually have to keep cool. Check out this Darth Vader and Yoda carved out of over 1,000lbs of BUTTER. This begs two questions. #1. Does Steve Sansweet own these now, since he has everything else? And #2. Does this redefine the whole concept of the term "butterface"?
I wish I had actually seen these in person, and it would almost be worth a trip to Tulsa, OK to see it. Almost.
We (again, we) will try to get Mike Sullenger, Adam Pawlus, or maybe a guest here or there to contribute, but that could require some teeth pulling.
I will cite sources wherever possible. I’m a thief, but an honest thief. If you see something that should be credited to your blog, site, podcast, or crazy notebook of conspiracy theories, just let me know. We’re here to help – promise.
Adam May can be reached via AIM as Adam From GH, and suggestions, tips, tricks, or interesting Star Wars links are always welcomed.
*Fine Print: I have absolutely zero tolerance for "I’m first" posts. They’re automatically disqualified for any Goodie Bagular prizes, and they’ll be removed. May I suggest Mr. Ray’s Wig World? No racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted comments will be tolerated. Oh, and I’m not Q&A’s Adam Pawlus, so direct Q&A questions to him, not me. You wouldn’t like my answers.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:36 am
Comments and gratuities are always welcome! We accept all the major credit cards.
July 5th, 2006 at 8:11 am
Hi,Your Blog is a nice idea. Reading it gives me an idea that you somewhat touched on. Why don’t you dedicate an entire section of your Blog to the kitbashing of needed figures. No, I am not advocating the kitbashing of more core characters, but the obscure one that can be made. Your list included Barada, Weequay and Ishi tib from Jabba’s palace which would all be easy for Hasbro to do. I think attention from the fans, in this area, should be bought to the forefront. Maybe Hasbro may consider your blog when kitbashing. At least our voices can be heard on what we want.There are so many that can be done. Your blog can even suggest to Hasbro how it could be done (what pieces to use, where it needs to be repainted, etc). There group doesn’t pay enough attention to detail when they kitbash. I think it will be well worth it. What do you think?Mark
July 5th, 2006 at 8:16 am
Adam,
As someone who goes through the litany of SW websites every day (well, everyday I`m at work anyway) this being a daily feature would be great! It`s kind of annoying when I go through all the sites so fast due to no news that I`m left with only doing actual work I`m paid to do. Having something new every day (almost) guaranteed would be great. Back on the avoiding work bandwagon baby!!!
Derek
July 5th, 2006 at 8:32 am
This is a great idea and addition to your website. It is a refreshing way of catching up on what’s new in the vast world of Star Wars collecting and was very enjoyable to read. The hint with the compressed air is just great. I have been using that method for years now and it works great for me, since I really hate dusting and moving my stuff in order to do so. Thanks and keep up the great work.
July 5th, 2006 at 8:43 am
This was already a great site, that I only happened upon in recent months which I now check out daily (and great to see it updated so frequently!) and now with the addition of this blog I think it will be even sweeter (and I’m not just trying to kiss up, honestly). Will you take suggestions for things to blog on? Or at least questions that could turn into posts? As far as the Jabba’s palace thing, why hasn’t anyone pushed to make that protocol-type droid that appears dead and with his arm raised up in a scrap pile near a door that C-3P0 passes through when he’s ushered out of the torture room. You know the one I mean, humanoid but with a pointy mouth? Not the Death Star Droid, this one’s a bit less insect. I really like the design, looks very Ralph McQuarrie and he also appears in the Sandcrawler in ANH, again I believe as mostly just a torso though this time he is rocking back and forth, and you can catch him walking the streets of Mos Eisley sequence also in ANH (maybe he’s even in other scenes I never noticed). Whaddya think? He’s long overdue in my opinion. And does he have an official name(s)?
July 5th, 2006 at 9:02 am
i get to read the thoughts of adam may everyday! (that rhymes) my birthday wish comes true. heehee. love you man, glad to see you keeping busy and i look forward to reading the new column.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:31 am
How’s it going it man? Its forum member Jodo here, I just wanted to tell ya that the blog was a realy good idea, and I deffintly enjoyed it.
P.S. – Don’t get high off the compressed air.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:45 am
Jodo is right… don’t get high off of the compressed air. Kids are literally dying these days from huffing the stuff.
Hey Mark! I’ve got a few other pots boiling for Blogger right now, but I’ll see what I can do about putting a kitbashing guide together. (Mind you, I’m no master customizer. I’ll have to see what I can come up with.)
Derek! Stephen! Howdy! And Mike, I’m going to try to keep coming up with suggestions to make collecting easier.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:50 am
Adam,
This is great stuff! I really enjoyed the read and think this will be a great addition to the site. Nicely articulated, timely and pertinent info and fun! I look forward to putting this on my daily reading list. Keep up the great work, gald you back here. And yes, it’s me.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Thank you for opening your blog with my favorite line from one of my most favorite movies ever!
Looking forward to reading more from you.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:53 am
Hey, I love the blog idea. I enjoy reading little tid bits that don’t always have to do with the latest release of new toys (don’t get me wrong. I keep up on the as well). Can I make a suggestion? I just recently got started on the Star Wars collecting train. I’ve noticed in a lot of articles abbreviations that I don’t always recognize. I know what AHN, ESB, ROTJ, OTC, VOTC, and a few others are but there are still a number of abbreviations I don’t recognize. For instance KOTR. In one of your blogs do you thin you could list as many of these abbreviations for those of us who are late to the collecting game? Just a thought.
July 5th, 2006 at 10:07 am
Robert — The droid you are referring to is CZ-3. Technically there are two droids of this type, and there’s some EU explanation for why he’s seen destroyed and then walking around Jabba’s Palace later on. Here’s the Wookieepedia link for him: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/CZ-3
I’ve nagged for him for a couple of years now, but that’s because he’s such a cool looking droid. Then again, I’ll nag for Team Jabba any day. (I love the Cantina, but Jabba is the deal.) Who knows what the future holds, right?
Michael, that’s a good idea… KOTOR is Knights of the Old Republic, and there are a billion other abbreviations out there. I’ll try to wrangle a list together, Wookieepedia could probably be the best place to start: http://starwars.wikia.com
July 5th, 2006 at 10:17 am
How about including the wookiepedia or starwars databank link for characters mentioned in the articles, especially slightly more obscure ones (such as some of them mentioned in your Top 10 Jabba List? I liked seeing the photos in the blog, but understand its just not easy to edit/upload all over the place.
July 5th, 2006 at 10:26 am
Adam,
This inagural edition of the Galactic Blogger is a much needed addition to a day and to the site. You have an amazing ability to add news, opinions and humor into a topic that can at times be very frustrating and (when there is no news to report) disappointing. I look forward to many more posts from you and hope that you will keep the format here…as It has surely made me smile. After all happiness is indeed what should be received from collecting!!! Keep up the great work and wit!!!!!
July 5th, 2006 at 10:41 am
Love the Jabba suggestions. I was doing a tally of all the different characters immortalized in plastic from the Original Trilogy this last week during the holiday and if you add up all the characters in the Cantaina and Jabba’s palance I think they are more than 50% of all original trilogy line. Heck I need to display all my Jabba characters just so I can get more room in my storage trays!Will we get to see your plastic surgeon’s work in a future blog post?Keep up the good enuendos!
July 5th, 2006 at 10:52 am
Plastic Surgery means rehab en français. I got a little too friendly with the cannister of airspray.
That’s a joke. There was no cosmetic surgery and no rehab. (And remember kids, Mr. T pities the fool who uses, uh, airspray inappropriately.)
OK, I added links to the names in the Top 10, and I’ll try to do that from now on — unless I’m lazy and/or forgetful. It happens, right? Great suggest there. I also added the butter thing because it’s freakin’ sick, and we all need some of that in our lives.
July 5th, 2006 at 11:23 am
Neat blog, keep it up.
I like the idea of making that red astromech and naming it R2 AP, after the "other" Adam. Any idea how many fans can say that they have actually gotten figures made?
July 5th, 2006 at 11:28 am
Great idea with the blogger, it looks to be quite interesting. I enjoy the daily Figure of the Day, and now I have this to read too. Thanks, and keep up the good work.
July 5th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Great Job!! I really like this idea of a blog. I also like what I would refer to as the "Tips and Tricks" section (Compressed Air). It would be nice to hear any ideas on how to manage a collection, like using can air to keep things tidy. If we could get other tips from time to time that would be great. I am always looking for ways to keep things in order and doing it the cheapest way possible.
Keep up the good work and look forward to the next installment.
July 5th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Ok, you totally wrote that on espresso. Don’t deny it. Makes it a fun read. It will be a great addition to AP’s new (sort of) figure of the day. I enjoyed the kitbashing bit and the props to AP. I don’t enjoy having to explain the term "rack" to my kid. All-inall a lot of cool a different stuff. Hope you will be able to handle the traffic on the site, b/c I am sure it will be a hit! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
July 5th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
Wow between AP’s Figure of the Day and your Galactic Blogger I finally have something to pass the time between Q & A’s! GH keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait to see how this Blog evolves over time. ps. I know it doesn’t have the chrome dome but don’t we already have "R2-AP" in the form of R2-M5 from the EE Exclusive Droid 4 pack?
July 5th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Excellent new feature ‘New’ Adam. Liked the little nugget about the R2-AP. Keep fighting the good fight amigo!
July 5th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
Hey, Jodo again…For another article, or "sub"-articles, you could start compliling a list of character pictures,names, and discription as seen in each sceene, such as the Cantina, Jabba’s palace, the Senate, the jedi Temple,etc….Just a thought….
July 5th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Won’t somebody PLEASE think of the CHILDREN!?!
- Helen Lovejoy, The Simpsons
Topher, sorry about the kid-unfriendly thing. Uh… I’ll put a PG-13 rating on all future ramblings. I was thinking about the 9-to-5 crowd, not the little ones. Please don’t let your children read blogs (ANY BLOG – THEY’RE FILTHY!) and keep ‘em away from airspray. (You didn’t have to explain what a space hooker is?)
Kevin, there will be lots of tips’n'tricks, at least until I run completely out, and Hunter’s Helper is my project to pass on little hunting tricks that I’ve learned. (If you have a friend who is a woman with a killer rack, it helps to take her with you, as said rack renders Target stockboys powerless. I know some guys with killer racks, too, but they work not-so-good.)
July 5th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Love the idea of the blog and Figure of the Day. I’m always amazed at how much I learn about the SW collecting universe thanks to sites like GH and the dedicated folks who run it.
I want Sarlacc as much as the next guy, but Hasbro’s replies in their Q&A seems to depressingly nix that idea (the Ultra line would’ve been ideal for them to give it to us as a mini-playset). That said, I think eventually the big H will come around to the idea of the "build a figure" gimmick in order to give us a Sarlacc. What we NEED to do is to figure out how to convince them to stop giving us the useless junk such as coins, freeze frame slides, mini-holograms (a good idea actually but not when they put the holos in ACTION POSES!!!!), and ughhhh, commtech chips. Only once we find a way to get them to drop these wasted add-ons and give us something truly of value to every collector and I suspect, to kids as well, will they hopefully move towards a build-a-Sarlacc.
Maybe this blog can help investigate what the mentality is at Hasbro where they seem to think dumb gimmicks with no "play" value are good ideas.
July 5th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Great blog. I am lopking forward to reading this everyday if it happens. Hopefully we can get updates on figures to come as well in the future.
July 5th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Adam – great start! Look forward to reading it daily. A couple of suggestions:
1. Layout – seems crowded with the new logos & such. It be great if it was simpler and easier on the eyes.
2. Compressed air – be careful. the moisture can do damage to some collectibles.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
I’m picturing a large DEATH STAR made out of toast.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:24 pm
This is great. I will add this to the list of places I check daily. Great information on some stuff we don’t see on other sites. I’m all for reading something different… like butter vader! I’m especially looking forward to Hunter’s Helper. I’d love to see more on caring for your figures like the compressed air idea. It just seems that for every method someone uses to clean or store their figures, someone comes up with 5 reason they should not use the suggested method. So many theories and I hope that this section will help clear things up for me. Can’t wait to read more!
July 5th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Adam2: I’m lovin’ the blog. Keep it up. Who knew about R2-AP? I certainly didn’t. I would love to see that droid see the light of day. More stuff from Jabba’s doesn’t rate too high with me, but who wouldn’t love the musical stylings of Max Rebo’s Weequay?
July 5th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
Gotta love the Galactic Blogger! Your off to a great start. I look forward to much nuttiness!
July 5th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Great new feature & I like the article. I’m a first-time blogger, long time GH reader. Can’t wait for coverage to start on SD Comic Con.
2 questions: Any news on the Amazon TRU orders still pending? Any chance of TRU honoring the original orders? I want my gunship & hunt for grievious!
Thanks Adam.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
I like the idea of compressed air….and never knew abt those Target feedback channel til now. V educational IMO
July 5th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Adam: great blog, very well written, informative and humorous too! I too will look forward to coming to GH everyday to read something new. I especially liked the R2-AP droid; I never looked that closely to the box of my Royal Starship to notice the missing droid. Cool items like this will make this a great blog. Is your blog going to just be about Hasbro/Kenner, or can we expect you to touch on other brands too, like my other fave, Lego? Keep up the good work!
July 5th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
Hey Darth Omen! To be honest, I’m not sure that I could even come close to touching the LEGO genius over at Bricks To Bothans. They’re seriously devoted brickfolk. I plan on covering as much ground as I can – I love Gentle Giant, Sideshow, Master Replicas, Code 3… and, of course, Hasbro. (Did I miss anyone? I love ‘em all.)
July 5th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
……..Hey Commander…….
And you are going to do this EVERY day???????
Good to see you back in action!
July 5th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Deron, I’m going to do my bestest — Monday through Friday. (Then again, not every blog gets updated every day.) I’m sure some days will be slimmer than others.
July 5th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
The info about "R2-AP" was pretty neat, I never saw pictures of that figure before. I was thinking that he was the one issued with the Royal Starship, unti I saw R2-D1. I’m kind of surprised that he was never put on a card and sold separately. Maybe "R2-AP" can be sold in a pack with some redecorated R5-D4s.
July 6th, 2006 at 2:23 am
This column is a nice addition to GH’s op/ed, like Figure of the Day, which I’m also loving. I’ll be trying to read this daily now too.
I need compressed air, and that was a nice reminder. Usually, I don’t think of using them for action figures.
The Jabba’s palace list was cool, but some of them are more on the boring side. Personally, my favorite is 2-1A. Getting a Sarlaac, Ak Rev, and BG droid would be cool too.