Did The Vintage Collection TIE Fighter Kill The Vehicle Line?

Solo, through no fault of its own, was the low point of Star Wars. Without rehashing the dark times, everything bottomed out. It was the worst performing Star Wars movie in history, and the supporting merchandise was dead on arrival (if it arrived at all). Again, this was not Solo's fault. At the risk of picking a scab, The Last Jedi cast a pall over the community. The effect lasted until The Mandalorian. This isn't my opinion. Those whose livelihoods depends on it, have compartmentalized Disney-era Star Wars as "pre-Mandalorian" and "post-Mandalorian" (with Rogue One being OT adjacent). Back on point, Solo had to do the pushups for The Last Jedi's Private Pyle donut.

But life isn't fair. Many a manager have lost their jobs over bad decision hand grenades from their predecessors. The product enthusiasm lull carried over into the Solo line and Vintage Collection. Had it not, the consumer revolt could have been isolated to strictly Episode VIII. I often said that those protesting TLJ by boycotting Solo were unintentionally sending a mixed message. Where this all came to a head for me is with the Vintage Collection TIE Fighter. "Big Wing" TIE Fighters were selling for over three figures on the secondary market at the time. TIEs were prominent in new media. Yet...it went largely ignored. Not only did most of the run hit clearance, it hit deep clearance at over 75% off.

I have to wonder if this is the specific product that killed the vehicle line, as least in terms of new tooling. Yes, both Poe's X-Wing and the Imperial Troop Transport post-dated the TIE Fighter, but those gears were likely already in motion. This TIE Fighter seemed to check all the right boxes, yet it bombed incredibly hard. Another vehicle is coming up that also seems like a "no brainer.” Let's hope Antoc Merrick's X-Wing steers well clear of the clearance aisle, but being a Target exclusive, I'm not optimistic.

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