Wrapping Up Toy Fair 2019

Let's just take a look at the BIG things from the past two Toy Fairs for a second:

• The Sail Barge
  
• All new Yak Face (Saelt Marae)
  
• All new Klaatu (Skiff Guard) *
  
• All new Tatooine Skiff
  
• The never before made Vedain figure

* The Klaatu (Skiff Guard) wasn't technically revealed at Toy Fair, but close enough.


YUP! It's honestly like Bantha Skull pulled a Ratatouille on Hasbro. Almost. If a Bob Hudsol figure was announced then maybe we'd have to wonder if we had hair-pulling-mind-control abilities. Since that has not happened, we'll call it a happy coincidence. Suffice it to say, we're pretty happy right now. For me personally, if the line ended tomorrow, those five things would make me a pretty contented collector. Since the line is not ending tomorrow, more...MORE...MORE OF THIS AWESOMENESS. Seriously, this is why those of us who have 40 years in this game are still in this game.

So lets move on to the other non-filthy-Sixer news.

The Hyper Real Darth Vader: Look, we all know everyone gets their rear ends on their shoulders whenever Hasbro starts scale-engineering, but this really is something different. The stainless steel endoskeleton injection molded into a pliable plastic body is really remarkable. In a Toy Fair first, that attendees were actually invited to pick up the floor sample and engage the articulation to really appreciate how impressive this item is. This is not intended to be a world-building depth line. It was explained that the line will feature one or two figures per year, and only the most iconic characters. This is exactly what a super premium line should be. It will allow a way to honor your favorite characters without breaking the bank.

The Retro Collection: Personally, this isn't my bag. I don't get the concept of intentionally producing an inferior product. To me it's like making a black and white flat screen TV (Mr. Nomadscout helped me workshop that analogy). New "retro" things should be a best of both worlds situation. You take the best of the vintage era styling cues and meld it with the best of modern technology. You know, like the Vintage Collection. When I previously wrote about this concept, I mentioned the current muscle car renaissance. The cars take the styling cues from the late 60's and early 70's, but meld them with the best of modern automotive technologies. Those don't intentionally incorporate all the terrible aspects of cars from that era. Fortunately for Hasbro, I appear to be an army of one on this (much like my support for the current NFL overtime rules). The response has been overwhelmingly positive thus far, so color me out of touch. Having said that...the Grand Moff Tarkin is pretty neat. It's probably the most glaring omission from the vintage Kenner lineup. I may have clapped when it was revealed, but I'll never admit that. [Editor's note: He clapped].

Filthy Sixer News: Those retro Episode I cards are pretty cool.

Finally, I really hope Hasbro posts a video of the Toy Fair presentation intro online. IT. WAS. EPIC. Until then, this will have to suffice:

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