3.75" Collecting Thread

[TaliBane]

Does anyone have an explanation as to why the bubbles are so huge on the new VOTC figs? Kind of ruins the "faux-vintage" illusion when the bubble is 50% bigger for no apparent reason.

I was also interested in the Snoke, but the way they've incorporated the newer film logos into the classic SW frame is really pretty amateurish or at least rushed. You'd think with both ESB and ROTJ merch logos as precedents they'd have found a way to get those various titles into a convincing vintage-looking arrangement.

 

[Tee-Kay]

My best guess is that Hasbro are planning to release larger figures or figures with large accessories in the next waves. It might be cheaper to manufacture only one (larger) format bubble instead of multiple formats to accommodate each release.

 

[TaliBane]

My best guess is that Hasbro are planning to release larger figures or figures with large accessories in the next waves. It might be cheaper to manufacture only one (larger) format bubble instead of multiple formats to accommodate each release.

Not like we're paying a premium for the vintage style packaging, so glad they're saving a few bucks by doing that.

And it's not like Kenner back in the day splurged for unique bubbles for larger/smaller figures like Power Droid, R2 or Gamorrean Guard. Oh, that's right... they did (in fact I believe a LOT were unique size/shape.)

 

[Khev]

Yes I don't love the huge bubbles (which really stick out for smaller figures like Jyn) but was willing to turn a blind eye to them. But bubbles that are visibly separated to the naked eye from even several feet away are deal breakers for me.

 

[TaliBane]

Great article at Jedibusiness about this very issue (though yeah, I just bought Jyn, Snoke and Hoth Rebel anyway)...

https://jedibusiness.com/NewsDetails?id=8814

Some issues they point out (oversize bubbles, tape on bubble and punch issue):

 

[Captain Clown]

Oh wow. I never paid any attention to the oversized bubbles, but after seeing that comparison they look atrocious. They really didn't care with making the packaging consistent - which is ironic given the main draw of TVC is the vintage-style cardbacks.

 

[TurdFurgusonsHat]

Have to agree that terrible glue, scotch tape, and oversized bubbles are all huge turnoffs for this particular line especially. I would call it more a major issue than a minor annoyance.

 

[punisher1974]

I just picked up all 6 of the new vintage figure wave. I don't like the bigger bubbles but I am a sucker for the line. I think for the 3'3/4 vtc line I am missing around 10 total figures in all. I need to track them down.

 

[Khev]

Hmm when I was picking up some groceries at Target tonight this thread was still fresh in my mind so I decided to head back to the toy aisle and look at the VOTC figures again. To my surprise all 8 of them had their bubbles firmly fixed to the cards. If that's how it's going to be going forward then I'll definitely be down for a good number of these. All they had were Stormies, Rey, and a Snoke with bent corner so I didn't bother to pick up any but I'll be keeping my eye out from now on.

 

[punisher1974]

Mine have the bubbles pretty well attached. No bent corners so I am assuming they were just stocked at my Walmart. Pretty happy with them overall since 12.88 wasn't to high of a price compared to some of the other lines. Really like the card for Jinn and Snoke

 

[Khev]

Really like the card for Jinn and Snoke

Same!

 

[TaliBane]

Mine have the bubbles pretty well attached. No bent corners so I am assuming they were just stocked at my Walmart. Pretty happy with them overall since 12.88 wasn't to high of a price compared to some of the other lines. Really like the card for Jinn and Snoke

Amazing to think 12.88 feels like a good deal - the TVC Hoth Rebel is a figure from 8-10 years ago that was originally sold in a $40 set that included three figures and two substantial 10" tall accessories (the Hoth tower and Hoth radar laser cannon.)

I just picked up all 6 of the new vintage figure wave. I don't like the bigger bubbles but I am a sucker for the line. I think for the 3'3/4 vtc line I am missing around 10 total figures in all. I need to track them down.

 

[Captain Clown]

Finally found the new Force Link Hoth Leia - and for only $1.05, too!



The way they painted her eyes and eyebrows is pretty bad, but in certain lighting conditions it looks to be the best Carrie Fisher likeness Hasbro has done in this scale. I may need to get another to repaint and put on the TVC Hoth Leia body.



They also had the new Force Link Moloch and TLJ Kylo (masked with cape).

EDIT: After opening her, it looks like she's actually 7 POA. Both of her boots are on swivels.

 

[punisher1974]

Amazing to think 12.88 feels like a good deal - the TVC Hoth Rebel is a figure from 8-10 years ago that was originally sold in a $40 set that included three figures and two substantial 10" tall accessories (the Hoth tower and Hoth radar laser cannon.)

It is indeed amazing when just a few years ago the vintage line was expensive at 10 bucks a figure with the protective cases on them in 2004. I miss that from them. I remember they were more expensive than the toybiz marvel legends that I was getting at 7 bucks for a 6 inch figure.

 

[Captain Clown]

And ironically they ended the line because parents complained about the pricing, only to bring it back even more expensive.

 

[TaliBane]

Finally found the new Force Link Hoth Leia - and for only $1.05, too!

View attachment 408507

The way they painted her eyes and eyebrows is pretty bad, but in certain lighting conditions it looks to be the best Carrie Fisher likeness Hasbro has done in this scale. I may need to get another to repaint and put on the TVC Hoth Leia body.

It looks good overall, but I just can't get used to the solid/straight arms and legs, and especially also those old-school "hook hands" (ie no index finger separated out) and the no-trigger-guard/trigger weapon. They have the functionality of the oldest Kenner figs, though obviously with way better sculpts and paint.

I almost wished with these 5-point figs they'd pose them a bit more sculpt-wise like they did in the pre-"super articulated" days. Those pre-2003 figs were obviously very pose specific (though they'd often add a swivel joint here or there to alter the pose slightly) but I kind of perfer that to these straight stiff arms that look weird with weapons raised. The Fett sculpt from the Han/Boba two-pack is the best Fett sculpt ever IMO, but raise those arms to point a weapon and a bit of goofiness starts to seep in. I just keep him like this:

And what a bizarre step to make the Leia Hoth boots swivel - extra tooling costs so the feet can be spun a little to the left or right?

 

[Captain Clown]

Yeah. Apart from the arms, that Boba is perfect; They should’ve sculpted them like the new Force Link Mimban Stormtrooper.



The articulation for this line has been all over the place. Death Maul from the new Force Link set has extra articulation in his arms (which is understandable because of his saber, but in-hand it’s very awkward). Jedi Luke from the throne room three pack and the new Qui-Gonn have swivel hands. Force Link ANH Obi-Wan and PT Yoda have ball jointed arms. The Wampa from the Hoth two pack has TVC level articulation. The list goes on.

Also, I found another Leia at Target today and the paint is actually a lot better on the eyes. I’ll get a picture when I can.

 

[Reefer Shark]

Going to have to pick up one of those Hoth Leia’s for sure. That Boba does have the best scupt out of any 3 3/4” Boba figure imo, but mine wont stand on his own unfortunately.

I would be happy if they put these 5poa figures on the vintage cards instead of the SA ones (and cut the cost accordingly).

The sculpts are usually better due to not having to accomodate for joints. They look the best in the neutral/museum pose, which works out great for most votc collectors since theyre generally kept carded. And the limited articulation and accesories helps more to bring me back to the original vintage figures I knew as a kid.

 

[Captain Clown]

Yeah, Hoth Leia is great. I couldn’t get my Boba to stand without one of my extra NECA stands.

The new cards are ugly. I would’ve preferred if the black and orange 3.74” Black Series returned, with the 5poa figures on classic TFA/RO/TLJ/SOLO cards. I’m fine with how it is though, and the SOLO cards aren’t as bad aesthetically. The art on Hoth Leia’s card is really nice.

 

[TaliBane]

Going to have to pick up one of those Hoth Leia’s for sure. That Boba does have the best scupt out of any 3 3/4” Boba figure imo, but mine wont stand on his own unfortunately.

I would be happy if they put these 5poa figures on the vintage cards instead of the SA ones (and cut the cost accordingly).

The sculpts are usually better due to not having to accomodate for joints. They look the best in the neutral/museum pose, which works out great for most votc collectors since theyre generally kept carded. And the limited articulation and accesories helps more to bring me back to the original vintage figures I knew as a kid.

Great suggestion - you should put that up on one of the JTA or RS Q and A's comments so maybe Hasbro sees it. That's really what they should do given TVC is all about packaging, and it would make the figs more "vintage" in terms of POA anyway.

It's true that some fig sculpts have suffered due to accomodating the extra POA joints - I remember the TVC Weequay Skiff Master and 30th Death Star Troper figs both had bulbous shoulders for the ball joints.

That said, the "slimmed down" look of 5 POA can get a little much - the Han from the recent Han/Boba 2-pack has the build of a teenage boy.

Yeah, Hoth Leia is great. I couldn’t get my Boba to stand without one of my extra NECA stands.

The new cards are ugly. I would’ve preferred if the black and orange 3.74” Black Series returned, with the 5poa figures on classic TFA/RO/TLJ/SOLO cards. I’m fine with how it is though, and the SOLO cards aren’t as bad aesthetically. The art on Hoth Leia’s card is really nice.

Yeah, that Boba has a funny "one foot kicked forward" pose that is a bit tricky to get standing steady. Mine stands on its own but its not the most stable fig.

And that Leia Hoth art is great - they've really upped the game on some of the packaging art lately. And I really like the whole Solo marketing campaign in general, along with the fig packaging.