GG 12-inch Vintage Stormtrooper

[Darth Waller]

Michael Crawford posted some great pictures of these figures!

https://www.mwctoys.com/sdcc2010/sdcc2010_gg_misc_bottom.htm

 

[Shropt]

That Olivia Munn bust as Leia is hot!

 

[the angry orc]

dang, they look great. especially greedo!

 

[Matt S]

The 12 inch reproductions do look great. If these were $50 or so, I'd go for em.....$70 plus is just way too much for what they are

I've really been wondering about these.....did they have to sub the license out from Hasbro as they own all the Kenner stuff? How can they reproduce another companies work unless legal authorization from Hasbro?

 

[galactiboy]

I think for better or worse, the mold lines are part of the look of the vintage figures and probably won't be removed.

I have no problem with the mold lines being present... but the looked a bit overporonounced compared to the actual figures. I actually would prefer the mold lines, just seemed like they overdid them.

So anyone know how these were made? Are they a product of digital scanning and up sizing, or were they hand sculpted? The reason I ask is that I could see the mold lines being more or less pronounced depending on the figure chosen if scanning was used.

 

[Darth Waller]

So anyone know how these were made? Are they a product of digital scanning and up sizing, or were they hand sculpted? The reason I ask is that I could see the mold lines being more or less pronounced depending on the figure chosen if scanning was used.

There was a picture in the Toy Fare magazine that showed someone sculpting the Tusken Raider.

 

[galactiboy]

Wow, that's actually more impressive... I can't imagine trying to accurately upscale figures like this

I will definitely buy Vader; past that I'm not sure. I'd almost love to be a completist, but space is a premium and I'm already working on a complete set of the original figs.

 

[Darth Waller]

Wow, that's actually more impressive... I can't imagine trying to accurately upscale figures like this

Here's the scan I found online.

And to get an idea of the size in their packaging.

Any PG members, please help a fellow Freak out in case GG doesn't return my email.

 

[galactiboy]

Damn... that's gigantic

 

[barryo]

i thought gentle giants approach was to use the scanner up to a certain point and then the sculptors take over at a certain stage to give the fine detailing and tweaks. either way its kind of a cool concept. like mentioned before i wish the prices were a bit lower. but i can see me picking up a few.

 

[Khev]

Anyone know the current status of the Stormtrooper at SDCC? Did they quickly sell out or are there still some available?

 

[Matt S]

They may take a scan, have one up blown up, then have a sculptor go over the fine details

Is it just me, or does that stormie have slightly yellowish arms compared to the body....ok, thats too close to the vintage for comfort

 

[Shropt]

They may take a scan, have one up blown up, then have a sculptor go over the fine details

Is it just me, or does that stormie have slightly yellowish arms compared to the body....ok, thats too close to the vintage for comfort

Maybe they were copying the hard-body vintage figure?

 

[galactiboy]

Maybe they were copying the hard-body vintage figure?

It could be intentional... look at Walrusman's mouth. There is just the hint of bleed through between the lighter and darker color; just like the vintage figure.

 

[Red Metal]

I've really been wondering about these.....did they have to sub the license out from Hasbro as they own all the Kenner stuff? How can they reproduce another companies work unless legal authorization from Hasbro?

I think there is some deal that Hasbro and GG made. Since these are different than the original vintage figures, Hasbro probably didn't have a problem with GG coping them. Now if GG made these as 4" figures and wanted to sell them in the $20 price range, Hasbro probably would have not agreed.

As it is, I'm betting there's a reason why GG choose this size. I'm betting maybe in the next few years Hasbro will try to release a 4" vintage re-issue; maybe somehow that was part of the deal. Hasbro has had alot of success re-issuing the vintage Transformers from the '80s, so I could easily see this happening.

 

[icruise]

The 12 inch reproductions do look great. If these were $50 or so, I'd go for em.....$70 plus is just way too much for what they are

I'm interested to see how much they actual end up selling at, at their cheapest. As you probably know, a lot of GG stuff goes on clearance and can be had cheaply, but not everything of course (not the exclusives in particular).

As it is, I'm betting there's a reason why GG choose this size. I'm betting maybe in the next few years Hasbro will try to release a 4" vintage re-issue; maybe somehow that was part of the deal. Hasbro has had alot of success re-issuing the vintage Transformers from the '80s, so I could easily see this happening.

I think there would be a revolt amongst vintage collectors if they did that (although I'm not entirely sure that Hasbro would care). I believe the only time they've actually rereleased vintage SW figures is with a 4-pack in 1995. Personally I don't think it's that big a deal as long as they are clearly marked as reproductions (and/or otherwise have subtle differences that allow them to be distinguished from the real thing). But vintage collectors would be no doubt still be concerned about the market getting swamped with lookalikes. And to be frank, I think they don't like the idea of everybody being able to buy these figures cheaply -- there's a certain sense of exclusivity in the hobby.

Hasbro has said in the past that they're not interested in releasing a new line of vintage-styled figures (new molds in the vintage style) but I'm not sure if they've commented on straight rereleases.

 

[Deak Starkiller]

Anyone know the current status of the Stormtrooper at SDCC? Did they quickly sell out or are there still some available?

My understanding is that they were still available yesterday.

 

[thenammagazine]

Hasbro has said in the past that they're not interested in releasing a new line of vintage-styled figures (new molds in the vintage style) but I'm not sure if they've commented on straight rereleases.

How much say would they actually have though if LFL wants them rereleased?

 

[niennumb1]

I would totally buy commemorative re-releases (a la TMNT vintage) Star Wars vintage 3 3/4" figures for $15-$20 a piece if they did that.

12" is a bit too huge for how little detail they are. Greedo and Sandperson is probably the coolest of the bunch if I had to choose. 12" of these sitting around the house would really look odd next to the great 1/6 and sculptures from SSC... or any statue for that matter.

 

[devilof76]

I don't think they're meant to be displayed amongst other 12". They'll look best in their packaging, hanging on a wall or something. Unless people plan on playing with them, in which case, what does displayability matter?