Jedibear's ranking...
This is tough...like CustomMikey says, they all excel at different aspects, so this list
is more a matter of personal preference...but here goes...
- Darth Maul
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Qui-Gon Jinn
- Luke Skywalker
- Darth Vader Sith Apprentice
- Mace Windu
- Kit Fisto
- Anakin Skywalker
- Han Solo
An overall view...
The Good: We have a company that has great artists who are also huge fans of the license putting out well-crafted figures featuring well done sculpts, quality outfits and accessories, interesting and vibrant packaging and a great relationship with their consumers (who are among the most ardent fans with high expectations).
We've had an interesting (if a little jedi-centric) line of characters this year, and in one interesting turn, the company re-visited a character and offered an improved version of him. They've heard our feedback, they
listen, and when they can, implement changes and improvements. This year ends with new shipping boxes, a figure that raises the bar and the promise of even more exciting releases on the horizon (and hopefully some armored characters)
The Bad: A few missteps with some characters made for some bumps in the road (monkey-armed Luke, Kabuki Ani, Bolero Han)...flimsy shippers left a lot of fans with damaged boxes (which to their credit, Sideshow cheerfully replaced when asked)...a "feast or famine" approach with the release schedule left some fans contemplating a ramen noodle diet, homelessness or buying their figure...no armored or odd-shaped characters released in the first year. Again, to Sideshow's credit, most of these issues were (or are being) dealt with, so the new year looks promising...with Maul truly heralding in a new level of excellence from the superb paint apps and body size to the shippers being improved and the oddest-shaped SW character of all...Jabba the Hutt...on the horizon.
Wrapping the Ranking: I am so thankful to Sideshow for putting the fun back into SW collecting again...and allowing some pride as well. There is certainly no embarrassment in displaying these high-quality figures in your home. My collection displayed at work has never failed to ellicit appreciation from even the most casual observer...all are impressed with the quality they see (Maul has gone over ESPECIALLY well!) Around here, every figure has at the very least generated good (if sometimes, little high-spirited) discussion and stimulated feedback, not to mention exposing us to great artists in this "freak" zone that have wonderfully taken these great figures and expanded upon them either from total makeovers and interpretations to some fun photography to just great enthusiasm through their displays.
It's been a great year....here's to more in 2007!
