CC @ Hasbro Toy Fair 2008!!!
Posted by: BRADP 11.08.08 12:01am

Well, being as no other contributor wanted to hike up to New York City today, I accepted the invitation from Mr. Cable. After a nice straight as an arrow drive to the Big Apple, I took a brisk walk to the Times Center. There I was part of a media bonanza with Hasbro. I watched eagerly as they showed slides of the great upcoming toys for Iron Man, Hulk, Marvel Legends, GI JOE and Transformers. Oh, and they did a bit on Star Wars.

Apparently we are getting more Star Wars figures from the 6 movies and some new figures from the Clone Wars movie and TV show. The new Legacy figures are based off the 6 movies and will be on shelves 7/26. Next were the Clone Wars animated figures. They will be in the animated style of the show, with high articulation. There will be 23 figures in ’08. Figures like, Obi wan Kenobi, Anakin, Yoda and Grievous. The ships that have been produced so far will be in the same style. Most if not all figures will have snap on accessories that will be interchangeable. Most of us have already scene the ads for the Commander Rex figure. He will have unique art deco, on a basic card and can be had for 4 proofs of purchase and shipping and handling. He will have a removable helmet and fold out diorama. This clean version will be mail away only.

We will see several new ships, the v-19 clone shuttle, from the original animated series, it looks pretty cool, as well as a spider droid. I did get to see the AT-TE in person and man, when they say big…they mean big. The box seemed to be as big as the POTF2 AT-AT box. It holds about 20 figures, lights up, has voice clips and has many moving turrets and doors. I saw the open cockpit, side doors that open for troops and the back opens up with slow spring action to hold another dozen or so troops. For you Army builders out there, you will be VERY happy.

The Legacy collection will have 30 basic figures to start. It includes a build a droid. Each wave will give you the opportunity to build a new droid. Waves with 6 figures let you build a protocol droid, waves with 8 figures let you build an astromech. They will have universal connectors so you can mix and match pieces to create new and unique droids. There will be 6 2 packs that will be Walmart exclusives and will let you build the C3PX protocol droid.

Coming 7/26 we will see figures from deleted scenes. The first one will be from ROTJ and the deleted desert scene, when our heroes head back to the Falcon. It will include Han, Luke, Chewie as well as an ewok with baby. Other figures coming are Gargan, the 6 breasted woman, Ak Rev, the other half of the Gong, Bane Maler, Vader with removable 3 piece helmet. These figures will let you build R4-D6 and R7-Z0.

Wave 2 will show up in August, and will include the original Clone Wars Figures. Obi in General gear, Clone Scuba trooper, Sae See Tiin, IG lancer droid, a Quarren, a Mon Cal, and a clone trooper with quad cannon.

These will build an R7 and R4 droid. Comic packs are still coming out, 15 new ones are expected. Some of the Issues are Republic 69, with Asaaj and Tol Skor, Obsession 3 with Durge and Anakin, Legacy 2 with Cade Skywalker and Darth Talon. Some Mandalorians will also be represented…Fenn Shysha and Tobbi Dala in 2 different packs. Evolutions will also remain in play with the evolution of Rebel Pilots, with new sculpts, and Padme from all 3 Prequel movies.

More galactic Heroes will be available as well as everyones favorite Gungan…Jar Jar Binks.. GH Ships are also making a comeback with a jedi starfighter and Vaders Tie Fighter. Some new beasts will be seen as well, a Rancor and a Dewback will have some play time.

Mighty Muggs will be continuing for a total of 25. the next set will be ANH Leia, Jango, Lando, Commander Cody which will be available in May. We will also see Yoda, Darth Sidious, Bespin Luke with removable hand and General Grievious.

Roleplaying will be appealing this year. There is a new voice changing AOTC clone helmet and a new and improved build a lightsaber set. Also seen were Titaniums, Unleashed Battle Packs and more Transformers for the SW line.

2008 will have many store exclusives. Walmart with have a reissue of the GH Millenium Falcon and figures. Target will have GH cinema scenes like the earlier cantina set for Mustafar and speeder bike chase. A new canon ship, Aayla Secura will have her own starfighter in March. Even though the Force Unleashed game has been pushed back, we will see the release of the figure packs. The neatest I think is a retooled Rancor and Felucian rider. The paint was cool and up close it is a really neat set.

Order 66 packs are coming back with new unmade jedi. 6 new sets are expected. Dark Horse is still around with exclusives. The comic 2 packs at WM will be Lando and a Stormtrooper and Wookiee and Kashyyk trooper. Walmart will also have an Awing exclusive.

Other exclusives will be an SDCC 3 and ¾ ESB vader with base and a holo emperor as well as a Mighty Mugg Commander Gree with shiny visor.

This was an interesting trip. I saw other lines as well and most seem to be taking the lead from the SW line. Other lines will have Mighty Muggs, and Indiana Jones who will have a Moloram with a heart, and Marvel super heroes. Interestingly, the new figures coming out will be mostly 6 inches for other lines. The new Iron Man figures will be 6” and you can build a whole set of all the different Iron Man Armors. Even though other lines are becoming more collectible..Star Wars is still the most interesting.