Lake Charles, LA
Now, it’s time for my collector’s rant. Normally I don’t mind when other collectors gripe about the quality of a figure if they are purchasing high end figures (i.e. Sideshow Collectibles), but reading about all of the whiners griping about the quality of the Saga Legends and Black Series figures is really getting on my nerves.
First and foremost these lines are TOYS. Do I need to put that in bold lettering? Fine. They are TOYS. They are meant to be played with by children (and adults who aren’t afraid to let the figure loose from its plastic casing). I understand that the paint quality and, in some cases, the figure quality is bad, but ultimately these figures are meant to be played with and enjoyed.
The Black Series (at least the six inch line) is geared more towards adult collectors, but children still want to play with them. My son looks at my Darth Maul, Luke Skywalker, and Han Solo figures and you can literally see the restraint in his cute little face. He wants to play with them soooooo badly but knows that daddy got them strictly to display. I buy him Black Series figures as well, and let him do whatever he wants with them. He loves to play with his figures, as any normal kid wants to do.
The Saga Legends line has problems of its own, but not once have I heard my son or any other child gripe about the lack of articulation. He just goes along playing with them as if nothing is “wrong” with the figures.
That’s what is so irritating about being a collector. I go to the store and see other guys my age or older (and a few younger ones as well) digging through figures and when they find one they want, they grab it and study it closely. If there’s just the slightest blemish on the figure, they get all bent out of shape and toss the figure back on the peg. I’ve seen people pass up Boba Fett figures because there’s a slight chip in his paint job. Guess what? I bought that figure and gave it to my son. He loves it, and so do I. All that these “adult” collectors do is demand better figures from Hasbro as if Hasbro only makes figures for adults. Then when Hasbro does crank out something that is high end, these same collectors gripe about the price. It’s a vicious and never-ending circle.
All that I have to say to these types of collectors is, “Grow up!” I don’t know about all of them, but I collect figures because I love Star Wars. It brings me joy and happiness. I watch the films with my kids and it makes them happy as well. Star Wars is supposed to be FUN! Don’t ruin for everyone else. Try to think back to the time when you were a kid wanting to buy and play with figures from the movies. Put yourself in those old shoes and remember the fun that was had by you and your friends.
Smile, Star Wars fanboys! Be happy that your franchise is back on top and, most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!!!
Sorry about the rant, gang, but I had to get this off of my chest.
As always, thanks for reading, and may the Force be with you!
Ken's Alternate Universe! 