When Cute Becomes Dangerous: the Star Wars collector community is afflicted

In 1999 or thereabouts, another corporation made its move to ensnare its helpless consumers with another ploy to exploit their weaknesses. This time, the victims were "us."

And here came the Star Wars Buddies: the first run for little plus Beanie-Baby type Star Wars characters including Chewie, Wicket, Salacious Crumb, a Jawa, R2D2 and C-3PO, Watto, JarJar, the Wampa and whatever else you could possibly make "cute" out of the Star Wars universe. And we were suckers for it! (fess up if you collected the Star Wars buddies :rolleyes: - I did. They're cute!)

But in 2002 Hasbro attacked again. Their Playskool Brand released the beginnings of what would later become the Galactic Heroes action figure and accessory line:

An N-1 Fighter, Darth Maul, Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Battle Droid, and Anakin Skywalker

with subsequent sets making not only Darth Maul "cute," but Chewbacca who is irresistable to most Star Wars fans, and a Millennium Falcon for him to fly in - complete with an interior with as many features as the mainline Falcon counterpart!

2003 saw the release of the Clone Wars Animated Figures - cartoon versiosn of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Durge, Asajj Ventress, Count Dooku, Clones - and more on the way! Worse yet, there's more coming and the cartoon show became a must-have on DVD (soon to be released).

Now in 2004 get set for the JediForce :crazed: Again, Chewbacca is the most dangerous - one look and you'll have to have him! But they make even Darth Vader look cute, plus there's Luke X-wing and R2D2 and C-3PO for $6.99 each. When will it stop?

In the event it doesn't, are handpuppets next? Too late - a JarJar Binks one that burbs and farts was released in 1999 and when you stick a plush chubba in his mouth, he slurps and finally shuts up. Sad thing is, that while I didn't buy this, I think I might wish I had.

The Truth is - it started in 1983 with cute plush Ewoks, Ewok TV movies that are now DVD hits, and a cartoon show that spawned its own line of figures for Ewoks and Droids that we were all suckers for way back when.

So who here collects:

Star Wars Buddies?

Galactic Heroes ships and figures?

Clone Wars Animated Figures?

JediForce figures and vehicles?

Fess up, suckers! I guess I'm one of you! :rolleyes:

lol You are damn right! Every ime we get one of those figures, we immediately go to the sotre and buy 'em. I think that we are "seducted" by the dark side of the market. What will come next...a Master Yoda that needs to be feed? Or a "TamaChewie"?

None of the above, thanks.

Star Wars Buddies - I got the complete TPM set through QVC, wish I had gotten around to the OTC ones. Still might, though.

Galactic Heroes ships and figures - No, there's too many, and if I started I'm afriad I couldn't stop.

Clone Wars Animated Figures - Yes, but I think these are cooler than they are cute.

JediForce figures and vehicles - I personally hate the design of the figures, I won't get any.

I bet next we'll get SW Cabbage Patch Dolls. :eek: :crazed:

Dang it! SW Cabbage Patch Dolls I'd buy:

Han
Luke
Leia (with buns)
Chewie
Yoda
..........man - stop with the cute ideas! [Hasbro: DO NOT READ THIS THREAD!]

Seriously though: wouldn't a Gamorrean Cabbage Patch Kid be the bomb of cuteness?

I just know I'd crack and buy it. Hope plush Ewoks don't make a comeback....

Star Wars Buddies?-Just Chewie,he was so cute looking!

Galactic Heroes ships and figures?-I plan just to pick up the Darth Vader and Obi-Wan,just because I'm a fan of both characters.

Clone Wars Animated Figures?-I'm with JabbaJohn,the Animated fgures are pretty cool looking in design then cute.Especially those clones!

JediForce figures and vehicles?-I probably wont,look more deformed than cute.

Um, yeah, I get 'em all. If not for me, then for the kids. There's something about the unrealistic-ness of these lines which make them more playable and fun. There's this bizarre thing in my head which distinguishes the normal lines of figures as being "collectables" while the other things are meant to be played with.

I got one SW Buddy for Sweetrain, brecause she loves Wicket. I do have some of the GH/Playskool line, becuase I liked the figures, but I am able to pass up what doesnt interest me in them. I do want that Vader Wrestling Buddy though.

I buy all the animated Clone Wars figures; it's a great line.

I also have all the PlaySkool figure/vehicle sets.

So far the only Galactic Heroes packs I bought is the Bounty Hunter wave. GH is pegwarming here so I'll wait to grab more on clearance if at all.

JediForce figures/vehicles have only hit stores here in the last week or so. I'll wait to get these on clearance if at all.

I do have some of the original Buddies but received them as gifts. I would not have bought them myself.

Galactic Heros - I bought a few (Millenium Falcon and X-Wing, but no new ones...yet). They'll be cool to force onto...err, I mean give to my kids to play with someday.

Star Wars Buddies - Neat, but not my cup of tea.

Clone Wars Animated Figures - Awesome, but too expensive.

JediForce figures and vehicles - I've yet to see any of them, but I may pick up a few...ummm...you know, for the kids...that I don't yet have...