Author Archive



Found on Ebay: Ultimate Ultimate Hasbro Falcon

Pete Vilmur | December 2, 2008

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Think Hasbro’s new Millennium Falcon toy was a huge cut above the original 1970’s version? Well, it looks like one enthusiast has upped the stakes and served up a professionally detailed, screen-accurate version of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy by enhancing the toy with some model-weathering know-how.

From the auction description:

This craft has been totally repainted by a professional and is now screen accurate! Lots of time and detail went it to authenticating the Falcon right down to is grill vents. References come from many sources to include Magic of Myth and productions stills. The cockpit is repainted to match up with the screen version and looks awesome! Pictures just don’t do this auction justice! The entrance ramp was repainted to look more like the movie version! Med bay was painted to look more realistic and most of the Falcon was weathered to give it that rustic feel that the ship truly had!

The auction closed without any bidders, but we’ll admit, we were pretty tempted to pick this up for the Online office! Check out the original auction here.

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Did the shoes give me away?

Pete Vilmur | November 5, 2008

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We thought we’d start highlighting some of the cooler Star Wars finds making their way to eBay these days, beginning with this obscure unlicensed toy from Amico in 1978.

This silver stormtrooper toy knock-off apparently came in black, too, sans the shiny red shoes. Maybe the designers were going for a Tin Man/Dorothy/Stormtrooper hybrid? In any case, we’re keeping an eye out for one of these babies…

ILM Halloween Invites Retrospective

Pete Vilmur | October 29, 2008

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Slashfilm.com recently posted a short retrospective of some of the cooler ILM Halloween Party invitations released over the last 10 years, several of which give more than a slight nod to Star Wars. These are often prized by Star Wars collectors for their fun spin on the property and their insider appeal. This year’s “Leia Vamp” may top them all.

And just for kicks, here’s a mock-up design I threw out there a couple years ago that didn’t take — Grievous as Jack Skellington was just too good to pass up. Enjoy…

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Lost McQuarrie Art Revealed at CJ Panel

Pete Vilmur | July 19, 2008

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When John Scoleri, co-author of the recent Art of Ralph McQuarrie book, discovered that a stash of early Star Wars illustrations had been uncovered behind a broken furnace in the artist’s home, he was elated — and frustrated. He and co-author Stan Stice had just sent their Art of Ralph McQuarrie to print — too late to include the new material. Fortunately for us, along came Celebration Japan.

Scoleri and Stice felt the event would be a great opportunity to showcase some of this lost art, and have put together a fantastic convention exclusive that’s sure to have many Star Wars and Mcquarrie fans calling in favors to their Japanese friends.

See more lost McQuarrie artwork after the jump –

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Rare Posters and Premiums Shared at CJ Collecting Panels

Pete Vilmur | July 19, 2008

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One of the rare opportunities offered by the Japanese venue for this year’s Celebration is a chance to hear first hand from expert Japanese collectors about rare items and the often obscure histories associated with them. Most of these collectibles and the stories behind them rarely make their way across the Pacific.

On Saturday, poster collector Hideyuki Takizawa and candy premium collector You Katagiri discussed some little-known facts about some of the extremely rare collectibles produced during the late ’70s and early ’80s in Japan, complete with a Powerpoint presentation showcasing many never-before-seen images.

More after the jump –

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Fan-Made Revenge Comic from 1980

Pete Vilmur | June 17, 2008

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Back in 1980, if you were a kid leaving the theater after just witnessing The Empire Strikes Back’s multitude of unanswered questions – is Vader really Luke’s father? Will Han escape from the carbonite? Did the ice-cream-maker guy escape Cloud City? — then you may have been inspired like artist/illustrator Dave Lowe, who at 14 years old drafted up his own comic version of the saga’s final chapter three years before its release.

It’s not the Revenge, er, Return of the Jedi we know, but it is surprisingly competent – both artistically and narratively – for a 9th grade Star Wars fan in 1980.

Head on over to Dave’s blog for a list of the chapters — don’t scroll down below the list, though, or you’ll spoil the ending!

Star Wars Knock-Offs of the ’70s

Pete Vilmur | June 16, 2008

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Brian Heiler over at toplessrobot.com recently posted a cool article about blatant ‘70s Star Wars rip-off toys – you know, those quasi-Star Wars wannabes that got you teased on the playground when trying to pass off that “S.T.A.R. Team” villain for Darth Vader or the “Star Hawk” for a Y-wing.

Check out the article here.

Growing Up Star Wars

Pete Vilmur | June 6, 2008

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Got some old snapshots of yourself in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s wearing old Star Wars pjs? How about that Wookiee costume you donned at Halloween ’78? Did your mom snap you tearing open that Boba Fett action figure from Christmas ’83?

Well get that old Kodak moment scanned and uploaded to Glen Mullaly’s new Flickr group called “Growing Up Star Wars: 1977-1985” where nearly a couple hundred 30-something fans are already sharing their old faded snapshots from the days of yore.

Now, if only transferring those old super-8 home movies to digital were as painless…

Well This is ‘Something New’

Pete Vilmur | June 2, 2008

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Rebelscum recently updated with a fascinating look back at a little-known Star Wars ad campaign staged for Panasonic back in the late ‘80s, a campaign that endowed Threepio with a butterfly net, Yoda with ear buds, Chewie with daffodils, Ewoks with leafy produce, and the Maker himself with his own wood-cut sea-faring dragon.

A great, thoroughly-researched article that includes posters, TV ads, behind the scenes imagery and more, all of which have rarely been seen here in the US. Head on over to Rebelscum to check it out.

Boba Fett Charity Pin Sale

Pete Vilmur | May 27, 2008

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The Washington DC Metro Area Star Wars Collecting Club (DCSWCC) is proud to announce their third bi-annual charity lapel pin sale.

The 2008 pin features animated Boba Fett with DCSWCC’s signature Washington Monument as his rocket, in honor of the 30th anniversary of his appearance in The Star Wars Holiday Special. Third in DCSWCC’s series of high-quality cloisonné lapel pins, officially sanctioned by Lucasfilm Ltd., each pin is individually stamped and numbered on the back. Only 1000 will ever be made.

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