Posted by Paul | February 14, 2009 at 03:22 PM ET
The
Diamond Select showroom at Toy Fair 2009 was a sight to behold. The big
news this year is the aggressive continuation of the Ultimate Quarter Scale (UQS)
line of figures. While the verdict out on these is somewhat inconsistent
with collectors, the products shown are incredibly stunning and sure to invigorate
interest in the line. Click
through to read about all about it!
Diamond Select has taken extreme care and caution to perfect this line. Great improvements have been made to the sculpts and paint applications, the accessories are more authentic, and the choices for characters are becoming more exciting!
The biggest news is that we will soon be treated to a Han Solo (Episode IV), Darth Vader (Episode V), Darth Sidious (Revenge Of The Sith – crimson robes) and Emperor’s Royal Guard. These four are in the prototype stage, and Diamond was not allowing photography. But be prepared, they are stunning and will be necessary additons to your Ultimate Quarter Scale collection. The only approximate relase date available was for the Han Solo figure, and it looks to be available some time in June 2010. Another nice perk is that Diamond Select will not be commanding more money for the Ultimate Quarter Scale Darth Vader. It was also explained that although a new body will not be cast for the figure, he will be indeed be taller as lifts in the boots will be added as well as additional height in the helmet.
Many collectors have commented about the poor likeness of the human characters. It is evident that Diamond Select has heard these whispers and have taken great strides and have improved them significantly. The finished productions are beautiful! They have also tailored the costumes expertly and have provided a product that will surely compete with the high-end Sideshow Collectibles ¼ scale line.
Right now, the approximate release schedule is:
Han Solo (In Hoth Gear) (Episode V) – FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode IV) – FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009
(These two figures are shipping together.)
Mace Windu – APRIL 2009
Anakin Skywalker (Episode III) – MAY 2009
Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) – JUNE 2009
Emperor Palpatine (Episode VI) – JULY 2009
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode III) – AUGUST 2009
Han Solo (Episode IV) – Approximately SPRING 2010
Darth Vader (Episode V) – TBD
Darth Sidious (Episode III – crimson robes) – TBD (Possible Exclusive)
Royal Guard (Epsiode VI) - TBD
Additional Notes:
Mace Windu will come with the Jedi Training Screen as seen in Episode I.
Anakin Skywalker will come with his signature Jedi outer robe as seen in Episode III.
Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) will come with a very large femur bone, similar to the one that came with the TAC figure.
Emperor Palpatine comes with his signature cane and interchangeable hands.
Royal Guard will come with a force pike.
Darth Sidious will be packaged with his lightsaber.
The Ultimate Quarter Scale figures will continue to be available at Toys R Us and other speciality stores like comic book shops. DST is looking for other vendors to add these figures to their retail space as well. The Ultimate Quarter Scale figures will continue to retail for $79.99, although prices will vary depending upon where the product is purchased.
DST is also developing a
Star Wars banks line and these are shaped in the busts of the characters. The Vader bank is available in stores now, with a “no
helmet” version coming in JULY 2009. Also shown, but no photography
allowed was the Yoda (Episode I and Espiode II) bank. This bank is due
in AUGUST 2009. The MSRP on these banks is $19.99. Click
here for our Toy Fair 2009 Diamond
Select Gallery.
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