Oh, for sure! This is by far the coolest Star Wars toy ever (well, the Vader die cast on the cover of S7 #15 might top it...)! I just liked the original Jumbo feel more than the streamlined version.
Considering the revisions, it's obvious that Lucasfilm doesn't grasp the point of this project, but if it has wheels, projectiles, and a hollow plastic "knock" it will still be an all-time great. Hopefully enough of you folks are now turned off so that I can get my hands on one.
IDK I figure that as far as they are concerned, they're making money - no matter how it looks. I'm sure there are perfectly good reasons for the changes in the sculpt, but a lot of us are more (visually) attached to the bulky and clunky appearance of the proto. I have no doubt that this'll sell like fkn hotcakes laced with crack, and that all us nay-sayers will have our mind swayed once we see it in person
I don't know. I guess I assume that Brian was going for the Jumbo style originally, as it appears his original intention was for it to draw heavily from that style. And based on that assumption he would not choose to move away from that style. I should have asked him last night, but I came in at the tail end of the conversation regarding the Stormtrooper and didn't want him to go over something he may have just finished talking about.
I just posted this up for a few other folks, so I will post this here as well. As far as changes go, I realize many people are reacting "jumbo" to the original sculpt more, but I think it has to do with a knee-jerk reaction to the chest and shoulders, as well as hip joints. The original sculpt relied too heavily on the Shogun Mazinger for reference (I mean, go look, that is his chest and shoulders). Because of the easy availability of these two jumbos, this usually screams "jumbo" to folks, but is really more "animated go nagai" than "jumbo". Much like the Dunbine or other character that does not fit as easily into "boxy robot" proportion, it takes a little more work to make it a "jumbo". Unfortunately, Mazinger's shoulders just aren't on character. Some of the simplification in the first sculpt is just not character accurate. And, no doubt, very interesting, it is still flat out wrong. And the hips? Let's face it, if you actually bought a toy that looked like that, man, would you be pissed. Overall I have tried to make this as close to authentic as I can, and LFL has only had a few minor tweaks, they have left us pretty well alone. In the end, we are making a Jumbo Stormtrooper, not a jumbo robot, so it needs to be both a Jumbo and a Stormtrooper, so you have to cover both sides, not just one. It will still have wheels on the feet, a rocket punch fist, vinyl head and polyethelene body, so I feel like we have done well. Once it is painted, I think you guys will have an even better appreciation for it. Also, yes on separate metallic sticker in the box for jumbo enthusiasts. BTW, the gun kills. We have a really cool trick up our sleeve on that one.
the proto was SO much better in every way, especially the feet. its lost much of what I liked about it. just my opinion sure it will still be an impressive an unique item, not sure if Ill get one though. but then again, Im not a huge star wars fan.
I wonder how much the so-called "iconic" jumbo sculpt (Mazinger) is due to manufacturing limitations. I've always liked the idea of a 30 year old toy representing more than just a licensed image. You know there's a story behind that clunky, retro chogokin. On the other hand maybe those original production artists didn't actually give damn at all. As far as this toy goes, I'm happy to hear Brian's report. I think the newer sculpt is good, and I look forward to seeing detailing, packaging, and a blaster that turns into a sword or electric guitar. I never thought I'd want another Star Wars toy, ever, but this thing just feels like love.
Regardless of rationale, the early Machinder sculpts/proportions ARE iconic now. I do like the updated Stormtrooper better, though.
Yes, exactly! I think that the toys in the 70s weren't nearly as thought-out. It almost seems like one department would design the torso, one the head, one the leg, and one the arm and then they put them all together. And they did it quickly and cheaply. Clearly the Stormtrooper is more well designed and thought out, but it loses a little because of all the planning. Yeah, the original hips look wonky, and the shoulders make the head look tiny, and the feet look like they came off one of the Simpson's...but that also gave it some charm! Regardless, it's still a damn cool toy! (And I, too, am not a huge SW fan...well, merchandise-wise I'm not. The (3) movies are cool!)
I know Im repeating a ton of posts, but personally I like the old sculpt better. The new one looks like a.... Stormtrooper. I already own a ton of action figures, model kits, and statues of that streamlined Stormtrooper suit. What made me like the older sculpt was that its general shape was different.... it didnt confine to the general look of a Stormtrooper, yet it still resembled one.... in other words, the old sculpt was something new, but now it looks like everything else Stormtrooper, the only difference is the size and a shooting fist.... btw, the hips and shoulders were the best part of the old sculpt! .... so are these things coming bagged and headered ?
The new sculpt is pretty good, the old one was fascinating. I understand going for less of a literal hybrid of a Jumbo Mazinger and Stormtrooper and creating more of what a toy designer working at Popy in the 1970's would have done had they been given a Stormtrooper as an assignment. But the old design had a lot of the awkward charm and funk of that made the old school Jumbo Machinders so desirable. The new one feels like a relatively accurate Stormtrooper. Regardless of my nit-picking, the work is admirable and an envious labor of love. If there's a chance that public opinion can influence anything, then my vote is for more funk. That's not a plea to go back to the original design, just... something to keep in mind. Thanks for making the development process so transparent. It's exciting to see the work in progress. I'll definitely buy one, assuming I can get my hands on one. Arturo
Yeah, I think the old vs. new sculpt debates are essentially closed. Everything's been said. All I can say now is that I can't *WAIT* for these to drop. I know the economy's in the shitter and the mood is that folks may not have as much to spend on big ticket toys..but I have absolutely no doubt that these things are gonna sell like crazy. ...Especially now that the sculpt is more "accurate" to what a Stormtrooper looks like. I predict that hardcore Star Wars fans will come out in droves to buy this thing...even if they have no clue what a "Jumbo Machinder" is. All I know is that I better get one. And, yes, I will step over a thousand SW nerd corpses to get mines!
