Star Wars: McQuarrie Signature Series - Concept Darth Vader and Stormtrooper

I don't know why I bought these. I'm so over Star Wars figures. Yeah, I'm still buying Stormtrooper/Sandtrooper/Biker Scouts. One can never have too many of those. I'd even be pumped if they finally announced a TIE Fighter Pilot or Snowtrooper in the new 30th Anniversary aesthetic. But other than that, Star Wars figures are just "meh" to me. Weird.

The Stormtrooper is a decent enough representation of the original McQuarrie painting, but just like the Darktrooper it's just only a step above a 3 3/4 inch statue. It has articulation at the hips, shoulders, neck, one wrist, and the elbows rotate left/right. The head isn't even on a ball joint. The shoulders have the same full articulation that is standard for current Star Wars figures, but since the elbows and wrists are so limited, it's really kind of wasted.

Darth Vader is by far superior in terms of articulation. It has all full articulation at the ankles, knees, wrists, shoulders, and a ball jointed head. They elbows are of the "45 degree" type, but I don't mind these because you don't have to worry about an ugly ball joint in the middle of the arm. He comes with a blue light saber and a laser pistol that fits in a hip holster (not seen because...well, dammit, Darth Vader doesn't use blasters.)

A nice bonus is that Darth Vader comes with two different heads.

However, I don't really have the inclination to try and figure out which head comes from what source. It's not that I can't...I probably have more books on McQuarrie's concept art than most fans (or more than is healthy for a normal human being to have)...it's that I just don't care.

Transformers: Generation 1 Perceptor

I didn't have a whole lot of Transformers as a kid. I can probably count the ones I had on two hands. That's not because I was deprived, I wasn't. I got a new Star Wars figure every Friday from my dad for a few years, and I got a crapload of GI Joe stuff later on (including my pride and joy, a Cobra Night Raven, which is currently undergoing restoration.) I liked Transformers a lot, I just didn't ask for them, so I didn't get many.

Perceptor was one of the few TFs in my collection and, unfortunately, he did not survive the Great Garage Sale Purge. I haven't really thought about him much, despite my growing TF collection. Maybe it's because he's a G1 figure, and to be honest, I'm not much of a G1 fan when it comes to the toys. But I came across this figure a few months ago and the price was right, so I got him. He's only missing two of his three missiles and the joint on one of his shoulders is a little damaged, but other than that, he's in great condition. (And if anyone has a junker Perceptor with a good shoulder joint or a few spare Perceptor missles, drop me a line.)

Yeah, its true, he turns into a microscope...

...a microscope that could kick your ass!