25 Sep 2007 :: Featured Auctions

The TradeMe.co.nz auction site really is becoming an efficient marketplace to search for new or old Star Wars collectibles. From time to time, we highlight interesting, rare, and/or unusual Star Wars auctions, at the seller's request. Here are a few such auctions:

  - Star Wars 'Game of Life' board game.
  - Star Wars Electronic battleship game.
  - Star Wars SCORCH Republic Commando.
  - Star Wars Mowaw Nadon (Hammerhead).
  - Star Wars Ep3 Unleashed Anakin & Obi-Wan figures.
  - Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi mega-collectible figure.
  - Star Wars Qui-Gon Jinn mega-collectible figure.

Matt G

24 Sep 2007 :: Store Report - Modelcraft and Hobbies

Online model store Modelcraft and Hobbies has a great range of Star Wars model kitsets, including some Episode 3 kits not seen much elsewhere in NZ. Check out their full range in their sci-fi section, which includes the following:

  - AMT Speeder Bike, $49.95.
  - AMT Death Star with paint and glue, $59.95.
  - 1/6 vinyl Han Solo, $20.00.
  - AMT B-Wing fighter, $29.95.
  - AMT 1/35 Snowspeeder, $29.95.
  - AMT Slave 1, $39.99.
  - AMT 1/48 Naboo Starfighter, $39.95.
  - Finemolds 1/72 Slave 1, $171.00.
  - AMT X-Wing fighter, $29.95.
  - Kalmbach "Building Star Wars models" (book), $57.95.
  - AMT 1/76 scale Millenium Falcon, $59.99.
  - AMT 1/48 scale Trade Federation Droid Fighters (x3), on sale at $14.99!

Matt G

23 Sep 2007 :: Rebel Costuming in NZ

Many of you will be aware of the international Imperial costuming group, the 501st Legion, that has a New Zealand contingent (Outpost-42), but possibly less will know of its sister group, the Rebel Legion. The Rebel Legion is the costuming group for all rebel/good guy costumes from the Star Wars universe. It was started in mid-1999 by founder Tony Troxell, and has steadily grown over the years. It has over 1200 members now, with over 1600 costumes - from all over the world.

New Zealand has recently established its own Rebel Legion Outpost. Its members have attended many events, including the regular Armageddon conventions, the Episode 3 NZ charity premiere, and even Celebrations III & IV.

The URL for their website is RebelLegion.co.nz.

Matt G

23 Sep 2007 :: Celebration 4 Day 4

From the selection of SWNZ Feature Articles: Sunday 27th May was the fourth day of the C-IV convention. A couple of scheduled events defined the day for me in particular - the International Collecting Panel in the morning, at which I... ...MORE

SWNZ-X1a

22 Sep 2007 :: Stuff for Free! - Fishpond.co.nz

SWNZ affiliate Fishpond.co.nz has recently added to their list of things you can do in order to earn "cash rewards" - get store credit for doing things like writing reviews of their product! At 20 cents per review, it doesn't take long to knock a few $$ off the price of a new paperback, or, if you're a prolific reviewer, maybe pick up a book or two completely free. You don't need to have purchased the item through them to review it - it just needs to exist in their database, and not have been reviewed before - just search for or select the product, and click on the "write review" button. You can also add credit by linking to a DVD trailer, subscribing to their newsletter, or selling a second-hand item. Click here for full details of their programme.

So, set yourself up an account with them, if you haven't done so already, then head over and start describing your favourite books, graphic novels, music CDs, software etc, and reap the benefit the next time you purchase through their store.

Check out the following examples and excellent prices from their current Star Wars and other interesting stock:

  - Star Wars Miniatures: Champions of the Force, $20.90.
  - Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, $53.93.
  - Star Wars: Legacy of the Force 5 - Sacrifice, $54.77 .
  - Hard Contact, $12.96!
  - Triple Zero, $13.62!
  - Dark Horse: Panel to Panel, $37.98.
  - Star Wars: Visionaries, $27.91.
  - Star Wars, the Ultimate Visual Guide, $44.99.
  - Star Wars: The Han Solo Adventures, $14.40.
  - Stargate SG-1: The Illustrated Companion Seasons 1 and 2, $24.98.
  - Stargate SG-1: The Illustrated Companion Seasons 3 and 4, $24.98.

And check out their full range of Star Wars products by clicking here.

Matt G

22 Sep 2007 :: Store Report - K-Mart

K-Mart stores nationwide currently have "20% off Star Wars toys" advertised in their latest flier. This promotion runs Thursday 20th September until Wednesday 26th September.

Anaria

21 Sep 2007 :: Affiliate Update - GPStore.co.nz

SWNZ affiliate GPStore.co.nz has some great prices on sci-fi and related interesting products this month. They also now offer free delivery on most Games, DVDs and Music, and have a 'price beat' feature - if you've seen a cheaper price elsewhere for any product, simply follow the 'price beat' link on any product page to give them the chance to beat the cheaper price. Check out some of these items:

  - Stargate SG-1 - Season 10 (5 Disc Slimline Set), $79.95.
  - Heroes - Season 1 (7 Disc Slimline Set), $89.95.
  - Lost - Complete Season 3 (7 Disc Box Set), $99.99.
  - Back To The Future Trilogy - Collector's Edition (4 Disc Box Set), $34.95 (was $59.95).
  - Jurassic Park - The Ultimate Collection (4 Disc Box Set), $39.95 (was $59.95).
  - Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Season 1 (6 Disc Box Set), $29.95 (was $89.95).
  - Buck Rogers In The 25th Century - Season 2 (4 Disc Box Set), $29.95 (was $69.95).
  - Quantum Leap - Complete Season 1 (3 Disc Set), $29.95 (was $49.95).
  - Quantum Leap - Complete Season 2 (6 Disc Set), $29.95 (was $49.95).
  - Quantum Leap - Complete Season 3 (6 Disc Set), $29.95 (was $49.95).
  - Quantum Leap - Complete Season 4 (6 Disc Set), $29.95 (was $49.95).
  - Quantum Leap - Complete Season 5 (6 Disc Set), $29.95 (was $49.95).

Click here to review GPStore's entire Star Wars game range, or here for their DVD range.

Matt G

20 Sep 2007 :: Book Review - When the Force Isn't With You

Richard Neumann, the author of When the Force Isn't With You, warns us early on that the writing style employed to communicate his tale is loose and meandering. Don't let this put you off - it works well as the collected anecdotes weave their way across the decades since Star Wars, with the threads given commonality through a shared objective: the pursuit of a dream. This is not a book about Star Wars, George Lucas or ILM. It does, however, touch on all of these entities; on a recurring basis and in a way that Star Wars fans will easily relate to.

During the journey we are taken along to visit and find out the meaning of The Egg Company, past the facade of Kerner Optical Labs, and even to lunch at Skywalker Ranch. The author's goal on his labyrinthine journey? To secure employment somewhere in the Empire of Lucas. We follow the ups-and-downs of his career and life, repeatedly brushing tantalisingly close to Lucasfilm...but the receipt of rejection letters from various LFL human resource departments is a sustained theme. Will his sheer persistence (categorically distinguished from stalking!) win him the desired trophy? How will, to quote directly, "120,000 cows and one very persistent stone" play their role...? ...MORE

Matt G

19 Sep 2007 :: From Around The Globe

Kia Ora from across the Tasman,

I am the producer of a new sci-fi magazine TV show on Oz cable TV and we have just returned from a two day visit to Lucasfilm and Skywalker Ranch where I spent an hour interviewing producer Rick McCallum.

Whilst much of the interview I am saving for our TV show release in two months time, I can offer some news scoops from our conversations. The full stories will be progressively available on www.SciFiCentral.tv and they include the following:

  - Rick's early career as a producer
  - the prospect of George's son Jett Lucas coming up with his own story
ideas some day
  - whether Darth Vader may or may not be in the new television series
  - the possibility of a Mega Star Wars boxed set way off in the future
  - news that the TV series will feature a new crop of Bounty Hunter characters
  - and much, much more!

Check it out: www.SciFiCentral.tv.

DJ Wilson
Producer
SCI FI CENTRAL

19 Sep 2007 :: Affiliate Update - ReelCollectibles.co.nz

This latest report has just in from SWNZ affiliate ReelCollectibles.co.nz... The latest Reel Collectibles e-newsletter has just been posted online and contains heaps of new Star Wars pre-order products and stock arrivals.

In particular, the Limited Edition San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Sandtrooper Character Key is now available, here in New Zealand!

And this iconic scene from A New Hope has been created as a polystone diorama by Sideshow Collectibles and is now available to pre-order.

Click here to view the e-newsletter on the Reel Collectibles website.

Hugh Clark

17 Sep 2007 :: For Sale

For Sale ...we have found a wholesaler in America and are importing a variety of Hasbro Star Wars action figures. But I can also import a variety of Star Wars product from cups to US$5000+ Millennium Falcon replicas. Even a full Darth Vader costume for about US$1000. Most smaller things like action figures I have to bring in cases of 4 to 6. But the bigger items, one to two items. Anyway, If there is anything anyone is after... ...MORE

Peter W

16 Sep 2007 :: For Sale

For Sale - Black Imperial Officer Tunic. Suitable as a starting point for a 501st Legion costume. Still in great condition, very well made. It has the proper seams, domes to close the front flap, and hidden pouches for code cylinders. Could be worn with black pants and shoes for an easy-to-wear costume when out of armour, or as a basis to have another tunic made for yourself... ...MORE

Anaria

14 Sep 2007 :: Store Report - West Auckland

K-mart Henderson had several Ultimate Build Your Own Lightsaber kits in the toy clearance section for $59 each, and the Darth Vader action figure with commemorative coin album for $22.95 each.

Toyworld Mega Store in Henderson still has some commemorative tin sets (Episode 1, 3 and 5) - for $89.99 each. They also had two each of the Comic book two packs - Infinities with Leia and Vader, Heir to the Empire with Luke and Mara, and The Hunt for Aurra Sing - for $36.99 each. Other harder to find items include the Darth Maul electronic lightsaber for $89.99, and a good selection of Star Wars titanium figures for $11.99 each.

Anaria

13 Sep 2007 :: Tutorial - Lightsaber FX in Photoshop

I was recently asked how I do lightsaber effects in Photoshop. There are lots of tutorials online (even some pre-built Actions...but I prefer the control given with a manual approach), with varying results, but I thought I'd post the technique I use, since I was going to write it up anyway...it's based predominantly on a method discussed on TheForce.net, but with a few mods/tweaks. ...Read on at the Outpost42 forums.

Matt G

12 Sep 2007 :: Kevin J Anderson Book Signings

Kevin J Anderson's brief but busy book signing tour of New Zealand wrapped up yesterday, and the Star Wars author has already departed to Australia to make an appearance at a writers festival there. Kevin's tour in New Zealand was organised by HarperCollins Publishers, and consisted of book signing functions in Christchurch (at Scorpio Books, on Sunday 9th September) and Auckand (at Dymocks Bookseller, on Tuesday 11th September). The events were after-hours, RSVP-only affairs, adding to the literary ambience of the venues. Supported by local 501st Legion members (Kevin is an honorary member of that international Star Wars costuming group), the popular author regaled the enthusiastic crowd with the story of his writing career, before taking questions from the audience, and signing his way through a veritable pile of science-fiction bestsellers... ...MORE

Matt G

12 Sep 2007 :: Store Report - Toyworld

The latest Toyworld "Ultimate Toy Buyers Guide" flier (valid 08 September - 05 October) is advertising the Limited Edition Hoth Rebel Base Lego set (7666), which comes with a snowspeeder, gun turret, and Rebel snow base, as a Toyworld exclusive. Price is $99.99.

Matt G

10 Sep 2007 :: Store Report - The Warehouse

Just wanted to let readers know that The Warehouse in Paraparaumu has the Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Master Replica lightsaber for $299.95 (6 only). This is apparently a one-off shipment.

These have also been confirmed in Lincoln Rd, Henderson branch.

Craig R

01 Sep 2007 :: Store Report - Blast from the Past

Today I went to the recently re-opened Milford Warehouse branch and found only three figures ... but surprising figures they were:
  - one on the new zig-zag cut cardback,
  - one old Han Solo on the blue "Attack of the Clones" style card back (the one with the large bubble covering the whole bottom of the card,

and

  - one ancient Lando Calrissian with Freeze Frame slide!!!! (at the full $18 price, and on a tidy card with no dings / bends)

Who knows how they managed to dig up one of those. :o)

I also went to the K-Mart in Albany's new shopping mall. Not much there really, but there are some comic double-figure packs there and a couple of the Titanium vehicles.

Buzz Bumble

31 Aug 2007 :: Store Report - Wellington

Wave 4 of the 30th Anniversary collection has appeared in New Zealand in the last two weeks. Both Wellington's Balance St and Johnsonville Toyworlds have had cases in. I was only able to get in last weekend in time to see a single Elis Helrot swinging from the pegs of Toyworld Balance St, but the rest were there briefly. Keep your eyes peeled!

Also, The Warehouse has restocked Titanium ships in the last two weeks too. I saw several orange B-Wings, Green A-Wings Blue Tantive IVs, Firesprays and AT-APs for $10 each at various Wellington Warehouses outlets over the last two weeks.

Daniel F

21 Aug 2007 :: Local Media - NZHerald

According to today's issue of the New Zealand Herald, Anakin and Padme have been awarded the unfortunate title of "couple with the most unconvincing on-screen chemistry". Read the article here

Matt G

20 Aug 2007 :: Current Outpost-42 Forum Topics

The Outpost-42 (New Zealand 501st Imperial costuming group) forums have a subsection for general Star Wars discussion. Check out the most recently active topics from that section - you can register to have your say in the threads:

  - Reel Collectibles
  - EMO-Trooper - 418 the only EMO Stormtrooper!
  - The Clone Wars
  - Spy Report
  - S.W novels....
  - RT-KT

SWNZ-X1a

18 Aug 2007 :: Featured Auctions

I remember the days when a search on TradeMe for "Star Wars" would yield a single page of results, at best. Not so anymore! Here are a few interesting, rare, and/or unusual Star Wars auctions on TradeMe.co.nz, highlighted at the seller's request:

  - 2 Order 66 Galactic Marine clones, loose.
  - Star Wars & Indy Jones Exclusive Comic Con Coins.
  - Mace Windu Vs Darth Sidious- loose.
  - Star Wars Pocket Model Game Packs.
  - Commander Gree- ROTS loose complete clone.
  - Darth Vader Star Wars Ep IV Force FX Lightsaber.
  - Star Wars DeAgostini Fact Files 1-108.
  - Star Wars 30th Ann. Action Figure Poster.

Matt G

18 Aug 2007 :: TV Alert - TV3

The last of the Star Wars movie saga is playing on TV3 this weekend, but the time slot has slowly got sillier...

Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, TV3
11:50pm, Saturday, 18 August.

Buzz Bumble

17 Aug 2007 :: Affiliate Update - ReelCollectibles.co.nz

This latest report has just in from SWNZ affiliate ReelCollectibles.co.nz... Attention all Gentle Giant Ltd NZ Collectors: Due to the restrictions placed upon us when ordering Gentle Giant products, we are required to order our stock well in advance. We strongly recommend that you place a pre-order with us for a piece that you would like to purchase before the pre-order cut-off date indicated. We cannot guarantee the supply of any items if a pre-order is not placed.

To explain, we are experiencing issues with the Australasian suppliers of Gentle Giant Ltd products and our hands are tied, there is nothing we can currently do about it. In an effort to combat this problem however, and remain New Zealand's premier store for Star Wars collectibles, we will do our utmost to make sure that all newly released Gentle Giant Ltd products are up on our website as soon as we hear about them and the required pre-order cutoff date is indicated also. There is also a similar situation for Kotobukiya figures, but not in such a bad way, although we do recommend that if you are after a Kotobukiya statue, please let us know. The good news is, for those that aren�t aware yet, all Kotobukiya regular edition statues will be reproduced and available again at some stage. So if you missed out on the Boba Fett, C3PO/R2D2 or Clone Trooper figures, they will be available again at some stage. As much as possible we have tried to indicate when they will again become available on our website, but once again, please let us know if there is something you are after.

Click here to see the current Gentle Giant Ltd Star Wars Range or the Kotobukiya Star Wars range on our website.

Lastly, we are having a clearance sale on selected Star Wars and other Movie & TV Collectibles, click here to grab a bargain!

Remember, you can always join the Reel Collectibles e-newsletter club to get notified on specials, new stock or collectibles news.

Hugh Clark

16 Aug 2007 :: Around the Web - Gentle Giant Collectors

The following are details about a website that will interest many collectors: GentleGiantCollectors.com is built by fans for fans, the website gives worldwide enthusiasts of the products manufactured by Gentle Giant, Ltd. a place to convene, converse and enjoy their passion. Recently called a "great site" on Gentle Giant, Ltd.'s official blog, the website features unique image guides, where each product is detailed in jaw-dropping 120 degree fashion. But that's only the beginning...

GentleGiantCollectors.com contains product checklists to aid fans in tracking and maintaining their collections, and collectors are also invited to register their items in the website's ever expanding product registry. Most importantly, don't forget to stop by and participate in the member forums, where the the Gentle Giant community comes together to stay informed, buy/sell & trade, share pictures of their collections... and above all else... to have fun! We hope to see you there!

Matt G

15 Aug 2007 :: Fishpond.co.nz - Kevin J Anderson Books

With author Kevin J Anderson visiting NZ next month (to promote his new book, 'Metal Swarm'), it's time to dig out and revisit your collection of Star Wars books by this author. Or, if there are gaps in your library, take a look at the selection at Fishpond.co.nz in order to supplement your reading options. KJA has authored a number of Star Wars titles ('Darksaber', the 'Jedi Academy' trilogy, the 'Young Jedi Knight' series with wife Rebecca Moesta, 'The Illustrated Star Wars Universe'), and edited others ('Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina', 'Tales from Jabba's Palace', + 'Tales of the Bounty Hunters'):

  - Illustrated Star Wars Universe, $33.67.
  - Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina, $17.99.
  - Tales from Jabba's Palace, $17.99.
  - Tales of the Bounty Hunters, $17.99.
  - Darksaber, $17.99.
  - Star Wars Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith (audio book), $46.43.
  - Star Wars: Jedi Academy: Leviathan, $28.99.
  - Star Wars: Jedi Trilogy Boxed Set, $33.94.
  - Star Wars Young Jedi Knights 1: Jedi Shadow, $19.99.
  - The Battle of Corrin (Legends of Dune S.), $24.99.

Check out Fishpond's full range of Star Wars products by clicking here, and all of Kevin J Anderson's titles by clicking here.

Matt G

14 Aug 2007 :: Kevin J Anderson in NZ

Press release from HarperCollins Publishers: One of the best-known names in science fiction is coming to Christchurch and Auckland - KEVIN J ANDERSON!

Kevin J Anderson has sold over 20 million books in 30 languages worldwide and has won or been nominated for numerous prestigious awards, including the Nebula Award, Bram Stoker Award, the SFX Reader's Choice Award, the American Physics Society's Forum Award, and New York Times Notable Book.

Kevin is also the author of more than 90 novels including X-Files and Star Wars ('Darksaber', the 'Jedi Academy' trilogy, the 'Young Jedi Knight' series with wife Rebecca Moesta, and editor of 'Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina', 'Tales from Jabba's Palace', + 'Tales of the Bounty Hunters') books and eight Dune prequels and sequels, which he co-wrote with Brian Herbert. Kevin's latest work is 'Metal Swarm' which is the sixth momentous novel in the bestselling 'Saga of Seven Suns' series.

Kevin will be in Christchurch on Sunday 9 September, 5pm.
Scorpio Books, 79 Hereford Street, Christchurch.
Please RSVP to Scorpio Books
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 03 379 2882.

Kevin will be in Auckland on Tuesday 11 September, 6pm.
Dymocks Bookseller, 246 Queen Street, Auckland.
Please RSVP to Sam West, Dymocks Bookseller.
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 09 379 9919.

Matt G

13 Aug 2007 :: Store Report - Toyworld, Wellington

Wellington's Toyworld Balance Street appears to have had new Hasbro Star Wars stock in last week. While there on Saturday I spotted several of the new Wave 3 Comic 2-packs. On pegs were two or three of each of A'Sharad Hett & The Dark Woman, Mara Jade & Luke Skywalker and the Infinities Leia & Vader, all $35 each. Also on pegs were a number of Titaniums I hadn't seen before, for $14 each. I saw several of Luke's Snowspeeder, the tripedal AT-AP Clone Walker, Maul's Sith Speeder, Jabba's Sail Barge and ROTS blue- accented Tantive IV. I didn't spot any new single carded figures but Wave 4 is supposedly hitting alongside the new comic 2-packs in the USA now, so perhaps these aren't far away? Good hunting collectors!

Daniel F

04 Aug 2007 :: Around the Web - The Force Among Us

Hello, My name is Jeff Roney, and I'm co-hosting a series of interactive podcasts for the Star Wars documentary that dispels the stereotype that all SW fans are goofy geeks, The Force Among Us (TheForceAmongUs.com). There are 7 more bi-weekly shows at http://show.tfau.net. The next show is on August 5th at 1PM ET. We would be honored, if you would join us.

The Force Among Us - Live uses Talkshoe (which is like a conference all mixed with online text chatting). It is different than an average podcast, because it is an interactive show that you can ask questions of the cast, crew and other participants of the show. Also, it happens live at a designated date and time (However, if you miss the show, you can download and listen later. The shows will also be placed on Itunes). For more information, visit Show.tfau.net. Please register at TalkShoe.com prior to participating on the show. Thanks.

We could use all the promotion you can spare for this great Star Wars documentary, made about Star Wars fans, by Star Wars fans. Thanks in advance for any help you can give us.

We also have set up a Flickr Page (Flickr.com/photos/tfau/) for our show, so why don't you share your cool pictures of Star Wars fandom (Collections, Costumes, Events, etc) with us.

The Force Among Us - Live Show Crew

30 Jul 2007 :: Around the Web - Store Wars

The internet is ripe with videographic creativity based on the Star Wars universe and characters. Shane Y brings to our attention a particularly well-produced parody entitled Store Wars. It's not brand new, but worth checking out if you haven't seen it before... StoreWars.org/flash/.

Matt G

29 Jul 2007 :: TV Alert

It doesn't look like TV3 have the rights to play Episode III yet, so next Saturday they move onto Episode IV instead...

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
TV3
11:00pm, Saturday 4 August.

Buzz Bumble

26 Jul 2007 :: Starburst Magazine

There's another magazine on the shelves celebrating the 30th anniversary - the UK's Starburst movie magazine has a Star Wars Special Issue ($24, it's a separate one from their normal monthly magazine) with a large section of Star Wars articles...

  - Feeling the Force: an overview of the franchise
  - Designing Darth with Ralph McQuarrie
  - Talking Taun We with Rena Owen
  - Therapy Princess with Carrie Fisher
  - Reluctant Robot with Anthony Daniels
  - Playing Greedo with Maria De Aragon
  - Production Lines with Gary Kurtz
  - re-appraisal reviews of all six movies

It also has some articles for sci-fi TV shows: Torchwood (the Doctor Who spin-off show), The Dresden Files, Stargate Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica (the new version), plus flipping the magazine over gives a special issue of the magazine Shivers for horror movies.

Buzz Bumble

25 Jul 2007 :: Store Report - The Warehouse

The Warehouse Star Wars figure drought appears to have broken with a deluge of new action figures this week. A visit to Wellington's Lyall Bay branch this morning yielded finds of the remains of the 3rd wave. While all the new figures (McQuarrie Concept Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker with vaporator, Jawa with LIN Droid, Vader with Obi-Wan's cloak, Stormtrooper) were gone already, there were plenty of restocked Wave 2 and 1 figures including Galactic Marines, Airbourne Clone Troopers, Mace windu, R2-D2, Obi-Wan Kenobi and a Death Star Trooper, all priced at $17.99. Be sure to check your local Warehouse and good hunting!

Daniel F

24 Jul 2007 :: Fishpond.co.nz - The Latest Star Wars Books

The library of Star Wars novels and reference books continues to grow at an increasing rate, but, not all titles make their way to the shelves of New Zealand book stores in useful numbers. SWNZ affiliate Fishpond.co.nz however, does give you access to all the available Star Wars reading material. Check out some of the latest and upcoming releases:

  - The Making of "Star Wars": The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film, $44.99.
  - The Star Wars Vault: Thirty Years of Treasures from the Lucasfilm Archives, with Removable Memorabilia and Two Audio CDs, $171.96 (preorder).
  - Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Fury, $19.99 (preorder).
  - Star Wars Republic Commando True Colors, $19.99 (preorder).
  - Star Wars: Death Star, $52.49 (preorder).
  - Mad about Star Wars, $44.40 (preorder).
  - Legacy: Broken, $52.34 .
  - Star Wars: Legacy of the Force 5 - Sacrifice, $59.99.
  - Star Wars Roleplaying Game: Revised Core Rulebook, $63.03.
  - Star Wars Miniatures Alliance and Empire Booster Pack, $29.14.
  - "Star Wars" the Ultimate Visual Guide, $44.96.
  - Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book, $60.59.

Check out Fishpond's full range of Star Wars products by clicking here.

Matt G

25 Jun 2007 :: Star Wars New Zealand Preview, 1977

The New Zealand Herald archives confirm that the Auckland public premiere of Star Wars took place on Christmas eve of 1977 ...but... I've just received the above scan from Stuart T., giving evidence that there was at least one invitation-only preview screening some time earlier, in conjunction with the 1ZM radio station. Check out the date on the ticket... October 16th [1977]! ... ...MORE

Matt G

16 Jun 2007 :: Celebration 4, Day 5

Monday 28th May saw the conclusion of the Celebration IV convention. Opening hours were a little shorter, and there was mild melancholy in the air at the realisation that the experience of living and breathing pure Star Wars, 24 hours per day, was coming to a close. On the bright side, though, was the fact that prices in the dealers room traditionally and predictably drop on the last day, as the sellers understandably want to lug home as little as possible in the way of bulky merchandise. Even the official C-IV shop slashed the prices on their remaining items (excluding the exclusive action figures) in half. So, let's focus on that, as we kept our eyes open for the final-day bargains, and ran around making sure that there wasn't anything that we missed, whilst wringing every last ounce of "Star Wars" out of the experience.

The day started early, as the 40-or-so presenters from the collecting panels got together in a breakfast meeting, in the theater used for our respective presentations, for a bit of a formal reception with Steve Sansweet (where the Collecting Panel Medallion sets were disseminated). This was also a good opportunity, being one of the few times that the room was less than full-to-capacity, to properly inspect and photograph some of the interesting collections set up around the room... ...MORE

Matt G