Dengar Goes Through The Change

One of my favorite features on JediDefender.com is their Collect All 92! series that compares original Kenner figures to the best action figure versions of the same character. This week's selection is Dengar, comparing the original Kenner figure to the "Vintage" one currently on shelves. I like Dengar. Maybe not as much as I was made out to during the CV ramp-up, but I like that his EU-back story connects him to Han Solo. I also like how his strange bandaged get-up includes cobbled together pieces of Stormtrooper and Snowtrooper armor. Despite buying a several Dengars since Hasbro got back into the figure game, this one's one that I really need to pick up. The face likeness is one of the most realistic sculpt and paints I've seen. More than any human face figure (rivaled only by Luke in the Resurgence of the Jedi Battle Pack) this looks like an actual human was shrunk to action figure size.

Check out this great comparison shot from Rebelscum showing all the versions of Dengar from 1980 to now. I always thought the middle sculpt (and in comic pack paint to the right) looked a lot like Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose.

And for Pete's sake:

Happy Birthday, Carrie Fisher!

Carrie Fisher, known far and wide as Princess Leia from the original trilogy, was born on this day in 1956.

My Imperial Adidas

Today's RiptApparel.com t-shirt design by Mezakoo:



Available today only at RIPt Apparel for $10 plus shipping.

Brinkerhoff goes where no one has gone before.

Today's TeeFury offering is by artist Brinkerhoff (not to be confused with Star Wars artist Spencer Brinkerhoff) and features an interesting mash-up of Star Franchises. I have to wonder, does it fire proton torpedoes or photon torpedoes?

The Millennium Enterprise is available today only at Teefury. $11 delivered in the U.S.   Cheap!

Entertainment Earth Buy 1, Get 1 50% off Statue Sale

Entertainment Earth's running a buy 1, get half off of a 2nd statue sale right now through the first of November that applies to in stock or pre-orderable statues, including mini-busts and bookends. Since there are quite a few Gentle Giant offerings in the pipeline, if this is your sort of thing, it's worth checking out.

Some of the available pre-orders include the following mini-busts for $59.99:
Slave Leia
The Force Unleashed Darth Vader
Darth Revan
Lando Calrissian
Figran D'an

Cell Block 1138

There are a lot of threads on the SWGFA Message Boards; some strange, some sublime. One of the longer running ones celebrates the fact that many of us happen to notice when a clock reads 11:38. If that's not you, then you may not know the significance of 1138 to the world of Lucasfilm. If you are one of the many people caught by the 11:38 bug, and you're online at the magic time, consider saying 'hi' in the "It's 11:38!" thread.

Happy Birthday Mark Hamill!

Mark Hamill, known far and wide as Luke Skywalker from the original Star Wars movies, was born this date in 1951.

Actress Orli Shoshan confirmed for SWGFA's October Event!

We've just confirmed that Attack of the Clones / Revenge of the Sith actress (and model and fashion designer!) Orli Shoshan will be attending our October Event.  Ms. Shoshan played Jedi Master Shaak Ti whose character recently played a significant role in The Force Unleashed video game.

Details are being worked out, but attendees will have an opportunity to purchase an autograph from Orli, who will be staying for the entire gathering. Add this to a chance to meet Star Wars artist Robert Hendrickson and you've got two more reasons to come out and party with us at Emerald City Comics!

New in bookstores this week is The Sounds of Star Wars by J.W. Rinzler. With a forward by Ben Burtt and including interviews with Matt Wood and Dave Acord, the book features a small device that plays about 250 different sounds.

I attended a preview of the book at Celebration V and was able to discuss the project with Wood and Acord at MegaCon. While I strongly would prefer the sounds be in .mp3 format or on a CD, this still is going to be a valuable resource for those of us that are interested in the making of the movies. Many of the stories behind the creation of the sounds are included, as are some clips in-context, so you'll be reminded of how they sounded in the films. For me, in addition to hearing the stories behind the sounds, I'm just as excited to hear clean versions of most of the sounds so I can hear them clearly.

Also previewed at Celebration V is a book that documents the events in the world surrounding the Star Wars property from the very beginning to today. Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle by Dan Wallace, Pablo Hidalgo, Gus Lopez, and Ryder Wyndham does just what it indicates exploring the development and impact of Star Wars as well as its merchandising in the context of real world events.

the SWGFA's October Event is coming soon!

We've been hinting about it for weeks, and now it can be told:


The Star Wars Grand Florida Alliance October Event

Location, Date & Time:
The SWGFA will be meeting at the Emerald City Comics, Games & Toys *Seminole location on Saturday, October 2nd from 5:00pm to 11:00pm. The physical address for the shop is 9249 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772. If you have questions about directions, please call the store at 727-398-BOOK (2665).

Special Guest:
We are working on a very special Star Wars guest to come sign autographs, take photos and hang out with fans. More on this soon!

Star Wars Artist Robert Hendrickson:
Official Star Wars artist Robert Hendrickson, fresh from his appearance at Celebration V, will also be joining us to show off his latest work and talk with fans and collectors.

Door Prizes:
Want to win some cool prizes? Just show up and get your ticket when you sign in at the registration booth! We'll be posting winning ticket numbers throughout the evening.

501st Legion & Rebel Legion:
We are happy to announce that members from the 501st Legion Florida Garrison and the Rebel Legion Ra Kura Base will be in attendance! Be sure to bring your camera!

Food & Drinks:
Make sure you bring your appetite! We will have pizza, soft drinks and water available for purchase during the event. Two pieces of pizza and a drink for just $5.00!

Costume Contest:
Everyone is encouraged to come in costume! Those who do show up in costume will receive a special coupon to use in the store! We will be holding a costume contest with the winners announced at 8:00pm. If you have something you've been working on and you need help, bring it. You never know who might be around that could give you some pointers or even assist you with the construction of your costume.

Store Discount:
All SWGFA, Rebelscum.com, TheForce.net, 501st Legion, Rebel Legion & R2 Builders Club members will receive a special coupon good for all in store purchases.

What To Bring:
• Bring yourself, bring the family, bring a friend!
• A costume to enter the costume contest!

If you have any other questions ask them here or feel free to email us at swgfa77@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 2nd at 5:00pm in Seminole! May the Force be with you...always.

* Note: Emerald City has two locations in the Tampa Bay area. Clearwater and Seminole. This event will be at the Seminole location and NOT at the Clearwater location.

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