JULY 2003 ARCHIVE

28th - 31st July '03

BRING OUT THE CLONES

"Begun this clone war has!"...Yoda, hit it dead on the mark. The might of a droid army goes up against the super clone soldiers. To help kick off the cartoon series, which will air on "The Cartoon Network", Hasbro has announced that  "The Clone Wars" line will incorporate the following figure, vehicles and multipacks;-

1) Ten Clone Wars Figures :  (Oct) Anakin Skywalker, Durge, Yoda, Mace Windu, ARC Clonetrooper, Asajj Ventress, Obi-wan Kenobi, (Nov) Kit Fisto, Saesee Tinn, Clonetrooper.

2) Clone Wars Multi-Packs (3-packs) : (Aug) Clonetroopers, Droids and Jedi. 

3) Deluxe Packs : Destroyer Droid with launcher, Durge with Speederbike, 
and Clone Commando with Speederbike.

4) Clone Wars Vehicles : (Aug) Republic Gunship, Jedi Starfighter, Armored Assault Tank (AAT), (Oct) Geonosian Fighter, Hailfire Droid, (Nov) Anakin Skywalker Starfighter. 

Pre-order your Entire Clone Wars Range now at selected online stores,  look them up in our ONLINE RETAILER section.

30th July 2003, MSE-6

THE BIG MEN OF STAR WARS DOWNUNDER

By Big ..we mean "Headline" and "Presence" Big. Our neighbors over at Friends of Science Fiction (FSF) are hosting a fantastic 2 day convention over the weekend of the 4-5 October 2003 at the Lidcombe Catholic Workers Club (SYD-NSW). 

The guest line up at the moment includes; David Prowse (Darth Vader), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), David Bowers (Mas Amedda), Sandi Finlay (Sly Moore), Mary Oyaya (Luminaria Unduli), and more guest TBA.

The price per day is AU$60 for FSF members, and AU$75 for non-members. Customers of Casefresh are also able to purchase tickets at FSF member rates, so head over the the CF convention page for more information.

29th July 2003, MSE-6

21st - 27th July '03

A BREAK IN THE DARKLIGHT

In Empire #10 "General Dodonna, one of the Old Republic's most brilliant strategists must use all of his knowledge and all of his tricks to outwit the commanders of the Imperial fleet--many of whom were trained with his own tactics!" This two-issue story reveals little-known secrets about the early Rebellion. The "Darklighter" story line returns in issue #12. 

Show your support for our boys in white and get your copy of the ongoing Empire series your local comic shop or look them up in our OZ RETAIL section.

24th July 2003, MSE-6

TOGETHER WE CAN RULE THE GALAXY

Have you ever dreamed of living the life of a bounty hunter? Tracking down your target, a short fire fight and the return to pick up your credits. No? Ok, maybe joining the Imperial Army/Navy and getting a classy white suit of armor is more to your liking. Anything is possible when you live in the Massive Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game (MMORPG) Universe that is STAR WARS GALAXIES: An Empire Divided. 

SWG is an online role-playing game made for the PC. Currently not scheduled for officially release here in Australia you can pickup the Collector's Edition from EB Games in North America for US$108 (including shipping) or online here in Australia at Games Market. who have imported limited shipments of the basic edition for AU$130.

We will bring you more news of the official Australian release of the game once more definite plans have been announced. In the meantime check out the FEATURE SECTION to read our first impressions of SWG.

23rd July 2003, MSE-6

A REUNION TO REMEMBER

The Yuuzhan Vong vs. the New Republic. Its getting close to climax of the New Jedi Order series and the big showdown. This week sees the release of the third book in the Heretic trilogy "NJO: Force Heretic III: Reunion".

'The harrowing search for Zonama Sekot is finally over for Luke Skywalker, Jacen Solo, and the others aboard the Jade Shadow. But joy turns to alarm when the living planet sends a defiant message: it refuses to follow them back to a galaxy full of war, exploitation, and misery. But with friends and family on the verge of destruction by the Yuuzhan Vong the Jedi must find a way to help or all could be lost.'

Have a read of an EXCERPT from the book, then run to your local bookshop to pickup your own copy. Or checkout our OZ RETAIL section.

21st July 2003, MSE-6

14th - 20th July '03

Yet another card change for the Hasbro 3 3/4" figure range, this time to prepare us for the new CLONE WARS series due out in August. In the latest release you will find the next of the old Blue Saga cards and the new Gold Clone Wars cards.

On the new card design are Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker (Throne Room Duel), Snow Trooper (Battle of Hoth), C-3PO (Tatooine) and Jango Fett (Kamino Escape). On the old saga blue cards are Han Solo (Hoth), Chewbacca (Mynock Hunt), Boba Fett and R2-D2. 


The Droid Factory Flight R2-D2 is one terrible figure, but if you are a variant collector, then you better go to your FEATURE SECTION to see some important news.

Currently not available in major retailers, so head to our ONLINE RETAILER section to find out where to place your order.

18th July 2003, MSE-6

7th - 13th July '03

They were a 'huge' hit the first time around and the second range looks to be even 'bigger'. Huge, Enormous, Gigantic ... Yes the Lego Star Wars Minis have arrived in force at stores around the country.

From the Prequels we have the Republic Gunship, one sexy machine and the MTT, not so glamorous and brown. Then the Trilogy line has the awesome AT-AT, the biggest 'little' ground assault vehicle and finally everyones favorite, the Millennium Falcon in all of its 10cm glory.

Get all four and you can construct the 'secret' vehicle.

12th July 2003, MSE-6

One of the best, if not the best, new range for the Star Wars collector has to be the UNLEASHED series. This week sees the release of the next three figures in the 7" range.

Obi-Wan Kenobi cuts a mean pose from Attack of the Clones, Luke Skywalker in full revenge mode from Return of the Jedi, and The Emperor, aka Darth Sidious with a touch of the dramatic, throws around his sith lightning bolts.

Check out our ONLINE RETAILER section for where to get these items from the comfort of your computer desk..

11th July 2003, MSE-6

Assemble the Jedi Council or destroy it completely with the new JEDI GUARDIANS TCG booster packs. The Jedi Guardians set pits the most powerful Jedi in the Republic against some of the deadliest servants of the dark side.

This new, 105-card set introduces Reserves, which let you attack from a position of safety, as well as Overkill for directing extra damage at a secondary target. Plan your strategy carefully—the fate of the Republic hangs in the balance.

10th July 2003, MSE-6

The Clone Wars have begun! Ever since they were mentioned in the very first Star Wars film, fans have been dying to know more. Attack of the Clones offered a glimpse, but "The Defense of Kamino" brings the galaxy-wide conflict into full view! Find out in Clone Wars Collection #1

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are part of a Jedi fighter squadron sent to protect the cloning facility on the watery world of Kamino, but they learn that Jango Fett, though dead, still has something to say about how this war is fought! Meanwhile, Mace Windu must deal with a rift in the Jedi ranks and a new Dark Jedi working in league with Dooku. Mace is best swordsmen in the galaxy, but can he stand up to the swordmaster who taught him everything he knows--including the mysterious technique known as "Vaapad"?

New characters and new worlds are revealed as the Clone Wars spreads throughout the galaxy! This volume collects Star Wars: Republic #49-50 and Star Wars: Jedi -- Mace Windu

10th July 2003, MSE-6

For those of you that have subscriptions to the Star Wars Insider magazine, then keep an eye on that letterbox. For those that have yet to subscribe, here is what you are missing out on in Insider: Issue #69; A new Timothy Zahn Clone Wars story, Clone Wars timeline, Art Director interview from the new Clone Wars Animated Shorts, and more...oh and don't forget the Fan Club Exclusive Edition also includes Bantha Tracks.

What do you mean you don't have a subscription...you best CLICK HERE then.

7th July 2003, MSE-6

1st- 6th July '03

Dark Horse have been producing some great Clone Wars eye candy over the past 6 months, but SHATTERPOINT marks the first Clone Wars novel to be published.

Following the momentous events climaxing in the Battle of Geonosis, Master Mace Windu must undertake a perilous homecoming to his native world—to defuse a potentially catastrophic crisis for the Republic . . . and to confront a terrifying mystery with dire personal consequences.

'Star Wars: Shatterpoint' is waiting at  your local book shop, or look them up in our OZ RETAIL section.

4th July 2003, MSE-6

In Republic #55 a Clone Wars Comic, "General Kenobi and his First Lieutenant, Anakin Skywalker, find themselves transferred to Jabiim. A pivotal battle in the Clone Wars, it sets the stage for a young Jedi to become a hero, for others to become martyrs, and for a decision that will affect the next generation of the Skywalker family!"

And Biggs Darklighter is faring no better in Empire #9. "Biggs and his close companions plot to desert the Empire, but when their plan is uncovered by another officer, desertion becomes a fight for survival! Don't miss this stunning Classic Era story of how Biggs Darklighter and his boyhood friend, Luke Skywalker, came to fight side-by-side for the Rebellion!"

Get these and all of your Dark Horse Comics from your local comic shop or look them up in our OZ RETAIL section.

3rd July 2003, MSE-6