JULY 2006 ARCHIVES

24th - 31st JULY '06

NOTHING ON OUR RADAR

It appears Hasbro Australia is listening , or at least partially listening to collectors regarding "rehashing" of old products as it now appears that Australia will not see a local release of the re-packaged release of the following action figure vehicles, General Grievous Wheel Bike and the Tri Droid Starfighter. So, if you are after a second release version in the new Saga Boxes, you best head overseas.

31st July  2006, MSE-6

JOIN 'THE FORCE' & BECOME A CENSUS JEDI KNIGHT

For the 15th time since Federation the every man, woman and child will be counted in the 2006 Australian Census and this time you can do it on the internet. But how does this relate to Star Wars you might ask? Last time some 70,000 people put down "Jedi" as their religion in an effort to get it officially recognized. Let's see if we can do better this time round to beat this figure come 8th August 2006..

Plenty of people tried to put the scare into people saying "You'll be tracked down and fined for giving false information"...WRONG (Read more here). If you have no real religion yourself but you're a HUGE Star Wars fan, or if you are a follower of the Jedi Faith this is your chance to be heard. Wookiees may not exist, lightsabers may not be real (yet) but do you believe in a UNIVERSAL FORCE?!?!

On the question of religion, VOTE JEDI. Put down "Jedi" on their census form. And remember, if you are a member of the Jedi religion then you are by default a 'Jedi Knight'. So If this has been your dream since you were 4 years old. Do it  cos you love Star Wars. Tell all your Star Wars friends to join the coolest religion this side of  the outer rim.

REMEMBER ... VOTE JEDI ... BECOME A CENSUS KNIGHT

27th July  2006, JediReligion2006

RUN RUN.. THE MANDALORIANS ARE COMING !!!

Leaving Taris behind them, fugitive Padawan Zayne Carrick and the crew of the Last Resort cook up a scheme to pilfer much needed supplies from an unsuspecting bunch of miners. Unfortunately, any attempts at avoiding attention are for naught when the group finds they've landed themselves smack dab in the middle of the Republic and Mandalorian conflict!  in Knights of the Old Republic #7

26th July  2006, MSE-6

AUGUST LITERATURE ROUND-UP

   Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 6 (TPB)
   Finding the Force of the Star Wars Franchise (Hardback)
   Finding the Force of the Star Wars Franchise (Paperback)
   Last of the Jedi: A Tangled Web (Last of the Jedi, Book 5)
   Star Wars: Bloodlines (Legacy of the Force, Book 2)
   Star Wars: Bloodlines (Legacy of the Force, Audio-book 2)

Here is your pre-order list for the month of August that you can order from Amazon.com in our Mousedroid Recommends Section. Combine multiple items, save on shipping and remember, all order place via Mousedroid links enable us to return the favor by running competitions across the year.

24th July  2006, MSE-6

17th - 23rd JULY '06

SAN DIEGO COMIC CON  (SDCC) COVERAGE

Looking the news on San Diego Comic Con 2006 visit our top 5;
  -  Action-Figure.com
  -  GalacticHunter.com
  -  Rebelscum.com 
  -  StarWars.com
  -  Yodanews.com ... or one of the news sites on our Links Page

For all the best gossip and banter on the preview products from SDCC then head to our Toys&Conventions Thread in the Mousedroid.com Forums. Share your views on the highs, lows and everything in between with your fellow Aussie Collectors.

19th July  2006, MSE-6

GET TANK'd WITH DARK HORSE

Luke Skywalker faces a squad of stormtroopers when he attempts to bring his boyhood friend Imperial officer Janek "Tank" Sunber over to the Rebellion. Was Tank's plan to defect discovered by the Empire, or are the troopers a plot to trick the Alliance into letting Sunber into the heart of their operations? Find out in the next Rebellion issue - My Enemy, My Brother #4, this week at your local comic shop.

19th July  2006, MSE-6

UNLEASHED RE-RELEASE ... BUT NOT HERE

Official news in today regarding the future release of the Best OF Line of 6-7" Unleashed Figures. Whilst the US market will see the re-release of figures such as the much sort after Boba Fett and monstrous General Grievous, Mousedroid unfortunately has to report that Australia will NOT see a local release of any of this line. So, beware of eBay entrepreneurs (scalpers) in the coming months.

18th July  2006, MSE-6

SPLATTT - The sound of great artwork

If you are looking for a stand out piece to highlight your collection or even some nice original art to brighten up a wall then check out some of the brilliant airbrush piece that one UK based artist, Splattt has produced. To view his portfolio of caricatures and airbrushed work, including Special Ops, 212th Attack Battalion & Shock Trooper , plus 40 other Star Wars items visit www.SPLATTT.com.

17th July  2006, MSE-6

LEGO UCS IMPERIAL AT-ST

Construct the ultimate Scout Walker! with the Ultimate Collector Series Imperial AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport), Carries the Empire’s forces swiftly and efficiently across the ice plains of Hoth and through the dense forests of Endor. Now you can build the ultimate collector’s model of this famous Star Wars vehicle from over a thousand LEGO pieces!

Fully armed and armor-plated, the incredibly detailed and realistic AT-ST stands over 16.5" (42cm) tall! Features rotating weapons, an opening pilot hatch, moving window panels, and more! Exclusive to Lego Shop@Home

Also, a final reminder to Star Wars Lego fans that this week will be the end of the Kmart Toy Sale where you can get the  brand new  Imperial Star Destroyer Play set at a special introductory price of AU$139 (rrp $179). It comes with 9 Characters (including our favorite. a mouse droid) plus the set opens up into several pay arenas, such as bridge, hanger bay, and Vader's meditation chamber.

17th July  2006, MSE-6

10th - 16th JULY '06

HOLO-BLIP UPDATE

Australian Mousedroid.com reader Gav, sends in the first image of the new Darth Tater/Spud Trooper twin pack, exclusive in Australia at Target ($49.95). As reported earlier this is a world first release of the item, with the USA not expecting to see it until closer to the Xmas season. From other reports the tin is quite large ('Massive' according to Forum member LordZOOKU).

And if you have been hiding under a rock this past week you would have also missed out on the sneak preview of the New 2007 Card designs from Hasbro. This very angular and futuristic artwork is to highlight the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars. The card design has sparked many a theory as to what Hasbro plans to do with this line, so head to our forums and share your views...<Here>

16th July  2006, MSE-6

HOT OF THE HOLONET!!!

It appears as if the force is still with the Jedi in 2007 as we receive images of two new collectible items from our spy holonet. The sculptors and craftsmen at Gentle Giant have done it again. Jedi master Plo Koon is made into a striking mini bust and the Obi wan in Clone Armor from the Clone Wars Era makes a dashing pose as a polystone Statue. Both due for release early 2007. 

As an added bonus head to our forums to see two other Trilogy items.

12th July  2006, MSE-6

STAR WARS LEGACY #2

Two Jedi make a pact that will set them on the path to a greater danger...Bounty hunters capture a prisoner whose presence will test their resolve-and the strength...A Sith apprentice is given the honorific "Darth" and sent to hunt a quarry whose death-could shake an empire to its foundations...And a Princess finds herself alone in the galaxy, pursued by those she once counted as allies. Legacy #2

Remember, you can pre-order all your Dark Horse Graphical Novels (TPBs) from our Mousedroid Recommends section or use the Amazon search on our menu.

12th July  2006, MSE-6

SCI-FI NEXUS FOR WA

The Winter Nexus Fair is on again this Saturday for WA Sci-fi collectors. Featuring 20+ individual sellers from genuine small collectors & wheeler dealers, to organized traders, the fairs focus is heavily on Sci-Fi plus comics, soft (and hard) toys, Simpsons, cards and Tazos etc. The event itself is short and compact but has a certain WA buzz!. Support your local fair, check out our Events section.

12th July  2006, MSE-6

IF THE GLOVE FITS...

The 12" Collectible Figure line has made a strong comeback. By giving creative license of the  line to Sideshow the quality, sculpt and value for money of the 12" figures has been nothing short of amazing. The Luke Skywalker Jedi Master figure has received glowing reports, now prepare to be amazed by the Anakin Skywalker Jedi Knight, part of the Order of the Jedi Series.

The 12-inch Anakin Skywalker is an authentic likeness of Hayden Christensen. The figure is fully articulated (30+ points of articulation) and has movie authentic costume including undershirt, jerkin, pants, and boots. Accessories include: Hooded cloak, belt w/ lightsaber hook, opening pouches, Food Capsules, Aqua Breather, Holoprojector, Comlink, Lightsaber hilt, Lightsaber hilt w/ ignited blade, 2 Interchangeable right arms, 2 Interchangeable hands, and a figure stand with Star Wars logo.

This latest addition to the Sideshow 12" Figures will begin shipping from the Case Fresh warehouse later in the week, but if you are quick you can still order it at their pre-order price of only $99 plus Free Tracked shipping anywhere in Australia.

10th July  2006, MSE-6

1st - 9th JULY '06

1st ANNUAL YODANEWS GENTLE GIANT AWARDS

Are you ready to vote for your favorite Gentle Giant piece of all time? What about the best Statue in the line? Best Mini-Bust in 2004? Well you can vote for these and more in 1st Annual Yodasnews Gentle Giant Awards! They have set up a very special section for readers to can cast votes on several categories. Then in a few weeks will tally all the votes and post the winners!

7th July  2006, MSE-6

BOUNTY HUNT THE TATOOINE WAVE

Well look what the last dust storm below in! Yes, the next wave of Saga Figures are now shipping from the Case Fresh warehouse. This wave returns to the fan favorite hive of scum and villainy, Mos Eisley Momaw Nadon ("Hammerhead"), Darth Vader, Sandtrooper, R5-D4, Hem Dazon ( "Goldeyes"), Garindan ("Long Snoot"), Luke Skywalker (Tatooine Poncho and Hat), and Han Solo (Cantina).

Secure some of those intriguing back story character such as;  Momaw Nadon, a giant, gentle gardener peacefully resists the evil rule of the Galactic Empire and generally avoids conflict,  Hem Dazon: one of the more infamous reptile-like Arconas, or the elusive Imperial snitch Garindan: a Mos Eisley-based spy trails the two wanted droids, to Docking Bay 94.

Each figure includes a red hologram figure, a display stand with the characters name, plus accessories. All displayed on the silver and black card back with a themed movie background, highlighting each characters appearance in the Original Trilogy. Secure your order as well as figures from future waves by shopping online at Case Fresh. This wave is Invoicing now and Shipping next week from CF.

6th July  2006, MSE-6

JULY LITERATURE ROUNDUP

   Star Wars: Betrayal (Legacy of the Force, Book 1)
   Star Wars: Coruscant Nights: Jedi Twilight
   Star Wars Omnibus: X-Wing Rogue Squadron Volume 1 (TPB)
   Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume 9-Endgame
   Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Droids
   Star Wars on Trial: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writer Debate

At the star of each month Mousedroid will give you a rundown on a list of Star Wars novels, reference text, audio-novels, trade paperbacks and comic books you can order for delivery from Amazon.com in our Mousedroid Recommends Section. Combine multiple items to save on shipping and remember, all order place via Mousedroid links enable the growth of your favorite Australian Star Wars news site plus allow us to return the favor by running competitions across the year.

6th July  2006, MSE-6

MELBOURNE WINTER SKYFORCE

6th July  2006, MSE-6

HEAVY METAL TITANIUM ULTRA WAVE 2

The next assault from Hasbro has arrived with the release of a new assortment of Titanium Series Die-Cast Ultra Vehicles. This latest wave is very Hoth focused, very fitting for our winter period. The assortment includes AT-AT, Millennium Falcon, and Snowspeeder. Each vehicle comes in a display case to show off your die cast metal collectible

As an added bonus the AT-AT comes with a tiny Snowspeeder. Re-enact the Hoth assault and see if you can bring the mighty walker to the ground. Expand your collection into the precious metals of the Titanium Series today.

5th July  2006, MSE-6

TINNED TATERS....YUM

How do you like your potatoes, bagged or tinned? In a WORLD FIRST, Target Australia will get stock of Special Edition Collectors Tin Star Wars Twin Packs. Containing the Spud Trooper and a new version of Darth Tater. This time the Sith Lord comes with a 'Tater Toppings' chest plate. All this and a special collectors tin to store your starchy craniums in. On sale from July 20, exclusive to Target.

3rd July  2006, MSE-6

HOTH SKIRMISH EXPANDS

Unleashed Battle Packs: recreate Star Wars combat on your desktop. The new wave spotlights the Battle of Hoth, featuring detailed 2” miniatures in fierce action poses. This assortment features; Rebel Alliance Troopers: 4 Alliance troopers. Imperial Snowtroopers: 4 snowtroopers., & Scouting the Crash Site: Chewbacca, Han Solo and a tauntaun. Now Shipping in Oz.

3rd July  2006, MSE-6

Welcome to the new look MOUSEDROID.com for 2006. After being online for 3 years reporting all the breaking collector news in Australia, we felt it was time for a fresh face as we head into the Post Movie Era. With the 30th anniversary around the corner, a cartoon show in production and a live action series in development Star Wars will live forever... and at Mousedroid we will be here to cover it. Toys to TV, Comics to Cartoons.

Never one to sit on our laurels we will also address some of our forum members calls in the coming months with RSS and Chat room additions. But mouse droids don't live on battery power alone and it is thanks to return support of Case Fresh that has enabled us to grow our site into the best local resource for Star Wars collectors . To assist keep in future upgrades we have set up a dedicated Pre-order Star Wars department. Any orders you place from our Mousedroid Recommends page will help us continue to support the Australian Star Wars Fans plus provide prizes for our competitions in the coming months.

Not only have we given our news site a fresh coat of varnish but our Fan Forums have also been spruced up. So don't be a stranger, explore the new site, join our forums and discuss your view of the Star Wars Universe with like minded local fans. Read, display, build, play, discuss and collect. Enjoy Star Wars...Get active in our forums.

1st July  2006, MSE-6