Brother I’m 50 yrs old. I grew up with all the vintage Star Wars like you . Everything you say is right on ! The feelings they bring to me transport me to my childhood and can’t help but smile .
I collected modern Star Wars for quite sometime as well. I was able to sell them them surprisingly easily and don’t miss them. I kept all my original Kenner and am now exclusively building that collection. I have enjoyed watching your channel for awhile now.
People do ask me, why I collect vintage toys... I don't collect toys I collect memories. For me, every old toy is like a time capsule. Love your video.
I’ve been collecting the 3.75” line since 78 and my collection is massive to say the least. But in the last year I’ve decided that there is nothing like filling in the holes in my vintage Kenner collection. I’ve been to several toy cons this year and a bunch of antique stores etc. I’ve made some lucky finds. I completed my Kenner figure collection through eBay back around the year 2000. But I’m still missing a hand full of vehicles and playsets. Every time I manage to find a “new” one, it’s a huge score and so much more satisfying than buying a current/new item. I still do that as well, but I’ve just recently packed up a ton of “modern” stuff to make more room to properly display the Kenner stuff. I’ll be 50 in February and I’ll always be a Kenner/TRU kid and never grow up. My 15 year old son is into it as well and sharing with him is the very best!
GQ, great video man! Like many guys around my age (50) these vintage Kenner Star Wars toys were an important part of our childhood. First watched SW when I was 6 years old. Got an X-Wing and some figures for my 7th birthday, Christmas I got a Tie Fighter, Land Speeder, The Falcon and more figures. I collected and played with these amazing toys until 1985 and was lucky enough to find most of the last 17. I've kept all my collection, over the years I upgraded some figures and managed to find some rare items, I even sold my car to buy a boxed Sand Crawler and Skiff ! These toys mean so much to me, having owned most of my collection for over 40 years I know I'd regret selling them. Thanks GQ for an emotional 12 minutes. Thank you Kenner. MTFBWY all!
Thanks, brother! Memories are treasures. Nothing can replace them. Kenner definitely is a link to all of our childhoods. I respect that. Very cool to hear that you still have most of your og collection. I'm happy to share my thoughts and glad to hear my words resonated with you in some fashion.
As a child of the 70s and 80s and growing up on the original trilogy, seeing these toys bring back some great memories. Which is why I only collect Kenner. They sit in a display cabinet in my office and on those stressful days I can just look at them and it reminds me of a simpler time. MTFBWY
I feel very lucky that I kept all my Kenner Star Wars toys from back in the days. During the 90s I found action figures and vehicles that I never had back in the days. I am pretty much complete with it and I feel good that I kept them. The conditions of some of them is questionable and I need to restore/ clean. Some of the boxes are totally damages, but I don't care because THEY are MINE from when I was a child and that is priceless for me. I do collect the new Hasbro, I have been since the 90s, but that is me. I totally respect you for collecting the Vintage figures, playlets, vehicles and creatures only. That is you and that defines you. Keep sharing because I really enjoy your channel.
Ah GQJ you have said it so well. There is a purity, innocence and timeless quality to the original Kenner line. It’s where it all started. Bottom line there would be no modern figures without Kenner. I’ve carried my collection with me since the 70s & I could never dream of parting with them. As a kid I remember the toy stores with racks filled with Star Wars figures, in fact I got my first figures before I even saw the movie. Vader & Luke, those two figures sparked my imagination and filled me with anticipation for this galaxy & story to get lost in. Yes these little figures evoke such good memories of a childhood filled with wonder at this story and this galaxy far far away. I always look forward to your videos, thanks for sharing your love for Kenner Star Wars, you express so well what many of us feel.
Cruising the toy aisles was heaven back then. Dreams lived on the shelves and eventually in our homes. Kenner delivered on so many levels. We were lucky to have grown up then when toys meant something. I appreciate your support for the channel. As always, I just say what's on my mind. Take it easy, my man!
GQ, William here! I just want to state, as clearly and as emphatically as I can, you are THE MAN! To say that your views and philosophies about Kenner, our childhood nostalgia, the OG world of toy collecting and the feelings it gave (and still gives!) us, as well as Hasbro and the all the current toy lines, matches my feelings 1000%, is an understatement! You and I share a kindred spirit in our feelings on these subjects! Well said Sir! - William
I had a fair amount of POTF2 figures that I bought as they came out in the 90’s,but I gave them all to a friends sons in the early 2000’s.Nothing holds the magic like the vintage Kenner line.I started buying Vintage again in 2018/19 to fill in the gaps in my collection.Vehicles that I never had and the figures I didn’t buy or had traded off.Kenner Star Wars holds such a special place in my heart.I still have the first figure I bought off a spinner rack at Woolworths in 1978.A Stormtrooper..damn I wet crazy when I saw that display!!! From age 6-12 Star Wars toys were my world and I still love them today.
See? You absolutely get the magic behind these toys! Amen! Love to hear these stories. It's truly the glue that holds us to our childhoods in my opinion!!
I was an 80s kid and 90s teen so I had the best of both worlds there. I was so happy to see Star Wars figures make a comeback in 95 that I didn't care about the puffy roid chests on alot of the figures.
That's exactly why I still have mine. Came from a single parent family and my mum was the one who bought my toys. First day of primary school I was greeted with R2D2. Special memories...more so now my mum passed away 14 years ago.
What a fantastic video. Your message definitely hits close to home for me. I grew up with vintage Kenner in the '80s when I was a kid. Star Wars and the Kenner line have always had a special place in my heart, and like you, this is why they bring me so much joy. Also like you, I collected a lot of the stuff from the POTF2 line from the '90s, and and beyond. Having picked up some modern stuff and black series along the way in recent years too. But the older I get, I've come to realize that it is the vintage Kenner toys that really make me happy. All the other modern stuff is cool in its own right, and sometimes the hunt is fun, but they really don't bring me the same joy that I get from the vintage Kenner. I'm quite envious that you were able to sell off all your modern. I'm in the situation now where I would like to do the same, but really don't even know where to start as I just have so much stuff. It also sucks that when I sell off any of my collection, unless I'm getting cash for this stuff, transactions via eBay, PayPal, etc are logged and I'll have to end up pay taxes on all this stuff when sold. Oof! I would say the only place where you and I stray in our views is with the modern retro line. I've always been a huge fan and supporter of Stan Solo and have a lot of the same customs you have. But I do like the retro line for a couple reasons. One, in regards to remakes of the classic vintage line, it will allow collectors to build a vintage collection at a fraction of the price. And while you and I can differentiate between a retro line and a vintage, for most folks seeing them in a display, they can get the same feeling just at a much more wallet friendly price point. Second, I do think that some of the "new" retro style figures that are being released actually tie in quite well with the vintage stuff in displays. Not all the mind you, but some of them I really do like. That said, to each their own. I completely understand why you don't want to give Hasbro any of your money and salute you for maintaining that. Again, just wanted to take time to thank you for sharing your views, your words really reflect how I feel currently and have always felt about the Kenner line of figures from my youth. They certainly have a way of teleporting me back to fond memories, great times, and bring joy to my life now, just like they did when I was a kid. Keep up the great work GQ. Always looking forward to your next video.
Appreciate the kind words, Sir. I'm all about Kenner and it's super easy to wax on about my feelings and how much these toys mean to me. I know many like yourself feel the same way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Hope your collecting journey keeps you smiling. MTFBWY!
Not only does my vintage SW toy collection reminds me of the OT. But mostly they remind me of the department stores (many of those stores don’t exist anymore) and the years 1977 and 1978. I was ten when it came out in 77 and Christmas 1978 is still my favorite Christmas as a kid.
Agreed. I sold all my modern figures and now just focus on the G.I.Joe's from my childhood. (Mostly 85-94) Nothing like tracking down figures with that vintage nostalgia feeling.
I was 7 years old when Star Wars came out. went to see it with my dad. Absolutely captured my imagination. I think the Nostalgia of the old 5poa brings us back to a simpler time in the world wasn't so complicated.
Beautiful answer. There is magic in these figures. I started (re)purchasing the Star Wars figures from my childhood this week - prompted by memories from the ‘70s and by wonderful channels such as yours. Thank you!
I also collect the original Kenner Star Wars figures, as well as the POTF2 and original Galoob Star Wars Micro Machines lines. Even though the POTF2 and Micro Machines are special to me too, in their own right, they don't even come close to the original series. Like you, I have a very, very strong nostalgic connection with the original figures. I have so many, many memories of playing with those things for countless hours. It didn't matter if I played with friends, family or by myself, I always enjoyed playing with my vintage figures. Even today, I binge watch vintage Star Wars commercials on UA-cam because it brings back so many memories and helps to ease my mind. So, I can definitely see where you're comin' from. By the way, I always enjoy lookin' at your collection.
If you know, you know. And after reading your comments, it sounds like you know ;) Vintage is our happy place. Absolutely! Thanks, I enjoy looking at my collection too. Every chance I get.
I agree about the magic of the original line - they even use the original card back images still to this day on the OT figures. There's something even Hasbro know that people like about them. There's even a movement called complete the 96 with The Vintage Collection (TVC)! The articulation has gone crazy recently - most of it hardly usable when on display. PS I'd like to hear your thoughts on carded figures, grading and putting them in Acrylic (loose and carded).
Star Wars and all the products and toys are such wonderful nostalgia. They take me back to a much, much better time. My first exposure to SW was the Topps trading cards, blue series, about late 1977. They of course, didn't have the figures out at that time yet. But I was so intrigued by all the characters and scenes that the cards depicted. Then as soon as the figures came out in 1978, I had some of those as well. The really funny thing is, I hadn't even seen the movie yet, not until the summer of 1978, at a drive-in no less! In 1982, it was being re-run in the theatre here. I remember one of the trailers being shown was for the upcoming Return of the Jedi release!
Kenner is pure nostalgia. For a lot of people It's partly why I collect. What's not to love about vintage Star Wars toys?! Nothing. And I wish I could go back in time to see the entire trilogy in the theaters.
Also my first STAR WARS action-figure (from K-Mart in 1979). I lost him (or he was stolen?) about a year later (a long time for a child). I bought another from Foodland in 1982. I was lucky enough to have Luke: X-Wing Pilot on both the STAR WARS and EMPIRE cards (I preferred the SW card). It's still a great figure - one of Kenner's best - and my second favourite Luke (Tatooine Luke is my favourite).
I only wear New Balance trainers (sneakers). They were the first brand name trainers I bought as a young teenager and they have something Nike etc don’t. I can’t explain it. All I know is they are the only ones I like. I hear you man.
Coherently stated :) And exactly the reasons I (selectively) collect Action Force figures - their abstracted aesthetic is exactly what makes them so great to me. I understand the modern obsession with ultra-articulation and photo-real paint apps, but it does leave me a little chilly
Glad to hear that this video resonated with you, Sir. You gotta go with what feels right. And to me, vintage Kenner feels absolutely right. Hits me in the feels every time I see it or touch it.
Thank you so much for this incredible video!! You almost moved me to tears by describing EXACTLY how I feel!! I will play this video for friends who don't understand me and my collection. There is something very special about Kenner Star Wars vintage toys!! I'm glad I'm one of those who understand!! Once again, Thanks for describing it so well!!🙏🏼
You are most welcome, Richard! Yes, please play and share. Kenner is amazing and it's a wonderful thing to know what it is and how it makes us all feel as collectors. Glad I could shine a light on it for the community :)
I can totally understand that. I sold off most of my modern stuff in order to expand on my vintage collection (and invest into my costumes for the 501st), pretty much for the same reasons as you. The emotional part of the answer is: nostalgia. The more rational part of the answer is: it‘s a relatively finite search area, i.e. there‘s not constantly new stuff being dumped on the market (some of it is admittedly cool). As long as you don‘t go down the rabbit hole of searching for each and every exotic variant or prototype, we should be doing okay…
I love the vintage. I also love the new figures. I had a bunch of vintage and gave them away to focus on the new. Now im collecting both. I love the detail in modern figures
I totally agree with all your points. I stopped collecting Hasbro, because of the exclusive figures and the amount of figures. I couldn’t keep up with it.
Hi! Great video as always! I really emjoy hearing about the personal opinions and reasons behind a collector and why they collect what they collect. So here’s a bit of information about my action figure collecting history: Funny thing is, I did not grow up with Vintage Kenner Star Wars action figures. I was born in the year 2000, I’m a child of the 2000s, and so I grew up playing and collecting modern Hasbro Star Wars action figures and toys like all the other kids of my generation. I amassed a pretty big modern Star Wars collection too, even had a few Vintage Kenner figures that I got cheap as fleamarkets as novelty items for my collection. However by the time I reached my teenage years I felt toy collecting was no longer as cool as it was before. Perhaps even a bit embarrassing. So I sold almost 70-80% of my collection. (although kept some of the figures I just could not let go) It wasn’t until after I graduated from high school that I started getting back into collecting again. So it wasn’t a very long break. But my attitude towards the hobby still changed significantly. When cleaning my room I found some of the beater used Vintage Kenner figures I bought at the flea market years ago under my bed, realizing I completely forgot about even having them. Then something hit me. A feeling of, yeah I would love to have more of these wierd retro Star Wars figures. They’re cool. They have a unique charm and feel to them none of my other modern toys had. So I started doing research into the ins and outs of Vintage Kenner Star Wars. The figures, the variants, accessories, history, impact etc. And I realized that this is how I’m going to start collecting again. Vintage. Instead of trying to collect as many Star Wars items as possible modern or vintage like before, a collection without design nor focus. This time I’ll have a clear goal/trajectory and path to follow. Yes these old toys are relatively hard to come by, expensive, some rare. But this collection has a beggining middle and end. It has a self contained design aesthethic. A toy aesthethic (forgive my english grammer I speak the language far better) And based on the Original Star Wars Trilogy first and for most and exlusively. The best Star Wars. So, the reason why I prefer to collect vintage over modern is mainly because these figures are as closely connected to the source material to the movies as possible. These figures came out during the making of those original movies. They are as much a product of their time, as the movies themselves that they are based off of, as well as a product of the era the movies were made in that they are based off of. And It’s literally where this entire hobby started. Everything regarding Star Wars collecting today, modern, all owns it’s existence to them. Their historical significance is undeniable. A modern R2-D2 might look exactly like R2-D2 from the movies, but the vintage figure feels more like the character despite not necessary resembing the movie as much. Modern figures represent the movies, and their own time. Vintage figures represent the movies, and their own time, but also the bygone era of those movies. There is a certain difference wich I find fascinating in a way. So for me, It’s not the nostalgia I have for these figures that drives me to collect them, but rather their historical significance and direct connection the classic Star Wars feel and more simplistic, stylized toyetic design that makes them so desirable and fun for me beyond anything else. And just like you said: because I cannot just go to the store and buy thesefigures, and because they are very expensive, and I mostly operate from my own pocket money so to speak, It takes more time to collect these. I started properly focus collecting Vintage since 2020 It’s been 4 years and I only now completed my first 12. But I don’t mind it. It’s definetily a journey. Going to flea markets has become an almost weekly exercise. Going to toy faire’s, meeting bunch of different interesting people who collect Vintage. Learning more about them. I’m definitly an outsider due to my age. Everyone is in their 30s or 40s at least. Meanwhile I’m still a college student. Usually they assume I just buy them out of curiosity, then I surprise them with my knowledge of the subject. Anyway. Really long text I wrote. Keep up the good work! And greetings from Hungary!
Greetings from sunny California! Man, you speak very well and I understood everything you said and meant. Perfectly. I agree with you about the history of these toys. It was a time and a place when these all came out, so you have to respect and honor that. I try to in my own way. Keeping the passion alive isn't hard. You just have to touch it, feel it, as you have and the rest takes care of itself. It's beautiful. For those that don't or won't get it, that's okay. But for the rest of us that do understand, it's a pretty amazing journey. And en epic feeling that won't die. Enjoy your journey, my man!
Kenner was definitely a powerhouse. Toyetic!! Modern Hasbro has a handful of nice pieces, but Kenner really knocked it out of the park. Kenner designers were true artists and sculpted from scratch, and that passion still holds true almost 40 years later. It's sad that our community is making better toys than Hasbro, and have a true vintage esthetic. Thanks GQ!
I collect all lines vintage and modern - but I respect the hardcore Kenner-ites, and especially the GQ Jedi! Will be interesting to see what you have to say :)
Great video, I understand your perspective for sure. I grew up with the movies lines. From potf2 to revenge of the sith. I have fond memories of those. I do wonder. You love receiving figures in all the time. What will happen when there is nothing left to buy? You will just be done with collecting? Not trying to be a jerk with this question. I love your channel. Just for the sake of conversation.
I have the entire line of Kenner Star Wars. There truly is nothing left for me to buy besides the cartoon stuff and boxed items. But there will always be customs to be had. I will always want to upgrade things. The hunt will always go on I think for me. I'll do my best to keep that juice flowing in some capacity. Not a jerk question. Thought provoking and honest. Thanks for asking. To go down the MOC line would take the rest of my life I think. Pricing alone would keep that hunt going. Sealed Kenner is expensive in any capacity.
I collect other things but I absolutely love terminator and terminator 2 and I’m working on the kenner terminator line now. The hardest piece I’m having an issue with finding it in box and the box being in good condition is the terminator flesh regenerator play set.
I believe Terminator is also Kenner, right? I vaguely remember that line from back in those days. Boxed items or boxes in general are always the cream on the top. Hard to acquire. Best of luck on your quest!
I collect both vintage and modern, and you nailed it in your video: what is lacking with the modern is the thrill of the hunt! Back in the day you found the toys in a store, if you were lucky. And if you weren't you tried the next week. I remember calling the local TRU and asking if they had a shipment, then begging my dad to take me up there when he got home from work. Awesome! I really like the modern stuff, but there is no hunt. You'll NEVER find it in the stores. You go to Amazon or Hasbro online and make a few clicks and it arrives. Just not the same thing. Keep the posts coming, I enjoy them!!
Thanks, Steven. You get what I was saying. The HUNT is everything. Can't reproduce that with modern. Time won't allow that. Everything comes at a push of a button. Boring. Lackluster. No patience, no reward. Nah. I'll stick with Kenner.
For most, including myself (although it is GI Joe rather than Star Wars), it has nothing to do with the lumps of plastic in our hands. It is about those figures and vehicles being time machines that bring us back to a more simpler time. Even now, picking up a figure or reading a vintage comic instantly brings me a few minutes of peace and contentment in a very stressful life at work and at home.
I feel you on vintage Kenner. I look at the Black collection and these super duper Haslab creations and wonder 'Why?' I would only populate them with vintage Kenner and Kenner augments like those you frequently review on your channel. I will say Hasbro did hit it with some playsets. The Tantive IV hallway, Jabbas Throne Room and Disturbance at Lars Homestead are awesome playsets that vintage Kenner fit in nicely. Hasbro does a Sandcrawler that is a better price point and adequate stand in until a vintage Sandcrawler can be had. To each their own. I try and go as pure as my wallet will allow. Some Hasbro playsets really pull the vintage Kenner along though.
I am in negotiations with a seller on eBay, as I type this, on acquiring a 47-Back ESB MOC Kenner 2-1B medical droid, a figure I’ve ALWAYS wanted and dreamed of. And also, with a different seller, a 20-Back B carded Death Star Droid. IF I’m lucky enough to land these, these will be the 1st 2 MOC carded OG Kenner I’ve been able to get into my collection. To say I’m excited about the possibility is an understatement. I’ll keep you informed. - Take care my friend! - William
Hey! Great video and thank you for sharing your memories. I received my first figures in my Easter Basket right after they were released. I think that was back in 1979. Star Wars was definitely my go to until GI Joe came out. And I do collect some modern, but I agree with you. Too much. Too expensive.
Same here. I started collecting the new Hasbro toys in 1995, but they lacked the magic of the original Kenner toys that were part of my childhood. Not a fan of the prequels either, so I sold off all the new figures but kept some vehicles like the A-Wing, T-16, and TIE Bomber.
@@GQJedi The Stan Solo figures, speeder and Bantha re-ignited my interest in collecting again. It's like they picked up where Kenner left off. I'm having fun! And thanks for doing your show. Very informative. I enjoy it.
I hear you on that point, as much as I liked and still played with Star Wars as a kid, G.I joe was just the nature progression. The one benefit Star Wars did have over G.I joe is that they were alot more durable.
I was always loyal to the Kenner STAR WARS lines. The lack of articulation never bothered me as a child. I'm glad the articulation points were kept to a minimum - more articulation points only means more breakage points for a child. Agreed, the figures were more durable (even more so, for certain characters: Chewie, Stormy, Jawa, and Gammy, etc). *What I liked best about Kenner STAR WARS was, that they never cheapened out; each figure was a unique sculpt - unlike other action-figure toy lines, where the same arms, legs, heads, and torsos, were reused to create 'new' characters / figures. *Kenner did reuse some weapons for other figures, but that was okay. Kids could always swap out the weapons with others more appropriate to a particular character - e.g. Han Bespin, with a smuggler's blaster instead of the Bespin blaster he was packaged with - or Luke Tatooine, with Kenobi's blue lightsaber.
My journey w collecting vintage SW is nearing it’s end and yes l was going to move on to the 90’s but just a month ago me near 60 now l decided NO. So I erased all my files I’ve been building and preparing to commence my collectors attack then decided the vtg Kenner 70’s to 80’s will be it and ur 100% right that’s were the joy is for SW not this newer stuff. Old school SW was and will be always the very best ever made.
Indeed: "The point of a journey is not to arrive." I can't disagree with anything you said, but at the same time I am both a vintage and modern collector. I don't want to dissuade you of your journey as I enjoy what you choose to share of it. Nor do you dissuade me from mine, despite the negatives which you point out and I agree with. I had some slight advantages into vintage colleting going into this: I had 90% of the figures from childhood, mostly in good shape, Likewise about 40-50% of the playsets and vehicles. I think I was at the perfect age to do this. I was 6 when I started collecting and 13 when the POTF line came out and came to an end. I jumped on the bandwagon in the 90s and that excitement carried me through the next decade. Then, probably due to decreasing quality of current visual media (not naming names) and also personal life, I backed off. About a year or two ago, I jumped back in, collecting both but focusing on vintage. Increased quality of visual media has helped also (again not naming names). Customizers (meaning factory level - semi-mass produced customizers) as you mention put a whole new dimesion on this hobby. There is something new and exciting in that aspect for sure. In the last few months the Kenner collection has grown siginificatnly here, for the first time in years (I'm super inspired now, and thank you, you have helped wiith that!). Picked up a pristine boxed Y-wing, 2 Ewok villages, a VMH, parts to complete pieces, multiple bits of ephemera (some that gives completeness to previously owned unboxed items), upgrades, and just today a vintage Han in trenchcoat variant that I did not have prior - for a sweet price! But also bought a modern Mandolorian figure which brought no joy to me other than the excitement to find it on clearance at a pocket change price. (there was more "thrill of the hunt" in the 90s than now) Super excited to see what tomorrow brings. Sorry when my "comments" become a blog post. I should maybe start a blog. Are there still such things as blogs? 🤔😄
Vintage is where it's at for me and most following this channel. I really can't comment further on modern stuff other than to say it brings me no joy and therefore I don't collect it or talk about it. But happy to see folks doing their thing as you are.
Vintage star wars figures, playsets, vehicles, ships r my favorite by far 💯but I also collect Vintage he-man , gi joe and i am a big fan of Vintage mego toys like marvel superheroes , dukes of hazzard and clash of the titans , buck rogers , battle star Galactica just to name some because these were toys that i had as a kid i grew up with just me and my mom and she worked very hard to make sure my birthdays and Christmases were very magical i was a very lucky child 😁and I always look back at it and will never forget how amazing she was to me and now as a 50 year old man I do whatever i can to make her life the best much love to mom's everywhere ❤️ God love
Dave... what a beautiful sentiment you shared. Your mom raised you right, good Sir. I know she's proud of you. Thanks for sharing that personal thought with me/us. You rock! Keep collecting. Take care of her and yourself. MTFBWY!
Thank you, Tony! The modern don't have that punch for me like I said. Guess it doesn't for you either. Nothing wrong with that. Can't help how you feel :)
At the moment I collect starwars 3.75 action figures I can use in making home made starwars board games. Made a fun to play Mandalorian board game. Also started testing a Stormtrooper board game. Working on two other starwars board games.
Man that sounds awesome. I never gave much thought to Star Wars board games. I have the modern death Star and Hoth games I bought just for the retro collection figures (Tarkin and Snowspeeder suit Luke). Plus I have a POTF 2 board game from the 90s I bought for exclusive figures Luke Skywalker (stormtrooper disguise weathered from trash compactors) and Darth Vader. Have you played any of those games?
@@silvervalleystudios2486 I have the power of the force board game I bought at a garage sale. It had Luke, no Vader. I would have made the game differently. One game would have the walls slightly close in with every turn. Then collect scrap metal type piece tokens to hold the wall. Then another game might be token pieces for R2 to figure out how to unlock the door. Then possibly other such games to go with the scenes.
Born in 74 star wars landed on my lap just in time . Along with ateam Transformers action man/action force heman it was toy heaven 😍 I don't like any new toys or any Reissued stuff . Give me the real deal my childhood toys or nothing. Can't beat the original and childhood memories of bliss ✨ cheers bro 👍
Nailed it. I have modern, Black Series and original . And it's the original that is on display. The Hasbro black series is amazing but it's not the same as an original Kenner.
OG Kenner is the gold standard for but the black series six inch line deserves a lot of love. In particular the Tarkin with interrogator droid figure and the 2016 SDCC Luke and Landspeeder set. No regrets buying those figures.
Subbed beautiful collection I'm a black series guy but I love the kenner stuff something about those figures was lighting in a bottle something todays 3.75 figures hasn't got thay didn't have to be super realistic to be good I'd take em over my black series any day Jedi is my favourite stuff as thats the one I grew up with as I was to young when the first two came out I wasn't born when new hope came out
Welcome to the channel. Enjoy the content! Kenner has the magic. If you know, you know. And it sounds like you do, Sir. ROTJ was the sweet spot for me as well.
Is this your first live?? Also do you have a website or a place where I can share images of a diorama I have with you? Email address? And one last thing on your land speeder diorama... I have to take issue with those putting Artoo's legs toward the seat back. I have switched him around so that his head now is up against the seat backs as in the movie, but I get it. Kenner has the foot pegs for him. Haha
Just to clarify. This isn't a Live Stream. It's a premiere. Big difference. When I say that I will be live, I mean live in the chat box that is next to the premiere video. Pretty sure if you click on the video right now, you will see the chat section I'm referring to. I don't have a website. But you can always message 'GQ Jedi' on Facebook page or thru my instagram. Whichever you prefer. I check instagram and use that daily though. I put Artoo like that because I felt like it. I hear what you're saying. I may switch him up. Not sure. Either way, he's not going anywhere. LOL.
THANK YOU so much for the SuperChat, Blake! Wasn't expecting that but I truly appreciate your generosity, good Sir! As always, thank you kindly for your continued support for this little channel of mine!!
I've tried collecting a couple current toy lines, and always crash and burn, selling it all off. It's too much of a hassle to complete a toy line these days. Like you said, there's no end to modern lines. I don't want forty versions of the same figure. Just give me the one that was made back in the day in a finite line that can be completed.
Totally agree with ya on most points, But must say you are missing out on some great new stuff. OTSVC 2004-2007 Kenner/Hasbro are amazing. Plus TVC 1.0 and some of TVC 2.0. Plus various vehicles. If you are just focusing on kenner I get it completely. But I find some times SW collector tend to shoot themselves in the foot. For me I love the OG kenner packaging or cardbacks but there are so many improvements that go over peoples heads I think that many just miss it. I love the AT-AT ESB 1981 like I had as a kid but you know what the AT-AT Vintage Collection ESB checks off all those boxes and much much more. Same with the TVC Tie Interceptor etc. for me it’s the realism of the figures plus kenner packaging in the modern line is the best it’s ever been. Save a few minor box or cardback issues I have with the releases etc.
Oh I'm well aware of what Hasbro has put out over the years. I've missed nothing. I'm just not interested in any of that. And I don't want to support Hasbro. Period. Full stop.
I passed on the Vintage Collection Tie Interceptor as I have the original vintage, Power of the Jedi and TAC Elite Tie Interceptor. I'm sure the Vintage collection Tie Interceptor looks cool but trust me, once you hold an original vintage Tie Interceptor there's no going back. The grey plastic with grey/black sticker scheme looks so awesome. Photos or videos can't do it justice. I might be a little biased because the original vintage Tie Interceptor is my favourite vehicle.
Only reason that the POTF2 has any meaning for me is that my son was born in the '90's and I bought them for him. The modern POTF2 for him is what the vintage was for me. Like father like son. :)
Ive stopped collecting modern. I feel that adding modern figures takes away the nostalgia from my vintage figures. Less is more for me. Vintage is so 'toyetic' and cool to look at. Having said that I still think that Kenner stitched us up. Weapons and accessories not fitting on hands, Tauntaun saddles and reins cracking, Dewback reins cracking. Then they gave us awesome sets but not enough figures to fill them (no Dr Evazan and Wuher for the Cantina set and no Tarkin for the Death Star set). For me now it's about sprucing up my Vintage figures. That means Stan Solo customs and custom dioramas and accessories.
Kenner = Toyetic, as Bernie Loomis once said. Absolutely! Yes, some aspects of these toys came with a heavy price. LOL. Can't deny that. I just try to appreciate what we did get. Stan Solo and other custom makers like TheNext17 are filling in some of these gaps. No doubt!
I do not. Kenner Star Wars keeps me very busy. Thought about Indiana Jones. But haven't pulled that trigger as there's so many things I still want to grab from the Star Wars line...MOCS. Boxed items. Variants. Cartoon figures.
@@GQJedi Indiana Jones is cool I have a graded one that’s loose but complete but was gonna buy hasbros retro collection one to keep one on card and have one to mess with cause the thumbs on Indy break and the vintage one is expensive with broken thumbs
@@grayharris672 I have the Kenner Indiana Jones Map room. Just waiting to score a good deal on the Well of Souls set. The Kenner ROTLA line is awesome.
@@silvervalleystudios2486 nice yes it is and hasbro retro collection for that is making and Indy SR and salah figure also a Indy so that’s cool I have a graded vintage Indy loose but I’m gonna buy a retro collection one to mess with and one to keep carded
Only vintage Kenner STAR WARS (1978 - 85), and Hasbro's original trilogy Kenner Retro Collection lines for me. I won't touch the modern, over-articulated action figures - with their many ugly joints (that ruin the sculpts, imo).
Modern stuff is TOO articulated. Figures are all segmented for the sake of articulation. I no like. They should be action figures not puppets. Collecting vintage is all about nostalgia memory triggers. And great charming simplicity in their design. Great video and I totally identify with your take. Thanks.
If you are speaking for yourself, I couldn't agree more!! GL should have never sold the franchise. Period. But that's a video for another time. Hasblo isn't getting my money. And the Mouse will have to get his cheese from somebody else.
@@GQJedi 100%. Also, everything you said for you was true for me as well. Vintage stuff brings me back to my childhood, it is not about the coolest figures, it is about collecting things that you thought were the coolest, and nothing will ever be cooler than things you thought were cool when you were a kid.
🚨Blast the SUBSCRIBE Button so you don't miss any future 'Star Wars' content ! ua-cam.com/users/GQJedi 🚨
Brother I’m 50 yrs old. I grew up with all the vintage Star Wars like you . Everything you say is right on ! The feelings they bring to me transport me to my childhood and can’t help but smile .
Kenner is magical!!
I collected modern Star Wars for quite sometime as well. I was able to sell them them surprisingly easily and don’t miss them. I kept all my original Kenner and am now exclusively building that collection. I have enjoyed watching your channel for awhile now.
Good luck on your Kenner quest!! Thanks for your support, Bill! 🙏🏻
People do ask me, why I collect vintage toys... I don't collect toys I collect memories.
For me, every old toy is like a time capsule.
Love your video.
Exactly. Kenner captured the magic of SW and I’m here to enjoy it all.
Right there with you, bud. I tried to enjoy the whole POTF2 thing, but only the true vintage toys brings me satisfaction.
Kenner holds all the magic. Period. My opinion of course.
I’ve been collecting the 3.75” line since 78 and my collection is massive to say the least. But in the last year I’ve decided that there is nothing like filling in the holes in my vintage Kenner collection. I’ve been to several toy cons this year and a bunch of antique stores etc. I’ve made some lucky finds. I completed my Kenner figure collection through eBay back around the year 2000. But I’m still missing a hand full of vehicles and playsets. Every time I manage to find a “new” one, it’s a huge score and so much more satisfying than buying a current/new item. I still do that as well, but I’ve just recently packed up a ton of “modern” stuff to make more room to properly display the Kenner stuff. I’ll be 50 in February and I’ll always be a Kenner/TRU kid and never grow up. My 15 year old son is into it as well and sharing with him is the very best!
It’s a great hobby. I’m super happy to hear that you’re able to share your love of Star Wars with your son. “Pass on what you have learned.”
GQ, great video man! Like many guys around my age (50) these vintage Kenner Star Wars toys were an important part of our childhood. First watched SW when I was 6 years old. Got an X-Wing and some figures for my 7th birthday, Christmas I got a Tie Fighter, Land Speeder, The Falcon and more figures. I collected and played with these amazing toys until 1985 and was lucky enough to find most of the last 17. I've kept all my collection, over the years I upgraded some figures and managed to find some rare items, I even sold my car to buy a boxed Sand Crawler and Skiff ! These toys mean so much to me, having owned most of my collection for over 40 years I know I'd regret selling them. Thanks GQ for an emotional 12 minutes. Thank you Kenner. MTFBWY all!
Thanks, brother! Memories are treasures. Nothing can replace them. Kenner definitely is a link to all of our childhoods. I respect that. Very cool to hear that you still have most of your og collection. I'm happy to share my thoughts and glad to hear my words resonated with you in some fashion.
As a child of the 70s and 80s and growing up on the original trilogy, seeing these toys bring back some great memories. Which is why I only collect Kenner. They sit in a display cabinet in my office and on those stressful days I can just look at them and it reminds me of a simpler time. MTFBWY
You've got the right idea, Rob! AMEN to that!! MTFBWY !
I feel very lucky that I kept all my Kenner Star Wars toys from back in the days. During the 90s I found action figures and vehicles that I never had back in the days. I am pretty much complete with it and I feel good that I kept them. The conditions of some of them is questionable and I need to restore/ clean. Some of the boxes are totally damages, but I don't care because THEY are MINE from when I was a child and that is priceless for me. I do collect the new Hasbro, I have been since the 90s, but that is me. I totally respect you for collecting the Vintage figures, playlets, vehicles and creatures only. That is you and that defines you. Keep sharing because I really enjoy your channel.
Happy to hear that you enjoy the channel. Have a great weekend!
I feel ya, as a child I loved the Kenners figures. I remember having the Death Star, Creature Catina. Nothing but good memories...
Kenner helped shaped many childhoods. Nothing but love there.
Ah GQJ you have said it so well. There is a purity, innocence and timeless quality to the original Kenner line. It’s where it all started. Bottom line there would be no modern figures without Kenner. I’ve carried my collection with me since the 70s & I could never dream of parting with them. As a kid I remember the toy stores with racks filled with Star Wars figures, in fact I got my first figures before I even saw the movie. Vader & Luke, those two figures sparked my imagination and filled me with anticipation for this galaxy & story to get lost in. Yes these little figures evoke such good memories of a childhood filled with wonder at this story and this galaxy far far away.
I always look forward to your videos, thanks for sharing your love for Kenner Star Wars, you express so well what many of us feel.
Cruising the toy aisles was heaven back then. Dreams lived on the shelves and eventually in our homes. Kenner delivered on so many levels. We were lucky to have grown up then when toys meant something. I appreciate your support for the channel. As always, I just say what's on my mind. Take it easy, my man!
GQ, William here! I just want to state, as clearly and as emphatically as I can, you are THE MAN! To say that your views and philosophies about Kenner, our childhood nostalgia, the OG world of toy collecting and the feelings it gave (and still gives!) us, as well as Hasbro and the all the current toy lines, matches my feelings 1000%, is an understatement! You and I share a kindred spirit in our feelings on these subjects! Well said Sir! - William
Appreciate the kind words, William. I just say whats on my mind. Speak from the heart. That's it. Glad my message resonated with you. MTFBWY!
I had a fair amount of POTF2 figures that I bought as they came out in the 90’s,but I gave them all to a friends sons in the early 2000’s.Nothing holds the magic like the vintage Kenner line.I started buying Vintage again in 2018/19 to fill in the gaps in my collection.Vehicles that I never had and the figures I didn’t buy or had traded off.Kenner Star Wars holds such a special place in my heart.I still have the first figure I bought off a spinner rack at Woolworths in 1978.A Stormtrooper..damn I wet crazy when I saw that display!!! From age 6-12 Star Wars toys were my world and I still love them today.
See? You absolutely get the magic behind these toys! Amen! Love to hear these stories. It's truly the glue that holds us to our childhoods in my opinion!!
Hopefully in 40 + years time those P.O.T.F 2 figures will mean as much to your friends sons as the vintage ones do to us now.
I was an 80s kid and 90s teen so I had the best of both worlds there. I was so happy to see Star Wars figures make a comeback in 95 that I didn't care about the puffy roid chests on alot of the figures.
Hahaha
That's exactly why I still have mine. Came from a single parent family and my mum was the one who bought my toys. First day of primary school I was greeted with R2D2. Special memories...more so now my mum passed away 14 years ago.
Your mom sounds like an awesome woman! I understand that sentiment. May she rest in peace.
What a fantastic video. Your message definitely hits close to home for me. I grew up with vintage Kenner in the '80s when I was a kid. Star Wars and the Kenner line have always had a special place in my heart, and like you, this is why they bring me so much joy. Also like you, I collected a lot of the stuff from the POTF2 line from the '90s, and and beyond. Having picked up some modern stuff and black series along the way in recent years too. But the older I get, I've come to realize that it is the vintage Kenner toys that really make me happy. All the other modern stuff is cool in its own right, and sometimes the hunt is fun, but they really don't bring me the same joy that I get from the vintage Kenner.
I'm quite envious that you were able to sell off all your modern. I'm in the situation now where I would like to do the same, but really don't even know where to start as I just have so much stuff. It also sucks that when I sell off any of my collection, unless I'm getting cash for this stuff, transactions via eBay, PayPal, etc are logged and I'll have to end up pay taxes on all this stuff when sold. Oof!
I would say the only place where you and I stray in our views is with the modern retro line. I've always been a huge fan and supporter of Stan Solo and have a lot of the same customs you have. But I do like the retro line for a couple reasons. One, in regards to remakes of the classic vintage line, it will allow collectors to build a vintage collection at a fraction of the price. And while you and I can differentiate between a retro line and a vintage, for most folks seeing them in a display, they can get the same feeling just at a much more wallet friendly price point. Second, I do think that some of the "new" retro style figures that are being released actually tie in quite well with the vintage stuff in displays. Not all the mind you, but some of them I really do like. That said, to each their own. I completely understand why you don't want to give Hasbro any of your money and salute you for maintaining that.
Again, just wanted to take time to thank you for sharing your views, your words really reflect how I feel currently and have always felt about the Kenner line of figures from my youth. They certainly have a way of teleporting me back to fond memories, great times, and bring joy to my life now, just like they did when I was a kid.
Keep up the great work GQ. Always looking forward to your next video.
Appreciate the kind words, Sir. I'm all about Kenner and it's super easy to wax on about my feelings and how much these toys mean to me. I know many like yourself feel the same way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Hope your collecting journey keeps you smiling. MTFBWY!
Not only does my vintage SW toy collection reminds me of the OT. But mostly they remind me of the department stores (many of those stores don’t exist anymore) and the years 1977 and 1978. I was ten when it came out in 77 and Christmas 1978 is still my favorite Christmas as a kid.
Prime time to be alive. Nothing beats our childhood!
Agreed. I sold all my modern figures and now just focus on the G.I.Joe's from my childhood. (Mostly 85-94) Nothing like tracking down figures with that vintage nostalgia feeling.
There is nothing like it. That feeling. For me, I live my life with feeling. These toys spark so much of it inside. Just gotta run with it.
I was 7 years old when Star Wars came out. went to see it with my dad. Absolutely captured my imagination. I think the Nostalgia of the old 5poa brings us back to a simpler time in the world wasn't so complicated.
Sounds like an amazing memory that you'll always treasure. Love to hear that stuff :)
Beautiful answer. There is magic in these figures. I started (re)purchasing the Star Wars figures from my childhood this week - prompted by memories from the ‘70s and by wonderful channels such as yours. Thank you!
Super jazzed for you that you've started back on your collecting journey. Enjoy!!!
I also collect the original Kenner Star Wars figures, as well as the POTF2 and original Galoob Star Wars Micro Machines lines. Even though the POTF2 and Micro Machines are special to me too, in their own right, they don't even come close to the original series. Like you, I have a very, very strong nostalgic connection with the original figures. I have so many, many memories of playing with those things for countless hours. It didn't matter if I played with friends, family or by myself, I always enjoyed playing with my vintage figures. Even today, I binge watch vintage Star Wars commercials on UA-cam because it brings back so many memories and helps to ease my mind. So, I can definitely see where you're comin' from. By the way, I always enjoy lookin' at your collection.
If you know, you know. And after reading your comments, it sounds like you know ;) Vintage is our happy place. Absolutely! Thanks, I enjoy looking at my collection too. Every chance I get.
I agree about the magic of the original line - they even use the original card back images still to this day on the OT figures. There's something even Hasbro know that people like about them. There's even a movement called complete the 96 with The Vintage Collection (TVC)! The articulation has gone crazy recently - most of it hardly usable when on display.
PS I'd like to hear your thoughts on carded figures, grading and putting them in Acrylic (loose and carded).
I'm aware of TVC line but still not interested. Nah. I'm good.
Maybe I'll do a video about carded, grading and acrylics. Not a bad topic to discuss.
Star Wars and all the products and toys are such wonderful nostalgia. They take me back to a much, much better time. My first exposure to SW was the Topps trading cards, blue series, about late 1977. They of course, didn't have the figures out at that time yet. But I was so intrigued by all the characters and scenes that the cards depicted. Then as soon as the figures came out in 1978, I had some of those as well. The really funny thing is, I hadn't even seen the movie yet, not until the summer of 1978, at a drive-in no less! In 1982, it was being re-run in the theatre here. I remember one of the trailers being shown was for the upcoming Return of the Jedi release!
Kenner is pure nostalgia. For a lot of people It's partly why I collect. What's not to love about vintage Star Wars toys?! Nothing. And I wish I could go back in time to see the entire trilogy in the theaters.
That X-Wing Pilot Luke was my first SW figure as a kid. I love the Kenner figures and will always be my favorite. Great video.
Also my first STAR WARS action-figure (from K-Mart in 1979). I lost him (or he was stolen?) about a year later (a long time for a child). I bought another from Foodland in 1982. I was lucky enough to have Luke: X-Wing Pilot on both the STAR WARS and EMPIRE cards (I preferred the SW card).
It's still a great figure - one of Kenner's best - and my second favourite Luke (Tatooine Luke is my favourite).
Thanks, Jeff! Can never go wrong with X-Wing Luke! Never.
Losing a figure as a child was traumatic. I get the deep sense of loss there. Luuuuke.
I only wear New Balance trainers (sneakers). They were the first brand name trainers I bought as a young teenager and they have something Nike etc don’t. I can’t explain it. All I know is they are the only ones I like. I hear you man.
Nice analogy. LOL. But I get it, mate. Got to go with what hits you in the feels. Period.
I just switched to NB 574's for about 2 years now and am never going back!!! 🙌🏽👍🏽
@@sugadelicsavagesoul8623 mate, wait till you try the made in USA or uk ones. Like walking on clouds.
Coherently stated :)
And exactly the reasons I (selectively) collect Action Force figures - their abstracted aesthetic is exactly what makes them so great to me. I understand the modern obsession with ultra-articulation and photo-real paint apps, but it does leave me a little chilly
Glad to hear that this video resonated with you, Sir. You gotta go with what feels right. And to me, vintage Kenner feels absolutely right. Hits me in the feels every time I see it or touch it.
Totally dude, we all get it at least :)
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
See you Saturday!
I can totally relate, man.
You had me at “magic.”
Nothing will ever beat Kenner.
Kenner = Magic. Period. If you know, you know. And well...you know. Cheers, Mitch!
Thank you so much for this incredible video!! You almost moved me to tears by describing EXACTLY how I feel!! I will play this video for friends who don't understand me and my collection. There is something very special about Kenner Star Wars vintage toys!! I'm glad I'm one of those who understand!! Once again, Thanks for describing it so well!!🙏🏼
You are most welcome, Richard! Yes, please play and share. Kenner is amazing and it's a wonderful thing to know what it is and how it makes us all feel as collectors. Glad I could shine a light on it for the community :)
I can totally understand that. I sold off most of my modern stuff in order to expand on my vintage collection (and invest into my costumes for the 501st), pretty much for the same reasons as you. The emotional part of the answer is: nostalgia. The more rational part of the answer is: it‘s a relatively finite search area, i.e. there‘s not constantly new stuff being dumped on the market (some of it is admittedly cool). As long as you don‘t go down the rabbit hole of searching for each and every exotic variant or prototype, we should be doing okay…
Yep. Purely driven by nostalgia mostly.
Looking forward to it!
Love to hear it 🤘🏻
I love the vintage. I also love the new figures. I had a bunch of vintage and gave them away to focus on the new. Now im collecting both. I love the detail in modern figures
There's a lot to collect in this hobby.
I get you 100%, I do collect the modern top, but kenner is my number 1..magical, see your love for it too 👍
It's all magic in my book. Kenner always puts a smile on my face and makes my heart beat just a tad faster. Powerful stuff it is.
I totally agree with all your points. I stopped collecting Hasbro, because of the exclusive figures and the amount of figures. I couldn’t keep up with it.
Hasbro is greedy. I won’t support them. I gave up collecting modern years ago.
Hi! Great video as always! I really emjoy hearing about the personal opinions and reasons behind a collector and why they collect what they collect. So here’s a bit of information about my action figure collecting history:
Funny thing is, I did not grow up with Vintage Kenner Star Wars action figures. I was born in the year 2000, I’m a child of the 2000s, and so I grew up playing and collecting modern Hasbro Star Wars action figures and toys like all the other kids of my generation. I amassed a pretty big modern Star Wars collection too, even had a few Vintage Kenner figures that I got cheap as fleamarkets as novelty items for my collection. However by the time I reached my teenage years I felt toy collecting was no longer as cool as it was before. Perhaps even a bit embarrassing. So I sold almost 70-80% of my collection. (although kept some of the figures I just could not let go)
It wasn’t until after I graduated from high school that I started getting back into collecting again. So it wasn’t a very long break. But my attitude towards the hobby still changed significantly. When cleaning my room I found some of the beater used Vintage Kenner figures I bought at the flea market years ago under my bed, realizing I completely forgot about even having them. Then something hit me. A feeling of, yeah I would love to have more of these wierd retro Star Wars figures. They’re cool. They have a unique charm and feel to them none of my other modern toys had. So I started doing research into the ins and outs of Vintage Kenner Star Wars. The figures, the variants, accessories, history, impact etc. And I realized that this is how I’m going to start collecting again. Vintage. Instead of trying to collect as many Star Wars items as possible modern or vintage like before, a collection without design nor focus. This time I’ll have a clear goal/trajectory and path to follow. Yes these old toys are relatively hard to come by, expensive, some rare. But this collection has a beggining middle and end. It has a self contained design aesthethic. A toy aesthethic (forgive my english grammer I speak the language far better) And based on the Original Star Wars Trilogy first and for most and exlusively. The best Star Wars. So, the reason why I prefer to collect vintage over modern is mainly because these figures are as closely connected to the source material to the movies as possible. These figures came out during the making of those original movies. They are as much a product of their time, as the movies themselves that they are based off of, as well as a product of the era the movies were made in that they are based off of. And It’s literally where this entire hobby started. Everything regarding Star Wars collecting today, modern, all owns it’s existence to them. Their historical significance is undeniable. A modern R2-D2 might look exactly like R2-D2 from the movies, but the vintage figure feels more like the character despite not necessary resembing the movie as much.
Modern figures represent the movies, and their own time.
Vintage figures represent the movies, and their own time, but also the bygone era of those movies.
There is a certain difference wich I find fascinating in a way. So for me, It’s not the nostalgia I have for these figures that drives me to collect them, but rather their historical significance and direct connection the classic Star Wars feel and more simplistic, stylized toyetic design that makes them so desirable and fun for me beyond anything else. And just like you said: because I cannot just go to the store and buy thesefigures, and because they are very expensive, and I mostly operate from my own pocket money so to speak, It takes more time to collect these. I started properly focus collecting Vintage since 2020 It’s been 4 years and I only now completed my first 12. But I don’t mind it. It’s definetily a journey. Going to flea markets has become an almost weekly exercise. Going to toy faire’s, meeting bunch of different interesting people who collect Vintage. Learning more about them. I’m definitly an outsider due to my age. Everyone is in their 30s or 40s at least. Meanwhile I’m still a college student. Usually they assume I just buy them out of curiosity, then I surprise them with my knowledge of the subject. Anyway. Really long text I wrote.
Keep up the good work! And greetings from Hungary!
Greetings from sunny California!
Man, you speak very well and I understood everything you said and meant. Perfectly. I agree with you about the history of these toys. It was a time and a place when these all came out, so you have to respect and honor that. I try to in my own way. Keeping the passion alive isn't hard. You just have to touch it, feel it, as you have and the rest takes care of itself. It's beautiful. For those that don't or won't get it, that's okay. But for the rest of us that do understand, it's a pretty amazing journey. And en epic feeling that won't die. Enjoy your journey, my man!
Kenner was definitely a powerhouse. Toyetic!! Modern Hasbro has a handful of nice pieces, but Kenner really knocked it out of the park. Kenner designers were true artists and sculpted from scratch, and that passion still holds true almost 40 years later. It's sad that our community is making better toys than Hasbro, and have a true vintage esthetic. Thanks GQ!
I couldn't agree more, Bruce! You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for watching: )
I collect all lines vintage and modern - but I respect the hardcore Kenner-ites, and especially the GQ Jedi! Will be interesting to see what you have to say :)
Just going to share my personal feelings on the subject :)
@@GQJedi Brilliant! Always love to hear what you have to say - Always controversial, but that's what I like ;)
Yewww! That’s how I roll. I don’t try to rock any boats but I’m honest about my feelings, which is alllll I can do. 👊🏻
@@GQJedi Yes of course, you're not trying to be controversial, but I appreciate your honesty, when others might not!
Great video, I understand your perspective for sure. I grew up with the movies lines. From potf2 to revenge of the sith. I have fond memories of those. I do wonder. You love receiving figures in all the time. What will happen when there is nothing left to buy? You will just be done with collecting? Not trying to be a jerk with this question. I love your channel. Just for the sake of conversation.
I have the entire line of Kenner Star Wars. There truly is nothing left for me to buy besides the cartoon stuff and boxed items. But there will always be customs to be had. I will always want to upgrade things. The hunt will always go on I think for me. I'll do my best to keep that juice flowing in some capacity. Not a jerk question. Thought provoking and honest. Thanks for asking. To go down the MOC line would take the rest of my life I think. Pricing alone would keep that hunt going. Sealed Kenner is expensive in any capacity.
It's a good feeling collecting things you had , it's a nostalgic thing for sure. 👍
I wish I'd kept EVERY Kenner STAR WARS figure I'd ever owned in the past. I'd be drowning in plastic by now!
The best toy line on Earth!
Absolutely! Reliving old times is pretty sweet in my book.
@Cyrus Q - That's a great image.
Kenner is the Best. Period.
I collect other things but I absolutely love terminator and terminator 2 and I’m working on the kenner terminator line now. The hardest piece I’m having an issue with finding it in box and the box being in good condition is the terminator flesh regenerator play set.
I believe Terminator is also Kenner, right? I vaguely remember that line from back in those days. Boxed items or boxes in general are always the cream on the top. Hard to acquire. Best of luck on your quest!
I can't wait
See you then!
I collect both vintage and modern, and you nailed it in your video: what is lacking with the modern is the thrill of the hunt! Back in the day you found the toys in a store, if you were lucky. And if you weren't you tried the next week. I remember calling the local TRU and asking if they had a shipment, then begging my dad to take me up there when he got home from work. Awesome! I really like the modern stuff, but there is no hunt. You'll NEVER find it in the stores. You go to Amazon or Hasbro online and make a few clicks and it arrives. Just not the same thing. Keep the posts coming, I enjoy them!!
Thanks, Steven. You get what I was saying. The HUNT is everything. Can't reproduce that with modern. Time won't allow that. Everything comes at a push of a button. Boring. Lackluster. No patience, no reward. Nah. I'll stick with Kenner.
Absolutely memories, that's why I use my star wars Kenner toys with my boys so they can have those same types of memories
"Pass on what you have learned...."
@@GQJedi exactly my friend
For most, including myself (although it is GI Joe rather than Star Wars), it has nothing to do with the lumps of plastic in our hands. It is about those figures and vehicles being time machines that bring us back to a more simpler time. Even now, picking up a figure or reading a vintage comic instantly brings me a few minutes of peace and contentment in a very stressful life at work and at home.
Well said. I agree with your sentiments.
Collect what you like. I've been collecting the vintage line plus some MOCs. I also collect the vintage collection, in box.
MOCs and boxed stuff is rad! Kudos to you. Love to hear it. Keep it alive, Rob!
I feel you on vintage Kenner. I look at the Black collection and these super duper Haslab creations and wonder 'Why?' I would only populate them with vintage Kenner and Kenner augments like those you frequently review on your channel.
I will say Hasbro did hit it with some playsets. The Tantive IV hallway, Jabbas Throne Room and Disturbance at Lars Homestead are awesome playsets that vintage Kenner fit in nicely. Hasbro does a Sandcrawler that is a better price point and adequate stand in until a vintage Sandcrawler can be had.
To each their own.
I try and go as pure as my wallet will allow. Some Hasbro playsets really pull the vintage Kenner along though.
Options are endless these days. Collect and display what you will, I say.
Amen brother! IYKYK
Well said man!
Just saying it like it is, Rich 🤙🏻
So many days away man. I can’t wait lol.
Patience. It’ll be here before you know it. Love your enthusiasm!
i was born 1975 .so i was right place right time to be alive ,,,why i buy old kenner brings it all back what a rush ,man
The rush is everything with these old toys! Amen!!!
I am in negotiations with a seller on eBay, as I type this, on acquiring a 47-Back ESB MOC Kenner 2-1B medical droid, a figure I’ve ALWAYS wanted and dreamed of. And also, with a different seller, a 20-Back B carded Death Star Droid. IF I’m lucky enough to land these, these will be the 1st 2 MOC carded OG Kenner I’ve been able to get into my collection. To say I’m excited about the possibility is an understatement. I’ll keep you informed. - Take care my friend! - William
Best of luck to you with your acquisitions! I hope everything works out well for you. That's very exciting, bro!!!
Hey! Great video and thank you for sharing your memories. I received my first figures in my Easter Basket right after they were released. I think that was back in 1979. Star Wars was definitely my go to until GI Joe came out. And I do collect some modern, but I agree with you. Too much. Too expensive.
Thanks for checking it out, Mark!
Same here. I started collecting the new Hasbro toys in 1995, but they lacked the magic of the original Kenner toys that were part of my childhood. Not a fan of the prequels either, so I sold off all the new figures but kept some vehicles like the A-Wing, T-16, and TIE Bomber.
Kenner holds the magic. Not for everyone and that's okay. But for me, it does and that's why I continue to collect it. Just makes sense for me.
@@GQJedi The Stan Solo figures, speeder and Bantha re-ignited my interest in collecting again. It's like they picked up where Kenner left off. I'm having fun! And thanks for doing your show. Very informative. I enjoy it.
That's awesome!
I hear you on that point, as much as I liked and still played with Star Wars as a kid, G.I joe was just the nature progression. The one benefit Star Wars did have over G.I joe is that they were alot more durable.
I was always loyal to the Kenner STAR WARS lines. The lack of articulation never bothered me as a child. I'm glad the articulation points were kept to a minimum - more articulation points only means more breakage points for a child. Agreed, the figures were more durable (even more so, for certain characters: Chewie, Stormy, Jawa, and Gammy, etc).
*What I liked best about Kenner STAR WARS was, that they never cheapened out; each figure was a unique sculpt - unlike other action-figure toy lines, where the same arms, legs, heads, and torsos, were reused to create 'new' characters / figures.
*Kenner did reuse some weapons for other figures, but that was okay. Kids could always swap out the weapons with others more appropriate to a particular character - e.g. Han Bespin, with a smuggler's blaster instead of the Bespin blaster he was packaged with - or Luke Tatooine, with Kenobi's blue lightsaber.
Can't fight the coming tide. We had a good run back then. But as adults, the adventure continues.
All good points. Durability and playability was the bedrock foundation for Kenner.
My journey w collecting vintage SW is nearing it’s end and yes l was going to move on to the 90’s but just a month ago me near 60 now l decided NO. So I erased all my files I’ve been building and preparing to commence my collectors attack then decided the vtg Kenner 70’s to 80’s will be it and ur 100% right that’s were the joy is for SW not this newer stuff. Old school SW was and will be always the very best ever made.
"You must do what you feel is right of course."
I understand what you're saying. The Kenner line will always be there for you my friend.
So happy to know I’m not a 50 yr crazy man! Everything you said I can relate to 😊
You’re not crazy as far as I can tell 😉
Indeed: "The point of a journey is not to arrive." I can't disagree with anything you said, but at the same time I am both a vintage and modern collector. I don't want to dissuade you of your journey as I enjoy what you choose to share of it. Nor do you dissuade me from mine, despite the negatives which you point out and I agree with. I had some slight advantages into vintage colleting going into this: I had 90% of the figures from childhood, mostly in good shape, Likewise about 40-50% of the playsets and vehicles. I think I was at the perfect age to do this. I was 6 when I started collecting and 13 when the POTF line came out and came to an end. I jumped on the bandwagon in the 90s and that excitement carried me through the next decade. Then, probably due to decreasing quality of current visual media (not naming names) and also personal life, I backed off. About a year or two ago, I jumped back in, collecting both but focusing on vintage. Increased quality of visual media has helped also (again not naming names). Customizers (meaning factory level - semi-mass produced customizers) as you mention put a whole new dimesion on this hobby. There is something new and exciting in that aspect for sure. In the last few months the Kenner collection has grown siginificatnly here, for the first time in years (I'm super inspired now, and thank you, you have helped wiith that!). Picked up a pristine boxed Y-wing, 2 Ewok villages, a VMH, parts to complete pieces, multiple bits of ephemera (some that gives completeness to previously owned unboxed items), upgrades, and just today a vintage Han in trenchcoat variant that I did not have prior - for a sweet price! But also bought a modern Mandolorian figure which brought no joy to me other than the excitement to find it on clearance at a pocket change price. (there was more "thrill of the hunt" in the 90s than now) Super excited to see what tomorrow brings. Sorry when my "comments" become a blog post. I should maybe start a blog. Are there still such things as blogs? 🤔😄
Vintage is where it's at for me and most following this channel. I really can't comment further on modern stuff other than to say it brings me no joy and therefore I don't collect it or talk about it. But happy to see folks doing their thing as you are.
Vintage star wars figures, playsets, vehicles, ships r my favorite by far 💯but I also collect Vintage he-man , gi joe and i am a big fan of Vintage mego toys like marvel superheroes , dukes of hazzard and clash of the titans , buck rogers , battle star Galactica just to name some because these were toys that i had as a kid i grew up with just me and my mom and she worked very hard to make sure my birthdays and Christmases were very magical i was a very lucky child 😁and I always look back at it and will never forget how amazing she was to me and now as a 50 year old man I do whatever i can to make her life the best much love to mom's everywhere ❤️ God love
Dave... what a beautiful sentiment you shared. Your mom raised you right, good Sir. I know she's proud of you. Thanks for sharing that personal thought with me/us. You rock! Keep collecting. Take care of her and yourself. MTFBWY!
Great collection and I’m with you on the Kenner versus that crap there making today
Thank you, Tony! The modern don't have that punch for me like I said. Guess it doesn't for you either. Nothing wrong with that. Can't help how you feel :)
At the moment I collect starwars 3.75 action figures I can use in making home made starwars board games. Made a fun to play Mandalorian board game. Also started testing a Stormtrooper board game. Working on two other starwars board games.
Rad! Making up your own stories. Sounds like you are still a kid at heart.. and that's awesome! Keep it going ;)
Man that sounds awesome. I never gave much thought to Star Wars board games. I have the modern death Star and Hoth games I bought just for the retro collection figures (Tarkin and Snowspeeder suit Luke). Plus I have a POTF 2 board game from the 90s I bought for exclusive figures Luke Skywalker (stormtrooper disguise weathered from trash compactors) and Darth Vader. Have you played any of those games?
@@silvervalleystudios2486 I have the power of the force board game I bought at a garage sale. It had Luke, no Vader. I would have made the game differently. One game would have the walls slightly close in with every turn. Then collect scrap metal type piece tokens to hold the wall. Then another game might be token pieces for R2 to figure out how to unlock the door. Then possibly other such games to go with the scenes.
Dope!!
Born in 74 star wars landed on my lap just in time . Along with ateam Transformers action man/action force heman it was toy heaven 😍 I don't like any new toys or any Reissued stuff . Give me the real deal my childhood toys or nothing. Can't beat the original and childhood memories of bliss ✨ cheers bro 👍
Childhood memories and nostalgia will always hold sway over us Die Hards I think. That's where the magic lays within.
Nailed it. I have modern, Black Series and original . And it's the original that is on display. The Hasbro black series is amazing but it's not the same as an original Kenner.
Love to hear it. You collect both yet feel the power of vintage Star Wars. Kenner has that magic. 🤘🏻
OG Kenner is the gold standard for but the black series six inch line deserves a lot of love. In particular the Tarkin with interrogator droid figure and the 2016 SDCC Luke and Landspeeder set. No regrets buying those figures.
Subbed beautiful collection I'm a black series guy but I love the kenner stuff something about those figures was lighting in a bottle something todays 3.75 figures hasn't got thay didn't have to be super realistic to be good I'd take em over my black series any day Jedi is my favourite stuff as thats the one I grew up with as I was to young when the first two came out I wasn't born when new hope came out
Welcome to the channel. Enjoy the content! Kenner has the magic. If you know, you know. And it sounds like you do, Sir. ROTJ was the sweet spot for me as well.
Is this your first live?? Also do you have a website or a place where I can share images of a diorama I have with you? Email address? And one last thing on your land speeder diorama... I have to take issue with those putting Artoo's legs toward the seat back. I have switched him around so that his head now is up against the seat backs as in the movie, but I get it. Kenner has the foot pegs for him. Haha
Just to clarify. This isn't a Live Stream. It's a premiere. Big difference. When I say that I will be live, I mean live in the chat box that is next to the premiere video. Pretty sure if you click on the video right now, you will see the chat section I'm referring to. I don't have a website. But you can always message 'GQ Jedi' on Facebook page or thru my instagram. Whichever you prefer. I check instagram and use that daily though. I put Artoo like that because I felt like it. I hear what you're saying. I may switch him up. Not sure. Either way, he's not going anywhere. LOL.
THANK YOU so much for the SuperChat, Blake! Wasn't expecting that but I truly appreciate your generosity, good Sir! As always, thank you kindly for your continued support for this little channel of mine!!
@@GQJedi You're so welcome! I know you'll use it to add something cool to the collection.
It will go to a good place, trust me. Thank you again!!
I've tried collecting a couple current toy lines, and always crash and burn, selling it all off. It's too much of a hassle to complete a toy line these days. Like you said, there's no end to modern lines. I don't want forty versions of the same figure. Just give me the one that was made back in the day in a finite line that can be completed.
Kenner is sweet in that way. It’s finite. It’s attainable. And it’s fun to collect.
@@GQJedi...And addicting...
Totally agree with ya on most points, But must say you are missing out on some great new stuff. OTSVC 2004-2007 Kenner/Hasbro are amazing. Plus TVC 1.0 and some of TVC 2.0. Plus various vehicles. If you are just focusing on kenner I get it completely. But I find some times SW collector tend to shoot themselves in the foot. For me I love the OG kenner packaging or cardbacks but there are so many improvements that go over peoples heads I think that many just miss it. I love the AT-AT ESB 1981 like I had as a kid but you know what the AT-AT Vintage Collection ESB checks off all those boxes and much much more. Same with the TVC Tie Interceptor etc. for me it’s the realism of the figures plus kenner packaging in the modern line is the best it’s ever been. Save a few minor box or cardback issues I have with the releases etc.
Oh I'm well aware of what Hasbro has put out over the years. I've missed nothing. I'm just not interested in any of that. And I don't want to support Hasbro. Period. Full stop.
I passed on the Vintage Collection Tie Interceptor as I have the original vintage, Power of the Jedi and TAC Elite Tie Interceptor. I'm sure the Vintage collection Tie Interceptor looks cool but trust me, once you hold an original vintage Tie Interceptor there's no going back. The grey plastic with grey/black sticker scheme looks so awesome. Photos or videos can't do it justice. I might be a little biased because the original vintage Tie Interceptor is my favourite vehicle.
The OG Tie Interceptor is amazeballs. A work of art. Vintage for the W-I-N!
Only reason that the POTF2 has any meaning for me is that my son was born in the '90's and I bought them for him.
The modern POTF2 for him is what the vintage was for me. Like father like son. :)
When you put it that way, that makes me smile. It's a generational thing. I don't have kids so I can't comment on that. Thanks for sharing, Scott!
Ive stopped collecting modern. I feel that adding modern figures takes away the nostalgia from my vintage figures. Less is more for me. Vintage is so 'toyetic' and cool to look at. Having said that I still think that Kenner stitched us up. Weapons and accessories not fitting on hands, Tauntaun saddles and reins cracking, Dewback reins cracking. Then they gave us awesome sets but not enough figures to fill them (no Dr Evazan and Wuher for the Cantina set and no Tarkin for the Death Star set). For me now it's about sprucing up my Vintage figures. That means Stan Solo customs and custom dioramas and accessories.
Kenner = Toyetic, as Bernie Loomis once said. Absolutely! Yes, some aspects of these toys came with a heavy price. LOL. Can't deny that. I just try to appreciate what we did get. Stan Solo and other custom makers like TheNext17 are filling in some of these gaps. No doubt!
Hi,
How many of those are childhood figures behind you?
Everything behind me has been upgraded over time. The few childhood figs I have are stored elsewhere.
Well said i am the same with Palitoy as i am from the U.K.
Palitoy is the UK version of Kenner. Same thing. Cheers, mate!
I have a Palitoy Slave 1 with box. I display the box with the French writing side showing for the novelty of it being a European release.
I wish the would make all the catina aliens in kenner style
That would be awesome!
Do you collect any other Kenner lines also like Indiana Jones, mask or six million dollar man
I do not. Kenner Star Wars keeps me very busy. Thought about Indiana Jones. But haven't pulled that trigger as there's so many things I still want to grab from the Star Wars line...MOCS. Boxed items. Variants. Cartoon figures.
@@GQJedi Indiana Jones is cool I have a graded one that’s loose but complete but was gonna buy hasbros retro collection one to keep one on card and have one to mess with cause the thumbs on Indy break and the vintage one is expensive with broken thumbs
@@grayharris672 I have the Kenner Indiana Jones Map room. Just waiting to score a good deal on the Well of Souls set. The Kenner ROTLA line is awesome.
@@silvervalleystudios2486 nice yes it is and hasbro retro collection for that is making and Indy SR and salah figure also a Indy so that’s cool I have a graded vintage Indy loose but I’m gonna buy a retro collection one to mess with and one to keep carded
Indy is cool. But I haven't the display space to start another line. (Drys eyes)
Only vintage Kenner STAR WARS (1978 - 85), and Hasbro's original trilogy Kenner Retro Collection lines for me.
I won't touch the modern, over-articulated action figures - with their many ugly joints (that ruin the sculpts, imo).
I hear ya, Cyrus! Kenner is where I'll stay. Why mess with a good thing ?
Great Interview, continue your youtube video, i like them, MTFBWY
Thanks so much, Mike! I appreciate that. MTFBWY!
💯 % Kenner
You of all people know how I roll!
Hell ya! Going old school! Borrowed my ass!
Old school! You know how we do, BB! Thanks for letting me borrow ;)
The OG Kenner figures have soul and a story. The new stuff is just plastic 😊
I couldn't agree more!
Modern stuff is TOO articulated. Figures are all segmented for the sake of articulation. I no like. They should be action figures not puppets. Collecting vintage is all about nostalgia memory triggers. And great charming simplicity in their design. Great video and I totally identify with your take. Thanks.
I "figured" you would, man. Thanks for stopping thru. Always a good comment to read from you, Sir.
kenner came from heaven originally and hasbro was corrupted by the under realm. it destroyed kenner.
we are in the upside-down on our side.
100%. Well said. That's why I don't collect modern. Not about supporting that company. Also no nostalgia there for me with their toys. None.
bottom line....collect what you like.
Bingo. Well stated! Do YOU. Always.
Because they are not the same
Vintage is vintage. Accept no substitutions.
I don't collect modern because that money goes to Disney, and Disney ruined the franchise.
If you are speaking for yourself, I couldn't agree more!! GL should have never sold the franchise. Period. But that's a video for another time. Hasblo isn't getting my money. And the Mouse will have to get his cheese from somebody else.
@@GQJedi 100%. Also, everything you said for you was true for me as well. Vintage stuff brings me back to my childhood, it is not about the coolest figures, it is about collecting things that you thought were the coolest, and nothing will ever be cooler than things you thought were cool when you were a kid.
Can I get an AMEN? You hit the nail on the head. Case closed. No further questions, your Honor.
Modern sucks...for me at least...I only collect the shit that I loved in the 80's...gotta love it...
I get it. Same. Kenner or bust, baby!
Hasbro is a joke...
That it absolutely is, my man.