(S2 E20) 2024 in Review: Collectibles & Community!

In Episode 20 of Tall Toy Tales, we’re closing the book on 2024 with a look back at this year’s biggest moments. From top-tier collectibles to celebrating 25 years at Hasbro, it’s been a year of milestones and fan connections. Join me for a recap of the highlights, community stories, and a glimpse at what’s on the horizon for 2025!

[AllTheCoolStuff]

Thank you again for giving all those who attended Farthest From such a great time :) You rock !!!

[billpaulk]

Micronauts fascinated me as a young kid. I was a little too young when they were out and then Star Wars came along and fascinated me even more. I would love to pick up one of those! 😊

[scottkrasowski]

"The biggest anniversary in pop culture history!' So true, and I'm so happy that someone (you Steve) realizes, and is on top of that 2 years early. Kudos.

[davehruban]

Awesome video and recap of 2024! It was a pleasure to meet you at Red Five and hopefully we can get together again soon!! Keep up the great work Steve!! You are making a difference, and we fans appreciate it!! Give my best to the SW team and Dan!!

[jamesgarrett]

Great update. Excited to hear about the change of direction with the Retro Collection!

[kiwimanMAKMCSWF]

Thanks for this video, Mr Stevie. It's good to know TVC gets a lot of discussion within the team. You guys have been knocking it out of the park with new sculpts, vehicles, and display pieces. I'm looking forward to return to Tattooine and future themes. One thing the community has started to notice, and it would be worth addressing, is the reduction in paint apps. We all know paint apps are expensive, but the little washes make all the difference in bringing out all the sculpted details. There are some talented members of the community who can do their own washes, but TVC went through an awesome period where the weathering was exceptional. Think Luke's X-wing, the Rogue One tank, the recent Slave I. Cheers

[aqualishdoug]

Great video and thanks for your continued engagement with the fan community and making those small but important changes. One change I would suggest is around the TVC Deluxe figures. People generally didn’t like the boxes (although they have a role for larger world-building items) and it seems the larger card is not being received well. The Deluxe figures generally rank among the fans’ favourites in end-of-year polls (See Bossk’s bounty video) however they don’t appear to be going down well at retail and a clearance culture culture is developing around them. How about a foil standard-sized card, with a removable “Deluxe” sticker and the higher price, including one per mainline wave. Alternatively, make them pulse exclusives with a finite order window (like Sabine/Chopper)

[billpaulk]

Just wow on the video you played man! Seeing those toys from the 70s got me too! You have done great things!

[darrenbull]

Great work Stevie, I'm not sure you realise and understand the importance of your roll? You are the link between the consumer and the Corporate that is like a lifeline of blood flowing back and forth. You give vital info to Hasbro about the fans, and you give the reasons behind the thinking of Hasbro to the fans. I can't think of another corporate company that has such a vital link. Many companies could learn from you and what you do. The key is being a middle man and and keeping both sides informed. We all understand that we never get everything we want but if there's an explanation why things cant happen and the fan's feel your honesty and passion then both sides will grow and Hasbro can become the toy company the community hope it will. Once again a big thank you and never loose the innocence and passion, always be that little boy opening his toy with his eyes wide with excitement. Have a great new year all the best, Darren

[justinreilly]

Apologies for missing the livestream.

Fantastic and interesting post once again, your passion and honesty is really inspiring.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful, happy and prosperous New Year. Greetings from West Yorkshire England. 🇬🇧

[stevedeburca]

Hi Stevie, Thanks for doing this review! Thanks for all the energy, enthusiasm and passion in your interests! Hopefully you will be in Japan in April for Star Wars Celebrations and there will be some announcements aligned with that event! I am making the trip from Hong Kong to Japan for the event, so hoping that Hasbro and Star Wars team are there! Happy new year and best wishes for all that it holds (go slow preferably!), steve

[RedWagonDioramas]

Just catching the replay Steve. Great video, appreciate you speaking to the collector base like this. And smelling the robocop caps was hilarious and brought me back too!

[OMGhaggis]

2027 is going to be so insane!! Hoping for a few key pieces to fill in the negative space on our Return to Tatooine posters, (maybe a few more semi-obscure Cantina-related characters?); loving the pivot for Retro, I doubt we'll ever get the full original 96, but they sure look great prominently displayed on my wall, they're the thing my eye goes to most, despite being a rabid TVC guy (with a sprinkling of TBS here and there), but mostly, I like hearing about the story beats and mini-beats, and the fan-focus. I don't always get what I want (Shasa Tiel, Sim Aloo!?), but I always argue that we've been enjoying a golden age in SW collecting, with an even brighter future ahead! Ooh, plastic!!

[delvianseek]

Hoping the next TVC theme will cover the prequels, lots of Jedi, troopers and droids that’s could be included. Hopefully even Ventress…

[timhasan]

I always felt Hasbro were missing a trick with the retro collection & have seen pictures of the new releases ( I hope they were legit) I want retro figures that kenner never made & going by the above mentioned pics it may be coming true WAHEY! count me Please say it's true!? Look forward to the next video & happy new year.

[classictoysuk]

Feels like after a bit of a mixed '23 Marvel Legends & to a slightly lesser extent Star Wars have turned a corner.
Legends face-sculpts and the improved articulation, particularly for female characters, have been a '24 highlight and character selection overall has been great. Getting Dragon Man & The Sentinel as pre-orders is far better IMO for these items than HasLab. Hopefully there might be some way to revisit Galactus with this approach. I'm particularly looking forward to ROM (wanted the Action Man version as a kid but the boxes had always been opened / bits missing!).
Star Wars is a tricky proposition with the 3 formats & multiple media. I'm mostly in for Black Series & Retro with a sprinkling of TVC. Sculpting continues to improve but perceived value is still an issue with deluxe in particular not appearing to offer a great deal of value and quite frequently ending up heavily discounted - although the apparent slight reduction in 2-pack BS pricing is appreciated.
Whilst I've picked up most of the "new media" Retro's on release it has been frustrating to see them rapidly drop in price & I think the focus on mainly OT going forward is the right approach although at the current release rate it could be 5 years before we see the full 96 and I wonder if the line has the legs to sustain this?
The Ghostbuster o-rings were a surprise & a highlight - hopefully there's some way to get ghosts & other characters in more special packs - maybe even a playset!
The success of the GB HasLab also gives me hope that there may be someway to revisit Indy and get the missing characters from the Adventure Series (I'm sure you know the ones!) via HasLab or Pulse timed pre-orders.
Anyway thanks for engaging with collector's and best wishes for '25!