Poll counter crashed, but keep supporting Mungo!

For some reason the poll counter reset at zero today. I don't know why, but please keep supporting the cause! With all the excitement generated by the announcement of new movies, I would say that the chances of getting more Expanded Universe figures, including Mungo, has now improved by quite a bit!

Ideas for a Mungo figure

So if Hasbro does decide to make a Mungo Baobab figure, what's the best way to distribute it? Lets look at some of the options.
1. Basic carded figure. - This is the main Star Wars action figure line. A Mungo figure potentially could end up here, but I personally don't believe this is the most likely option, unless he wins a future fan's choice poll. Spots in the basic line for EU figures these days are rare and for 1980's EU characters are practically non-existent.

Original Mungo Baobab figure card

2. Exclusive single carded figure - What we're talking about here is a figure exclusive to one department store, online store or convention. Not a terrible idea, it's happening with Jedi librarian Jocasta Nu, but for some reason I don't think we will get Mungo this way.
3. Exclusive 2 figure pack - Here we have what I think are the best options. First is the idea of two figures with a DVD containing a Droids episode. Hasbro has admitted that they had been thinking of this very thing in the past. They tried this recently with The Clone Wars, but since they came only with repacked figures that probably most people had anyway, I'm not sure how successful they were.
Another 2 pack idea is something similar to the comic pack format that Hasbro ran for several years. These sets were popular with a lot of collectors, but the problem for Droids fans is that very few of the TV series characters actually appeared in the Droids comic series. So a comic pack for Mungo is out of the question. But... what about a book pack? For those old enough to remember, back in the 1980's Star Wars movies, comics and TV episodes were often adapted into children's books, some with records or cassette tapes, some without. These books usually were around 30-some pages and featured nice new art and a concise version of the story that they were based on. Here's a few examples:

These books, without the records, could work very much like the comic packs, and could be a great way to get figures of some of the earliest Expanded Universe characters out there that many of the older fans still crave.

But what about Droids? The good news is that there are lots of Droids book adaptations that would work in a series like this. Here's a look at a few of them:

These are just a few of the options. There are several more from Droids, Ewoks, the movies and other Expanded Universe adventures. Most of the books are around the same size and the ones that are a little larger could be adapted into the same format with a little tweaking. Overall, this seems to me like a good way to bring out classic Expanded Universe figures, help this beautiful artwork again see the light of day and bring us that coveted Mungo Baobab figure. Is there a possibility this will happen? I don't know, but until Hasbro or Lucasfilm says no, anything's possible!

The ultimate Mungo figure wishlist

If Mungo Baobab does someday get made into a modern figure, I think it's safe to say that it will only happen once. There will be no redo's or updates on this one, so Hasbro should do a bang up job the first time around. That being said, here's my recommendations for what a potential figure of Mungo Baobab should look like.

BASIC APPEARANCE

The figure should be wearing Mungo's merchant fleet uniform. The alternate costume's that he wore would be nice, but like I said, if there is a figure of Mungo, there will only be one. This is the obvious choice. 

The figure should also come with the bag seen above. Mungo was often seen carrying this slung over his shoulder.

ACCESSORIES

1. Mungo's Seed Blaster

This blaster fires out seeds that immediately grow into an entangling vine on impact. 

2. Droid head

Mungo wore a droid disguise in The Great Heep, so while there may never be a figure of a disguised Mungo,  it would be nice to at least include an alternate head so we can pretend that he is just starting to put on his disguise.

3. Green Cloak

Mungo and C-3PO stole these cloaks in The Frozen Citadel to use as disguises. The addition of a cloak would give a Mungo figure an instant alternate outfit.

And there you have it! Now hopefully fans and Hasbro will get on board so we can finally get our Mungo Baobab figure!

Alternate outfit 2

Mungo Baobab's costume changes were brief, but there was surprisingly more than one. Here he is with C-3PO in robes that they swiped from alien merchants in The Frozen Citadel.

Droids characters: alternate outfits

Just like Han Solo in the Star Wars movies, the characters in Droids were depicted as either rarely changing their clothes or having multiple copies of the exact same outfit. Costume changes were rare, but once in a while, they did indeed happen. Here's example number 1: Mungo Baobab's droid disguise.

Mungo briefly wore this cobbled together droid disguise to fool Admiral Screed and his Stormtroopers in The Great Heep. 

A new Ewok

There is a new action figure from the Ewoks cartoon out now. If you are a fan of the Ewoks cartoon, make sure you find Princess Kneesaa before she's gone! Kneesaa is available only in a 5 ewok set sold exclusively at Toys R Us. Now who's next for the Droids and Ewoks collection? Maybe Mungo Baobab would be a good one!

My new wooden figures

I haven't posted any pictures of my wooden figures on this blog in years, so here's a look at some of my more recent creations. More pictures can be seen on my business site: theoldbrooklynwoodshop.com

Mungo on starwars.com?

Time to wake up the blog from a long rest!
Since Star Wars Celebration VI, there have been rumors that the Ewoks and Droids cartoons would be coming to starwars.com. In response to this, I wrote to Lucasfilm asking for more information, and here's what I got:
"Thank you for your interest in Lucasfilm. In response to your questions, at Celebration, we didn’t say we were releasing the Droids and Ewoks cartoons - we were simply inquiring about audience interest, and not announcing a specific plan. However, if we get more details, we will be sure to pass it onto you. We wish you the best with your fan site!"

R2-D2

Here's a wood figure of R2-D2 that I just finished (based on how he appeared in Droids of course!)

Wood Figure of Mungo

Since there are no Mungo collectibles out there right now (at least that are affordable!) I decided to make my own. This figure is made entirely out of wood carved on my wood lathe, mostly from the leg of an old table that my neighbor was throwing out. He stands at just under 2.5 inches tall. The figure is loosely based on the style of the old Fisher-Price little people. The leg post will enable him to ride in a vehicle if I ever make one! His gun looks like a hair dryer, but it's the best that I could do for making the seed launcher that Mungo inherited from his uncle. The arms can't move, but as you can see, the head can turn and is removable. I am planning on making a figure of Mungo in droid disguise, and the heads should be interchangeable between both.
Now Hasbro needs to make their Mungo Baobab!

Friends of Mungo

Good old Mungo Baobab! Prominent member of the Baobab Merchant Fleet and former master of C-3PO and R2-D2, Mungo was featured as the central character in episodes 10-13 of Droids and in the 2 part special 'The Great Heep'.
Mungo very nearly had his own Kenner action figure back in 1986. In fact, a prototype was even produced, but Kenner's Star Wars line came to an end before the figure could see production.
Today, Droids action figures don't stand much of a chance of finding their way into the modern Hasbro action figure line. Hasbro has even stated that there is very little likelihood that any more Droids figures will be made beyond 2009's Boba Fett and BL-17 set.
But never say never! There is hope! Years ago, a fan started a campaign to have an action figure made of an extremely obscure character named Willrow Hood (Ice Cream Maker Guy). He didn't give up, other fans got on board, and today we have a brand new action figure of the man, complete with ice cream maker!
It can be done! If you are a fan of Droids, I ask you to consider becoming a Friend of Mungo. Make his name know, and maybe, just maybe we will finally be seeing an all new Droids figure in the not so distant future!

It's a new day!

This blog has been sleeping for a very long time!
Now it's time to wake up with a fresh new start. From here on in, this blog will focus on promoting the Droids animated series, it's characters, and hopefully see four main goals achieved over time. They are:
1. To have LFL release the complete Droids series (and Ewoks too!) on DVD.
2. To encourage the reintroduction of some of the Droids characters, locations, etc., back into the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
3. To encourage Hasbro to make new Droids action figures.
4. Have some fun remembering Droids!

So there you go!

An Update!

Wow, how about that! An update! These guys here are from the old Droids cartoon of the mid 1980's. Here we have R2-D2, Jann Tosh and C-3PO. They were fun to make and I plan on making some more from Droids.

Big News!

There haven't been any new posts in a while. Wonder why? I've been working on a new site! Check it out at http://www.droidsandewoks.weebly.com/!

Hasbro Pirate TIE Fighter

Notice any similarities between this recently announced Pirate TIE Fighter and the picture on the right? That's a picture from Droids of a TIE from the pirate Kybo-Ren's fleet! While it's an amazing similarity, this new fighter is actually based on it's appearance in the Star Wars: Empire comics. It's a fine looking craft! Read all about it here, and hop on over to the forums to discuss.

Character Bios: Day 12

Sise is the leader of one of the largest gangs in the galaxy, and a rival to Jabba the Hutt. Unfortunatly for him, his whole criminal organization came crumbling down around him partly because of opposition from Thall Joben and his friends, but mainly because of the bumbling of his son Tig.

Ebay Today: Sise Fromm coin

Here is the coin for the ugly guy himself! Sise Fromm was actually a very hard to find figure in the vintage Droids lineup. He was the only Droids figure available in North America that I never saw even once. Sise himself may not be much to look at, but that coin sure looks nice! To check out this auction, just click here.

Character Bios: Day 11

Ah yes, Latara the flute player. I don't really have a lot of memories of Latara since it's been over 20 years since I saw her in action. But I do remember that she was one of the leading characters on the show. I'm surprised that Kenner didn't make an action figure of her or Kneesaa.

Action Figure Photo Archives

The action figure photo archives are currently being built in the forums. My goal is to have have each thread begin with at least one nice picture of the figure or figures that are under discussion. Curious to check it out? Head on over!

Ebay Today: Preschool Ewok Hut

I wasn't lucky enough to get one of these when I was a kid, but it sure looks like it would be fun! To check out this auction, click here.