Bespin Refugee's Top Ten Of 2009

As another year comes to an end, it's time for the inevitable retrospective lists, including this one ;) . How do you narrow a year's worth of product to ten picks, and not just one company's products, but, all of them? It's not easy, but, I gave it a shot. Here are my ten favorite products from the last year:

"Look At The Size Of That Thing!"
With the rough economy, and subsequent tightening collectors' budgets, it's been interesting to see the chances Hasbro has taken with their line of 3 3/4" vehichles. Starting with last year's "BMF" Millennium Falcon and AT-TE, leading into this year's Turbo Tank, Octo Droid, and the Y-Wing. While two of these are actually 'on screen' vehicles, the Y-Wing gets my pick simply because of how much I enjoyed the Clone Wars episodes they were featured in.

"The Princess? She's Here?"
Of the hundreds (thousands?) of figures Hasbro has produced over almost 15 years, they still manage to impress me with their selections. From the background characters to the main character upgrades, there were two words that decided my favorite figure for this year; "wish list". For at least the last ten years, I've hoped for a 'reclining' Leia as Jabba's Prisoner, and not only did Hasbro come through, they did one better by creating a figure with two alternate sets of legs. Thanks Hasbro, and kudos. :)

A Vehicle, Two Drivers/Pilots, A Droid, And No Questions Asked
Cinemascenes, Screen Scenes, and Battlepacks, I've always been a fan of the multipacks; and, amid all of this year's repacks/rereleases, accessories, and new creature sculpts, the potential army building "Scramble On Yavin" set, with 2 figures, a droid, and an 'onsceen' vehicle, was too cool to pass up.

Time For An Upgrade
In addition to the three large Clone Wars vehicles, it was nice to also see not one, but three OT upgrades this year. While the TIE Fighter took another step closer to screen accuracy, and the (unusual looking but, apparently Lucasfilm approved) Dewback recieved an articulation upgrade, it was the new and improved AT-ST that made my list.

"The Little People Work"
From the early "Playskool' themed sets to the latest boxed sets w/ vehicles, Galactic Heroees has been a fun line to watch over the years; and there was just something about the snowspeeder design that has stuck in my mind as one of my favorites.

He's Rather Animated, Isn't He?
Sideshow, Gentle Giant, Diamond, Koto, have all produced some really cool pieces this year. 1:6, quarter scale, busts, and seemingly gravity defying sculptures, one of my favorites was part of a stand out line in itself, the Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite animated Maquette.

You're Joking, Right?
I really dread going online on April 1st, because of all the announcements that turn out to be nothing more than April's fools jokes. The surprise this year was that fan reaction/demand turned a joke into the actual production of the Tauntaun sleeping bag.

Playsets, Double Or Nothing
With the absence of playsets in the 3 3/4" line, I have to appreciate Lego's "Home One", a set that includes not only two 'playsets', but, also a vehicle, and a number of figures (albeit, in 'mini' scale).

The Empire Muggs Back
I saw alot of cool artwork this year, from the officially produced prints at StarWarsShop, to the Clone Wars Widevision sketch cards and "Zombie Week"; but, because of the variety of characters and styles, and the charity aspect, collectively, the custom Mugg charity auction makes my list.

Farewells
As with every retrospective, it's time to note those we lost this year; Mighty Muggs, Titanium, and ultimately, the Comic Packs. Once the Comic Packs got past their 'comic accurate' paint schemes, they produced a really impressive line-up. Where else would you find an Amin?!

I want to thank for reading throught this list, and I hope you enjoyed this look back as much as I did. I'd be interested to hear your picks as well. I'd also like to thank you for continuing to check out JediInsider this year. With Celebration V, the 30th anniversary of ESB, and whatever else comes our way, 2010 should be fun.