I Hate Snakes.com | Indiana Jones Collecting News and Reviews

July - September 2007

Collection Update/Collector's Flashback
Message posted Sept. 29, 2007

This update adds a magazine advertisement calling for licensees for the Temple of Doom. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of products tied in with the film at the time. I found this on eBay for a good price.

Indiana Jones Toys Have Packaging
Message posted Sept. 19, 2007

The last update involved potential package for the Indiana Jones Lego sets. Now, Cool Toy Review has images of the packaging for the Hasbro line. Very cool, indeed.

Indiana Jones Legos Have Packaging
Message posted Sept. 15, 2007

IndyFans obtained a photo of the packaging for the upcoming Indiana Jones Lego sets.

The first wave of Lego sets is scheduled to hit stores in January. The sets will be based on the opening idol sequence in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the motorcycle chase in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the truck chase in Raiders, and the Well of the Souls sequence in Raiders.

I Hate Snakes Blog Launches
Message posted Sept. 9, 2007

It seems like everyone blogs but me so I decided to launch an extension of I Hate Snakes so I can post regular Indiana Jones news along with pop culture news and reviews.

I always enjoying reading about upcoming movies, TV shows, comic books, toys, etc. and this gives me the chance to provide commentary on other things I find interesting.

Collection Update; Temple of Doom Read-Along Book & Tape MOC
Message posted Aug. 29, 2007

I've had the Temple of Doom hardback read-along book in my collection for a few years but never the cassette tape to go along with it.

I found a mint-on-card book and tape to add to my Temple of Doom collection. Now if I can find the tape loose I'll be able to listen and follow along in the book.

Cover Art for Young Indiana Jones DVD Vol. 1 Announced
Message posted Aug. 21, 2007

UPDATE! Amazon now has the The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones - Vol. 1 available for pre-order for $75.59.

TVShowsOnDVD has posted a report of the cover art for volume one of the upcoming "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones" to be released on Oct. 23. The cover art and casing looks like it will fit very well with any Indiana Jones collection.

Exclusive: Q&A with LEGO
Message posted Aug. 15, 2007

With the recent announcement of LEGO sets coming out in 2008 and the even more recent announcement of LEGO Indiana Jones: The Video Game I thought it would be good to have LEGO answer some questions regarding the upcoming product releases for Indiana Jones fans.

With the recent announcement of LEGO sets coming out in 2008 and the even more recent announcement of LEGO Indiana Jones: The Video Game, I thought it would be good to have LEGO answer some questions regarding the upcoming product releases for Indiana Jones fans.

Michael McNally, director of brand relations for LEGO, responded to some questions I Hate Snakes (IHS) submitted. Below are the questions and answers verbatim.

IHS: The Indiana Jones franchise has been dormant for almost 20 years. What influenced the decision to pursue the Indiana Jones license? Is the Indiana Jones franchise something that LEGO has wanted to represent for a while and the fourth film created the best opportunity or did the fourth film alone generate the interest?

LEGO: We have a fantastic partnership with LucasFilm, and LEGO Star Wars has been a phenomenal part of the LEGO business, drawing in collectors and fans of all ages to the idea of building their favorite scenes and vehicles from one of the most popular film franchises ever. Indiana Jones represents a lot of the same qualities of Star Wars in its strong story and characters and its multi-generational appeal. We also have a strong history of sales in the LEGO Adventurers line (featuring Johnny Thunder), which is very similar to the Indiana Jones story and idea. That success, combined with the power of LucasFilm behind the resurgence of the ongoing strength of the Indiana Jones franchise through movie 4, we're confident we can create a building and collecting experience that will drive excitement for the film, but also for LEGO building.

IHS: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is noticeably absent from the first LEGO wave that features scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Why is the second film not represented and will we see it in LEGO form in the future?

LEGO: Per our design and production frames, we could only translate a certain number of scenes in our first round of Indiana Jones products, and we chose to focus on those most iconic scenes from the original trilogy, which happen to come from Raiders and Last Crusade. There's no telling what could be in store for future development.

IHS: Will the Indiana Jones brand have an interactive presence the way Star Wars and Harry Potter do on the LEGO Web site? If so, will it follow the Star Wars Web template or feature all-new interactivity?

LEGO: At this time, we don't have details to share on how LEGO Indiana Jones will be brought to life on LEGO.com. Stay tuned!

IHS: What unique play value can we expect from the Indiana Jones LEGO series that Star Wars and Harry Potter sets do not offer?

LEGO: We are not revealing any product details at this time, but rest assured, there will be similar build and play ability with LEGO Indiana Jones sets as in other popular licensed sets.

IHS: If the Indiana Jones IV marketing machine follows the Star Wars prequel pattern we will see a trailer for the film toward the end of the year. What is the reason for the January 2008 launch of the first Indiana Jones LEGO wave instead of a pre-holiday launch to coincide with the trailer and capitalize on the shopping season?

LEGO: We are not releasing details of the marketing or online activities for LEGO Indiana Jones at this time, so stay tuned.

I can tell you that we're not launching until January because we couldn't produce the sets in time to make the holiday timeframe. January is a great time for new sets to launch, given the popularity of gift cards that are usually redeemed for toys in January.

Thank you to Michael for his time in answering the questions. We certainly look forward to the release of all of the LEGO products in 2008 and hopefully more to come in the future.

Wish List; Indiana Jones Evolutions
Message posted August 6, 2007

Back in 2005 Hasbro released Star Wars Evolutions as a unique action figure three-pack. The concept was to show the progression of a certain element in the space saga.

In this Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader set, the action figures show the evolution of the character from Attack of the Clones to Revenge of the Sith and ultimately Darth Vader.

This unique idea can easily translate to the world of Indiana Jones. By using the template established by the Anakin Skywalker set, action figures of a Young Indiana Jones in a Boy Scout uniform from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to a thirty-something Indiana Jones from Raiders of the Lost Ark and end with an older Indiana Jones from the fourth film. Each figure would have a different look to distinguish from the others and show how the character has grown over the years.

Hasbro also produced Star Wars Evolutions: The Sith as an action figure set featuring different eras of Sith villains. The figures featured different characters and the same could be done with Indiana Jones by producing figures that represent the Jones family. The first figure could be Indy's father, Professor Henry Jones, followed by Indiana Jones, and if the rumor of Shia LaBeouf playing Indy's son is true, an action figure of him to complete the set.

The recent announcement of Hasbro reigniting the Indiana Jones franchise in action-figure form opens the door to all sorts of opportunities for waves outside of basic individual action figures.

As a regular feature at I Hate Snakes I post Wish List items that I think would make great Indiana Jones collectibles and merchandise. Some will come true as the new film approaches. I welcome any suggestions from site visitors. Feel free to send me a description of an Indiana Jones collectible, along with your first and last name, city and state (if you are outside the U.S. city and country will do) you'd like to see and I will make it one of the Wish List news items.

Please keep your collectible suggestions reasonable and realistic. For example, a life-size, whip-cracking robot of Indiana Jones is just too far out. If I receive duplicate suggestions I'll credit each person with the Wish List item. Please send Wish List suggestions to lon@ihatesnakes.com.

Indiana Jones at San Diego ComicCon
Message posted July 27, 2007

Indiana Jones is making a long-awaited appearance at the San Diego Comic Con that starts this weekend.

News regarding Indiana Jones IV and licensed products should whet the fan's appetite until the title is released or we can see the trailer for the film, which will hopefully be by the end of the year.

Below are the 2007 San Diego Comic Con announcements relating to Indiana Jones collectibles that we have received so far.

SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES
One of the premier companies that produces high-end collectibles of some our favorite pop culture properties will bring Indiana Jones back to the 12" action figure world and also include premium format figures and life-size busts. Finally Indiana Jones will receive some high-end collectibles.

DARK HORSE COMICS
Indiana Jones finds his way back into the funny books as Dark Horse Comics retains the license to the franchise to give us all-new Indy adventures plus the adaptation of Indiana Jones IV. Hopefully it will have great cover art like the previous Dark Horse series.

HASBRO
The toy giant preview its Indiana Jones action figure line and for now its based on Raiders of the Lost Ark. The toy company had a display of its upcoming 3 3/4" action figure line. More promotional type images can be found here. I don't understand why the Nurachi urn from Temple of Doom comes with the Monkeyman from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Hasbro also previewed an "Adventure Heroes" line similar to the Star Wars "Galactic Heroes" line that is geared more toward little children.

I like these. I like these a lot. I was thinking there would be a preview of the Indy IV toy line but I like that Hasbro has gone back and made modern day figures based on Raiders of the Lost Ark. I can tell these figures are already better than the awful Disney ones.

SAN DIEGO COMIC CON SWAG
As part of a SDCC goodie bag an exclusive poster was produced for convention goers. It looks like original art but it's art based on existing images.

Hasbro also gave away a collectible coin promoting Indy IV and its released date of May 22, 2008, which I'm willing to bet changes to earlier in the week.

LEGO
Earlier this summer LEGO announced a line of toys to be released in January 2008 and later in 2008 to coincide with the fourth film. Now LEGO and LucasArts have announced they will release LEGO Indiana Jones: The Video Game sometime next year. The game will follow the pattern of the successful Star Wars games and the upcoming Batman game. Now we will get not one, but TWO, Indiana Jones video games next year. Click the LEGO link above to see the trailer. The game looks like a blast.

Speaking of LEGO, check back with IHateSnakes.com in August for an exclusive interview with a representative from LEGO.

GENTLE GIANT
Another high-end collectibles company will produce statues and busts based on our favorite character.

Profiles in History to Auction off Authentic Indiana Jones Props and Costumes
Message posted July 13, 2007

Profiles in History will host an auction of fantastic Hollywood memorabilia, including props from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Aug. 2-3.

Worldwide bidding begins at noon (EST) both days and bids can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax or the Internet via eBay Live Auctions.

The Indiana Jones items that will be up for bid include:

Grail tablet from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (*$30,000-$40,000)
Harrison Ford blazer from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (*$10,000-$12,000)
Sean Connery suit from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (*$10,000-$12,000)

*Estimated auction value

Other items up for bid in this special auction include props and costumes from famous films like Gone with the Wind, Planet of the Apes, The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars and many more.

Prior Hollywood auctions conducted by Profiles in History have included the sale of the original "Cowardly Lion" costume from The Wizard of Oz for $805,000, the Command Chair and platform from the "U.S.S. Enterprise" ($304,750), the original "Robot" from Lost in Space ($264,500), Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from Star Wars ($195,500), the Black Beauty car from The Green Hornet ($192,000) George Reeves' Superman costume from The Adventures of Superman ($126,500) the H.R. Giger designed Alien creature suit from the film Alien ($126,500), Christopher Reeve's "Superman" costume from Superman: The Movie. ($115,000) and The Wizard of Oz "Winkie" Guard Costume ($115,000).

"I find people buy their memories," says Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History, the nation's leading dealer of guaranteed-authentic original historical autographs and vintage Hollywood memorabilia. "It's all about fantasy, taking us back to a time, perhaps an event with a long lost relative who took you as a kid to see Star Wars. The baby boomers have come into the spending part of their lives. They have had success and are spenders. They want 50's, 60's and 70's TV collectibles or memorabilia, as this era of TV was such a huge part of our lives."

For more information about Profiles in History and to download a complete catalog of items available for auction via mail, phone, fax, Internet or Live, please visit Profiles in History.

Young Indiana Jones Chronicles to Hit DVD in October
Message posted July 10, 2007

TVShowsonDVD.com is reporting that the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series will finally hit DVD October 23. The set will be Volume 1 of a three volume set. More than likely the other sets will be staggered to coincide with the release of Indiana Jones IV.

Collection Update; Disney German Mechanic Figure
Message posted July 9, 2007

When the first and second waves of Indiana Jones figures were released exclusively to the Disney theme parks I set a policy of not paying above retail price for the individual figures.

A couple of friends of mine who visited the parks were able to purchase the figures and vehicles on site and ship them to me so I didn't have to pay eBay prices.

When a friend of mine sent me wave two of the figures the park was sold out of the German Mechanic and German Soldier. Even though I was missing those figures I stuck with my policy of not pay more than the retail value.

A few years pass and I finally find the German Mechanic available at Brian's Toys for $1.99. As of this post, it's still available, along with the Marion Ravenwood figure at that price. The normal retail price is $8. Outside of free, you aren't going to find a better deal than that. If you need these two figures for your collection now is your chance to snag them.

Brian's Toys has other Indiana Jones Disney merchandise if you're willing to pay higher than the original retail value.

I bought two German Mechanics, one to keep MOC and one to open. A photo of the MOC and a photo of the figure loose have been added to the Disney section of the site. Now am I only missing the German Soldier.