I iddn't start buying the 25th Annov. line until I saw Iron Grenadier Destro on pegs. That purchase left the store with that Destro and a hooded Cobra Commander. My collection since has expanded with wave 11 Zartan, Buzzer, the Dreadnok comic 2-pack, a Tomax/Xamot 2-pack, a helmeted Cobra Commander, and a Crimson Guard/Cobra Trooper 2-pack.

This doesn't count the cartoon accurate helmeted Cobra Commander or a CC/Tripwire 2-pack, 3 figures I got rid of in the end.

But shopping through Big Bad Toy Store, I saw the exclusive Desert 7-pack for $30. The good version of Major Bludd, 2 Crimson Guards, and 4 uniquie Trooper figures, plus I can add it to a current order I have waiting to ship for about $1 extra shipping cost? That's very nice. I typiclaly avoid full-price generic troops anyway, and it's rare I come across a multi-pack in which all figres are useful to me. The current single card prices mean that 3 of the figures in the set are practically free.

So, going into 2009, we have the upcoming 5-packs. I can safely part off the CC and Zartan, but will get a Baroness, Viper and torm Shadow for roughly the price of 3 singe carded toys anyway. I iwll attempt to get Arise, Serpentor, Arise!, hopefull the $20 cost will net me a Serpentor, B.A.T, and throw the extra of the cost to the other 2 figures and DVD.

It's time I try to get a HISS Tank, too.

It's also time I look into starting on the Joe side. Hasbro Toy Shop still has the initial 5-pack in stock and with the upcoming 5 pack, I can get 10 unique figures for $50. With the movie line being a large focus this year, it will free me to get the figures I've missed, since I don't foresee the movie line integrating very well.

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