[kylactus]

if the package doesn't seem compromised I'd guess the guy operating the assembly line found a stray red haired chick head and said "good enough for what I make" and poof our mutant "black-Mara" was born.

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylactus

if the package doesn't seem compromised I'd guess the guy operating the assembly line found a stray red haired chick head and said "good enough for what I make" and poof our mutant "black-Mara" was born.

That will be the most logical explanation because the scotch tape is matching (on the right spot like the other figs I have) and does not seem to be compromised. I just wish someone else had seen one just to be completely sure.

[3233rafael]

You guys are probably right, found this pic on the net. Looks just like her. I don't know anything about star wars that's why.

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by En Sabah Nerd

This is the Mara Jade figure I was referring to. Thanks to Rebelscum for the picture, they have full galleries for those interested

Yes sir, you're right. It's just funny how it ended up on a MU fig. Plus I don't know anything Star Wars so that didn't help me at the time of purchase.

[En Sabah Nerd]

We have established the head's origin, but if you say the packaging is original then I can see this being a possible factory error.

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by En Sabah Nerd

We have established the head's origin, but if you say the packaging is original then I can see this being a possible factory error.

That's what I think happened. No doubt. It's funny how I always run into this type of figures, either misprints, packing errors or real variants all the time.

[redfox]

I'm pretty sure you're the victim of a repack. That light-up base Black Widow started showing up around early 2012, while the Mara Jade figure was just released in late 2013.

[kylactus]

that said all this stuff is produced in china years in advance, that's why our Chinese seller friends have loose figs first.

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfox

I'm pretty sure you're the victim of a repack. That light-up base Black Widow started showing up around early 2012, while the Mara Jade figure was just released in late 2013.

Maybe, these light-up base figs were sold out a long time ago in my TRU, this is a new shipment (I'm 100% sure cause I check my TRU every week) and there were 5 others along with this one but they were all the original version. The only thing is that I'm sure it's Mara Jade but it's not the black label version face. It's very similar but it's not the same so I believe it was an older Jade face that's why it is very well factory packed in my opinion.

[shortysben]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3233rafael

Maybe, these light-up base figs were sold out a long time ago in my TRU, this is a new shipment (I'm 100% sure cause I check my TRU every week) and there were 5 others along with this one but they were all the original version. The only thing is that I'm sure it's Mara Jade but it's not the black label version face. It's very similar but it's not the same so I believe it was an older Jade face that's why it is very well factory packed in my opinion.

It just showed up bc it was returned

Hands down a repack

But why?

[ProfessorHov]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3233rafael

^ Does that face belong to a star wars character? Does anybody know?

That's Mara jades head I'll bet you your entire collection on it. Don't worry about the stamp on the back they didn't sell very well they released those 3 times

[En Sabah Nerd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortysben

It just showed up bc it was returned

Hands down a repack

But why?

perhaps someone wanted Black widow's head for Mara Jade and returned the widow body with star wars head to be cheap about it

[bmorr]

good lord that mara jade headsculpt is pretty bad when seeing it close up. looks like a drag queen.

[ukmu]

Keep her Raph....it looks good in your collection. Different number even, so who knows. Swapped or factory error, she has a nice home.

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortysben

It just showed up bc it was returned

Hands down a repack

But why?

That's my only question left unanswered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfessorHov

That's Mara jades head I'll bet you your entire collection on it. Don't worry about the stamp on the back they didn't sell very well they released those 3 times

Yup, now I know who Mara Jade is and it is definitely her head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by En Sabah Nerd

perhaps someone wanted Black widow's head for Mara Jade and returned the widow body with star wars head to be cheap about it

Again, my only argument is that the packing was not tampered with, looks more like a factory error to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukmu

Keep her Raph....it looks good in your collection. Different number even, so who knows. Swapped or factory error, she has a nice home.

It would've been cool if it was the real deal. I just don't collect custom figs or fakes.

[samsson37]

I think the Mara jade head would make a good Titania head

[ukmu]

Hey Raf.... how on Earth would you know what an opened package would even look like???lol

"Its amazing what a little tape and some patience can do." Danny Devito as the Penguin in Batman Returns.

I think it's cool, keep it. As to 'why'.... I introduce you to chaos theory and say 'why not' If someone wanted that head, it wouldn't be that difficult to slip it out and tape and glue. Then again, it is just as likely done at the factory than at someone's house. Either way..... it is right up your alley!!!

[fosterlager]

That head's ugly as fuck, looks like Star Wars meets Dune

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukmu

Hey Raf.... how on Earth would you know what an opened package would even look like???lol

Lol, I did open a toy once in a blue moon my friend...

[trebleshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3233rafael

That's my only question left unanswered.

As others have stated, it was probably done so that person could get a different (and better) head for their new Mara Jade figure.

Quote:

Again, my only argument is that the packing was not tampered with, looks more like a factory error to me.

Some people are very good at mimicking factory-applied tape and glue seals, as well as resealing packages in general. I've even seen customs with custom packaging that looks identical to its mainstream counterparts.

Also, consider that the Marvel and Star Wars departments at Hasbro are separate. They each have their own staff, budgetary constraints, manufacturing schedules and marketing setups. While it is entirely possible for both the Mara Jade and Black Widow toys to have been produced by the same factory, they would have required completely different assembly configurations to produce them (different molds, different dyes, different packaging, different plastics, etc).

It is highly unlikely that there would have been a leftover MJ parts bin that somehow got mixed in with the BW parts for someone to accidentally grab the wrong head out of it. If that were the case, we'd be seeing a lot more of these popping up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fosterlager

That head's ugly as fuck, looks like Star Wars meets Dune

Agreed.

On a side note, I wouldn't mind seeing the Jade figure with that Natasha head on it. If anyone legitimately does that parts swap, post a pic.

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebleshot

Some people are very good at mimicking factory-applied tape and glue seals, as well as resealing packages in general. I've even seen customs with custom packaging that looks identical to its mainstream counterparts.

So somebody took the time to purchase MJ, then purchase the BW figure, open it, steal the head and swapped it for MJ, keep the BW head, take the time to do an amazing factory like job packing the card back together, take it back to the store and get your 11 buckaroos back? Does this make sense to you? ...Keep Austin Weird!

[soundwavempl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3233rafael

So somebody took the time to purchase MJ, then purchase the BW figure, open it, steal the head and swapped it for MJ, keep the BW head, take the time to do an amazing factory like job packing the card back together, take it back to the store and get your 11 buckaroos back? Does this make sense to you? ...Keep Austin Weird!

You would be amazed what people will do to get $5-$10. It is a lot easier to "return" leftover toy parts at a store passing it off as something you bought than to try to find someone to buy it (via e-bay or trading forums - where you'd be lucky to make a few bucks after all the effort and costs of posting the listing and shipping it).

[3233rafael]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundwavempl

You would be amazed what people will do to get $5-$10. It is a lot easier to "return" leftover toy parts at a store passing it off as something you bought than to try to find someone to buy it (via e-bay or trading forums - where you'd be lucky to make a few bucks after all the effort and costs of posting the listing and shipping it).

If you need a BW head so bad and it's not worth paying $11.00, then why not just steal one from the store? It's easier than going trough all that trouble.

[gunzilla]

[trebleshot]

Nice pics, Gunzilla!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3233rafael

If you need a BW head so bad and it's not worth paying $11.00, then why not just steal one from the store? It's easier than going trough all that trouble.

While you and I might think it's not worth the hassle, others may not think the same way as us. Some people will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid getting caught while doing something illegal, rather than accomplishing the same goal through a legal (and usually less complicated) course of action.

To quote Jim Morrison, "people are strange".