Steve Evan’s panel was billed as the headline act of the 26th Farthest From weekend and it certainly did not disappoint. Steve was everything you’d hope him to be over the course of the weekend and he chatted with everyone, making sure that all who wanted some of his time had it.
Steve’s panel was introduced as being a philosophical look at WHY we do what we do and collect what we collect. This was right up my street as I love thinking philosophically and combining this with Star Wars and collecting was fantastic. It also helps that Steve is genuinely funny and while he admitted to me he’s not overly confident in front of a crowd, Steve is a natural showman and the panel was Celebration worthy.
Steve kicked off with a whistlestop tour of his childhood and where he would pick up toys at certain shops just round the corner from where his folks ran a restaurant. He quickly divulged that he believed the greatest toy ever made is the Vintage Kenner Millenium Falcon. It’s a toy, it’s a ship, it’s a playset. What’s not to love? Few could argue with that.
Steve then went onto to say that by time he came of age in the 80s, his teenage interests had turned to other things. Girls, to be more precise, so gone were his action figures and hello to skateboards, music and jujitsu classes. So out of the loop did Steve become that he wasn’t even aware of the fabled ‘last 17’ for a long time and didn’t know of the existence of a Yak Face for ages.
The 90s, like so many, saw a rebirth for Steve as Star Wars entered pop-culture once more and his dormant love had reawakened. Steve reminded us of the heyday of the great British car boot and Steve and his best friend would hit car boots on a Sunday morning in search of old action figures. Steve’s best friend was able to find a Yak Face for 20p on one of these trips.
In 2014, Steve joined the Hasbro Star Wars team and he listed some of his favourite toys that they’ve produced since then. The HASLAB Sail Barge ranks top, but also the Rogue One AT-ACT, and the return of The Vintage Collection. Steve played us the video that he produced for the announcement that TVC was returning that was shown at Celebration in 2017 and he got tearful all over again. We were also able to hold in our hands the actual mock up that Steve made on the back of VC48 card with Rey on the front and a basic 3.75 Rey in the bubble. Magical stuff.
Eyes then looked to the future with the TVC Return to Tatooine story campaign that is about to enter full swing and Steve saying that the poster that we’ve seen on livestreams will soon be available, meaning collectors will able to tick off their figures, just like days of old.
Then we came to the crowd-pleaser. If Bon Jovi have Livin’ on a Prayer, then Steve Evans has the Retro Collection. First, we were told that the infamous Retro sticker is changing from here on out. It will now be easy peel so any fan can keep it on or peel it off and leave the card back in mint condition. Next, came the 6 (yes, SIX) product reveals for next year and the announcement that the Retro Collection will be returning to its original vision of making figures that never got made in the vintage era and stepping back from new media. The first 6 will include Han in Stormtrooper disguise, Luke (Yavin), Rebel Fleet Trooper, Sandtrooper, Dr. Evazan and Ponda Baba. Though Ponda Baba has been made before, he’s a personal favourite of Steve’s and along with Dr. Evazan it was a natural fit. This announcement proved to be a big hit.
Finally, it came time to why we collect and Steve has been working on his theory for some time, so much so he’s trimmed it down to an ABC. A is for achievement. Maybe you’ve been tracking down that holy grail item and finally have it. B is belonging. Belonging to a community is a powerful thing and being a part of this one is a damn fine thing. C is for control. In an overwhelming and confusing world, we can control our collections with how we display, thus giving us a respite from the real world. Steve has also been working on a new one – D, for devotion. The thrill of the hunt and a lifelong commitment to keep on collecting.
As Steve wound down his panel he reminded us of his favourite mantra – to never stop playing. It’s a simple prayer for these trying times but one that I truly believe in. Such is the power of Star Wars and collecting that before it we grown ups can be young again and feel that wonder and sense of hope.
You can hear Mark and Matt Booker chat with Steve on the latest episode of Making Tracks.
Over the course of the weekend, I checked my wallet to see what I’d spent at the toy shows and room sales but I slowly came to realise that I had spent the best thing we have – time. Time is all we have to spend well, and the weekend in Steve’s company surrounded by friends was time very well spent indeed.
