Merchandise
It really bugs me nowadays that merchandise goes so far some times that it almost ruins the product it is supposed to be promoting.
Dvds are a prime example. You get your dvd, then they release a special edition, then they release a collectors edition, then they release a box set and then they release the directors cut. It gets silly after a while.
Another example is the Star Trek Collectable Card Game. I started collecting this while I was at uni but gave up before long when I realised that they were taking the Michael. They release a new expansion for it so often that it became impossible to collect the whole lot without bankrupting yourself. That's why I like the Babylon 5 ccg - it has been dropped and therefore there are no new sets being made so I have a complete collection. Oh and with the Star Trek one they have just redone the rules and started releasing version 2...
In my opinion, Babylon 5 being cancelled was the best thing that could have happened to it merchandise wise. There is a good base of merchandise, little rubbish and it can be collected to completion without having to worry that your collection will eat all your wages.
Anyway, the point of this ramble is that the Wheel of Time has hardly any merchandise.
There is the books (obviously), a roleplay game, a ccg, an old pc game and thats it. Now don't get me wrong, as I said above, too much merchandise is a bad thing but too little merchandise can be a bad thing as well.
I love the Wheel of Time. Nothing would please me more than to proudly wear a T-Shirt baring the slogan "I use the power, so sue me." (wheel of time joke) or something equally geek-worthy.
Likewise, I would love to have something to collect but apart from the ccg there is nothing.
With B5 I have the ccg, the models, the books, the comics. With Lord of the Rings I have my plates, my figures, my boardgames. (and probably lots more)
I hope that one day there is some merchandise created that is worth buying. There has just been a comic released which covers the story in the prequel so maybe there will be more comics but who knows. What would be REALLY sweet would be Wheel of Time movies but something tells me that it will never happen. Think about it. 12/13 books. Each one needs a movie to do it justice. What actor would commit to that?
Let me know if you see any merchandise I have missed.


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