Lord Abaddon
Sr Member
Yes, my opinions are conjecture because...they are opinions. That's the problem, nearly everything, even looking at the photographic evidence, is subjective and open to many interpretations by the people involved in these discussions. That's why this keeps going around and around and around.
Basically the armor, the helmets, and many props have become to many of us works of art. And all art is quite subjective. Yes, there might be this copy, and it might be made from that original or that other copy, or it could be that way with possible changes over on this area. But it is all speculation, there are just no facts to back up a lot of stuff.
In many other cases, from Dark Jedi Inc, to the current discucssion about Glover, to Universal Armor there were direct instances and knowledge of recasting. From an owner being able to state "I sold him that...and now he's made a copy of it" to someone pointing out "That has my tell on it (like GF's coin)." But so far it's all based on comparisons through photos and assumptions. Now...GF's comments hold weight with me and others I'm sure. I to find it disheartening about the possible copying of the AB plate in some respects. But...was it? Or are there coincidences in the look? I can't say, nobody can say. Unless AA got it from someone from the 501st or RPF (which is probable as I can't see just anyone owning a GF outfit) and they reveal themselves or are found out...there is no definitive proof of what happened nor what the parts are really from.
This goes back to the, at times, viscious attacks about the helmet molds. How do we, or ANYONE, know just what he has and what he's working with? We don't. It was agreed upon, even by those now changing their stories, that AA was without doubt the man who made the suits and armor. Suddenly though, once even a small possible discrepency is found, he's jumped on and torn to shreds by anyone and everyone who can, with motivations usually behind them.
There is nothing wrong, and I fully enjoy, threads discussing about the differences, the changes, etc. We all have learned a HUGE amount from these threads including the fact that no two ST of anything look alike. But when people state what is nothing more than assumptions and opinions as FACT...that's when something has got be said. And yes, I have a lot of posts in here...because I feel that there is a huge unfair amount of anti-AA sentiment being portrayed as facts when they are not. And from people who do have a past of some kind with AA that usually isn't revealed or that they are being portrayed as being completely honorable in their intentions. I am not saying everyone in these discussions of course, you can usually tell the neutral members easily because they look at both sides or offer up what they say as opinion, not fact.
Frankly I think this is all silly but for the reasons I've stated before. AA made the stuff, so far nothing disproves that (the LFL argument is yet to be determined as valid). Everything after AA is "seconds" and people made a LOT of money off his designs and models. As the original creator, whether he has "tweaked" stuff or not which would be his right to do in either case, he should be able to do as he wants regarding the helmets and armor. It would be like Da Vinci coming back after 20 years and seeing all the copies of his works, seeing the fabrications, etc. and going "well, why shouldn't I do my own stuff?" And so he does, fixing it as he feels is best for it to sell. Now again, if it is proven that AA is not what he claims, that he doesn't have even a creative leg to stand on (as the UK argument seems to be) then that nullifies everything and basically he is no better than any armor maker from Marco to FX in what he's doing and how it's done. But at present, this hasn't been shown and there has been way more evidence in support of him being who he says he is, and what he did on SW, than against.
That's why everyone should just stop with the SDS discussions completely and sit on the sidelines to let justice take its course.
Now, as for your comment about Matt and my feelings toward him. I haven't talked to Matt about any of this. I am not going to get into whether he lies or not (he has to me, years ago, and I know a few others) but to say that he is not without "sin" as it were.
As for me Dan...I actually haven't changed except I'm not willing to let half-truths, hidden agendas, and hypocricy go un-challanged. (Note...especially that many of those attacking AA were defending MR against nearly the same type of attacks now being used against AA when MR first showed their Han Solo blaster, about the TOS Phaser stand, and the Training Remote parts. That is what I find the most hypocritical.)
I have a lot of fun with the hobby, with my friends here and elsewhere. However I find it sad that some, including those I once had a lot of respect for, have become so petty, so angry that they are willing to forget this is a hobby, that people are still people and deserve to be given a chance and treated with respect, and that someone shouldn't be so utterly attacked without even knowing all the facts and information as AA has been.
And Dan, believe it or not, I still do respect you. I believe you are still an incredible artist and seem to have always been a really cool guy. But I do think your friendship with Matt has given you a huge bias in this and while your opinion is valuable you shouldn't try to portray it as fact.
Frankly all of this is sad. Very sad.
