In the song "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" by the unfortunately named Canadian rocker Bruce Cockburn there's a line that says "nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight." Cockburn wasn't referring to San Diego Comic Con exclusives when he wrote the tune, but the sentiment is applicable to them nonetheless. You know the drill by now. Every year SDCC brings with it hundreds of exclusive products that make fanboys and girls simultaneously nerdgasm.

As you are probably already painfully aware, these items are notoriously hard to get. Attendees at the con itself are forced to brave long lines for their limited edition figures, comics, busts and other desirables. Meanwhile, the poor bastards who couldn't make it out to San Diego are forced to try their luck with Mattycollector.com and HasbroToyShop.com for their must-haves before resorting to the secondary market predators seeking fresh victims over on eBay. Yes friends, it's a jungle, even moreso if you aren't properly prepped for what goodies are being made available this year. So once again TR will be providing you with a list of what items you'll need to beg, borrow or steal to get your grubby hands on. Here then are the 20 greatest exclusives at the 2012 San Diego Comic Con.


20) Jar Jar Binks in CarboniteWhat it is: Looking for some fish in a barrel to shoot while you're at SDCC? Then the Jar Jar Binks in Carbonite figure is for you. Here's the bad news, this toy is only available in a megaset that features six other variant figures ranging from Princess Leia in her Bespin gown to a Star Wars sandtrooper with a sentry droid. The figures on this set come packaged on cards featuring a design scheme that was originally vetoed by Kenner back in the early days of the Star Wars line. So I suppose having the centerpiece of this set being a tortured version of Lucasfilm's most rejected character is somewhat poetic.
How much it will set you back: $79.99. A small price to pay for the joys of Gungan torture.

19) Gentle Giant Blue Snaggletooth
What it is: A little Star Wars history refresher course -- back in 1978, Kenner released the Star Wars Cantina Adventure Set exclusive that included a Snaggletooth figure who was taller and way more blue than his crimson cinematic counterpart. (The screw up was due to Kenner working from a substandard reference photograph provided to them by Lucasfilm). After the mistake was fixed, the Blue Snaggletooth took on legendary status amongst collectors that was only eclipsed by the rocket-firing Boba Fett toy. Over the years, its price continued to rise on the secondary market. That fact coupled with the figure's enduring cult status has resulted in Gentle Giant releasing it as the latest entry in their jumbo Kenner figure line. Here's your chance to finally score one of your own. Even if it is considerably bigger than you remember. (That's what Ackmena said!)
How much it will set you back: $80 for 12" of Snaggletooth love. Aww yeah.

18) Adventure Time Finn & Fiona Toys 'R Us Collector's Pack
What it is: As the audience for Pendleton Ward's Adventure Time continues to grow exponentially, so does the desire for merchandise from the show. Thusly we have this sweet Toys "R" Us exclusive two-pack that features Finn and Fiona decked out in SDCC badges. They totally need to enter the costume contest as themselves, they'd have that thing locked up.
How much it will set you back: For a mere $15 you can have Adventure Time anytime.

17) Jinx


What it is: Despite her name, Jinx will bring good fortune to G.I. Joe collectors who will have the opportunity to pick up two versions of the character -- one in her classic red duds and a white variant figure inspired by the now-delayed Retaliation. At least you still enjoy the movie's merch.
How much it will set you back: Each of these will cost you $14.99, although you may have a better chance hearing Snake Eyes sing the G.I. Joe theme than tracking down the Retaliation variant..

16) Derpy Hooves
What it is: At this point you either get My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom or you don't. Those of you who fall in the second category can move on. For the rest of you, all you need to know is that your dreams have come true as fan favorite background character/meme extraordinaire Derpy Hooves is getting her own exclusive figure. And all was right with the world. For the record, Toys "R" Us is offering a Zecora toy as well, but let's face it, she just doesn't quite have that Derpy magic, now does she?
How much it will set you back: $19.99. Tell your bronies.

15) Fall of Cybertron Bruticus
What it is: Et tu, Bruticus? A beautiful box set featuring figures of Brawl, Vortex, Blastoff, Swindle and Onslaught that, through dark magic, can be assembled into the Constructicon leader Bruticus. If only you could transform your miserable life so easily.
How much it will set you back: $99.99.

14) Joss Whedon: The (Sort Of) Action Figure
What it is: In this year's most meta exclusive, Morgan Spurlock is releasing a collector's edition of his Comic Con: Episode IV: A Fan's Hope documentary that comes packaged with mini figure of himself and Joss Whedon (other sets featuring figs of Harry Knowles and Stan Lee, who were interviewed for the doc along with Whedon, are also available). Thanks to a little film called The Avengers, Whedon has cemented his reputation as a true nerd Renaissance man. What better way to celebrate his continuing success than with a teensy non-poseable action figure of him?
How much it will set you back: $29.99. (The DVD is available by itself for $19.99).

13) Bloody Michonne
What it is: Blood-covered action figures are to this year what planking was to 2011. Okay, probably not, but the first of two plasma-drenched playthings on this list comes to us from McFarlane Toys/Skybound's Walking Dead comic line. Admit it, your Luke Skywalker figure never looked as cool in his poncho.
How much it will set you back: $25.

12) Death
What it is: Death works at Hot Topic with this Sandman collectible that is part action figure, part statue. What it lacks in articulation it more than makes up for with stylish packaging and a skull base that not only brings to mind Neil Gaiman's comic masterpiece but The Goonies as well. Good enough for me.
How much it will set you back: $25.

11) Polly Pocket DC Comics Villains Set
What it is: The only SDCC collectible that encourages young girls to become supervillains, this set comes with terrific Polly Pocket versions of Poison Ivy, Catwoman and Harley Quinn. Crime may not pay, but it sure is adorable.
How much it will set you back: $19.99.