Raving Toy Maniac

January 31, 2013 - Listed below are the toy (and child-related) recalls from this week; these links go to the official announcements on the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site.

- Triaminic and Theraflu Products Recalled Due to Failure to Meet Child-Resistant Closure Requirement; Risk of Poisoning

- World Imports Recalls Bunk Beds Due to Violation of Safety Standard

- Kringles Toys and Gifts Recalls High Powered Magnets Due to Ingestion Hazard; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com

- High Powered Magnet Balls Recalled by SCS Direct Due to Risk of Ingestion; Sold Exclusively on Amazon.com

January 30, 2013 - Hasbro has released his update on their new 6-inch Star Wars action figure product line, promising more to come during Toy Fair in a few weeks:

Star Wars fans,

Yesterday, Hasbro's new line of collector-targeted Star Wars figures, Star Wars Black, was announced on USAToday.com, which will include both traditional 3.75-inch action figures and a brand-new scale, 6-inch figures. Hasbro is excited to now share with you its official photography for the first 6-inch Star Wars Black figure, X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker.

The official description for the 6-inch line is below:
STAR WARS® BLACK SERIES 6-INCH ACTION FIGURES
(Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Fall 2013)

Announcing Celebration Europe Celebrity Host, Warwick Davis!

January 30, 2013 - Fans attending Star Wars Celebration, the official Lucasfilm event for all things Star Wars, will enjoy the talents of an extraordinary Celebrity Host, Warwick Davis.

Davis, who has been well known to Star Wars fans since his career-starting performance as Wicket the Ewok in Return of the Jedi, will preside at the Celebration Stage, the hot spot for the biggest shows of the weekend.

Expect great entertainment. Davis, a veteran Celebration host, is known for having a bit of fun with his guests, and coaxing unexpected exploits and information from them on the stage. The event takes place this July 26-28 in Essen, Germany.

January 30, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PREORDERS
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FANSPROJECT FUNCTION X-01, FUNCTION X-02, FUNCTION X-03
Three new figures from FansProject combine homages to figures past with current articulation and engineering. Function X-01 Code transforms into a futuristic four-wheeled vehicle whose driver becomes the robot's head; Function X-02 Quadruple U Becomes a wolf-like creature whose trainer becomes its head in robot mode; Function X-03 Smart Robin becomes a futuristic star fighter whose pilot becomes the head of the robot. Each of these figures is listed at $68.99, with the Function X-01 being very limited.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11878

TRANSFORMERS MASTERPIECE MP-19 BLUESTREAK

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Zooms into Toy Fair Season with the Debut of its Worldwide Toy Program Supporting this Summer's Highly Anticipated Film Man Of Steel

Vast Portfolio of Theatrical, Television, Animation and Super Hero Fare to be Showcased

Burbank, Calif. – January 30, 2013 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) zooms into this year's exciting Toy Fair season with a roster of global licensees ready to support the Studio's portfolio, led by this summer's tentpole film release Man of Steel, which will be supported by DC Comics master toy licensee Mattel, as well as many other toy partners. With an impressive lineup driven by powerhouse properties that stretch from DC Comics Super Heroes and The Hobbit Trilogy to The Big Bang Theory and Looney Tunes, WBCP and its renowned licensees are rolling out new toys and collectibles that will reach fans of all ages.

ALEXANDER DOLL COMPANY CELEBRATES 90TH ANNIVERSARY: INTRODUCES LIMITED EDITION ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION, NEW LICENSED PRODUCT AND A NEW PRODUCT CATEGORY

New York City -- January 30, 2013: The Alexander Doll Company is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a stunning collection of commemorative dolls, new licenses including Dylan's Candy Bar® and a collection of whimsical washable dolls. The entire collection will debut at the International Toy Fair in February 10-13, 2013 at the Javits Center in New York City.

January 30, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Brand New FansProject - Now Available to preorder at $68.99 each:

Function X-02 - Quadruple U
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=FPJ10032&mode=re...

Function X-03 - Smart Robin
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=FPJ10033&mode=re...

Function X-01 - Code (limited stock remaining)
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=FPJ10031&mode=re...

Dave Webb x outsmART originals: DECORUM T-Shirt Release

January 2013 - DECORUM by Dave Webb

Known for his incredibly detailed and sometimes strange custom art toys, Dave Webb has also created some amazing 2D art as well. Decorum, taken from an original design from 2007 is now being released as a discharged printed t-shirt for that classic vintage feel and look for comfort and fit. Shipping in mid-February – this tee will be available for both men and women in sizes up to 5XL.

And as a bonus (a tradition with outsmART originals) – with every preorder made – customers will be automatically entered for a chance to win an original custom 4" Munny from the artist! This original will be made exclusively for this giveaway and will surely make one lucky customer the envy of all.

So reserve yours today at our online store at http://outsmartoriginals.storenvy.com/ or head over to http://www.outsmartoriginals.com

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES 2013 LAUNCH OF MAX STEEL™ ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVELS BASED ON NEW KIDS ANIMATED SUPERHERO SERIES

Teenager "Max" Teams With Alien Sidekick "Steel" To Protect Earth From Evil Villains - All While Finishing His Homework!

San Francisco, CA, January 29, 2013 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced its newest forthcoming original graphic novel series with the launch of MAX STEEL. Scheduled to debut in the Fall of 2013, MAX STEEL will be published under the VIZ Kids imprint, is rated 'A' for All Ages, and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

Developed by Mattel, MAX STEEL is a global boy's entertainment franchise spanning toys, publishing and consumer products. In addition, a new MAX STEEL CGI animated series co-produced with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) will premiere in the U.S. on the Disney XD channel on March 25, 2013.

The Rhino is Loose in Manhattan! Marvel Select Rhino Ships this Week!

January 29, 2013 - Nothing can stop the Rhino... from smashing into comic shops and specialty stores this week from Diamond Select Toys! The Marvel Select action figure of classic Spider-Man villain the Rhino stands 9 inches tall, so he'll tower over your other Marvel Select figures. He also features 16 points of articulation, so you can get him in all sorts of dynamic poses. Whether you want your Rhino charging, goring, punching, kicking, wrestling or grazing, this is the Rhino figure for you! Check out these shots of the Rhino loose on the streets of New York and reserve your figure today at your local comic shop or favorite online retailer!