Raving Toy Maniac

October 15, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - We've recently listed a variety of cool new items:

New Bowen - Kingpin, Spider-Man Modern Museum Statue, Doc Samson
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=bowen

Borderlands Claptrap Blu14 - Limited Edition
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC12029&mode=re...

Friday the 13th- 7" figures Series 02
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=friday+13th+02

Golgo 13 - Mr Duke Togo - 1/6 Scale
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=3R10000&mode=ret...

Team Fortress - Demo & Pyro Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=neca+team+fortress

Iron Man Nendoroid
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GSC10381&mode=re...

October 13, 2012 - LEGO has unveiled two new Super Heroes sets at New York Comic Con! One from Marvel and one from DC:

Marvel Super Heroes
76005
Spider-Man™: Daily Bugle Showdown
$49.99
Piece Count: 476
Minifigures: Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Jonah Jameson, Nova, Beetle

DC Super Heroes
76001
The Bat v. Bane™: Tumbler chase
$39.99
Piece Count: 368
Minifigures: Batman, Bane, Commissioner Gordon

The LEGO Group and Nickelodeon Announce Expanded Global Partnership to Bring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the Construction Toy Category

BILLUND, Denmark, Oct. 11, 2012 -- The LEGO Group, makers of the world's leading construction toys, and Nickelodeon, one of the world's leading entertainment brands for kids, announced today an expansion of their global partnership to develop construction toys inspired by the recently launched CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series. The collection is slated to launch in North America and the UK in January 2013 and will roll out in global markets later in the year. The companies have a long-standing relationship and first partnered together in 2006 to create LEGO® SpongeBob Squarepants. Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered on Sept. 29 and was an instant hit, drawing almost 12 million viewers during its premiere weekend.

LEGO Systems Makes Debut Appearance at New York Comic-Con

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2012 -- COMIC-CON -- LEGO Systems, Inc., the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, kicked off its first official presence at New York Comic-Con today by unveiling new sets and exclusive giveaways for fans of all ages. Never-before-seen introductions include LEGO® Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™, a recently announced play theme slated to launch in January 2013. Two of the sets from the much-anticipated LEGO The Hobbit™ collection, launching this December, will also be unveiled. Also on display are construction sets and new video content from popular LEGO Super Heroes: MARVEL™, LEGO Super Heroes: DC Universe™ and LEGO Star Wars™ properties. Because no LEGO experience is complete without a hands-on building activity, show attendees are invited to help assemble a 7.5 foot-tall mystery mosaic at booth #1538 of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, October 11-14.

Toys"R"Us® Introduces International Shipping For Online Orders to More Than 60 Countries Around the Globe

Through Partnership with i-parcel, Customers Worldwide Can Now Shop the Vast Assortment of Toys and Juvenile Products Offered on Toysrus.com and Babiesrus.com

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 11, 2012 -- Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced that international shipping is now available for online orders on http://Toysrus.com and http://Babiesrus.com to more than 60 countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, North America and South America. The company is providing this service to its customers in partnership with i-parcel, a leading international air express company that facilitates global shipping capabilities. With international shipping, the company is extending the presence of Toys"R"Us® and Babies"R"Us® and nearly doubling the number of countries that currently have access to the world's leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer.

October 11, 2012 - 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.

- Graco Recalls Classic Wood Highchairs Due to Fall Hazard

- Kitchen Fires #1 in New Report; Smoke Alarms and Escape Plans Key to Surviving Fires in the Home

Toys"R"Us® Announces 2012 Holiday Toy Trends

Company Identifies Top Four Trends Predicted to Influence Holiday Toy Purchases: Precious Preschool Pals, Kid-Friendly Tablets and App-Enabled Fun, "Rad" Returns from the '80s and Light F/X

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 11, 2012 -- As children begin to write their letters to Santa with care and parents start to devise their holiday shopping strategies, Toys"R"Us® today announced four emerging trends it expects to impact toy-buying decisions this holiday season. Representative of these top trends are toys based on tiny tots' favorite characters, kid-friendly tablets, "rad" playthings from the '80s that are making a comeback and items that offer fun light-up features. This year's toy trends also undoubtedly reflect some of this season's hottest toy properties and products.

MACY'S AND TOYS"R"US® PARTNER TO PROVIDE TOY DEPARTMENTS IN SELECT MACY'S LOCATIONS DURING 2012 HOLIDAY SELLING SEASON

Companies to offer Toys"R"Us Express-branded shops in 24 Macy's locations in major markets nationwide beginning in mid-October and continuing through mid-January

CINCINNATI, Ohio, and WAYNE, New Jersey, October 10, 2012 – Macy's, Inc. and Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced they have signed an agreement to offer Toys"R"Us Express-branded departments in 24 Macy's stores in major markets nationwide during this year's holiday selling season. The departments, which will operate on a leased basis, will average approximately 1,500 square feet (with some smaller and some larger). They will be open for a period of about three months – roughly from October 15, 2012, to January 15, 2013. Based on a number of factors, this pop-up toy shop concept could be expanded in the future.

Danica Patrick Hits the Track in a Transforming Hot Wheels® Car in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed™

SEGA and Mattel Team Up to Create an Immersive Sonic the Hedgehog Racing Experience with Limited Edition Diecast "Danicar" and In-Game Vehicle

SAN FRANCISCO -- October 10, 2012 -- SEGA® of America Inc. is thrilled to announce a unique partnership with Mattel, Inc. and the iconic Hot Wheels® brand, offering consumers an exciting cross-platform experience for the upcoming release of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Within the video game, players who choose to race as Danica Patrick will be able to drive a custom transforming electric green Hot Wheels® vehicle, designed to navigate the dynamic land, sea and air environments. In addition to its in-game presence, the "Danicar" will also be available as an exclusive diecast vehicle available this holiday season with purchase of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed at select retailers.

October 10, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - A note from CollectorDASH for Action Figures:

Win a Masterpiece Optimus Prime from DASH

When it comes to contest prizes, they don't get much better than a brand new Transformers Masterpiece Optimus Prime. The figure is valued at $100, includes a bundle of extras, and is being given away to one lucky collector for free by Collector-ActionFigures.