Raving Toy Maniac

Agent 88 Makes A Killing On Kickstarter

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24, 2012 -- "Agent 88" (http://www.Agent88Films.com), a dark action comedy that tells the story of the world's deadliest assassin - an 88 year old British woman with Alzheimer's - has accomplished an unprecedented achievement via Kickstarter raising the most funds ever for a live-action web series pilot further pushing the "Agent 88" brand initiative.

"Agent 88" is a comic book-style cinematic romp full of martial arts action, amazing special effects and unforgettable characters. Under the guidance of Creator and Director Digger T. Mesch and Producer Jan Utstein-O'Neill, Agent 88 gathered support from some unlikely avenues. Tapping into gritty genre fans and rabid collectors sparked an enormous interest in not just the concept but the many donation incentives, eventually leading to its historic Kickstarter run.

ThinkGeek Announces Exclusive Star Wars Merch at Celebration VI!

Brilliant New Products from a Galaxy Far Far Away

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 23, 2012 -- ThinkGeek has heard and answered the call of fans and is not only a vendor at Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando, but is announcing three new products and launching an exclusive item as well.

Visitors to booth #303 will have the opportunity to be the first people in the known galaxy to take a glimpse of these new, officially licensed products. For those unable to make it to Orlando, they are:

Han Solo in Carbonite Business Card Case
Available this fall for $24.99, the Han Solo in Carbonite Business Card Case gives practical application to our favorite rogue. Forged of the same materials that he was frozen in, this incredible piece is the perfect way to carry the business cards that declare your allegiance to the light or dark side of the force.

Wampa Ice Scraper Mitt

NOTED BRITISH ACTOR PETER DAVISON IS SPOTLIGHT GUEST AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

Celebrated Roles Include "Doctor Who" Among Other Parts

Norwalk, CT, August 24, 2012: Peter Davison, who played the fifth incarnation of The Doctor in the celebrated British television series Doctor Who, will be a Spotlight Guest at this year's New York Comic Con (NYCC). The noted actor, who is also well known for his role as Tristan Farnon in James Herriott's All Creatures Great and Small, will be signing autographs and appearing on stage. Doctor Who, which premiered on British television in 1963, has gone on to become a television institution in the UK, a cult phenomenon in the USA and the longest-running science fiction television program in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The series will mark its 50th anniversary in 2013. Peter Davison played the title role from 1981 - 1984.

August 24, 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.

- CareBears Pacifier Recalled by IDM Group Due to Choking Hazard

- Energizer Recalls Night Lights Due to Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target

- Kickboard USA Recalls Children's Scooter Due to Laceration Hazard

August 24, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

NECA Terminator Collection Series 03 - Kyle Reese, T-800 (Tanker Truck Pursuit), T-1000 (Liquid Nitrogen)
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC11965&mode=re...

Eaglemoss Lord of the Rings Chess Set Pieces
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=514&category=8887

Walking Dead - Funko POP Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=1097&company=199

Marvel and DC Eaglemoss
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=10401

Hot Toys Wolverine 1/6
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10413&mode=re...

Sideshow Premium Format Darth Malgus
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SSC11168&mode=re...

The Hobbit and LOTR - United Cutlery Weapons

August 2012 - JAKKS Pacific has sent along a few images of their S.L.U.G. Zombies figures, which are now in stores. (We are in Colorado and have already spotted them at Target.)

The figures are available as single packs (in blind packs, so you don't know which one you are getting), three-packs, and 12-packs:

S.L.U.G. Zombies®

JAKKS Pacific is delivering collectability and fun like never before with its new lineup of 2" figures called S.L.U.G. ZOMBIES Scary Little Ugly Guys™. Each Zombie features wacky names and stories, such as Neil Armgone, Grave Lincoln and Braineatin' Brandon. Kids and adults will love to collect and play with these unique figures! Choose from single blind packs ($1.99), 3-packs ($3.99) and coffin-shaped 12-packs ($9.99). With over 100 figures to collect this year alone, S.L.U.G. Zombies is a craze that won't die! Ages 5+. S.L.U.G. Zombies are currently available at all major retailers, including Toys R Us, Target and Walgreens.

In Stores This Week: Fear Itself Minimates and Neon Iron Man!

August 22, 2012 - Wednesday is traditionally "New Comics Day," but we should really re-name it "New Toy Day!" So many comic-store exclusive items have been coming out from Diamond Select Toys that toy collectors have just as much reason as comic fans to keep their Wednesdays free to pick up the new arrivals. This week, DST is offering new Minimates and a new neon sign -- check 'em out!

Fear Itself Marvel Minimates: The Worthy

To commemorate the Earth-shattering Marvel storyline, Diamond Select Toys is releasing two box sets of Minimates! The Worthy box set includes Cul, The Serpent (the Asgardian god of fear); his herald Skadi (a.k.a Sin, the Red Skull's daughter); Mokk, Breaker of Faith (formerly the Grey Gargoyle); and Angrir, Breaker of Souls (formerly the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing). Each comes with a massive hammer, and the Serpent also comes with his staff.

SiriusXM Announces the Return of "Star Wars Celebration Radio"

NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2012 -- SiriusXM today announced the return of Star Wars Celebration Radio - a limited-run channel broadcasting live from Star Wars Celebration VI, the official Lucasfilm event celebrating the award-winning Star Wars™ saga.

Star Wars Celebration Radio will launch Thursday, August 23 at 6:00 pm ET, the day the event kicks off at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. It will air through Monday, August 27 at 3:00 am ET on Sirius channel 123, XM channel 142, and channel 770 online and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and mobile devices.

Star Wars Celebration Radio will feature interviews with iconic cast members from the Star Wars films, as well as insiders/key players whose behind-the-scenes whose contributions to the series are well known to fans. SiriusXM listeners will be able to listen in on live panel discussions from Star Wars Celebration VI throughout the weekend and hear colorful commentary from celebrity fans and other attendees.

August 2012 - Previews and IMAX have teamed up for the PREVIEWSworld/IMAX The Dark Knight Sweepstakes.

Enter by August 31st to win tickets to see The Dark Knight Rises in IMAX, or other Batman-themed prizes such as posters, tshirts, and The Dark Knight Rises Bane Bust from DC Collectibles.

Top 20 Chosen by Children's Museum Visitors and Fans to determine the '100 Toys (& their Stories) that Define Our Childhood'

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 21, 2012-- The results are in and more than 20,000 Children's Museum of Indianapolis online visitors and fans have voted for their favorite toys from the last century. It is all part of the '100 Toys (& their Stories) that Define Our Childhood' interactive in which the museum asked people to choose the top 20 toys to represent the last 100 years. This list of 20 iconic toys includes:

G.I. Joe®
Etch A Sketch®
Transformers®
Spirograph™
LEGO® Toys
Hot Wheels®
Barbie®
Candy Land®
View-Master®
Lincoln Logs®
Bicycle
Raggedy Ann®
Play-Doh®
Little Golden Books®
Crayons
Mr. Potato Head®
Cabbage Patch Kids®
Roller Skates
MONOPOLY®
Silly® Putty

Beginning today, the public is once again invited to vote for their favorites among the top 20 to rank the toys, which will ultimately determine the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners.