Raving Toy Maniac

November 2013 - Lucasfilm has announced that Star Wars VII will be released in 2015:

Star Wars: Episode VII to Open December 18, 2015

With pre-production in full-swing, a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015, has been set for Lucasfilm's highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII.

"We're very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture," said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Premiering the Toys"R"Us Toy Channel -- The Ultimate Destination For Exclusive, Original and Entertaining Toy Programming

Channel Debuts with Fun, Informative Videos of Must-Have Playthings and New Products, Exclusive Content from Toy Experts and Behind-the-Scenes Footage from The World's Greatest Toy Store™

WAYNE, N.J., Nov. 7, 2013 -- Toys"R"Us today announced the debut of the Toys"R"Us Toy Channel, the company's revamped and updated YouTube channel, establishing the go-to destination for exclusive, original and entertaining programming for kids and families on all things toys. The Toys"R"Us Toy Channel, www.YouTube.com/Toysrusonline, launches with eight playlists, segregating content by topic to showcase in-demand playthings and new products, interviews with toy industry experts, current commercials from the beloved brand and top toy manufacturers, plus much more. The refreshed channel and content strategy was designed in partnership with The Escape Pod, an award-winning creative agency based in Chicago.

Disney's Marvel and Netflix Join Forces to Develop Historic Four Series Epic plus a Miniseries Event Based on Renowned Marvel Characters

- Landmark Deal Brings Marvel's Flawed Heroes of Hell's Kitchen, led by "Daredevil", to the World's Leading Internet TV Network in 2015

BURBANK, California, Nov. 7, 2013 -- The Walt Disney Co. and Netflix Inc. today announced an unprecedented deal for Marvel TV to bring multiple original series of live-action adventures of four of Marvel's most popular characters exclusively to the world's leading internet TV Network beginning in 2015. This pioneering agreement calls for Marvel to develop four serialised programmes leading to a miniseries programming event.

November 10, 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.

- Vans Recalls Boy's Hooded Jackets with Drawstrings Due to Strangulation Hazard

Thor: The Dark World Minimates Packaging Revealed!

November 2013 - Thor: The Dark World is in U.S. theaters today, and while the series of Marvel Minimates based on the film is still a ways off, we couldn't wait to show off the packaging in our new YouTube video broadcast! Check out the four two-packs in Marvel Minimates Series 53: Thor vs. Malekith, Loki vs. Heimdall, Selvig vs. Dark Elf and Darcy vs. Dark Elf!

Standing 2 inches tall with a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories, this series will be available in early December, but only at comic shops and specialty stores - these figures will not be at Toys "R" Us! Check out the packaged pics below, and find your nearest comic shop at www.comicshoplocator.com to reserve your set! Or pre-order online!

November 8, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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PACIFIC RIM 18" FIGURE SERIES 01 - KNIFEHEAD
NECA is releasing the Kaiju monster Knifehead in the 18" size, giving the 18" Gipsy Danger a perfect opponent. Knifehead is detailed with the bright lines from the movie, and is listed at $149.99, $30 off of the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC12412&mode=re...

NEW MONSTER HIGH ITEMS
A variety of new Monster High items are up for pre-order. We have sets of Scaritage Dolls, Howlywood Black Carpet Dolls, Howlywood Accessories, Ghouls Alive Series 02, New Scaremester, Art Class, Ghoul Spirit, Coffin Bean and singles like Jane Boolittle and more.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=14447

SCALERS SERIES 01 PART 2 - SET, SINGLES

Activision Blizzard to Sell New Limited Edition Dog Tags to Benefit the Call of Duty™ Endowment

Proceeds from Sales of Call of Duty®: Ghosts – Inspired Dog Tags Will Help Raise Funds for Veteran Employment Organizations

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 5, 2013 -- It's time to get tagged... again! Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), today announced the sale of new limited edition dog tags that will benefit the Call of Duty Endowment, a private nonprofit foundation that supports groups placing former service members into high quality careers and raises awareness of the value veterans bring to the civilian workplace.

Mezco Presents Holiday Mystery Box featuring Blue Krampus

New York - November 2013 - Both Krampus fans and Living Dead Dolls collectors are going wild over Living Dead Dolls Presents Krampus!

To compliment the three standard colors and the one of a kind Red Krampus, Mezco now proudly reveals the final member of their quintet of holiday terror; the one of a kind Blue Krampus!

The one of a kind Blue Krampus has been randomly packed in one of the 333 Holiday Mystery Boxes.

Each Holiday Mystery Boxes will contain a full size 10 inch Living Dead Doll or another Mezco item, and one of those boxes contains the one of a kind Blue Krampus!

This one-of-a-kind Blue Krampus features an a weathered bone colored mask with vibrant, icy blue fur. He will be randomly packed, in his coffin, in one of the 333 Holiday Mystery Boxes.

November 2013 - Funko has announced four new POP! Television vinyl figures based on The Big Bang Theory. This batch has the guys dressed in their classic Star Trek uniforms - Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, and Howard.

Expect to see these new POPs in stores around December 3rd.

November 2013 - Funko has announced a new 1966 Batman Wacky Wobbler, but this one comes with the Batmobile!

Expect to see the Batmobile in stores around December 17th.