Raving Toy Maniac

June 2012 - If you're coming to Comic-Con International in San Diego this year, be sure to stop by the Diamond Select Toys booth (#2607). Yes, there'll be plenty of exclusive toys on sale, from The Walking Dead, The Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers vs. X-Men and more (see the full list here). And yes, there will be display cases full of new prototypes from their Battle Beasts, Knight Rider and Expendables toy lines. But there will also be a few key events that you can't afford to miss out on!

Battle Beast Giveaways!

June 28, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - we've just listed a variety of cool new items including:

Hot Toys 1/6 Amazing Spider-Man - Save $15 off MSRP at $189.99
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10399&mode=re...

New Bowen Statues:

Classic Cable
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BWD10351&mode=re...

Faux Bronze Deadpool
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BWD10352&mode=re...

Scarlet Witch Variant
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BWD10353&mode=re...

Neca - Friday the 13th 7" figures - Series 01
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC11916&mode=re...

Bandai Japan Exclusives
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=9946

Batman Heroclix
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=batman+heroclix

Mezco Reveals Summer Exclusives

June 2012 - New York - As the world prepares for San Diego Comic Con (July 12th-15th) Mezco Toyz adds to the excitement by revealing their 2012 Summer Exclusive lineup:

Dark Knight Mez-itz Mega Scale Batman

Perhaps the greatest summer exclusive in the universe, Mezco proudly presents the Mega Scale Dark Knight Batman Mez-Itz. This 300% Batman Mez-Itz is based on Batman's look from the award wining blockbuster trio of films from Christopher Nolan. He measures 20 inches from the tip of his ears to the soles of his boots.

He features a real cloth black cape. Just like the standard Mez-Itz, he features 5 points of articulation and 1000 points of fun.

Mez-Itz Mega Scale Batman is securely packed in a sturdy full color box.

This is a non-numbered limited edition item. Edition size TBD.

6" Metallic Wonder Woman Mez-itz

DARK HORSE DELUXE SET TO RELEASE THE FIRST GOOD LUCK TROLLS ASSORTMENT ON JULY 25!

MILWAUKIE, OR, JUNE 28, 2012 - One of the greatest toy phenomena of all time has been Good Luck Trolls, originally created in 1959 by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam. At various times since the early 1960s these charming little dolls have been a top-selling toy, building a seldom-achieved brand equity and strong consumer response. After disappearing from the market for many years, Good Luck Trolls are set to return this year with a modern twist on their timeless charm.

Good Luck Trolls "mystery box" assortments are a new collectibles merchandise program by Dark Horse Comics under a license granted by Dam Things, who hold all rights to the works of Thomas Dam. The mystery box is being introduced to the market with an on-sale date of July 25.

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

THURSDAY, JUNE 28: HARRY POTTER 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Profile America - Thursday, June 28th. Fifteen years ago this week, the first of a series of books was published in the United Kingdom - "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," published in the U.S. with the title "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." The books, written by J.K. Rowling, ended up breaking all known publishing records, selling 450 million copies and translated into more than 60 languages. Some critics have credited the series with sparking an increase in reading among juveniles. In addition, the seven novels have been made into wildly successful motion pictures. Nearly $23 billion worth of printed books are sold in the U.S. each year.

Profile America is produced by the U.S. Census Bureau: Measuring America - People, Places, and Our Economy.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 330
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1134

June 27, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com about an exciting batch of new preorders, a large batch of new arrivals, and info on a $5,000 store credit giveaway contest!

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$5,000 STORE CREDIT GIVEAWAY
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'Like' us on Facebook and fill out the quick entry form and you'll be registered to win one of 40+ prizes! First prize is $1500 in store credit, 2nd prize is $500 in store credit (2 winners) - and there are several other denominations. Check out the details here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BigBadToyStore/107929919235829?v=app_46293...

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NEW PREORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS SERIES 02 - BRUTICUS WAVE

LEGO DUPLO Builds Storytime With New Read and Build Collection

ENFIELD, Conn., June 27, 2012 -- Timed to the arrival of summer reading season, LEGO Systems, Inc., the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, today introduced LEGO® DUPLO® Read and Build, a series of kits that blend early reading with construction play, encouraging youngsters to build along as their parents read simple, age-appropriate board books to them. And, just as children's libraries around the country are announcing their summer reading programs, DUPLO and the ALSC are kicking off the national LEGO DUPLO Read! Build! Play! project at http://www.readbuildplay.com which seeks to recognize outstanding libraries and bring reading-focused activities and resources to libraries nationwide.

Incorporate play into story time

June 28, 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.

- Annual Rise in Summer ATV Deaths Prompts CPSC to Urge Safety on the Trails

- Big Cat Human Powered Vehicles Recalls Bicycle Due to Crash Hazard

- Children's Lounge Pants and Boxers Recalled by Rigo International Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard - Sold Exclusively at Academy Sports and Outdoor

- Children's Pajamas Recalled by Ishtex Textile Products Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

June 27, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Hot news from Hasbro this morning - we've just listed the Transformers Generations Wave 02 Case and Set that include Bruticus! Hasbro has increased pricing on all Deluxe TF items moving forward, so there is a price bump on this and all future waves. The case of 8 is available at $119.99 and we also have a set of 5 that removes all the old figures from the case listed at $104.99

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=9925

6" Marvel Legends Wave 03 has also just been listed - Cases available at $124.99 and sets are $114.99
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=9932

The case includes:
1x Mystique or Danielle Moonstar (random)
1x Deadpool (X-Force Outfit)
2x Dr. Doom
2x Iron Man (Neo-Classic)
1x Punisher or Blade (random)
1x U.S. Agent

June 2012 - The folks at Gaming Heads have sent word of two new statues:

Introducing the first in our Portal 2 Turret Series, the standard model Aperture Turret! Please find some pictures attached. More pictures can be found at the links below.

1) The Exclusive Portal 2 Turret stands 16 inches tall, limited to 350 units worldwide, 324.99USD. Features motion activated sound and lights where the lights flash in time with the speech.
https://www.gamingheads.com/index.php?option=com_myphp&Itemid=3&product=101

2) The Regular Portal 2 Turret stands 16 inches tall, limited to 750 units worldwide, 299.99USD. Features motion activated lights. https://www.gamingheads.com/index.php?option=com_myphp&Itemid=3&product=97