Raving Toy Maniac

American International Toy Fair -- Largest Toy Trade Show in Western Hemisphere -- Grows in 2012

Numbers Spike for Buyers, International Guests, Licensors and Entertainment Execs

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2012 -- The 109th American International Toy Fair opened its doors to colossal crowds last week as nearly 27,000 industry professionals from more than 100 countries converged in New York City to scout 100,000+ fun and innovative products at the largest and most successful U.S.-hosted toy trade show to be held in recent years.

Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair 2012 welcomed increased attendance across nearly all categories, including a 3% increase in buyers, a 5% increase in international participants, a 14% jump in licensors and a 23% surge in entertainment executives. Total attendance during the four-day show was 26,730... a 2% increase over last year.

February 23, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has something new of interest to collectors:

We've just listed the latest 1/6 Scale Masterpiece from Hot Toys, the 1986 Batmobile:

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10386&mode=re...

February 23, 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.

Kelty Recalls Jogging Strollers Due to Fall and Injury Hazards

CPSC Adopts New Federal Standard for Portable Bed Rails

Shimano Recalls PRO Atherton Mountain Bike Handlebar Stems Due to Fall Hazard

Fuji Recalls Women's Cruiser Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

February 22, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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CLEARANCE SALE
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Several days ago we reduced pricing by 15% to 25% on 4000+ items that are a year or more old. There are a lot of great older items available, please be sure to check out the menus found on this link:

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=7223

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NEW PREORDERS
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"THE AVENGERS" MOVIE MASTERPIECE NICK FURY
Hot Toys has announced a 1/6 scale Nick Fury figure from the upcoming "The Avengers" movie. This figure comes with a Samuel L. Jackson likeness along with a suitcase with the Cosmic Cube, weapons and much more. We have him listed at $174.99, $15 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10385&mode=re...

KM-03 KNIGHT MORPHER CYCLOPS

K'NEX BRANDS Unveils New Additions To Its Line Of MARIO KART™ Wii Building Sets
Officially-Licensed Toys Allow Kids to Build their Favorite Mario Kart Wii Characters

Hatfield, PA - February 09, 2012 - K'NEX, the only US construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love™, is pleased to announce several new introductions to its line of officially licensed building sets inspired by Mario Kart™ Wii, one of the most popular titles for the Wii™ console.

The new building sets are designed for Young Nintendo® fans ages 6+, bringing the fun of Mario Kart Wii to a new generation and expanding its appeal through a rewarding, age-appropriate K'NEX building experience. In addition, over 65% of the parts used in the line, including the track system, are American made.

Standard Kart Building Set Assortment #3

New York Toy Fair Round-Up: Diamond Select Toys and Marvel Comics

February 21, 2012 - New York Toy Fair is over, and the Diamond Select Toys booth was a whirlwind of activity the whole time, thanks to a bunch of cool new license announcements, as well as some great reveals from their existing lines. Since the show isn't open to the public, Diamond Select was nice enough to send over some shots from around the booth, the first batch coming from their section dedicated to the Marvel universe! Check out the pics attached, including their new offerings from The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man and Marvel Comics!

Get regular DST updates on Facebook and Twitter! And see more Marvel Select figures here!

HeroClix Online Showcases Marvel Galactic Guardians

Previews New Figures Ahead of Physical Release

February 21, 2012 - HeroClix Online developers today announced the next online set to be featured in the "Figure of the Week" program, in which two figures from an upcoming set are made available weekly for a limited, promotional price. The new set, from Marvel, showcases the upcoming Galactic Guardians collection and will run this Thursday, February 23 through Wednesday, March 21.

Not only will the figures be made available in advance of the full collection and at a promotional price, but they also offer a preview for players and collectors of the physical game as the physical Galactic Guardians figure sets will hit store shelves March 21.

Figure details for the first two weeks will be revealed on HeroClix fan site, HeroClix World, and figures will be made available in the official HCO store.

MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS PLANS FOR CHICAGO COMIC & ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2)

Joe Quesada and Axel Alonso to Join Leading Marvel Talent Including Jason Aaron, Rick Remender and Dan Slott

Official C2E2 Poster to Feature Avengers VS. X-Men in Battle at Chicago Landmark

Norwalk, CT, February 21, 2012: Many top writers and creators will be joining Marvel Entertainment at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) as the renowned comic books and media entertainment company announces plans for the annual pop culture gathering which will take place April 13 – 15, 2012 in the North Building at the McCormick Place Convention Center. Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment, and Axel Alonso, Marvel's Editor-in-Chief, will be joined by other notable Marvel creators including Jason Aaron, Rick Remender and Dan Slott.

SABAN BRANDS AND PRESSMAN TOY TEAM UP TO INTRODUCE BOARD GAMES BASED ON POWER RANGERS SAMURAI TV SERIES FOR 2012
- Available at Mass and Specialty Retailers Nationwide in June 2012
- Showcased at the New York Toy Fair, Booth #643

New York, February 10, 2012 – Pressman Toy Corporation, known for delighting families with classic games and innovative licensed products for nearly 100 years, announces a licensing deal with Saban Brands to develop games based on the #1 kids' action series Power Rangers Samurai. The series is currently appearing on both Nickelodeon and Nicktoons, five days a week. Pressman Toy's games based on this series will be available at mass and specialty retailers nationwide in June 2012.

"The Power Rangers have been an iconic staple in the lives of children for nearly 20 years," said Jim Pressman, president of Pressman Toy Corporation. "When we learned that the series was being revamped by its original creator, Haim Saban, we knew the Power Rangers Samurai series would be sensational. We are excited to enhance this phenomenon with our line of games."

K'NEX BRANDS Releases First Line Of Angry Birds Building Sets
Officially-Licensed Building Toys by K'NEX Will Allow Kids to Build & Play in the Angry Birds World

Hatfield, PA - February 09, 2012 - K'NEX, the only US construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love™, is pleased to introduce its first line of officially licensed building sets inspired by Angry Birds, the #1 paid app of all time. Young Angry Birds fans will soon be able to build and play with characters from their favorite app including Red Bird, Yellow Bird and King Pig.

The new products combine the award-winning K'NEX building system with beloved characters from Angry Birds, bringing them from the smartphone to the construction aisle for the first time!

Angry Birds Intro Assortment Building Sets