Raving Toy Maniac

"The Force" Remains With The LEGO Group
- World's leading construction toy manufacturer renews deal to solidify LEGO® Star Wars™ franchise development -

BILLUND, Denmark, Feb. 13, 2012 -- The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm Ltd. today announced renewal of the Star Wars™ licensing deal that, 12 years ago, transformed a construction toy theme into a global entertainment property with strong cross-generational, multi-platform appeal. Fans can look forward to LEGO® Star Wars product and content development for the next 10 years, according to the terms of the deal.

The LEGO Group first acquired the rights to manufacture LEGO toys based on the Star Wars universe in 1999, marking the first time in its global history that the world's leading construction toy manufacturer would represent someone else's story and characters in the LEGO world. What was once considered a licensed novelty is now considered a core LEGO franchise, similar to LEGO CITY, and ranks among the company's global top themes.

JAKKS Pacific Debuts Toys for Epic Boys Action Adventure Property, Monsuno at the American International Toy Fair
Toy Fair 2012

MALIBU, Calif -- February 13, 2012 -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. debuts the much-anticipated toy line based on the original animated entertainment franchise Monsuno™. The comprehensive toy line, featuring innovative, kid-controlled action figures, accessories, combat sets, collectibles, electronics and integrated role play, brings the larger-than-life adventures of the Monsuno animated series into kids' hands.

"The strong reception we have received thus far for Monsuno underscores our belief that Monsuno is poised to become an outstanding world wide boys' action adventure property," said Stephen Berman, President and CEO, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. "We are excited to finally introduce our innovative, action-driven Monsuno toys and the animated series to children all over the world."

Highlights for the Monsuno toy line include:

LEGO Systems Builds on Year-Over-Year U.S. Sales Growth

- 80 years of innovation and brand development make the LEGO brick one of today's most relevant and sought-after toys for the playroom -

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2012 -- AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR -- LEGO Systems, Inc., the American division of the world's leading construction toy brand, achieved year-on-year, double-digit U.S. sales growth in 2011, reaching record levels in consumer sales and market share in 2011.

2011 LEGO Systems U.S. Year-end Highlights (source: The NPD Group U.S. Consumer Panel)

• Recorded seventh consecutive year of growth in the U.S.
• Grew U.S. consumer sales +22% to reach $1.33 billion.
• Increased U.S. total toy market share to 6.2%, up 1.2 share points over 2010, to solidify position as #3 toy manufacturer in America. The company's share of the total U.S. toy market has tripled in five years.
• Accounted for 80% of Building Sets category sales in the U.S. in a year of increased category competition.
• Solidified rank as America's #1 preschool construction brand, adding +11 share points to reach 43.5% of the segment

February 2012 - Can't remember which DC Direct products are due in at comic book stores soon? Here's the schedule for the next couple of months. These release dates are the original dates from the original solicitations/ announcements. (Read this other news post to find out why we are no longer able to post the weekly shipping updates.)

After each month's batch of new solicitations, we'll "update" this list and repost it in the news.

February 15:

• Batman Black & White Statue: Batman by Mike Mignola (Variant)

February 29:

• Catwoman 1:4 Scale Museum Quality Statue (date change due to resolicit in October 2011)

February 2012 - DC Direct - THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: BUSTS

Before the blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters in July, be the first to own these incredibly detailed busts straight from Gotham City! These life-like collectibles capture the essence of Batman and two of his greatest foes - Bane and Catwoman!

Bane - 6.5" h
Catwoman - 6" h
Batman - 6.25" h

Each Sold Separately
$80.00 US
On Sale June 20, 2012

February 2012 - DC Direct - THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: 1:6 SCALE ICON STATUES

Before the blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters in July, be the first to own these incredibly detailed statues straight from Gotham City! These life-like collectibles capture the essence of Batman and two of his greatest foes - Bane and Catwoman!

Bane - 12.5" h
Catwoman - 7" h
Batman - 13" h

Each Sold Separately
$129.99 US
On Sale June 20, 2012

February 2012 - DC Direct - JUSTICE LEAGUE: GREEN LANTERN AND AQUAMAN ACTION FIGURES

Green Lantern - 6.75" h
Aquaman - 6.75" h

DC Comics - The New DC 52 was THE entertainment story of 2011! After the acclaimed release of the first figure comes the next wave of figures in the ongoing line based on Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's best-selling JUSTICE LEAGUE!

Wielding a weapon of immense power for justice, comes Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern - and from the depths of the ocean comes the King of Atlantis, Aquaman - both featuring a unique take on the classic costume as designed by Lee.

Action Figures
On Sale June 27, 2012

February 2012 - DC Direct - BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY: DELUXE ACTION FIGURES

Welcome to Arkham City, the new maximum security "home" for all of Gotham City's thugs, gangsters, and insane criminal masterminds.

Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, it's filled with the most murderous villains from DC Comics' Batman universe. But Batman is ready to tackle it with all-new gadgets and his greatest-and most dangerous-allies. Which is good, because he'll need all the help he can get when he faces the ferocious Killer Croc and lethal Mr. Freeze!

Based on the blockbuster video game published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, developed by Rocksteady Studios, and licensed by DC Entertainment.

Mister Freeze - 7.25" h
Killer Croc - 9.5" h

Action Figures
On Sale June 6, 2012

February 2012 - DC Direct - DEATH STRIKES FASTER THAN LIGHTNING!

AME-COMI BLACK FLASH PVC FIGURE
DESIGNED BY JIM FLETCHER
SCULPTED BY JACK MATHEWS

Black Flash mysteriously appears as an omen of impending doom for any member of the Flash family of speedsters that tap into the Speed Force.

Packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook, this non-articulated PVC statue stands approximately 9" high and includes a display base.

$70.00 US
On Sale June 13, 2012

February 2012 - DC Direct - GREEN LANTERN: THE ANIMATED SERIES: ATROCITUS STATUE
SCULPTED BY DAVE CORTES

FROM THE UPCOMING CARTOON NETWORK SHOW!

With blood and rage of crimson red, comes a maquette to place above your bed! From the upcoming Green Lantern animated series comes the powerful and vengeful Red Lantern, Atrocitus! No collection can be complete without this fearsome foe!

Measuring approximately 8.25" high x 8" wide x 6" deep, this hand-painted, coldcast porcelain statue is packaged in a 4-color box.

Limited Edition.

RESOLICIT - $125.00 US
On Sale June 13, 2012