Raving Toy Maniac

February 2, 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.

Specialized Bicycle Components Expands Recall of Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

February 2, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Arkham Asylum - Play Arts Series 02 listed - We've just listed two new figures from the extremely popular Play Arts line:

Armored Batman
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SEP10316&mode=re...

Harley Quinn
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SEP10317&mode=re...

Please note that pricing is currently $69.99 - we are waiting for pricing info from our domestic supplier, once that is confirmed, it is likely that the price will drop $5 or maybe $10.

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Warner Bros. Consumer Products Soars Into Toy Fair Season With Extensive Worldwide Licensing Program Supporting This Summer's Highly Anticipated Film The Dark Knight Rises

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 1, 2012 -- The Bat-Signal has summoned "The Caped Crusader" to an adventurous Toy Fair season. Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) is showcasing a powerful roster of global licensees in support of the studio's unparalleled portfolio of entertainment properties, led by this summer's blockbuster film The Dark Knight Rises. The epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan's phenomenally popular Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, hits theaters July 20, 2012, and will be accompanied by a bevy of products from DC Comics master toy licensee, Mattel, and many other toy partners.

February 2, 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 a big
batch of exciting new preorders as well as more cool new arrivals.

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NEW PREORDERS
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THE AVENGERS MOVIE FIGURES, VEHICLES, ROLE PLAY
The whole line of "The Avengers" movie toys is now up for pre-order.
Hasbro is releasing 3.75" figures, 8" Hero figures, Mighty Battlers 6"
figures, Mini Mighty Muggs, Mission Packs, Stark Tek Assault Armors and
10" Ultimate Electronic Avengers figures. We also have listings for Stark
Tek Battle Vehicles, Battle Chargers motorcycles, Communicator Chest
lights, Hero Masks, and many of the Avengers' weapons and armor. Check
out all of the new pre-orders at the link for more information.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2842

Mattel Completes Acquisition of HIT Entertainment
-- Includes #1 Licensed Preschool Property in the World: Thomas & Friends® --

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- February 1, 2012 -- Mattel, Inc. announced today that it completed the acquisition of HIT Entertainment from a consortium of funds led by Apax Partners for $680 million in cash. HIT Entertainment is one of the largest independent owners of preschool intellectual property, including Thomas & Friends®, Barney®, Bob the Builder®, Fireman Sam® and Angelina Ballerina®. The Company previously announced its proposed acquisition of HIT Entertainment by press release on October 24, 2011.

Mattel Reports 2011 Financial Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Worldwide net sales up 1% from the prior year;
• Domestic gross sales down 2% and international gross sales up 5%;
• Worldwide gross sales for core brands: Barbie® up 6%; Hot Wheels® up 11%; Core Fisher-Price® down 3% and American Girl® up 4%;
• Gross margin increased 230 basis points of net sales; SG&A decreased 110 basis points of net sales;
• Operating income was $497.5 million compared to operating income of $428.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010; and
• Earnings per share of $1.07 vs. prior year of $0.89.

Full-Year Highlights

• Worldwide net sales up 7% from the prior year;
• Domestic gross sales up 3% and international gross sales up 12%;
• Worldwide gross sales for core brands: Barbie® up 12%; Hot Wheels® up 6%; Core Fisher-Price® up 2%; and American Girl® up 5%;
• Gross margin decreased 30 basis points of net sales; SG&A decreased 160 basis points of net sales;

February 1, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

We've just listed the full Avengers lineup from Hasbro (that has been announced so far)

We have over 60 total Hasbro Avengers listing - the main menu is here:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2842&company=3

Highlights include:

3.75" Wave 1
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS21453&mode=re...

3.75" Wave 2
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS21457&mode=re...

Mini Mighty Muggs
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=avengers+muggs

Larger Scale Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2842&company=3&categor...

Role Play / Props
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2842&company=3&categor...

Vehicles
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2842&company=3&categor...

K'NEX Brands and Rovio Announce New Licensing Partnership

Officially-Licensed Building Toys by K'NEX Will Allow Kids to Build & Play in the Angry Birds World

Hatfield, PA - January 31, 2012 - Young Angry Birds fans will soon be able to build and play with characters from their favorite App with new licensed building toys by K'NEX®. Rovio, the creator of the globally successful Angry Birds franchise, and K'NEX, the only US Construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love™, are pleased to announce this new partnership to create a line of building toys inspired by Angry Birds.

The relationship combines the award-winning K'NEX building system with beloved Angry Birds characters, bringing them from the smartphone to the construction aisle for the first time. With more than 600 million downloads, Angry Birds is the #1 mobile game worldwide and appeals to male and female audiences across multiple age ranges.

Relativity and Hasbro Team Up to Bring Stretch Armstrong to the Big Screen

Targeted for April 11, 2014 Release

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- January 30, 2012 -- Relativity Media has partnered with global branded play company Hasbro, Inc. to develop and produce a live-action tent-pole film based on Stretch Armstrong, the iconic action hero figure launched in the 1970s, it was announced today by Relativity's Co-President, Tucker Tooley and Hasbro's President and CEO, Brian Goldner.

Relativity will be the domestic distributor and will release the film internationally through its network of foreign output partners. The film is targeted for an April 11, 2014 release date.

The film will be produced by Relativity's CEO, Ryan Kavanaugh (The Fighter), Hasbro's Goldner (Transformers) and Bennett Schneir, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Motion Pictures (Battleship). Tooley (Immortals) will serve as executive producer.

EXCLUSIVE Over-Run and Shattered Glass Drift available for Pre-order early this week!

Fort Worth, TX - January 30, 2012 - Fun Publications, Inc., licensee for Hasbro's official Transformers Collectors' Club, The TCC, is thrilled to show off the final images of this years two member exclusives... Over-Run (AKA Runabout) and Shattered Glass Drift!

The Transformers Collectors' Club features a bi-monthly magazine, discounts on product from the TCC store and packages to the official Transformers Collectors' Convention BotCon, Prizes from Club contests, Members Only Forum, Free Membership to the online auction site MCAX.com, ability to purchase Members Only exclusives and T-shirts and of course, the FREE Membership Incentive Figure shipped to members in a white mailer box! This year's FREE figure is the hotly anticipated Runamuck!