Raving Toy Maniac

January 27, 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.

Bicycle Handlebars Recalled by Euro Asia Imports; Handlebars Can Break Resulting in Loss of Control and Fall Hazard

Infant Rattles Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Choking Hazard

Mexican Wrestling Action Figures Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Expandable Lunch Boxes Recalled by California Innovations Due to Freezer Gel Pack Ingestion Hazard

Food Carriers Recalled by California Innovations Due to Freezer Gel Pack Ingestion Hazard

January 25, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several new items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PREORDERS
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HALO 4 SERIES 01, SERIES 01 EXTENDED, DELUXE
McFarlane Toys has split their first assortment of Halo 4 figures into two
groups. The first group will include Master Chief and three "Secret"
figures and is listed at $45.99 for the set of 4, $89.99 for the case of 8
(2 of each) and $11.99 singly. The Extended series includes Cortana and
three more "Secret" figures, and they are priced at $45.99 for the set of
four and $11.99 singly - sorry, no case assortment on the Extended
figures. They have also announced the Frozen Master Chief in Cryotube
Deluxe Figure and a second TBD Deluxe Figure, which are available at
$27.99 each.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2823&category=8103

HALO UNIVERSE DELUXE VEHICLE SERIES 01 ODST DROP POD

January 2012 - Voltaire's Deady Bunee Mini Qees from Toy2R

Easter is just around the corner and it's going to be a veritable Buneepocolypse in 2012! Even Deady, that evil teddy bear of Voltaire's, will have to disguise himself as a bunee to prepare for the impending assault.

Deady's comic book nemesis, Sleezter Bunny is also coming and he's bringing evil legions of Death Bunnies with him to take over the world.

Prepare yourself for the next onslaught of Deady Mania to sweep the globe as April marks the release for, not one, but two Voltaire 5 inch Mini Qee Bunees! With the Deady 'Big in Japan' and Urkor Mini Qees now sold out, no one should miss this chance to pick up the next figures in the ever evolving world of Deady. Check with your favorite shops and reserve yours today.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. Urges Parents and Caregivers to Help Remove Unsafe Items From the Marketplace During Upcoming 'Great Trade-In' Event

Since its Inception, the 'Great Trade-In' Event Has Successfully Removed Approximately 600,000 Products from Homes, Garages and Attics

WAYNE, N.J., Jan. 25, 2012 -- Toys"R"Us, Inc. today issued a new call to action for customers to rid their homes of potentially unsafe old and second-hand baby products and exchange them for savings on a new item during the "Great Trade-In" event. This national safety program, first introduced in August 2009, draws attention to certain used baby products that can carry potential hazards, but are still in circulation, making them poor candidates to be handed down or resold. In fact, according to product safety advocacy organization Kids In Danger, recalled products that have not yet been removed from homes and other facilities have continued to cause harm to infants and children.

January 23, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer Urban-Collector has several new items of interest to collectors:

This week we are featuring new pre-orders including Batman B&W New 52 statue, Bowen Designs statues and Black Widow Covert Ops Bishoujo!

Featured Pre-Orders

• Batman Black And White Statue New 52 By Jim Lee
• Ame Comi Hawkgirl V.2 Pvc Figure
• Mad Vinyl Spy Vs Spy 2 Pack

Eddie and Marilyn Munster Are the Next Two Munsters Toys from DST!

January 2012 - By now, Munster fans have likely picked up the first three Munsters action figures from Diamond Select Toys: Herman, Lily and Grandpa. Well, your family is about to get bigger! Lily and Herman's werewolf son Eddie Munster and his older cousin Marilyn Munster are the next two family members to arrive, and they'll be sharing a two-pack when they hit stores this summer! Sculpted by Jean St. Jean, the figures are in the same 7-inch scale as the previous figures, and are based on the likenesses of actors Butch Patrick and Pat Priest. Plus, they come with two keen accessories -- Eddie's stuffed animal Wolfy and the collar for their giant dragon, Spot! Pre-order your set from your local comic shop or online retailer today!

Celebrate Star Wars™: Episode I The Phantom Menace As it Returns to Theatres in Spectacular RealD® 3D with Exclusive Activities and Giveaways at AMC® Theatres

AMC Theatres to host special events and Hasbro giveaways during opening weekend, February 10-12

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (January 23, 2012) The first chapter of the Star Wars Saga arrives in theatres for the first time ever in 3D starting February 10, and AMC theatres across the country are celebrating the occasion with plans to make opening weekend one for fans and families to remember!

To mark the return of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace to theatres, now in immersive 3D, kids, collectors and Star Wars fans of all ages will receive an all-new Hasbro Star Wars Fighter Pod with the purchase of each RealD 3D ticket for Episode I, all weekend long, February 10-12 only at AMC theatres (limit one per ticket, while supplies last).

January 21, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Diamond Select:
Minimates Wave 45 - Avengers
Amazing Spider-Man - Spider-Man & Lizard
Marvel Minimates Fear Itself Set
Iron Man Neon Sign
Marvel vs Capcom Minimates Wave 3
Munsters Eddie & Marilyn 2-Pack
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=8609

NECA - E.T. 30th Anniversary Set
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC11807&mode=re...

NECA Hunger Games Figures - Katniss, Peeta, Gale
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC11808&mode=re...

12" Robby the Robot - X-Plus - $149.99
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=XPL10056&mode=re...

Gold Play Arts Master Chief
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SEP10311&mode=re...

James Bond Replica - Goldeneye - Factory Entertainment

Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Children of all ages!

January 2012 - We are happy to announce the 12th annual JOElanta GI Joe, Action Figure and General Toy Show taking place on Sunday March 18th from 10 am-4pm at the Marriott Century Center, 2000 Century Center Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

- 1st 100 kids get a FREE TOY!
- Special guests: GI Joe Real American Hero creator Larry Hama, GI Joe artist Tom Feister and members of the Walking Dead cast
- Over 150 tables jam packed with GI Joes, Barbie, Dragon, Marx, Comics, Games, Transformers, Mego, Star Wars, Star Trek, Die Cast, Monster Toys and much more!
- Huge Show Diorama
- Custom figure and vehicle contest open for all to enter to win prizes
- Hourly Door Prizes

Special Commanders Packages available for Saturday Activities to include: Toy Trivia at the Bar, Lobby Swap, Film Festival, Q&A with Larry Hama, Parachute Drop and musical performance by the band Radio Cult. Also included is this year's exclusive show custom flocked figure and uniform set for the Kronos Adventurer (Time Traveler)

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 19, 2012 -- DC Entertainment, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company and home to iconic brands DC Comics, Vertigo and MAD, revealed today a new brand identity. The new identity is reflective of the company's mission to fully realize the value of a rich portfolio of brands, stories and characters, distinguished by incredible breadth and depth across publishing, media and merchandise. A new logo for DC Comics was also introduced, closely aligning with DC Entertainment's new mark.