Raving Toy Maniac

January 13, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS MP-20 MASTERPIECE WHEELJACK UPDATE
We have received a new picture of Masterpiece Wheeljack in both robot and vehicle modes. He is indeed an update of the original vehicle mode, and we have him listed at $79.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11727&mode=re...

PROMETHEUS - GUMBALL
This police car transforms into a robot and also into a leg for the combiner Prometheus. He comes with a foot attachment as well as two laser cannons and an attachment piece so that he can use the cannons in vehicle mode as well. He is priced at $99.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TFC10041&mode=re...

ARES - PHLOGEUS

The LEGO Group Announces Partnership With Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products To Launch LEGO And THE SIMPSONS Branded Merchandise

BILLUND, Denmark, Jan. 8, 2014 -- The LEGO Group today announced a new partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products to produce a construction set and licensed LEGO® minifigures inspired by the iconic television series, THE SIMPSONS. In addition, FOX is scheduled to air a special LEGO episode of THE SIMPSONS in May 2014 featuring Springfield and its cast of characters in LEGO form.

Scheduled to launch this February in LEGO stores and via the LEGO Shop at Home catalog and website, the construction set will recreate the iconic Simpsons family house in LEGO form. Also included in the LEGO and THE SIMPSONS construction set is the entire family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie along with neighbor Ned Flanders. A separate line of 16 LEGO THE SIMPSONS minifigures will launch in all mass toy retailers in May 2014.

January 6, 2014 - Toys'R'Us has sent out an email with a link to an in-store coupon you can print to get 20% off of your entire clearance purchase. The coupon is good through January 11th.

Print the coupon to use in-store (the link goes to a .pdf file).

January 3, 2014 - Dark Horse has sent out a note about the Star Wars comic book license, but they would also like to remind everyone that they will continue to release Star Wars comic books for the full year of 2014, including summer convention-exclusive books, and that also that if you have Star Wars comic books in your Dark Horse Digital account, that they will not disappear from your account.

The End of an Era

All things come to pass. So too, do all licensed deals. I am sad to report that Disney, the new owner of Lucasfilm, has notified us here at Dark Horse of their intention to move the Star Wars publishing license to another of their recent acquisitions, Marvel Comics, beginning in 2015. This will end a partnership that has lasted more than two decades.

January 3, 2014 - 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 Recalls Source Eleven and Source Expert Disc Bicycles Due to a Fall Hazard

- Joovy Recalls Zoom Car Seat Stroller Adapter due to Fall Hazard

January 3, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PREORDERS
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1/6 SCALE BRUCE LEE - "THE BIG BOSS"
This 1/6 scale figure includes two Bruce Lee head sculpts, alternate hands, a full cloth outfit with additional battle-damaged shirt, a figure stand and special packaging with a light-sensor that sets off a sound effect of Bruce Lee's iconic fighting roar. This fantastic figure is priced at $269.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=ENB10073&mode=re...

BATMAN ARKHAM CITY DELUXE ACTION FIGURE - CLAYFACE
This new figure is the largest that DC Collectibles has produced, standing about 13" tall. It features an alternate head and switchable arms, and is listed at $89.99 - note that this pricing is preliminary and is subject to change, but is expected to be in the $80-$100 range.

YEAR END CLEARANCE - 60% OFF ARTIST APPAREL - OUTSMART ORIGINALS

January 2014 - That time has come and we need to make room for the new 2014 releases - so the wait it over - you can now steal these deals and look smart in the process. Welcome to Outsmart Originals Year End Clearance Sale. We've marked t-shirts down as low as $8.00 each so we can make room for new releases - that means you can save big on designs by your favorite designer toy artists like Sergio Mancini, Jon-Paul Kaiser, RSIN, Scott Tolleson, MCA, L'amour Supreme, Frank Kozik, Evoker, Zukie, Carson Catlin, and so many more.

AND, ALL ORDERS OF $100 or more qualify for FREE SHIPPING... ANYWHERE!

And as a bonus - we're giving away an original RSIN 2.5" CUSTOM QEE. To qualify for a chance to win, just make a purchase at www.outsmartoriginals.storenvy.com by JANUARY 5th. Every item purchased equals an entry - also, any RSIN item purchased will count as 3 entries - so the more you buy, the better your chances at winning this original piece of awesomeness.

On Sale This Week: Darth Vader and Infinity Gauntlet Bottle Openers!

January 2014 - It's New Year's Eve – what better was to ring in the new year with a refreshing beverage? And what better way to open a refreshing beverage than with two of the coolest bottle openers ever made? Two new metal bottle openers from Diamond Select Toys hit comic shops today, and whether you're a fan of Dark Lords of the Sith or Thanos the Mad Titan, you'll want to stop by your nearest store on the way to tonight's festivities and pick one (or both) up!

Star Wars Darth Vader Metal Bottle Opener

In Store December 18: Thor: The Dark World and the Thunderbolts Strike!

January 2014 - Thor fans, gird yourself for battle, as this week's New Toy Day brings a ton of Thor merchandise to your local comic shop! Not only do the Thor: The Dark World Minimates and Select Jane Foster figure hit stores this week, DST is also shipping out their Thor silicone tray! Plus: the new Thunderbolts Minimates Box Set! The God of Thunder AND the Thunderbolts? Wear your earmuffs!

Marvel Select Thor: The Dark World Jane Foster Figure

Mezco Presents Breaking Bad Jesse 6in Bobblehead

January 2014 - New York - This unforgettable figure features Jesse in his iconic yellow hazmat suit. Everybody's favorite dropout stands victoriously on the translucent blue crystals Heisenberg's empire was built upon.

Relive the tense, edge of your seat excitement as Mezco's Breaking Bad Bobblehead stares at you; nodding solemnly as if to say "Go ahead b***h, make your move!"

Jesse and base stand 6 inches tall and features bobble action. He comes complete in a collector friendly box.

http://www.mezcotoyz.com/brands/breakingbad