Raving Toy Maniac

It's Time for a Mega-Sized Marvel Select Photo Contest!

August 2013 - Diamond Select's flagship action figure line, Marvel Select, has been around for 11 years, and in that time they've put out some pretty good-looking toys. But while the toys look good on their own, once you add dynamic poses, dramatic lighting and realistic environments, they look incredible! To honor the amateur photographers who make the Marvel Select line look even better with their amazing pictures, DST is holding a photo contest specifically for the Marvel Select line!

The grand prize will include:
- a rare variant Genis-Vell Captain Marvel figure (in-package)
- a Don Cheadle-signed Iron Man 2 War Machine figure (in-package)
- a prototype Fearsome Foes of Spider-Man Gift Set, with Spider-Man, Green Goblin, an unpainted blue Lizard prototype and an unpainted grey Agent Venom prototype (in mock-up packaging)
- an unpainted all-black Venom prototype (with all parts)

August 19, 2013 - Earlier this month, the boy got a Smurfs toy at McDonald's and loved it so much that he asked us to get him a set online, meaning from eBay. As you can see from the picture above, we did. All 16 of them. That's a lot of Smurfs! What amuses me about this is that he has no interest in the Smurfs movie, the Smurfs cartoon, or even a Smurfs book that I showed him at the library. (You know to click "read more" if you are seeing this on the front page, right?)

August 15, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Just Listed! McFarlane brings us wave 5 of the excellent The Walking Dead TV Series. This wave features:

Glenn
Maggie
Merle Walker
Tyreese
Charred Walker

Singles ($14.99), Sets ($69.99), Cases ($159.99) are available here:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=walking%20dead%2005

Skylanders™ Figures Outsold All Other Action-Figure Properties in U.S. and Europe Year-to-Date in 2013(1)

Skylanders Giants #1 best-selling console and hand-held video game in dollars in both U.S. and Europe year-to-date in 2013(2)

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- August 15, 2013 -- Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc., announced today that Skylanders™ figures outsold all action-figure properties in the U.S. and Europe year-to-date in 2013 -- and the Skylanders property outpaced all toy properties overall in the U.K. year-to-date as of June 30, 2013.(1)

As of July 31, 2013, the Skylanders franchise has generated life-to-date more than $1.5 billion in worldwide retail sales(2); and year-to-date in 2013, in both North America and Europe, Skylanders Giants™ was the #1 best-selling console and hand-held game overall in dollars.(2)

New B-DAMAN Toy Line and App from Hasbro Available Now Based on Animated Television Series Coming to Vortexx on the CW this Saturday

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - August 15, 2013 – Hasbro, Inc. is expanding on the animated series, B-DAMAN CROSSFIRE, for a complete B-DAMAN brand experience by bringing the excitement of the series to the physical and digital play space with a new B-DAMAN toy line and app. The all-new action packed animated series, B-DAMAN CROSSFIRE, will air during Saban Brands' Vortexx on The CW, the Saturday morning programming block beginning Saturday, August 17. Hasbro is working under license from newly established, Manhattan based rights management company, Sunrights Inc. and with a development and manufacturing collaboration with TOMY COMPANY, LTD on these products.

August 15, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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KENNER JUMBO 12" IMPERIAL SNOWTROOPER
Darth Vader's Hoth Snowtroopers are now available in Gentle Giant's recreation of the original Kenner 12" figures. This one comes with a laser rifle and is listed at $75.99, $9 off of the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GG10613&mode=retail

YODA HOTH STATUE
Based on the art of Genndy Tartakovsky and artwork of Adam Hughes, this 12" tall statue shows Yoda in a dark cloak with hood pulled up. This statue is meant to work with the upcoming Padme Amidala statue and is listed at $103.99, $11 off of the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GG10611&mode=retail

BOBA FETT HOLIDAY SPECIAL ANIMATED MAQUETTE

August 15, 2013 - 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.

- IKEA Recalls Junior Beds Due to Laceration Hazard

- JP Boden Recalls Children’s Sandals Due to Fall Hazard

THE TIME MACHINISTS - A Back To The Future Documentary on Indiegogo

You won't believe where a homemade time machine can take you!

Los Angeles, CA -- August 14, 2013 -- Currently in post production, The Time Machinists is a new feature length documentary film about the Back To The Future movies, the DeLorean Time Machine and the super fans that love them all. It includes rare footage, interviews and artwork from original BTTF filmmakers like producer/writer Bob Gale and is narrated by Lee Majors from The Six Million Dollar Man.

The preview teaser and Indiegogo Crowd Funding Campaign for this film can be viewed at: http://igg.me/p/333186/x/2365774.

This campaign to raise finishing funds for the film will end in one week, on August 21st, 2013. There is still time to become a part of this exciting project!

August 14, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - some exciting new items have just been listed today:

The Walking Dead - Daryl Dixon's Walker Ears Prop Replica with Display Case
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GG10614&mode=retail

Boba Fett Holiday Special Animated Maquette
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GG10612&mode=retail

12" Imperial Snowtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear)
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GG10613&mode=retail

Yoda Hoth Statue
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GG10611&mode=retail

NECA Predators Series 11
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=predators%2011

Super 7 Alien ReAction Figure - Big Chap & Kane - Unpainted Exclusive
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SSVN10007&mode=r...

Spin Master Ltd. Continues Growth Through Recent Acquisitions

Through the acquisition of Meccano (Known as Erector Set in the U.S.), Spin Master, Canada's Largest Toy Manufacturer, Grows its Global Portfolio to Create New Ways for Kids to be Entertained, Engaged and Play.

TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2013 - Spin Master Ltd., Canada's largest children's toy and entertainment company, is transforming its organization through recent acquisitions and a strengthened executive team to build a more immersive toy, entertainment and gaming offering.

Hot off the heels of key successful acquisitions, including Spy Gear and Perplexus, Spin Master just acquired Meccano (known as Erector Set in the U.S.), the world's most timeless toy construction brand, with a 112 year history.