Raving Toy Maniac

NECA TO LAUNCH NEW "PREDATOR" – LIMITED EDITION TROPHY SKULLS PACK THIS SUMMER
Introduces New Skulls For a Full 10-Piece Collection, Available for Pre-order

Hillside, NJ - July 30, 2013 - National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), has announced the PREDATOR – Limited Edition Trophy Skulls Pack, containing 10 trophy skull collectibles, previously only available in various retail and convention exclusives. The pack is available now for pre-order.

"The PREDATOR – Limited Edition Trophy Skulls Pack has been designed exclusively for fans," said Randy Falk, director of product development. "The pack is an opportunity for fans to purchase an assortment of 10 trophy skull collectibles at once, which will allow them to populate their trophy wall diorama or their displays at home."

Salt Lake Comic Con Moves to Salt Palace for Pop Culture Event September 5-7, 2013

SALT LAKE CITY, July 26, 2013 -- Due to unprecedented ticket sales and expected attendance, organizers of Salt Lake Comic Con (SLCC) today announced that the convention will move from the South Towne Expo Center to the downtown Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City for its inaugural event on September 5-7, 2013.

Information about VIP, 3-Day and Single Day Ticket sales are available at www.SaltLakeComicCon.com.

"We're excited to make the best in gaming, comics, TV, movies, technology and pop culture available and to bring the incredible Comic Con experience to the huge fan base in the Intermountain region," said Dan Farr, Show Producer. "Never before has there been this many celebrities, comic creators and bestselling authors gathered in one place and accessible for fan interaction, photos and autograph opportunities."

More than 20,000 Fans from Around the World Descend on Essen, Germany for Star Wars Celebration Europe

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy Announces John Williams' Return to Star Wars

Event Highlights a First Look at the Upcoming Star Wars Rebels Animated Series

July 28, 2013 - ESSEN, GERMANY – Star Wars Celebration Europe – the official Star Wars fan convention – has come to a successful close, with more than 20,000 attendees from 40 different countries. Throughout the weekend, fans and families met their favorite stars from the films, gained exclusive access to the Saga's creators, and learned first-hand exciting new developments in a galaxy far, far away.

New Diamond Select Products in Diamond Comics' August Previews Catalog!

July 2013 - It's that time of the month again, when the newest Previews catalog arrives from Diamond Comic Distributors! It's a big month for Diamond Select Toys, as they have seven separate items listed for pre-ordering, including bottle openers, artwork, Minimates, electronic vehicles and more from Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, The Walking Dead and Knight Rider! Check out what you can pre-order now below, and find your nearest comic shop at comicshoplocator.com!

Knight Rider Super Pursuit Mode KITT 1:15 Electronic Vehicle

QuakeCon Vinyl Toy Exclusive Announced
Symbiote Studios to release 20th Anniversary Phobos Figure for QuakeCon

(Seattle, WA- July 29, 2013) Vinyl collectible toy makers Symbiote Studios has announced their QuakeCon Exclusive figure to be the much loved DOOM space marine Phobos from Quake III. Phobos stands 3.5 inches tall has two accessories and is made of high quality vinyl. QuakeCon is held every year in Dallas Texas and is best known as the largest free LAN party in the world. Doom/Quake developer John Carmack helped create the event so both Quake and DOOM related products at the show are in high demand. 8K attendees are expected this year and many in that community refer to it as the "Woodstock" of competitive video gaming. QuakeCon runs from August 1-4, 2013.

AMC's 'The Walking Dead' To Be Resurrected At Universal Studios Hollywood And Universal Orlando Resort's Award-Winning 'Halloween Horror Nights' Events For Second Consecutive Year

Season 3 of the Golden Globe-Nominated, Emmy-Award Winning series, 'The Walking Dead,' Sets the Stage for All-Original Horrifying Experiences on Both Coasts

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. and ORLANDO, Fla., July 25, 2013 -- Fans with a voracious appetite for AMC's "The Walking Dead" will have a chance to walk in the footsteps of human survivors when Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort debut all new terrifying mazes inspired by Season 3 of the critically-acclaimed, award-winning television series at this year's Halloween Horror Nights events beginning September 20.

July 29, 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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OPTIMUS PRIME 6" SUPER DEFORMED FIGURE
KidsLogic is creating a new 6" tall superdeformed version of Optimus Prime. We currently have it listed at $119.99, but that price may lower if we can find a domestic supply.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=KLG10028&mode=re...

FUTURAMA BENDER 24" SHOGUN WARRIOR FIGURE
This 2' tall Bender figure is done in the Shogun Warrior style with fist-firing action. He is listed at $149.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOY10593&mode=re...

S.H. FIGUARTS SAMURAI METALLIC 5-PACK SDCC 2013 EXCLUSIVE & OTHER BANDAI EXCLUSIVES

July 25, 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.

- Girls Boots Recalled By Renaissance Imports Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Academy Sports + Outdoors

- Nan Far Woodworking Recalls Rockland Furniture Round Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards; Sold Exclusively at jcpenney

- Kids II Recalls Baby Einstein Activity Jumpers Due to Impact Hazard; Sun Toy Can Snap Backward

July 25, 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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STAR WARS 6" & 3.75" BLACK SERIES 2 - CASES/SINGLES
Star Wars Black Series 2 figures have just been listed. The 6" figures include Slave Leia, Boba Fett, Ep IV Han Solo and Ep IV Greedo. These can be purchased either individually or as a case. The 3.75" figures include Pablo-Jill, Luminara Unduli and Ep III Clone Trooper(41st) among others.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=13425

BANDAI SDCC 2013 EXCLUSIVES
The Power Rangers Samurai Metallic 5-Pack is now up for pre-order and is listed at $224.99. Among the other Bandai items listed are the MMPR Stand Three Pack, the DBZ Ultimate Spark Shodo Three Pack, Gundam Assault Kingdom EX1 Kshatrya and Naruto Shippuden Half Age Characters Naruto & Sasuke "Dattebayo".

July 25, 2013 - Congratulations to Casimir on the 10th anniversary of his custom action figure site Inanimate Objects!

Head over to see the newly remodeled site at http://www.pilliod.net/ or read up on the evolution of the site in Casimir's column at AFhub.com.