Raving Toy Maniac

Mezco SDCC Reveal #1: Living Dead Dolls Presents Chucky & Tiffany

July 17, 2013 - San Diego CA - As the world's most famous Comic-Con gets underway in San Diego, Mezco Toyz is revealing their latest addition to the Living Dead Dolls line: Chucky and Tiffany. Not since Bonnie and Clyde has a couple left such a path of destruction in their wake.

"When we released our 1st Chucky Living Dead Doll, he sold out immediately, and fans begged for more Chucky and asked 'Where's Tiffany?'" says Mezco's Mike Drake, "So we knew we had to visit Bride Of Chucky and make the fans happy!"

Chucky, the homicidal doll who contains the spirit of Charles Lee Ray, a serial killer better known as "The Lakeshore Strangler", is now joined by his beloved Tiffany, the doll who contains the soul of his longtime paramour, a misguided and equally homicidal aspiring actress.

Cartoon Network and The LEGO Group Reveal Groundbreaking IP Development with New Mixels Franchise

Multiple Mixels Elements Set to Launch in 2014

ATLANTA, July 22, 2013 -- Cartoon Network and The LEGO Group announced today that they will jointly produce an unprecedented new global entertainment franchise. Launching in 2014, Mixels is the next franchise in integrated family entertainment from two of the world's leading experts in youth engagement. The new venture will feature animated content (primarily shorts), a rich digital gaming experience, a collectible building toy concept and more.

Animated content will air on Cartoon Network and on www.cartoonnetwork.com, featuring the colorful Mixels creatures that can mix and combine with one another in creative and unpredictable storylines. A collectible portfolio of low-priced mini building sets will launch in three waves in 2014 and an app-powered gaming experience will engage fans in a deep mobile game that will cover the sprawling world of Mixels.

July 22, 2013 - Ron over at ActionFigurePics.com has posted videos of many of the toy panels from the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con International!

Check out these links to be able to watch the panels on your own time, in your own home, without waiting in line or overpaying for a bottled water...

- Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Panel Video

- Hasbro Marvel Panel Video

- Hasbro Star Wars Panel Video

- Mattel WWE Panel Video

- Mattel's Evolution of the Modern Action Figure Panel Video

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW HALO® ONGOING SERIES: ESCALATION!

SAN DIEGO, CA, JULY 22, 2013 - Announced at Comic-Con International, 343 Studios' Frank O'Connor announced that Dark Horse Comics would publish an all-new ongoing series later this year based on the massive video game franchise Halo.

This news comes prior to next month's release of the first issue of the highly anticipated miniseries Halo: Initiation.

While the first miniseries ties directly into Microsoft's Halo: Spartan Assault video game, Halo: Escalation will spin directly out of the events of Halo 4. The series begins when the UNSC Infinity is assigned escort duty for a diplomatic mission between the Arbiter and the Brutes, but has to fend off an attack meant to thwart the negotiations. Featuring Captain Lasky, Spartan Palmer, and a cast of recognizable characters, this ongoing series is poised to be essential reading for fans in search of new story lines set within the canon of the Halo universe!

July 22, 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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NEW WETA HOBBIT ITEMS
WETA is releasing new 1/6 Scale statues of Kili and Bofur at $248.99 each. They also have announced the first of three new Miniature Troll statues (Tom, in this case) at $74.99, and Bilbo's Button and Durin's Day Button at $10.99 each. A Baggins of Hobbiton Family Tree Art Print is priced at $29.99 and the second Barrel Rider Statue - Bombur - is priced at $64.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=13355

2013 EXCLUSIVES

Hasbro and Disney Expand Strategic Merchandising Relationship for Major Entertainment Properties

Agreement Extends Hasbro's Global Toy and Game Merchandise Rights for Marvel Characters Through 2020

PAWTUCKET, R.I. & BURBANK, Calif. -- July 22, 2013 -- Global branded play company, Hasbro, Inc. and The Walt Disney Company today announced the two companies are expanding their strategic merchandising relationship for major Disney entertainment properties Marvel and Star Wars.

The Marvel amendment extends Hasbro's global rights to Marvel characters for an additional two years running through 2020. Hasbro will continue to develop a wide range of toys and games for Marvel's global Universe of more than 8,000 characters, including Spider-Man, The Avengers and Iron Man.

Hasbro Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter 2013

• Net revenues of $766.3 million for the second quarter 2013 versus $811.5 million for the second quarter 2012;
• Operating profit of $76.6 million in the second quarter 2013, or 10.0% of revenues, excluding $2.5 million of pre-tax partial pension settlement charges associated with restructuring actions, versus $86.3 million, or 10.6% of revenues, in the second quarter 2012;
• Net earnings of $38.3 million or $0.29 per diluted share, excluding the pension charges of $0.01 per diluted share, compared to $43.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share in 2012;
• Revenues for Games up 19%; Girls up 43%; and Preschool up 4% in the quarter;
• Growth across vast majority of Franchise Brands including MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, PLAY-DOH, NERF and MONOPOLY.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- July 22, 2013 -- Hasbro, Inc. today reported financial results for the second quarter 2013. Net revenues for the quarter were $766.3 million, a 6% decline compared to $811.5 million in 2012. Second quarter 2013 net revenues include a favorable $1.0 million impact of foreign exchange.

July 21, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - After another busy day at SDCC we have another great list of new preorders to share with you:

The Simpsons 25th Anniversary - 5" Celebrity Guest Stars Action Figure - Series 1
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=neca%20simpsons

1/4 Scale Avengers Thor Figure (LE 7500)
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC12287&mode=re...

Max Factory Spider-Man Figma Figure
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MF10368&mode=retail

World Box 1/6 Scale Mortal Kombat Figure - Sub-Zero
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=WOB10005&mode=re...

NECA Kick A. Series 02
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2278&category=6317

The Lone Ranger - Series 02
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=lone%20ranger%2002

1/4 Predator - Big Red & Elder

Kids Preferred Launches "Yarn Zombies" at Comic-Con to Scare up Tween and Teenage Fun

SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2013 -- Bringing zombies to real life and entertainment to the teen and tween market, Kids Preferred is launching a new brand this week at Comic-Con called "Yarn Zombies" (www.yarnzombies.com) – cute zombie collectibles and fashion accessories with special powers and features. Visit booth No. 4120 at Comic-Con in San Diego to view the first licensed Yarn Zombies collectibles known as JUJUz™, all with unique "mojo-protecting" special powers.

"If you think of Monty Python meets the Walking Dead meets Heroes, then you have the essence of the thrilling new Yarn Zombies collection," said Laura Perks, co-founder of Kids Preferred. "We are delighted to offer a great collection for a more grown-up market and to give teens and tweens something that offers excitement, assurance and a lot of fun."

It's Con-vention Season: Have No Fear, Hotels.com is Here!

DALLAS, July 18, 2013 -- Thousands of comic book, movie and sci-fi fans are descending upon San Diego this week for Comic-Con International. While it may be too late to attend the world's largest comic book and popular arts style convention, Hotels.com® has come to the rescue of genre buffs with a list of the five most "geektastic" upcoming conventions.

"Each year, millions travel for the sole purpose of attending conventions and trade shows around a wanderlust or hobby that interests them," said Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. "But nowhere else do you see conference attendees go as all-out as the comic and game convention-goers. At Hotels.com, we are just as passionate about finding you the perfect place and want to help put the cherry on top of a perfect convention experience."

The Official Star Trek Convention
August 8-11, 2013 – Las Vegas