Raving Toy Maniac

NECA AND TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONSUMER PRODUCTS ANNOUNCE LIMITED EDITION GUEST STAR MERCHANDISE PROGRAM IN HONOR OF 25 SEASONS OF THE SIMPSONS

James Brown, Tom Hanks, Kid Rock, Yao Ming and Hugh Hefner Represent First Five of Twenty-Five of the Greatest Guest Stars Included in the Collection

Hillside, N.J. – June 18, 2013 – National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), entertainment conglomerate and global leader in licensed consumer goods, in association with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products (FCP), has announced an exclusive global merchandise program around the groundbreaking animated series, THE SIMPSONS. The limited-edition boutique collection, announced today at Licensing Expo 2013, will feature twenty-five of the greatest guest stars who have appeared as themselves on THE SIMPSONS. The first five guest stars to be featured will include James Brown, Tom Hanks, Kid Rock, Yao Ming and Hugh Hefner.

2nd Annual Halloween ComicFest Returns October 26 - 27th

Event promotes comic shops as great destinations for Halloween activities, shopping and fun!

(BALTIMORE, MD) - (June 17, 2013) - After the success of last year's inaugural event, Diamond Comic Distributors is pleased to announce the return of the industry-wide collaboration known as Halloween ComicFest.

This year's event will take place at participating comic shops in North America and elsewhere, on the weekend before Halloween, October 26th and 27th. During that time, adults and kids can go into their local comic shop and get free Halloween-themed comics and mini-comics published specifically for Halloween ComicFest, with many retailers planning special displays, activities and costume contests for their stores.

On Sale This Week: Star Trek, Star Wars and Some Incredible Hulks!

June 2013 - It's another big day for Diamond Select Toys! This week's New Toy Day brings Minimates, action figures and vinyl banks based on Star Wars, Star Trek and Marvel Comics, which means there's six reasons (probably more) to visit your local comic shop this Wednesday! Check out what's new, and find your local comic shop at http://comicshoplocator.com!

Star Trek Select Kirk Figure

New Releases by JC Rivera from outsmART originals

June 2013 - EL TROOPER and AT-HOME designs by JC RIVERA

While everyone is getting ready for SDCC, we thought we should offer some great new products, so that fans could proudly walk the convention floor showing support for their favorite artists. Now available for pre-order this is the latest releases from JC Rivera and after an incredible run with his iconic BearChamp tee (which is now sold out) outsmART originals is proud to bring you his interpretation of some sci-fi classics for summer.

First up is the EL TROOPER t-shirt, screen printed on fine jersey tees and available for men & women (SMALL to 5XL) and shipping in early July.

Next is our first limited edition archival print, AT-HOME. Screen printed on an 18" x 24" 100lb stock, this print is suitable for framing and will be strictly limited to its production run.

Both pieces are now available for pre-order at http://outsmartoriginals.storenvy.com/

Marvel Select Silver Surfer Soars Into the Third Dimension!

June 2013 - You may have seen the design sheet from the New York Toy Fair, but Diamond Select Toys has finally unveiled the fully sculpted Silver Surfer action figure! Sculpted by Sam Greenwell based on his classic look, the Surfer stands approximately 7 inches tall and is due in stores this winter.

For a base, the Surfer comes with a rocky planetary surface, with his ever-present surfboard supported by a winding energy trail. The board is removable from the base, and the Surfer can stand on the base with it as well as ride it. Additional accessories include energy blasts for his hands as well as the fabled Infinity Gauntlet.

Pre-order today through your local comic shop or favorite online retailer! Find your local comic shop at http://comicshoplocator.com!

WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT ROAR INTO LICENSING EXPO 2013 WITH GIGANTIC LICENSING PROGRAM FOR THE THEATRICAL RELEASE OF GODZILLA

Bandai America Incorporated Strikes as Master Toy Partner

Licensing Partners Around the World Clamor to Support Godzilla as Feature Film Storms into Theaters on May 16, 2014

Burbank, Calif., June 18, 2013 -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) has signed a slate of renowned global licensees, led by master toy partner Bandai America Incorporated, to capture the adventurous thrills of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' highly anticipated film Godzilla. Returning the character to its epic roots, Godzilla stomps into theaters on May 16, 2014, with a star cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen and Juliette Binoche, with David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston.

Featuring spectacular creatures, thrilling action, epic battles and a legendary monster, Godzilla provides the backbone for a monstrous merchandise offering for fans of all ages and enables compelling cross-category opportunities across mass and specialty retailers.

Comic-Con International to Offer Exclusive Walking Dead Minimates Set!

June 2013 - At Comic-Con International in 2012, Diamond Select Toys released the first two-pack from their line of The Walking Dead Minimates, based on the best-selling Skybound comic book by Robert Kirkman. The two-pack quickly sold out, and DST swore to top themselves in 2013. Now, with the third full series of The Walking Dead Minimates in stores, DST and Skybound are proud to announce a new exclusive four-pack for this year's Comic-Con!

Hasbro and Rovio Enter into Expanded Angry Birds Licensing Agreement

The New, Expanded Agreement Makes Hasbro the Premier Toy and Game Licensee for Rovio and the Angry Birds Brand Including the Upcoming Angry Birds Go! Property

PAWTUCKET, R.I. & HELSINKI -- June 17, 2013 -- Hasbro, Inc. and Rovio Entertainment today announced an expanded licensing agreement for Hasbro to develop toys and physical games based on the globally popular Angry Birds brand. The new agreement makes Hasbro the premier toy licensee for Angry Birds, including the upcoming game Angry Birds Go! (http://go.angrybirds.com) set to be released this year. In addition, Hasbro will continue to develop and expand their already highly successful collaboration with Angry Birds Star Wars from Rovio Entertainment and LucasFilm.

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2013 -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

TUESDAY, JUNE 18: PATENTLY PRECOCIOUS

Nelvana begins production on three new BEYBLADE series

Thrilling new era in the BEYBLADE universe attracts new licensees

(June 11, 2013 – Toronto, Ontario) – Nelvana Enterprises and d-rights, Inc. are proud to announce production on three brand new series of BEYBLADE that will not only introduce new fans to the series, but take the story in an exciting new direction. Beginning this fall, BEYBLADE: Shogun Steel will launch with 26 x half-hour episodes. BeyRaiderz Shogun (working title) with 13 x half hours will launch in spring 2014 and BeyWarriors Cyborg (working title) will follow in fall 2014 with 26 x half-hour episodes and two one-hour specials.