Raving Toy Maniac

April 2013 - Funko has announced a batch of POP! vinyl figures based on Masters of the Universe.

Expect to see He-Man, She-Ra, Hordak, Skeletor, and Spikor in stores around May 21st.

Hasbro Plays Serious with World Trade Jewelers

Colorful and Iconic Jewelry Designs Soon to Debut to the Jewelry Industry

NEW YORK -- April 16, 2013 -- World Trade Jewelers is pleased to announce their collaboration with Hasbro, Inc. to create and distribute jewelry designs expertly replicating select Hasbro related themes. These jewelry designs will be offered through a network of over 10,000 brick and mortar retail partners and associated e-commerce sites.

Known for their creation and ever gaining popularity of Hershey's Kiss® pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings, World Trade Jeweler's also recently launched Sweethearts® Jewelry, fashioned from America's best sold Valentine's Day candy. Now, their portfolio of iconic and private label brands has expanded into entertainment themes.

Hasbro Invites Kids and Fans to Create New TRANSFORMERS Character

Opening Globally Today, the "Fan Built Bot" Poll Kicks-Off Celebration of the Iconic Brand's 30th Anniversary by Allowing Fans to Create New TRANSFORMERS Character

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- April 18, 2013 -- For the first time in history, the Hasbro, Inc. TRANSFORMERS brand is inviting fans of all ages around the globe to help create a new TRANSFORMERS character that will be forever added to the TRANSFORMERS world. In anticipation of the TRANSFORMERS' brand 30th anniversary in 2014, the "Fan Built Bot" Poll kicks off today, and will run through May 5th on http://TRANSFORMERS.com/vote. Hasbro invites fans to vote daily to shape this new TRANSFORMERS character. The new character will be made into an action figure featured in the "Thrilling 30" line of toys to celebrate the anniversary.

Tiny Dolls, Big Fun!

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 12, 2013 -- Tiny dolls, big fun. "Stork Babies" have just been released! The Fiammetta Toy Company have just launched their first product, Stork Babies, and they are selling like HOT CAKES! They are currently in 85 stores in North America (see link for stores) (http://mystorkbabies.com/pages/store-locator).

"Stork Babies" are mini (7.5 cm) adorable colorful bean dolls that have been uniquely designed by children! Children are the creative juice behind this company. Can you believe it?

Nickelodeon Launches First Global Mobile App Inspired By Wildly Popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run Available Today, Exclusively for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch Devices

NEW YORK, April 18, 2012 -- Today Nickelodeon launches Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run, the network's first worldwide mobile app, available in more than 150 countries and eight languages. Join Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo in this endless runner ninja combat game, where players run, jump and fight their way across the rooftops of New York in an attempt to save the city from the invading Kraang and ultimate destruction. Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run features full 3D characters and environments based on the CG-animated series. The app is available today for $1.99.

Stern Pinball's Metallica Game Success Leads To Second Premium Edition

MELROSE PARK, Ill., April 18, 2013 -- Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's leading maker of real pinball games and the AAMA 2012 Manufacturer of the Year, announces the availability of a second Premium model Metallica pinball machine. The initial release of Metallica pinball captured the attention of gamers and fans alike. Stern sold out of both the US and International allocations of its 500 Limited Edition ("LE") games within an hour of each respective customer announcement.

The second Premium edition machine features the vibrant artwork of Dirty Donny Gillies and complement's Stern's Metallica LE, "Road Case" Premium and Pro models.

April 18, 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.

- Infant and Children’s Dungarees Recalled by J.P. Boden Due to Choking Hazard

- Classic Characters Recalls Infant Socks Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

- Huffy Recalls Slider Tricycles Due to Loss of Control Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Toys R Us

- Small World Toys Recalls Spin-A-Mals Farm and Safari Puzzles Due to Choking Hazard

April 2013 - Funko has announced five new POP! vinyl figure based on some of your favorite movies from years past.

Expect to see the Alien, a Predator, Hannibal Lecter (with handcart!), and Robocop in stores around May 16th.

Ace Ventura will follow around May 21st.

CELEBRATE PRESERVATION WEEK @ YOUR LIBRARY APRIL 21 - 27

April 17, 2013 - CHICAGO – Did you know that 1.3 billion priceless treasures held by public institutions are at risk of being lost due to preservation ignorance? Public institutions are not alone as individuals also struggle with how to preserve collectibles, family heirlooms and digital photographs.

From April 21– 27, thousands of library patrons will turn to public, academic and school libraries to celebrate the Preservation Week @ your library, a time when libraries across the country will provide information and expertise on how to preserve collectibles, photos, family records and other valuable materials.

During Preservation Week @ your library, themed "Pass it on," participating libraries will offer special programs and services that will help connect library users with preservation tools; promote the importance of preservation; and will strive to enhance knowledge of preservation issues among the general public.

Mezco Announces Mez-itz DC Universe 2 inch Blind Box Assortment

April 2012 - New York - Mezco's ever expanding exploration into the DC Universe continues with the exciting edition of mystery Blind Box Figures. Each PDQ contains six characters from the DC Universe with 10 unique designs; each Mez-itz has a specific rarity scale with a super rare chase figure.

The first assortment includes:

• Aquaman
• Batman
• Green Lantern
• Superman
• Wonder Woman
• Harley Quinn

Each master carton contains three display boxes with 24 figurines in each. There is at least one full set within every case - including the hard to find super secret chase figure.

"I've been enjoying DC Ccomics since I learned to read," said Richard Ford, a member of Mezco's award winning design team, "To be able to work on this series and transform characters from the DC Universe into Mez-Itz is the next best thing to having super powers."