Raving Toy Maniac

March 28, 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.

- Bell Sports Recalls BMX Bike Helmets Due to Risk of Head Injury; Sold Exclusively at Toys R Us

- iCandy World Recalls Cherry Strollers Due to Strangulation Hazard

- BabyHome USA Recalls High Chairs Due to Strangulation Hazard

- Bugaboo Recalls Cameleon3 Strollers Due to Fall Hazard

- WRSI Recalls Kayaking and Rafting Helmets Due to Head Injury Hazard

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES WONDERCON ANAHEIM 2013 SCHEDULE!

MARCH 22, MILWAUKIE, OR - Dark Horse Comics is headed to California's must-attend event on the comic book convention schedule - WonderCon Anaheim!

Join us for signings at booth #819! Free comics and/or prints with each signing while supplies last.

Tickets for signings at the Dark Horse booth will be distributed from the opening of WonderCon on Friday, March 29. Please note that lines may be capped or tickets issued for any signing as needed. Inquire about your favorite signings as early as possible. Some restrictions apply. All events are subject to change.

Comics, books, and collectibles will be available for purchase from Dark Horse or your favorite retailer.

DARK HORSE SIGNINGS

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

12:00 p.m. BEANWORLD signing with creator Larry Marder
- Free Beanworld action figures and sketch cards

2:00 p.m. CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT signing with writer Josh Williamson
- Free 11" x 17" print featuring art by Felipe Massafera

Nerdist Industries And Lucasfilm's Course Of The Force Returns For An Epic Second Journey July 9-16

Lightsaber Relay Strikes the California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO, March 27, 2013 -- On the heels of last year's monumental, first-of-its-kind event, Course of the Force, the lightsaber run that captivated the attention of Star Wars™ fans around the world, is returning July 9th – 16th, 2013. Kicking off at the famed Skywalker Ranch, participants will continue the relay run down through San Francisco with several stops along the California coastline before reaching the finish line - arriving just in time for the start of the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con® International convention. Nerdist Industries' founder Chris Hardwick will be back to host the event, with city-stops along the way featuring "Conivals" where fans can celebrate their love of the Saga with live entertainment, expo booths, giveaways and much more.

DQE Announces a Licensing Deal with Walmart and 12 Other New Licensing and Merchandising Agreements for 'The Jungle Book'

HYDERABAD, India, March 28, 2013 -- DQ Entertainment International (DQE), a leading animation, gaming, live action, entertainment production and distribution company, is pleased to announce a number of new licensing and merchandising deals concluded during the quarter ended March 2013, mostly in USA.

The most significant of these were signed by DQE's partner in North America, Australia and South Africa, SMC Entertainment Group, Inc. ("SMC") in collaboration with the home-video distribution licensee Phase4 Films, who have launched "The Jungle Book" DVDs across all Walmart stores in USA and are launching in Canada soon.

Recently, DQE and SMC concluded a high-value licensing deal with Burger King Worldwide (BKW) for a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) - promotion that will begin worldwide in June '13.

Other important new licensing and merchandising agreements for "The Jungle Book" franchise concluded recently include:

• Magic Jump Inc. for inflatable bounce houses in USA and Canada

March 27, 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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TRANSFORMERS 2013 GENERATIONS SERIES 02 (RUINATION) - CASE, SET
The latest assortment includes the Autobot components of Ruination. The Case includes Impactor, Twintwist, Topspin, Whirl and Roadbuster, along with Fall of Cybertron versions of Optimus Prime, Jazz and Shockwave, and is listed at $114.99. We also have the Set of 5 Ruination components listed, priced at $99.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Generations%20Ruin...

TRANSFORMERS BEAST HUNTERS DELUXE SERIES 04 - CASE, SET
This new Case assortment includes two each of Knockout, Vertebreak and Arcee, along with one each of Bumblebee and Starscream, and is listed at $114.99. We also have a Set of 3 listed (Knockout, Vertebreak and Arcee), priced at $51.99.

'THE WALKING DEAD' TV SERIES 3 ACTION FIGURES
In Stores Now... And There Is No Escape!

Line Features Five New Figures from the Series' Third Season

Tempe, Ariz. - March 26, 2013 – Sunday night will bring the highly anticipated season 3 finale of AMC's The Walking Dead, and just in time for the event is McFarlane Toys newest line of AMC The Walking Dead TV action figures of Merle Dixon, Michonne, Autopsy Zombie, Michonne's Zombie Pet 1 and Pet 2.

Some of this season's most iconic characters and zombies have been immortalized by McFarlane Toys. This third figure line, in stores now showcases two new lethal zombie slayers, along with three more decaying zombies from the show.

Now lock your doors and grab your favorite brain-busting utensil, because you'll swear these figures are really coming to devour you!

March 2013 - Funko has announced a batch of POP! Movies vinyl figures based on Despicable Me 2.

Expect to see Gru, Agnes, Carl, Dave, and a "Mystery Villain" in stores around May 2nd.

In addition to the POP! Vinyl figures, there will also be 3D bookmarks featuring the Minions. The bookmarks should also be available around May 2nd.

BearChamp Limited Edition Tee by JC Rivera

March 2013 - Based on JC Rivera's numerous BearChamp customs and original creations, outsmART originals is proud to release this original design as part of our Designer Series Collection. Out of the ring and onto your back, this fighter will be screen printed on grey American Apparel Fine Jersey t-shirts and available for both men and women.

Shipping in Mid-April for only $20.00, reserve yours today and support this brute as he goes on to become the heavy weight champ of the world (or the woods)...

http://outsmartoriginals.storenvy.com/

Facebook Official Page - http://www.facebook.com/OutsmartOriginals

Twitter: @OUTSMARTKEVIN

Carrie Fisher at Celebration Europe!

March 2013 - The original princess with an attitude, Carrie Fisher, is slated to appear at Celebration Europe this July 26-28 in Essen. Princess Leia Organa in the original Star Wars trilogy, Fisher will be greeting fans and signing autographs in the Celebration Autograph Hall organized by Official Pix, and is scheduled to appear on stage for an interview and a question and answer session.

Fans at Celebration Europe can look forward to entertaining straight talk from Fisher on a number of topics, when she takes to the Celebration Stage with host Warwick Davis. Tickets are available now at http://www.starwarscelebration.eu/.

March 26, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here are some cool new items recently listed:

Legend of Zelda - Real Action Heroes (RAH) Link
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MED10786&mode=re...

Dragon Ball Kai: Figuarts Zero Super Saiyan Son Goku Tamashii Web Exclusive
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BAN15040&mode=re...

Cassettes - CST-03 & CTS-04 Boxbomber Set of B-Box & BirdBomber
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=KFC10004&mode=re...

S.H. Figuarts Power Ranger Double Pack - Bouken Blue & Bouken Black Tamashii Web Exclusive
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BAN15039&mode=re...

MP-13 Energon Cube Set For Masterpiece Soundwave
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11687&mode=re...

G-04 Hunger Classics Weapon Upgrade Kit