Raving Toy Maniac

Toy Trends for 2013 Announced by Toy Industry Association, Official Voice of Toy Fair

"So Retro!" ... "Pop Culture Persuasion" ... "360 Degree Play ... and "Enticing Teens & Tweens" Among Top Trends

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 -- From toys that are "So Retro!"... to arts and crafts inspired by "DIY Design" television shows... and playthings for sociable teens and tweens, the hottest toy trends of 2013 were unveiled by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) today at its 110th American International Toy Fair.

After searching high and low through 150,000 products now on display at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, TIA's toy trend experts have uncovered a new crop of trends that are sure to be on every child's holiday wish list this year.

NECA UNVEILS NEW PRODUCT LINE-UPS AT NEW YORK TOY FAIR

Agreements with Sanrio and DC Comics Intensify Extensive Movie and Video Game Licenses

(RTM note: for pictures of the toys mentioned below, please check out the galleries over at AwesomeToyBlog.com.)

NEW YORK, NY - February 10, 2013 - National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), a world leader in licensed consumer goods, revealed a robust line-up of new products at the 110th American International Toy Fair in New York.

Along with a substantial list of movie and video game licenses, the company announced a new partnership with Sanrio for a line of products targeted at adult fans of Hello Kitty and friends.

"We are honored to be part of such a beloved brand with such a rich history," said Joel Weinshanker, President and CEO of NECA. "So many fans, our team included, grew up with the Sanrio brand, and we're thrilled at the opportunity to serve this adult market."

February 2013 - DC Collectibles - DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS

DC Collectibles is proud to announce the launch of a brand new line of statues, inspired by the pin-ups of the 1940s and 1950s. Who better to blast off this newest line than two of DC's most powerful heroines? Featuring, fashion from the 40's and 50's, DC Collectibles has captured the "can do" attitude of the era!

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS: WONDER WOMAN
Sculpted by Tim Miller
Measures Approximately 10.1" Tall
$124.95 US
On Sale July 2013
*Allocations May Occur

DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS: SUPERGIRL
Sculpted by Tim Miller
Measures Approximately 10.6" Tall
$124.95 US
On Sale August 2013
*Allocations May Occur

February 2013 - DC Collectibles - INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US ACTION FIGURES

3.75" SCALE

What if our greatest heroes became our greatest threat? Injustice: Gods Among Us introduces a bold new franchise to the fighting game genre from NetherRealm Studios, creators of the definitive fighting game Mortal Kombat. Featuring DC Comics icons such as Batman, Cyborg, The Flash, Green Arrow, The Joker, Green Lantern, Superman and Wonder Woman, the latest title from the award-winning studio presents an original story. Heroes and villains will engage in epic battles on a massive scale in a world where the line between good and evil has been blurred.

With over 20 points of articulation each figure is highly posable!

CYBORG VS. HARLEY QUINN ACTION FIGURE 2-PACK
$29.95 US
On Sale June 2013
*Allocations May Occur

THE FLASH VS. TBA ACTION FIGURE 2-PACK
$29.95 US
On Sale June 2013
*Allocations May Occur

February 2013 - DC Collectibles - DC COMICS: COVER GIRLS PLATINUM STATUE

SCULPTED BY SAM GREENWELL

DC COLLECTIBLES GOES PLATINUM

The Metal Men isn't just a boy's club, so don't forget about Platinum. As the first robot created by brilliant scientist Doctor Will Magnus Platinum became the founding member of the Metal Men. With her ability to shape-shift, stretch, and put up with her teammates, Platinum is one precious metal!

Measures Approximately 10.25" Tall
$99.95 US
On Sale July 2013
*Allocations May Occur

February 2013 - DC Collectibles - MAN OF STEEL: SUPERMAN VS ZOD 1:12 SCALE STATUE

Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios
$124.95 US
On Sale July 2013
*Allocations May Occur

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

February 10, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is a quick update about a variety of new items, including Toy Fair NECA preorders just listed moments ago:

SXS-R01 - Continuously Variable - Transforming Figure - limited edition exclusive - $5 off early bird pricing
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SXS10004&mode=re...

NECA Toy Fair:

Predators 7" - Series 09
KickAss 2 - Series 02
After Earth - 7" Jaden Smith as Kitai
3.75" Gears of War Series 02
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11955

Transformers 3" Vinyl Figures - by The Loyal Subjects
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2339&category=9261

Demolition Crue Set of DC-01 Apex & DC-02 Geminus - In Stock Now
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MEC10001&mode=re...

MOTU Classics - Figure Restock

(RTM note: there are two press releases on this page, so keep scrolling...)

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH THE Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME

ONSLAUGHT OF THE FIRE KINGS STRUCTURE DECK

El Segundo, CA (February 7, 2013) - The raging fires of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) get hotter and hotter with the arrival of Onslaught of the Fire Kings Structure Deck from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (Konami). This ready to play Deck blazes into stores nationwide on February 8th.

With four new Monster cards and two new extraordinary Spell cards, Duelists now have that extra spark needed to build a FIRE-themed Deck based on the renewing flames of the Phoenix. Players can also Special Summon the new Fire King High Avatar Garunix card and unleash the sacred fires of victory!

LEGO® DUPLO® INVITES PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO BUILD THEIR WAY TO EARLY LITERACY DEVELOPMENT

NEW YORK, American International Toy Fair (February 7, 2013) - LEGO Systems, Inc., the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, recently announced two new additions to its LEGO® DUPLO® Read and Build series: Peek-A-Boo Jungle and A Fairy Tale. Making story time even more playful for children under five, the Read and Build collection blends early reading with construction play encouraging youngsters to build along as their parents read simple, age-appropriate board books to them.

Play Sparks Both a Child's Imagination and Mind
"Play is essential to how children learn and is one of the primary ways that they discover the world," said Michael McNally, brand relations director for LEGO Systems. "Whether a child is learning to read or discovering how to share with a friend, play shapes a child's life in unexpected ways. The play experience truly becomes magical when a child can both grow their life skills and have fun-this is exactly why we create products like LEGO DUPLO Read & Build."

Nickelodeon And Activision Sign Global, Multi-Year Deal To Produce Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Themed Video Games

First of Three Game Titles Set to be Released This Summer

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2013 -- Nickelodeon and Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) today announced a worldwide, multi-year deal to develop and publish video games inspired by the new CG-animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Under the new agreement, Activision has the global rights to produce interactive games based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property.

"Activision is a leader in the gaming industry and we are honored to have them as the global video game partner for our new hit series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," said Sherice Torres, Senior Vice President of Entertainment Products, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. "We are confident that these upcoming games will take gamers through interactive environments and action-packed adventures that truly capture the essence, tone and exciting elements of the Turtles."