Raving Toy Maniac

February 2013 - It's that time of the year again when throngs of toy fans, toy creators and toy buyers worldwide converge onNew York City for the International Toy Fair. For the third year in a row during this time, the art gallery TT Underground and Beerlao will be hosting the Four Horsemen as they bring you Toypocalypse 3: ExtraTOYrrestrial!!

This is the Four Horsemen's third annual gallery show featuring their work past, present and future, and this year Toypocalypse revolves around their newest licensed property - The Power Lords! The Power Lords was a toy line from the 80's that seemed to be a bit ahead of its time, but it has a very loyal fan base that have been hoping for its return. With the launch of the Power Lords website (http://www.PowerLordsReturn.com), it was announced that the Four Horsemen now have the license to create new Power Lords toys and other merchandise, and this show will reveal early prototypes of some of the upcoming Power Lords characters!

Saban Brands' Julius Jr. to Air on Nick Jr. in 2013

Julius, Worry Bear, Sheree and more join for new animated preschool series

NEW YORK (February 4, 2012) – Saban Brands announced today its new animated preschool series inspired by the Paul Frank family of characters, Julius Jr., will air on Nick Jr. in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand in 2013. Following the adventures of a young version of Julius the Monkey, Julius Jr. will mark the first television vehicle for Paul Frank. Since its founding in 1997, in a Huntington Beach garage, the lifestyle fashion brand has become globally recognized for its fresh and irreverent designs and colorful cast of characters.

"This is an exciting next step for the Paul Frank brand, and for Saban Brands," said Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands. "Julius Jr. will entertain and captivate millions of children and continue our tradition of creating new platforms on which to engage with our brands."

Accomplice Productions Launches Exciting New 3D Strategy Game TIC STAC TOE™ at American International Toy Fair in New York City

"A whole new dimension to a classic game"

New York, New York -- Feb 2013 – -- Next week, new gamers on the block Accomplice Productions blast into the 110th American International Toy Fair with TIC STAC TOE™ a new and insanely addicting game based on one of the oldest games around.

TIC STAC TOE™ is a fresh take on a classic game that dates back over two thousand years. Everyone is familiar with the game of tic tac toe we played as kids: TIC STAC TOE™ takes that simple concept and revolutionizes it by literally adding a new dimension to the game play - a third dimension. The result is a game that is familiar and simple, yet that quickly escalates into an intense match of wits demanding focus and careful planning as pieces STAC up higher and higher on top of each other. Players challenge one another on a unique game board that can expand from a 3x3 configuration to 4x4 and even a 5x5 for the most complex challenge of all.

Space Station Cargo Ship Flights To Be Broadcast On NASA TV

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2013 -- NASA Television will provide live coverage of the departure of one Russian cargo spacecraft at the International Space Station and the launch and arrival of another.

The ISS Progress 48 resupply ship, which arrived at the station last August, will depart the Pirs docking compartment, part of the Russian segment, on Saturday, Feb. 9. The Progress will leave orbit three hours later and burn up above the Pacific Ocean. NASA TV coverage of the undocking will begin at 8 a.m. EST. The undocking is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

That move will clear Pirs for the arrival of the new ISS Progress 50 resupply spacecraft. It is scheduled to launch at 9:41 a.m. (8:41 p.m. Kazakhstan time) Monday, Feb. 11, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA TV coverage of the launch begins at 9:30 a.m. The Progress is loaded with almost 3 tons of food, fuel, supplies and experiment hardware for the six crew members aboard the orbital laboratory.

FREE PANCAKES AT IHOP ON FEBRUARY 5

National Pancake Day Returns With Goal To Raise $3 Million For Shriners Hospitals And Other Local Charities

WHAT: For the eighth consecutive year, IHOP® restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of its famous buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Shriners Hospitals and other local charities.

WHY: For every short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a voluntary donation to Shriners Hospitals. IHOP hopes to raise $3 million this year, with a goal to bring the total amount of funds raised to more than $13 million. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com.

WHEN: TUESDAY, February 5, 2013, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

National Pancake Day Fun Facts:

• IHOP served four million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2012 and pancake lovers donated more than $3 million to children's charities.

• All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day 2012 would create a stack nearly 16 miles high.

February 4, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is info on some exciting new items listed today:

GI Joe 2013 Convention Exclusives - Nocturnal Fire 3.75" & Secret Mission to Dragon Island 12"
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11906

New Hot Toys: Iron Man 3 1/6 Scale Iron Man Mark XLII Power Pose Collectible Figurine
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10438&mode=re...

TFC Uranos - 4th and 5th Figures Available to Preorder
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11892

Bandai Japan Action Figures & Accessories
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11899

Takara MP-13 Soundwave - Limited Inventory In Stock Now!
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11481&mode=re...

DARK HORSE COMICS TO PUBLISH KING CONAN: THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON!

ADAPTING ROBERT E. HOWARD'S ONLY CONAN NOVEL!

February 2013 - MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to announce the return of a fan-favorite Conan creative team. Writer Timothy Truman, artist Tomás Giorello, and colorist José Villarrubia are set to adapt Robert E. Howard's only Conan novel in two six-issue miniseries.

The first series, titled The Hour of the Dragon will run through October 2013 and continue in a second arc titled King Conan: The Conqueror starting in February 2014.

More about The Hour of the Dragon: King Conan has faced many threats to his throne in Aquilonia - but none more deadly than a traitorous alliance backed by the resurrected sorcerer Xaltotun, at whose command mountains crumble!

With The Legend of Conan announced for 2014, King Conan is essential reading!

Praise for Timothy Truman, Tomás Giorello, and José Villarrubia:

Limited Amount Of Mezco 2013 Toy Fair Catalog Now Available To The Public

February 2013 - Generally only available to Toy Fair attendees, Mezco is now making a limited number of Toy Fair catalogs available to the general public.

The 8.5x11 inch softcover contains 28 full color pages of Mezco product including 6 pages of Living Dead Dolls items, all new licenses, 4 pages of Breaking Bad items, Child's Play, Thundercats, and more!

This catalog was created for distribution at the 2013 New York International Toy Fair and will ship after 2/15/2013.

This catalog is not sold in stores and is exclusive to Mezco Direct.

CRYSTAL DYNAMICS AND DARK HORSE BRING LARA CROFT BACK TO COMIC BOOKS STARTING WITH TOMB RAIDER: THE BEGINNING

February 2013 - MILWAUKIE, OR, JANUARY 30 – Crystal Dynamics™, a Square Enix® studio, and Dark Horse Comics, today revealed they have partnered to bring the re-imagined Lara Croft back to print in the world of comics. Look for news on the new series following the release of TOMB RAIDER®, the highly anticipated origin story for Lara Croft®, available March 5, 2013, and will chronicle Lara's journey after her harrowing adventure in the Dragon's Triangle.

To kick off the partnership, Crystal Dynamics and Dark Horse have teamed up to create "TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning." This will be the first installment in the new TOMB RAIDER comic book series, and is a prequel to the events in TOMB RAIDER. "TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning," was written by lead game writer Rhianna Pratchett. Fans can get the first series early when they pre-order TOMB RAIDER at Best Buy.

On Sale This Week from DST: Marvel, Star Trek, Star Wars and Lenore!

January 31, 2013 - It's a big week for Diamond Select Toys! Comic shops and specialty stores will get in a variety of new products from DST this Wednesday, including the latest Marvel Select, Marvel Minimates and Star Trek electronic starship releases! It's the best of all worlds! Check out the full list below!

Star Trek Electronic Enterprise B
The long wait is over! The Enterprise B is finally ready to leave drydock! One of the most fan-requested Star Trek ships, the Excelsior-class starship is finally on its way as an electronic ship replica from Diamond Select! Packaged in a "Try Me" window box so customers can test its movie-accurate lights and sounds, the Enterprise B measures 16 inches long and comes with a display stand. SRP: $60.00