Raving Toy Maniac

November 2012 - Funko has announced a new batch of 3D POP! Vinyl Bookmarks, this time featuring DC Comics characters - Batman and the Joker.

The bookmarks are six inches long and should be available in late November.

Girls Becoming Fans Of Boy Brands

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2012 -- Girls might be into pink, pop stars, and ponies, but some of the fastest growing brands among girls are those that might be considered boyish, according to Young Love™, the nation's largest study of brands among kids aged 6-12. The annual study, conducted by leading youth and family research firm, Smarty Pants, ranks kids' and moms' affinity for 250 brands each year. The study shows that girls are rapidly becoming fans of "boy brands" - from construction toys to superheroes to sports gear.

"Today, girls comfortably hang an Under Armour shirt in their closet next to a Monster High tee without seeing contrast between the two, and they are quick to point out that LEGOs are just as much fun for girls as boys. They are drawn to the likes of Catwoman in the Batman franchise, and they see Best Buy as an invaluable tech hub as much as their male peers," says Smarty Pants president, Wynne Tyree.

November 2012 - Funko has announced a dozen new POP! Vinyl figures based on Disney characters. All twelve should be shipping to stores on December 13th.

The series 4 figures are:

• Wall-E
• Eve
• Tigger
• Fantasia Mickey
• Evil Queen
• Grumpy
• Cinderella
• Goofy
• Mayor
• Chernabog
• Jack Sparrow
• Oogie Boogie

The Munsters Minimates Get Moving in the New Minimates Koaches!

November 20, 2012 - The Munsters were one of the more unusual families in American television history, and their family car was just as unusual as they were! While the Munsters fused Transylvania with Suburbia, the Munster Koach fused a hearse with a hot rod, combining speed, size and solemnity into one classy package! Was this the world's first hybrid vehicle? Well, Diamond Select Toys is celebrating the Koach's place in car culture with two different Minimates vehicles -- one in color at Toys "R" Us and one in glorious black-and-white at comic shops and specialty stores. Both come with a Minimate of Herman Munster, but while the color version comes with an extra sad head, the monochrome edition comes wearing his famous drag-racing outfit! Check out the packaging pics below, and pick them both up today!

November 20, 2012 - Mezco's email newsletter had a few coupon codes, you can use them from 1am EST 11/23 - 12am EST 11/26, 2012.

The fine codes and fine print:

10% Off Any In Stock Item - Use code MEZCOGOBBLE

25% Off Living Dead Doll Toy Soldier. Use code TS25

25% Off The Dark Knight Mez-Itz Mega Scale Batman. Use code BAT25

Although you cannot combine these coupons, you can place separate orders to take advantage of each coupon.
Limit one discount code per order, offer valid until 11/26/2012 or while supplies last.
May not be used retroactively.
All sales are final on item purchased with coupon codes.
Valid only on retail items, cannot be used on wholesale purchases.
No rain checks or substitutions.

http://www.mezcotoyz.com/

Unwrap a Deal While You Wrap Up Your Shopping: Wendy's Partners with Toys"R"Us for Holiday Savings

DUBLIN, Ohio, Nov. 19, 2012 -- No need to wait for Santa to bring a little cheer this holiday season. Wendy's® is turning the holidays from hectic to happy with a double deal on its Kids' Meals® to free up your wallet for those stocking stuffers instead.

For the second year, Wendy's is partnering with national toy retailer Toys"R"Us to provide holiday-themed toys and two money-saving Kids' Meal offers to bring a little merriment to hungry parents and their children out and about during holiday shopping. Beginning today, customers can receive:

• $1.99 Wendy's Kids' Meal: Customers can download a digital coupon at http://www.ToysRUs.com/Wendys for a $1.99 Wendy's Kids' Meal, compared to an average cost of $3.48.
• $10 Gift Card Offer at Toys"R"Us: Unwrap one of the eight new holiday-themed Kids' Meal toys to find an offer for a $10 Toys"R"Us gift card with a qualifying purchase of $75 at Toys"R"Us. When customers spend $75 or more at the toy store, they will receive a $10 gift card to use on their next visit.

HEROCLIX ONLINE ANNOUNCES THANKSGIVING FESTIVITIES

50% off ClixBux, Festive Tournament Prize

November 20, 2012 - Developers of HeroClix Online today announced a Thanksgiving Special, offering 50% off ClixBux today through Sunday, November 25.

Additionally, a special in-game Thanksgiving Turkey object will be awarded to all tournament participants today through Wednesday, November 28. Unlike previous objects, the Thanksgiving Turkey has power to restore clix health for an added bonus.

More details are available on the HeroClix Online web site.

More info on HeroClix Online at http://www.hco.heroclix.com.

DARK HORSE GRAPHIC NOVELS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE AMAZON KINDLE STORE

NOVEMBER 20, MILWAUKIE, OR - Dark Horse announced today that the company has expanded to one of the most popular digital platforms on which comics fans can now access their favorite Dark Horse titles! Hot on the heels of the release of the company's Android app, and following up its incredible success with Kobo and Nook, Dark Horse is proud to announce their titles are available on Amazon's Kindle, and able to be purchased in the Kindle Store (http://www.amazon.com/kindlestore).

Dark Horse digital graphic novels are now available for purchase in the Kindle Store, with over 100 of the company's top titles featured, like Mass Effect, Hellboy, Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, Sin City, and more! Additionally, Dark Horse will be offering dozens of its prose titles including Vampire Hunter D, Hellboy, Yahtzee Coshaw's new book Jam, and more!

November 20, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - many more cool new items have just been listed:

Transformer Prime Beast Hunters - Deluxe, Voyager, Cyberverse Legion, Cyberverse Commander
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=3150

Marvel Universe 3.75" 2012 Series 03
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=2012%20marvel%203....

Transformers KRE-O Kreon Micro-Changer Combiner Series 01
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=kreon

Transformers Generations - Legends
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2339&category=9088

Kreon Case of 32
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22341&mode=re...

Transformers Rescue Bots - Series 07
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22388&mode=re...

Living Dead Dolls - Series 25

Toy Industry Unveils Nominees for 2013 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards; Announces Inductees into Toy Industry Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2012 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) kicked off the holiday shopping season today by announcing the 84 finalists for the prestigious 2013 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). Between now and January 13, 2013, toy lovers of all ages can visit http://ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite playthings in 12 categories – from e-Connected and Innovative to Educational and Outdoor toys – and sign up to win exclusive prize packages!

"Each year, TOTY celebrates the creative spirit of the toy industry and honors the joy that toys and games bring to kids of all walks of life," said Carter Keithley, TIA president, at a New York City press conference unveiling the nominees. "We are proud to announce that the TOTY Awards will once again support the inspiring work of the Toy Industry Foundation, which annually delivers one million toys and games to deserving children around the world."