Raving Toy Maniac

New AvX: Avengers vs. X-Men Minimates Box Set Coming Soon to Toys "R" Us!

November 9, 2012 - A few months ago, Diamond Select Toys asked you to vote on the next exclusive box set of Marvel Minimates for Toys "R" Us, based on the blockbuster Avengers vs. X-Men crossover event. The poll pitted three Avengers against three members of the Phoenix Five, with dominance of the box set hanging in the balance. Well, now the results are in!

The Avengers were the clear winners, with Phoenix Buster Iron Man, the Scarlet Witch and Protector taking three of the four spots in the set, with the remaining slot filled by Phoenix Five leader Cyclops! Plus, Iron Man's armor will open up to reveal a more bare-bones Iron Man Minimate inside! Phoenix Five Emma Frost and Colossus may not have made the cut this time around, but don't count them out yet -- they've both cheated death more than once.

Star Trek Bird of Prey Ship Packaging is Finally Uncloaked!

November 9, 2012 - The wait for new electronic Star Trek ships from Diamond Select Toys has been a long one, spanning countless eons and galaxies. But a treaty has been signed, and the new ships have at last begun their voyage home from the factory! Due out by the end of 2012, the Klingon Bird of Prey can be seen here in its packaged glory, complete with "Try Me" button so you can check out the movie-accurate lights and sounds. If you haven't already, reserve yours at your local comic shop or favorite online retailer today!

Visit comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest comic shop, and get regular DST updates on Facebook and Twitter!

Toys"R"Us, Inc. Demonstrates Its Ongoing Support Of Military Personnel And Their Families With New Hiring Initiatives And Partnerships

Company Forges Alliances with Military Employment-Focused Organizations, Launches Dedicated Military Hiring Website and Reports Hiring of 1,200 Active and Retired Military Service Members This Year

WAYNE, N.J., Nov. 7, 2012 -- In honor of Military Family Month and Veterans Day, Toys"R"Us, Inc. today reinforced its ongoing commitment to supporting America's military forces and their families through increased military hiring efforts and partnerships, including those organizations dedicated to helping military families whose loved ones are deployed.

Toy Industry Foundation Crosses Pacific, Brings Play to U.S. Military Families in Japan

TIF holds international event with partner Boys & Girls Clubs of America Military Services

OKINAWA, Japan, Nov. 8, 2012 -- Kadena U.S. Air Force Base -- Nearly 1,000 boys and girls stationed with their parents on Kadena U.S. Air Force Base in Japan were treated to an extraordinary day of gifts and play on November 1st by the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and partner Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Military Services. Joined by Marine families stationed in nearby in Okinawa, the children experienced a fun-filled toy giveaway event, providing relief and a reminder of home to kids living with their parents so far away from what is familiar.

Military life is difficult for families, especially those stationed internationally. Thanks to the special toy giveaway event, children of U.S. Airmen and Marines have many days of play ahead of them, providing a respite from stress and homesickness.

Third Annual "Neighborhood Toy Store Day" Supports Shopping Local and Community Fun Saturday, November 10

CHICAGO, Nov. 8, 2012 -- Families and independent retailers across the country can celebrate the joy and wonder of shopping at a neighborhood toy store this month, thanks to the third annual "Neighborhood Toy Store Day" on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

The American Specialty Toy and Retailing Association (ASTRA) established Neighborhood Toy Store Day to introduce families to the fun of shopping at local toy stores and to celebrate each retailer's commitment to the community. Participating stores will host local in-store events for families, such as face painting, craft projects, live performances or special discounts.

November 8, 2012 - 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.

- Diamondback Bicycles Recalled Due to Fall or Crash Hazard

- LaJobi Recalls Glider Rockers Due to Fall Hazard

November 7, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PREORDERS
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NEW HOT WHEELS ELITE - 1:18, 1:43, 1:50
A wide variety of new Hot Wheels Elite items have been listed, in 1:18, 1:43 and 1:50 scales. We have items from the Flintstones, Scooby Doo, "The Dark Knight Rises", Batman, Knight Rider, Herbie the Love Bug (Disney/Pixar), "Back to the Future", the A-Team and Ghostbusters - check them all out at the link.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Hot%20Wheels%20Elite

TRANSFORMERS TG15, TG16 DATA DISC SETS
The import line of Fall of Cybertron figures continues with two new Data Disc sets. The Autobot Set includes Eject, Rewind, Sundor and Ramhorn, while the Decepticon set includes Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage and what we think is Ratbat. We have each set of four listed at $39.99.

Big Lots Salutes U.S. Military With Veterans Day Discount

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 6, 2012 -- Big Lots, Inc. will thank our nation's veterans and military personnel with a special Veterans Day discount on Saturday, November 10. Veterans, active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and their immediate family members will receive 10 percent off their entire purchase.

The discount can also be applied to sale and clearance items. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military identification card.

"The discount is our way to show our gratitude to our veterans and military personnel for protecting our freedoms at home and abroad," said CEO Steve Fishman, himself a former U.S. Army Reservist. "We are pleased to honor them by providing savings on the products their families want and need."

The discount will be available at all Big Lots stores nationwide. To find a local store, visit http://www.biglots.com.

About Big Lots, Inc.

November 6, 2012 - The boy collected just one fast food toy this past month, but it's a nice one - a Mario figure from Burger King. The paint job is pretty nice for the size. It has more articulation than I was expecting: simple twists at both shoulders and hips.

Let's see what's out there in restaurants this month!

A quick check of the web sites for the more popular fast food restaurants reveals the following:

- McDonald's has Young Justice and Littlest Pet Shop toys in their Happy Meals, with Rise of the Guardians shown as the next promotion.

- Sonic has Farm Tot Buddies listed.

- Carl's Jr. and Hardee's have Scribblenauts Unlimited toys, with Hotel Transylvania toys coming in late December.

Pass Go... Collect 50 Years of Doctor Who

MONOPOLY®: Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition

YAHTZEE®: Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 25, 2012 -- Jump aboard the TARDIS and travel through space and time with all eleven Doctors in these classic games of MONOPOLY and YAHTZEE - with a Doctor Who twist! Produced by USAopoly, under license from Hasbro, and in partnership with BBC Worldwide Americas, these collector's games celebrate the 50th anniversary of the longest running science fiction show of all time.

"With the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who and the holidays right around the corner, USAopoly is a perfect fit for the brand, giving the fans a fantastic new collector's item," states Soumya Sriraman, EVP Home Entertainment and Licensing.

Who? The Doctor (and all ages 8+)

What? MONOPOLY®: Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition