Raving Toy Maniac

October 24, 2012 - DC has a new contest online, The DC Comics' Super-Villains Big Score Sweepstakes.

There's only one prize in this contest... but it's a doozy! To be more specific, the official rules for the contest list the prize package as:

The Business Of Scary Is A 7 Billion Dollar U.S. Industry

Billions are Spent on Costumes for Adults and Pets

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2012 -- Halloween has been transformed - it is no longer merely a day for candy and superstition; it is a multi-billion-dollar business, according to figures compiled by FEARnet, the cable industry's premier TV movie network, VOD channel and online portal featuring horror, suspense and thriller content. In 2011, Halloween-related spending neared 7 billion dollars; up from 3.29 billion dollars in 2005. This year, the average person will spend $72.31 on costumes, candy and decorations, and will have an estimated 15,000 pop-up Halloween stores to choose from. Costume sales, alone, for the 41,000,000 potential trick-or-treaters, are expected to rake in one billion dollars for children's costumes, 1.21 billion dollars for adult costumes and 310 million dollars for pet costumes. And the candy industry stands to make 23% of its annual candy sales during Halloween - the largest of any selling season.

Disney Where's My Water? Presents: Swampy's Underground Adventures Launches On Disney.com And Disney's YouTube Channel

BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 18, 2012 -- Disney Interactive announced today the online launch of the new short form animated video series, Disney Where's My Water? Presents: Swampy's Underground Adventures on http://Disney.com and Disney's YouTube channel at http://YouTube.com/DisneyShows, with plans to premiere the short form series on Disney Channel beginning in November. Swampy's Underground Adventures follows the hilarious and unpredictable adventures of Swampy, Disney's first original character born on mobile and star of Disney's #1 new mobile franchise Where's My Water?. The series also marks the first production from Disney Interactive's collaboration with YouTube to bring original family-friendly video series to the web.

KEVIN SMITH TO BE SPOTLIGHT GUEST AT THE CHICAGO COMIC & ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2)

Midwest Pop Culture Extravaganza Will Play Host To Top Talent

Tickets go on sale Friday, October 26!

Norwalk, CT, October 22, 2012: Show organizers for the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have today announced that noted filmmaker, comic book writer and internet radio personality, Kevin Smith, will be a Spotlight Guest at the annual Midwest pop culture extravaganza. This news about Mr. Smith, a popular celebrity who regularly attracts huge audiences to his performances and appearances, is the first in a long line of significant guest announcements that show officials will be making in the coming months. Organizers anticipate that this year's C2E2, which will take place April 26 - 28, 2013 at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center, will be by far the biggest and most anticipated event since the show was launched in 2010.

HeroClix TabApp™ Now Available At Walmart

October 2012 - WizKids Games, creator of the recently launched HeroClix TabApp™ game for iPad, today announced the availability of HeroClix TabApp™ Marvel super hero figures at Walmart stores nationwide.

Fans, collectors and players can now pick up both Marvel figure packs, Marvel Super Heroes and Wolverine and the X-Men, at their local Walmart store.

The Marvel Super Heroes HeroClix TabApp™ figure pack includes Iron Man, Thor and Captain America miniatures, while the Wolverine and the X-Men figure pack introduces Wolverine, Cyclops and Ice Man.

For more information on HeroClix TabApp™, visit http://www.heroclixtabapp.com.

For updates, follow HeroClix TabApp™ on Facebook and Twitter.

Hasbro Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter 2012

Company is Delivering on Stated Objectives for 2012

• Net earnings for the third quarter 2012 were $164.9 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, compared to $171.0 million, or $1.27 per diluted share in 2011; Net earnings excluding the impact of foreign exchange translation were $169.8 million, or $1.28 per diluted share;
• Net revenues for the third quarter 2012 grew 1% to $1.39 billion excluding a negative $47.4 million impact of foreign exchange; Net revenues for the third quarter 2012 as reported were $1.35 billion compared to $1.38 billion in 2011;
• Operating profit of 18.6% of revenues increased from 18.0% in 2011 led by gains in the U.S. and Canada Segment operating profit margin.

Dark Horse Comics Launches Exclusive Comic Book Experience™ Application For Dynamics ePlate™ Credit Card Device

Dark Horse Gives Dynamics ePlate Users Exclusive Comic Book Content with Each Purchase

OCT 23, Portland, OR – Dark Horse Comics makes history again today with the national launch of the first comic book payments application for the battery-powered Dynamics ePlate™ credit card device. The innovative offering lets consumers earn exclusive Dark Horse digital comics with every purchase.

When the Dark Horse experience™ is selected, a consumer will earn a page from multiple ePlate™ exclusive comic book series for every $35 the consumer spends anywhere they use their Dynamics ePlate™ credit card device. The pages are delivered instantly to their mobile phone the second the purchase is completed. When all pages in a comic book series are collected, the consumer is mailed physical, collector-edition copies of each comic free-of-charge.

In Stores This Week: Mad Monster Party, Universal Monsters and The Munsters

October 23, 2012 - One more week until Halloween, and Diamond Select Toys has turned up the terror on New Toy Day! This week, they're shipping plenty of horror-themed items to comic shops across America, as well as a new issue of the Battle Beasts comic book from IDW, so check in with your local store to see what they're getting!

Mad Monster Party Select Action Figure Assortment

New York Comic-Con's Minimates Tenth Anniversary Exhibit a Big Hit

October 2012 - Minimates celebrated their 10th birthday with a bang, as over 100,000 fans attended this past weekend's New York Comic-Con, where the Minimates-related festivities were in full swing! An art exhibit, panel and two signings drew thousands of attendees, from die-hard Minimate fanatics to casual enthusiasts, and thousands of Minimates, pins and posters were given out over the course of the weekend. Manufacturer Diamond Select Toys also gave fans a glimpse at the future of the line!

Dollar General Offers More Toys This Holiday Season

Shoppers will find more licensed and branded items, plus a large selection of toys under $10

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. -- October 15, 2012 -- Dollar General has expanded its toy section for the holiday season. The discount retailer has stocked its toy aisles with some of the most popular toys and is delivering great value on the toys at the top of customers' shopping lists.

"Offering our customers the name brand toys they want at great prices is a priority for Dollar General," said Todd Vasos, Dollar General's executive vice president, division president and chief merchandising officer. "Shoppers will be delighted by the hot toys and classics that are in our stores this season."

Dollar General has added more licensed and branded items to its holiday toy offering, including popular toys from Mattel®, Disney® and Hasbro®. A few of the name brand toys featured at Dollar General include:

Monster High® Doll - $15
Barbie® Fashion Doll - $12
Dora® Adventure Doll - $12
Hot Wheels® Wall Tracks Set - $20
Thomas the Tank® Busy Day Set - $16