Raving Toy Maniac

RSVP Today for the Mad Monster Party Action Figures!

May 2012 - The stop-motion holiday specials of Rankin/Bass Productions are legendary. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town... each has been remembered as a Christmas classic. But not everything Rankin/Bass did was reindeer and candy canes. In 1967, they unleashed on theaters the stop-motion feature film "Mad Monster Party?," a kooky love letter to the classic monster movies featuring pretty much every famous monster you can think of and then some. A cult favorite, the movie has gone 45 years with almost no tie-in merchandise... until now!

AWKWARDFAMILYPHOTOS.COM AND ALL THINGS EQUAL TEAM UP FOR NEW AWKWARD PRODUCTS

Miami Beach, FL – (May 17, 2012) – All Things Equal will debut a puzzle collection and picture frame kit based on the hit website, AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com, at the upcoming National Stationery Show in New York City. The puzzles and frames represent a new direction for All Things Equal, a game company whose products include the Awkward Family Photos® game and bestselling Loaded Questions® games.

"Based on the immediate success of our Awkward Family Photos game, we were encouraged to expand the Awkward Family Photos phenomenon to these two new categories," says Eric Poses, President of All Things Equal. "Puzzles and picture frames are two great new ways people can experience this universally appreciated brand."

May 18, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is a quick update from BBTS on some new listings for today:

Hot Toys Avengers - Loki - @ $204.99
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10394&mode=re...

Game of Thrones Iron Throne - LE500
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DH10981&mode=retail

New Diamond Select Items:

Klingon Bird of Prey
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11777&mode=re...

Marvel Select Rhino
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11783&mode=re...

Walking Dead Bust Bank
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11778&mode=re...

Munsters Black & White Set
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11779&mode=re...

New Minimates: Expendables, Venom through the Ages, Street Fighter vs Tekken, Santa Pirate Ship

The CS Moore Studio and Zenescope Entertainment Announces 2012 Convention Exclusive Grimm Fairy Tales Alice Liddle Action Figure

Limited Edition Variant Figure Available at Comic-Con International: San Diego

May 2012 - Attendees of this year's Comic-Con International: San Diego will have the first opportunity to snag The CS Moore Studio and Zenescope Entertainment's super-hot 2012 Convention Exclusive Grimm Fairy Tales Alice Liddle Action Figure, sculpted by Clayburn Moore! This variant edition of the upcoming Alice Liddle Action Figure wears a sexy red dress and is strictly limited to 1,700 figures.

HEROCLIX ONLINE INTRODUCES NEW TOURNAMENT FORMAT, FIGURES OF THE WEEK

May 2012 - Heroclix Online developers have alerted players of an all-new tournament format, Crossover Booster Sealed Tournaments, beginning on a rolling queue today.

Crossover Boosters (containing 10 single figures from a dynamic distribution) draw from all Modern Marvel sets currently available in game. Additionally, any Marvel figures included in the Figure of the Week promotions also have a chance to show up in the Crossover Booster.

The new tournament format using Crossover Boosters coincides with a special Figure of the Week promotion which makes Marvel Galactic Guardians figures Cardinal of the UCT, Replica, Cardinal Raker and Magus available for individual purchase today through May 30. All four figures will also become part of the Crossover Booster distribution immediately.

For more information on Crossover Booster contents and Sealed tournament format, players and fans are encouraged to visit the FAQ.

For more information on HeroClix Online, visit http://hco.heroclix.com/.

May 2012 - Mezco proudly presents one of the world's most famous monsters... Frankenstein! Constructed by the infamous Dr Frankenstein from corpses, and resurrected by curious machines powered by a bolt of lightning, he terrorized the countryside.

Now he is brought to life by Mezco's award-winning design team. This 18inch Monster Scale Frankenstein features eight points of articulation.

This Monster Scale Frankenstein is sure to become the focal point of any collection as it towers above all lesser collectibles.

Since being revealed at the New York International Toy Fair, the Monster Scale Frankenstein has generated some monster size buzz:

• "The best large scale Frankenstein figure I've seen in decades!" - Philip Kim, Senior Manager Famous Monsters Of Filmland magazine

• "The must have Frankenstein collectible of 2012!" - Mike Zohn of Discovery Science's Oddities

NEW YORK, May 17, 2012 -- Hess Corporation today announced the latest addition to the company's Miniature Truck series – a limited edition Hess Toy Truck and Airplane.

For the past 15 years, the Miniature Truck series has paid tribute to a popular Hess holiday Toy Truck from the past. This year's edition, a mini replica of the 2002 18-wheeler flatbed tractor trailer and airplane, features:

• A tractor trailer with working lights and a flatbed that doubles as a landing pad.
• A bi-plane with working rotor and "2012" marked on the cockpit.
• A quick-release display base.

The 2012 Hess Miniature Truck and Airplane goes on sale Friday, May 25 exclusively at participating Hess and Hess Express retail stores for $6.99 plus tax, while supplies last – Energizer batteries are included.

The Hess Toy Truck, launched in 1964, is one of the longest running toy brands on the market. For a complete list of Hess Toy Trucks through the years or to find a Hess location, please visit: http://www.hesstoytruck.com. Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hesstoytruck.

Little, Cute and Dead: Lenore Vinyl Statue Coming Soon!

May 2012 - Normally, cute and dead shouldn't go together, but in the world of Roman Dirge's Lenore, that's just what you get. The dark-comedy comic book character celebrates her 20th anniversary in 2012, and Diamond Select Toys is launching a whole line of merchandise to mark the occasion!

First up is an iconic 8" vinyl statue showing the cutie in a murderous mood. Sculpted by Joe Menna and painted by huge Lenore fan Kat Sapene, this little girl is irresistible. Pre-order your Lenore through your local comic book shop (or favorite online retailer) today!

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

May 2012 - DC has launched their web store at ShopDCEntertainment.com - in addition to comics, you can also buy DC Collectibles (formerly DC Direct) items.

Two items of special interest are their online exclusives: a Flashpoint Action Figure Box Set (including Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Emperor Aquaman) and the Heroes of the DC Universe: Sinestro as Green Lantern Bust.

The store also has two print sets available, as well as several other action figures and statues. They are offering free shipping on orders over $50.

May 17, 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.

- 10 Bike-Related Recalls to Check Out Before You Hit the Road This Spring

- Boys' Hooded Jackets Recalled by Bonded Apparel; Neck Drawstrings Pose Strangulation Hazard; Sold Exclusively at dd's Discounts

- Five Retailers Agree to Stop Sale and Recall Tots in Mind Crib Tents Due to Strangulation and Entrapment Hazard - One Death and Serious Brain Injury Reported

- Safety 1st Toilet and Cabinet Locks Recalled Due to Lock Failure; Children Can Gain Unintended Access to Water and Dangerous Items