Raving Toy Maniac

KMART'S 'HOT 8' TOYS IGNITE PLAY FOR SUMMER
Retailer Reveals the Season's Top Toys to Get Kids Active

Hoffman Estates, Ill. (April 3, 2012) - Coinciding with unseasonably warm weather throughout many parts of the country, Kmart has announced the summer's "Hot 8" toys. This year's Hot 8 list emphasizes fun, durable toys that kids will love and give parents the peace of mind their children will be active and happy all summer long.

Featuring trampolines and swing sets, Power Wheels and swimming pools, the Hot 8 toy list encourages adventurous, outdoor play for kids of all ages. Plus, new enhanced safety features include swing sets equipped with double-walled slides and trampolines with 12-foot protective nets and padded poles.

A SQUARED ELXSI ANNOUNCES 'STAN LEE AND THE MIGHTY 7' DEAL

International kid's entertainment company to produce animated and live action content for legendary comic book creator's new project

(April 2nd, 2012 – Beverly Hills, CA) – Today A Squared Elxsi Entertainment LLC (A2E2), a joint venture between A Squared Entertainment and Tata Elxsi Ltd, announces it is developing stories across multiple platforms and formats based on the brand new 'Stan Lee's Mighty 7' comic series which has just hit stores around the world.

'Stan Lee and the Mighty 7' introduces Lee's new group of extra terrestrial super heroes and also sees the creator of Spider-Man and the X-Men, appear alongside his new creations. The deal will see the development of transmedia content based on the new characters who include Strongarm, Laser Lord, High Rise and others, whose powers range from super strength to shrinking ability.

LAUREN COHAN TO JOIN STEVEN YEUN FOR PANEL & SIGNING AT CHICAGO COMIC & ENTERTAINMENT EXPO (C2E2)

Stars of The Walking Dead To Participate in Q & A with Fans; Followed by 3-Hour Signing!

Norwalk, CT, April 2, 2012: Lauren Cohan, who plays the popular character Maggie Greene, the principal love interest of Glenn (Steven Yeun) in AMC's The Walking Dead, will appear along with Yeun at this year's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2). Yeun's appearance at C2E2 was recently announced (3/28) and Ms. Cohan's appearance has just been confirmed by show organizers. The two stars of the hit television series will appear at the pop culture convention on Saturday, April 14 where they will conduct a Q & A with fans followed by a free 3-hour signing.

Mezco Releases Limited Edition Living Dead Doll Banners For Series 23

March 2012 - NY - Due to overwhelming demand caused by the Living Dead Doll window display at New York's famous Forbidden Planet, Mezco is releasing a limited run of collectible vinyl banners.

The Living Dead Dolls Series 23 introduces Teddy, Quack, Agatha, Jennocide and Betsy: these little terrors fancy a cup of tea, with a twist of terror and a pinch of arsenic.

Printed on durable 10 oz. vinyl, this limited-edition banner set measures an eye catching 18 inches wide by 36 inches tall (approximate) each.

This set contains a total of 6 different banners:
Group shot
Teddy
Quack
Agatha
Jennocide
Betsy

Only 13 of these banner sets will be produced for sale.
http://www.mezcotoyz.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1079

Mezco will alo be offering an individual banner as part of a limited run:
http://www.mezcotoyz.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1078

Etch A Sketch®: Shake It Up, America!

-NEW AD CAMPAIGN MAINTAINS POLITICAL NEUTRALITY FOR THE CLASSIC DRAWING TOY AFTER POLITICAL GAFFE-

BRYAN, Ohio, March 30, 2012 -- Ohio Art's Etch A Sketch® found itself at the center of U.S. politics last week, drawing up an abundance of attention and elevating the iconic toy to political icon. To maintain the classic drawing toys political neutrality, a series of three new ads developed by Team Detroit, Ohio Art's advertising agency, are slated to hit social media channels today.

"With Etch A Sketch® shaking up the political debate, it was our desire to develop a campaign that encourages Americans to get involved in the process and vote," says Martin Killgallon, Senior VP Marketing & Product Development at Ohio Art. "We feel these ads are fun and engaging and will continue to keep people interested throughout the remaining presidential campaign."

March 2012 - Toy2R presents the 5 Inch Mini Qee Spike Toyer and Melting Toyer Collection.

With spring comes the new and away with the clutter! Spankin' brand new releases from Toy2R will make your customs come alive with these new 5" Toyer Mini Qees. Toy2R is proud to release the mascot of the company in these two new styles that will surely make customizing fun – and even if you don't make customs – they are simply perfect as they are!

Like the previously announced Bear Mini Qees, Toy2R will also be offering these new Toyer Qees in four colors – Classic DIY White, Hong Kong Black, Fiery Red and Hot Pink!

Just $20 each – make a statement with Qee or simply add a splash of color to your art toy collection!

These new sculpted 5" Mini Qees are now available for order now through Toy2R global network of distributors.

Toy2R, where imagination is Qee!

March 2012 - Toy2R presents the new 5 Inch Mini Qee Spike Bear and Melting Bear Collection.

Taking DIY to the next level, these two new editions of the Toy2R infamous Bear Qee will challenge artists and allow for customs like never before. From graffiti styles with the Melting Bear to the Kaiju genre with the Spike Bear – the range will be unlimited.

On top of introducing two new styles, Toy2R will also be offering these new Bear Qees in four colors – Classic DIY White, Hong Kong Black, Fiery Red and Hot Pink!

Just $20 each – make a statement with Qee!

Set April ablaze with these 5" Mini Qees - available now - for wholesale info, order now through Toy2R's global network of distributors.

Toy2R, where imagination is Qee!

March 2012 - Diamond Select Toys has been out of the Marvel statue game for a little while, but at one point they were steadily documenting every corner of the Marvel Universe, and one of the crown jewels in the line was their assortment of Spider-Man 3 busts and statues. Since they had so much fun working on the movie version of Ol' Web-Head last time, they decided to get back into the game for the new movie, The Amazing Spider-Man!

Following Fan Outcry, Lionsgate Agrees to Allow "Hunger is Not a Game" Campaign to Continue

Boston, MA - On Thursday March 22, just one day after The New York Times ran a positive piece on the real-world hunger campaign, Hunger is Not a Game, Lionsgate, the movie studio that produced The Hunger Games sent a letter, which demanded that the campaign end immediately. In response, members, fans, and press alike expressed their outrage at such a demand and called for Lionsgate to reconsider. "Hunger is Not a Game" is working during the month of March to energize Hunger Games fans to work toward making a dent in real-world hunger in conjunction with the release of the movie. The campaign includes signing Oxfam's GROW pledge to fight food injustice, planning community food drives and educating members on systematic causes of hunger throughout the world.

March 2012 - With two full waves of Diamond Select Toys' Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Minimates line out in stores, DST decided to hold a photo contest, to see who could stage the best fight scene. The winner would get a set of Minimates from every line DST made, plus some rare Minimate prizes, and that brought out some talented photographers! After some tough deliberation, DST came up with a winner, plus three runners-up.

The first runner-up was Jason Castick. Jason used a little Photoshop to make it look like Deadpol was braining Dante from Devil May Cry with his own power meter -- an actual in-game move! The action-packed shot easily landed him in the top four.

The second runner-up was Neta-Lee Wolfman, who showed Deadpool standing over a defeated Dormammu, who seems to be sinking into a lava bed... made of popcorn? Great lighting, Neta-Lee, and great use of a delicious snack.