Raving Toy Maniac

Disney Consumer Products Gears Up for a Powerful Year from Pixar

Innovative New Toy Lines from TOMY Supporting Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur Unveiled Ahead of Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair

GLENDALE, Calif. -- January 13, 2015 -- Disney Consumer Products today unveiled exclusive details about the new global toy lines celebrating Disney-Pixar's Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, debuting theatrically in the U.S. on June 19, 2015, and Nov. 25, 2015, respectively. Both movies will have robust toy lines from best-in-class licensee TOMY, whose innovative approach, strength in international markets and ability to reflect Pixar's unique storytelling in its product lines made them the ideal choice for Pixar Animation Studios' most exciting year yet.

DARK HORSE REVEALS AN ALL-NEW GAME OF THRONES® DAENERYS AND DROGON LIMITED-EDITION STATUE AT TOY FAIR 2015!

Milwaukie, OR - January 2015 - Dark Horse is kicking things off for Toy Fair with the reveal of the latest release in its growing line of figures based on characters from the smash-hit HBO series Game of Thrones®!

Daenerys Targaryen, the last noble of her house, is on a path to reclaim her destiny in Game of Thrones. She has emerged as one of the series' best-loved characters. Dark Horse Deluxe has focused on an iconic moment of Daenerys and her dragon, Drogon, to create an elaborately detailed pre-painted limited-edition statue measuring 14" across and 18" from front to back.

January 2015 - Funko has announced a new POP! Rides vinyl figure based on Breaking Bad. Jesse Pinkman comes with "The Crystal Ship" RV featured in the television series.

Expect to see this adorable set drive into stores in February.

Emilio Garcia's BRAINWEAR - New Limited Edition Apparel from Outsmart Originals

January 2015 - Outsmart Originals is honored to present new apparel based on the artwork of Emilio Garcia from Barcelona, Spain.

Three new releases featuring Emilio's creations, The BRAINADE and SKULLBRAIN will be available. The new art figure, BRAINADE, is selling out almost as fast as the artist can create them and we are thrilled to offer the first shirt featuring a new Green BRAINADE figure. The second shirt features an image used at the debut of the massive 28" fiberglass SKULLBRAIN Figure from the 2013 Swab Barcelona Art Fair. And the third shirt is the follow up to our sold out grey/pink edition of the SKULLBRAIN tee. This release features the original artwork on an army colored t-shirt. Outsmart Originals is working with The Secret Lapo Laboratories to release these incredible images, digitally printed in full color on limited edition t-shirts, all produced with the permission of the artist.

Hallmark Signs New Licensing Agreement with Mattel

Barbie® ornaments and plush products will be available from Hallmark in 2015.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - January 07, 2015 - Hallmark and Mattel today announced a new licensing agreement that will bring the Barbie® brand license back to Hallmark in 2015.

With this contract, Hallmark secures the rights to create holiday ornaments and plush products in the U.S. and Canada. The products will have broad distribution through multiple retail channels, with exclusive items in the nationwide network of Hallmark Gold Crown® stores.

"It's beyond exciting to have Barbie back at Hallmark," said Cindy Mahoney, Vice President – Hallmark Licensing. "The iconic Barbie brand is so beloved by families and collectors alike, particularly Holiday Barbie. And get ready, because we have some creative, quality products planned to celebrate Barbie's return."

The first new Barbie™ products from Hallmark will appear in Hallmark Gold Crown stores for Keepsake Ornament Premiere in July 2015.

McDonald's Of Southern California Invites Families To Celebrate The Joy Of Reading With The Second Installment Of Happy Meal Books

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2015 -- From Jan. 9-22, McDonald's will offer books as the toy in Happy Meals, providing thousands of books to families across the Southland. Through a new collaboration with HarperCollins Children's Books, families will be able to enjoy a collection of four classic, Happy Meal-sized books: "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," "Big Nate: In a Class by Himself" (abridged), "Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses" and "Flat Stanley Goes Camping." Each book, which also has a related activity element, brings imagination and play to life in a way that only McDonald's can. Books are available in English and also Spanish in select locations.

January 2015 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new episode online!

Episode 48 features Power Rangers and has a quick look at I Am Elemental action figures.

January 14, 2015 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS LEGACY MEGAZORD 20TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE
For all of you who missed out the first time around we now have a reissue of the MMPR legacy Megazord. This reworked version features die cast parts, metallic paint, metallic foil stickers and all the functionality and morphing ability found in the original. Forms the five original Zords as well as other battle modes, and is listed at $69.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=BANA10521&mode=r...

FUNCTION X-05 M.A.D.L.A.W.

January 12, 2015 - Toys'R'Us has sent out an email with a link to an in-store coupon you can print to get 20% off clearance items. The coupon is valid through January 17.

Print the coupon to use in-store, or bookmark this link to check for future coupons.

January 9, 2015 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS MP-21G MASTERPIECE G2 BUMBLEBEE
Bumblebee has received a new chromed yellow paintjob in his G2 incarnation. It appears to include a jetpack and alternate faces, and we have it listed at $64.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK12027&mode=re...

TRANSFORMERS MP-10 MASTERPIECE CONVOY/OPTIMUS PRIME WITH TRAILER REISSUE
This reissue includes Roller, Spike, the Matrix, Optimus' trailer and more, and is listed at $189.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK12029&mode=re...

FANS TOYS FT-09 TESLA, FT-11 SPOTTER