Raving Toy Maniac

September 2014 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new episode up!

Click here to check it out! This episode features Hello Kitty and Animal Crossing toys, along with the Ghidorah plush toy from Godzilla.

September 7, 2014 - 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.

- Livie & Luca Recalls Children's Shoes Due to Laceration Hazard

- FGX International Recalls Children's Sunglasses Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

- Tray Vous Recalls Snack and Activity Trays for Strollers Due to Strangulation Hazard

- American Woodcrafters Recalls Bunk Beds Due to Fall Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Havertys

September 7, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Sale!
150 Featured Sale Items on Sale! Great figures from Transfomers, Marvel, DC, Video Games, Third Party, And Much More!
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=16673

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS MASTERPIECE MP-24 - STAR SABER
Star Saber was the winner of the "Masterpiece Fan's Choice" contest that took place in 2013. This Masterpiece version of a long time fan favorite is sure to please. Preorders have been opened at just $169.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11960&mode=re...

TRANSFORMERS MASTERPIECE MP-23 - EXHAUST
This cool repaint of the Masterpiece MP-20 Wheeljack is based on the original Japanese Diaclone color scheme. This figure features a new head and wears the Decepticon logo. Preorders are now open at $79.99.

September 7, 2014 - It's been a few months since we did this, so it is also time to check Target's printable coupons and Cartwheel app for new deals!

Their Cartwheel has 25 deals available in the "toys and sports" category, including these deals of interest to action figure collectors:

• 25% off Captain America Marvel Legends
• 25% off Captain America Battle Helmet
• 25% off Captain America Shield
• 25% off Captain America Shield Storem Figure
• 25% off Guardians of the Galaxy Titan Hero Series figures
• 40% off Transformers Tokens

September 2014 - DC has a new contest, the New 52 Futures End Lenticular Cover Sweepstakes. Enter by September 30th to win a set of comic books with lenticular covers.

August 27, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Sale! - 150 Featured items from Transformers, Marvel, DC, Video Games, Third Party, Japanese Figures & More
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=16673

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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VOLTRON 30TH ANNIVERSARY JUMBO FIGURE
This 24" tall figure can shoot off its lion head hands and has wheels on its feet. it is listed at $234.99, $15 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOY10621&mode=re...

MIRACLE ACTION FIGURE EX - MAFEX NO. 010 STORMTROOPER
This Stormtrooper figure stands about 6.3" tall and comes loaded with articulation as well as an articulated stand and blaster. It is priced at $54.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MED10930&mode=re...

BATMAN ARKHAM ORIGINS PLAY ARTS KAI - ROBIN, JOKER

August 2014 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new episode up!

Click here to check it out! This episode features fast food toys, including the recent Mario Kart toys from McDonald's.

They have also posted a bonus video to celebrate a new influx of subscribers - a short clip of the Daft Punk figures from Tamashii Nations.

August 22, 2014 - The boy made two trips to Wendy's this past month, but has zero interest in the two Kung Fu Panda toys he got with his food. He has already let me know to hand them out at Halloween.

I bought a set of Guardians of the Galaxy drawstring backpacks from eBay because I wanted all six but I don't like Subway enough to eat there six times in a month. The bags are larger and nicer than I thought they would be. The fronts have pictures from the movie, while the backs have line drawings of the characters.

Let's see what's out there in restaurants this month! (More after the jump)

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

'Game On' At Denny's With Exclusive Atari® Contest

Finalists win a trip to Las Vegas to compete in a head-to-head arcade battle

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Aug. 19, 2014 -- Denny's and Atari®, one of the world's most recognized publishers and producers of interactive entertainment, are upping the competition around the new remixed arcade games "Hashteroids" and "Centipup." Fans across the country are invited to fight for gaming supremacy and enter in the "Arcade Battle Royale" for the chance to win a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the ultimate gameplay contest.

Hess Toy Truck to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2014 -- Hess Corporation today announced plans to celebrate the much anticipated 50th Anniversary of the Hess Toy Truck during the upcoming holiday season.

In keeping with its annual tradition, Hess will unveil the 50th Anniversary Hess Holiday Toy Truck this fall, with online pre-ordering and free shipping available at www.hesstoytruck.com starting October 2. It will also be available for purchase starting November 14 at participating Hess, Hess Express and WilcoHess retail stores on the East Coast and online with free shipping at www.hesstoytruck.com. Starting in 2015, all Hess Toy Trucks will be sold exclusively online.

To mark the golden anniversary of the Hess Toy Truck collection, Hess will also offer separately, a limited-production, individually numbered Collector's Edition Toy Truck – a first in the collection's history. It will go on sale October 2 exclusively online with free shipping at www.hesstoytruck.com. Details on the Collector's Edition Hess Toy Truck and 2014 Holiday Toy Truck will be revealed later this year.