Raving Toy Maniac

November 17, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

--------------
NEW PRE-ORDERS
--------------

VOLTRON 30TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTORS SET
This set includes all five lions with LED eyes, die-cast and plastic construction, weapons and more, along with a special display base including a key that unlocks sound effects. This set is listed at $224.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOY10608&mode=re...

FT-04 SCORIA
This masterful figure changes from 10" robot to Triceratops, and comes with a sword with a 'fiery' translucent blade. He is listed at $199.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=FTS10003&mode=re...

WARBOTRON WB01-01, 02, 03, 04, 05

November 16, 2013 - 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.

- Step2 Recalls Ride-On Wagon Toys Due to Fall Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Toys R Us

- Dream On Me Recalls Cradle Gliders Due to Infant Fall Hazard

- Children's Pajamas Recalled by Babycottons Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

- L.L. Bean Girl's Pajamas Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

November 15, 2013 - McDonald's had trick-or-treat buckets in October, so the boy informed us that we were going. Period. No discussion allowed. He was happy with the Angry Birds Star Wars bucket he got, but quietly let me know later on that I would need to "go online and order the other two" for him. Another visit to McDonald's after Halloween resulted in a cute little book and a bookmark.

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:

November 2013 - Funko has announced three new POP! Movies and POP! Television vinyl figures - all based on your favorite robots.

Look for Robby the Robot (Forbidden Planet), The Iron Giant, and Robot B9 (Lost in Space) to be in stores around December 24th.

November 2013 - Funko has announced a new POP! Heroes vinyl figure - this one is Judge Dredd, and is due in stores around December 10th.

November 2013 - Funko has announced two new POP! Television vinyl figures based on Beavis & Butt-Head.

Expect to see these new POPs in stores around December 24th.

K'NEX Building Sets Available at Toys "R" Us® for All Ages

New Sets Promise Big Building Fun!

Hatfield, PA – November 2013 – K'NEX Brands, the US construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love ®, is pleased to introduce seven new building sets only available at Toys "R" Us. Sure to spark creativity, these K'NEX building sets offer endless fun for builders of all ages.

These exclusive K'NEX building sets include popular brands such as The Beatles™, KISS®, Lincoln Logs®, and Super Mario™. These sets are perfect for any builder and make great gifts for the holiday season!

Beatles Yellow Submarine™ Building Set

Toy Industry to Induct Five Outstanding Individuals into Esteemed Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2013 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that it will induct Jill Barad, former chairman and CEO of Mattel; Horst Brandstatter, president of PLAYMOBIL/Brandstatter; the late Jack Friedman, former chairman, CEO & co-founder of JAKKS Pacific; and the late co-founders of Wham-O, Arthur "Spud" Melin and Richard Knerr, into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

The five individuals were selected for induction by members of the Association in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry and the impact they have made on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. They will join an impressive roster of 62 toy industry luminaries who have been previously inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984. Their induction ceremony will be held on February 15, 2014 in conjunction with the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards celebration.

Huggable 2013 Art Van Furniture Charity Bear Makes Holidays Happier For Children And Charities

Proceeds from purchase of stuffed animals benefit Art Van's Million Dollar Charity Challenge Partners

WARREN, Mich., Nov. 11, 2013 -- The Art Van Furniture 2013 Charity Bear has arrived sporting a brand new look. Classically styled with light brown fur dressed in a red knit sweater with white snowflakes, the snuggly stocking stuffer is sure to bring smiles to children's faces and much needed monetary support from sales to benefit the retailer's 150 Million Dollar Charity Challenge partners. The collectible 2013 Charity Bear is available now through January 1, 2014 at all 35 Art Van Furniture stores in Michigan, Chicagoland, Ohio and Indiana.

Art Van Furniture first introduced the Art Van Charity Bear in 2010 as a festive way to give back to the community. Each stuffed animal retails for $29.95, and all proceeds from sales of stuffed animals benefit an Art Van's Million Dollar Charity Challenge partner of the guests' choosing.

NECA AND 343 INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW LINE OF HALO MERCHANDISE

Hillside, NJ – November 12, 2013 - National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), entertainment conglomerate and global leader in licensed consumer goods, has partnered with 343 Industries for a new worldwide merchandise program for "Halo®", the award-winning franchise that has shaped video game and entertainment history.

"We are thrilled to be part of a franchise with such wide-reaching impact," said Joel Weinshanker, president and COO of NECA. "Bringing the rich universe of Halo to tangible form is an honor, and we'll be working closely with 343 Industries to ensure Halo's loyal fans around the world are pleased with the result."

The new line will be available to consumers beginning in April 2014, and will include a wide assortment of products, including 1:4 scale action figures, mini figures, DOT-approved motorcycle helmets, prop replicas, board games, and HeroClix miniatures games for a variety of platforms.