Archive: April 5, 2000 - April 19, 2000
| LEGO Company To Acquire Zowie Intertainment |
 LEGO has announced that it has purchased Zowie Intertainment, makers of the popular Redbeard's Pirate Quest interactive playset, in a multi-million dollar deal.
[Updated 4/05/2000]
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| Toys R Us To Expand Online Presence With New Websites |
 Toys R Us will be launching at least 2 new websites based around it's retail operations Babies R Us and RZone (the electronics section established in TRU stores last year) as well as considering other online retail possibilities.
[Updated 4/05/2000]
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| Classic JSA Characters Coming From DC Direct |
 Classic characters from DC Comics seminal superteam Justice Society of America will become action figures by years end courtesy of DC Direct.
[Updated 4/05/2000]
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| New Animated X-Men and Jackie Chan Images |
 Kids WB announced their fall lineup yesterday, and as we reported the new X-Men animated series is coming your way, along with an animated Jackie Chan series. Animated X-Men toys are coming...but what about Jackie?
[Updated 4/05/2000]
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| Sneak Peek: Palisades Marketing Fathom Figure! |
 The kind folks at Palisades Marketing have given RTM a look at artist Michael Turner's turnaround control art for the Aspen figure from Palisades upcoming Fathom action figure series.
[Updated 4/05/2000]
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| Toys R Us Goes Out To The Ball Game |
 Toys R Us and Major League Baseball have come together for the MLB Diamond Skills Competition. The toy retailer has signed on as a multi-year sponsor of the event providing the opportunity for millions of kids to participate in America's favorite pastime.
[Updated 4/06/2000]
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| Kubrick Mania Is Running Wild Thanks To Previews |
 You gotta love Kubrick. No, not the acclaimed film director - but the sets of mini action figures from Medicom Toy of Japan that'll fit right in with your favorite building block sets. These figures, based on a wide range of Japanese and American properties, look to be hot!
[Updated 4/06/2000]
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| Cyber Pet Craze Continues: Poo-Chi Sells Out |
 Cyber Pets. By year's end they'll be everywhere. The latest cyber pet to be released in Japan is Poo-Chi from Tiger and Sega Toys. Just like last years Aibo from Sony, Poo-Chi completely sold out in record time.
[Updated 4/06/2000]
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| Ewwwww....Gross! Wrestlers! |
 Are you digusted by wrestling? If not, then just wait until you get ahold of the latest WCW wrestlers coming from Toy Biz - they'll gross you out! WCW Gross Out Wrestlers will be hitting stores everywhere this summer. Are you ready?
[Updated 4/06/2000]
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| Hasbro Wants Your Input On GI Joe |
 HasbroCollectors.com is conducting a survey to help decide the look and feel of the new Civil War GI Joe figures. What? You don't get the HasbroCollectors newsletter? Well, first of all you should sign up! But this time, we'll help you out. You can complete the survey right here and then register to win some of the first production figures. So get out there and vote!
[Updated 4/07/2000]
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| HasbroCollectors.com Lets Fans Decide Joes Look |
 HasbroCollectors.com is currently conducting a poll via an email sent to registered users of it's website. You can help determine the look of an upcoming pair of Civil War-based G.I. Joe figures due out this fall.
[Updated 4/07/2000]
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| Exclusive Look at Sonic Adventure Series 2 Test Shots |
 ReSaurus has granted RTM a special sneak peek at the test shots for their upcoming Sonic Adventure Series 2. These 4 terrific figures are going to be speeding to a toy store near you this summer!
[Updated 4/07/2000]
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| New Avengers Toys Are Coming Soon! |
 There's no stopping the Avengers! The premiere super-team of the Marvel Universe won't be defeated by Baron Zemo, the Zodiac or low Nielsen ratings and Toy Biz has got some great new Avengers toys coming your way.
[Updated 4/07/2000]
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| Lugosi Not Joining Sideshow Toy Monster Lineup |
 Fans looking for a Bela Lugosi Dracula figure from Sideshow Toy are bound to be disappointed with a recent announcement from the company.
[Updated 4/10/2000]
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| Wildfire Toys Hopes To Burn Up The Action Figure Scene |
 Wildfire Toys is a new entry into the ever expanding action figure market. The company's first line will be "Immortal Warriors" featuring figures of soliders through the ages from the times of the Romans to the present, with a WWII emphasis.
[Updated 4/10/2000]
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| Will Th!nkBlot Be The Next Big Breakout Game? |
 Mattel recently launched the latest game from Pictionary creator Rob Angel, called Th!nkBlot. A variation of the classic Rorschach test the game allows players to use their creative and persuasive skills. Th!nkblot is avaialble now in Seattle, and will roll out nationwide in the fall.
[Updated 4/10/2000]
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| Now You Can Have A 5th Dimensional Imp of Your Very Own |
 Mr. Mxyzptlk will be invading the 3rd dimension this November when DC Direct releases a plush version of the classic Superman character. The company will also release another plush member of the Endless cast, Delirium.
[Updated 4/10/2000]
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| Get Ready For A Real Scan Double Slam! |
 Real Scan technology, as shown at JAKKS Pacifics Toy Fair showroom, has been the talk of the industry. The incredibly realistic likenesses find their way into collectors hands with the WWF Double Slam 4 assortment due to ship to stores this May.
[Updated 4/11/2000]
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| Playmates Expecting Strong Sales Thanks To Smart Toys |
 Playmates is looking at a strong sales years thanks to a bumper crop of interactive playthings from the toy company, including it's new line of I-Pals that plug into your PC, and the expansion of the Amazing line of dolls including the new Amazing Babies.
[Updated 4/11/2000]
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| Equity To Produce Promotional Program Based on Entertainment Property |
 Equity Marketing, best known to consumers for thier line of Scooby-Doo products, and several successful Kids Meal toy assortments for Burger King, has been selected to produce a promotions program based on a renowned etertainment property.
[Updated 4/11/2000]
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| Beetle Bailey Turns 50: Year Long Celebration Ensues |
 Beetle Bailey, the classic comic strip (and character) turns 50 this year and Hearst Entertainment has put together a huge cross promotional celebration involving a variety of licensees and a myriad of cool merchandise.
[Updated 4/11/2000]
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| ToyFare 34 Optimistic on Superhero Toys |
 The new issue of ToyFare hits comic book stores today (and will be on newstands everywhere next week) with a bright outlook on the future of superhero toys.
[Updated 4/12/2000]
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| Hasbro Files Patent Infringement Suit Against Mattel |
 Hasbro has filed a patent infringement suit against Mattel. Hasbro is claiming that Mattel's Super Rebound product, and Rebound remote control vehicle infringed upon Hasbro patents. Read on for the whole story.
[Updated 4/12/2000]
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| Toysrus.com Aggressively Prepares For 2000 Holiday Season |
The 2000 holiday season may be eight months away for most of the world, but in the realm of e-commerce it is foremost on the minds of many executives, like the folks at Toysrus.com. 1999 was a rocky one for the company, but steps are being taken to be better prepared for 2000.
[Updated 4/12/2000]
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| Silver Screen Horrors Haunt Toys R Us |
 Sideshow Toy's Universal Monsters have returned to Toys R Us stores in an exclusive Silver Screen Edition. These carded versions of the second series of Universal Monster action figures are painted in black and white, reflecting the original movies upon which they're based.
[Updated 4/12/2000]
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| Break The Walls Down: Jericho Talks Trash For JAKKS |
 World Wrestling Federation Superstar Chris Jericho has filmed a commercial for the new WWF Trash Talkin' Stage from JAKKS Pacific. The offical WWF website has a behind the scenes look at the making of the commercial with photos and video.
[Updated 4/12/2000]
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 First is was the toys, then theme-parks...now Danish toymaker Lego is going Hollywood. The company plans to begin producing children's films and television shows featuring Lego building blocks and other toys.
[Updated 4/13/2000]
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| Toys R Us Raises 6 Million Dollars For Charity |
Toys R Us Children's Fund shattered records by raising over six million dollars at the company's annual "An Evening for Special Children", hosted by Rosie O'Donnell, this past Tuesday.
[Updated 4/13/2000]
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| Wassup! Now You Can Lunch With The Superfriends |
 Hallmark has produced a very cool, retro-styled metal lunchbox featuring those animated champions of truth and justice, The Superfriends.
[Updated 4/13/2000]
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| Classic Batman and Robin Figures Coming This Year |
 Batman and Robin have been around for 60 years. Part of what makes the characters endure is that they are able to change to reflect the times. Later this year Hasbro will be releasing a set of Batman and Robin 9" figures in their 1940s incarnations, reflecting the optimism of that simpler time.
[Updated 4/13/2000]
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| Hallmark Announces 2000 Keepsake Ornaments |
 Hallmark has posted their 2000 Dream Book of Keepsake Ornaments, including several items that would have special appeal to collectors of comic book, television and film merchandise.
[Updated 4/13/2000]
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| First Look: Palisades' Rising Stars Control Art |
 Raving Toy Maniac is pleased to present a sneak peek at what is sure to be one of the hottest toylines in comic book stores this fall, Rising Stars. This line is based on the red-hot Top Cow comic created and written by J. Michael Straczynski.
[Updated 4/13/2000]
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| Another Celebrity Head Rolls in Asia |
 Awhile back RTM showed you unlicensed 1/12th scale heads of Tom Hanks and Steven Segal that were floating about Asia. Now, a replica of Keanu Reeves noggin has popped up.
[Updated 4/14/2000]
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| New JLA Wonder Woman Figure Close Up! |
 The Amazon Princess is returning to Man's World again, this time as part of the next KB Toys exclusive JLA action figure assortment. RTM has an exclusive look at this much anticipated figure.
[Updated 4/14/2000]
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| The Original Dark Knight To Arrive in Bookstores This Fall |
 A Masterpiece Edition of Les Daniel's excellent Batman: The Complete History is expected to arrive in stores this fall with a special included premium: a 9 inch action figure of the 1939 version of Batman.
[Updated 4/14/2000]
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| New Dark Alliance Images From Eternal Toys |
 Eternal Toys has released new images of their upcoming Dark Alliance action figure assortment, featuring characters from Chaos! Comics. This series is being produced in conjunction with Diamond Select Toys and should be heating up comic stores this summer!
[Updated 4/14/2000]
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| Mattel Praised For New Sign Language Barbie |
 Sign Language Barbie went on sale last week, exclusively at Toys R Us, (and via toysrus.com). Barbie's maker, Mattel Inc. was praised by American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) for the doll.
[Updated 4/17/2000]
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| Tiger's Poo-Chi Launches In U.S. This Week |
 After a blockbuster debut in Japan recently, Poo-Chi - from Hasbro division Tiger Electronics - is ready to come to the United States. The interactive cyberpet is expected to launch this week with a big debut at FAO Schwartz in New York City.
[Updated 4/17/2000]
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| Rocket USA's Futurama in Your Future |
 Rocket USA is getting closer to releasing their previously announced Futurama products. The company is making a series of retro-styled tin products, including wind-up figures, die-cast figurines and tin signs.
[Updated 4/17/2000]
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| Trendmasters Wages a Battle For Earth! |
 Battlefield Earth is coming next month to theaters and toy stores. John Travolta's adaption of L. Ron Hubbard's massive sci-fi novel launches the summer blockbuster movie season and Trendmasters has a full toyline ready to go!
[Updated 4/17/2000]
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| Vampirella Gets Ready To Go For The Jugular |
 Vampirella is finally becoming an action figure, courtesty of Clayburn Moore and Moore Action Collectibles. Only a sculptor of Moore's calibre could capture the appeal of this long running comic book character.
[Updated 4/17/2000]
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| Vampires Abound: Living Toyz in the Shadow of the Vampire |
 Nicolas Cage's production company, Saturn Films, is releasing it's first film this summer, Shadow of the Vampire. This fictionalized tale of the making of the horror classic Nosferatu stars John Malkovich and Willem Defoe and will be getting a playset from Living Toyz.
[Updated 4/17/2000]
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| The Flintstones Pull Into Burger King This May |
 The Flintstones, that modern Stone Age family, is returning to theaters at the end of April and Burger King is launching a tie-in Big Kids Meal and Kids Meal promotion on May 1st.
[Updated 4/18/2000]
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| Lego Maniacs Unite At Legoland California This Summer |
 Legoland California is hosting the first ever Lego Maniac Kidvention this July. The weeklong event will bring Lego Maniacs together from all over the country to participate in a variety of hands on Lego events and activities.
[Updated 4/18/2000]
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| Japanese Animation And Toys Are Making Their Mark |
 While it may seem like it to some, popular Japanese animation in the U.S. is nothing new. Shows such as Speed Racer, Kimba the White Lion and StarBlazers have enjoyed long, healthy runs in North America. Today shows like Pokemon, Digimon, Gundam Wing and Dragon Ball Z carry on the tradition.
[Updated 4/18/2000]
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| DC Direct Returns To The Golden Age |
 DC Direct has released images of their latest round of action figures. This Golden Age-inspired set includes Wonder Woman, the orignal Green Lantern, the original Flash and the original Starman - all members of the Justice Society of America.
[Updated 4/18/2000]
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| Bob The Builder Coming To U.S. Television and Toy Stores |
 Another British pre-school program is gearing up to launch in the U.S., and should steamroll right over the Telletubbies. Bob the Builder will be premiering on Nick Jr. in early 2001, and Hasbro has signed on for a multi-year licensing deal including figures, vehicles, games and more.
[Updated 4/19/2000]
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| New Final Fantasy Figures Coming This Summer From Palisades |
 Palisades Marketing has another wave of cool action figures based on the mega-popular Sony Playstation game series, Final Fantasy.
[Updated 4/19/2000]
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| More Great Products Annouced From DC Direct |
 Following hot on the heels of the just-announced JSA action figure assortment, comes even more terrific items from the wish-fulfilling folks at DC Direct. We've got pictures of the new soft toys, posters and props coming your way later this year.
[Updated 4/19/2000]
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| JAKKS Pacific Names New Senior VP of Product Development |
 JAKKS Pacific has appointed Len Mazzocco as a Senior Vice President of Product Development for their infant, pre-school, plush, and games division.
[Updated 4/19/2000]
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| Hasbro Interactive Reaches Settlement In Infringement Case |
 Hasbro Interactive has reached a settlement with two defendants in an intellectual property suit involving several of its games.
[Updated 4/19/2000]
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| Mattel Reports First Quarter Losses After Restructuring |
 Mattel has reported a first-quarter loss of $171.2 million after restructuring charges and losses associated with its ailing educational software unit, The Learning Co.
[Updated 4/19/2000]
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| Hasbro 9" Martian Manhunter and Superman Blue Coming in Previews |
 Once exclusive to KB Toys, but now coming to your local comic book store (courtesy of Diamond's Previews) are those stalwart heroes of the DC Comics Universe: Martian Manhunter and Superman Blue.
[Updated 4/19/2000]
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