Jason	Freddy	Leatherface

These figures are showing up in stores right now. Look for more to show up in the following weeks.

On a related note, McFarlane Toys representatives have confirmed that negotiations to do a Pinhead figure from the movie Hellraiser have indeed fallen through. For the time being, a Pinhead figure will remain a dream for action figure horror fans. However, there are preliminary discussions under way for a continuation of this line. There is sure to be more news at next year's Toy Fair.

We'll keep you posted.

Eve	Patrick

A totally new Star Wars movie with new characters, vehicles, weapons and worlds will premier in movie theatres next Summer. It is Episode I of the Star Wars saga and the first movie in a new Star Wars trilogy. The original Star Wars trilogy told the story of Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy who became a hero in the struggle to overthrow the evil Empire and had to confront one of the Empire's staunchest henchmen, his own father, Darth Vader. The new Star Wars trilogy will go back in time a full generation to reveal the origins of Darth Vader. In Episode I, Darth Vader is a hopeful, nine-year-old boy named Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi is a brash, young Jedi Knight. This first chapter in the Star Wars saga follows Anakin's journey as he pursues his dreams and confronts his deepest fears in the midst of a galaxy in turmoil.

MACE WINDU - EXCLUSIVE MAIL-IN FIGURE OFFER

In the days before Palpatine's Empire began its reign of terror, the Galactic Republic governed the affairs of the galaxy from the capital of Coruscant. In addition, the city-planet was also the seat of the legendary 12-member Jedi Council. Wisdom and experience were equally as important as abilities in the Force among the Jedi Council members. For this reason, Mace Windu, a senior member of the Jedi Council, was especially honored and revered throughout the Galactic Republic.

Kids and collectors can receive this exclusive Episode I figure of Mace Windu through the mail by sending in six proofs of purchase (original UPC's) from any Kenner Star Wars basic figures for each sneak preview figure, along with the original cash register receipts dated between 10/1/98 and 12/31/98. In addition, a check or money order must be included made payable to Hasbro Promotion and Direct for $2.99 per figure. This should be mailed to:

Star Wars Prequel "SNEAK PREVIEW" Promotion
P.O. Box 8855
Young America, MN 55551-8855.

You can also visit teh Hasbro web site for further information at www.starwars.hasbro.com.

STAP VEHICLE WITH BATTLE DROID FIGURE

(Approx Retail Price: $14.99)
The STAP is a small, one-pilot, repulsorlift vehicle outfitted with two laser cannons. It is extremely maneuverable, making it perfect for patrol, reconnaissance and battle. STAPs are operated by battle droids who function as the infantry of the Trade Federation army.

The STAP vehicle includes a transparent pedestal for display and allows kids to recreate the hovering action as is depicted in the film. The pedestal also has push buttons to remotely activate the dual projectile launchers, foot pedals and handle bars. The STAP vehicle with exclusive battle droid figure will be available at all retailers where toys are sold.

You can check out more information on Hasbro's Star Wars product by visiting their Web site at www.starwars.hasbro.com. Official Lucasfilm information on the Star Wars movies can be found on the web at www.starwars.com. And for some really cool animations and movies of the STAP vehicle, please visit Phillip Wise's Page

And if this isn't enough, Hasbro has given us a look at the Classic Star Wars figures to be released later this year. These are brand new versions of some of the most famous characters from the Star Wars Universe. Enjoy them all.

For a better look at all these items, please select from the links below:

The official Real Heroes "Top Jake" firefighter and "Top Cop" police officer are accurate replicas of those brave heroes who put their lives on the line every day.

John Dunkel, vice president of Ertl Collectibles, described "Top Jake" and "Top Cop" as unique collectibles targeted at the growing market of adult males. He said, "Real Heroes is a new type of action figure aimed at fire and police buffs, as well as the serious collector of toy action figures. Ertl is working with experts in the action figure area to create and develop an entire series of figures that depict today's real heroes ... the firefighters and.police of America."

This new series of 11 1/2" action figures is based upon a vintage style 1960s action figure body with 21 moving parts so every figure can be realistically posed. Many of today's firefighters and police probably grew up playing with similar style action figures.

Each figure's uniform, tools, weapons, and gear are carefully researched and copied from actual police and firefighter clothing and equipment. Every piece is faithfully reproduced to exacting 1/6 scale standards.

Real Heroes, Inc. is a new company founded by Don Levine, the creator of the GI Joe toy line in 1964 and his associate, Kirk Bozigian, who marketed GI Joe from 1982 to 1994.

For Don Levine, a toy inventor for over 25 years, Real Heroes marks a return to the action figure market he created. He said, "I saw the opportunity to create a brand new type of action figure for adults who probably played with our first creation in the 1960s and 1970s."

After attending a number of toy conventions over the past several years, Levine and Bozigian noticed a new segment of collectors starting to emerge. They are called customizers. These are serious collectors who start with a basic 11 1/2" military figure and then create super realistic and highly detailed uniforms, weapons, and other accessories. All of this is produced by hand, one piece at a time. These figures and their uniforms can sell for several hundreds of dollars and the craftsmen who produce them are starting to gain very loyal followers.

Bozigian said, "We decided to come up with our own series of highly detailed figures, outfits, weapons, and gear all in l/6 scale. We wanted to capture all the one-of-a-kind detail of a customized figure, but at prices everyone could afford."

He said they brought the idea to Ertl Collectibles because of their reputation for producing high quality collector product. "We knew they were the right kind of company to produce the kind of super-detailed, high-grade figures Real Heroes wants to create now and in the future."

The Real Heroes "Top Jake" is a thoroughly accurate firefighter figure, outfitted in traditional black turnout gear and bunker pants with actual reflective striping.

The firefighter's badge of honor, his helmet, is a miniature of the traditional leather helmet. This 1/6 scale version includes eyeshields and detail so precise even the ivy embossing can be seen along the brim. Tools include a fireaxe and a Halligan tool, bent to simulate use. Also included is a 3/4" nozzle that can be coupled to a cloth-jacketed hose. A realistic airpack, frame, harness and face mask completes the figure.

Real Heroes "Top Jake" and "Top Cop" will only be sold via direct mail for $85.00 from Ertl Collectibles of Dyersville, Iowa this fall. The 1998 series of figures will only be available from October 1998 through June of 1999. After that, they will be retired and a new series of figures will replace them.

Originally released in 1966, Captain Action quickly became one of the most popular action figures of that era. At the time of his debut, nine sets of costumes and masks were made so Captain Action could adopt the personas of popular heroes from comics.

Captain Action's true identity is that of Clive Arno, Archaeologist and Scientist. On a dig in Roman ruins, Arno discovered coins depicting gods from ancient cultures. The coins endow him with super human powers, preparing him to thwart the sinister efforts of Dr. Evil. Dr. Evil started out as Captain Action's father-in-law, Dr. Stefan Tracy. An earthquake strikes Tracy's lab, causing a reaction that transforms him into an inhuman mutant. He dons a mask with the likeness of the former Tracy's face and sets about to destroy the world.

Today, original Captain Action and Dr. Evil figures are some of the most sought after, and expensive, collectible action figures on the market.

Playing Mantis has introduced these classic 12-inch figures in all their glory. First to hit the market are Captain Action and Dr. Evil (available now). The Green Hornet and Kato, which is a KB Toys exclusive, are due out in October and November respectively. The Lone Ranger and Tonto will also be released in November; and the first part of 1999 will be Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless. Additional hero and villain characters will be released every 2 months throughout 1999 and beyond.

Playing Mantis has taken every effort to make the comeback of Captain Action better than any action figure collectible on the market. The colorful packaging will feature illustrations by legendary comic book artist, Carmine Infantino. Each character will come complete with costume, mask and accessories. In addition to a history of that particular hero or villain printed on the box, each package has been designed to display the figure without taking it out of the box. However, if the collector chooses to take the character out of the box, they can do so without causing any damage to the packaging.

With the exception of The Green Hornet and Kato, the Captain Action product line will be sold at toy stores and hobby shops nationwide. Each action figure will be packaged and sold separately.

Visit the Playing Mantis web site at http://www.playingmantis.com. Look for additional information on future Captain Action figures coming soon!

WITCHBLADE ACTION FIGURES

NEW CASE ASSORTMENT - "We have received numerous requests to have the Witchblade assortment repackaged to include more of the Witchblade and Medieval Witchblade figures and less of Ian Nottingham and Kenneth Irons, since the women sell very quickly," comments Suzanne Griffith, Moore Action Collectibles' Director of Operations. Starting immediately, M.A.C. has changed the pack of the Witchblade assortment to include the following:

Sara (Witchblade) 5 pieces
Medieval Witchblade 5 pieces
Ian Nottingham 1 piece
Kenneth Irons 1 piece
Total: 12 pieces

VOICE CHIP TECHNOLOGY - Moore Action Collectibles announces that the upcoming Beavis and Butt-head Action Figures will include "talking bases". Not only do they do their famous laugh, but Beavis says, "THIS RULES," and two other popular lines. Butt-head says, "HEY BABY. HUH HUH.","COME TO BUTTHEAD. HUH HUH," and "WHOA, COOL." "Cornholio says, "I NEED...' well, Id prefer not to repeat what Cornholio needs, however, I'm sure the fans can imagine," remarks Michele Bryant, Moore Action Collectibles' Director of Marketing/Licensing.

HEAVY METAL F.A.K.K.2

CHARACTERS ANNOUNCED- Moore Action Collectibles' President and CEO Clayburn Moore announced that the FAKK2 action figure line will consist of 2 versions of Julie as FAKK2, Lord Tyler and Carrie. This line is scheduled to be released with the animated movie.

MOORE ACTION COLLECTIBLES 12" FIGURES

LADY DEATH 12"-- Based upon the 6-inch sculptures by Clayburn Moore, Moore Action Collectibles is thrilled to announce the first in a series of 12-inch action figure dolls! Coming in November is Lady Death from Brian Pulido's Chaos! Comics!, based on drawings by Steven Hughes. You thought she was beautiful as a 6-inch action figure, but imagine owning her in 12 glorious inches! The 12" Lady Death figure comes in a special collector's packaging and retails for $24.95. More information will follow on the rest of the series.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

CHARACTERS TO BE ANNOUNCED- Regarding the characters, "They are being designed now and sometime in the next few weeks, we will be able to release which characters will be included in the line," comments Michele Bryant Moore Action Collectibles' Director of Marketing/Licensing. M.A.C. is scheduled to release a line of four action figures based on the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," early in 1999.

ACTION FIGURE DISPLAY BASE

HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY MOORE ACTION COLLECTIBLES--- Moore Creations has developed an Action Figure Display Base in honor of M.A.C.'s first year of history in the making. Standing 10" tall fully painted and assembled, it will hold 8 to 12 of your favorite M.A.C. figures.

"We have received numerous calls, letters, and e-mails from fans requesting a display base for figures. It is very exciting to once again deliver what our fans want," comments Michele Bryant Moore Action Collectibles' Director of Marketing/Licensing. The Action Figure Display Base will be released in October of this year at a retail price of $85.00.

That's it! We'll continue to bring you all the M.A.C. news as it is released. Be sure to check out the Moore Action Collectibles web site at http://www.mooreaction.com

Hasbro, the second-largest U.S. toymaker behind Mattel , announced Monday that it will buy No. 3 Galoob for $12 a share in cash. The South San Francisco, Calif.-based Galoob is also known for its Spice Girls dolls and Micro Machines toys.

``I think it is absolutely perfect for Hasbro. I think it is great because it really cements them in the Star Wars arena before the release of the movie next year,'' said Chris Byrne, editor of Playthings MarketWatch, a New York-based trade publication.

The deal is the latest example of the consolidation trend in the toy industry. In what has become a slow-growth business, toy companies are seeking growth through acquisitions.

Already this year, Hasbro bought hand-held electronics maker Tiger Electronics Inc. in February and MicroProse Inc. , an entertainment software company, in August. In 1996, it purchased OddzOn, maker of the Koosh ball, and Cap Toys.

Hasbro spokesman Wayne Charness said there may be some job cuts as the companies consolidate manufacturing, marketing, advertising and administrative support.

Separately Monday, Hasbro said that its quarterly earnings would be below Wall Street analysts' expectations. That announcement was expected since last week when Toys R Us, the nation's biggest toy retailer, said it was closing stores and reducing inventory.

Hasbro said sales to Toys R Us could be down as much as $200 million worldwide.

Hasbro stock fell $1 at $30 on the American Stock Exchange, while Galoob shares rose $3.43 3/4 to $11.43 3/4 on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Hasbro-Galoob deal would bring under one roof most of the rights for toys based on the three original ``Star Wars'' movies and the upcoming prequels, which will focus on the early life of Darth Vader. The first of the new movies is due to come out next summer.

Hasbro earlier this year won the rights to make Star Wars action figures, vehicles and electronic hand-held games for the prequels made by Lucasfilm Ltd., while Galoob owns rights to small-scale figures, vehicles and accessories.

About a third of Galoob's sales come from Star Wars products. The 216-employee company is led by chief executive Mark D. Goldman. Neither company said where Goldman would fit into the merged company.

Rumors that Galoob would be snatched up have circulated on and off for years. The manufacturer, which lags well behind giants Hasbro and Mattel, recently got significantly cheaper, with its stock price falling more than 40 percent in the past year.

Hasbro expects to complete the deal in the fourth quarter.

The premise of the film is basically that Sandler gets a child to impress his family-oriented love interest Joey Lauren Adams (Chasing Amy). Chaos, of course, ensues. The child carries an action figure named "Scuba Steve" throughout most of the film. And in the end, Sandler even dresses up as Scuba Steve.

The figures for the film were designed and created by the inimitable Art Asylum. We spoke with the head of the Art Asylum, Digger, about working on the project.

"It was a blast. I've done some film work in the past and I'm happy to get back into it" said Digger.

"It's kind of an Adam Strange kind of look to the figure. We also designed the costume that Adam Sandler wears in the film. It should be very cool."

No plans have been made to produce a real Scuba Steve. Sorry Sandler fans. I guess you'll have to wait for a good base figure for your Happy Gillmore and Opera Man action figures.

Head on over to RTM's Independent Toy Newswire for all the pics and details!

The figures will include Warcraft's Grunt (Orc) and Footman (Human) and StarCraft's Protoss Zealot, Terran Marine and Zerg Hydralisk. These collector-quality figures will stand about 6 � inches tall and include multiple articulations. The figures should retail at stores nationwide for between $10 - $12.

Although there are no definite plans for other figures, if these first assortments meet with a good response from fans, there is a good possibility we could see more figures. And with the multiple characters involved in these two popular video games, the source material is ripe for the picking!

To see the complete lines, choose from the icons below:

StarCraft	Warcraft

Action Products International, Inc. has introduced Space Voyagers Action Figures and Miniatures, its newest lines of authentic space replicas.

The Space Voyagers Action Figure line consists of fully-articulated astronaut figures creatively packaged with an authentic half-million-year-old space rock and a bonus collector card. The line depicts astronauts from various NASA eras.

The Space Voyagers Miniatures line is comprised of collectible astronauts and vehicles packaged for easy store display. Both highly-detailed lines were designed from actual NASA engineer drawings and are authentic down to the valves and dials on their suits.

Pablo Savetman, VP of Sales and Marketing, commented, "Based on the considerable success of our current line of authentic space figurine collectibles, we expect the Space Voyagers line to really 'blast off'. In addition, these new lines were designed with the specialty retailer in mind and are being introduced at a time when space is one of the hottest categories in educational toys. We already have plans in the works for additional SKU's to be introduced at toy fairs in early 1999."

"Space is the Place in 1998 and beyond, and the market will be responding. We are happy to lead the toy market into the next millennium by introducing the Action Figure play category to our specialty toy retail partners around the globe," commented Ronald Kaplan, the Company's CEO.

Kaplan continued, "Dating back 30 years to the introduction of G.I. Joe�, action figures have been so popular because they are play at its core. The only problem ever associated with the category is the message carried. The demonically mutated Spawn� or bloody Freddie have a place in the market, no doubt, but that's the mass market. Space Voyagers, on the other hand, capture the best of the good messages that made the original 'Joe' successful enough to launch the category. G.I. Joe� coupled a monumental event in the global human experience with the progression of a generation. Like G.I. Joe� with WWII, space exploration is, in essence, an ongoing human experience that parents want, both then and now, to teach their children about."

"With respect to G.I. Joe�, we don't expect $100 million out of Space Voyagers, but the fraction of that we're after won't hurt with our investors. The introduction of Space Voyagers will include a promotional effort that positions Space Voyagers leading the way to the establishment of space reality as a play category."

"Godspeed, Space Voyagers," said Ron Kaplan, Action Products' Chairman and CEO.

Godspeed indeed. Look for new additions to the line as well as a Space Voyagers web site (complete with a look at space exploration history) to debut in January, 1999.

go figure magazine rolls out its eight issue with an interesting cover boy. It's Species 8472 from Star Trek Voyager. The cover story takes you inside two of today's hottest design studios with Foundation Imaging and the Art Asylum. The task of bringing Species 8472 to action figure form was almost as much of a challenge as making the Voyager episode that stars the unusual alien creature. Learn how Digger and his crew took this entirely CGI character and brought it to life in plastic.

And this issue is just overflowing with sculptors as go figure talks with sculptor Jesse Nolan about his long career in designing action figures. You may know (and own) many of Jesse's sculpts from various Toy Biz lines. Featured in this issue is Jesse's incredible sculpt for the Hulk from the Classic Avengers boxed set due out next year.

Adam Pawlus is also back with his signature Star Wars column. The Escape from Cloud City toy show feature continues in this issue also with "The Duel." Look for company news from Toy Biz, ReSaurus, Toy Vault, Full Moon Toys, 21st Century Toys and much more.

Check out an interview with Mike Nelson from Mystery Science Theater 3000. And you won't want to miss this edition of the Worldly Weekend Fake News where the Spice Girl replacement is announced. It's another jam packed issue from the creative folks at go figure magazine. Check it out at your local comic book or magazine retailer now!

Earlier this month, there was a convention in Toledo, Ohio that featured Mego products from year's past. But there was also a hint of the future with the unveiling of a new prototype of a Micronaut figure from former Mego CEO Marty Abrams.

On hand as the guest of honor, Abrams discussed future plans for the new Micronauts animated series from Abram Gentile Enterprises (AGE) as well as possible toys. While details of the exact production remain unclear, Abrams did display the prototype for the new Acroyear figure.

According to various reports, there are apparrently 6 figures in the design phase. The line is tentatively called Micronauts 2000 and will be released in conjunction with the animated series of the same name. Each figure will come with an oversized backpack accessory. It is rumored that this backpack may house a "Laser Tag" type device for use with the figures. The earliest that these figures will be released is in late 1999 but mid-2000 seems like a more reasonable estimate.

As for the animated series, it continues to push ahead with some revisions from earlier reports. The whole virus concept, such as Karza's Kolds, has been dropped and the story line will pretty much follow the original Micronauts comic book by Marvel. We'll bring you more details as they become available to us.

For more photos of this prototype as well as full details on the Convention where it was shown, please visit The Body Banks Micronaut Site.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Toys R Us Corp., the world's largest toy retailer, said Wednesday it will close or sell 90 stores, cut about 3,000 jobs worldwide and take a $495 million charge in the third quarter as part of a plan to improve its performance.

Toys R Us's stock has also suffered because of the heightened competition from discount retailers and warehouse clubs. Toys R Us stock closed down 11/16ths at 18 1/4 on the New York Stock Exchange, near the lowest point since 1989.

Of the 90 stores, 50 will be from the international operations and nine will be in the United States. The company is also closing 31 Kids R Us apparel stores in the United States as it changes the formats of its stores.

Toys R Us, which has a total of 1,462 stores, expects the restructuring to improve its free cash flow and increase operating earnings by more than $75 million in 1999 and more in future years, the retailer said.

The company plans a redesign of its stores as part of its plan to improve performance by offering expanded selling space to accommodate a larger electronics department, a section dedicated to promotional merchandise, and children's' clothes.

The plan is for 200 of its 697 U.S. toy stores to be converted to the new format next year. Most of the rest will changed to the new format by October 2000, the company said. ``These actions will be the springboard to implementing our expanded vision for the future, which is to provide not only toys -- but also to provide our customers with broader merchandise offerings and services for kids and families,'' Chief Executive Officer Robert Nakasone said in a statement.

Toys R Us also plans to refine its inventory management programs, which hurt the results of leading toy makers Hasbro Inc. and Mattel Inc., for the first half of the year, but produced $370 million of savings at the retailer.

The first phase of the new store format and operating approach will increase selling space by 18 percent to create a more customer-friendly store layout, Toys R Us said.

Donald Trott, a retailing analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman, said, ``Basically, they are going in the right direction. They are acknowledging that the current store format is obsolete.''

Trott said that the new format will not solve all of its problems and it may need to be refined further.

Toys R Us, which operates 65 combined toy and children's apparel stores, will convert 26 existing U.S. toy stores and shrink its two KidsWorld superstores stores into the new format. On a pretax basis, store closing or downsizing costs account for $295 million of the third-quarter charge, plus an additional $29 million for related inventory markdowns.

Toys R Us said additional markdowns of approximately $252 million are needed to clear excess inventory from stores and refinements to the inventory system account for an additional $102 million in costs. Both of those figures are on a pretax basis.

In the year ended January 1996, Toys R Us took a $270 million restructuring charge to overhaul its inventory, merge some distribution operations and close 25 stores worldwide.

Fahnestock Inc. analyst William Armstrong said the new charges combined with the 1996 charge ``may say something about their inventory management.''

``It's a 'we'll see' situation,'' Armstrong said about the restructuring. ``They're struggling and I really don't see a real lot of hope for them to make a big turnaround in the near future by tinkering with their stores.''

So you've poured over every inch of the Hasbro Pre Toy Fair Catalog '99 and you still want more? Sheesh. Well alright then. You know we wouldn't hold out on you. Sure, we could just sit on this stuff and dish it out in small portions, but that's not what you want is it? You want it now. You got it.

You may have heard tale of these two offerings. Now you can get your first look at what they are all about. Both are classics that have been brought back by fan interest. The first is the classic G.I. Joe: The Real American Hero Collection. The 3 3/4" G.I. Joes were a staple of the 1980's action figure scene and interest never really died out among its core fans. Hasbro has been giving fans what they want over the last year with special releases of these figures and more are on the way. Click the link below to see the whole first wave and one of the vehicles with special figure included.

The second line is the much talked about Aliens: Hive Wars. These figures draw upon the classic Aliens mythology while drawing in the ever popular Predator character for another awesome match-up. Again, fan interest has remained strong in these figures and Hasbro has delivered the goods. You know you want them.

So what are you waiting for? Click the links below to check out the action:

G.I Joe: Real American Hero	Aliens: Hive Wars

You can check out all the small JLA figures on our Comic Con International coverage but here's one figure who towers over all the rest. It's the 12-inch JLA Green Lantern. It's Kyle and he comes eqipped with his lantern and a ring beam you can presumably attach to his hand to simulate your own ring-slinging adventures. This baby is a KayBee exclusive and should be on the shelves in the next few weeks. Fans of the 12-inch DC figures are looking forward to even more of these figures like next year's scheduled Flash figure. We can only hope for a continuation of this series. If you like them, buy them. They'll make more.

One of the hottest video games of recent years is being given the royal treatment by ReSaurus. It's Quake and it rocks. Fully decked out figures complete with a heavy arsenal of weapons are in store for fans. Check out the whole story on the Independent Toy Newswire. These figures are sure to shake the ground underneath your feet.

Hasbro didn't make it to Comic Con International in San Diego this year, but a lot of their stuff was represented by Previews. But not to be outdone, Hasbro has released their complete Pre Toy Fair Catalog 1999. We're pleased to bring you the highlights complete with photos and actual catalog text. It's the next best thing to being there. Click here for all the sights!