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| Don't have a cow, Man! The Simpsons are back! |
Last seen in the US as figures back in 1990, the Simpsons are about to make a dramatic, and long overdue, return to the collector scene! When Mattel last tried to bring these characters to toy shelves, oversaturation in Simpsons market caused the effort to fail. But soon after that happened, the figure collector market rose and has been clamoring for product ever since. Not to mention the staying power that the show has demonstrated; it is now the longest running show currently on TV. Ironically, Simpsons product has been available in Europe and Australia, where the show has a large following ( In fact, it is even getting a theme park ride).
This time, Homer and friends get the royal treatment, courtesy of Playmates Toys. Not only are many previously unmade characters getting produced, such as Barney Gumble and Moe Szyslak, but all 5" figures will have sound chips that interact with the "World of Springfield" playsets. These playsets will also come with exclusive figures, such as Power Plant w/Nuclear Homer, Simpsons Living Room w/Marge & Maggie, and Quik-E Mart w/Apu.
In addition to the 5" scale, there will be a line of 15" interactive figures, that talk and bicker with each other when place in close proximity. For more information, check out Previews magazine.
[Posted 10-30-99]
| Barbie goes Super in 2000! |
Mattel has finally revived the Wonder Woman license that it has been letting lay unused since they cancelled the Wonder Woman and the Star Riders concept that was shown at Toy Fair '93. For the year 2000 series of Barbie, Mattel has announced that Diana Prince herself has joined the list, or more accurately, that Barbie will masquerade as Wonder Woman for a limited time. She is styled in her classic 1970s costume, although a goofy cape has been added for that "super" effect. No word yet on whether or not Mattel plans on issuing her Invisible Jet sometime in the future, although you can always pretend it is there in the empty space on the shelf.
Since the license is being used for a 12" doll, a loophole remains open for other Wonder Woman figures, such as the recent DC Direct offering, and a rumored addition to Hasbro's JLA line.
[Posted 10-30-99]
| Godzilla to roar again! |
Trendmasters will be releasing some of it's cancelled Godzilla: Doom Island (shown at Toy Fair back around '97) line via their webstore, along with items from the Animated Series line. Trendmasters claims the animated stuff is exclusive to their site, but it's also been solicited in the current issue of Previews. We'll let you know more as the story develops.
[Posted 10-26-99]
| Elvis Fas X-Toys All Shook up! |
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and X-Toys, Inc. announced that X-Toys, Inc. has been granted a license to produce and market a series of plastic, articulated, collectible Elvis Presley figures between 3 and 10 inches in size.
According to Bob LoMonaco, X-Toys' President, "We'll be releasing Elvis figures two at a time with limited production and limited distribution. We have begun to sculpt figures and accessories for our first launch and they look great! With the help of the licensing staff at Graceland, we have identified "JAIL HOUSE ROCK" and Elvis' 1973 TV special "ELVIS: ALOHA FROM HAWAII". "Each articulated figure will be a bit over 6" tall and will include some fabulous accessories. I don't want to tell you too much at this point but I expect the accessories to be as collectable as the figures themselves".
[Posted 10-26-99]
| Rat Fink Rides Again! |
Soon the first ever Rat Fink action figure with kustom skateboard striped by hotrod guru Ed "Big Daddy" Roth will hit the streets, courtesy of newcomer Jonzo Inc. Each toy is meticulously painted in hideous detail showing off all of Finky's bad skin and unwanted hair. Mr. Fink will come in a limited edition box- packed with collector decal, and is expected to be released in November '99 for about $15.
No word yet on how this will effect McFarlane Toys' line of Rat Fink figures that was shown at Toy Fair '99. McFarlane Toys Steve Hamady expressed some doubts at last August's San Diego Comic Con International whether McFarlane Toys figures based on the Rat Fink property would ever see the light of day.
[Posted 10-26-99]
| KB Toys Confirms DC 9" Exclusives |
KB Toys has confirmed that it will have two exclusive DC 9" figures in the year 2000: Martian Manhunter and Superman Blue. Both character choices had been rumored for some time but without much in the way of official confirmation. However, we can now confirm these selections after speaking with KB Toys personnel at the "Playdate '99" media event in New York City recently. No word on specific release dates quite yet, but expect the first of the two to begin shipping sometime in the Spring of 2000.
In other DC 9" exclusives news, the two Target exclusives (Batman and Superman) are getting ready to ship any time now. Look for these to be available at a Target store near you very soon.
[Posted 10-16-99]
| DC TRU 4-pack hits stores |
The exclusive four pack of DC 7" figures from Hasbro has started showing up in Toys R Us stores. The pack consists of Superman Red, Batman in his black outfit, with a cloth cape, Superman with a cloth cape, and a black and gold Azbats. The price for this pack is a low $22.99, which makes this a cheaper average per figure than single carded ones.
One thing many collectors are wondering about concerning this line is what scale are they exactly, and how well do they fit in with existing DC lines? To help answer this question, we've taken a picture of some recent figures with the new 7" Batman in the center. As you can see, they mesh pretty well with the DC Direct figures and those of the Legends of the Dark Knight line. Not so well with Kay-Bee Toys' JLA line.
[Posted 10/15/99]
| Star Trek Final Tally for '99 |
Despite throroughly confirming the cancellation of Playmates Star Trek line through numerous contacts both internally and externally connected to Playmates, we have received a statement, passed along by Jeff Trojan, Vice President of Marketing for Boys Toys at Playmates, that puts the future termination of the line in doubt.
"Distribution channels and what merchandise, if any, will be released in 2000 are yet to be determined," said Karl
Aaronian, executive vice president of Playmates Toys. "Due to the confidential nature of our licensing agreements, at this
time, no more detailed announcements can be made."
Playmates Toys Inc., the long-standing licensor of the popular brand of Star Trek figures and accessories, is in ongoing
discussions with Paramount and Viacom to extend their rights to the Star Trek license beyond 2000.
It's not clear if something has changed in regards to the negotations since word of the cancellation came down, or even if there will be be any Star Trek products in 2000 despite the negotiations. We will keep you informed if there are any further developments in this story.
Mr. Trojan was also gracious enough to give us a final tally of what will be released this year:
| ToyFare Exclusive 4.5" Seven of Nine in purple outfit | already shipped from Hong Kong, on it's way to Wizard | Kay-Bee Exclusive 9" Kirk and Spock from "Amok Time" | available in November | 12" Wave IV General Release (Pike, Sisko, Q in Judges Robes, Uhura) | available in November | Target Exclusive 4.5" Crusher and Seven in cobalt outfit | to be manufactured in October on shelves in late November |
Kay-Bee Exclusive 12" Kirk and Spock from Star Trek II | to be manufactured in December on shelves in January |
Target Exclusive 12" Kirk and Spock from "A Piece of the Action" | no longer available at Target another retailer is in negotations to be the U.S. distributor a quantity will be released as an International Edition |
Target Exclusive "Amok Time" Twin Pack | canceled in the U.S. a quantity will be released as an International Edition |
Target Exclusive 4.5" Troi and Barclay Transporter Series | canceled | Target Exclusive 4.5" Transporter Series Wave 3 | canceled |
The 9" Alien Combat Series has already begun showing up at most retailers and the 4.5" Target Exclusive Riker and Troi assortment is in Target's possesion.
[Scott Gordon 10/14/99]
| ToyFare #28: The Rock Exclusive |
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ToyFare
#28 has just hit the stands offering up to
wrestling action figure fans an exclusive of Jakks
Pacific's The Rock, limited to only
10,000 issued. Also featured in this months mag: the Top 10 World's Scariest Toys, tips on how to Drive a Toy Fan Crazy, a WWF Wish List, sneak peeks at the Matrix, Palisades Toys' Final Fantasy VIII Guardian Force figures, retrospective on the Nightmare Before Christmas toys, and excellent pictures of the animated Avengers, ToyBiz's WCW Bruisers, Macross Plus, and Big Guy & Rusty the Boy Robot! But that's not all! Also included is a mini-ToyFare Exclusive Edition: a Final Fantasy VIII Sourcebook. Plus it all comes packed with more comedy than NBC on Thursday night! |
|
[Mike Fichera 10/13/1999]
| Jakks Pacific Is Ready To Rumble! |
Raving Toy Maniac has received word from Jakks Pacific regarding some upcoming World Wrestling Federation action figures:
Titan Tron Live Series 3: Stone Cold Steve Austin: new costume and a new face, The Rock: in the 500.00 shirt, Chyna, Big Boss Man: Got the look down perfect, Test, Big Show:New Hair
Back Alley Street Fighters: These guy and gals or going to be Tuff with lots of WWF Attitude. Dressed in there street clothes. This series consists of: Austin, The Rock, X-Pac, HHH, Stephenie McMahon, Shawn Stasiak.
Double Slam 3: Jeff Jarrett and Debra (The word from Jakks is that she is the best female figures they've done to date), Undertaker in Unforgiven costume and Mankind in sweats and tennis shoes, Big Show and Test, Billy Gunn (right on the money, perfect likeness) and Hardcore Holly
Jakks also has plans for all-new Die-Cast Grapple Gear (so you can give your figures authentic chair shots to the head!) and an item called the Trash Talking Stage (details to come).
All the above figures will be Titan Tron Ready and be new sculpts. Look for these figures, in all-new 2000 packaging, and should start appearing in stores in the December through February timeframe.
We hope to have pictures of these exciting new products soon.
[Jeff Cope 10/11/99]
| Total Justice 4- Back from Beyond! |
One of the first big stories that broke on this news page was the news that Total Justice had come to an untimely demise following the 3rd wave of figures.
Readers of Raving Toy Maniac have been hearing about the existence of Wave 4 and how it will be offered on Hasbrocollectors.com for several months now. We are happy to provide you the first good look at these all-new sculpts at this time. It is unknown when they will be offered at Hasbrocollectors.com, but Diamond Comics will receive them soon afterwards.
So, enjoy! Flash 2 and Blue Beetle will be packaged with the Atom, and Green Lantern 2 will be packaged with Dr. Polaris.
Armored Green Lantern, Dr. Polaris
[Erik Skov 10/08/99]
| Eternal Toys Launches Website! |
Chaos! Comics, home of Lady Death and Evil Ernie, amongst others, has launched a website devoted to their latest creative endeavor, Eternal Toys.
Readers of Raving Toy Maniac have been hearing about Eternal Toys for several months now. The new company has several products in works to shock and amaze their fans including statues of Purgatori and Lady Death, a 12" action figure of Chastity and a full line of Chaos! 6" action figures being designed by the manic minds at Art Asylum!
So, take a few minutes and visit the Eternal Toys Website and tell 'em Raving Toy Maniac sent ya!
For a glimpse a the control art for the 6" action figures, check out RTM's San Diego Comic Con International coverage!
[Jeff Cope 10/05/99]
| The Kaiju King Triumphant: Godzilla Returns! |
Long time Godzilla fans who were disappointed with the U.S. version of the three decade old "King of the Monsters" will be happy to know that Godzilla is returning to theaters this December, at least in his homeland of Japan.
Toho Studios is preparing for the release of Godzilla 2000: Millennium, and just like any big movie release there is going to be an onslaught of cool toys to accompany the film. Pictures here is the standard 6" figure of the newest incarnation of Godzilla, which is part of the ongoing Toho Kaiju figure series produced by Bandai Japan.
To find out the lastest on the Godzilla 2000: Millenium be sure to check out Aaron Smith's excellent Godzilla News site (now a part of the Fandom network. The Godzilla toys will be available through such online import dealers as Club Daikaiju and Showcase Collectibles beginning later this month and thru the rest of the year.
Special thanks to Aaron Smith and Godzilla News for use of the picture.
[Jeff Cope 10/3/1999]
| Upcoming Palisades Product Revealed! |
Palisades Marketing has supplied Raving Toy Maniac with some pictures of upcoming items. Tekken 3 will be continuing with it's third assortment (Assortment 2 was recently released, and is now being carried by Toys R Us.
Final Fantasy VIII: Guardian Force figures will continue with another series of monsters from the mega-popular videogame.
We hope you enjoy these pictures. More information on these lines will be forthcoming.
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Bahamut
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Gilgamesh
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Shiva
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Diabolus
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[Jeff Cope 10/02/1999]
