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| Star Trek Products Get The Axe |
On the heels of the announcement that Playmates' Star Trek line will cease to be at the end of the year, it was inevitable that more cancellations were to come down the pike, despite Playmates' intentions to release all remaining product.
Target has terminated orders for their exclusive 12" Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock from "A Piece of the Action," set as well as their exclusive 9" assortment of Seven of Nine in cobalt outfit and the long-awaited Lt. B'elanna Torres.
The 12" Kirk and Spock from "A Piece of the Action" figures will receive a limited release in an International Exclusive edition.
In the meantime, the Target Exclusive 9" Data as Sherlock Holmes and 9" Geordi as Watson assortment has been released along with the 4.5" Transporter Series Chapel and Rand assortment. The 9" Alien Combat Series assortment of the Borg Drone and Klingon Warrior has already been produced and should be available sometime in October as a general release sold at most retailers.
All other products that have not been canceled are expected to be released before the end of the year, unless otherwise informed by Playmates.
Special thanks to Rick at New Force Comics & Collectibles for the information.
[Scott Gordon 9/30/99]
| Jakks 3:16 Says "Interactive Austin Rocks!" |
The creative folks over at Jakks Pacific have released their latest innovative World Wrestling Federation product. In a year that's seen the release of such interesting items as Maximum Sweat, and Titan Tron Live the Jakks WWF Development Team have pushed the envelope further with the Interactive Steve Austin action figure!
This 12" figure takes the idea of talking action figures further than ever before. Whereas most talking figures are limited to only a few phrases, the Interactive Steve Austin figure features virtually unlimited phrases since you will be able to download new ones daily from the Internet and download them into the figure!
With the release of the new figure (which should be on store shelves soon) a new website has been launched. At WWFWired.Com fans can download the latest Stone Cold Steve Austin phrases into the figure.
For more information on the figure check out WWFWired.Com and the new Jakks Pacific website.
For a demo of the Interactive Stone Cold Steve Austin click here!
[Jeff Cope 9/30/99]
| There's A Blight On Gotham City! |
Hasbro Toy Group has just released a new assortment of Batman Beyond action figures, including the second villain for the line: Blight, the radioactive alter-ego of Derek Powers. The rest of the assortment contains a menagerie of Batman variations.
This assortment is hitting stores now.
Another assortment is slated for year's end. The villains this time around are more of the Jokerz biker gang. The Joker Tag Team Toss is a 2 pack featuring a large Jokerz figure that has a similar action feature to the original BTAS rendition of Bane where the figure can toss an object held above it's head. The object this time is a smaller member of the Jokerz gang.
[Jeff Cope 9/30/99]
| Crazy..ahem, Boners?! |
First there were pogs. Then Pokemon cards became a hot property with the kiddies. Now, if one toy distributor has its wish, there will be a new collectible game to capture the hearts and minds of America's youth. But there may be one small problem.
Crazy Bones is the product of Spanish toy manufacturer Magic Box International and is distributed in the US by the Ohio-based company, Toy Craze. The game features little enigmatic plastic character figures called "Gogos." The object of the game is to set your Gogos against a wall and hurl another Gogo at your opponent's pieces in hopes of knocking them down. You score points for each of your opponent's Gogos you knock down or if you are "playing for keeps" you get to keep the Gogo's you knock down. Each package of Crazy Bones also comes with a few collectible sticker sets. Herein lies the controversy.
Crazy Bones is currently involved in a large promotional campaign at Target stores that include copious signage and end-cap displays. One Columbus, Ohio mother (who refused to be identified) thought that this would be a fun and easy game for her 7-year old son to play.
"I couldn't believe the sticker when I saw it. I thought I was seeing things, but there is no mistaking what that is supposed to be," stated the perplexed mother of three.
The sticker (shown at left) definitely bears some resemblance to the male genitalia. Another sticker on the same sheet (shown at right) can be vaguely interpreted as representing the female anatomy, at least according to one dismayed parent who purchased what she believed was a wholesome family game for her young son.
"Someone at the company probably thinks this is a big joke, but I was truly shocked. You can't look at that and tell me it doesn't suggest something rather crude," she commented.
With recent controversies surrounding "Rad Repeatin' Tarzan" and the allegedly potty-mouthed Austin Powers figures, one wonders how a company launching a large promotional campaign could let this type of thing slip through. Representatives of Toy Craze and Magic Box International could not be reached for comment.
Yet another sex scandal in the toy industry. It's getting to be more salacious than the White House. We'll keep you posted on any further developments.
[Jeff Cope 9/24/1999]
| Gotham's New Guardian Coming! |
It's been a rough few years for Gotham City with plagues, earthquakes and being designated a No Man's Land. One thing that beleaguered city could always count on was it's guardian and protector The Batman.
The No Man's Land storyline comes to a close this December, paving the way for a new Gotham City in 2000. Well, you can always count on the Dark Knight Detective to dress for the occasion and, sure enough, Batman will be sporting a new costume come January.
So, you're probably thinking "Hey, ain't this a toy site? Since when does RTM cover comics?" Well, since the October of Previews lists the following item:
"BATMAN GOTHAM'S NEW GUARDIAN 9-INCH FIGURE It's a new Batman for a new millennium! This 9" tall figure depicts the Dark Knight's new costume as he'll appear throughout the New Year! Window box packaging. "
Hasbro's new line of nine-inch DC Superheroes has just hit store shelves to rave reviews, and fans can look forward to more of their favorite DC Comics characters in this classic format. Be sure to keep reading Raving Toy Maniac. We'll bring you more information as we get it.
Special thanks to RTM reader Rabid Rob for the headsup!
[Jeff Cope 9/22/1999]
| Terrorist Figure Causes A Stir! |
The Denver Post is reporting that Sears has received several complaints about the Armed Terrorist 12" figure (shown left) from 21st Century Toys after seeing the figure in this years Wishbook, the annual Sears Christmas Catalog.
Apparently one mother was outraged after her two sons saw the figure in the catalog and identified it as a Trenchcoat Mafia figure (the group allegedly associated with the Columbine High School slaughter back in April).
In response Sears has pulled the item.
To read the entire article click here.
Social responsibility or politically correct over-reacting? A case can certainly be made for either position. Let us know what you think over on our Toy Buzz forum!
[Jeff Cope 9/21/1999]
| Action Figures Ready For Prime Time! |
Word has come from Sideshow Toy, makers of the incredible 8" Universal Monsters action figures, that some of their figures will be appearing tonight on the hit NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me starring Laura San Giacomo and David Spade.
Here's what Sideshow Toys has to say:"Be on the look out for Sideshow Toy action figures on the premiere season episode of Just Shoot Me! staring David Spade on September 21, 1999 at 8:00 PM.
David Spade's character, "Finch" is a collector of action figures and there will be some plot line around his collection. Not quite sure of the details, but we're told that the show will have a re-occuring theme with his action figure hobby. Very cool!!
[Jeff Cope 9/21/1999]
| FAO Exclusive Faamba |
 |
For all you Gungan lovers out there, FAO Schwarz
delivers with a Phantom Menace
exclusive: Faamba with Gungan
Soldier 2-pack. This beast is 20 inches long and
can chase your Jar-Jar figure across the living room
floor for hours of entertainment. The Faamba ships in
January 2000.
|
[Mike Fichera 9/20/1999]
| ToyFare #27 Double MAC Attack |
 |
 ToyFare
#27 is now available and offering another month with two
exclusive action figures, both by Moore Action
Collectables. First, the soon-to-be-released
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is resculpted
and repainted to suit her appearance from the episiode
"Prophecy Girl" decked out in leather jacket
and prom dress. Next, sure to liven up your Christmas
tree is Lady Death, a character who's always in the
holiday spirit year round. Lady D comes with an
appropriate red and green cape and is limited to only
4,200 made!Also in this issue, the gang report on BotCon '99, giva y'all a sneak peek at McFarlane's Bob and Doug from Strange Brew, MC2, Sleepy Hollow, Final Fantasy VIII, a look at toys around the world, 50 facts about the new Buffy line from MAC (did you know Seth Green's a customizer?), retrospective of Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, action figure price guide, Twisted Mego Theater, and a guest column by the Oz-man himself, Seth Green! |
 |
[Mike Fichera 9/13/1999]
| Presenting The Girls of MC2! |
Characters from Marvel Comics MC2 line are going to take action figure form for the first time this year when Previews releases it's exclusive MC2 assortment as part of their ongoing Marvel History program. These figures, manufactured by Toy Biz, will be offered exclusively to the direct market in the next issue Previews. The MC2 comics feature a look into the possible future of the Marvel Universe, featuring fresh takes on existing characters and introducing some of the offspring of present day Marvel Superheroes
The MC2 action figure assortment includes (left to right)American Dream, Stinger, Spider-Girl and Wild Thing.
Be sure to check out the next issue of Previews for more information!
[Jeff Cope 9/9/99]
| Hasbro Buys Wizards of the Coast! |
Hasbro Inc, the world's No. 2 toymaker, is buying Wizards of the Coast Inc., which makes thePokemon trading cards game, for $325 million, the companies said Thursday.
``Wizards of the Coast will enable us to significantly expand in the fast-growing games arena, which is a cornerstone of our growth strategy for the new millennium,'' said Hasbro Chairman Alan Hassenfeld. Hasbro, which makes Monopoly, G.I. Joe, and Star Wars toys, also expects to extend Wizards of the Coast game formats, to computer software and online gaming, Hassenfeld said. Privately-held Wizards also make Magic: The Gathering trading cards and the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games.
`` ... The year-round nature of these businesses will help to balance the seasonality of our diversified portfolio,'' Hassenfeld said. The deal is expected to have no material impact on Hasbro's earnings per share in 1999, and add to earnings in 2000 and beyond, Hasbro said. Wizards of the Coast was founded in 1990 by Peter Adkison and is best known for Magic: The Gathering, a big-selling trading card game with more than six million players using 10 different languages. Wizards of the Coast also sponsors a worldwide tournament program for hobby game enthusiasts, owns and operates almost 70 retail game establishments.
Adkison and senior management will continue to run Wizards, which is based outside of Seattle.
The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of September of 1999. Since Wizards is a private company, the companies were able to seek approval from the government ahead of completing deal.
[Jeff Cope 9/9/99]
| New Sonic Toyline Gets Great Miles-age! |
ReSaurus has granted RTM readers a special sneak peek at one of the figures from their upcoming 3-3/4" Sonic Adventures toyline, based on the new Dreamcast being released in the U.S. this Thursday! Shown here is Miles Prower, also known as Sonic's trusty sidekick Tails! Sonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles the Echidna round out the line.
ReSaurus Company President, Doug Sapp, says "We are thrilled at all the attention Sonic is receiving from Dreamcast.With their huge advertising push, you are going to see Sonic everywhere this Fall. And the retailers are extremely pleased that we will be able to have cool Sonic figures on the shelves to go along with all this media attention."
Readers of the ReSaurus Newsletter got an advanced look at the Sonic the Hedgehog prototype late last week via the electronically distributed newsletter. Missed it? All you need to do is sign up for the ReSaurus Newsletter here to start receiving the newsletter. You'll get the very latest news straight from the gang at ReSaurus about their upcoming products, as well as early looks at work in progress that you won't see anywhere else! Best of all, it's free!
Look for the Sonic Adventures toyline everywhere this November
[Jeff Cope 9/7/99]
| Batman Gets Y2K Compliant! |
 |
 |
Hasbro will be releasing a new Batman action figure line towards years end, this time with a computer tech theme. The line is called Batman: Cyber Justice. The new line may strike a familiar chord with longtime Batman readers who recall a computer-generated graphic novel by Pepe Moreno called Batman: Digital Justice (published in 1990 by DC Comics). While the line isn't directly based on the hardcover graphic novel, it certainly appears to be inspired by it, right down to having the Joker be a disembodied virtual entity. The figures appear to be cast in translucent plastic for that "digital look".
The first assortment includes: De-Rez Batman, Search Engine Batman, Virtual Joker, Firewall Robin, Powergrid Batman and Codebuster Batman.
Of course, any worthwhile Batman is going to need a Batmobile and this one is no different. Hasbro will be releasing an Electronic Netrunner Batmobile (below), as well as another vehicle that is not being disclosed until Toy Fair in February.
[Jeff Cope, 8/3/1999]
| First Look: WWF TitanTron Live Packaging! |
Jakks Pacific is set to release their latest and greatest line of World Wrestling Federation action figures - the TitanTron Live series. TitanTron Live features improved sculpting and articulation than most of Jakks previous releases and will serve as the de facto standard series for the WWF line.
Included in the first series of TitanTron Live are WWF Superstars Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Kane, Mankind, The Undertaker and Road Dogg. These figures will begin showing up in stores this month.
Future TitanTron Live series include the upcoming SmackDown and Double Slam (which are 2 packs) assortments. Most of Jakks figures for 2000 will be TitanTron ready.
The TitanTron Live figures contain a chip that allows the figures to interact with the TitanTron Live playset, which recreates the entrance ramp seen on Monday night's Raw is War. When a TitanTron Live ready figure passes through the entrance the playset plays that wrestlers entrance theme music as well as flashing the characters image on the screen.
There have been several reports of the TitanTron playset showing up in Wal-Marts, selling for $29.99. KB Toys is currently taking pre-orders for the playset as well.
[JC 9/2/99]
| DC/JLA Lines Alive And Well At Hasbro! |
Lately there's been some rumors going through the online toy collecting community that Hasbro had cancelled the KB/Diamond JLA action figure lines. Coupled with the news that RTM reported earlier this week concerning Vinnie D'Alleva's resignation from Hasbro, fans already feeling burned by the cancellation of Total Justice a few years back were getting nervous.
Well, fear not DC fans! There's a veritable onslaught of way cool DC Comics based toys coming your way! JLA wave 3 has reached Hasbro's Seattle warehouse. This assortment definitely includes Plastic Man, Superboy, Robin, Impulse, Zauriel, and Crusader Batman. DC SuperHeroes 7" and 9" have also arrived and so all three lines should be showing up soon. It's just a matter of distribution and time now until it hits a store near you. Jane Fusco of Hasbro confirmed today that "All DC lines are continuing on schedule". This includes JLA wave 4. The 12" Aquaman (hook version) is still in development.
DC-Superhero 2-packs are definitely coming. Superboy (surfer) & King Shark is first followed by Superman (ripped costume) & Metallo(which is currently being solicited in the current issue of Previews). Then expect Green Lantern (armored) & Dr. Polaris to hit before Flash (armored with tiny Atom) & Blue Beetle. All are currently planned as internet exclusives through the HasbroCollectors.com site, as well as later being offered to the direct market through Previews. Harley Quinn animated 12" is also complete. Be sure to keep checking HasbroCollectors.com for availability.
Animated 4 packs are also coming. Most figures are the same or minor repaints of the original figures. 1) World's Finest: Batman, Joker, Clark Kent, Lex Luthor. and 2) Superman: Superman, Supergirl, Metallo, Bizarro.
There is also a DC 7" 4-pack of Batman, Knight's End Batman, Superman, and Superman Red. Target exclusives of 9" Batman with Removable Cowl and Superman are also on the horizon.
RTM reader, David, discovered this 12" Supergirl action figure recently in Singapore. Nothing yet is known about this figure as of right now. It certainly looks to be authentic, and may be another Internet exclusive in the works. While we usually like to have the facts nailed down before reporting on an item, we knew that this particular figure would be of interest to a great many collectors. Be sure to keep reading Raving Toy Maniac as we continue to dig up the latest figure news!
It certainly is a great time to be a fan of DC Comics!
[ ES & JC 9/2/99 ]
Also exclusive to FAO
is a 19" limited edition Queen Amidala
porcelain collector doll. Only 400 will be made.
In addition, 200 steamer trunk sets will be made for this
doll. Queen Amidala is $495 while the trunk set is $1200.
Pricetag too steep? Maybe you can make a wager for one at
the pod races?