Raving Toy Maniac

April 18, 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.

- Infant and Children’s Dungarees Recalled by J.P. Boden Due to Choking Hazard

- Classic Characters Recalls Infant Socks Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

- Huffy Recalls Slider Tricycles Due to Loss of Control Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Toys R Us

- Small World Toys Recalls Spin-A-Mals Farm and Safari Puzzles Due to Choking Hazard

April 2013 - Funko has announced five new POP! vinyl figure based on some of your favorite movies from years past.

Expect to see the Alien, a Predator, Hannibal Lecter (with handcart!), and Robocop in stores around May 16th.

Ace Ventura will follow around May 21st.

CELEBRATE PRESERVATION WEEK @ YOUR LIBRARY APRIL 21 - 27

April 17, 2013 - CHICAGO – Did you know that 1.3 billion priceless treasures held by public institutions are at risk of being lost due to preservation ignorance? Public institutions are not alone as individuals also struggle with how to preserve collectibles, family heirlooms and digital photographs.

From April 21– 27, thousands of library patrons will turn to public, academic and school libraries to celebrate the Preservation Week @ your library, a time when libraries across the country will provide information and expertise on how to preserve collectibles, photos, family records and other valuable materials.

During Preservation Week @ your library, themed "Pass it on," participating libraries will offer special programs and services that will help connect library users with preservation tools; promote the importance of preservation; and will strive to enhance knowledge of preservation issues among the general public.

Mezco Announces Mez-itz DC Universe 2 inch Blind Box Assortment

April 2012 - New York - Mezco's ever expanding exploration into the DC Universe continues with the exciting edition of mystery Blind Box Figures. Each PDQ contains six characters from the DC Universe with 10 unique designs; each Mez-itz has a specific rarity scale with a super rare chase figure.

The first assortment includes:

• Aquaman
• Batman
• Green Lantern
• Superman
• Wonder Woman
• Harley Quinn

Each master carton contains three display boxes with 24 figurines in each. There is at least one full set within every case - including the hard to find super secret chase figure.

"I've been enjoying DC Ccomics since I learned to read," said Richard Ford, a member of Mezco's award winning design team, "To be able to work on this series and transform characters from the DC Universe into Mez-Itz is the next best thing to having super powers."

Mezco Releases Mega Scale Krampus Plush: Naughty Children On High Alert

April 2012 - New York - Gruss Vom Krampus!

Mezco presents folklore legend, plush Krampus!

This oversized Krampus is 12" tall from the tips of his "devilish" horns to the points of his cloven hooves. This sinfully adorable mythic creature is a hugably plump plush that is perfect for those who enjoy the darker side of the holiday spirit.

Mezco's Krampus plush doll has all the trademark characteristic of the fabled creature with horned head, pointed tongue that sticks out, hoofed feet, and tail.

According to tradition, this beast is responsible for "handling" all the naughty children during the holiday season, gathering them and taking him back to his lair. Krampus, an Austrian legendary creature was outlawed in 1934 but the ban was lifted and has become a holiday phenomenon gaining worldwide popularity for his devilish representation of the holiday spirit.

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

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS MAGNIFICUS EXCLUSIVE
This new version of Magnificus is a black Decepticon redeco of Transformers Deluxe 2011 Perceptor that hearkens back to the original Magnificus, which was a black Decepticon repaint of the original Perceptor. We have Magnificus listed at $89.99, and it should arrive sometime next month.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TOM10108&mode=re...

DIAMOND SELECT - NEW ITEMS

U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for April 17

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2013 -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17: LIBRARY WEEK

Profile America — Wednesday, April 17th. April is an important month in the world of books. In 1800, one of the world's greatest libraries, the Library of Congress, was founded, and Noah Webster published the first dictionary of American English in 1826. This is also the fourth day of National Library Week, celebrating libraries, those who staff them and the billions of materials they circulate. While computers and electronic media are of increasing importance in the services libraries offer, books remain at the core of their collections. In 2010, there were about 9,000 public libraries across the U.S., along with 17,000 branches and bookmobiles, serving over 297 million customers. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at http://www.census.gov.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Overview: Library Statistics

April 2013 - LEGO has released these recreations of the theatrical posters for Iron Man 3.

LEGO's Iron Man sets are part of their Marvel Super Heroes product line and are available now.

April 2013 - Funko has announced four Wacky Wobblers based on the Classic 1966 Batman television show.

Expect to see Batman, Robin, The Joker, and Catwoman (not shown) in stores around June 27th.

April 2013 - Funko has announced six POP! vinyl figure based on the Teenage Mitant Ninja Turtles.

Expect to see Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, Splinter, and Shredder in stores around June 6th.