Raving Toy Maniac

May 11, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Another batch of great new preorders has just been listed:

Generations 2013 Voyager Series 04 - Sandstorm Triple-changer
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22890&mode=re...

Generations 2013 Voyager Series 04 - Set of 3 - Sandstorm, Blitzwing & Springer
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22889&mode=re...

Generations 2013 Voyager Series 04 - Case of 4
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22888&mode=re...

20+ New Hasbro Preorders - MLP, LPS, Star Wars, Avengers, Spider-Man & More
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=12725

Batman: Arkham Origins Series 1 - Batman
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DCC11632&mode=re...

Batman: Arkham Origins Series 1 - Black Mask

May 2013 - Funko has announced a big batch of Monsters University items, shipping to stores right about now.

The new goodies include:

• POP! Disney Vinyl figures of Mike, Sulley, and Randall Boggs
• Wacky Wobblers of of Mike, Sulley, and Randall Boggs
• Plushies of Mike and Sulley
• a POP! Bookmark of Sulley

The Voyage Continues With Star Trek Legacy Minimates!

May 2013 - Anticipation for the newest Star Trek film invariably leads us to think about the legacy it is a part of. All of the Star Trek films, TV series and other stories that have ever been told in the Star Trek universe have led us to this moment. So what better way to celebrate the legacy of Star Trek than with a toy line that touches on all eras of the franchise?

In June, the first series of Star Trek Legacy Minimates will hit stores, and no matter what era of Trek you hold most dear, there is a two-pack of 2-inch mini-figures just for you. Two separate assortments will be available, each with different uniforms, characters and species, not to mention a shipload of weapons and accessories.

At comic shops and specialty stores, both movies and TV shows will get figures:

- Admiral Kirk & Khan (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
- Captain Picard & Borg Queen (Star Trek: First Contact)

Living Dead Dolls Present Psycho

May 2013 - New York - Don't tell Mother, but Mezco has a secret... Psycho's Norman Bates as Mother and Marion are the latest addition to the Living Dead Dolls Presents series.

Nominated for a quartet of Academy Awards, the psychological thriller Psycho not only changed the world of horror, but how movies are marketed as well. The "shower scene" has become iconic in pop culture and is often regarded as one of the most terrifying scenes ever filmed.

Norman Bates as Mother will come with a removable wig and, just as he did in the film, Norman is wearing pants underneath Mother's dress. As would be expected, a knife is included.

Marion comes complete with a hotel towel embroidered with the infamous Bates Motel logo.

Ghost Rider and Green Goblin Ride Again! Two Old Marvel Selects Return in New Packaging!

May 2013 - The Marvel Select line has put out a lot of great figures in the 11 years it's been around, and not all of them are easy to find nowadays! Luckily, Diamond Select Toys regularly goes back and re-issues some of the more popular figures to make sure everyone who wants to start a Marvel Select collection has the ability to get the characters they want. This year, DST has brought back the Classic Green Goblin figure as well as the original Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze! Blaze stands atop a base depicting a particularly unpleasant section of Hell, and Goblin re-creates the famous cover of Amazing Spider-Man #39, with glider and tied-up Peter Parker. Check out the redesigned packaging below, and look for both figures to return to comic shop shelves (and online store databases) this summer!

May 2013 - Funko has announced a new talking Wacky Wobbler based on The Big Bang Theory.

Expect to see Sheldon in stores around June 20th. The phrases he will delight you with include:

• "Bazinga!"
• "Penny. Penny. Penny."
• "I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested."
• "Was that sarcasm?"
• "You're in my spot"

DARK HORSE DIGITAL GIVES AWAY ONE MILLION FREE COMICS FOR SECOND ANNIVERSARY!

MILWAUKIE, OR, MAY 9 - Now that the dust has settled on Dark Horse Digital's incredibly successful two-year-anniversary promotion, the company is pleased to announce that it gave away a million free digital comics!

As part of the celebration of the second year of the company's digital initiative and proprietary storefront, fifty free single-issue comics were made available for only forty-eight hours. In that time, thousands of fans took advantage of the offer and downloaded their favorite Dark Horse titles, to the tune of a million copies!

"The success of our digital promotion illustrates the growing reach of digital comics, which we believe are an important element in the recent resurgence of physical comic book and graphic novel sales," said Dark Horse's president and founder, Mike Richardson.

Dark Horse Comics launched its standalone comic-reader app and digital store on April 27, 2011, and has received incredible support from the continuously growing digital-comics fan base.

May 10, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - We've just finished another round of new preorders:

Prime Beast Hunter Ultimate Class Series 01 - Optimus Prime - $59.99
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22845&mode=re...

Keiths Fantasy Club - Ironpaw - Justice & Evil Versions
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=ironpaw

Living Dead Dolls Presents: Psycho Set of Norman as Mother & Marion
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=mezco%20psycho

The Wolverine - Hasbro Movie Lineup
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=3226&company=3

May 10, 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.

- Surly Bikes Recalls Bicycle Forks Due to Fall Hazard

- CPSC Approves Proposed Rule Aimed at Making Strollers Safer

May 8, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - We've just listed a variety of great new items from Hasbro, more items will follow tomorrow as well:

GI Joe 2013 Eaglehawk Helicopter (Tomahawk)
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22822&mode=re...

Generations 2013 Series 03 - Set of 4
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22823&mode=re...

Generations Legends 2013 Series 04 - Set of 2
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22824&mode=re...

Marvel Legends 2013 - Series 02 - Set of 5
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22826&mode=re...

Marvel Legends 2013 - Series 02 - Case of 8
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22825&mode=re...

Marvel Universe 3.75" 2013 Series 02 - Set of 8
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22828&mode=re...