Raving Toy Maniac

April 2014 - Funko has announced a batch of POP! Television vinyl figures based on Arrested Development!

The blue Tobias (scroll all the way down) is a chase figure.

Expect to see the Bluth family in stores in June.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Announces Godzilla Global Licensing And Merchandising Program As The Highly Anticipated Film Stomps Closer To Theaters

BURBANK, Calif., April 24, 2014 -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced today a slate of new partners signed on to support Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' highly anticipated film Godzilla with product inspired by the epic action adventure. Led by master toy partner Bandai America Incorporated, alongside JAKKS Pacific, Inc., Rubie's Costume Co., NECA, Sideshow Collectibles and more, the global licensing and merchandising program for Godzilla will mark the rebirth of Toho's iconic creation with a monstrous array of products fit for fans of all ages. Products will be available at mass and specialty retailers worldwide, with several products also available at www.WBShop.com.

JAKKS Pacific Secures Multi-Category License for Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

MALIBU, Calif. -- April 15, 2014 -- Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc., announced a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon to manufacture, distribute and market a line of specialty figures and toys in the United States based on the network's hit animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The agreement includes JAKKS' Hero Portal™ TV video game platform, the next generation of JAKKS' Plug It In & Play TV Games™ products, large-scale figures and more. JAKKS expects to launch its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles product line in fall 2014 to coincide with the August 8, 2014, release of the feature film from Paramount Pictures.

April 24, 2014 - 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.

- Felt Bicycles Recalls Triathlon Bicycles Due to Risk of Injury

- Runway Global Recalls Sugarfly Girls' Coats; Waist Drawstring Poses Entanglement Hazard

- Summer Infant Expands Recall to Replace Video Monitor Rechargeable Batteries Due to Burn Hazard

- Pier 1 Imports Recalls Hanging Glass Star Lanterns Due to Fire Hazard

April 2014 - Funko has announced a POP! Television vinyl figure based on Sharknado!

Expect to see this cutie swirl into stores in June.

Sharknado 2: The Second One will air on SyFy on July 30th!

April 24, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Spring Cleaning Sale!
Part 1: Transforming, Star Wars & GI Joe Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=15560

Part 2: Marvel and DC Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=15574

Part 3: Movie, TV & video Games Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=15581

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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FT-05 SOAR - BLUE, RED VERSIONS
This figure changes from robot to Pteranodon, and is sized to go with the other Masterful figures. This version has a blue chest, and is listed at the Early Bird price of $189.99. Like the first listing, the FT-05F changes from robot to Pteranodon, and this time is done with a red chest to match the other transforming dinosaur releases. It is also listed at the Early Bird price of $189.99.

Sony Pictures Entertainment And Mattel Announce Plan To Bring The Iconic Character Of Barbie To Life On Screen

Live-Action Comedy Set to Begin Production End of Year

Sony Pictures Entertainment's Next Global Franchise to be Produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald and written by Jenny Bicks

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 23, 2014 -- Sony Pictures Entertainment, Mattel and Parkes+MacDonald/Image Nation today announced a partnership on a live-action comedy featuring the beloved and dynamic icon Barbie. The studio sees this as its next big, global franchise and plans to go into production by the end of the year. Written by Jenny Bicks and produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, the film will be executive produced by Parkes+MacDonald's president Marc Resteghini alongside Julia Pistor, who will executive produce for Mattel's Playground Productions.

April 2014 - DC has a new contest online, The Injustice Multiplayer Sweepstakes.

There is just a single prize package in this contest... but it is loaded with comic-related goodies! To be more specific, the official rules for the contest describe the prize as:

Grand Prize

One (1) grand prize winner ("Grand Prize Winner") will receive the following:

- One (1) Injustice Gods Among Us Collector's Edition (PS3 or XBOX 360)
- One (1) Injustice Year One Digital Comics
- One (1) Justice League: Final Frontier DVD
- One (1) Justice League: Doom Blu-ray
- One (1) Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (Blu-ray)
- One (1) Justice League: WAR (Blu-ray)
- One (1) Signed Hardcover of Justice League Origin (Jim Lee & Geoff Johns)*
- One (1) Signed Hardcover of Justice League Origin (Jim Lee & Geoff Johns)*
- One (1) Injustice Snapback cap by Bioworld (Superman vs. Batman)
- One (1) Injustice Snapback cap by Bioworld (Superman vs. Batman V2)

April 22, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Spring Cleaning Sale!
Part 1: Transforming, Star Wars & GI Joe Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=15560

Part 2: Marvel and DC Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=15574

Part 3: Movie, TV & video Games Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=15581

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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2014 STAR WARS 6" BLACK SERIES 02 CASE, SET
Wave 02 of 2014 includes previous releases Boba Fett and Stormtrooper, and new figures Anakin Skywalker and Clone Trooper. The Case of 4 is listed at $79.99; Anakin and the Clone Trooper are also listed as a Set for $49.99. Singles of the Stormtrooper and Boba Fett are each already listed, and are priced at $23.99 apiece.

April 2014 - DC Collectibles - DC COLLECTIBLES BATMAN 75TH ANNIVERSARY ACTION FIGURE 4-PACK SET 1

The first special edition action figure 4-pack celebrates Batman's 75th Anniversary-with figures of the Dark Knight based on the designs of Bob Kane, Jim Lee, Darwyn Cooke, and the best-selling Batman: Arkham Origins video game! Featuring a unique paint deco only seen here!

$75.00 US
On Sale October 2014
Allocations May Occur

FIRST APPEARANCE BY BOB KANE - 6.5"
NEW FRONTIER BY DARWYN COOKE - 6.75"
HUSH BY JIM LEE - 6.65"
BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS - 7"