Raving Toy Maniac

On Sale This Week: Walking Dead and Marvel Minimates, Star Wars Banks and Two New Bottle Openers!

September 2013 - It's another New Toy Day at comic shops across North America, and Diamond Select Toys has delivered some exciting new products! Fans thrilling to the latest goings-ons in the Walking Dead comic book and current Marvel Comics titles will want to pick up the latest assortments of Minimates for both series. The vinyl Commander Appo Bank will bring the Clone Wars to your house, and the Ghost Rider bottle opener is jaw-droppingly awesome. Read on for more info, and visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find the closest store!

Walking Dead Minimates Series 4 Asst.

August 2013 - The Star Wars Celebration convention held in Essen, Germany last week had a nice surprise for action figure collectors: new Star Wars Black figures!

Hasbro has released press images of seven new figures:

The new 6-inch figures are:

• Bespin Luke Skywalker
• Obi-Wan from Episode III
• Stormtrooper from Episode IV

The new 3.75-inch figures are:

• Commander Neyo from Episode III
• Darth Plagueis (Expanded Universe)
• Mace Windu (Clone Wars)
• Vizam from Episode VI

More than 20,000 Fans from Around the World Descend on Essen, Germany for Star Wars Celebration Europe

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy Announces John Williams' Return to Star Wars

Event Highlights a First Look at the Upcoming Star Wars Rebels Animated Series

July 28, 2013 - ESSEN, GERMANY – Star Wars Celebration Europe – the official Star Wars fan convention – has come to a successful close, with more than 20,000 attendees from 40 different countries. Throughout the weekend, fans and families met their favorite stars from the films, gained exclusive access to the Saga's creators, and learned first-hand exciting new developments in a galaxy far, far away.

New Diamond Select Products in Diamond Comics' August Previews Catalog!

July 2013 - It's that time of the month again, when the newest Previews catalog arrives from Diamond Comic Distributors! It's a big month for Diamond Select Toys, as they have seven separate items listed for pre-ordering, including bottle openers, artwork, Minimates, electronic vehicles and more from Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, The Walking Dead and Knight Rider! Check out what you can pre-order now below, and find your nearest comic shop at comicshoplocator.com!

Knight Rider Super Pursuit Mode KITT 1:15 Electronic Vehicle

Hasbro and Disney Expand Strategic Merchandising Relationship for Major Entertainment Properties

Agreement Extends Hasbro's Global Toy and Game Merchandise Rights for Marvel Characters Through 2020

PAWTUCKET, R.I. & BURBANK, Calif. -- July 22, 2013 -- Global branded play company, Hasbro, Inc. and The Walt Disney Company today announced the two companies are expanding their strategic merchandising relationship for major Disney entertainment properties Marvel and Star Wars.

The Marvel amendment extends Hasbro's global rights to Marvel characters for an additional two years running through 2020. Hasbro will continue to develop a wide range of toys and games for Marvel's global Universe of more than 8,000 characters, including Spider-Man, The Avengers and Iron Man.

Hasbro Introduces TELEPODS, a Fully Integrated Play Experience for the Mobile Generation Launching with Angry Birds™ Star Wars ® II

Pawtucket, R.I. (July 15, 2013) - Hasbro, Inc. announced today the launch of a new line that "teleports" physical characters into digital gaming and app experiences. The TELEPODS line uses patented new technology to allow kids to play in two ways: in the physical space and through full and unprecedented integration into top-tier apps. The TELEPODS play experience will first be available in a line released this August based on and fully integrated into the highly anticipated new app ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS II from Rovio Entertainment and Lucasfilm also announced today.

Hasbro to Showcase Its Iconic Pop Culture Brands at Comic-Con International

Premier Branded Play Company to Debut its New TELEPODS Play Experience, KRE-O CITYVILLE INVASION line and Celebrate TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY and More with Fans in San Diego

Diamond to Distribute Pedigree Books for First Time in North America

(BALTIMORE,MD) - (June 17, 2013)- UK based publisher Pedigree Books has signed with Diamond Comic Distributors (DCD) allowing their publications to be distributed to bookstore and comic book specialty stores in North America. Diamonds and Pedigree's joint efforts mark the first time Pedigree's publications will be offered in the US.

Pedigree is a highly respected publisher in the United Kingdom, holding market leading status in character Annuals, Yearbooks and related activity formats. These 80 paged Annuals cover all aspects of pop culture such as trending music, TV, movies, video games, toys and much more continuing with traditional household brand name properties such as Barbie, Star Wars, Angry Birds, Family Guy and Pokémon. The market leading titles appeal to readers of all ages and feature creative activities such as comics, puzzles and character profiles.

SDCC: DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON EXCLUSIVES STORE!

June 18, 2013, MILWAUKIE, OR - The largest and most highly anticipated pop culture event of the year is right around the corner, and Dark Horse is bringing you the latest and greatest in exclusive comics and products from Dark Horse Deluxe!

This year at the Dark Horse booth, a dedicated store will be open throughout the convention where fans can purchase these limited and highly collectible products.

Game of Thrones 7-Inch Stark Shield Wall Plaque (Limited Edition of 1,200)
Sculptural replica of Stark shield. Packaged in full-color box. Includes hook for wall mounting.
Price: $30.00
Availability: Two per person, available all days

Last Man Standing Signed Hardcover Book (Limited Edition of 1,000)

A New Star Wars Droid Vinyl Bank is Coming to Comic-Con 2013!

June 2013 - The team at Diamond Select Toys loves Star Wars, and they love droids, which is why they've made a few different droids in their line of vinyl Star Wars banks. R2-D2, R2-R9 and R2-Q5 have all made their way into collectors' hands, and now there's a new droid headed to San Diego!

This year's Comic-Con International exclusive Star Wars bank is R2-B1, one of the astromech droids assigned to the Royal Shuttle of Naboo, and tragically lost while making repairs during a battle. The 10-inch vinyl bank has a coin slot on the back for inserting change and an access door on the bottom. Sculpted in 1:4 scale, R2-B1 is in scale to DST's Yoda bank, Jawa bank, and all of their Ultimate Quarter Scale action figures.