Raving Toy Maniac

August 10, 2012 - Hasbro has sent out an update about Star Wars:

Dear Star Wars fans,

We hope everyone is getting geared up for Star Wars Celebration VI next week! In anticipation of the show, the Star Wars team wanted to share two important pieces of information.

Vintage Line News:

The last Vintage wave of 2012 will be released online only. The figures will be available on Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Big Bad Toy Store, Brian's Toys, and other specialty shops. The figures are listed below.

• Ahsoka
• Obi-Wan (Clone Wars)
• Naboo Pilot
• Mawhonic
• Aurra Sing
• Lumat
• Gungan Warrior
• Nien Nunb
• Royal Guard
• Republic Trooper (The Old Republic)
• Orrimaarko (Prune Face)

(RTM note: reader BKP noticed that Episode VI Weequay Hunter was not on this list, but we checked the Big Bad Toy Store listing and they do show him in the case.)

Droid Factory Parts Swap at Celebration VI: "Yes, these are the droid parts you are looking for!"

August 10, 2012 - 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.

- GE Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard - it's not a toy, but they did recall 1.3 million units, so go check your dishwasher now!

- Children's Pajamas Recalled by My Clothes Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

- CPSC Sues Zen Magnets Over Hazardous, High-Powered Magnetic Balls - Action prompted by ongoing harm to children from ingested magnets

August 9, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Total Recall Blaster Replica
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HCO10123&mode=re...

Sideshow Mass Effect Commander Shepard 1/4
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SSC11165&mode=re...

Portal - Neca Mini Turret Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=neca+turret

Heavy Metal Cybercop Statue
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HCO10122&mode=re...

G2 Bruticus Shared Exclusive Still Available
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22068&mode=re...

WFC TF Upgrade Parts
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=dreammaker

Big Wheels are Back - get some for your kids
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=3067&category=8866

Rocky Robe & Shorts Sets

In Stores This Week: Madness Returns and the Chitauri Strike!

August 8, 2012 - It's Wednesday, that magical day of the week when Diamond Comics ships comics and toys to good little comic shop customers across America. Which means it's time for the latest products from Diamond Select Toys! This week we get the last Marvel Select Avengers figure, and the first series of figures based on Alice: Madness Returns!

First up, American McGee's take on the Alice in Wonderland story, as seen in the award-winning game Alice: Madness Returns, is now a line of Select action figures! The first assortment of 7-inch scale figures features the Cheshire Cat, a zombie Card Guard and Alice Liddell herself, complete with Vorpal blade, hobby horse and pepper grinder. And if you're lucky, your local shop also ordered in the Previews-exclusive Hysteria Alice, featuring Alice in her unstoppable Hysteria Mode from the game.

August 2012 - Ryan McClure has let us know about a new toy raffle:

To promote the launch of my comic book, Waking Wally Street #2 - Loyal to the Bone, I'm holding another custom toy raffle!

The Prize is a custom Wally Street 5" MadL. Wally Street is the main character of my comic series. This custom is hand-painted with sculpted features by me, Ryan McClure (Rocketboy Customs).

To qualify for the raffle to win Wally:

Preorder an issue of Waking Wally Street #2 just $3.99 plus shipping at: http://rocketboycustoms.bigcartel.com/product/waking-wally-street-issue-...

or

Buy the E-Comic Download version (for your electronic device) just $1.99 (available to read now!) at: http://rocketboycustoms.bigcartel.com/product/waking-wally-street-issue-...

August 8, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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LEGEND OF ZELDA 1/4 SCALE MASTER ARTS GANONDORF CENTER PIECE
First4Figures' line of Zelda 1/4 Scale Master Arts Center Pieces continues with the villain Ganondorf. He stands 23" tall atop his display base and is listed at $439.99, $40 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=FFF10074&mode=re...

PREDATORS SERIES 06 - CASE, SET, SINGLES
This new wave of 7" figures includes Lost Predator, Warrior Predator and Scout Predator, and we have them listed at $49.9 for the Set of three, $21.99 for a Case of 14 (4 Scout, 5 each of the others, saving $54 off the MSRP), and singly at $17.99 - $19.99 each.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=PREDATORS+SERIES+06

BBTS DISTRIBUTION EXCLUSIVE GHOST RECON FUTURE SOLDIER VINYL FIGURE

August 2012 - CustomCon 32 is now online at JoeAcevedo.com.

The galleries of customized action figures include:

• 1984 Movie "The Terminator"
• HBO Series "Game of Thrones"
• Mighty Max Action Figures
• Marvel Duckies Double Packs
• Marvel Legends X: Weapon X: Shiva Build-A-Figure

Take a look back at the previous CustomCon events.

Enter the Marvel Select 10th Anniversary Contest to Win an Instant MS Collection!

August 2012 - Ten years ago, the first Marvel Select figure from Diamond Select Toys arrived in comic shops. Depicting Ultimate Spider-Man, the 7-inch scale figure came with a large diorama base (a criminal webbed to a wall), and it was packaged in an oversized blister card that displayed the figure and all of its accessories. Since then, DST has made nearly 100 different Marvel Select figures, and to celebrate the line's tenth anniversary, they want you to be able to win one of every figure they have in their office!

August 6, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer Urban-Collector has several new items of interest to collectors:

This week we are featuring new pre-orders including Arkham City Play Arts Kai Batman and Catwoman figures, Jeepers Creepers 1:4 scale statue and DC's Batman Beyond statue.

Featured Pre-Orders

• Dark Knight Batman Arkham City Play Arts Kai action figure
• Catwoman Arkham City Play Arts Kai action figure

August 6, 2012 - Pete from Fun Publications has let us know that he will be on the August 15th episode of Toy Hunters:

Hey all... Just a quick heads up.

I will be appearing on the Season Premiere of "Toy Hunters", Wednesday Aug 15th, 10pm on the Travel Channel. The episode premieres right after the "Best Sandwich in America" Finale.

Though the company I work for, Fun Publications, is not associated with Toy Hunters, the segment did take place in my office so viewers will get a look at where I work and we do spend some time talking about the Transformers Collectors' Club and the amazing Transformers fandom.

Toy Hunters site
http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/toy-hunter

Sneak Peaks at Season 1
http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/whats-new-on-travel-channel/photos...