Raving Toy Maniac

"Marvel's The Avengers" To Screen for Crew of International Space Station

After Conquering the World Box Office, the Record-breaking Super Hero Actioner Takes On Space 220 Miles Above Earth

BURBANK, Calif., May 31, 2012 -- Marvel Studios announced today that they arranged with NASA to transfer their record-breaking blockbuster film "Marvel's The Avengers" to NASA's Mission Control in Houston, which will uplink the film to the International Space Station (ISS), currently orbiting 220 miles above Earth. The film will then be screened for the space station crew's exclusive enjoyment.

This screening continues Marvel's collaboration with NASA, which began during principal photography of "Marvel's The Avengers" when the film shot at the Space Power Facility at NASA's Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio.

May 31, 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.

- Toys R Us Recalls Imaginarium Activity Center Due to Choking Hazard

Hallmark Unveils Plans, Reveals Exclusive Keepsake Ornaments for Comic-Con 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 30, 2012 -- Hallmark announces its return to Comic-Con International in San Diego - the largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world. Celebrating its fifth year at Comic-Con, Hallmark will provide more than 100,000 attendees access to Comic-Con-exclusive Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, visits with a Keepsake Ornament artist and sneak peeks of products to be released in 2013.

During the convention, held July 11-15, 2012, Hallmark will sell limited quantities of the following Keepsake Ornaments:

• 4-LOM and Zuckuss: This two-pack features the criminal droid 4-LOM and Gand tracking expert Zuckuss from "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™." Created exclusively for event sales, 4-LOM and Zuckuss are the last bounty hunters depicted in the film to become Keepsake Ornaments. Limited run of 1,000 sets ($35 per set).

Street Grapes 5 Inch Mini Qee Bear from Toy2R

May 2012 - Toy2R - Street Grapes is an up and coming street artist and illustrator who is passionate about many forms of art. He combines hand drawn and graphic art together to make sophisticated and distinctive designs. Street Grapes was born and raised in Russia, and now has been living in the USA for 6 years. His art can now be seen in many parts of the US, from NYC to LA; as well as in other parts of the world. Street Grapes is influenced by many art forms; ranging from classical Russian art and Medieval illustrations, to old-school graffiti. He enjoys the art of many people from all over the world, contemporary and classical.

To make it short: The Grapes Bear is a funny little character whom loves to travel around the world. Maybe you'll see him around next time you're in the streets.

Qee x Swarovski celebrates Michele Reis

May 2012 - Toy2R - While attending activities in Beijing, Swarovski spokesperson and now designer Michele Reis was surprised with a mysterious gift, an 8 inch Qee Bear covered in nearly 10,000 various sized Swarovski Elements crystals. The figure was designed with her birth date as well as "JMJ" the children's charity fund she founded with her husband and son. The Qee also includes design elements such as the "M7 heart" from her Magnificent 7 series of iPhone cases from Play Bling.

MEGA Brands and Activision announce worldwide licensing partnership

MEGA BLOKS Toys Based on SKYLANDERS Giants Coming This Fall

MONTREAL, May 30, 2012 - MEGA Brands Inc. and Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc., announced today that they have entered into a multi-year, global licensing partnership to develop MEGA BLOKS & MEGA PUZZLES toys and puzzles inspired by Skylanders Giants™, the sequel to the #1 new kids videogame IP of 2011 - Skylanders Spyro's Adventure™.

The phenomenally successful Skylanders Spyro's Adventure video game franchise was the first ever to successfully merge physical toys and a virtual game world across leading videogame consoles. Starting this fall, Mega Bloks will take this adventure to another level by offering kids and collectors the ability to build and rebuild the wonderful characters and magical worlds from the new and highly anticipated Skylanders Giants video game.

May 31, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com about a batch of awesome new preorders as well as more new arrivals.

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NEW PREORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS MASTERPIECE - SIDESWIPE, RED ALERT, SOUNDWAVE
We have a trio of new Masterpiece figures up for pre-order with freshly reduced prices! Sideswipe and his mold-mate Red Alert are each priced at $83.99, while Megatron's trusted lieutenant Soundwave is listed at $139.99. All three figures are slated to arrive in December, so start saving up for a wonderful Transformers Holiday Season.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=14&category=22

STAR WARS VINTAGE WAVE 04 - CASE, SETS, SINGLES

Toys"R"Us® Reaffirms Its Commitment To Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation With Nationwide Fundraising And Awareness Program

Company to Launch In-Store and Online Campaign to Help in the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer, Highlighting Extraordinary Examples of Kids Helping Kids - One Cup at a Time

WAYNE, N.J., May 30, 2012 -- Toys"R"Us® today announced its continuing support of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for all children with cancer. Beginning this Friday, June 1 through Tuesday, July 31, the company will "Help Fight Childhood Cancer, One Cup at a Time" with an in-store and online fundraising campaign benefiting ALSF. Monetary donations will be collected at all Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us® stores and online at Toysrus.com/AlexsLemonade.

May 30, 2012 - DC has a new contest online, the Superman vs. The Elite Sweepstakes, to celebrate the release of the Superman vs. The Elite Blu-Ray/DVD on June 12th.

Grand prize is a Dahon Jifo 16 Folding Bike. The 30 Second Prizes are the "Superman vs. The Elite" Blu-ray Combo Pack with UltraViolet.

Enter by July 6, 2012.

May 30, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Hasbro has just released an impressive list of new products

Star Wars Vintage Figures - Wave 04 - This wave features 6 new figures each with a normal version of the packaging as well as a new promotional blue card version. Cases, Sets, and Singles are available here:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=2012+vintage+04

Marvel Universe 2012 - Wave 01 - This wave contains Spider-Man Unlimited, Kraven, New Incredible Hulk, Beast, and Beta Ray Bill - available by the case or set
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=3.75+marvel+2012+s...

Transformers Prime Deluxe - Waves 05 and 06
Wave 05 features Ironhide and Rumble
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=prime+deluxe+05