Raving Toy Maniac

NECA UNVEILS NEW PRODUCT LINE-UPS AT NEW YORK TOY FAIR

Agreements with Sanrio and DC Comics Intensify Extensive Movie and Video Game Licenses

(RTM note: for pictures of the toys mentioned below, please check out the galleries over at AwesomeToyBlog.com.)

NEW YORK, NY - February 10, 2013 - National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), a world leader in licensed consumer goods, revealed a robust line-up of new products at the 110th American International Toy Fair in New York.

Along with a substantial list of movie and video game licenses, the company announced a new partnership with Sanrio for a line of products targeted at adult fans of Hello Kitty and friends.

"We are honored to be part of such a beloved brand with such a rich history," said Joel Weinshanker, President and CEO of NECA. "So many fans, our team included, grew up with the Sanrio brand, and we're thrilled at the opportunity to serve this adult market."

NECA also announced its acquisition of the license to produce 1/4 scale action figures based on the 1964 BATMAN television series starring Adam West, as well as a Michael Keaton BATMAN from Tim Burton's 1989 movie.

"The biggest toy news from San Diego Comic-Con 2012 was our acquisition of the Marvel license for 1/4 scale action figures," said Randy Falk, NECA's director of product development. "Admittedly that is a tough act to follow, but for Toy Fair 2013 we're doing it. We are proud to add these long-awaited figures to our roster."

WizKids Games, NECA's games subsidiary, unveiled a roster of new products that highlighted the company's continued dominance in the collectible miniatures gaming market as well as its growing popularity with mainstream audiences.

"2012 was a year of significant growth for our core game lines, and we're not slowing down," said Justin Ziran, president of WizKids Games. "2013 should be a banner year for games, with notable additions from Marvel, DC and Star Trek."

Specific announcements follow:

PACIFIC RIM

One of the year's most anticipated films is Guillermo del Toro's epic sci-fi action movie PACIFIC RIM, opening July 12. In cooperation with Legendary Pictures and ILM, NECA will release a multi-layered product line, beginning with 7" scale poseable action figures created directly from the digital files used by ILM in the making of the movie. The PACIFIC RIM line will also include apparel, giftware, jewelry and stationery based on the franchise, as well as an assortment of games. WizKids, NECA's games subsidiary, announced PACIFIC RIM releases for its HeroClix collectible miniatures game, HeroClix TabApp game, Shuffling the Deck card game and Connect with Pieces puzzle game.

THE LONE RANGER

Coming this summer from the creators of the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, Disney's THE LONE RANGER features cross-generation appeal and big star power. Native American spirit warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice. NECA will offer highly detailed action figures of Tonto and Lone Ranger in a variety of sizes, as well as a robust line of prop replicas, costumes, giftware, stationery, apparel, and jewelry. WizKids revealed its tabletop gaming line-up for THE LONG RANGER, which will include HeroClix collectible miniatures, a Shuffling the Deck card game, and a Connect with Pieces puzzle game, as well as a brand new teen-oriented costume game.

HELLO KITTY

NECA announced an agreement with Sanrio, creators of the renowned Hello Kitty brand, to launch new products designed specifically for adult fans of the worldwide sensation. The new Hello Kitty line will cater to adult collectors, with action figures and statues, home goods, women's accessories and more, as well as various tabletop games, which are slated to include roleplaying and party games, plus a HeroClix collectible miniatures game from WizKids. The highly anticipated Hello Kitty products will begin launching in North America this summer.

DC COMICS

Adding to NECA's extensive line of 1/4 scale action figures, the company announced the acquisition of the DC Comics license for new 18" and larger figures. The highly anticipated line will kick off with Superman from Zack Snyder's upcoming MAN OF STEEL, which will feature nearly 30 points of articulation, an incredibly realistic portrait sculpt, and a fabric cape.

The series will also include a long-awaited first: a 1964 TV BATMAN bearing the likeness of beloved actor Adam West. The original BATMAN TV show has delighted millions over the last 50 years, and for several generations Adam West is the iconic BATMAN. NECA's figure will included a functioning utility belt, interchangeable hands, and more. The 1964 TV BATMAN will be followed by an equally anticipated 1/4 scale figure: BATMAN as portrayed by Michael Keaton in Tim Burton's 1989 BATMAN film. Details on this version of BATMAN are forthcoming.

WizKids unveiled its new DC Comics line-up, which will include HeroClix collectible miniatures based on the 1964 BATMAN TV series, as well as a dice-building game based on the upcoming DC Comics INJUSTICE video game. The game developer will also release HeroClix collectible miniatures and products for HeroClix TabApp based on MAN OF STEEL.

MARVEL

Hot on the heels of its 1/4 scale CAPTAIN AMERICA action figure, NECA debuted the upcoming 1/4 scale IRON MAN action figure in its booth at Toy Fair. The next figure in the series based on THE AVENGERS movie will be thunder god Thor, expected to release in early Fall.

AFTER EARTH

This new sci-fi feature film stars box office powerhouses Will Smith and son Jaden as a father and son who crash land on a planet that was evacuated by humans 1,000 years earlier. NECA will release a line of 7" scale action figures from the movie, as well as select prop replicas created from actual movie props. Fans can also expect a line of apparel, stationery, posters and bags.

KICK-ASS 2

Coinciding with the opening of KICK-ASS 2 on June 28, NECA will release an assortment of highly detailed 7" scale action figures from the sequel to the hit comic book action film. The figures will feature over 20 points of articulation and movie-accurate accessories. NECA will also release a line of replica costumes duplicated from the actual costumes used in the movie, and from WizKids, a line of HeroClix collectible miniatures, a Shuffling the Deck card game and a Connect With Pieces puzzle game.

VALVE

Continuing its successful partnership with acclaimed video game studio VALVE, NECA revealed a number of upcoming products at Toy Fair. The company offered a first look at its upcoming LED-enhanced Atlas and P-Body figures from PORTAL 2, slated for a summer release. WizKids' successful first series of collectible mini turret figures for PORTAL 2 will continue, with Series 2 announced for a late summer release.

NECA will also continue its action figure releases from TEAM FORTRESS 2, with limited edition "BLU" versions of characters Pyro and Demoman in May, as well as a second series of figures (to include the Heavy and Soldier characters) this summer. In a move that blazes new territory for WizKids, the company revealed TEAM FORTRESS 2 NEXT CHESS, an engaging new chess variant featuring character pieces with interchangeable hats.

For the first time, the NECA and WizKids line-up will include DEFENSE OF THE ANCIENTS 2 (DOTA2). The companies will release DOTA2 action figures in North America in the fall, and HeroClix collectible miniatures in August.

THE HOBBIT

Based on the recent blockbuster movie THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, this spring NECA will release a 1/4 scale Bilbo Baggins action figure. The figure will join NECA's already released Gollum 1/4 scale figure, and will be accompanied by a full line of apparel and giftware. HeroClix collectible miniatures from WizKids are also slated for release later this year.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

NECA previously created successful product lines for the box-office hit THE HUNGER GAMES, and will continue the tradition with its sequel CATCHING FIRE. Its wide-reaching line-up includes giftware, apparel, prop replicas, costumes, stationery and accessories, plus a variety of board, puzzle and card games from WizKids.

CARRIE

This fall, NECA will release detailed action figures based on CARRIE, the re-imagined classic horror movie coming to theaters in October. Adding depth to its CARRIE line-up, the company will also produce apparel and jewelry based on the film.

ALIENS

NECA's first series of action figures based on James Cameron's 1986 film ALIENS will be released this spring, with a second series set to follow in late summer. This summer will also see the debut of brand-new "Marines vs Aliens" action figure 2-packs for the North American market.

BIOSHOCK INFINITE

The steampunk-styled video game behind NECA's recent 7" scale action figures and full-size Sky Hook replica will see even more products. NECA unveiled a new Songbird plush doll as well as an upcoming line of Motorized Patriot action figures at the show. A new line of apparel and posters, as well as a HeroClix collectible miniatures game release from WizKids, was also confirmed.

PREDATORS

NECA's fan-favorite series of action figures based on the cult classic PREDATOR movie franchise will continue, with two more series set to release this year. Visitors to the NECA booth at Toy Fair got a sneak preview of the upcoming Series 9 and Series 10 action figures. Also on display at the booth was a NECA's innovative addition to the PREDATORS line: a detailed Trophy Wall Diorama scaled to match the current action figures. It will receive a Limited Edition release this summer.

GEARS OF WAR

Timed with the upcoming release of GEARS OF WAR: JUDGMENT, the new prequel to the best-selling video game series, NECA will release a new Damon Baird action figure in March. It also revealed a brand new line of 3 3/4" figures based on the GEARS OF WAR games. Additionally, a line of apparel and posters for the franchise was confirmed.

MAGE KNIGHT

Building upon the recent successes of the award-winning Mage Knight strategy game and follow-up expansion, WizKids will release a full fantasy miniatures line in fall of 2013. Aptly titled "Mage Knight: Resurrection," this new line will include 25 fantasy miniatures with content popularized by the original Mage Knight miniatures series which boasted over a dozen releases and pioneered the combat dial system further popularized by WizKids HeroClix tabletop miniatures game. Mage Knight: Resurrection miniatures will also incorporate WizKids Games' SwitchClix technology, and each miniature will include two combat dials, one designed for the Mage Knight 2.0 rules set and a second that is HeroClix P.A.C.-compatible. Mage Knight: Resurrection will be offered in both full starter sets and collectible booster packs, two formats familiar to the collectible industry and fans of the collectible franchise.

PATHFINDER

WizKids and Paizo Publishing will offer new products in the increasingly popular PATHFINDER BATTLES fantasy miniatures line. The brand new PATHFINDER BATTLES BUILDER SERIES will kick off this spring with the first installment, "We Be Goblins." It will include 12 new Goblin models that both players and game masters can use in encounters or campaign settings. The release ties in with Paizo's "We Be Goblins Too," a PATHFINDER adventure provided to retailers as part of "Free RPG Day" on June 15. The two companies also announced that they will build on the success of the PATHFINDER BATTLES full miniature set, Shattered Star, with more large-scale fantasy sets in 2013.

STAR TREK

Building on the success of its STAR TREK: FLEET CAPTAINS board game series, WizKids will offer even more games based upon the beloved science fiction franchise. This spring, it will release a new HeroClix Mini Game, as well as a Connect With Pieces puzzle game based upon the blockbuster STAR TREK film directed by J.J. Abrams. Later in 2013, WizKids will release a new expansion to its STAR TREK HeroClix Tactics series. The expansion will feature even more fast-paced ship-to-ship combat and introduce fan-favorite adversaries the Borg.

About NECA

National Entertainment Collectibles Association Inc. is a media and entertainment company operating in the United States and internationally, with three segments: Consumer Products, Filmed Entertainment and Online Retail/Digital Distribution. NECA is the leading designer, marketer, and worldwide distributor of licensed entertainment consumer goods based on some of the world's most established and beloved properties, providing products across all consumer categories and distribution channels. Together, NECA's divisions provide a comprehensive, end-to-end solution to elevate each property, maximizing exposure and reach, while protecting the vision of the creator. As a result of NECA's singular passion and reverence for the intellectual property backing its products, some of this generation's most recognized content creators enjoy working with NECA, allowing us to help bring their vision to their audience. For additional information, visit http://www.necaonline.com.

About WizKids

WizKids/NECA, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NECA, is a New Jersey-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating games driven by imagination. WizKids first pioneered the Combat Dial system featured in HeroClix, the most successful collectible miniatures game on the market today, with over 400 million miniature game figures sold worldwide. WizKids continues to produce new proprietary game platforms and properties including the award-winning board game Mage Knight, the groundbreaking Dice Building Game engine used in the critically-acclaimed game Quarriors, as well as the innovative Connect with Pieces puzzle building game platform. For additional information, visit http://www.wizkidsgames.com.