Raving Toy Maniac

May 31, 2012 - Hasbro has sent word of a new contest:

Hello!

Hasbro is hosting THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Scavenger Hunt, an online promotion in support of the upcoming THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN toy line based on the upcoming Marvel movie!

With the new Amazing Spider-Man movie swinging into theaters, Hasbro is giving kids 6-13 the chance to win the ultimate Spider-Man prize: a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida to experience the Spider-Man ride in 3D! From May 30-July 8, kids can log on to http://www.hasbro.com/spiderman for the chance to win the trip for 4, or one of 100 Amazing Spider-Man Electronic Figures. Kids can also play The Amazing Spider-Man Scavenger Hunt, where they'll search for missing toys. No purchase necessary. U.S. residents only; void where prohibited.

May 31, 2012 - As the tide rolls in, it brings a warning from the sea... the Captain is not gone, but waiting. Deep in the water the peg-legged pirate waits to set sail once again on the Whispering Corsair along with his crew of undead shipmates. Reel in this limited edition ghostly "Deep Blue Sea" variant when Toy2R releases him next month. Limited to only 200 pieces, this edition will wave in the arrival of more mysterious JPK creations to come... so don't miss out on this limited release.

May 31, 2012 - Two weeks ago, Diamond Select Toys and Marvel.com announced their first-ever fan poll to decide a full series of Marvel Minimates. Through a series of four polls, Marvel fans get to choose the entire line-up of Series 50, which will hit in 2013 and mark the 10th anniversary of the line.

Last week's poll had fans choosing between eight new versions of the biggest Marvel heroes, but it's a new week, and there's a new poll up at Marvel.com! This week, the poll offers up eight supporting heroes, many of whom have never been made as Minimates -- Winter Soldier, Songbird, Black Knight II, The Falcon, Gladiator, Banshee, Luke Cage and Commander Steve Rogers. You can vote for your two favorites, and the highest-polling characters will be made in Series 50!

"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