In the Mail Comes HAVOK !

ToyFare's Exclusive Havok figure is now shipping! So hurry home and check your mail boxes. This classic version of Cyclops' bro is a repainted Daredevil figure with a Black Bolt head. While many repaints do not add much to the original sculpt, ToyFare and ToyBiz arranged to include Alex Summers' infamous eggbeater top! For those of you who don't like to open your toys, Havok ships in a neat little box that lets Alex look out at the world from his cardboard prison!

Next up from ToyFare magazine include Transporting Tasha Yar in January's issue, Glow-in-the-Dark Undertaker in February, and an exlcusive Fathom figure in March.

The Dawn of a New Day for Action Figure Lovers

Popping up around comic and specialty shops around the US are ads for McFarlane's latest masterpieces: Frank Miller's Marv from Sin City and Joseph Michael Linsner's Dawn. Marv is scheduled for a February release, and will be available in both black and white and color. Dawn should rise in May. The sculpt you see here of Dawn is considered a prototype, so if you think it looks good now, just wait till May! You won't find these at Toys R Us, so make sure you place your requests at your local comic shop, on-line toy retailer, or through the Spawn Collector's Club. Click on the images you see here for a closer look.

New Marvel Universe 10" Figures at KayBee

If you're a ToyBiz 10" action figure fan, head over to your local Kay Bee toy store for some great new figures! Several standard characters have recently appeared in the 10" line, as well as some repaints. Heroes Unmasked (Venom, Wolverine), Savage Force (Kraven, Angel, Wolverine), Heroes Unite (Scarlet Spider), Spider-Wars (Red and Blue Web Armor Spidey, a new Carnage with translucent body) and a great new repainted Mysterio with clear "fishbowl" head and hatched costume patterns. Other characters available in the 10" line include Storm in her white costume with a new head sculpt, Daredevil, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Nick Fury, Union Jack, the Spot, Green Goblin, and Peter Parker.

Get Ready to RUMBLLLLLLE! ToyFare #18 Showcases new ToyBiz Wrestlers

ToyFare #18 is out - grab yourself a copy for a sneak peak at the new ToyBiz WCW/NWO Smash 'N Slam wrestling figures coming to a toy store near you! Pictures of Sting, Lex Luger, Kevin Nash, and "Macho Man" Randy Savage are included.

Also in this issue is news about the Hasbro Collectors website and catch of glimpse at MAC's latest : FATHOM. Throw in the year's end "Best of the Best" awards, an exclusive Stone Cold Steve Austin (no, not the 6 Million Dollar man...), Star Wars Episode 1 Homemade Heroes, and everybody's favorite, Twisted Mego Theatre, and you've got yourself a happening issue!

But that's not all! Also in issue #18 is a mini-mag with a rundown of the Star Wars Expanded Universe Line! Impress your friends and loved ones!

Well, maybe not. But Previews does have some really nifty stuff coming up. In recent months, they have emerged as a powerhouse in the toy industry, allowing things that were discontinued, such as the great STAS line, to resurface one more time, and unique variations to be offered to the public that may not have happened before.

But where they really have made an impact is in showing that direct market toys can survive and thrive, leading to folks like McFarlane Toys and Resaurus making high quality action figures for the direct market only as a viable alternative to the retail conglomerates.

So without further ado, here is what they are highlighting this month: At right, we have the exclusive Quake Marine variant, with a totally new sculpted head and a new color scheme. Look at our Indy Toy News page for more Quake toy news. Next we have a closer look at the upcoming MAC Witchblade series 2 Sara Pezzini figure at left. Previews also will be offering an exclusive variant of this figure in a black dress and gold armor.

And finally, be on the lookout for the long awaited STAS Supergirl figure, now showing up in comic shops all over!

Full Moon toys has unveiled new catalog photos of their upcoming Retro Puppet Master figures that RTM showcased in this year's SDCC coverage. These figures are based on unused designs made for the very first Puppet Master film.

Hasbro has released images of some of this year's Action Collection Exclusives. Most of these items are on the shelves now.

Electronic Boba Fett (KB Toys)
Luke Pancho, Leia Boushh, Han Bespin (KB Toys)
Han Solo and Carbonite Block (Target)
Electronic Emperor and Royal Guard (Target)
Electronic C-3PO and R2-D2 (Toys R Us)
Wicket (Walmart)
R5-D4 (Walmart)
R2-D2 w/ Utility Arms (Walmart)
Leia Hoth (Service Merchandise)
Hoth 4-Pack (JC Penney)

Also, new images of Star Wars: Episode 1 toys are now appearing on the new page The Fandom Menace. Go check 'em out!

Intergalactic Bounty Hunter Headlines Latest Tomarts

Check out Tomart's Action Figure Digest #59, at your local comic shop or bookstore now, for news on the upcoming K.B. Toys' 12" Electronic Boba Fett with FIRING BACKPACK! He's got a pretty big missile, and the "choking hazard" is clearly labelled on the box, so it looks like fans will get what they've been waiting for since the first Boba Fett was released in the 80's.

Also in this issue are other photos of the upcoming 12" Star Wars line, shots of the Star Wars: Expanded Universe figures on their 3-D pop-up cards, WWF gift packs, Star Trek Insurrection and Classic Trek 9" figures, Turok, Wing Commander, Full Moon Toys, Power Rangers in Space, Movie Maniacs, Spawn Series 12, and the 1998 Figure of the Year Ballot.

PLUS: Some great custom works are displayed in the 1998 Action Figure Design Contest. (gotta love the Custom Seinfeld figures!)

To complement this spectacular beauty, MAC presents a totally resculpted Nottingham (shown right) with Witchblade glove and swords.

The final figure is none other than the fabulous Aspen Matthews (not shown) straight from the pages of Michael Turner's incredibly popular comic series Fathom published by Top Cow, Inc.

The case assortment for this line includes 5 Aspens, 5 Saras, and 2 Nottinghams. Suggested retail price is $10.95 per figure. The entire line should be available in April of 1999.

Stay tuned for more MAC updates!

Also making its first Mid-Ohio appearance will be Flatt World Figures. Although you won't be able to walk away with a Flatt original at the Con, you will be able to feast you eyes on many of Charlee Flatt's original works and get an eyeful of the gorgeous prototypes of upcoming Flatt World offerings. You can pre-order the figures right at the Con and save yourself a few bucks at the same time. Well worth a look. Don't even think of trying to dash off with the Flatt custom figures on display (and we've certainly thought about it). We hear that one of the Flatt World Figures reps is a black belt. He can drop you like a bad habit and snatch the figure out of your hands before you hit the floor.

Finally, McFarlane Toys Collectors Club Director, Chet Jacques, makes a return trip to the Con with a sneak preview of many of the companies forthcoming figures to display. You'll want to be sure to meet up with Chet and chat a bit. Always entertaining, Chet will make you laugh and he might even have a few of his hilarious custom figures on hand. Just ask him and we bet he'll show you.

If you can't attend the Con this year, we'll bring you all the news and pics from the event next week in a wrap up of all the toy festivities. Stay tuned.

You can get all the Mid-Ohio Con info at their website: http://www.midohiocon.com

Metal Gear Solid one of the most popular games ever developed for Sony PlayStation will soon break out of its computer-generated reality into a new dimension when McFarlane Toys releases an eight-figure assortment of the game’s most popular characters.

Set in the early 21st Century, the hit game from Konami sends players on a mission with a tactical operations force dispatched to regain control of a facility captured by terrorists who intend to detonate a nuclear weapon within 24 hours. The game’s blend of rousing action, state-of-the-art graphics, sophisticated intrigue, and human drama have made it a favorite with gamers in Japan, and it is quickly catching on with international players.

The series contains the following characters from the game: super-spy Solid Snake; team leader Liquid Snake; Meryl Silverburgh; Vulcan Raven; Revolver Ocelot; Sniper Wolf; Ninja; and Psycho Mantis.

Each figure will come equipped with its own unique weapons and accessories, which will range from various firearms (with removable silencers & laser sights) to shoulder-mounted Stinger missiles (with launchers).

Moore Action Collectibles has the license to do 6" action figures of everybody's favorite high school sweetheart, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The line will feature Buffy herself (natch!) along with Angel, Willow and the Master. Each character will be rendered in painstaking (no pun intended) detail that has become the hallmark of Moore Action Collectibles. Clayburn Moore himself will be doing the honors by sculpting Buffy. Each figure will be available for an affordable $10.95 each (no bloodsucking by MAC) and are expected to ship in the Spring of 1999.

Exclusive Toy Products will be doing a series of 9" dolls featuring real cloth outfits and collector packaging. Their line will consist of Buffy, Angel and Willow and should be available in early 1999.

We'll bring you all the Buffy news and pics as they become available to us. Watch this space and watch your back!

It's worth a look even if you are only a casual Star Wars fan. Looks like it could be an exciting movie for old and new fans alike.

And just so this is a little toy related, we'd like to show you the new Aunt Beru figure (with Treadwell droid) courtesy of Jen Donahoe from Hasbro. Now your Uncle Owen figure won't be lonely any more. But you might have some problems prying him away from Jabba's Dancers.

In November, Spiked Spawn from the movie Spawn, will be a Target exclusive. He is posed on a mound of trash with eighteen bats swarming around him. This masked-head version of Spiked Spawn has bladed weapons morphing from his forearms.

Spawn III is introduced as a KayBee exclusive also in November. This adaptation of Spawn III has a pliable rubber cape, newly sculpted unmasked head, long metal chains, and is packaged with a fierce-looking wolf.

The FAO Schwarz exclusive, Poacher with Gun, will be displayed in a special lighted collector's case. Poacher is available in November.

Manga Goddess, the Walmart exclusive, will be available in December. In addition to being meticulously re-painted, a new chest plate and huge pair of articulated wings have been fabricated for her.

Manga Spawn, a Toys R Us exclusive available in December, will have a newly fabricated right forearm. This massive arm serves as a weapon that shoots a double bladed projectile. Overall, the colors will be black and gray with small highlights of silver, white, green, and Spawn red with chrome metalized areas.

Special Edition Spawn Figures Schedule

The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $20.00 each, and for the FAO Schwarz exclusive with lighted plexiglass cases $25.00 each.

Jesse portrayed himself as an action figure in several of his TV ads, adding a touch of humor so often absent from political ads. These ads can be seen on-line using the RealMedia player. Just click the television links below to check out Jesse "The Action Figure" Ventura in action against his arch enemy, Special Interest Man!

You can check out all the political ads (including these) at the KTCA Election '98 Adwatch site.

Jesse The Action Figure	Jesse's RV Accessory

Thanks to Tom Galloway for the heads up

An additional feature gives us a look at many of the images that didn't make the cut in past issues. One of the hallmarks of go figure has been its beautiful digital images of toys in action scenes. Unfortunately, there isn't always room in each issue to show all the images produced. So this little feature allows you to see some of the beautiful outtakes.

The issue is rounded out with Adam Pawlus' Tractor Beam column covering the world of Star Wars. There is also a wealth of other news and photos on toys ranging from the upcoming Puppetmaster Retro Puppets to Moore Action Collectibles future releases to Palisades Toys Tekken 3 figures. It's just another packed issue of toy fun!

Look for go figure #9 at your local comic or magazine retailer.

The Web site kickoff will be highlighted by an online auction of one-of-a-kind Hasbro collectibles, including the opportunity to bid for an autographed Mark McGwire Starting Lineup action figure and a G.I. Joe figure made in your likeness. The online auction, which will be hosted by leading online auction provider eBay, will begin on November 10 and culminate in the announcement of winning bids on November 17. All proceeds from the auction will go to the nationally recognized Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, R.I.

"HasbroCollectors.com leverages our powerful portfolio of collectible brands, our expertise and understanding of action figure collectors, the growing popularity of toy collecting, and the power of dynamic Internet technologies," said Wendy Riches, Hasbro's President of Global Direct Marketing and E-Commerce. "We believe that this site will result in better informed, even more enthusiastic collectors -- which is good news for our retail partners."

Site Highlights

HasbroCollectors.com is a robust site with customized content about Hasbro collectibles and collecting in general, features that help toy collectors build Web "communities," and an online store with exclusive and hard-to-find items.

In the community area of the site, collectors will be able to chat with each other through links to the Tripod Web site. Site visitors can also create their own home pages to showcase their collections, an extremely popular activity among collectors. Through a partnership with The Password Web site, collectors can created their own "e-zines" that retrieve requested information from a variety of Web sources. Site visitors can also e-mail Hasbro with questions, or check out the FAQ area for answers on hot collecting topics.

HasbroCollectors.com visitors can register to receive additional, tailored information through an e-mail newsletter called Hasbro Insider. All those who register will receive a free gift - and be the first to experience something totally new - Hasbro digitals. These "digital collectibles" feature Hasbro's collectible brands, such as Starting Lineup and BeastWars Transformers. They were created by Parable Corp. and are powered by Parable's proprietary Thing technology, which is available for download in the registration area of HasbroCollectors.com.

Hasbro Collectibles Available for Purchase In addition to information and the latest technologies, HasbroCollectors.com will also give collectors an opportunity to purchase a select number of products directly. Currently featured at the site are: Starting Lineup Muhammad Ali figure; Action Man Roller Extreme; Clayface (from the Batman brand); and the Universal Monsters Signature Series "Phantom of the Opera" figure. Each of these collectibles will feature a source file that provides collectors with relevant facts and a closer look at the item. Consumers can purchase these items in a secure manner by completing and submitting a simple online order form, or they can order by phone or fax.

HasbroCollectors.com is designed for rapid page load, so visitors don't have to wait for information they want. All pages within the site are generated dynamically - instantaneously created on demand, based on the information requested by each individual visitor. Hasbro has also included all the relevant privacy features on the site to help parents with children who want to visit HasbroCollectors.com. HasbroCollectors.com uses Internet Commerce Corporation's secured socket layer (SSL) technology for safe Internet transaction processing.

For more information, visit http://www.hasbrocollectors.com beginning November 10.

The dolls won't be available until the Spring of 1999. The next series of the Xena 6-inch figures has yet to be totally decided. We'll let you know any definite info as soon as we receive the news.

"We were told that this was the worst flooding in 50 years and felt it was imperative to see for ourselves. Fortunately, the damage will only cause delays with 3 of our products: the Frankenstein statue, Beavis and Butt-Head action figures, and the 12" Lady Death action figure doll" comments Moore Creations/Moore Action Collectibles President/CEO, Clayburn Moore.

The updated shipping schedules are as follows:

• Frankenstein - January
  
• Beavis & - Butt-Head: End of December
  
• 12" Lady Death - January

In their place will be a more standard character line up that is tentatively set to include: The Punisher, Cyclops, Rogue and Nightcrawler. These choices are subject to change of course, but this is where things stand as of now. No title or theme for the assortment has been announced.

We'll bring you any further news developments or images as we receive them.

The project is a bold attempt to extend customer service into a whole new area for the company. In addition to on-line sales of some of Hasbro's most popular collector items, the site will incorporate brand new content by partnering with toy experts from the print media and the web.

Hasbro also wants to begin to cultivate a community of like-minded collectors by introducing interactive content and features. While this reaching out to consumers isn't new on the web, it is new territory for toy industry giant Hasbro. And it couldn't happen at a better time.

Hasbro also has plans to market items exclusively through this new web venture. As mentioned below, some of the future Internet Exclusive offerings include their most popular brands such as Batman, Star Wars and GI Joe.

So be sure to bookmark the site so you can be there for the debut on November 10th:

These figures will be sold exclusively through Spencer's Gifts and should be available widely very soon. We were given unprecendented access to the creative process involved in creating these figures. From the very early designs through the finished figures...we have it all.

Plus, taking advantage of the multimedia nature of the web, we are able to show you things you will never see in a print publication. We have sound clips form the actual figures so you can check out how these figures rock. Plus, for the first time anywhere, we take you behind the innovative Art Asylum method of designing control art. Check out the first ever animated control drawings of Kiss!

So, to take a look at it all, you simply have to Kiss This!.

These new figures will be done in the same style as the first series which included Batman, Nightwing and the Joker. Look for cloth costumes and collector packaging.

Hasbro is gearing up to serve collectors in a big way by doing a lot of on-line sales of their popular collector products. Included in this new program will be the Legends of the Dark Knight Clayface as well.

The plan is to make exclusive and hard to find items available over the web for Hasbro collectors. Ordering info is not yet available, but we'll keep you up to date on all the latest news about this new venture from Hasbro.

Each figure features a detailed sculpt and numerous accessories to bring the character to life. The series features an updated Cygor figure as a special boxed edition. In addition, a new twist has been added in the inclusion of the Gruesome Twosome which are two separate action figures (Top Gun and Bottom Line) that can be combined to create one huge monstrosity.

Here is a detailed description of each figure and its features:

Spawn IV,The Arsenal of Doom, standing 6 1/2" tall and having 8 points of articulation including ball-jointed shoulders. Equipped with 5 separate weapons, including spinning-action gattling gun, 2 machine guns, 1 small pistol and a knife that fits in his ankle sheath. Also comes with real chains attached from shoulder, rib and waist.

Re-Animated Spawn stands over 7"tall with articulation at neck, waist, hips, and wrists with ball-jointed shoulders. This creature of twisted proportions has a robotic head, large primordial axe, victim's head, and snap-on backpack equipped with four wings that open for flight or protect him as a sheath.

Gruesome Twosome, the following two figures stack together to form this one horrific alien:

• Top Gun, the top half of this duo stands 6 5/8"tall until you discover his telescopic legs, then he towers to over 9". Top Gun has articulation at the neck shoulders, ankles, and jaw. He comes with two weapons that snap on to his shoulders, removable chest plate, and claw-like feet. In addition, Top Gun shoots water from a missile that fits into a harness on his back.
  
• Bottom Line, the bottom part of the duo, stands 6 3/8" tall with over 10 points of articulation. Both hands have thumb and finger articulation and shoulders are ball-jointed. Chest plate is removable and several plastic tubes connect from the alien-like weaponry to his body as well as from his wrists to hands. This alien's head launches from his body via a button on its back.

The Creech, straight from the pages of Greg Capullo's The Creech comic book; this figure stands 6 3/4 " tall. He has articulation at the shoulders, waist, hips, and wrists. The nine tentacles protruding from his head are bendable and he comes equipped with two snap-on arm cannons.

Deluxe Cy-Gor 2, Special Boxed Edition, is an 83/4" tall primate with cybernetic parts and articulation occurring at the neck, groin, and wrists. Shoulders are ball-jointed and claw is interchangeable with hook. Real chains hang from wrist cuffs to ankle shackles and from collar to waist. Chest cavity opens to reveal small robotic monkey. Monkey has articulated neck, shoulders, and tail.

Click the logo below for a better look at all these figures

Spawn Series 12

Most Subways will allow you to purchase the toys without buying the kid's meal but this policy varies from store to store. Check with you local Subway for more info.

This new prototype features some fairly significant additions and modifications. First and foremost, there is the addition of a yellow cloth body suit. This harkens back to the old Mego version of Shellhead. Additionally, belt discs have been added to complete the costume.

One other change we noticed is that the original prototype had two open hands. In the photos of the later prototype, the left hand has been changed to a fist. It is unclear which of these choices will make it to the final figure, but given the brief history of these figures, the one hand open, one hand closed motif will probably be preserved. Additionally, the boots and gauntlets appear to have undergone a few revisions from the earlier prototype.

And just to top it all off, we're pleased to present the first look at the man beneath the mask. Included in the revisions is a shot of Iron Man unmasked. The Tony Stark head is a completely new sculpt.

For a look at both the old prototype and all the new pics, click the link below:

Iron Man

Additionally, DC Direct has plans to produce PVC sets of the Legion of Superheroes and the Justice Society of America.

All these items will be available in 1999. We'll keep you updated with details as we receive them.

These figures were originally only available in three packs. The new releases include the Frankenstein Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Wolfman. No word on whether the other previous releases will be made available individually. We'll let you know when we find out.

The packaging is very similar to the 12" Star Wars Collectors Series figures featuring a large window box. These have begun to show up in stores like Target just in time for Halloween. So go scare up a few bucks and get yourself some monsters!

KB Toys has also purchased a limited amount of these classic Godzilla figures to be made available through their stores.

Joining the Toho monsters in their invasion is an assorment based on Daiei Studios Gamera, Guardian of the Universe. Gamera, Guilon , Gyaos, Viras, Jiger, and Zigra are available with or without sound.

You have to supply your own miniature cities to destroy, though!

Check out Trendmasters site for all the details.

Fans of the recent Tri Star version of Godzilla, and especially the FOX Kids hit animated series based on the movie will be happy to know that Trendmasters is in the planning stages of a line based on the series currently running on Saturday mornings. The new line is expected to debut sometime in Fall 1999.

The Rocky & Bullwinkle packs include the famous twosome (of course), pseudo-spies Boris and Natasha, and Dudley Doright and his trusty steed.

The Underdog sets all feature Underdog himself paired with another character. The alternate characters include Sweet Polly Purebread, Shoeshine Boy (Underdog's mild mannnered alter ego), and villains Simon Bar Sinister and Riff Raff.

Look for these figures in stores right now. No word on whether ETP plans on any expansions of this line. However, the catalog of characters found on these two series could certainly be used to good advantage. Tennessee Tuxedo & Chumley, Commander McBragg, Sherman & Mr. Peabody, Klondike Kat & Savoire Faire, Go Go Gophers and even George of the Jungle were all produced by Gamma Productions in the 1960's and 1970's.

We'll let you know as we find out more about this line and its potential future.

In another incarnation come Warner Brothers exclusive redecos of several Total Justice figures. Included thus far are repainted versions of Fractal Armor Batman, Robin, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Hawkman, and Despero. These figures feature new packaging and are named "DC Super Heroes."

Also featured are the DC beanie figures we mentioned several months ago (see photos below). You can check out shots of these on the WB Store web site with ordering info on-line. This series features Batman, Robin, Superman, Flash, Wonder Woman and Catwoman. On the WB site, they show Batgirl instead of Catwoman, but the WB catalog shows a new-style Catwoman beanie so we assume this is just a web glitch. A beanie Batgirl is indeed planned with the Batman Animated series of beanies also due out this year (and we've included the Batgirl pic below just for fun).

Something you won't see on the WB site or in the catalog just yet is a new comic-styled statue of the Boy Wonder. This Robin statue is done in the same style as the current Batman and Superman on sale now. No word on when this statue is to be released, but we'd bet it will be in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Enjoy your DC Super Heroes shopping!

Thanks to the numerous folks who sent in information for this news story

And just for RTM readers, Bounty Hunters Collectibles is offering a special deal. If you mention that you saw this notice on RTM, you will receive $1 off the purchase price of the Black Knight. All you have to do is tell them you saw it on RTM when you send in your order!

For all the pricing and ordering information, head on over to Bounty Hunters Collectibles' web site at http://www.bhctoys.com

Don't forget to tell 'em that RTM sent ya!

The Gleason Family Partnership filed the $50,000 lawsuit against Exclusive Toy Products of Metuchen, N.J, on Wednesday in Superior Court.

The partnership, which gets a 10 percent share of profits from the 12-inch dolls, said they are ``substandard, of poor quality and demeaning to the individuals they depict.''

The dolls are sold by Toys R Us and other outlets, partnership attorney Todd Trumper said. Telephone messages seeking comment from a spokeswoman for Exclusive Toy Products were not returned Thursday.

Gleason, who died in 1987, played bus driver Ralph Kramden in the hit 1950s series.

And continuing the popular Web Splashers line, look for two new Hydrojet vehicles to be added to the line in 1999. Both Spider-Man and Venom have their own Hydrojets with water actions. This line should be in stores in conjunction with the third series of Web Splashers around April of 1999. The third series of the popular Web Splashers is slated to contain three Spideys and a Carnage for this round.

Click the link below for a look at all these new Spider-Man products:

Spider Power and Hydrojets

ToyFare has its usual news coverage including news on the new DC direct market figures (each of which will have a variant), ReSaurus' Magic: The Gathering, Star Trek: Insurrection, Danger Girl from McFarlane Toys, and Tekken 3 from Palisades.

There is also a feature on banned and recalled toys that is quite amusing. There is a look back at the Aliens line and Twisted Mego Theater brings us its Halloween edition. Wrap this all up with an exclusive Havok figure and you have the latest issue of ToyFare.

Hot Toys features a broad range of toy and doll news. Look for stories on X-Files variants (in case you are wondering, Chet Jacques displayed the 125th variant at the RTM Comic-Con panel: it's Scully with a real fur collar), Hopalong Cassidy, female figures, and more.

In the Halloween vein, there is a look at the scariest toys of all time. But the centerpiece of the issue is an interview with McFarlane Toys leader, Todd McFarlane. So throw in a bunch of Beanie and Barbie material and you get a pretty full issue.

And on a related note, a reader sent us a photo of his newly purchased Jason figure from McFarlane's Movie Maniacs. As many of you know, Jason was originally slated to have a removable mask. But alas, production problems forced McFarlane to permanently attach the mask. But fear not, there is apparently a way to unmask poor Jason. With some careful exacto knife surgery, you can remove the mask (which is glued in place). The mask has two pins on each inside edge that will fit into holes in Jason's temples, allowing it to stay on for display purposes. Give it a try...if you dare!

Thanks to [email protected] for the Jason photo and tip

These very limited edition figures (only 3000 of each figure were produced) will be found in select record stores soon. The two figures include the UNKLE creature with his guns and display stand and Money Mark (fashioned after the Beastie Boys keyboard player) who comes with his own microphone and portable amplifier.

Pick up the lastest issue of Rolling Stone for more details.

The series includes Mario, Yoshi, and Bowser figures. The karts are friction powered with a two-speed motor action. When you rev up the vehicle, it takes off at one speed, shifts gears into a second speed and then fires its projectile.

Both the figures and the karts are faithful representions of the video game. Looks like lots of fun!

Included in this wave are four of the most popular characters as chosen by the survey conducted here on RTM a while back. Characters include Hawkeye, Hulk, Iron Man and Vision. Each is done in the now familiar Famous Covers style with real cloth outfits and realistic accessories.

Look for this wave near the end of the year. The wave following this one is tentatively entitled "Beasts" and currently features Man Thing, Tigra, Beast, and the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. This assortment won't be out until 1999 and as with everything, is subject to change.

Click the links below for a look at the Avengers Assemble wave:

Hulk	Iron Man	Hawkeye	Vision