RTM News August 1, 1999 - August 31, 1999

Jerichoholics rejoice! Word comes out of Jakks Pacific that sculpting work will begin this week on their first figure of new World Wrestling Federation Superstar Chris Jericho.

Jericho's first figure, courtesy of Toy Biz, recently hit the toy store shelves just as Jericho himself was making the switch from WCW to the WWF.

The new Jericho action figure (release date unknown at this point) will be a part of Jakks new Titantron Live line, which will comprise the bulk of Jakks' WWF figure releases for the reminder of 1999 and 2000.

[JC 8/31/99]

Previews Latest Offerings!

The latest issue of Previews is slated to arrive in comic book stores this coming Wednesday, September 1st (for items scheduled for a November release) and, once again, it contains a plethora of terrific toy releases - many of which are exclusive to Previews. As usual RTM is here to give you a special advance peek at some of the highlights courtesy of the fine folks at Previews!

The Matrix figures surprised everyone at the recent San Diego Comic Con, and came as a godsend to fans of the film who've been screaming for action figures based on it. Each individually blister carded figure comes complete with an arsenal of weapons and accessories.

Another hit, displayed at Diamond's booth at SDCC, was Re:Action Figures new line of 2000 A.D. action figures. The first assortment is being offered in this issue of Previews. This first wave will include: Judge Dredd (w/14 points of articulation, boot knife, Lawmaster gun, day stick and lie detector), Judge Death (w/articulated jaw, a soft vinyl human heart, and dimension jumper), Judge Anderson (w/gun, can of "Boing" and spirit trap), Slaine (w/Ukko the dwarf, removable cloak and belt, "Brain Biter" axe and Excalibur sword), Johnny Alpha from Strontium Dog (w/pistol, removable helmet and costume pieces), and Durham Red (w/poseable hair, knife and pistols that attach to the figure magnetically). Each figure stands approximately 6 1/2" tall (Slaine is slightly taller), and comes on an illustrated blister card.

Superman's "Never Ending Battle" continues as the Man of Steel fights for Truth, Justice and the American Way against the vicious metal man with the Kryptonite heart, Metallo in this terrific 2-pack!

There's much more this month - we don't want to spoil it for you! Make sure to pick up your copy of Previews this Wednesday at your local comics retailer!

[JC 8/31/99]

Hasbro Loses DC Marketing Director

After serving as a marketing director for many years, Vinnie D'Alleva has left Hasbro. Vinnie was in charge of the resurgence of DC Comics lines starting with the JLA and now the 7", 9", two-packs. he also handled the 12" lines - be it G.I. Joe, Universal Monsters, JLA, or Star Wars.

Playsets were also handled by this group. Those of us who knew Vinnie well wish him the best of luck in the future and we all thank him for bringing the variety of DC Comics characters back to the toy isles.

[ES 8/31/99]

Brush Up On Your Marvel History!

Here's a look at the upcoming Marvel History: Silver Age assortment coming to a comic shop near you in mid-December! Featured in this Previews Exclusive assortment are Captain America (with both his round shield and triangular shield), the Incredible Hulk in his original grey incarnation and The Amazing Spider-Man as he appeared in his Amazing Fantasy #15 debut!

Be sure to watch upcoming issues of Previews for information on ordering this assortment from your local comics retailer.

[JC 8/24/99]

Sonic Races Into Toy Aisles

ReSaurus has snagged yet another video game license and this one couldn't be timelier! ReSaurus has plans to release a line of 3-3/4" Sonic Adventure action figures based on the soon-to-be released game on the soon-to-be released Sega Dreamcast video game system!

Inititally, plans call for 3 figures: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic's faithful sidekick Tails and Knuckles the Echidna. There's a plethora of new characters in the new Sonic Adventure, so if the toyline is a big hit there is always the possibility of more.

Word has it that Toy Island has the license to produce larger scale figures of Sonic and his pals. More information on that development as it becomes available.

The Sega Dreamcast will be released on 9/9/99.

[JC 8/19/1999]

eBay On The Go-Go!

eBay users can now keep track of their auctions wherever they go thanks to the new eBay-a-go-go auction alert service now being offered by the online auction house.

Now users can receive auction aleats when they've been outbid, won an item or sold an item.

For more information click here

[JC 8/20/99]

Movie Figures Seen at the Con

This just in! Latest word from the San Diego Comic Con '99 is that figures of the Matrix (Neo, Morpheus,Trinity, Cypher,Agent Smith, and Switch)and Mad Max( styled from The Road Warrior: Max, The Humungus, Warrior Woman, The Gyro Captain, and Wez) are showing at the Con from WB Toys! Stay tuned for full coverage and photos from the Con coming soon!

Photos - big thanks to Stephen Flore!

[MJF 8/13/1999]

For those of you interested in discovering what your action figures are worth, hop on down to your local bookstore or comic shop and grab a copy of the Official Price Guide to Action Figures - Second Edition by Stuart W. Wells III, former executive editor of Collectible Toys & Values and Triton: Comics, Cards, and Collectibles monthly magazines, and Jim Main, editor and publisher of Action Figure Collector and Barracks: The G.I. Joe Collectors Magazine. Every obscure action figure you can think of is in here. Mego Laverne and Shirley figures? Got 'em. Remember the Bionic Six? They do. How about the Flintstone figures from 1994? They're in there too. The book is 379 pages long, has over 700 photographs, and retails for $21.95 US.

[MJF 8/12/1999]

Most people associate the song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" with the Christmas season, but for fans of comics, toys, animation and pop-culture in general the "most wonderful time" can mean only one thing: The San Diego Comic-Con International has arrived! Of course Raving Toy Maniac will be there covering all the latest action figure news you can handle!

Not only are we covering the news, but RTM is hosting the Action Figure Industry Roundtable panel on Saturday, August 14th at 4:30pm in room 12. If you're attending the Con make sure to attend the one panel you don't dare miss!

For more information on the panel, and for RTM's continuing coverage of SDCC'99 click here, or click on the San Diego Comic-Con logo at the top of the news page!

[JC 8/10/99]

M.A.C. and F.A.K.K2

Julie Close-up

Coming to a theater near you: Heavy Metal: F.A.K.K.2, based on the graphic novel by Kevin Eastman, Simon Bisley, and Eric Talbot. And coming to your toy shelf: F.A.K.K.2 toys from the folks at Moore Action Collectables! Be on the lookout for Julie, F.A.K.K.2 herself, the vengeful survivor of a decimated planet, Kerrie, Julie's enslaved sister, Lord Tyler, the one responsible for the destruction of Julie's homeworld and captor of Kerrie, and Zeek, the mute rock creature native of the primative world called the Melting Pot. Also from MAC, look for action figures of Kabuki and Vampirella coming next year!

Lord Tyler Zeek

[MJF 8/9/1999]

Fans of Eidos Interactive's Tomb Raider series have long been anticipating the release of Playmates line of 6" Lara Croft action figures. The wait is over! The first figures from the series have begun appearing in stores.

The first series releases include Lara Encounters the Savage Bengal Tiger, Lara Faces the Deadly Great White Shark, Lara Conquers the Legendary Yeti, and Lara on her Street Assault Motorbike!

Each 6" figure features standard 5-pt. articulation, comes complete with accessories and a detailed diorama base and retails in the $9.99 neighborhood.

LATE BREAKING UPDATE: The 12" Lara Croft action figure shown at Toy Fair has been cancelled. Sorry 12" figure fans!

[JC 8/8/1999]

Palisades Readies For Kombat!

Palisades Marketing has released images of their upcoming line of Mortal Kombat collectors figures. The first release, coming later this year, features classic Mortal Kombat characters Raiden, Sub Zero, Sonya Blade, and the fierce half-man, half-dragon Goro!

Each figure is approximately six-inches, and features incredible sculpting and limited articulation.

To see the rest of Palisades Marketing's assortment of Mortal Kombat figures, as well as other great Palisades products visit the Palisades Marketing Website, and be watching for the latest news coming soon from the San Diego Comic-Con International!

[JC 8/5/99]

First Flattworld Figure Shipping Now!

Flattworld Figures has let Raving Toy Maniac know that their first figure, Bela Lugosi as Dracula has shipped. Bela is only the first of many figures planned by Charlee Flatt and the team at Flattworld Figures, including Samaritan (from Kurt Busiek's Astro City, Antonio Banderas from The Mask of Zorro, Lee Falk's classic comics character The Phantom as well as figures based on the cult-classic flick The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Each figure is expertly crafted with incredible detail and articulation. Figures come complete with cloth costumes, accessories and wonderfully designed packaging.

For more information on Flattworld Figures, and to see all the figures mentioned above, visit the Flattworld Website.

And, be sure to keep checking back here at Raving Toy Maniac as we will soon be launching a new RTM Reviews feature, and our first subject will be Bela Lugosi as Dracula from Flattworld!

Also, RTM will be bringing you the latest Flattworld news from the San Diego ComicCon! Stay Tuned!

[JC 8/3/99]

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