Raving Toy Maniac

Jon-Paul Kaiser x outsmART originals: Return to the Sea Shirt Collection

April 2013 - Jon-Paul Kaiser returns to the sea with two new t-shirt designs based on his nautical creation, Tales of the Whispering Corsair. This time the artist focuses on classic imagery of the high seas from the ship’s flag waving atop the main mast, The Skull of the Corsair (http://nvy.gd/132wNZp ) and every sailor's dream, the deep-sea siren / temptress, The Mermaid (http://nvy.gd/132zb29).

Both designs will be discharge printed creating a vintage feeling on black ultra cotton t-shirts for the classic tee fit. Both t-shirts will be available for men and women for only $20.00 each, ranging from Small to 5XL to cover shipmates of all sizes.

Setting sail and shipping in early May, come aboard the Corsair once more, if you dare, and look smart for summer with these classic nautical designs from the one and only Jon-Paul Kaiser.

outsmART originals - wear it well.

http://outsmartoriginals.storenvy.com/

Diamond Select Toys to Exhibit at Chicago's C2E2 April 26-28

April 2013 - Diamond Select Toys certainly does get around. New York Toy Fair brought them to the East Coast in February, and San Diego Comic-Con will have them headed to the West Coast in July, but in between they get to spend a fun-filled week in one of their favorite cities, Chicago! The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) will take place from April 26 to 28 this year, and DST will be exhibiting, paneling, freebie-ing... you name it!

At booth #603, DST will have all (well, most) of their upcoming products on display, so you can check them out in person before they reach the stores. They'll also be giving away free posters, and selling selected items in the company store. Spend $18 and you can build your own Minimate at the Build-a-Minimate station! (Station open after 1:00 each day.)

Walking Dead Minimates Series 4 Will Rise this Summer

April 2013 - Fans of the Walking Dead TV show may not know how the prison storyline will end, but fans of the comic know that it will probably not end well! The fourth assortment of Walking Dead Minimates, based on the long-running comic book series by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard, features one of the most hated villains in comic book history, the Governor, as well as some of his closest friends and worst enemies.

New Photos of Iron Man 3 Marvel Select Figures!

April 2013 - Iron Man 3 is only one month away, and Diamond Select Toys is hard at work on their Marvel Select action figures for the movie! Iron Man Mark 42 and War Machine were designed by Gentle Giant based on digital data from the film, and will stand approximately 7.5" tall with 16 points of articulation. Each will come with an armor bay diorama base, packaged in DST's display-ready Select figure packaging. They'll be exclusively available at comic shops and specialty stores starting this summer, so check out these new photos and pre-order today! And stay tuned for news on the exclusive Iron Patriot figure and a second exclusive figure to be revealed!

April 12, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - many more new preorders have just been listed this morning:

Diamond Select Item: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=12515

Star Trek Select Jean-Luc Picard
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11971&mode=re...

Star Trek First Contact Enterprise NCC-1701-E Ship PX Exclusive
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11970&mode=re...

The Walking Dead Minimates Series 04 - Set of 8
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11975&mode=re...

Jekyll & Hyde 7" Figure
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11973&mode=re...

The Hunchback 7" Figure
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11972&mode=re...

Marvel Minimates: Wave 53 - Thor The Dark World Set of 8

C-3PO Actor, Anthony Daniels, Scheduled to Appear at Star Wars Celebration Europe this July in Essen, Germany

April 2013 - Anthony Daniels, the actor behind C-3PO, the golden protocol droid that was a central character in all six Star Wars movies, is scheduled to attend Star Wars Celebration Europe July 26-28 in Essen, Germany. Daniels will be attending the weekend fan festival to sign autographs and meet fans in the Celebration Autograph Hall as well as appear on the main Celebration Stage for an interview with Warwick Davis.

Stern Pinball Launches Metallica Game

MELROSE PARK, Ill., April 11, 2013 -- Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's leading maker of real pinball games and the AAMA 2012 Manufacturer of the Year, proudly announced today the availability of the Metallica pinball game. The newest addition to the iconic Stern collection of rock and roll machines honors one of the world's foremost rock bands. The Metallica pinball game channels the band's notoriously fast tempos and aggressive musicianship to set the tone for an exhilarating player experience.

Players will be able to bang their heads and their flippers to 12 classic Metallica hits including "Master of Puppets," "One" and "Fade to Black." Other action-packed game features include an electric chair, snake, grave marker and unparalleled magnetic action. With the addition of the Metallica pinball game, Stern Pinball continues to hit the mark by attracting an array of pin players from Metallica devotees to gamers and consumer electronic connoisseurs.

DreamWorks Animation Acquires IP For Trolls With Plans To Take Iconic Dolls' Brand (And Hair) To New Heights

American Girl Branding Vet Shawn Dennis Tapped to Head Trolls Global Franchise

GLENDALE, Calif., April 11, 2013 -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. has acquired the IP for the iconic Troll franchise from the Dam Family and Dam Things of Denmark with plans to introduce the beloved brand to a new generation of fans around the world. In support of the brand's enormous global potential, DreamWorks Animation has named American Girl veteran Shawn Dennis as head of brand development to cultivate this classic franchise.

"Trolls is a brand with over fifty years of deep heritage and we are thrilled to bring this iconic, multi-generational property to DreamWorks Animation," said Chief Operating Officer Ann Daly. "We have big plans for this franchise and Shawn Dennis is uniquely suited to lead this charge. She helped grow the American Girl brand into a household name and by bringing this expertise to Trolls she will introduce these characters to legions of new fans around the world."

April 11, 2013 - 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.

- Carter’s Recalls Infant Clothing with Zippers Due to Choking Hazard

- Baby Socks Recalled by Trumpette Due to Choking Hazard

MCDONALD'S® BRINGS SKYLANDERS GIANTS TO HAPPY MEAL®

Nine Skylanders Giants-Themed Happy Meal Toys & $10 Coupon for Skylanders Giants

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - April 10, 2013 - Skylanders Giants Happy Meals arrive at McDonald's restaurants as Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), launches the company's first-ever partnership with McDonald's USA LLC, the nation's leading foodservice provider. In North America, the inaugural Skylanders Giants Happy Meal program will run from April 12 - May 2, while supplies last, and will rollout in other select countries later this year.