Raving Toy Maniac

NECA LAUNCHES NEW STORE AT MOCK.COM FEATURING VERONICA ROTH'S DIVERGENT

Hillside, NJ - October 23, 2013 - On the heels of the highly anticipated third title in the best-selling dystopian trilogy by author Veronica Roth, ALLEGIANT, entertainment conglomerate NECA today announced the expansion of the online shopping experience at Mock.com to feature DIVERGENT, offering fans and readers the chance to create customizable branded merchandise.

Accessible via the web, fans worldwide now have the opportunity to personalize a variety of merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, and more with their favorite slogans and logos and from the series.

To coincide with the launch, NECA is running a special offer for one week only. This special offer grants free standard shipping to all shoppers who make a purchase between now and October 31 by entering the code FREESHIP at checkout.

For more information, visit www.mock.com.

October 23, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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MOVIE MASTERPIECE 1/6 SCALE CELTIC PREDATOR
The new Celtic Predator from Hot Toys includes alternate mandibles, alternate hands, weapons, bladed armor and a display stand, and is listed at $259.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10484&mode=re...

THOR: THE DARK WORLD 1/4 SCALE THOR FIGURE
This Thor figure will include Mjolnir as well as a fabric cape. It will stand 18" tall and is listed at $84.99, $15 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC12287&mode=re...

PREDATOR 1/4 SCALE DUTCH FIGURE
Arnold's character from "Predator" is the next 1/4 scale figure in this line. He will come with multiple weapons and is listed at $84.99, $15 off the MSRP.

Hess Announces 2013 Toy Truck Model

Hess Toy Truck and Tractor Goes on Sale November 8

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2013 -- Hess revealed the 2013 Toy Truck model ahead of its scheduled November 1 launch with help from fans through social media: The 2013 Hess Toy Truck and Tractor. Fans began to uncover hints and portions of the toy's image on October 14 through linked social actions, including pre-ordering the truck online, liking Hess Express and Hess Toy Truck on Facebook and using the hashtag #hesstruck2013 on Twitter and Instagram.

The 2013 Hess Toy Truck and Tractor can be ordered now at www.hesstoytruck.com. It also goes on sale November 8 at participating Hess and Hess Express retail stores. It retails for $27.99 plus tax (plus shipping for online orders) – four Energizer® batteries included.

The 2013 Hess Toy Truck and Tractor follows a long tradition of quality, craftsmanship and imaginative play. The toy set is a truck with beautiful, chrome detailing and a trailer with a loading ramp that is custom designed to haul a versatile, self-propelled tractor. Features include:

Truck

October 2013 - Paul Budnitz, the founder of KidRobot, is the instructor in a new online class on Skillshare!

The class is called "Beautiful Plastic: How to Create a Designer Toy" and includes four video lessons you can access whenever you'd like - you don't need to be at your computer at any certain time to follow along with the class.

There's a short free preview of the class available, and you can click around the tabs at the top to see an outline of the class and what it covered in the video lessons. Paul will tell you about the history of designer toys, and then he'll walk you through the process of creating a sketch of your toy design.

Once you are enrolled in the class, a new section is unlocked where you can interact with the other students and share your designs.

The Hub Network And The Halloween Pros At Party City Reveal 13 Holiday Trends For 2013

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14, 2013 -- Each year, North America's largest Halloween retailer, Party City, analyzes pop culture, the latest fashion crazes and Hollywood blockbusters to determine the year's biggest costume trends. Together with "Hub Network's First Annual Halloween Bash," which will be broadcast Saturday, Oct. 26, 8–10 p.m. on the Hub Network, they are bringing you the top 13 costume and holiday-related facts for a spooktacular Halloween in 2013.

Read on... if you dare:

1. According to Party City, princesses and flutter fairies are among the top most popular costumes for the 2013 season. Coordinating accessories at Party City and www.partycity.com allows consumers to create a personalized, one-of-a-kind costume look.
2. Halloween spending in the United States this year is estimated to reach $8 billion, up significantly from 2011's $6.86 billion.*
3. Consumers are projected to spend $79.82 per person on Halloween, with an average of $28.65 on costumes. An estimated $1.04 billion will be spent on children's costumes, and $1.22 billion on adult costumes.*

October 18, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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PLAY ARTS KAI ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES - ALIEN LURKER, SPITTER
Two new Aliens figures are on their way. The Play Arts Kai Alien Lurker and Spitter are each currently listed at $99.99, although we are waiting on further information.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Play+Arts+Kai+Aliens

PLAY ARTS KAI ROBOCOP FIGURES
Three versions of Robocop are coming out in the Play Arts Kai line. The original Robocop from 1987 will be joined by the 2014 Robocop Versions 1.0 and 3.0, and each is listed at $89.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=14174

KENNER 12" SCALE FIGURE - HOTH LUKE
Luke in Hoth Gear comes with a blaster rifle in a protective clamshell package. He is listed at $71.99, $8 off of the MSRP.

Toys"R"Us® Kicks Off Its 10th Annual Fundraising Campaign To Benefit The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation

There's #NoWishTooBig for Shaq-A-Claus, as Shaquille O'Neal Returns to Help Make Wishes Come True for Kids in Need on Christmas Morning

WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 16, 2013 -- Toys"R"Us® today announced the launch of its 10th annual nationwide fundraising campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Now through Sunday, December 8, consumers can spread holiday cheer to some of the 16 million children living in poverty in the United States by donating new, unwrapped toys in Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us® stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/ToysforTots. Monetary donations will also be collected through Christmas Eve.

Shaq-A-Claus Returns to Make Wishes Come True

TRADESMART to host Todd McFarlane, McFarlane Toys Founder and Spawn Creator for In-Store Event

Littleton, Colorado, October 16, 2013 - Tradesmart is excited to announce an in store event with Grammy and Emmy award-winning producer/director, Todd McFarlane, on Saturday November 16th beginning at 2:00pm.

McFarlane gained his notoriety in the comic realm in the 1980s and 1990s with his work on Marvel's Spider-Man franchise which quickly turned into one of the most successful comics of all time. After the success of Spider-Man, McFarlane created his own comic, Spawn, which became one of the best independent comics of all time. After comic success, Spawn was turned into an Emmy award-winning animated show on HBO.

McFarlane also founded the international award-winning McFarlane Toys which is a top manufacturer of action figures including AMC's The Walking Dead, HALO 4, Assassin Creed as well as NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL action figures.

October 18, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

BBTS HALLOWEEN SALE - We've reduced pricing on over 4000 items! Check out the 100 featured sale items or dig a bit deeper for tons of great deals throughout the sales menus. This sale ends October 31st
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=14160

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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STAR WARS MARA JADE BISHOUJO STATUE
This 9" statue of Luke Skywalker's wife shows her in a combat suit with cloak, and she holds one hand out to use the Force while the other holds a lightsaber which can switch from Luke's original blue version to her own purple bladed lightsaber. This piece is listed at $64.99, $5 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=KOT11158&mode=re...

A GAME OF THRONES FIGURE SERIES 02

October 2013 - DC Collectibles - DC COMICS DESIGNER ACTION FIGURES - SERIES 1: BY GREG CAPULLO

BATMAN AND TALON - ON SALE APRIL 2014
BATMAN - 6.75"
TALON - 6.75"

NIGHTWING AND THE RIDDLER - ON SALE MAY 2014
NIGHTWING - 6.75"
THE RIDDLER - 6.75"

Based on the designs from the best-selling artist of BATMAN, Greg Capullo, comes the first wave in an all-new Designer Series from DC Collectibles.

EACH FIGURE SOLD SEPARATELY

Action Figure
$24.95 US
Allocations May Occur