Raving Toy Maniac

January 2012 - The GI Joe Collector's Club has sent an update:

Hello! We have a video up of the 2012 G.I. Joe Collectors' Club 3 3/4-inch Membership Incentive Figure Footloose.

And we have an amazing close up we are releasing today.

HEXBUG® CREATOR PARTNERS WITH GLOBAL KIDS HIT MOSHI MONSTERS™ TO LAUNCH ALL NEW BOBBLE BOTS™ BRAND & PRODUCT LINE

Innovation First International inks deal with Mind Candy to bring Bobble Bots™ Moshi Monsters to retail in Europe and North America this Spring

Greenville, Texas – January 10, 2012 – Innovation First International, masterminds behind the internationally recognized HEXBUG® Micro Robotic Creatures brand, today announced it is launching a new Bobble Bots™ brand and product line. For this new licensing partnership, the company has joined forces with Mind Candy – the entertainment firm behind the globally successful Moshi Monsters brand – on the debut range: Bobble Bots™ Moshi Monsters. Due to hit shelves across Europe and North America this Spring, the new brand marks Innovation First's ongoing expansion at retail.

January 29, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

a general disclaimer on DC Direct

Please Note – Pricing May Change
The current pricing is estimated and subject to change (with notification) pending final details from the manufacturer. We have attempted to make our estimates a bit on the high end so any changes will hopefully be to reduce the pricing.

DC DIRECT - FULL 2012 LINEUP

Batman - Dark Knight Rises - Figures, Statues, Busts
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2820&company=40

Arkham City Series 3 and Deluxe Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=direct+arkham+city

The New 52 - Figures & Busts
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=new+52+direct

Full Lineup Link also includes: Ame-Comi, Cover Girls, Batman Black & White, 1/4 Statues & More
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=8665

MINNETONKA, Minn., Jan. 26, 2012 -- Blip Toys, the innovative toy company behind Squinkies® Mini Collectibles and Playsets, is excited to announce the launch of their newest extension of the Squinkies brand: Squinkies Zinkies.

At about half the size of Squinkies, Zinkies will launch with six unique sets. Each set includes 12 different Zinkies, with characters consisting of colorful little animals like monkeys, puppies and bunnies, to name just a few. Like Squinkies, all Zinkies come in their own plastic bubble that pops open to reveal the "surprize inside."

Every set of Squinkies Zinkies comes with its own squeezer and magnifying glass to accommodate their tiny size. For additional play value, sets also come with their own Display and Play toy where collectors can enjoy and store the newest addition to the Squinkies World.

Squinkies Zinkies will be arriving throughout the month at retailers nationwide, including Target, Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us.

January 27, 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.

Bicycle Handlebars Recalled by Euro Asia Imports; Handlebars Can Break Resulting in Loss of Control and Fall Hazard

Infant Rattles Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Choking Hazard

Mexican Wrestling Action Figures Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Expandable Lunch Boxes Recalled by California Innovations Due to Freezer Gel Pack Ingestion Hazard

Food Carriers Recalled by California Innovations Due to Freezer Gel Pack Ingestion Hazard

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NEW PREORDERS
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HALO 4 SERIES 01, SERIES 01 EXTENDED, DELUXE
McFarlane Toys has split their first assortment of Halo 4 figures into two
groups. The first group will include Master Chief and three "Secret"
figures and is listed at $45.99 for the set of 4, $89.99 for the case of 8
(2 of each) and $11.99 singly. The Extended series includes Cortana and
three more "Secret" figures, and they are priced at $45.99 for the set of
four and $11.99 singly - sorry, no case assortment on the Extended
figures. They have also announced the Frozen Master Chief in Cryotube
Deluxe Figure and a second TBD Deluxe Figure, which are available at
$27.99 each.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=2823&category=8103

HALO UNIVERSE DELUXE VEHICLE SERIES 01 ODST DROP POD

January 2012 - Voltaire's Deady Bunee Mini Qees from Toy2R

Easter is just around the corner and it's going to be a veritable Buneepocolypse in 2012! Even Deady, that evil teddy bear of Voltaire's, will have to disguise himself as a bunee to prepare for the impending assault.

Deady's comic book nemesis, Sleezter Bunny is also coming and he's bringing evil legions of Death Bunnies with him to take over the world.

Prepare yourself for the next onslaught of Deady Mania to sweep the globe as April marks the release for, not one, but two Voltaire 5 inch Mini Qee Bunees! With the Deady 'Big in Japan' and Urkor Mini Qees now sold out, no one should miss this chance to pick up the next figures in the ever evolving world of Deady. Check with your favorite shops and reserve yours today.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. Urges Parents and Caregivers to Help Remove Unsafe Items From the Marketplace During Upcoming 'Great Trade-In' Event

Since its Inception, the 'Great Trade-In' Event Has Successfully Removed Approximately 600,000 Products from Homes, Garages and Attics

WAYNE, N.J., Jan. 25, 2012 -- Toys"R"Us, Inc. today issued a new call to action for customers to rid their homes of potentially unsafe old and second-hand baby products and exchange them for savings on a new item during the "Great Trade-In" event. This national safety program, first introduced in August 2009, draws attention to certain used baby products that can carry potential hazards, but are still in circulation, making them poor candidates to be handed down or resold. In fact, according to product safety advocacy organization Kids In Danger, recalled products that have not yet been removed from homes and other facilities have continued to cause harm to infants and children.

January 23, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer Urban-Collector has several new items of interest to collectors:

This week we are featuring new pre-orders including Batman B&W New 52 statue, Bowen Designs statues and Black Widow Covert Ops Bishoujo!

Featured Pre-Orders

• Batman Black And White Statue New 52 By Jim Lee
• Ame Comi Hawkgirl V.2 Pvc Figure
• Mad Vinyl Spy Vs Spy 2 Pack

Eddie and Marilyn Munster Are the Next Two Munsters Toys from DST!

January 2012 - By now, Munster fans have likely picked up the first three Munsters action figures from Diamond Select Toys: Herman, Lily and Grandpa. Well, your family is about to get bigger! Lily and Herman's werewolf son Eddie Munster and his older cousin Marilyn Munster are the next two family members to arrive, and they'll be sharing a two-pack when they hit stores this summer! Sculpted by Jean St. Jean, the figures are in the same 7-inch scale as the previous figures, and are based on the likenesses of actors Butch Patrick and Pat Priest. Plus, they come with two keen accessories -- Eddie's stuffed animal Wolfy and the collar for their giant dragon, Spot! Pre-order your set from your local comic shop or online retailer today!