Raving Toy Maniac

LEGO DUPLO Builds Storytime With New Read and Build Collection

ENFIELD, Conn., June 27, 2012 -- Timed to the arrival of summer reading season, LEGO Systems, Inc., the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, today introduced LEGO® DUPLO® Read and Build, a series of kits that blend early reading with construction play, encouraging youngsters to build along as their parents read simple, age-appropriate board books to them. And, just as children's libraries around the country are announcing their summer reading programs, DUPLO and the ALSC are kicking off the national LEGO DUPLO Read! Build! Play! project at http://www.readbuildplay.com which seeks to recognize outstanding libraries and bring reading-focused activities and resources to libraries nationwide.

Incorporate play into story time

June 28, 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.

- Annual Rise in Summer ATV Deaths Prompts CPSC to Urge Safety on the Trails

- Big Cat Human Powered Vehicles Recalls Bicycle Due to Crash Hazard

- Children's Lounge Pants and Boxers Recalled by Rigo International Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard - Sold Exclusively at Academy Sports and Outdoor

- Children's Pajamas Recalled by Ishtex Textile Products Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

June 27, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Hot news from Hasbro this morning - we've just listed the Transformers Generations Wave 02 Case and Set that include Bruticus! Hasbro has increased pricing on all Deluxe TF items moving forward, so there is a price bump on this and all future waves. The case of 8 is available at $119.99 and we also have a set of 5 that removes all the old figures from the case listed at $104.99

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=9925

6" Marvel Legends Wave 03 has also just been listed - Cases available at $124.99 and sets are $114.99
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=9932

The case includes:
1x Mystique or Danielle Moonstar (random)
1x Deadpool (X-Force Outfit)
2x Dr. Doom
2x Iron Man (Neo-Classic)
1x Punisher or Blade (random)
1x U.S. Agent

June 2012 - The folks at Gaming Heads have sent word of two new statues:

Introducing the first in our Portal 2 Turret Series, the standard model Aperture Turret! Please find some pictures attached. More pictures can be found at the links below.

1) The Exclusive Portal 2 Turret stands 16 inches tall, limited to 350 units worldwide, 324.99USD. Features motion activated sound and lights where the lights flash in time with the speech.
https://www.gamingheads.com/index.php?option=com_myphp&Itemid=3&product=101

2) The Regular Portal 2 Turret stands 16 inches tall, limited to 750 units worldwide, 299.99USD. Features motion activated lights. https://www.gamingheads.com/index.php?option=com_myphp&Itemid=3&product=97

In Stores This Week: Marvel Select Avengers Movie Hawkeye!

June 26, 2012 - Diamond Select Toys has hit the bullseye once again! The newest Avengers movie-based Marvel Select figure lands in comic shops and specialty stores this week, and it's Clint Barton, a.k.a. the arrow-slinging Hawkeye! Standing nearly 7 inches tall, Clint comes poised for action in his display-ready packaging, with a portrait of the archer on one side. Accessories include his bow, arrows and a detailed section of the Pershing Square Overpass from the climactic New York City battle! His section connects with that of the Chitauri Footsoldier (coming soon!) to form a larger battle scene!

Also arriving in stores: re-issues of four other classic Marvel Select figures: Cyclops, Thing, Magneto and the Abomination! If you missed out on them the first time, now's your chance!

Hasbro and the G.I. JOE Brand Return to New Orleans for 19th Annual G.I. JOE Convention

Iconic Brand to Celebrate Enduring Pop Culture Legacy, New Action Figures and More

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- June 26, 2012 -- The G.I. JOE Convention also known as 'GIJoeCon', hosted by the G.I. JOE Collectors' Club and Hasbro, Inc., returns to New Orleans for its 19th annual celebration taking place at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. Not only did the city play host to a memorable GIJoeCon in 2006, but it was also the site of much of the filming of G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, the upcoming movie scheduled to hit theaters on March 29th, 2013 in 3D and stars Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki and more.

The festivities kick off on June 29th with a preview day for registered fans. The convention opens to the public on June 30th and July 1st. Attendees will get the opportunity to interact with G.I. JOE artists, creators, industry guests, and members of the Hasbro G.I. JOE brand and design teams, all paying tribute to the nearly 50-year history of the iconic brand that introduced the world's first action figure.

MARVEL COMICS REVEALS PLANS FOR NEW YORK COMIC CON

Joe Quesada and Axel Alonso to Join Other Spotlight Guests Including Steve McNiven, Kieron Gillen, Jonathan Hickman, Rick Remender, Esad Ribic, and Dan Slott

Steve McNiven to also create original art for official show poster!

June 2012 - CustomCon 32 has been scheduled for August 6 to 10, 2012, to be held on JoeAcevedo.com. The entry deadline is July 9, 2012.

Please check Joe's CustomCon page to learn more about submitting your custom action figures.

Take a look back at the previous CustomCon events.

CPSC Special Study on Fireworks Incidents Finds Hundreds of Injuries a Day Surrounding July 4 Holiday Festivities

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2012 -- A special study conducted by CPSC staff found that 65 percent of all fireworks injuries in 2011 were sustained during the 30 days surrounding the Independence Day holiday. More than half of these injuries were the result of unexpected ignition of the device or consumers not using fireworks as intended. Fireworks injuries most often resulted in burns to the hands and head, including the eyes, face, and ears. According to the special study, sparklers, firecrackers, and aerial devices were associated with the most incidents.

June 26, 2012 - The Fwoosh and ActionFigurePics.com are giving away a big pile of Marvel Universe action figures!

Head over to their contest pages for more details on how to enter (Fwoosh and AFP both!), but make sure you do so by the June 29th entry deadline.