Raving Toy Maniac

Star Trek Select is the Next Generation of Trek Collectibles!

August 2012 - For years, Star Trek fans have repeatedly opened hailing frequencies, demanding the return of 7-inch Star Trek figures -- well, Diamond Select has heard their transmissions! This winter, DST plans to release the first in a line of Star Trek Select figures, depicting iconic characters from across the Star Trek universe in the 7-inch scale fans have asked for. Each figure will come in DST's famous Select packaging, and will include a diorama-style display base as well as interchangeable parts to recreate scenes using that diorama. And the first release in the line is the most iconic Star Trek character of all, Mr. Spock!

Halloween ComicFest to Get Exclusive Walking Dead Minimates Two-Pack!

August 2012 - This year, comic shops across the country will participate in Halloween ComicFest, with special giveaways and limited-edition comics, as well as some cool Halloween-themed merchandise. And Diamond Select Toys is participating in the event with an exclusive 2-pack of Walking Dead Minimates! DST has taken their rare Winter Coat Dale and Female Zombie 2-pack from Series 1 and repainted it in an even rarer black-and-white color scheme, as they originally appeared in the popular black-and-white comic book by Robert Kirkman! Tell your comic shop to order a set for you, and pick it up just in time for Halloween!

Visit comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest comic shop, and get regular DST updates on Facebook and Twitter!

Toys"R"Us® Unveils 2012 Edition Of The Toys"R"Us Toy Guide For Differently-Abled Kids® Available Now In Its Stores Nationwide And Online

TV Host, Mom and Philanthropist Nancy O'Dell Appears on Cover of Company's Trusted, Toy-Selection Resource Published Annually for Parents of Children with Special Needs

WAYNE, N.J., Aug. 23, 2012 -- Today, Toys"R"Us, Inc. announced the release of the 2012 edition of the Toys"R"Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids®, an easy-to-use toy selection resource for those who know, love and shop for children with special needs. Published annually, this complimentary guide is available now in Toys"R"Us® and Babies"R"Us® stores nationwide and online, in both English and Spanish, at Toysrus.com/DifferentlyAbled. This year, mom, TV host and philanthropist Nancy O'Dell appears on the cover alongside Saskia Vogt, an 8-year-old girl with Down syndrome.

Toys"R"Us, Inc. Expands Collection of Babies"R"Us®-Branded Products As Part of Ongoing Strategy to Offer Differentiated Merchandise Assortment

With Introduction of Categories such as Infant Feeding and Baby Gear, Plus Expansion of Current Lines, Company Now Offers More than 1,600 Babies"R"Us-Branded Items

WAYNE, N.J., Aug. 21, 2012 -- As part of its ongoing strategy to provide customers with innovative, high-quality products that can't be found anywhere else, Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced that it will offer a new infant feeding line of bottles and accessories, as well as baby gear, under the trusted Babies"R"Us® brand name. In addition, the company has expanded its assortment of Babies"R"Us-branded bedding and room decor, food, formula, snacks and other essentials, and now offers customers more than 1,600 affordable, high-quality products from a brand they identify with and trust.

Agent 88 Makes A Killing On Kickstarter

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24, 2012 -- "Agent 88" (http://www.Agent88Films.com), a dark action comedy that tells the story of the world's deadliest assassin - an 88 year old British woman with Alzheimer's - has accomplished an unprecedented achievement via Kickstarter raising the most funds ever for a live-action web series pilot further pushing the "Agent 88" brand initiative.

"Agent 88" is a comic book-style cinematic romp full of martial arts action, amazing special effects and unforgettable characters. Under the guidance of Creator and Director Digger T. Mesch and Producer Jan Utstein-O'Neill, Agent 88 gathered support from some unlikely avenues. Tapping into gritty genre fans and rabid collectors sparked an enormous interest in not just the concept but the many donation incentives, eventually leading to its historic Kickstarter run.

ThinkGeek Announces Exclusive Star Wars Merch at Celebration VI!

Brilliant New Products from a Galaxy Far Far Away

FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 23, 2012 -- ThinkGeek has heard and answered the call of fans and is not only a vendor at Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando, but is announcing three new products and launching an exclusive item as well.

Visitors to booth #303 will have the opportunity to be the first people in the known galaxy to take a glimpse of these new, officially licensed products. For those unable to make it to Orlando, they are:

Han Solo in Carbonite Business Card Case
Available this fall for $24.99, the Han Solo in Carbonite Business Card Case gives practical application to our favorite rogue. Forged of the same materials that he was frozen in, this incredible piece is the perfect way to carry the business cards that declare your allegiance to the light or dark side of the force.

Wampa Ice Scraper Mitt

NOTED BRITISH ACTOR PETER DAVISON IS SPOTLIGHT GUEST AT NEW YORK COMIC CON

Celebrated Roles Include "Doctor Who" Among Other Parts

Norwalk, CT, August 24, 2012: Peter Davison, who played the fifth incarnation of The Doctor in the celebrated British television series Doctor Who, will be a Spotlight Guest at this year's New York Comic Con (NYCC). The noted actor, who is also well known for his role as Tristan Farnon in James Herriott's All Creatures Great and Small, will be signing autographs and appearing on stage. Doctor Who, which premiered on British television in 1963, has gone on to become a television institution in the UK, a cult phenomenon in the USA and the longest-running science fiction television program in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The series will mark its 50th anniversary in 2013. Peter Davison played the title role from 1981 - 1984.

August 24, 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.

- CareBears Pacifier Recalled by IDM Group Due to Choking Hazard

- Energizer Recalls Night Lights Due to Burn Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target

- Kickboard USA Recalls Children's Scooter Due to Laceration Hazard

August 24, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

NECA Terminator Collection Series 03 - Kyle Reese, T-800 (Tanker Truck Pursuit), T-1000 (Liquid Nitrogen)
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC11965&mode=re...

Eaglemoss Lord of the Rings Chess Set Pieces
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=514&category=8887

Walking Dead - Funko POP Figures
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=1097&company=199

Marvel and DC Eaglemoss
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=10401

Hot Toys Wolverine 1/6
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10413&mode=re...

Sideshow Premium Format Darth Malgus
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=SSC11168&mode=re...

The Hobbit and LOTR - United Cutlery Weapons

August 2012 - JAKKS Pacific has sent along a few images of their S.L.U.G. Zombies figures, which are now in stores. (We are in Colorado and have already spotted them at Target.)

The figures are available as single packs (in blind packs, so you don't know which one you are getting), three-packs, and 12-packs:

S.L.U.G. Zombies®

JAKKS Pacific is delivering collectability and fun like never before with its new lineup of 2" figures called S.L.U.G. ZOMBIES Scary Little Ugly Guys™. Each Zombie features wacky names and stories, such as Neil Armgone, Grave Lincoln and Braineatin' Brandon. Kids and adults will love to collect and play with these unique figures! Choose from single blind packs ($1.99), 3-packs ($3.99) and coffin-shaped 12-packs ($9.99). With over 100 figures to collect this year alone, S.L.U.G. Zombies is a craze that won't die! Ages 5+. S.L.U.G. Zombies are currently available at all major retailers, including Toys R Us, Target and Walgreens.