February 2013 News

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Space Station Cargo Ship Flights To Be Broadcast On NASA TV

Space Station Cargo Ship Flights To Be Broadcast On NASA TV

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2013 -- NASA Television will provide live coverage of the departure of one Russian cargo spacecraft at the International Space Station and the launch and arrival of another.

The ISS Progress 48 resupply ship, which arrived at the station last August, will depart the Pirs docking compartment, part of the Russian segment, on Saturday, Feb. 9. The Progress will leave orbit three hours later and burn up above the Pacific Ocean. NASA TV coverage of the undocking will begin at 8 a.m. EST. The undocking is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

That move will clear Pirs for the arrival of the new ISS Progress 50 resupply spacecraft. It is scheduled to launch at 9:41 a.m. (8:41 p.m. Kazakhstan time) Monday, Feb. 11, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA TV coverage of the launch begins at 9:30 a.m. The Progress is loaded with almost 3 tons of food, fuel, supplies and experiment hardware for the six crew members aboard the orbital laboratory.

Free Pancakes at IHOP on February 5

FREE PANCAKES AT IHOP ON FEBRUARY 5

National Pancake Day Returns With Goal To Raise $3 Million For Shriners Hospitals And Other Local Charities

WHAT: For the eighth consecutive year, IHOP® restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of its famous buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Shriners Hospitals and other local charities.

WHY: For every short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a voluntary donation to Shriners Hospitals. IHOP hopes to raise $3 million this year, with a goal to bring the total amount of funds raised to more than $13 million. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com.

WHEN: TUESDAY, February 5, 2013, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

National Pancake Day Fun Facts:

  • IHOP served four million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2012 and pancake lovers donated more than $3 million to children's charities.

  • All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day 2012 would create a stack nearly 16 miles high.

Hot Toys Iron Man 3, TFC, GI Joe Convention, Bandai, MP-13 at Big Bad Toy Store

Big Bad Toy Store

February 4, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is info on some exciting new items listed today:

GI Joe 2013 Convention Exclusives - Nocturnal Fire 3.75" & Secret Mission to Dragon Island 12"
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11906

New Hot Toys: Iron Man 3 1/6 Scale Iron Man Mark XLII Power Pose Collectible Figurine
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10438&mode=re...

TFC Uranos - 4th and 5th Figures Available to Preorder
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11892

Bandai Japan Action Figures & Accessories
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=11899

Takara MP-13 Soundwave - Limited Inventory In Stock Now!
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11481&mode=re...

BigBadToyStore.com

Dark Horse To Publish King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon

dark horse comics

DARK HORSE COMICS TO PUBLISH KING CONAN: THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON!

ADAPTING ROBERT E. HOWARD'S ONLY CONAN NOVEL!

February 2013 - MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to announce the return of a fan-favorite Conan creative team. Writer Timothy Truman, artist Tomás Giorello, and colorist José Villarrubia are set to adapt Robert E. Howard's only Conan novel in two six-issue miniseries.

The first series, titled The Hour of the Dragon will run through October 2013 and continue in a second arc titled King Conan: The Conqueror starting in February 2014.

More about The Hour of the Dragon: King Conan has faced many threats to his throne in Aquilonia - but none more deadly than a traitorous alliance backed by the resurrected sorcerer Xaltotun, at whose command mountains crumble!

With The Legend of Conan announced for 2014, King Conan is essential reading!

Praise for Timothy Truman, Tomás Giorello, and José Villarrubia:

Mezco 2013 Toy Fair Catalog Available

Limited Amount Of Mezco 2013 Toy Fair Catalog Now Available To The Public

February 2013 - Generally only available to Toy Fair attendees, Mezco is now making a limited number of Toy Fair catalogs available to the general public.

The 8.5x11 inch softcover contains 28 full color pages of Mezco product including 6 pages of Living Dead Dolls items, all new licenses, 4 pages of Breaking Bad items, Child's Play, Thundercats, and more!

This catalog was created for distribution at the 2013 New York International Toy Fair and will ship after 2/15/2013.

This catalog is not sold in stores and is exclusive to Mezco Direct.

Dark Horse Brings Tomb Raider Back to Comics

dark horse comics

CRYSTAL DYNAMICS AND DARK HORSE BRING LARA CROFT BACK TO COMIC BOOKS STARTING WITH TOMB RAIDER: THE BEGINNING

February 2013 - MILWAUKIE, OR, JANUARY 30 – Crystal Dynamics™, a Square Enix® studio, and Dark Horse Comics, today revealed they have partnered to bring the re-imagined Lara Croft back to print in the world of comics. Look for news on the new series following the release of TOMB RAIDER®, the highly anticipated origin story for Lara Croft®, available March 5, 2013, and will chronicle Lara's journey after her harrowing adventure in the Dragon's Triangle.

To kick off the partnership, Crystal Dynamics and Dark Horse have teamed up to create "TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning." This will be the first installment in the new TOMB RAIDER comic book series, and is a prequel to the events in TOMB RAIDER. "TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning," was written by lead game writer Rhianna Pratchett. Fans can get the first series early when they pre-order TOMB RAIDER at Best Buy.

Free App for Star Trek Into Darkness

"STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS" First Of Its Kind App Available For Free From The App Store And Google Play

First Surprise Unlocked During The Second Quarter Of The Big Game February 3rd

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 1, 2013 -- "STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS" first of its kind application, based on J.J. Abrams' upcoming Paramount Pictures film, is now available to download for free from the App Store and Google Play. Users who have the app will have unprecedented access to all STAR TREK content, as well as the opportunity to participate in missions and win valuable prizes.

Utilizing the latest technologies from Qualcomm Incorporated, such as Qualcomm Labs' Gimbal™ platform and Qualcomm Vuforia™ augmented reality platform, the app will allow users to delve deeper into the Star Trek universe by interacting directly with materials from the eagerly awaited film to unlock additional content and experiences. The users collect points, see content, and work their way through the Star Trek Academy.

Official Gundam Portal Reopens at Gundam.info

Official GUNDAM Information Portal "GUNDAM.INFO" Reopens after Remodeling; Commemorative Registration Campaign Under Way

TOKYO, Jan. 31, 2013 -- NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. (hereafter referred to as BNG) has refurbished its official portal site for GUNDAM information.

The site, which can be accessed in Chinese (both traditional and simplified), English and Korean, carries a variety of information, including the latest news on GUNDAM, movies, music, GUNPLA and other goods, games and publications, for GUNDAM fans around the world. The renewed site introduces NAMCO BANDAI IDs which permit a player to set up a GUNDAM as his/her own avatar, fight with other GUNDAM avatars and collect GUNDAMs. GUNDAM fans can enjoy attractive and entertaining contents.

To commemorate its refurbishing and reopening, the GUNDAM.INFO site has been carrying out a Registration Campaign since December 1, 2012, for GUNDAM fans the world over, except those living in Japan. Featured prizes include "iPad minis" and "telephone cards." To enter, please visit the "Registration Campaign" page on the site.

- GUNDAM.INFO official site:
URL: http://www.gundam.info/

Site Features:

Star Trek Online Celebrates Three-year Anniversary with Infographic

Star Trek Online Celebrates Three-year Anniversary

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Jan. 31, 2013 -- Perfect World Entertainment Inc. is pleased to announce that celebrations for the Three-year Anniversary of Star Trek Online have officially begun. Starting today, Captains are invited to experience "Temporal Ambassador," a special Anniversary Episode starring Denise Crosby who will be reprising her role as Lieutenant Tasha Yar from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Players can also look forward to a wealth of rewards by participating in Star Trek Online's Three-year Anniversary in-game event hosted by everyone's favorite omnipotent being, the notorious Q.

"We've come a long way since Star Trek Online first launched in February 2010," said Daniel Stahl, Executive Producer at Cryptic Studios. "Since then, I've had the pleasure to serve alongside one of the most talented development teams in the industry. Moving forward, the mission will remain the same: Star Trek Online is a game built by Star Trek fans, for Star Trek fans -- and we will continue to bring the universe we love so much to life."

Mattel Announces 2012 Financial Results

Mattel Reports 2012 Financial Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend

Fourth Quarter Highlights

  • Worldwide net sales up 5% from the prior year;
  • North American(1) gross sales up 5% and International gross sales up 8%;
  • Worldwide gross sales for core brands: Barbie® down 4%; Hot Wheels® up 2%; Fisher-Price® up 6% and American Girl® up 13%;
  • Gross margin increased 40 basis points of net sales; SG&A increased 710 basis points of net sales; adjusted SG&A increased 100 basis points, excluding a litigation charge of $137.8 million;
  • Operating income was $373.5 million; adjusted operating income was $511.3 million, excluding the litigation charge, compared to operating income of $497.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011; and
  • Earnings per share of $0.87; adjusted earnings per share of $1.12, excluding the litigation charge, vs. prior year of $1.07.

Full-Year Highlights

  • Worldwide net sales up 2% from the prior year;
  • North American gross sales up 2% and International gross sales up 4%;
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