March 7, 2013 - 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.
- U.S. Divers Recalls Youth Snorkeling Mask Sets Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Costco
- U.S. Divers and Aqua Lung Sport Brand Youth Snorkeling Masks Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard
- Disco Lights Recalled by Tween Brands Due to Electrical Shock Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Justice
Matchbox® Celebrates 60 Years of Unstoppable Heroic Vehicle Adventures
Iconic Toy Brand Motors in Anniversary with 60 Cent Toy Cars at Retail and $60,000 "Hero" Scholarship
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- March 6, 2013 -- From fire trucks to dinosaurs to police cars in pursuit, Matchbox® has provided kids with unstoppable adventures and the durable vehicles and playsets to tackle them for six-decades of imaginative play. To commemorate its 60 year anniversary, Matchbox® is kicking off a three-month national campaign to honor heroes-in-training - the children who play with, and inspire, Matchbox®. The campaign includes the Matchbox® Heroes Wanted™ Sweepstakes with a hero-sized $60,000 college scholarship and a national retail promotion for fans to purchase Matchbox® diecast vehicles for just 60 cents for a limited time at participating retailers now through March 10th.
Over 4.6 million comic books ordered for Free Comic Book Day
Comic book specialty retailers worldwide expect record attendance for the May 4th, 2013 Event
BALTIMORE, MD - (March 6, 2013) - Comic book specialty retailers worldwide expect record attendance at this year's Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) and have also pushed their ordering to record levels - with over 4.6 million free comic books to be available the day of the event, May 4th, 2013.
Almost 2,000 retail accounts have signed up this year as participating stores for Free Comic Book Day - also a record number of participating stores - and expectations are high.
"FCBD is the day after the opening of the Marvel's Iron Man 3 film, and thousands of comic book shops across North America and around the world will look to share the magic of comic books with their communities," said FCBD spokesperson, Leslie Bowser. "It's really a wonderful time for comic shops as they are clearly energized from a full year of strong sales and will look to continue that positive trend going forward in 2013."
Peter Pan Minimates Soar into the Disney Store With New Photos!
March 2013 - With the recent release of Peter Pan on Blu-ray, fans of all ages have had the chance to experience the classic animated film for the first time. And now they can act out the adventures they saw in the film using Minimates mini-figures! Two box sets and one vehicle featuring 2-inch Minimates of the famous Peter Pan characters have hit the Disney Store, and they are packed with playability!
Ian McDiarmid to Appear at Star Wars Celebration Europe!
March 2013 - The Emperor is coming to the biggest Star Wars party in Europe, July 26-28, 2013 in Essen, Germany.
Ian McDiarmid, the actor who unforgettably played the evil galactic mastermind and the ultimate villain of the Star Wars Saga, will make a rare convention appearance at Star Wars Celebration Europe, appearing on-stage and signing autographs.
This summer's event will mark the first Celebration in Europe at which the highly sought-after actor will appear to sign autographs and chat on the Celebration Stage, offering attendees a rare opportunity to hear about the making of Star Wars from his perspective.
YU-GI-OH! TRADING CARD ARTWORK LICENSED FOR THE FIRST TIME
4K Media Inc. Announces Collectibles and Accessories Deal with NECA Worldwide excluding Asia
March 6, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:
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NEW PREORDERS
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TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS VOYAGER 2013 SERIES 03 - SET, SINGLES
The G1-focus of the Generations line returns with the announcement of Blitzwing and Springer as triplechangers in the upcoming wave. They are listed as a Set of 2 at $44.99; Springer is also available singly at $24.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Generations%202013...
TRANSFORMERS TAKARA GENERATIONS TG21 AUTOBOT SPRINGER, TG22 BLITZWING
Takara is also releasing versions of these two Voyager figures. As with other Takara releases, we expect these to have different decoes, with metallic paint and more. These two figures are listed at $59.99 each.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Transformers%20Tak...
New Thundercats Minimates Have Landed! Series 3 is In Stock at AFX!
March 2013 - ThunderCats fans have been lapping up Icon Heroes' new ThunderCats products like a kitten lapping up milk, and now the company has released a third set in their popular ThunderCats Minimates line. Produced in conjunction with Diamond Select Toys and Art Asylum, the Series 3 box set rounds out the main band of Thunderan refugees, with Minimates of Tigra, Cheetara, Wilykit and Wilykat, as well as a mini-figure of RoBear Bill.
JFURY x outsmART originals: WINNING!
March 2013 - outsmART originals is thrilled to pull back the curtain of the big tent to present the colorful and creative designs of artist JFURY aka Justin Phillips. This California based artist has been blowing up the scene with his clown/voodoo/warrior inspired custom art toys. Being featured by Kidrobot and other designer boutiques on numerous occasions, JFURY continues to blur the lines of funny, horror and style.
outsmART originals proudly presents two different t-shirts this week that illustrate the artists' style. Voodoo Bunny and Smokin' Clown will be screen printed on black ultra cotton tees for both men and women and shipping at the end of March.
March 5, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:
Hi - We've just received official images of the MP-17 Prowl and MP-18 Bluestreak (previously listed as the MP-19)
MP-17 Prowl
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11668&mode=re...
MP-18 Bluestreak
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11670&mode=re...
Also listed today:
1:4 Scale Underworld Lycan
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HCO10138&mode=re...
FWI-03 Jet Power Upgrade Kit
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=FWI10002&mode=re...
Halo 4 Deluxe Figure Series 01 - Didact
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MCF13949&mode=re...
120+ New Funko Items Recently Listed
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=funko