Raving Toy Maniac

November 2014 - DC has a new contest, The Batman Holiday Sweepstakes. Enter by December 10th to win a big batch of merchandise based on Batman.

The official rules for the contest describe the prize as:

November 6, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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MASTERMIND CREATIONS EUPATORIUM AND SALVIA
Check out these cool new fembots from the Mastermind Creations line. Both figures stand 5.50" in robot mode and come with an array of cool weapons. Each of these items also include a new comic story. These items are each priced at $59.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=17373

PACIFIC RIM SERIES 05 JAEGER SET AND SINGLES
This set features Anchorage Attack Gypsy Danger, Which comes with an interchangeable right forearm, and the highly requested Romeo Blue, which is a Mark-1 American Jaeger. We have them listed as a set at $35.99 and as singles at $18.99 each.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=17380

PREDATORS 7" FIGURE SERIES 13 - CASE, SET, SINGLES

Build-A-Bear Workshop Creates Warm Hugs And Magical Memories For The Holiday Season With New Disney Frozen Collection

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 3, 2014 -- Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. announced today the addition of a Disney Frozen collection to its holiday season lineup. Build-A-Bear Workshop® is offering an exclusive plush collection featuring three of the film's leading characters: Olaf, Elsa and Anna.

These cool new characters have arrived in-store and online at www.buildabear.com. Disney's Frozen celebrates the sisterly bond between Anna and Elsa, and how the power of true love can thaw a frozen heart. Build-A-Bear Workshop also allows children to warm the hearts of their favorite characters during the traditional heart ceremony. As they make their new plush friends, Guests can add a pre-recorded sound that features one of three songs made popular by the film or add their own personal message on a Build-A-Sound® recordable chip.

November 2014 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new episode online!

Episode 40 features controversial toys such as the action figures based on Breaking Bad.

October 30, 2014 - 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.

- Meijer Recalls Halloween Projector Flashlight Due to Burn Hazard

MSC Cruises And The LEGO Group Partner To Create Ultimate LEGO Experience At Sea

New, Unique Shipboard LEGO® Playrooms and LEGO® Competitions and Games Available for Free to MSC Cruises' Guests

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 30, 2014 -- MSC Cruises and the LEGO Group have joined forces to bring children and families the ultimate LEGO Experience at sea, including LEGO® designed playrooms and entertainment options.

As part of the partnership, MSC Cruises is implementing a special program across its fleet in which children, as well as adults, will have the chance to compete in LEGO® themed competitions and games on a designated day during a sailing. Children who participate in the LEGO® Experience Day will receive an official LEGO® Junior Master Builder diploma. In addition, all guests will have the chance to meet and greet Sailor Walkabout – the LEGO Sailor Mascot – who will be available during cruises for photos and entertainment.

October 2014 - The fourth issue of LittlePlasticMen is avilable online!

http://www.littleplasticmen.com/e-mag/v1n4/

This issue has a summary of toys announced at New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con International, an interview with Steve Varner, a musing about whether cosplay is hurting the dealer floor at conventions, and a talk with Jerry Macaluso about some of the unproduced action figures from SOTA Toys.

You can read it online or download the .pdf to read on a device when you are offline.

October 2014 - The Toy Pizza series on YouTube has a new episode online!

Episode 39 features toys from fan-favorite horror movies such as A Nightmare on Elm Street.

October 30, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hot Toys and Sideshow Sale!
42 items from Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles are now on sale!
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=17163

Sale!
150 Featured Sale Items on Sale! Great figures from Transfomers, Marvel, DC, Video Games, Third Party, And Much More!
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=16673

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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MP-11SW SKYWARP EXCLUSIVE
Now joining the other Decepticons of the sky we have Skywarp. This awesome Masterpiece exclusive is priced at $199.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK12001&mode=re...

BARRICADE AND PROWL EXCLUSIVE

October 24, 2014 - The boy made a single trip to McDonald's this past month and scored a trick-or-treat bucket from The Book of Life. The buckets are similar to the ones from 2013, with a themed handle and stickers for customizing the bucket.

Let's see what's out there in restaurants this month! (More after the jump)

A quick check of the web sites for the more popular fast food restaurants reveals the following:

- McDonald's has two The Book of Life buckets in their Happy Meals. Or to be more accurate, the Happy Meals come in the buckets. Hee. The next promotion shown is Max Steel and Hello Kitty.

The McDonald's McPlay app now has free ebooks in it as well as a game. The ebooks are also available on their web site.