August 22, 2008 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several new items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com about a wide variety of new preorders, more new arrivals, and a new 100 item clearance sale.

------------------------
100 ITEM CLEARANCE SALE:
------------------------

Our warehouse is getting full so its time to clear out some overstocked and older items. We have a wide variety of Transformers, GI Joe, Indy, Comic, Sci-Fi and other items on sale, many with significant price cuts. We appreciate any help you can give us in clearing space in our warehouse. Take a look at the menu below for savings on a variety of items:
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=2225

--------------
NEW PREORDERS:
--------------

WORLD OF WARCRAFT SERIES 4 FIGURES The newest series of World of Warcraft figures has been announced. The regular figures in this assortment include a Murloc two-pack, a Gnoll Warlord, a Succubus Demon and a Tuskaar; we have these listed at $16.99 each or the set of four for $59.99. Also in series 4 is the new Deluxe Naga Monster figure, available at $36.99. All of these figures are expected in April 2009, and you can take a look at the assortment here

TF MASTERPIECE ROLLAR This new Transformer accessory from TFC Toys is the perfect companion piece to Masterpiece Optimus Prime. This new version of the classic Roller accessory has been upgraded to a full transforming figure, and he is not only in scale with Optimus, but he also comes loaded with accessories and weaponry of his own. Don't let Prime's trailer be lonely - check out Rollar today!

FRANK MILLER'S THE SPIRIT FIGURES Newly announced by Mezco, the first wave of figures from the upcoming holiday season movie includes the Spirit along with his enemies the Octopus, Pathos, Sand Seref and Plaster Of Paris. We've got the set of 5 listed at only $69.99, and the single Spirit figure at $14.99 - take a look!

FINAL FANTASY CRISIS CORE PLAY ARTS - SETS AND SINGLES Square Enix's newest Final Fantasy figure line comes from the video game Crisis Core, and features the "return" of a long-dead friend. Aerith
Gainsborough, Cloud Strife and Zack Fair are each available as singles at $24.99, or you can pick up the set of 3 for only $69.99!

REAL ACTION HEROES 1979 ALIEN Medicom's RAH line has a new entry coming this winter - the Alien from the original 1979 movie "Alien." With its creepy biomechanical styling and extending inner jaws, this creepy creature will be a treasured part of any collection - take a peek!

HALO 3 STEEL SPARTAN FIELD OF BATTLE ARTFX STATUE The third in the Field of Battle ArtFX Statue collection, this one is a shiny gray steel spartan, complete with lowering shell. Add this one to your collection for only $89.99! Take a look at this new version here

TF ULTRA MAGNUS BUST This new bust from Diamond Select shows Ultra Magnus in all his City Commander glory. Hovering over a Cybertron-shaped base, Magnus has his rifle at the ready, in case of Decepticon attack. Put your pre-order for him in today - only $52.99!

STAR TREK RETRO BRIDGE PLAYSET This piece is a retro-inspired creation based on the original, with all of the functionality of the original release. Featuring the classic fold-up design, this playset opens up to show the bridge, with interchangeable view screens and a transporter that works with the turn of a dial! At only $49.99, we expect these to go fast - take a look at it here

BATMAN TDK ORIGINAL BAT-SUIT 12" ARTFX VINYL STATUE This Kotobukiya figure is clad in the original Bat-Suit is seen in the early part of "Batman: The Dark Knight," and displays him crouching down on top of the Bat Signal, cape fluttering in the air behind him. This piece is set to show up this December, and we've got it listed at only $104.99, a $20 savings over MSRP.

GOD OF WAR MAGIC OF THE GODS FIGURE SET Rescued from the brink of nothingness, these two Kratos figures are bound to make anyone's day! Poseidon's Rage Kratos (clear blue with lightning) and Dark odyssey Kratos (Black with gold tattoos) come with their weapons and we're expecting them sometime this October. Reserve yourself this set of two great figures, at only $28.99, before they disappear!

TOMB RAIDER: UNDERWORLD 7" LARA CROFT This figure of the video game world's best-known archeologist comes in her new brown and black outfit, with a pistol in each hand. We expect this one to make her appearance this October, and she's priced at only $14.99 - take a look at this figure here

AVP:R SERIES 4 SET OF 2 We don't have a lot of detail on the two new predator figures in series 4 of NECA's Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem line, but it appears that one is masked and the other bare-faced, and that each has bright green battle-damage wounds. We'll let you know as soon as we know more; check out the pics here

NEW MARVEL FINE ART BUSTS Kotobukiya has announced a number of new Marvel Fine Art Busts. Daredevil comes from the recent Ben Affleck movie, while Punisher War Zone is a new movie coming later this year. Both of these busts take their likeness from the movie actors, and include the movie logo on the base. The new X-Men Classic Fine Art Bust line shows the X-Men in their classic looks, beginning with brothers Cyclops and Havok. Cyclops' visor lights up via red LEDs, and Havok's symbol is glow-in-the-dark! Each of these works is only $69.99, $10 off the MSRP, so take a look!

ART OF SHUNYA YAMASHITA - NEW CHARACTER SERIES STATUES Two new figures in Shunya Yamashita's new Character Series are up for pre-order. Nasuka is 9-1/2" tall and is suspended in the air, sword hanging beneath her. Kanaru is dressed in a light blue futuristic outfit and stands just over 8" tall. Both are available for $68.99, and should arrive in January - check them out!

WITCHBLADE ANIME FIGURES We've got two new Kotobukiya Witchblade Anime figures listed. The first is a Maria 10" ArtFX statue, with red and blue pigtails, seated on a metallic red display base. The other is the Sexy Masane ArtFX Statue, which is limited to 800 pieces and has Masane displayable either vertically on the base or horizontally on the included cushion base. Take a look at these and other Witchblade Anime figures here

ALEX ROSS JSA SERIES 1 This first series is from a new line inspired by Alex Ross' cover art from recent issues of "Justice Society of America." The first assortment includes Golden Age Flash, Golden Age Green Lantern, Starman and the Sandman. Each of these figures is sculpted and scaled to fit right in with the previous Alex Ross Justice figures and Alex Ross Kingdom Come figures.

CLONE WARS MAQUETTES Two new maquettes from Gentle Giant are up for pre-order - Ahsoka and a Clone Trooper. The Clone Trooper is in a pure white outfit, while Ahsoka is in her padawan outfit from the new Clone Wars movie. Each of these maquettes is listed at $79.99 ($10 off MSRP) and both should be here this November - take a look!

BRAVE GOHKIN 19 - BALDIOS CMS Corporation has announced the nineteenth entry in their Brave Gohkin line - Baldios. This ABS & die-cast figure is fully transformable and includes accessories. We expect this one in sometime in October; go ahead and take a look here

NEW MIMOBOT FLASH DRIVES - STAR WARS, HALO, HAPPY TREE FRIENDS A whole bunch of new MimoBot Flash Drives have been announced, in a few different lines, but all with 2 GB of storage and exclusive brand media. For new Star Wars MimiBots we've got C-3P0, Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine), a Royal Guard and Wicket W. Warrick the Ewok. The new Halo line includes Master Chief as well as Red and Blue Spartans, and the Happy Tree Friends line includes regular and Gory versions of each Flippy, Giggles and Mole.

SGT. ROCK 1/6 SCALE COLLECTOR FIGURE The World War Two hero is back and ready for action! This Collectors Edition 1/6 Scale figure will come with accessories and a display stand, and he'll look great as part of a DC collection, or a military one! Take a look at this new figure here

DC NEW FRONTIER BOX SET This box set combines a special Edition New Frontier comic book with four of the most famous characters in it - Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. The three male figures are the same as the original releases, while the Wonder Woman figure sports a brand new head sculpt! Take a look at the figures here

HEROES OF THE DC UNIVERSE BUST - GREEN LANTERN The first in a new line of busts, these will be the male counterparts to the Women of the DC universe bust line. The first release is Hal Jordan, the first of the silver and modern age Green Lanterns. With ring hand outstretched above him, this Carlos Pacheco-designed Hal is coming out of an oversized lantern base, with green energy erupting as he does. Take a look here - he's only $54.99!

BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHT 2 BLACK AND WHITE STATUE The second Batman Black And White statue from the new animated Gotham Knight DVD, this piece is taken from segment 3, "Field Test." It shows Batman in a new costume, arms out at his sides with cape flowing out behind him. Check this new piece here

DEATH NOTE - NEW FIGURES & STATUES We've got a whole bunch of new Death Note figures listed. The final Death Note Craft Label piece, Misa Amane, is up for pre-order for only $44.99, and there are also a number of PVC figures - a wave 1 set of 6 and a wave 2 set of three - different lines, but great figures. Also, the new Final Scene Series from Jun Planning includes versions of Light, Misa, Rem and Ryuk. Check out all these new figures here

AME-COMI HARLEY QUINN The newest in the anime-inspired Ame-Comi line is the Joker's assistant, Harley Quinn. A former psychiatrist, Harley was driven crazy by the Joker and now is happy to help her 'puddin' commit crimes. Her figure comes with bomb in hand, and an eerie Joker mask on the back of her head - take a look

DARTH VADER ROTOCAST BANK This new bank is a bust of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader. Brandishing his red Lightsaber, this Sith will be able to protect your money like no one else! This new bank is only $12.99, and makes a great gift for any fan!

MARVEL SELECT ANTI-VENOM FIGURE Not much is known about this new character - apparently it's related to the Venom symbiote and is here to hunt its brethren down. This new character is debuting in the current pages of the Spider-Man comic, and soon you'll be able to have a figure of him, too! Check him out here - only $17.99!

GN-U DOU DANCOUGA - JUUSOU KIKOU DANCOUGA NOVA The newest of the GN-U Dou announced figures, this updated version of Dancouga comes from Juusou Kikou Dancouga Nova, 100 years in the future from the original Dancouga Anime. This figure boasts over 30 points of articulation, and he's listed at only $33.99 - take a look

CREATORS LABO #017 PLAWRES SANSHIRO SAKURAHIME This 1:1 scale rendition of Sakurahime, one of the dueling pocket-sized robots from the popular 80s anime/manga Pla-Wrestler Sanshiro is a fully-painted polystone statue, complete with a display base. Sculpted by noted garage kit creator Toy Fujiura, now you can pick up one of these little ladies at retail - take a look!

LORD CRUMWELL'S ODDFELLOWS 5-PACKS These deformed little figures include great people of culture and history, packed into little five-packs of plastic joy! We currently have pre-orders up for five of these packs - the Artists Collection, the Revolutionaries Collection, The Genius Collection, the Scientists Collection and the Writers Collection. Take a look here for the individuals in each assortment

BARACK OBAMA 6" FIGURE The presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate has what may be his first action figure coming out this fall along with his opponent (see below). The Barack Obama figure will have six points of articulation, and makes a good gift or a great conversation starter - take a look here

JOHN MCCAIN 6" FIGURE The presumptive Republican Presidential candidate is also represented for quite possibly the first time as an action figure. John McCain (the figure, not the candidate) has six points of articulation, and also makes a good gift or a great conversation starter - check him out here

NECA 2009 CALENDARS NECA has got a whole slew of new Calendars for 2009 - something for almost everyone! We've got 2009 calendars listed for A Christmas Story, The Crow, The Exorcist, Gears of War, The Princess Bride, Pulp Fiction, the Shaw Brothers and Sweeney Todd. We're waiting on pics for most of them, but you can take a look here

HARRY POTTER HOGWART'S HOUSE CUP CHALLENGE GAME The Hogwart's House Cup Challenge Collectable Adventure Board Game by NECA is coming this September. It appears that each player takes the role of a student at Hogwart's, but beyond that we don't have any gameplay details yet. Take a look at the box, board and cards here

GOD OF WAR FULL SIZE BLADE OF ATHENA PROP REPLICA This full-sized replica of Kratos' Blade of Athena from God of War (and God of War II) is coming this October from NECA, and we've got it listed at only $149.99 - $30 off the MSRP! Take a look at this great new replica here

NEW CHRISTMAS STORY FIGURES NECA has created a new figure and assortment from "A Christmas Story." Scut Farkus, the tall redheaded kid is here individually, or you can pick up the set of four Christmas Story Kids - Scut, Ralphie, Randy in snowsuit and Flick, complete with metal pole. Scut himself is only $14.99, or the Kids box set for only $32.99!

GEARS OF WAR SERIES 2 BOXED SET This new boxed set celebrating the second series of Gears of War figures includes holdover Marcus Fenix, alongside new figures Damon Baird, Dominic Santiago and an elite Theron Guard with helmet. These four figures come with accessories and everything will look great in the display box, for those collectors that choose to display in-package. Check the figures out here

-------------
NEW ARRIVALS:
-------------

DC INFINITE HEROES The DC Universe's newest figures come in a new 3.75" scale, similar to GI Joe and Star Wars. This first assortment incldues heroes the Atom, Adam Strange, Green Lantern Guy Gardner and Captain Marvel, alongside villains Black hand and the Alternate Flash (Reverse-Flash.) We've got these listed as a set of six for only $39.99, or you can pick up a case of twelve (two of each figure) for only $74.99!

GX-42 JEEG CHOGOKIN The newest Soul of Chogokin release is GX-42, Kotetsushin Jeeg. Another Mech piloted by a child to protect his home, this new Mech comes with alternate weapons, a giant hammer and a display base - at only $99.99, you'll want to take a look, here

NINTENDO 5" FIGURES Our shipment of the first wave of 5 inch figures has shown up! Included in this wave are Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Toad and Donkey Kong, and each is available singly (except Donkey Kong), or in the set of 5. Also available is a case of 12, which includes one Donkey Kong, two Toads, and three each of Mario, Luigi and Yoshi! You can check them all out here

TF ENCORE HEADS Best Toys has created these custom heads for the original and Encore releases of Ironhide and Ratchet. Replacing the cardboard add-on heads from the Encore releases (or the circuit-sticker from the originals), these pieces snap right on to the cab of the van, and the head itself folds down and in for transformation. We've got the set of two heads for $17.99, or the heads along with the Encore rleases of both bots for only $74.99

STANDARD 1966 BATMOBILE The most economical of the new Batmobile releases, the standard model is in stock right now, for only $29.99. Reminisce about the good old days of Adam West and Burt Ward in this 1/18 scale batmobile, designed by George Barris with Mattel to make it just right. Check out this great vehicle replica here

SDCC VALLEY OF DARKNESS CYLON Another SDCC Exclusive, Diamond Select's "Valley of Darkness" Cylon Centurion is blood-stained and -splattered after working his way through a number of Galactica residents. You can get a vicious monster of your very own for only $15.99 - Check him out!

PEPSI STAR WARS BEARBRICKS This set of 16 Star Wars characters in Bearbrick form is from a Pepsi Nex promotion in Japan, but we'll save you the trouble of going over and collecting all 16! Including characters like Darth Vader, R2-D2 and Darth Maul, these great little collectibles are space-saving and interesting all at once! Check out the assortment here, available for only $59.99!

SDCC LIVING DEAD RESURRECTION SET Mezco's SDCC 2008 Resurrection Set, Second Coming, is in stock and ready to go today. This set includes Sadie, Lou Sapphire, Lilith and Lulu, and if you missed out on them in San Diego, this is your chance to pick up the set, at $279.99!

TF SOUNDBLASTER BUST The first of two new G1 Transformers busts from Diamond Select is Soundblaster. Originally he was the Decepticon known as Soundwave, but he was rebuilt into Soundblaster after being destroyed in battle with Blaster. The 'new' Soundblaster has a black deco, and on this bust he's accompanied by Ratbat, one of his later cassette allies. This bust is priced $10 off MSRP at only $49.99 and is limited to 1000 pieces - take a look at Soundblaster and Ratbat

TF SHOCKWAVE BUST The other new G1 TF Bust is one of Megatron's longest-serving lieutenants, Shockwave. Acting as a combination scientist and general, Shockwave's analytical nature made him a perfect candidate to watch over Cybertron in Megatron's absence. Shockwave's bust has a translucent purple hand, as well as his gun appendage and chestplate; at $49.99, it's a great display piece!

MCFARLANE NFL TEAM SETS We've got four different McFarlane NFL Ultimate Team sets in stock now - the offense teams of the Oakland Raiders, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. Each set of figures comes in its own display, set up to look like a football field, and they're only $19.99 each - take a look!

COBRA & LADY ARMAROID STATUE This 11.5" statue shows Cobra the Space Pirate walking from the battlefield, weapon in one hand and Lady Armaroid slung over his opposite shoulder. This statue from the popular manga, anime and tv series is available for only $229.99 - saving $20 off MSRP. Check it out!