Raving Toy Maniac

June 30, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

We had a fantastic time at Botcon this year and are happy to officially announce our latest Hasbro Shared Exclusive! The Platinum Predaking Reissue is now available for preorder at $119.99. This figure comes with die-cast metal parts and beautiful deluxe packaging - check it out here:

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22988&mode=re...

June 30, 2013 - Do you have a few extra minutes? Good, because there are a few contests you might want to enter:

- Diamond Comics has a Man of Steel/IMAX contest happening on their PREVIEWSworld web site. Enter by July 5th. Prizes include IMAX tickets, a DC Collectibles statue of Superman, Man of Steel LEGO sets, Superman graphic novels, and lots more Superman goodies.

- Sideshow Collectibles is also giving away a faux bronze Wolverine statue. Enter by July 25th.

- Sideshow Collectibles is giving away a set of Pacific Rim statues, autographed by Guillermo del Toro. Enter by July 31st.

- And speaking of Pacific Rim, you've already entered the NECA/WizKids Pacific Rim giveaway, haven't you? No? Get to it, you have until July 15th.

June 29, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Please Note: Due to the world's largest online retailer breaking the on-site date of 7/1 on this item and listing early, we are forced to protect the large investment we have made in this figure and also list preorders.

Preorders are now open at $109.99:

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22897&mode=re...

3-in-1 Metroplex figure converts from robot mode to vehicle mode to city mode
Figure is the biggest Autobot ever, over 2 feet tall
Lights and sounds
Firing missile launcher
Scamper figure converts from robot mode to vehicle mode

June 2013 - Funko has announced a new batch of 2.5-inch Mystery Minis, this time based on The Big Bang Theory.

Expect to see these blind-boxed cuties in stores around August 8th. There will be seven (7!!) versions of Sheldon, one version of each of the ladies on the show (Amy, Penny, and Bernadette), and two versions of each of the non-Sheldon men (Raj, Howard, and Leonard).

June 2013 - Funko has announced additional POP! vinyl figures based on The Big Bang Theory.

Expect to see Raj, Howard, Bernadette, Penny, and Leonard in stores around August 8th.

June 2013 - Funko has sent out a reminder notice about pre-ordering their San Diego Comic-Con exclusives this year:

SDCC Pre-Buy

Just a quick little reminder that Monday, July 1st, is the last day to order the $799.00 SDCC Pre-Buy!

In case you missed the information on that, here is a little breakdown:
Receive ONE of each of the 57 Funko SDCC Exclusives!
Also this just in... There WILL be ONE secret extra piece!
Normal retail at the booth would be $965.00 for every piece - you save $166.00!
FREE SHIPPING to US addresses!

To order the set, send an email to [email protected] and they'll tell you the next step.

VISIT VIZ MEDIA AT ANIME EXPO BOOTH #1501

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR 2013 ANIME EXPO

VIZ Media Returns To Nations Largest Anime Convention With An Array of New Anime And Manga Announcements, Special
Guests And Exclusive Premieres, Panel Discussions, Giveaways And Much More!

San Francisco, CA, June 26, 2013 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, prepares a substantial presence for the 2013 Anime Expo as it announces a robust schedule of events, guest appearances, panel discussions, autograph sessions, anime screenings, and special promotional giveaways.

The 2013 Anime Expo is North America's largest anime convention and will be held July 4th-7th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles. More details are available at: www.anime-expo.org. VIZ Media will be located on the main convention floor in Booth 1501.

Planetary Resources Calls on Citizens of Earth to Aid in Planetary Defense

Company Announces New Crowdfunding Goal to Create "Asteroid Zoo" for Public to Search for Dangerous Near-Earth Asteroids

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 27, 2013 -- Planetary Resources, the asteroid mining company, has announced a collaboration with Zooniverse that will empower citizen scientists to aid in the search for dangerous near Earth asteroids (NEAs) and support planetary defense.

June 27, 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.

- New CPSC Data Shows 60% of All Fireworks Injuries Occur Around July 4th; Firecrackers, Aerials, Homemade Explosives Cause Most Deaths, Injuries

- Stile Products Recalls Tern Folding Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

- Fred & Friends Recalls Baby Rattles Due to Choking Hazard

- Horizon Hobby Recalls Batteries Due to Fire Hazard

Monogram International's 2013 Comic-Con Exclusive Number Seven

Iron Man Resin Bank

June 2013 - Monogram International - If you couldn't get enough of Marvel's latest theatrical release of Iron Man 3, here's the perfect souvenir to bring it all back! Monogram International presents the Exclusive Comic-Con 2013 Iron Man Resin Bank.

- Classic Iron Man action bust.
- Detailed resin mold.
- Easy opening bottom to retrieve your coins.
- Item #68062
- 250 Piece Limited edition
- $25.00 Retail Price
- Booth 3744