Raving Toy Maniac

George Lucas Wins First Emmy® for Star Wars: The Clone Wars at the 40th Anniversary Daytime Emmy® Awards Sponsored by Red Touch Media

LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2013 -- Red Touch Media announced George Lucas' first-ever Emmy® award win for Star Wars: The Clone Wars in the Outstanding Special Class-Animation category. The legendary creator of the Star Wars series was presented the award this evening by Carrie Fisher, star of his iconic films. Red Touch Media previously announced its unique partnership with The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) as the premiere digital content management provider for this year's Daytime Emmy® Awards and sponsor of the "Red Touch Red Carpet."

SUBWAY® Restaurants And Disney Collaborate For Release Of "Monsters University" And "The Lone Ranger"

(bleep)ORD, Conn., June 17, 2013 -- This June, SUBWAY® restaurants, the world's largest restaurant chain, and The Walt Disney Company will celebrate one year of working together with the announcement of two additional movie integrations: Disney-Pixar's "Monsters University" and Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films' "The Lone Ranger." In 2012, SUBWAY® restaurants and Disney collaborated on films including Disney-Pixar's "Brave," Disney's "Frankenweenie" and Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wreck-It Ralph," recently winning the award for "Best Promotional Campaign" around these movies at the 2013 Cynopsis Kids Imagination Awards.

June 17, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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WOLVERINE LEGENDS PREVIEWS EXCLUSIVE CASE OF 8
This assortment includes Wolverine, Sabretooth, Cyclops and Emma Frost, along with the parts to assemble a Puck Build-A-Figure. We have the Case of 8 listed at $159.99, $24 off of the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22962&mode=re...

DARYL DIXON 10" DELUXE FIGURE

2013 TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame Finalist Vote Now LIVE!

June 2013 - Hasbro has sent an update about their Transformers Hall of Fame voting:

Hello, TRANSFORMERS fans!

The time has come for the public at large to select two Fans' Choice robot inductees to make up the class of 2013 for the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame! Drawn from an open nomination process as voted upon by the readers of TRANSFORMERS fan sites, the five beloved TRANSFORMERS characters who garnered the most votes are now online at TRANSFORMERS.COM for an open vote. The two characters who receive the most votes by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 21st will be inducted into the TRANSFORMERS Hall of Fame!

The five nominees, in alphabetical order, are:

• ARCEE
• MEGATRON (Beast Wars)
• PROWL
• RODIMUS/HOT ROD
• ULTRA MAGNUS

June 14, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is a quick update on more cool new stuff just listed today:

The Walking Dead TV Series Deluxe 10" Figure - Daryl Dixon
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MCF13995&mode=re...

1/6 Scale Superman For Tomorrow ArtFX Statue
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=kot11111&mode=re...

Breaking Bad 6" Previews Exclusive Walter White - Blue Hazmat Suit
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MEZ10883&mode=re...

Alien Revoltech Reissues - Alien, Alien Warrior, Alien Queen
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=alien%20revoltech

Phicen Fire Rose 1/6 - Red & White Versions
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=phicen%20rose

Assassins Creed III Connor Kenway Life-Size Statue

VORTEXX ON THE CW UNVEILS NEW ACTION ADVENTURE PROGRAMMING FOR 2013-'14 SLATE

High-Energy Action, Adventure and Comedy Line-Up To Include Digimon Fusion, Spectacular Spider-Man, Sendokai Champions and Bolts & Blip

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 14, 2013) – Vortexx on The CW, an affiliate of Saban Brands, today announced new series additions slated for the programming block this year. The new programs making their way onto the 5-hour kids television block will include Digimon Fusion, Spectacular Spider-Man, Sendokai Champions and Bolts & Blip. The new programming begins on July 13 with Bolts & Blip coming to the slate at 8:30 a.m.

"Introducing new programming onto the block will provide a breath of fresh entertainment for fans across all Vortexx platforms from television and online to gaming on MyVortexx.com," said Joel Andryc, President of Vortexx. "We're excited about the new series additions and are confident that these programs will strongly appeal to our current Vortexx fans providing entertainment 24/7/365."

DARK HORSE DELUXE GETS GRIMM!

Hit NBC TV Show to See Full Product Line from Dark Horse

JUNE 14, 2013, MILWAUKIE, OR - Dark Horse Comics' toys and collectibles imprint, Dark Horse Deluxe, is proud to offer new items based on characters and stories from the hit NBC show Grimm! The Grimm collectibles from Dark Horse are licensed through NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products.

Grimm is a cop drama inspired by the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales, following Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt into a reality he never knew existed. Once he discovers this new world, and his role in it, he has to deal with much more than the usual criminals and investigations. With his partner Hank and ally Monroe (who is also a magical creature called a Blutbad), Nick delves into cases involving bees, bats, bears, and more!

June 14, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Hi - Here is a quick update about a variety of new preorders just listed at www.bigbadtoystore.com

Transformers Go Ninja Gift Set
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11724&mode=re...

Transformers Go Samurai Gift Set
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11725&mode=re...

TG26 Bumblebee Gold
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11720&mode=re...

TG27 Trailcutter & Hoist Two Pack
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11721&mode=re...

TG28 Megatron & Starscream Two Pack
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11722&mode=re...

TG29 Sandstorm
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=TAK11723&mode=re...

Marvel Select Silver Surfer
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11995&mode=re...

June 2013 - Funko has announced a new batch of POP! vinyl figures based on Wizard of Oz characters.

Expect to see the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and Glinda the Good Witch in stores around August 8th.

And if you think those are cute, keep scrolling down to see the previously-released Dorothy with Toto, Wicked Witch, and Flying Monkey!

Children launch toy crane prizes and stuffed animal drive for Oklahoma tornado victims

WOODSTOCK, Va., June 13, 2013 -- With the help of parents, Jason and Kodi Wright, three siblings in Woodstock, Va. have launched The Toy Crane Project. The initiative gathers toy crane prizes and other stuffed animals for children in Oklahoma affected by the recent string of tornados.

"My kids have always loved those toy crane claw games," Jason Wright said. "They win at an astonishing rate. My 9-year-old son Kason is especially lucky. I always tell my wife that if dropping out of elementary school and turning pro were an option, our son would hold a press conference, hire an agent and line up sponsorship deals."