Raving Toy Maniac

Kids Preferred Launches "Yarn Zombies" at Comic-Con to Scare up Tween and Teenage Fun

SAN DIEGO, July 17, 2013 -- Bringing zombies to real life and entertainment to the teen and tween market, Kids Preferred is launching a new brand this week at Comic-Con called "Yarn Zombies" (www.yarnzombies.com) – cute zombie collectibles and fashion accessories with special powers and features. Visit booth No. 4120 at Comic-Con in San Diego to view the first licensed Yarn Zombies collectibles known as JUJUz™, all with unique "mojo-protecting" special powers.

"If you think of Monty Python meets the Walking Dead meets Heroes, then you have the essence of the thrilling new Yarn Zombies collection," said Laura Perks, co-founder of Kids Preferred. "We are delighted to offer a great collection for a more grown-up market and to give teens and tweens something that offers excitement, assurance and a lot of fun."

It's Con-vention Season: Have No Fear, Hotels.com is Here!

DALLAS, July 18, 2013 -- Thousands of comic book, movie and sci-fi fans are descending upon San Diego this week for Comic-Con International. While it may be too late to attend the world's largest comic book and popular arts style convention, Hotels.com® has come to the rescue of genre buffs with a list of the five most "geektastic" upcoming conventions.

"Each year, millions travel for the sole purpose of attending conventions and trade shows around a wanderlust or hobby that interests them," said Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. "But nowhere else do you see conference attendees go as all-out as the comic and game convention-goers. At Hotels.com, we are just as passionate about finding you the perfect place and want to help put the cherry on top of a perfect convention experience."

The Official Star Trek Convention
August 8-11, 2013 – Las Vegas

SDCC: PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES COMICS COME TO DARK HORSE FOR THE BRAINS!

San Diego, CA, JULY 17, 2013 - Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to bring you the first official Plants vs. Zombies comics, released in a partnership with PopCap Games, creators of the smash hit video game Plants vs. Zombies. The first and second chapters are ready for you to read TODAY!

Paul Tobin (Marvel Adventures, Falling Skies) and Ron Chan (The Guild, Husbands) join forces with a bevy of battling plants to deliver a hilarious, all-ages, action-filled zombie romp to your neighborhood!

Nickelodeon and Activision Reveal New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ Video Game Based on The Network's Hit CG-Animated Series

NEW YORK, July 19, 2013 -- Nickelodeon and Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, today revealed their collaboration on an all-new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ video game inspired by the network's hit CG-animated series. This side-scrolling action-brawler game features an authentic storyline ripe with franchise-favorite characters and locations, with loads of combat and animated scenes. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ is expected to launch Oct. 22 in North America, Oct. 23 in Asia and Australia, and Oct. 25 across Europe and Latin America for the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo Wii™ system and Nintendo 3DS™.

THE DREW OLIVER COMPANY, MAKER OF GIANTMICROBES®, IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF COMPUTER VIRUS DOLLS® AND COMPUTER VIRUS DIGITS® KEYCHAINS
Now available: Trojan, Malware, and Virus, oh my!

STAMFORD, CT - JULY 19 - Trojans, Malware, Viruses, Worms, and dozens of other digital designs will be uploaded into retail shelves and online sites as Drew Oliver, creator of the hugely popular GIANTmicrobes® (www.giantmicrobes.com), debuts Computer Virus Dolls® and Computer Virus Digits® Keychains (www.computervirusdolls.com), the first-ever toy and merchandise collection based on the electronic "creatures" that torment our laptops and smartphones.

"Anyone who's ever seen a virus alert pop-up on their computer screen, or had an actual security breach - whether NSA-inspired or otherwise - will certainly get a laugh out of these new designs," said Drew Oliver. "And since each product comes with information about how to prevent future incursions, they're educational as well."

NECA ANNOUNCES BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS GAMESTOP USA EXCLUSIVE

San Diego, CA – July 18, 2013 – National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), a world leader in licensed consumer goods, announced today at San Diego Comic-Con a new GameStop USA exclusive item, the Batman: Arkham Origins Grapnel Accessory Prop Replica, modeled directly from the much-anticipated Batman: Arkham Origins video game developed by Warner Bros. Games. The exclusive, set to launch this fall, is available now for pre-order online and at select retail stores.

The exclusive, life size prop replica is fully spring loaded and motorized. The prop also comes with two different hook attachments for customization.

ThinkGeek Announces New Firefly and Marvel Products at San Diego Comic Con

Two Fandoms Spontaneously Squeal In Delight

FAIRFAX, Va., July 17, 2013 -- The mad minds at ThinkGeek have done it again. At booth #5541 at San Diego Comic-Con 2013, ThinkGeek has just unveiled three new GeekLabs products for attending press and visitors to see and experience. All of the products, two from Marvel and one from Fox's Firefly, can also be found online at www.thinkgeek.com.

For Browncoats and Firefly fans out in the 'Verse, ThinkGeek is proud to introduce the Kaylee Messenger Bag (www.thinkgeek.com/13f3). This unique bag is an officially licensed product and is based on the mechanic's jumpsuit worn by she who kept Serenity in the sky. From the color down to the details of the embroidered plush patches, the Kaylee Messenger Bag is a great way of subtly letting the world know that you ain't one of those Purple-Bellies. Look for it in October 2013 for $39.99.

NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT COLLECTIBLES ASSOCIATION AND 4K MEDIA INC. UNVEIL FIRST EXCLUSIVE Yu-Gi-Oh! LICENSED MERCHANDISE AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

Hillside, NJ - July 19, 2013 - Entertainment conglomerate National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), alongside 4K Media Inc., the newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced a sneak-peek look at some of the first Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Art branded merchandise at San Diego Comic-Con International.

"The Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Art merchandise line has been such a blast to create and we are thrilled to finally reveal what the team has been working on," said Alexis Mueller, Director of Business and Legal Affairs at NECA.

"We're excited to be able to extend the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand through this appealing new collection from NECA," said Jennifer Coleman, VP, Licensing & Marketing, 4KMedia. "It's an important element in the resurgence of the brand and one we know will get both our fans and retailers excited, too."

July 19, 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.

- Macy’s Recalls Infants’ First Impressions Varsity Jackets Due to Choking Hazard

- Thermobaby Bath Seats Recalled by SCS Direct Due to Drowning Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com

- Boys’ Hooded Jackets Recalled by 5 Star Kids Apparel Due to Strangulation Hazard

July 19, 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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PACIFIC RIM SERIES 02
Fresh off the release Guillermo del Toro's epic sci-fi action movie PACIFIC RIM, comes a second series of 7" action figures. When an alien attack threatens the Earth's existence, giant robots piloted by humans are deployed to fight off the menace.
Series 2 will have a full line of poseable action figures directly from the film. Characters include; Battle Damage Gipsy Danger, Striker Eureka, and Leatherback.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=pacific%20rim%20se...

ALIENS 7" FIGURES SERIES 02 - CASE, SET