Raving Toy Maniac

February 2014 - Andrew Yang has a new project on Kickstarter - the Iron Legions Mechs!

The constructible mechs are interchangeable so that you can customize your figures as you'd like. The figures in these pictures are prototypes from a 3D printer (the final product will be injected molded in a factory), and one of the rewards is the file to be able to print out a different character on your own 3D printer.

Learn more about it on the Iron Legions Mech Toys Kickstarter page.

SEA GHOST TAKES OVER DRY LAND

Pre-orders begin for Sea Ghost Action Figure

February 2014 - (Portland, ME) Nemo Publishing announced today that pre-orders are officially open for The Sea Ghost action figure. Sea Ghost's first appearance was in The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli Vol 1 and was so loved that the character spawned his own title in Sea Ghost #1: The Sea Ghost In The Machine and now he's available as his own action figure. The 8" figure has a special pre-order price of $16 instead of the regular price of $20. The run will be limited so fans should not delay placing an order at www.captneli.com.

Mezco Announces Special The Living Dead Dolls For Video Participants

February 2014 - New York - As part of Mezco Toyz's yearlong celebration of the Sweet 16th Anniversary of the Living Dead Dolls, Mezco invited fans of the Living Dead Dolls to submit their own videos, talking about how the Living Dead Dolls have touched their lives.

Now Mezco has announced that a special run of 52 exclusive Living Dead Dolls, not sold in stores, will be given to 52 video participants selected by Mezco's Secret Cabal Of Judges. One factor of the judging process will be the number of views and the number of likes a video receives, but that will not be the deciding point, as the Secret Cabal Of judges acts in mysteries ways that cannot be fully understood by mere mortals.

Each week, Mezco will be posting a new video, made by a fan, talking about how the Living Dead Dolls have touched their lives. Some stories will be inspirational, others amusing, some heartwarming, some scary, but most importantly, all of them great!

Mattel to Expand its Playing Field with Acquisition of MEGA Brands

MEGA Brands to Add Its Leading Construction and Arts & Crafts Portfolio to the Mattel Family of Companies and Best-Selling Brands

Transaction Highlights

• MEGA Brands shareholders will receive C$17.75 per share in cash ("Purchase Price")
• The transaction represents a total enterprise value of approximately US$460 million, including the net debt of MEGA Brands to be assumed or repaid by Mattel, and is about 9.8 times MEGA Brands' preliminary estimated FY 2013 EBITDA of approximately $47 million
• Senior Secured Debentures will be refinanced at closing and holders will receive 105% of par plus any accrued and unpaid interest
• MEGA Brands shareholders holding approximately 39% of MEGA Brands common shares have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & MONTREAL -- February 28, 2014 -- Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) and MEGA Brands Inc. (TSX: MB, MB.WT, MB.NT) announced today a definitive agreement for Mattel's acquisition, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., of MEGA Brands for US$460 million.

February 28, 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.

- Cork Block Stacking Toys Recalled by A Harvest Company Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at StorkStack.com

- Storage Chest Alert - Lane and Virginia Maid chests can still be updated for free.

As Seen at NY Toy Fair: Plants vs. Zombies, Bluntman & Chronic, Sin City, Batman and More!

February 2014 - Whew! New York Toy Fair is over, and by now you've likely seen all of the brand-new items Diamond Select Toys had on display at their booth. (Well, almost all -- we have to keep a few secrets!) Well, now a bunch of those items are open for pre-ordering, with new product shots and details! Check out what's coming out this summer from DST!

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Select Action Figure Asst.

February 2014 - Funko has announced a series of POP! Movies vinyl figures based on How To Train Your Dragon 2

Expect to see Hiccup, Astrid, Stormfly, Hookfang, Barf & Belch, and Toothless in stores in April.

February 27, 2014 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW ARRIVALS
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TRANSFORMERS MASTERPIECE MP-12G G2 SIDESWIPE, SIDESWIPE WITH COIN
For those of you on the fence, we have received more of this popular release. It is done in black and red like the original G2, and comes with a sword and other weapons which can be used in both car and robot modes. It is listed at $79.99, or $87.99 if you'd like the Set that includes the Collector Coin.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=MP-12G%20Masterpie...

WB004 WARBOT REVOLVER
Fansproject's new vehicle has arrived. This orange and green off-road jeep comes with a driver that can transform and merge with him in robot mode, and he also comes with a quartet of weapons to increase his damage=dealing potential. This figure is listed at $89.99, $5 off the MSRP.

February 2014 - DC has a new contest online, The Batman Arkham Collectors Sweepstakes.

There are two prize packages in this contest... both loaded with Batman goodies! To be more specific, the official rules for the contest describe the prizes as:

Grand Prize
One (1) grand prize winner ("Grand Prize Winner") will receive the following:

- One (1) Batman Arkham Asylum Collector's Edition
- One (1) Batman Arkham City Collector's Edition
- One (1) Batman Arkham Origins Collector's Edition
- One (1) Batman Arkham Asylum GOTY
- One (1) Batman Arkham City GOTY
- One (1) Batman Arkham Origins Season Pass
- One (1) Batman Arkham Asylum BradyGames Strategy Guide
- One (1) Batman Arkham City BradyGames Strategy Guide
- One (1) Batman Arkham Origins BradyGames Strategy Guide
- One (1) Batman Arkham Origins Series 2 Killer Croc Action Figure
- One (1) Batman Arkham Origins Series 2 Anarky Action Figure
- One (1) Batman Arkham Origins Series 2 Firefly Action Figure
- One (1) Batman Arkham Origins Series 2 Deadshot Action Figure

LIMITED, EXCLUSIVE AND JUST FOR YOU...

REEDPOP ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL COMIC BOOK EVENT – Special Edition: NYC

New festival connects fans and creators in birthplace of comics on June 14-15 – Kyle Higgins, Ryan Stegman, Tim Seeley and others announced in initial lineup

New York – February 24, 2014 – Today ReedPOP, the world's leading producer of pop culture events including New York Comic Con, is expanding its event offerings and getting back to its roots with the creation of Special Edition: NYC. Held in the birthplace of comics, New York City, the inaugural event is scheduled to take place on June 14-15 at Javits Center North.

This new comic book festival will provide fans the opportunity to connect with artists, socialize with fellow collectors in a unique setting and search for those always hard to find back issues. The event is a pure celebration of comic book culture created specifically for die-hard comic book fans, creators and publishers.