We're very excited with Playmates' Simpsons line, we've got the official low-down from Playmates themselves with the upcoming lines and some prototype pics. Here's the official word:

Costa Mesa, CA. � Fans of the hit animated television series The Simpsons will have the opportunity to bring even more of Springfield�s residents home in 2001 as Playmates Toys introduces the newest in its award-winning line of The Simpsons talking, interactive action figures and environments.

The collection offers stunningly accurate reproductions of the characters and places that make up the animated world of the The Simpsons -- with voices provided by the actors who portray the characters in the TV series every week. True fans should also be on the lookout for a host of celebrity guest stars, including Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob. With the tremendous success of the line in its first year, Playmates plans to release wave after wave of figures throughout 2001, providing Simpsons addicts the chance to collect every one of their favorite Springfield denizens to join Homer, Bart and the Simpson family.

World of Springfield Figure Assortment
These colorful 5-inch articulated action figures reflect the beloved animation style of The Simpsons series. Each figure features Intelli-Tronic� voice articulation that allows the character to come to life, with phrases in the real actor�s voice from the TV show, when connected to compatible interactive environments.

Series 3

• Moe
• Nelson
• Kamp Krusty Bart
• Sunday Best Homer
• Milhouse
• Otto

Series 4

• Lenny
• Ralph Wiggum
• Patty
• Itchy and Scratchy
• Casual Homer
• Groundskeeper Willie

Series 5

• Captain McCallister
• Kent Brockman
• Bartman
• Martin
• Sideshow Mel
• Bumble Bee Man

Series 6

• Dr. Hibbert
• Snake
• Bleeding Gums Murphy
• Carl
• Mascot Homer
• Professor Frink

World of Springfield Environment Assortment
These interactive environments recreate some of the series� best-known locations and include a unique action figure available nowhere else. Each environment features Intelli-Tronic� Voice Articulation that allows the characters to come to life, with phrases in the real actor�s voice from the TV show, when connected to compatible interactive environments. Each environment is compatible with over a dozen figures and contains more than 40 built-in phrases.

New for 2001

• Sideshow Bob with Krustylu Studios
• Mayor Quimby with Town Hall

• Pin Pal Apu with Bowl-A-Rama
• Comic Book Guy with Comic Book Shop

• Reverend Lovejoy with First Church of Springfield
• Jimbo with Noiseland Arcade

The Simpsons Family Car
For any fan who has ever wanted to take a road trip with the Simpsons, Playmates introduces this authentic recreation of the family car. When the hood of the car is pressed, hear the entire Simpsons family carry on comedic commuting conversations.
Available: Summer 2001
Price: $19.99

Simpsons Talking Action Figure Assortment
Springfield favorites come to life with these highly detailed electronic action figures. Each figure has a unique mechanical action, and says up to four sidesplitting character phrases when connected to the display base.

• Bowling Homer
• Hold-up Procedure Apu
• Pie-Throwing Krusty
• Howdy Neighbor Ned

Dot Pals
Deluxe �Simpsons� Dot Pals Homer can be hooked up to a PC or Macintosh to provide outrageous commentary on the user�s computer activity. Additional phrases for the figures can be downloaded from the Playmates web site, making it easy to expand the Dot Pals� vocabulary.

• Homer Available: Summer 2001
  Price: $49.99