Raving Toy Maniac

Diamond Select Toys Announces Minimates 10th Anniversary Event at NYCC

September 2012 - In celebration of ten years of Minimates, Diamond Select Toys will be holding a 10th Anniversary Minimates celebration in the toy line's birthplace, New York City! Reed Exhibitions' New York Comic-Con will host the event October 11-14, and the festivities will include an exhibit, a panel, a signing and three separate Minimate giveaways!

Located in room 1B02 of the Jacob Javits Center, the exhibit will showcase Minimates, artwork and animation from throughout the line's 10-year run, from their rock-and-roll beginnings at the NYC-based Art Asylum in 2002 to their multi-brand empire with Diamond Select Toys today. It will be open during Comic-Con show hours all four days, and attendees will receive one free promo Minimate from the company archives, while supplies last. (One per person for the weekend.)

Prize #17 of the 20 Big Prizes From K'NEX®

Enter for your chance to win a Mario Kart Wii Building Set!

Hatfield, PA – September 2012 – K'NEX Brands, the only US construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love™, is pleased to announce the launch of K'NEX'S "Win a bundle of MarioKart Wii Building Sets" Sweepstakes. From September 28, 2012 at 9:00 am EST through October 15, 2012 at 3:59pm EST, K'NEX fans can enter for their chance to win Mario Kart Wii Building Sets.

Living Dead Dolls Presents Universal Monsters Frankenstein and the Bride

September 2012 - You're invited to the wedding of the century: Frankenstein and his Bride! The Living Dead Dolls present the couple that was truly made for each other (from exhumed corpses of course). Since their introduction, Frankenstein and his Bride have become one of the most popular couples in the history of the silver screen, now they become the latest additions to the Living Dead Dolls family.

Damien Glonek, one of the trio who created the Living Dead Dolls says, "Universal Monsters are the true foundation of the horror genre. Each has become a recognized character to people of all ages from all over the world and still seem as popular today as when their movies first came out. They have started out as Monsters and have become icons. When the opportunity arose to work on the Universal Monsters I was very excited to give back to the genre that I love so much."

TOMY International and The Pokémon Company International Sign Multi-Year Global Licensing Agreement

- TOMY becomes unified global toy partner for leading kids entertainment franchise

OAK BROOK, Illinois, Sept. 27, 2012 -- TOMY International and The Pokémon Company International announce the signing of a multi-year global master toy agreement, giving TOMY International the exclusive toy license outside of Asia. Beginning in 2013, TOMY International will be the exclusive licensee and distributor for categories including figures, figure accessories, plush, and more. TOMY International's parent company, TOMY Company, Ltd., has been a toy licensing partner of Pokémon in Asia, beginning with the Japanese market in 1997. This agreement makes TOMY Group the unified global toy partner for the sought-after Pokémon brand, one of the world's leading kids entertainment franchises.

September 27, 2012 - 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.

- Cyclone Swing Seats Recalled by ADS Due to Fall Hazard

- Captain Cutlass Pirate Toy Guns Recalled by Dillon Importing Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

- In Home Danger: CPSC Warns of Children Drowning in Bathtubs, Bath Seats and Buckets

- Big Lots Recalls Garden Swings Due to Fall Hazard

- Specialized Bicycle Components Recalls Bicycles Due to Fall and Injury Hazards

On Sale This Week: Street Fighter X Tekken Minimates Series 1

September 26, 2012 - A new arena has been unlocked! It's your local comic shop, where DST is unleashing its newest assortment of video game Minimates: Street Fighter X Tekken! This Wednesday sees the debut of the line at comic shops and specialty stores, and each two-pack pairs a Street Fighter with a Tekken tussler! Each Minimate stands 2 inches tall and features 14 points of articulation for maximum combat action.

The specialty assortment includes four different two-packs -- Ken vs. Steve, Sagat vs. King, Cammy vs. Nina, and Poison vs. Lili.

The ladies are only available in the comic shop assortment, and not at Toys "R" Us, so check out the figures in packaging below, and pick up a set at your local store!

September 26, 2012 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PREORDERS
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LIVING DEAD DOLLS PRESENTS UNIVERSAL MONSTERS SERIES 01 - SET, SINGLES
The first assortment from the new LDDP Universal Monsters sub-line includes Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. Each 10" figure is listed singly at $29.99, or you can get the set of two for $49.99 and save almost $10.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Living+Dead+Dolls+...

BATMAN ARKHAM CITY PLAY ARTS KAI SERIES 02
Arkham City's second Kai assortment includes Robin and Batman in his Dark Knight Returns skin. Each comes with their signature items and is listed at $59.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Arkham+City+Kai+Se...

TRANSFORMERS BRUTICUS MAXIMUS REISSUE

September 2012 - Funko has announced that Zero the Dog has been added to their line of Nightmare Before Christmas Plushies. The whole line should be shipping to stores now, and also includes Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie, and Vampire Teddy.

K'NEX Beatles Yellow Submarine & KISS Buildable Figures Available Exclusively at TARGET!

Officially-Licensed Buildable Figures by K'NEX Allow Music Fans to Build Iconic Rock Bands

Hatfield, PA, September, 2012 – Music fans, young and old alike, can now build and play with characters from two iconic rock bands! K'NEX, the only US Construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love™, is pleased to introduce buildable figure packs inspired by The Beatles Yellow Submarine and KISS, available exclusively at Target this holiday season!

The award-winning K'NEX building system combined with the popularity of figure packs will bring the well-known images of the beloved musicians to the construction aisle for the first time. A part of our culture, The Beatles and KISS buildable figure packs are sure to appeal to music and building fans of all generations.

September 2012 - Funko has released an update on their Edward Scissorhands Wacky Wobblers to let us know that they should be available around November 29th.

Also, their Edward Scissorhands Plushies should be available October 18th.