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By Ron, on March 10th, 2010 Hasbro has released details and high res pics of their two San Diego Comic-Con G.I. JOE Sgt. Slaughter exclusives.
I think the direction they’re taking this fall with the Pursuit of Cobra line is interesting, but the Sarge here has me jonesing for more classic-styled figures.
 
- There are going to be two different versions of the Sgt. Slaughter 3.75-inch figure – a primary figure (PF) and variant figure (VF), sold separately.
- Re: accessories, both the PF and VF will come with a whistle and a non-removable hat. The PF also comes with a weight belt, baton, and microphone; the VF also comes with a machine gun and revolver.
- There is the potential for the PF and VF to be sold online at HasbroToyShop.com following SDCC, but that is not guaranteed based on the “special edition” nature of the PF and the “special SPECIAL edition” nature of the VF.
- Pricing is TBA.
- As announced at New York Toy Fair: Sgt. Slaughter himself will be present at the Hasbro booth at SDCC (date/time TBA).
By Ron, on March 9th, 2010 When we saw Mike Deodato’s Marvel Universe card art, it begged the question of whether we’d be getting a Norman Osborne figure in his HAMMER outfit. Now we know that he’s just one of three choices for the exclusive figure that will be offered to Marvel Digital Comics subscribers, like Nick Fury was last year.
Personally, I think that X-Force Archangel and Dark Avengers Ms. Marvel (Karla Sofen) are easy variants for Hasbro to make for the upcoming Archangel and existing Ms. Marvels, so I hope that people vote for Norman. At least we’d be getting a new Norman Osborn head (if we aren’t getting one with the upcoming Iron Patriot figure already.)
Vote for the Next Exclusive Marvel Universe Figure
We want YOU to help us pick the next action figure to be offered exclusively to Digital Comics subscribers
Last year, fans far and wide went bananas for the Nick Fury Marvel Universe action figure offered exclusively to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited subscribers. And now, for 2010, we want YOU to help decide which figure new subscribers will receive.
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X-FORCE #5 cover by Clayton Crain
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Ms. Marvel by Mike Deodato
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Norman Osborn by Mike Deodato
Your choices are Archangel in his current X-Force costume, Norman Osborn in his H.A.M.M.E.R. outfit and Ms. Marvel–the MM from Dark Avengers, aka Karla Sofen, aka Moonstone!
Cast your vote in our official poll now–voting closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on March 15. Once all the votes are tallied, we’ll let you know which choice won, when it’ll be available and how to get it!
via We want YOU to help us pick the next action figure to be offered exclusively to Digital Comics subscribers | Marvel.com News | Marvel.com.
By Ron, on February 27th, 2010 In case you missed it in our Toy Fair coverage of Masters of the Universe Classics, He-Man and Skeletor are making a return to big box retailers. They’ll each be paired with a big hitter from DC Comics, in DC Universe Classics vs. Masters of the Universe Classics two packs. He-Man will be paired with Superman, and Skeletor will be paired with Lex Luthor.
VeeBee has a first look, but even better – these have already started to hit at Toys R Us, where these are exclusive. Good hunting!
 
Right off the bat, I have been in love with the idea of these sets since we first caught wind of them just befor New York Toy Fair earlier this month. I mean c’mon – these are just the logical next step, the natural progression. Mattel has been rocking the collector sect with their amazingly-Four Horsemen DC and MOTU lines for a couple of years now so to find a way to bring them together is like a nostalgia overload for the children of the 1980s. It makes perfect sense since DC Comics did publish a run of Masters of the Universe comics back in the early 1980s and that is the road Matty used to bring them all together. Furthermore, this is MOTUC’s very first venture off of www.mattycollector.com and into the retail aisles, that is a very exciting prospect in and of itself.
 
via First Look – DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe Two Packs | TheFwoosh.com.
By Ron, on February 25th, 2010 A few days ago, I was checking out an article at ItsAllTrue.net – Noisy had just found a case of Toys R Us exclusive All-Star Batmen. My inner sarcastic voice was saying, great, just what we need – yet another Batman variant based off that figure we got way back in the first wave of DC Universe Classics.
Fast forward a couple of days, and I’m in Toys R Us. I’m not even there for myself – my wife was replacing a plush toy she had given away as a gift. And I’m holding one of these new Batman figures in my hand, thinking about how cool the pin looks, and how I could replace the black and gray Batman in my Justice League of America display, because that one has the yellow oval, not this neat black bat symbol…
  
So yes, Mattel, you win this round. Just like you win every round.
(In case you’re wondering, that’s a custom Tim Drake Robin in the Freddie Williams style, by our own Buzzy Fret. I’m so psyched to have him in my Batman display.)
By Ron, on February 14th, 2010 In the second installment of our coverage of the Mattel Collector Preview Night, I’m biting off the second big chunk with Masters of the Universe Classics.
 
If there’s any question about the strength of Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Classics line, I think tonight’s reveals should unequivocally address it. With MOTUC product hitting mass market retail and some new items on a pretty grand scale, the line has never been stronger. Let’s jump right in!
There’s more… click to continue reading Toy Fair 2010 – Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Update
By Ron, on February 14th, 2010 Another big day at Toy Fair – Mattel held its Collector Preview Night and showed of the latest across its collector-oriented brands. I’m going to bite off a big chunk of that now with DC Universe Classics.
There was a lot of DC product on hand, not even counting DC Infinite Heroes, Retro Super Heroes, Justice League Unlimited, and the Brave and the Bold, which will get their own update separately. For DC Universe Classics, we saw the 2-packs that are hitting now and the ones that are going to Wal-Mart, waves 13 and 14, and the start of an upcoming Wal-Mart Green Lantern 5-pack. Even though a lot of this has been trickling out via Mattel’s Facebook page or Toyfare magazine, there’s really no comparison to seeing these items up close. Hopefully I’ve been able to capture some of that for you here.
There’s more… click to continue reading Toy Fair 2010 – Mattel DC Universe Classics Update
By Ron, on February 3rd, 2010 Hasbro has announced a mail-away promotion for an exclusive Transformers Ravage figure. The redemption form and one redemption sticker come with the N.E.S.T. Alliance Pack. Then collect two more stickers from specially marked Transformers products, and you’ll be able to send your redemption form in with $4.95 shipping and handling for the special edition Ravage. The promotion ends April 30.
HASBRO ANNOUNCES THE START OF N.E.S.T. GLOBAL ALLIANCE PROMOTION FOR ITS TRANSFORMERS TOY LINE FEATURING SPECIAL EDITION RAVAGE FIGURE
The Transformers Adventure Continues As Hasbro Invites Kids To Join The AUTOBOTS And The Elite N.E.S.T. Team
 Pawtucket, RI – February 1, 2009 – Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) announced today the start of a special promotion for its popular TRANSFORMERS toy line and is inviting kids and fans to “Join the N.E.S.T. GLOBAL ALLIANCE.” BUMBLEBEE and the AUTOBOTS, the heroic protectors of Earth, need help from their human allies as the planet continues to face the threat of the evil DECEPTICONS.
N.E.S.T., a secret partnership between the AUTOBOTS and humans dedicated to stopping the DECEPTICONS, was most recently featured in the blockbuster movie TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN. Now, by collecting three different stickers included in specially marked TRANSFORMERS products available this spring, kids and fans can join the N.E.S.T GLOBAL ALLIANCE and mail away for a special edition RAVAGE figure not available anywhere else.
The promotion kicks off with the N.E.S.T. ALLIANCE PACK, a special edition 2-pack of new TRANSFORMERS action figures featuring the popular BUMBLEBEE and SOUNDWAVE characters. In addition to the two figures, the N.E.S.T. ALLIANCE PACK includes a N.E.S.T. GLOBAL ALLIANCE Mission Guide and Redemption Form, one starter sticker, and a N.E.S.T. Agent Patch, officially making them part of the alliance. The N.E.S.T. ALLIANCE PACK is the only product in which the Redemption Form is available and is necessary to participate in the promotion. The ALLIANCE PACK is recommended for ages 5 and up and is available for the approximate retail price of $19.99.
Additional stickers are available in specially marked TRANSFORMERS toys at retailers nationwide. Once the necessary three stickers have been collected and placed onto the N.E.S.T. GLOBAL ALLIANCE Redemption form, consumers mail them away to receive their special edition RAVAGE figure. The promotion requires a payment of $4.95 for shipping and handling charges to receive the special edition figure and the offer is good while supplies last. Requests must be postmarked by April 30 and received by May 14.
For more N.E.S.T. action fans can watch online webisodes of “Cyber Missions,” featuring new TRANSFORMERS adventures. “Cyber Missions” finds the AUTOBOTS working with humans in the N.E.S.T. global alliance to defend Earth against the revenge-seeking DECEPTICONS. There will be 12 webisodes total which began airing online at www.TRANSFORMERS.com in early January and new webisodes will continue to air throughout the year.
To learn more about the special promotion visit www.TRANSFORMERS.com.
By Ron, on February 2nd, 2010 TNI has posted several pictures of the upcoming Walmart exclusive 2-packs featuring Aquaman / Black Manta and Batman / Robin, all with new paint decos. I like that they’re reissuing the hard-to-find Aquaman, and with a very cool metallic set of scales. And fans of the Super Friends will get a Black Manta in the blue color scheme from the cartoon.
I’m not too keen on the Batman and Robin set. We’ve had too many Batmen using the original Detective Batman body (yes it’s the Public Enemies belt, but the glove and boot ridges give it away, plus the already smallish head would be even more pinheaded). And the Tim Drake red and green Robin costume has so many details that are off because Mattel used the unmodified original sculpt. I understand the need to reuse, but I think this set needed a little more to make it worthwhile to collectors.
 
via Toy News International – Daily Action Figures Toy News, Reviews and Discussions.
By Ron, on December 8th, 2009 It’s too bad DST and AFX couldn’t find a way to include Angel in both these sets. I’m glad to be able to complete a set of the five original X-Men, but I don’t think it will be fun to track down Angel.
X-Men & X-Factor Sets Shipping Soon!
The new X-Men Minimate sets from Action Figure Xpress are nearing their December release and we’ve got updated pictures showing you everything included in these fantastic sets! If you haven’t already, be sure to head over to Action Figure Xpress and pre-order these two exclusive sets celebrating the rich history of Marvel’s merry mutants! Click here to order the X-Men #1 set, here for the X-Factor #1 set and here to order both!
Look for the X-Factor #1 and X-Men #1 sets to ship later this month and be sure to look for the X-Factor Angel in Toys R Us and the X-Men #1 Angel in Marvel Minimates Series 32 to complete your sets! Also note that the flight stands featured in these pictures are not included in these sets but can be found with every Ghostbusters Slimer Minimate.
via Art Asylum Blog » X-Men & X-Factor Sets Shipping Soon!
By Ron, on December 8th, 2009  DC Universe Classics Batman, Robin, Black Manta, and Aquaman DC Universe Classics fans, be sure to pick up Toyfare #150, on sale this Wednesday. Two-packs may be a thing of the past on MattyCollector.com after the Justice in the Jungle 2-pack, but according to a subscriber who received his issue of Toyfare early, Mattel reveals two new 2-packs that will be exclusive to Wal-Mart. Sorry, folks who can’t stand Wal-mart exclusives! As you might expect, the two packs will leverage existing figures, with new decos.
One of the two packs will feature Batman and Robin. Batman will be in his black and gray costume, but with a black bat symbol and a pouched belt. Robin, still Tim Drake, will be in his red and green costume, but my understanding is that the original Robin figure will be reused entirely – so there will be some elements, like glove spikes and belt pouches, that won’t be correct for the red and green.
The other two pack will feature Aquaman and his nemesis Black Manta. Folks who missed on Aquaman early on will be glad to get the opportunity to pick one up now, and will get the added bonus of a metallic orange for his scaly shirt. Black Manta will also have a blue color scheme instead of the black – but he won’t be changing his name to Blue Manta any time soon. 
The issue will also have pictures of DCUC variants or costume accessories from waves 12 and 13, including Mary Batson (nee Marvel), the Spectre, Negative Man, and Cyclotron. I am also looking forward to seeing more of Mattel’s upcoming WWE line.
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