Thursday, February 28, 2013

Nathan Fillion Answers....Everything

On a clear day at the tail end of a crisp February, Nathan Fillion dropped everything he was doing and decided to answer questions on Twitter. ALL THE QUESTIONS. Nerdy folks far and wide quickly caught on and got their queries in. This is a sampling of that spontaneous Q and A.

  : how do u stop urself frm procrastinating?” I'll come back to this one.
  
  : why can't I make myself finish my novel?” Try blackmail.
 “: Expecting baby boy #2 in May. What should we name him?” Quinter.

Shadow People Coming March 19th

All through college...and well..most of my life, I had horrible insomnia. The one thing I had in common with most fellow insomniacs I trusted enough to confide in were the Shadow People. I'd be driving home from some place and nodding off badly and every time I'd snap up out of it, I'd see these shapes on the side of the road...some appearing to throw things at the car...some actually appearing in front of the car. How I survived all those years is a mystery and my life is generally so odd, I don't give the possible hallucination of shadow people or even the corroboration of a handful of friends who noted they've seen these things too, a second thought...but apparently, someone out there has.

Monsters From the Island: A Neo-Kaiju Exhibition

Clutter and Monster Island NYC Present "Monsters from the Island"

"Monsters from the Island" is a group neo-kaiju and sofubi exhibition curated by Monster Island NYC. The opening will take place on March 9th, 2013 with a reception from 6-9PM at The Clutter Gallery, 163 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508.

Comprised of artists working primarily in sofubi and resin, the participating artists include: BLObPUS, Blurble, Bob Conge / Plaseebo, Brian Flynn, Buff Monster, Bwana Spoons, Dski One, Few Many, FigLab, Goccodo, Guumon, Healeymade, Ilanena, Josh Herbolsheimer, Konatsu, L'amour Supreme, Leecifer, Mark Nagata, Mechavirus, Monsterarm, Mutant Vinyl Hardcore, NagNagNag, PaulKaiju, Rampage Toys, Splurrt, Star Case, Toxic Creep, Uamou and Velocitron.

The Mary Jane Equation

Some days back, pictures of Shailene Woodley walking the New York set of Amazing Spider-Man 2 surfaced, causing a bit of an uproar. Without pretending I know the minds of the people, I'll just say there is one loud group of people who saw Woodley, probably out of makeup, and declared her unfit for the part. Mary Jane IS a model, after all. Another group is rushing to Woodley's defense, offering encouragement, compliments to her looks and acting ability and even going to far as to say if we don't think she is pretty enough for the film, we don't deserve the film. It's a bit extremist, I know, from both sides, but so is the internet. Allow me to state my side of things.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Once Upon a Time Magazine Arrives

Following the success of ABC’s hit TV-show Once Upon a Time, Titan Magazines is publishing two collector’s edition special magazines. Go beyond the fairy tales and open up the book to discover the truth about Storybrooke for yourself in the official Once Upon a Time collector’s edition magazine. Once Upon a Time issue #1 CoverIssue #1 hits newsstands today and is the ultimate companion to the show.

The TV Guide Fan Favorite Award-winning Once Upon a Time from master storytellers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (Lost, Tron: Legacy) features a world where fairytales and the modern day collide. Once Upon a Time stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills, Meghan Ory as Red Riding Hood/Ruby, and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

Judge Death 1:4 Scale Statue



Pop Culture Shock Collectibles is proud to announce the latest entry into its 1/4 scale statue line of characters from Rebellion Interactive’s series, 2000 AD - JUDGE DEATH.   The leader of the Dark Judges, Judge Death comes from an alternate dimension where “the crime is life, the sentence is death.”

This museum quality Polystone statue is depicted in epic 1:4 scale, standing an enormous 21” tall with a price of  $360 USD, and strictly limited to 275 pcs.  In addition this hyper-detailed collectible includes a signed certificate of authenticity.  Shipping is expected in August/September.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Peter Pan Exclusive Minimates

In 1953, the Walt Disney Company delighted audiences with its full-length animated feature Peter Pan, an adaptation of the 1911 novel about a magical boy who wouldn't grow up. Now, with the first-ever Blu-Ray release of the film in stores now, the Disney Store has teamed up with Diamond Select Toys to release the first-ever Disney Minimates, based on Peter Pan!

Two boxed sets of four Minimates mini-figures each will be available in early March. The first set will include Peter and three of the lost boys – Cubby, Tootles and Nibs – and Peter comes with a miniature version of Tinkerbell that can hover over his shoulder. The second set will include Michael, John, Captain Hook and a full-sized figure of Tinkerbell. Both sets will include standing bases to support each character, as well as one flying base each, so you can have Peter and Tink float above the ground.

An Amazing Spider-Man 2 Costume Overhaul

Coming Soon has thwipped out a new image from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, giving us what I believe is the first good look at a more streamlined, classic costume. It appears the web-head is devolving! Where once there was an ultra complicated array of pours, lines and high tech looking materials that made it seem like young Peter Parker was just as much a genius at the sewing machine as when he tinkers with electronics and chemicals...we now have a more classic design with a mesh pattern embedded beneath cloth, the tell tale rounded web lines, a de-ed-hardified spidey-symbol and a widening of the eyes with white lenses, bringing to life an all around iconic look. I'll admit to a lot of basketball suit bashing when the first film was being released, but I'm sure I also admitted the suit looked excellent on screen. Now we are thrust back to square one with a super simplified design harkening back to the Raimi Spider-Man films...and you have to wonder who threw the switch on the way back machine here...

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Superman: Unbound May 7th

A destructive force is devastating planets across the galaxy – with Earth next in its sights – and even Superman may not be capable of halting the terror in SUPERMAN: UNBOUND, the next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new, PG-13 rated film arrives May 7, 2013 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP), On Demand and for Digital Download. The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack will include UltraViolet™*.

Based on the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank 2008 release "Superman: Brainiac," SUPERMAN: UNBOUND finds the Man of Steel aptly handling day-to-day crime while helping acclimate Supergirl to Earth’s customs and
managing Lois Lane’s expectations for their relationship. Personal issues take a back seat when the horrific force responsible for the destruction of Krypton – Brainiac – begins his descent upon Earth. Brainiac has crossed the universe, collecting cities from interesting planets – including Supergirl’s home city of Kandor – and now the all-knowing, ever-improving android has his sights fixed on Metropolis. Superman must summon all of his physical and intellectual resources to protect his city, the love of his life and his newly-arrived cousin.

Monday, February 18, 2013

With Great Cake Comes Great Responsibility


This Monday, February 18th, at 9/8c, TLC’s hit series Cake Boss celebrates over fifty years of Spider-Man with a one of a kind super heroic cake that is nothing short of amazing!

In this special episode, Buddy, the Cake Boss himself,  is summoned to Marvel Entertainment’s headquarters and takes on the ultimate super heroic challenge- create a cake worthy of Spider-Man 50th Anniversary for a special rooftop celebration brought to you by Marvel and Midtown Comics! It's a battle of super heroes and super villains as the team struggles to complete one of their most complicated cakes ever—but just what does that mean for everyone’s favorite Friendly Neighborhood Super Hero?

Don’t miss a moment of this historic event—check out TLC’s Cake Boss on Monday, February 18th at 9/8C!

For more on TLC’s Cake Boss, please visit http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/cake-boss.

Walking Dead Minimates Series 3 Will Rise this Spring

The dead cannot be stopped, and neither can the Walking Dead Minimates! With Series 2 in Toys "R" Us, comic shops and specialty stores now, Series 3 is gearing up for production from Diamond Select Toys! And like the first two series, it includes popular lead characters, short-lived favorites and zombies straight from the comic book pages!

Coming in Spring 2013, look for the following figures to hit comic shops and specialty stores:

Friday, February 8, 2013

Toy Fair 2013 : A MattyCollector Preview



With some ingenious sleuthing from our friends at collector-actionfigures.com, we get a look at all those awesome plastics awaiting us this Sunday...TODAY! Masters of the Universe, DC Comics, WWE, Batman, The Watchmen, She-Ra all wait for us with new figures to drool over and set aside entire paychecks for. ...And do I need to mention Castle Grayskull??!! Let's take a look at what is sure to be just a sampling of Sunday's event...

For Masters of the Universe/ She-Ra...We've got Batros, Castaspella, Icer, Mantenna, Shakoti, New Adventures He-Man and the massive prototype for Castle Grayskull!

Toy Fair 2013 : Barbie in 2013 & Malibu Dreamhouse Up For Sale

It seems Barbie either saw the Iron Man 3 trailer and decided she should get out of Malibu before The Mandarin blows up her posh digs ...or she was hit by the economy even after working over 60 jobs this year. Either explanation is funny.

Malibu, California's most fashionable resident is moving. Today Barbie® officially put her coastal Dreamhouse® on the market and is packing up her three-story pink palace – signaling the launch of a year-long global brand campaign. With the help of her realtor-to-the-stars Josh Altman, the impressively scaled Barbie® Dreamhouse® is currently listed on the market for $25 million*. Over the next few months, Barbie® will embark on a worldwide tour to find a new dream home.

Toy Fair 2013 : LEGO's 250 New Building Sets

LEGO Systems, Inc., makers of the world’s leading construction toys, will unveil its largest collection of build and play toys ever–250 new products–at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. With new products launching throughout the year, children of all ages and interests will find a LEGO® building set or theme to spark their building creativity, inspire storytelling and role play or keep them engaged in imaginative play for hours. New items are on display in Booth #1351 in Hall 3B of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from February 10-13.

Toy Fair 2013 : A Monster High Teaser

We are getting down the the wire..mere days away from the "official" kick off of the New York Toy Fair 2013....but the reveals just aren't stopping...and I am sleepy. Sooooo sleepy. NO REST FOR THE WICKED ...and especially no rest allowed when new Monster High images drop in our lap. I'll sleep next week.

Mattel is set to fill your lives with ghoulish teens ...living...loving...eating brains. Have they done the episode where they eat all the kids in the rival human high school down the road? Been waiting for that one. While we don't seem any closer to blood splattered Monster High dolls, there are quite a few things coming for 2013. Here's a small sample...

Toy Fair 2013 : New Licenses for Diamond Select

This weekend, Toy Fair International begins at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Not open to the public, the event allows toy manufacturers to present their new offerings to buyers from retail stores around the world, and it always offers fans the first look at the hottest toys of the year. Well, this year Diamond Select Toys will once again be in attendance, and once again they will have plenty on display to dazzle fans!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Toy Fair 2013 : Disney Owns Toy Fair

With a string of hotly anticipated movies on the way and more a bit off in the distance as well as mega popular TV shows and cartoons, it will be difficult to NOT see Disney merchandise at every turn. Here's a look at what we can expect!

Innovation, creativity and powerful storytelling are the hallmarks of the 2013 toy line from Disney Consumer Products (DCP).

Some of the most innovative toys are from the new Monsters University toy collection and include features like sound and light detection technology and facial sync technology to allow for more interactive play than ever before, while The Little Mermaid and Disney Junior toy lines incorporate music and character voices to bring the products to life.

Sparking imagination, these toys capture the magic of playtime with evergreen play patterns. Here is a highlight of the top products from DCP for 2013

Rob Zombie's Lords of Salem



Those looking to relive a little Devil's Rejects magic may have something to celebrate...sooooon...

 From the singular mind of horror maestro Rob Zombie comes a chilling plunge into a nightmare world where evil runs in the blood. The Lords of Salem tells the tale of Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie), a radio station DJ living in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a strange wooden box containing a record, a “gift from the Lords.” Heidi listens, and the bizarre sounds within the grooves immediately trigger flashbacks of the town’s violent past. Is Heidi going mad, or are the “Lords of Salem” returning for revenge on modern-day Salem?

 

Toy Fair 2013 : Cheetara Joins Mezco's Thundercats

As heard at the Mezco Toy Fair preview "The most common remark followed by a question we get at shows..Wow..~insert name of newest TCats piece~ looks excellent. Are you going to do more?" Indeed..there were more..and on the shelves at Toys R Us no less! Where Bandai met with great difficulties with their classic and modern Thundercats action figure lines, Mezco has persevered and won the fluttering hearts of many a geek still holding their 80's cartoon loves on their collective sleeves.

Toy Fair 2013 : Mezco's Creepy Kids and Cuddlers

Mezco is one of those companies founded on the backs of hard working horror fans...those that create the genius plastics and plush and those that pour their money into their creations to they too may celebrate their love of spooky in the comfort of their own homes. That said, it wouldn't be Toy Fair without Mezco showing off 2 to 3 lines of creepy collectibles! We'll start with their longest running doll line...Living Dead Dolls...

Living Dead Dolls Series 25 hits this May 2013 with...
Cracked Jack - What prize lies inside of this little boy's coffin? One that can be applied and eyed by others often.
Luna - By the light of the moon rises this once dead chick to unleash her bloody rage in silvery light.. she's a lunatic.
Gretchen - A plague claimed her life but still, she could not lie. This poor little peasant girl was just too busy to die.
Sospirare - The second of three sisters who pollutes our world. The offspring of a witch who had three little girls. Sospirare is also known as the black queen. Among Sighs and whispers is where she is seen.
Asa - Accusations of devil Worship sealed this beauty's fate so she cast an evil spell.. A curse of death and hate.

Toy Fair 2013 : Mezco's Axe Cop

Based on a webcomic that turned into a print comic that turned into a web based animation that turned into an animated tv show soon to be on Fox, Axe cop features some of the most outlandish characters ever seen. How outlandish? Well, besides the titular axe wielding cop, there is a t-rex with machine gun arms, an avacado unicorn, and soldiers made of poo. Mezco’s Drake indicated that Mezco has a long history of producing poo based characters and with their Mr Hanky of South Park they have cornered the poo toy market. “No other toy company besides Mezco will be offering three separate poo based characters in 2013 “ said Drake. Mezco will be producing both 3.75 inch figures and plush characters for the series.


You'll note this isn't the first time Mezco have taken on an Indie Comic, breathing life into an action figure series for The Goon some years back along side comic versions of Hellboy and company. One look at those, and these prototypes, and you'll agree any comic creator would consider themselves lucky to have Mezco crank out collectibles of their characters.

Toy Fair 2013 : Mezco Breaking Bad Take 2



We've had our first taste of "Official" Toy Fair 2013 action, courtesy of Mezco toys, so we thought we'd kick off their coverage with a line they are most proud of..and for good reason. Breaking Bad contains some of the best sculpts I've seen come out of Mezco yet...not to mention the best likeness I've seen from any company in a while. Killer job!

We last took a look at this line at UK Toy Fair, at which was the Walt in a Hazmat Suit action figure. Welp, that figure hasn't quite made it home yet. It seems when you write "Hazmat" on a box, customs feels the need to take a look inside. Silly customs. Mezco's Breaking Bad line will include...

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Toy Fair 2013 : Lone Ranger Action Figures



Our friend Rick E @blanka1212 on Twitter asked us if we knew anyone besides LEGO who might be making Lone Ranger toys. We gather he's wanting some legit action figures. Our latest look around the world of plastics revealed a familiar friend that just announced some new licenses..and now.. one more...mayyybe.



Toy Fair 2013 : Skylanders Swap Force

In just over a year, the novel concept of bringing toys to life has made Skylanders one of the most beloved and successful children's video game franchises of all time1, establishing a new category in family entertainment. Today, Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), revealed Skylanders SWAP Force, the next installment in the popular franchise, which will be featured at Toy Fair 2013, February 10-13 at the Javits Center in New York City, in booth 3061.

SWAP Force builds upon the success of the franchise's signature gameplay with an all-new innovative play pattern -- swapability -- that gives kids more choice than ever before by letting  them swap the top and bottom halves of the toys to create their own characters. The game lets Portal Masters reconfigure 16 SWAP Force characters into more than 250 unique combinations. Kids can mix and match characters' powers and moves, and then bring them to life in the game.   Fans of the franchise also can play Skylanders SWAP Force with their entire collection of characters from both Skylanders Spyro's Adventure® and Skylanders GiantsTM, now with the added capability of jumping.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Toy Fair 2013 : Character's Doctor Who, Scooby-Doo & More

OK we are going to fly through this article because I'm juggling 3 jobs including Toy Fair coverage for Idle Hands and I don't want to leave any UK Toy Fair coverage unpublished!!  Of course that means digging through some more somewhat fuzzy pictures if only for the sake of allowing those die hard collectors out there spot the things they've never seen before and droooool...and then demand better pictures of course. You're so needy. Let's just zip right through this, shall we?

SO! All of this info is just going to be me babbling about the pictures as the gentleman who sent them over took no notes and said he was lucky to be allowed to shoot any pictures at all only after mentioning there were pictures everywhere already. Smart boy that one. We'll kick things off with Doctor Who as Character Options celebrates the 50th Anniversary with Brit flag emblazoned Daleks and Limited Edition Iconic Scenes Collector Sets..which is a fancy name for PLAYSETS!!!  Yes, my friends, companies seem to finally be catching on that we demand environments in which we can make pew pew noises like we did when we were wee lil ones. Sure, they seem like just cardboard dioramas, but we'll take what we can get. Baby steps.

Join COBRA Today!



Sunday, February 3, 2013

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Toy Fair 2013 : Mattel in the DC Universe



To some it would look like Mattel is winding down with their DC Comics action figure creations. To others, it may seem as if they had a whole new world to mine...and Elseworlds as well. Let's take a really quick look at some upcoming waves of super beings and the little bitty pieces of information we have to go with them. Now most of these figures will be old news to die hard DC figure fans, so why waste our time? A fellow named ws_toys on ebay has provided images of these figures in the final production stage..or at least close to it!

For the foreseeable future...and before the rain of new releases at the New York International Toy Fair, here's what we've got to look forward to...

Friday, February 1, 2013

Toy Hunters Coming to the Wayne NJ Toy Show

This Sunday 3/3 the Wayne NJ Toy & Collectibles Show (New Jersey's longest running total collectibles show)   www.waynenjtoyandcollectiblesshow.com are proud to welcome Jordan Hembrough & Steve Savino from Travel Channel's TV Hit the "Toy Hunter". Jordan & Steve will be filmed "picking" the show for some treasures.

We are also please to announce that Comic Artists Emilio Velez Jr & Peat Vazquez will be showcasing their talents.We hear there is also a good chance that Batman, The Riddler and Real Life Superhero Wedjat may be working the crowd.

Along with the usual 80 tables of hard to find vintage & current stuff this show will highlight  "KISS" Memorabilia, Test-Shot Unreleased Star Wars Prototypes, MEGOS, Planet Of The Apes Memorabilia, Autographed Cards from James Bond, Smallville, Vampire Diaries and Warehouse 13, and Ninja Turtle Merchandise.

The show is located at Company #1 Firehouse 97 Parish Drive Wayne NJ 07470 from 8am to 2pm, so you'll get home in plenty of time to watch the big game! Admission $2.00 per adult and children under 12 free. Remember if parking is a problem, you can park on Taylor Drive by the Post Office and walk under the bridge. And if you are visiting the PAL Flea Market across the street, you can also walk from there.

Please visit our good friend Christian's SketchCon Show on February 10th at the Whiskey Cafe 1050 Wall Street Lyndhurst NJ.

Toy Fair 2013 : Factory Entertainment on Game of Thrones

Before we begin...yes, Dark Horse still seems to have the main Game of Thrones license. It looks like Factory Entertainment picked up everything else! I'll also point out that while Action Figures are still absent from this lineup, Dark Horse did express an interest in making some waaay back when  they first picked up the license and with all your yelling for toys, 'm sure they are on top of it. of course, we'll know more on that soon. For now, let's continue with the Factory entertainment infos (thanks for the tip from ToyNewsI!)...

Factory Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with HBO (Home Box Office, Inc.) to produce a line of collectibles across several categories from the Emmy award winning television series Game of Thrones.

Toy Fair 2013 : A NECA Preview

We are a few days away from our first "official" Toy Fair 2013 appointment, but the news is still dropping like mad and we are scrambling like fools to scoop it up! Today, we got a tip on three new action figure properties coming from the masters of movie plastics; NECA. We had some fun speculating on what licenses were available and NECA came up more than a couple of times as the ones to watch. It turns out they've deffinately got some new action up their sleeves...

Pacific Rim: We'd been told NECA had this license, but that doesn't diminish out excitement for a line of toys based on giant Kaiju monsters battling massive Yeager robots one bit. Live Action Evangelion? Yes, please. NECA will kick off their line with three 7 inch "DX" figures of Knifehead Kaiju (a massive monster that surfaces from 5 miles below the sea), Yeager "Gipsy Danger" and Yeager "Crimson Typhoon".