ToyFare #158: On Sale 8/11!

August 10th, 2010

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Get excited, people! It’s nearly New ToyFare Day, and here’s what you have to look forward to behind that gorgeous Mattel DC Universe Classics Legion cover…

• It’s the biggest thing ever to hit the red-hot DCUC line…literally! Find out how the mammoth Legion of Super-Heroes 12-pack came together, straight from Mattel’s Scott Neitlich and Bill Benecke.

• Fans are going crazy for Transformers’ new Power Core Combiners figures, which put the fun of a Combiner in every single figure! We talk to Hasbro about the challenges of engineering the line, and what fans can look forward to next!

• Speaking of Combiners, we take a fond look back at some of our favorite combining robots throughout toy history!

• It’s the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, so in Twisted ToyFare Theatre, our favorite Troopers are taking a field trip to beautiful, scenic Hoth! Featuring Wampas, hot tubs and my new favorite TTT character…Dash Rendar! His name is Dash Rendar, people!

• Plus, new toys in Incoming, an interview with Kick Ass’ John Romita Jr., the return of Customizing 101 and much more!

ToyFare #157: On Sale 7/14!

July 13th, 2010

Are you ready for quite possibly the awesomest issue of ToyFare this year? Of course you are! Okay, new question…are you ready for next week’s geek High Holy Days: San Diego Comic-Con? Whether you’re on your way to sunny California or you’re going to be watching from the sidelines, ToyFare #157 (featuring two of the Con’s hottest exclusives—Galactus by Hasbro and JLA Vs. Starro by Mattel—on the covers) has all you need to get prepped for the show or to feel like you’re there! We’ve got pre-show reveals, amazing interviews, plus all the booth numbers and panel schedules you need to make this issue a toy geek’s guide to the con!

• Get your first look at Mattel’s hot new toys they’ll be revealing at the show: We’re WORLD PREMIERING toys from DC Universe Classics, Green Lantern Classics, Ghostbusters, Masters of the Universe Classics and Justice League Unlimited!

• Speaking of Mattel, read all about the choices for our latest DC Universe Classics Fan’s Choice Poll, then come back to wizardworld.com tomorrow to start voting!

• We talk to the Hasbro Marvel team and take a peek at new toys from Marvel Universe and Iron Man 2. Plus, we interview Marvel CCO Joe Quesada about Marvel toys…and Crystar!

• Adult Swim double-shot! We talk to Jackson Publick, creator of the Venture Bros., and BifBangPow!’s Jason Lenzi about their new Venture retro figure line, and WORLD PREMIERE the headsculpts for two new characters Then we talk to Robot Chicken’s Seth Green and Matt Senreich and Jazwares’ Joe Amaro about the new toy line, which we’re WORLD-PREMIERING in this issue!

• Get the inside scoop on Gentle Giant’s new Star Wars action figure line – 12-inch recreations of classic Kenner figures! Plus, we WORLD PREMIERE the new figures!

• In Incoming, we talk to the Four Horsemen and announce their brand-new (but old) toy line, talk to new company Icon Heroes about their ThunderCats statues (and the new T’Cats ‘toon),WORLD-PREMIERE a new Halo Reach figure from McFarlane and new collectibles from Dark Horse and Kotobukiya, plus tons more!

• And finally, join us for the first all-musical issue of Twisted ToyFare Theatre!

• HOLY CRAP, right?

Monogram! Monogram! Monograaaaaam!*

July 1st, 2010

*To the tune of the Monorail song from The Simpsons, of course!

Putting together your shopping list for San Diego Comic-Con 2010? Just because you’re filling up your goody bags with action figures, don’t forget about these offerings from Monogram International – purveyors of pop culture tchotchkes like bust banks and pewter figurines.

You can pick up the Red Hulk bust bank (limited to 50 pieces, $15 each), the Iron Man 2 resin bust bank (limited to 150, $25), two series of Marvel bronze-plated paperweights (Thor, Spidey and Silver Surfer; and Iron Man, Ghost Rider and Captain America; limited to 75 pieces each at $50 per set) and a set of gold-plated paperweights featuring Dr. Doom, Hulk, Wolverine, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Venom (Each sold separately and limited to 50 pieces at $20 each). Check them out at the show at Booth 3945!

It’s Always Awesome in Philadelphia!

June 16th, 2010

Wow. Just a big WOW!! This being our 10th anniversary of Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, we weren’t sure what to expect from the crowds, and we were completely shocked at the sheer volume of people who showed up for the con!!

We broke ever attendance record EVER!! The show was a HUGE success!

We had an amazing guest list with some top tier artists, up and coming comic creators, and a huge list of movie and TV stars!

While at the show I got to get a picture with Ernie Hudson from Ghostbusters!

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I asked him if it was strange being named after a Sesame Street character, and next thing I know, I woke up on the floor and the show was over.

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Oh well.

Philadelphia Comic Con was amazing! Now we start prepping for our upcoming Chicago Comic Con! Hope to see you all there!

-Spat

ToyFare #156: In stores 6/9!

June 8th, 2010

Get those video game thumbs out of your…uh, mouths. Our new issue has covers featuring collectibles from two of the hottest game franchises around – Batman: Arkham Asylum figures by DC Direct and Gears of War busts by TriForce.

And what’s inside those covers?

• Go inside the making of DC Direct’s eagerly awaited Arkham Asylum figures, and get your first look at some Series 2 figures!

• Find out how Epic Games and TriForce work together to create their amazing Gears of War collectibles.

• We shine the spotlight on the 2010 ToyFare Hall of Fame honorees: DC Direct’s Georg Brewer, Jakks’ Jeremy Padawer, Tonner Doll’s Robert Tonner and Mattel’s Masters of the Universe!

• Check out some of this year’s hottest video games and video game toys, including first looks from NECA and Jazwares and an in-depth interview with the team behind the eagerly awaited Transformers: War for Cybertron game!

• New toys in Incoming from Mattel, Hasbro, Bowen, Hot Toys, Sideshow, the Four Horsemen and a world premiere from Gentle Giant!

• Plus, in Twisted ToyFare Theatre, Mego Spidey returns! In his first appearance in over a year, Spidey gets drafted against his will to appear in a Broadway play…as himself. There’s no way this will end well.

EXCLUSIVE: Evangelion San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive by Bandai Japan

June 7th, 2010

How’d you like to run into this guy in a dark alley in the Gas Lamp district? It probably won’t happen exactly like that, but you will be able to pick up this exclusive Evangelion figure at San Diego Comic-Con from Bandai Japan’s collector imprint, Tamashii Nations. The Evangelion-01 Test Type, Night Combat Version will be available at the Bluefin/Bandai booth. Press release is below, and enjoy your very first look at the figure!


EVANGELION-01 TEST TYPE, NIGHT COMBAT Ver.

When the sun sets on San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter on July 21st, 2010, a whole new Neon Genesis will begin. Introducing the “Robot Spirits EVA-01 TEST TYPE NIGHT COMBAT Ver.,” portraying the EVA-01 as it fought under the evening glow in the 2009 animated feature film Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. The EVA-01’s body is rendered in a translucent smoke purple with vivid fluorescent green and dark yellow highlights, capturing the essence of the EVA on a night combat mission. Even the pallet rifle and knife weapon accessories have feature hues evocative of dusk lighting. The figure stands 160mm tall and includes interchangeable head and hand parts plus an umbilical cable. Staying true to the superior standards of the Robot Spirits series, the figure employs composite resin materials for maximum detail, durability, and articulation. This release represents a historic first: the first time that Tamashii Nations, Bandai’s premier collector’s brand, has offered an exclusive Evangelion figure for the San Diego Comic-Con. (c) Khara

Anthrax in Our Email!

June 4th, 2010

Courtesy of BifBangPow!, it’s an exclusive look at the packaging for their retro action (read: Mego-esque) figure of Anthrax’s Scott Ian!

BREAKING NEWS: ThunderCats returns!

June 2nd, 2010

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HOOOOOOOOOOOO!

ToyFare just got a package in the mail. Inside was this poster:

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…and a link to download the above image, plus the following press release. It speaks for itself!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THUNDERCATS, HO!

WARNER BROS. ANIMATION ANSWERS THE CALL WITH A NEW

TAKE ON THE CLASSIC ANIMATED SERIES “THUNDERCATS,”

TO AIR ON CARTOON NETWORK

(June 3, 2010 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has begun production on “ThunderCats,” an all-new animated series for Cartoon Network, based upon the iconic 1980s action classic. “ThunderCats” is the newest series from WBA, joining “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” which was recently renewed for a third season, and the following forthcoming programs: “The Looney Tunes Show,” “MAD,” “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” and “Young Justice.” The announcement was made today by Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation.

“In addition to being Warner Bros. Animation’s first anime series, ‘ThunderCats’ marks our most ambitious foray yet into fantasy,” said Register. “The realism and dynamic visual style we’ve achieved are sure to thrill viewers, and the cool weapons, vehicles and technology should help the show appeal to a diverse audience.”

The 21st century reimagining of the series marks a creative collaboration between WBA and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan, with credits including “The Animatrix,” “Gotham Knights” and “Halo Legends.” WBA is working closely with Studio4°C, utilizing the latter’s expertise to give the “ThunderCats” characters a new cutting-edge look while remaining true to the compelling storylines and mythology of the original series.

“We at Studio4°C are excited to be in this creative partnership with Warner Bros. Animation to bring ‘ThunderCats’ to life,” said Eiko Tanaka, President and CEO, Studio4°C. “This collaboration combines the strengths of our two companies – high production values and great storytelling – toward reintroducing this classic fan-favorite to a new audience.”

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, “ThunderCats” characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.

The new “ThunderCats” will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

“ThunderCats” is executive produced by Sam Register (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”). Michael Jelenic (“Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Wonder Woman”) and Ethan Spaulding (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) are the producers.

Get Lost in Time With Return of Bruce Wayne Action Figures!

May 26th, 2010

When DC Comics first announced the Return of Bruce Wayne limited series by writer Grant Morrison and a variety of awesome artists, a lot of toy fans remarked that it reminded them of the toy line Legends of Batman by Kenner, which featured toys like Pirate Batman and Viking Batman. The series features a time-lost Bruce Wayne finding himself in various time periods of Gotham’s past, reimagined as a caveman, cowboy, hard-boiled private eye and more.

Well, #%@$’s just come full-circle.

In honor of the second issue of ROBW hitting stores today (which featured Puritan witch-hunter Bruce Wayne, and RAWKED), DC Universe blog The Source has revealed an entire wave of ROBW action figures, based on the art of cover artist Andy Kubert. Click the link to check out Caveman Batman, Puritan Batman, Pirate Batman and Cowboy Batman!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: ToyFare Hall of Fame 2010

May 24th, 2010

We like to have fun with toys, but we’re also serious about the artform of toys, statues and collectibles. That’s why, for the past two years, we’ve inducted three industry figures and one toy line into the ToyFare Hall of Fame. At this year’s Wizard World Philadelphia, we’re inducting three more men and one classic toy line into these hallowed halls, and YOU’RE invited to the ceremony! In alphabetical order, the honorees are (click on each name for biographical information)…

GEORG BREWER (Vice President of Design and DC Direct Creative, DC Direct)

JEREMY PADAWER (Executive Vice-President of Marketing – JAKKS Pacific, Inc.)

ROBERT TONNER (Founder – Tonner Dolls, Inc.)

And our newest Hall of Fame toy line (and its representative…)

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE – MATTEL (Represented by Toy Guru Scott Neitlich)

If you’re coming to Wizard World Philadelphia, make sure you swing by on Friday, when all the good toy stuff will be going down. Friday, June 11th, from 4-5, we’ll be doing a Big Toy Industry Panel with all of these guys and more. They’ll be taking questions, talking about the toy biz and what they’ve got coming up from their companies. At the very least, Scott Neitlich will be world-debuting a new Masters of the Universe Classics figure during the panel! Then stick around from 5-6 for the induction ceremony. Our honorees will get their moment in the spotlight, and you’ll get your first glimpse at this year’s exciting new trophy, designed by a toy industry legend!

We’ll see you there!