Each week, we’ll be compiling all the toys-related PR into a single digest. Enjoy!
NECA
Kratos: Armed for Battle
He is a man made god. The ghost of Sparta. The most fearsome force of
the ancient world. This month, Kratos, the brutal God of War returns in
devastatingly cool Ares Armor! As release date draws near for this
hotly anticipated new figure, NECAonline gives one last look at both
versions of the Ares Armor Kratos Action Figure, in completed
packaging! Get your own this month and keep checking back at NECAonline
for the latest Player Select updates and more!
A Silent, Deadly, Seven-Inch Assassin
His origins are shrouded in mystery. An assassin in the twelfth
century, Altair is hooded death himself. His mission? To kill nine
historical figures bent on intensifying the Crusades. But is there more
to this killer than meets the eye? The talk of every gaming expo this
year, Assassin’s Creed hits shelves in November. NECA is proud to
present the newest addition to the Player Select line: the Assassin’s
Creed Altair Action Figure. Altair comes loaded with game-accurate
accessories, including:
Retractable Wrist Blade
4 Removable Throwing Knives
Long Sword
Dagger
Altair also features extensive "ball-jointed" articulation at the
neck, shoulders, waist, elbows, wrists, thighs, knees, and ankles.
Altair will be available this November, just in time for the game’s
release. For now, check out our extensive gallery of images. And make
sure to check back at NECAonline for the latest updates on Player
Select action figures and more!
Massive Michael Gets Boxed Up
This summer, Michael Myers terrified audiences once more and broke
box office records in Rob Zombie’s remake of the horror classic,
Halloween. NECA is proud to present a brand-new Michael Myers 18"
Action Figure with motion activated sound, in stores now! Michael comes
with two knives, an alternate "orange mask" head, and plays the updated
version of the classic Halloween theme. NECA gave fans a look at
Michael a few weeks ago, and with the figure hitting shelves now,
here’s a final look at Michael, in completed packaging. Keep checking
back at NECAonline for the latest updates on Halloween collectibles and
more!
Ron Weasley: Much More Than a Sidekick
It isn’t easy being best friends with the world’s most famous
wizard. During his fifth year at Hogwarts, Ron must help his friends
face down sadistic teacher Dolores Umbridge, form Dumbledore’s Army,
and somehow manage to pass his OWLs! This month, the Ron Weasley 12"
Action Figure hits shelves. Ron comes with his own wand and motion
activated sound! Ron "speaks" six phrases from the hit film Harry
Potter and the Order of the Phoenix:
Who are you, and what have you done with Hermione Granger?
I let her do that… It’s good manner, isn’t it? It was completely intentional.
Combat? What’s he think we’re forming some sort of wizard army?
We’re not going to use magic?
Don’t worry… I’ll go easy on him.
Stupefy!
You can find this figure on shelves now. Make sure to take a look
at our image gallery of Ron in completed packaging, and keep checking
back at NECAonline for the latest updates on Harry Potter collectibles
and more!
The Assassin: Imprisoned in NECA Packaging
Questions and speculation continue about the storyline for the most
anticipated game of the year: Assassin’s Creed! Both the
ground-breaking video game from award-winning developers Ubisoft and
NECA’s Assassin’s Creed Altair Action Figure from our Player Select
line hit shelves next month. As release date draws nearer, the buzz
surrounding this game, and our highly detailed figure, gets bigger and
bigger. While you still have to wait a few weeks to get an Altair of
your own, take a look at our gallery of completed packaging images.
Keep checking back at NECAonline for the latest updates on Player
Select action figures and more!
HASBRO
Fantastic 4 Commemorative DVD Figure Collections – Only at Wal-Mart!
Celebrate the DVD release of Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer
with these commemorative figure collections. Each collection features
three exclusive figures, available starting mid-November exclusively at
Wal-Mart! DVD not included.
Collection 1:
Includes exclusive Human Torch, Thing and Invisible Woman figures.
Collection 2:
Includes exclusive Dr. Doom, Mr. Fantastic and Silver Surfer figures.
EVOLUTION OF A HERO only at Target soon!
The EVOLUTION OF A HERO exclusive, previously unveiled at San Diego
Comic Con, will be on-shelf at Target to coincide with the launch of
the TRANSFORMERS movie DVD on October 16.
Be sure to act fast to get this premium display package featuring
BUMBLEBEE as a Classic Camaro and as a Camaro Concept Car with
exclusive battle damaged deco.
Don’t forget to check back at www.target.com/transformers to unlock more Robo-Vision content with codes found in an exclusive in-DVD comic only at Target!
AllSpark Powered: 2008 Wave 1 Deluxe
All new figures, combined with figures in awesome new decos will “glow”
with the power of the AllSpark this spring. Figures across deluxe,
voyager and leader assortments will feature bright blue “AllSpark
Powered” highlights on both figure and packaging.
Three deluxe figures lead the way for the first new wave of
TRANSFORMERS figures that will be available at your favorite retailer
beginning in 2008.
LANDMINE
Brought to life by the AllSpark pulsewave released during the final
battle against MEGATRON, LANDMINE is still learning what it means to be
an AUTOBOT. He is content, however, to continue his work with the
humans of Sector 7, even while IRONHIDE trains him in the finer points
of robot combat. He enjoys the excitement and intrigue of working as an
agent in a super-secret organization. Knowing that what he does not
only keeps the humans safe, but also protects his fellow AUTOBOTS
brings him great gratification.
CLIFFJUMPER
CLIFFJUMPER Surly and impatient, CLIFFJUMPER is almost the exact
opposite of his friend BUMBLEBEE. Where BUMBLEBEE is sneaky and
careful, CLIFFJUMPER is just loud. He’d rather find the nearest
DECEPTICON and blow him away than sneak around "gathering
intelligence." If you know where the bad guys are, you really don’t
need to know anything else, reasons CLIFFJUMPER. Why not just start
blasting and pick up any data you need afterward from the smoking
wreckage? With MEGATRON and the AllSpark destroyed, hunting DECEPTICONS
is easier – and more fun – than ever.
AUTOBOT CAMSHAFT
Deployed as part of an in-force recon squad to the hotter spots in the
galaxy, AUTOBOT CAMSHAFT is used to trouble. Most of the time,
BUMBLEBEE is the first to touch down on an alien world, but when
OPTIMUS PRIME needs to know the lay of the land under extremely hostile
conditions, he sends in AUTOBOT CAMSHAFT and the crew. His adaptive
armor, enhanced by the power of the Allspark, can harden to resist the
most brutal environmental conditions. His weapons systems are designed
to disable DECEPTICON units quickly and quietly. AUTOBOT CAMSHAFT is
the perfect scout to call on when you need someone to hit the ground
firing.
MACFARLANE TOYS
MLB SERIES 20, 3-PACK PHOTOGRAPHY
New Baseball Figures Exclusively Available at Toys ‘R’ Us
Just in case the baseball playoffs don’t have you seamheads on cloud
nine, McFarlane Toys is proud to unveil our MLB 20 lineup, as well as
the Mets and Red Sox 3-packs. These items are exclusive to Toys ‘R’ Us,
and will ship February 2008, alongside the Cooperstown 5 and 3-inch MLB
6 lineups. Pause the playoff game and take a peek at your 2008 shopping
list:
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies 2B: A two-time All-Star who
delivered 100 RBI in his first two full seasons, Utley brings slick
fielding, timely base stealing, and the most dangerous bat of any
player at his position. With Utley and Ryan Howard patrolling the right
side, Phillies fans have plenty of reasons to cheer for years to come.
Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants P: A three-time All-Star and former Cy
Young award winner, Zito came out of unrestricted free agency with the
largest pitcher’s contract in baseball history – signing with the San
Francisco Giants for a seven-year deal.
Chien-Ming Wang, New York Yankees P: After a promising 8-5 record as a
rookie in 2005, Wang developed into the ace of New York’s staff in just
his second season. He won 19 games in 2006, and finished second in the
American League Cy Young award voting. With a bowling-ball sinker and a
powerful offense behind him, Wang is an absolute staple at the top of
the Yankee rotation.
Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox 1B: His hitter’s eye and defensive
flexibility has seen him bounce around Boston’s lineup the last few
years, but in 2007 he firmly established himself as Boston’s starting
first baseman. Dubbed "The Greek God of Walks," by the Fenway faithful,
Youkilis hits for average and power, but doesn’t mind walking to first
to set the table for the Ortiz/Ramirez wrecking crew that hits behind
him.
Gary Sheffield, Detroit Tigers OF: The Tigers turnaround was baseball’s
best story in 2006, but falling just short in the World Series led them
to upgrade their offense. Detroit acquired Sheffield from New York,
adding a wicked right-handed bat to their offense and a cannon arm to
right field. The Tigers’ roar is a little louder this year, as their
newest slugger speaks loudly AND carries a big stick.
Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox 1B: Konerko was a highly regarded
prospect for the Dodgers, but never truly realized his potential in Los
Angeles or Cincinnati. Once he arrived on Chicago’s South Side, he
exploded into the dynamic force we see today. Konerko rewarded the
organization’s faith by dominating the post-season in 2005 – crushing
five homers and delivering 15 RBI in Chicago’s 15 playoff games that
culminated in the World Series championship.
In addition to the six-figure lineup, Toys ‘R’ Us will also have a pair
of 3-packs available – featuring a Sports Picks debut and five figures
in uniforms we’ve never released before:
Boston Red Sox 3-pack (alternate red jerseys)
Manny Ramirez 2, Jonathan Papelbon and J.D. Drew
New York Mets 3-pack
David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Pedro Martinez 2 (alternate black jerseys)
Look for MLB 20 and the Mets/Red Sox 3-packs exclusively at Toys ‘R’ Us stores in February 2008.
DIAMOND SELECT TOYS
Hulk Smash!!!
Today, Diamond Select Toys is ready to reveal the next exclusive Marvel
bust – none other than the oft-smashing World War Hulk! Fresh from his
rampage through the Marvel Universe, this bust captures the regal
“Green Scar” in his current Iron-Man-beating costume. Celebrating one
of the Hulk’s biggest adventures since being shot into space, this bust
will be exclusively available through retailer Action Figure Xpress. A
modified international edition will also be available.
Sculpted by Rudy Garcia
Limited to 600 pieces
Measures six inches tall
Each World War Hulk bust features a numbered base with matching box and
Certificate of Authenticity. Look for pre-orders on this item to begin
soon at www.shopafx.com and keep coming back to Diamond Select Toys for more updates and sneak peeks at upcoming products!
DC DIRECT
WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 ITEMS TO BE RESOLICITED
Orders for the WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 ACTION FIGURES and DELUXE
COLLECTOR FIGURE solicited in the July Previews have been cancelled.
These items will be resolicited in the November Previews for June
instore.
“At the request of our retail customers and distributors worldwide, we
have postponed the release of WORLD OF WARCRAFT SERIES 2 ACTION FIGURES
and DELUXE COLLECTOR FIGURE until June 25, 2008,” says Jeff Trojan, VP
— Business Development, DC Direct. “The later date will allow retailers
to finalize their Series 2 orders only after they’ve had several weeks
on-shelf retail activity on Series 1 — for which we expect strong
retail sell-through and near immediate sell-out of our inventory.”
The affected products and item codes are:
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 MASTER CASE ASSORTMENT (JUL070320)
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 INNER CASE ASSORTMENT (JUL070321)
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 HUMAN WARRIOR: ARCHILON SHADOWHEART ACTION FIGURE (JUL070322)
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 TROLL PRIEST: ZABRA HEXX ACTION FIGURE (JUL070323)
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 GNOME WARRIOR: SPROCKET GYROSPRING ACTION FIGURE (JUL070324)
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: SERIES 2 NIGHT ELF DRUID: BROLL BEARMANTLE ACTION FIGURE (JUL070325)
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: DRAENEI PALADIN: VINDICATOR MARAAD SERIES 2 DELUXE COLLECTOR FIGURE (JUL070326)
• WORLD OF WARCRAFT: DRAENEI PALADIN: VINDICATOR MARAAD SERIES 2 DELUXE COLLECTOR FIGURE — MASTER CASE (JUL070327)
UNI-FORMZ: BATMAN (MODERN) TO BE RESOLICITED
All orders for DC Direct’s UNI-FORMZ: BATMAN (MODERN) placed under
the item code JUL070310 are cancelled. This item will be resolicited at
a later date.
TONNER DOLLS
The Golden Compass Guides Tonner Toward its Next Hot Collectible with Nicole Kidman/Daniel Craig Character Figures
It’s no easy feat to secure likeness rights of celebrities for movie
licenses, but Tonner Doll Company has done it again with its latest
TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE™ (TCF™) collection just in time for the launch
of New Line Cinema’s upcoming blockbuster, “The Golden Compass”. Due in
theaters December 7, 2007 and based on Philip Pullman’s best-selling,
award-winning trilogy, “His Dark Materials”, the Tonner Doll Company,
Inc., announces its new celebrity likeness TCF™ collectibles based on
likenesses of the film’s highly acclaimed performers: Nicole Kidman and
Daniel Craig, and Dakota Blue Richards as the enigmatic Lyra Belacqua.
Tonner, internationally-recognized for its life-like and truly
authentic, high-end collectible dolls and TCF™ products, has the
exclusive license to create fully-authorized likeness sculpts of Mrs.
Coulter (16” tall) as portrayed by Nicole Kidman, Lord Asriel (17”
tall) as portrayed by Daniel Craig, and the courageous Lyra (12” tall),
as portrayed by Dakota Blue Richards. Working with New Line Cinema to
ensure each exacting detail is up to its highest standards, Tonner
promises collectors one of its most enthralling movie-based collections
yet.
“After New Line Cinema’s amazing success with The Lord of the Rings
Trilogy, I am honored to have the opportunity to work with such an
acclaimed movie studio on an exciting project like this,” Robert
Tonner, President and CEO of the Tonner Doll Company said. “I loved
(Philip) Pullman’s series, and I even had the opportunity to see rough
cuts of the film; I was absolutely mesmerized by what I saw! I knew I
had to do this project. The talented cast and the amazing visual
effects made this endeavor one I could not let go.”
Each highly-detailed TONNER CHARACTER FIGURE™ is made of
high-quality vinyl and hard-plastic, with each character figure
artfully brought to life using authentic costuming right down to the
working buttons and snaps on their clothing. In addition to the
extraordinary likenesses captured in the facial sculpture, Tonner also
employs highly experience artisans to hand-paint each figure’s facial
detail, making each TCF™ a unique work of art. “The Golden Compass”
figures are expected to hit store shelves later this fall just in time
for the holiday season. Advance reviews from industry experts have
indicated it may be one of Tonner’s most successful movie-license
ventures to date, joining its recent licenses for the Warner Bros.
HARRY POTTER series and Disney’s PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.
Tonner will offer the core collection via its website at
TonnerDirect.com and through its authorized retailers. Tonner also has
exclusive styles that will only available only at FAO Schwarz.
GENTLE GIANT
Gentle Giant Ltd. Horror Line
For many of those who attended the San Diego Comic-Con and stopped
by the Gentle Giant Booth might have noticed a few items that put the
fright in you.
After years of tackling the sci-fi/fantasy genre, Gentle Giant has
taken the leap into Horror. The Gentle Giant Ltd. Horror line consists
of some of the greatest fright fests to invade your mind, including the
classics Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th and Texas Chainsaw
Massacre along with some of the new such as 30 Days of Night, Dawn of
the Dead, The Decsent and The Grudge.
Gentle Giant Ltd. will be bringing these Horror Classics to life in
resin mini busts, maquettes and statues. The Gentle Giant Ltd. Horror
line will launch in April of 2008 with Jason Vorhees Animaquette from
Friday the 13th, Chop Top mini bust and Leatherface mini bust from
Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Crawler mini bust from The Descent.
All 4 items are available to pre-order now through
www.GentleGiantLtd.com . Keep checking back for more news on upcomingGentle Giant Ltd. Horror releases.
