Greetings toy fans! Welcome to yet another jam-packed edition of your (hopefully) favorite weekly toy column, Toy News Tuesday! We’re the one weekly stop you need to make to keep up with all the awesome new toy announcements and general toy industry news you need to know! Let’s power through straight into the news for the week of June 3rd, 2014!

Eternia’s Greatest Evil is… Born?

Well, if Mattel was trying to win a contest for ‘weirdest figure announcement of the year’, this very well might take the cake. Mattel has announced via their Matty Collector website blog that fans can expect an all new… Baby Skeletor figure?! Well, a Baby Skeletor baby-doll technically. But still, this one is kind of a strange one. Based on a brief appearance in an episode of Seth Green’s critically acclaimed stop-motion-animation-with-action-figures series ‘Robot Chicken’, this 12” Baby Skeletor Doll will be available to collectors exclusively on the Matty Collector website, with regular subscription holder’s getting “first dibs” on them on June 12th, while additional units will be made available to the public on June 16th.

The stork just made a delivery, and we couldn’t wait to share the news! Introducing our newest little addition… Baby Skeletor®! This bouncing bundle of terror was inspired by a video from the twisted minds at one of our favorite stop-motion TV shows, and we’ve got him for our 6/16 sale!

Shhh… don’t wake him up! No, really, you do not want to wake this little guy. He may look innocent but don’t be fooled by his chubby little baby body… he’s a bad (blue) seed, through and through. This treacherous toddler measures 12” tall and arrives ready for naptime and other nefarious activities with his evil royal potty, a removable “Born to Rule” t-shirt, and a Havoc Staff rattle.

Matty Collector Updates and Wall mounts

Speaking of Mattel, the company has released a statement via their Facebook page filling in fans on some updates regarding various fan-made requests about the quality of some of the figures in the super-popular Masters of the Universe Classics toyline. While fans of this line are notorious for their nit-picks, Mattel appears to be listening and taking the given advice and recommendations in order to keep people happy! The full details of these changes and announcements are in the post below directly from Mattel’s Matty Collector Facebook page!

Also in the announcement is information regarding Matty Collector’s all new Wall-Mount Figure Display Stands! These new stands will be available in July and are adjustable to fit figures of 3.75”, 6” or 12” scale! They come in 2-packs priced at $25 each with two color variations. The full release from Mattel is below:

Hey everyone! We’re deep into prep on SDCC, among many other great projects, but I wanted to pop in and give a quick update on many of the requests and suggestions we’ve had online and at recent cons.

We’ve always said we are committed to putting out the best product possible and as many customers know, we are often challenged by things like rising materials and labor costs, as well as standardized safety and logistical regulations that govern the toy industry and all Mattel products. That being said, wanted to provide the most up-to-date info on a few ongoing challenges that design has really stepped up to, in order to continue improving and evolving our offerings. One thing to keep in mind is that changes in the toy industry are not as overnight as other mediums like TV or comics. It can take 12-24 months to go from “suggestion” to product. So please, as always, bear with us. We are committed to continuing to improve our toys, but we must do so within the framework of the toy industry and the logistics and regulations that come with that. All of this means change does take some time.

1: We’ve looked into some of the regulations and safety issues regarding pop joints used on figures like Modulok and Extendar and it looks like hopefully when and if we get to the next figure to use this feature (like Multi-bot, for example) that we’ll be able to add in a mid-waist pop joint to separate the torso from the crotch section. Nothing in stone yet and we are not actively working on this figure yet, but we have been investigating what can be done once we get to him to try and get this feature included.

2: We are constantly looking into way of improving the female lower torso/crotch piece to get closer to a trim fit on the tunic (like Marlena had), as well as ensure the legs are positioned well using parts like Octavia had. The update is we have come up with some new ideas to get closer to this look fans are asking for (while still following safety and logistic guidelines that regulate this stuff!) and you will start to see this on figures in Q2 of 2015 (assuming we get to a 2015 line, which of course we hope we can!). We know this is still awhile off, but it takes times to develop new parts and procedures within the regulations and logistics of the toy industry. Hopefully updates are coming, but the soonest you will see this type of update to females is Q2 of next year.

3: We have also extensively looked into the bulky nature of some of the armor and do have a few ideas on how to get this to snap on tighter as well. But in the same vein as the previous two points, this does take time and the earliest you will see changes to the way armor snaps on is also early 2015.

4: Many fans have asked about a more robotic/animated looking head for Etheria Invasion Hordak (available first at SDCC this year!). We are of course open to something like this, but as noted above, it takes 12-24 months to go from “request” to seeing something potentially happen. So to manage expectations, the earliest you might see something like this is Q1 2016.

I know these aren’t overnight fixes, but I do want fans to know we are committed to continuing to explore all options that are available to us. We couldn’t be more excited for the rest of 2014 and if you like 2014, you will just love our 2015 line. More info about 2015 sub sign-ups will be posted in the next few weeks as we start the road to SDCC and Mattypalooza. We can’t wait to show you our latest offerings. We couldn’t be more proud and always thank you, the loyal fan and MOTU customer, for supporting this line. We could not make it happen without you!

And finally, check out the upcoming Wall mounted display stands from Mattycollector.com! These will be out in July and are reconfigurable for 3 ¾”, 6” and 12” figures. You get two in a pack with a total of 6 reconfigurable bases and two background graphics (yellow burst and green brick). They go on sale in July! Price is $25.00 for the set. Yet another cool way to display your toys as we all slowly run out of desk space!

Funko Keeps The Awesome Coming

As per usual, the crew over at Funko had a bunch of cool new stuff to announce this week! We’ve got new Mystery-Minis, POP! Vinyl figures and a whole new vinyl toyline featuring DC Comics characters!

Funko DC Comics Vinyl³

If you’re a DC Comics fan, Funko has an all new toyline that’s right up your alley! The all new Vinyl³ figures are a series of 2.5” vinyl collectibles that have interchangeable magnetic parts, which allow you to mix and match pieces of your favorite heroes and villains! The first wave is set to include Superman, Bizarro, Aquaman, Black Manta, Deathstroke, Robin, The Joker, Harley Quinn and two variations of Batman! The full release from Funko is below:

Vinyl³ is a line of 2.5” interchangeable magnetic vinyl figures! Each figure features removable parts that have the capability of attaching magnetically or by peg to other figures in the Vinyl³ line. You know what that means…

HYBRID SUPERHEROES AND VILLAINS! How about a SUPERBAT? Superman meets Batman! Or if you’re into super villains… BIZZOKER! Bizarro meets Joker!

The possibilities are endless!

Disney Mystery Minis Series 2

With the high-success of their popular Mystery-Minis toyline, it’s not surprise to see Funko bringing a few brand-themes back for a second go-around! This time it’s Disney with the all new Disney Mystery-Minis Series 2! This set includes characters like Wreck-It Ralph, Wall-e, Timon and Pumba, as well as a few other fan favorites! The release from Funko is below:

When you wish upon a star… You will get another series of our loveable Disney Mystery Minis!  We took our favorite Disney characters, new and old, and shrunk them to adorable petite figures! This series features characters from Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, Wall-E, and Wreck-It Ralph! Each PDQ includes 12 unique pieces. The rarity scale is the same for each character! Collect them all!

POP! Disney: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Last but far from least this week from Funko, are their all new POP! Vinyl figures based on the cult-classic live-action-animated-mash-up film, ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’. This all new wave of POP figures features our titular hero Roger Rabbit, his wife Jessica Rabbit, the villainous Judge Doom and his sidekick Smarty Weasel. Noticeably absent is the film’s REAL star, Eddie Valiant, who was portrayed in the film by the late Bob Hoskins. No word from Funko as to why such a major character from the film was excluded from the wave, but fans are remaining hopeful that he will pop up in a future wave. The full release from Funko is below:

Presenting the most wacky, toon-tastic toys this side of Toon Town… The Who Framed Roger Rabbit Pop! Series! We have beloved toon and framed murderer…Roger Rabbit! She’s not bad, she’s just drawn that way…Jessica Rabbit! Last but not least…the treacherous Judge Doom and his sidekick Smarty Weasel!

NECA’s SDCC Offering To Hunt White Whale

Well, kind of. Maybe. Not really. But NECA’s all new SDCC offering IS a Predator named Ahab, and IS hunting his lifelong obsession… the greatest prey of all! The all new Ahab Predator, based on a character from the upcoming Dark Horse comic book series ‘Predator: Fire & Stone’, is truly a sight to behold! The 7” scale figure will feature 25 points of articulation and a respectable amount of neat accessories! As an SDCC Exclusive, the production run on these guys is limited, with only 5000 being made! If you’re attending SDCC this year, this exclusive won’t be one to miss! The full release from NECA is below:

It’s time to reveal our final San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive — a brand-new Predator character from the upcoming Dark Horse comic book series Fire and Stone!

Check out the evolution of the figure from concept art to final figure below, then get ready to pick him up at our booth (#3145). If you can’t make it to SDCC, we will be offering LIMITED QUANTITIES online, both inside and outside the US. Specifics will be announced shortly before the convention begins.

As seen in the Dark Horse Comics series Fire and Stone, beginning October 2014! In his prime, Ahab took deadly trophies from countless worlds, his scars a proud record of glorious battle. Now an elder of his tribe, he leaves small game to the next generation as he looks to his final hunt. Following a lifelong obsession, Ahab searches for a creature more formidable than any Predator has ever faced before.

The 7″ scale figure features over 25 points of articulation and comes with removable backpack, removable mask, and spear staff accessory.
Details
–Limited to 5,000 pieces worldwide
–Price will be $30
–Over 25 points of articulation
–Removable backpack, removable mask and spear staff accessory

NECA Unleashes Diablo

For nearly two decades, gamers have been spending days, weeks, and sometimes months (or years, in some extreme cases) leveling up and working their way through the hellfire to defeat the evil Lord of Terror, Diablo! Well now the team at NECA is giving them the toy they never dared to dream of with the all new 9” tall Diablo action figure! With 25 points of articulation and a highly detailed sculpt, this first figure in NECA’s all new Diablo III toyline is certainly a taste of good things to come! The full release from NECA is below:

Now that we’ve released the first product in our new Diablo III line — a replica of El-Druin, the Sword of Justice — it’s time to take a closer look at what’s on the horizon.
It’ll be shipping at the beginning of June, so before we unleash the Prime Evil upon the world, behold Diablo, Lord of Terror and now an awesome action figure!

Since 1996, a name has been whispered — the name of the living nightmare that even demons dread. The terror that can never die. That name is Diablo®: the namesake of Blizzard Entertainment’s best-selling action RPG series, and now a deluxe action figure from NECA!

Diablo stands over 9″ tall, with a poseable tail that’s over 12″ long. Each figure is hand-painted and features over 25 points of articulation for poses to inspire panic and despair in other action figures.

Skeleton Warriors Rise From The Grave

Yes, you read that right. Skeleton Warriors is finally making it’s triumphant return! Or at least it’s trying to.

If you were a kid in the mid 90’s, you probably had at least one of these guys in your toy collection (or several, because let’s face it, those guys practically lived in clearance bins). The original toyline, based on the animated series of the same name, lasted one series of figures before coming to an abrupt end before the release of the already announced Series 2 figures.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the brand, and in an effort to celebrate, October Toys has started a Kickstarter to try and bring this long dead toyline back to life! The new series, still titled ‘Skeleton Warriors’ will feature updated versions of popular characters from the series that have all new modern sculpts and articulation. The first figure to be released if the series comes to fruition will be the evil Baron Dark.

One of the biggest draws is that the figures will utilize the Glyos System of articulation, which allows the figures to maintain a high level of articulation while still having interchangeable parts. Many independent toy manufacturers have begun to use this new Glyos system (such as the Four Horsemen with their ’Power Lords’ toyline), and the fact that these different figures from various series all share interchangeable parts is a real game changer for collectors and customizers.

The Skeleton Warriors Kickstarter is live NOW and you can check it out and decide if you’d like to back it HERE.

And with that, this week’s Toy News Tuesday comes to a close. What do you think of this week’s announcements? Are you planning on picking up any of the cool new figures we talked about in this week’s edition? Is anyone else going to back this cool new Skeleton Warriors toyline reboot? Let us know in the comments section below! Until next week, Happy Toy Hunting!