Welcome back yet again to an all new edition of your favorite weekly toy column, Toy News Tuesday! Every week ScienceFiction.com’s very own toy aficionado Jordan DesJardins brings you all the toy news that you need to know in one convenient place! Each and every week we dig up all the cool toy announcements and industry news that you need to know about so you don’t have to! Let’s take dive into the news for the week of June 17th, 2014!
Funko Keeps It Coming
The team at Funko must never sleep, because I don’t think a week has gone by without some kind of big announcement or product reveal from those guys! This week is clearly no exception, with a whole slew of great new Funko products coming our way!
Funko Kratos
Based on the hit video game series ‘God of War’, Funko brings gamers the Kratos POP! Vinyl figure they’ve been eagerly waiting for!
After much anticipation, Kratos Pop! is ready!
Kratos is a Spartan Warrior turned God of War from Sony’s wildly popular God of War series!
He’s been plotting his revenge on the Olympic Gods and now he is ready to seek vengeance!
Kratos is shipping to retailers and should be available now!
Funko Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Some franchises just never really seem to die. In some cases, it‘s kind of sad to watch a franchise past it‘s prime putter onward even though no one is really sure why it‘s still trying. Even though Joss Whedon’s classic ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ television series has been off the air for nearly a decade, it isn’t hard to see why the show refuses to just fade into obscurity- it’s STILL awesome! And it looks like the crew at Funko agrees with that sentiment, with the announcement of their all new line of ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ POP! Vinyl figures!
We have more exciting news for Joss Whedon fans today! A BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER POP! SERIES!The Chosen One and her crew are ready to navigate the treacheries of Sunnydale!
Are you Team Buffy and Angel or Team Buffy and Spike? You decide! Luckily, we made both Angel and Spike Pop!’s so you can have it your way.Willow, The Gentleman, and Oz are also here to help you relive the magic of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
This awesome set of POP! Vinyl figures are set to be released this September! Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the elusive ‘Vampire Spike’ chase figure!
Funko Firefly ReAction
Speaking of Joss Whedon franchises that never seem to die, Funko is also bringing us a new series of ReAction figures based on Whedon’s long since canceled cult classic ‘Firefly’ television series! While we’ve seen a handful of figures based on this series before, this is the first time we’re getting any characters besides Captain Mal and Jane, so it’s definitely a win for fans of the franchise!
Calling all Joss Whedon fans! Shiny! We have a highly anticipated series for you today…
From the beloved television series Firefly, we bring you Captain Malcolm and the Serenity crew!Firefly left our television screens way too soon, but now you can relive the magic with your favorite pioneers in action figure form! Each figures comes with it’s own unique removable accessories. Hoban Washburne even has a few toy dinosaurs! You’ll be cursing your sudden but inevitable betrayal if you don’t snap these up!
The Firefly ReAction figures are due to ship this August.
Matty Collector Driving To A Galaxy Far Far Away At SDCC
While we’ve been covering plenty of cool new SDCC exclusive figure announcements from Matty Collector, one thing many people often forget is that Mattel also owns Hot Wheels! While they don’t often do Hot Wheels exclusive as part of the Matty Collector program, this year they’re looking to change things up with an all new SDCC exclusive Hot Wheels Star Wars Darth Vader car! This is the first time that Mattel has ever created a Hot Wheels vehicle based on the Star Wars brand. The full release from Matty Collector is below-
The force is strong with this one! We’ve got more details about the new Star Wars™ vehicle from Hot Wheels® debuting at San Diego Comic-Con!Prepare to take a ride on the dark side with the FIRST EVER Hot Wheels® Star Wars™ vehicle, modeled after one of the most iconic villains in film history – Darth Vader™! What better way to display your 1:64-scale die-cast car (with real rubber tires) than inside Vader’s lightsaber, complete with red glowing lights, lightsaber sounds and heavy breathing from the Sith Lord himself. You won’t want to miss out on this epic Comic-Con item – it’s unlike any across the galaxy!MattyCollector.com Voucher Sale 6/23
Before SDCC, pre-order at MattyCollector.com and pick up ONLY at San Diego Comic-Con:
6/23 at 8 a.m. PT Early Access (Club Eternia subscribers only)
6/24 at 9 a.m. PT All Access (open to everyone if not sold out in Early Access)San Diego Comic-Con 7/23
During SDCC, purchase at the Mattel booth at San Diego Comic-Con 7/23-7/27HotWheelsCollector.com
After SDCC, order at HotWheelsCollector.com
DC Comics Extends Mattel Agreement
The team at Warner Brothers and DC Comics have reached a new agreement with toymaker Mattel to re-up and extend their licensing contract to make toy products based on the DC Comics Universe! Mattel has held the DC Comics master toy license for the last fifteen years, so it isn’t exactly a big surprised to see the contract renewed for a further three to five years. What IS interesting, is that now their licensing contract will include products based on DC Comics movies and television series; allowing Mattel to produce figures based on upcoming films like ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ and ‘Justice League‘, as well as television series like ‘Arrow’ and this falls ‘The Flash’.
(via Variety)
Mattel Skipping NYCC 2014
After so much good news from Mattel, it saddens me to have to inform you all that this major player in the toy industry will unfortunately be skipping the east coast’s biggest convention this fall. Announced via a post on their official Facebook page, Matty Collector revealed that they would not be able to attend New York Comic Con this October, and that the allocated number of their ‘touring’ convention exclusive Goat Man figure from their Masters of the Universe Classics toyline would be brought to San Diego Comic Con this July instead in order to make as many of the figure available as possible. While it’s great that they’re offering additional units of this figure at SDCC, it doesn’t really help those who live on the East Coast that are unable to attend that convention and wanted that figure. Rumors are circling that Matty Collector may offer the figure through their online store at a later date for those that are unable to attend one of the conventions it was available at, but again, those are only unconfirmed rumors for now. The full release from Matty Collector is below-
Hey Matty Fans! A quick update… due to scheduling conflicts we regret we’ll be unable to attend NYCC this fall. In light of this change, we’re going to be bringing the quota of Goat Man allocated for NY to SDCC this year. Hope to see as many of you as possible in San Diego!
Exclusive Spider-man at Marvelshop
The crew at Diamond Select have given fans a chance to snag a sweet new exclusive figure a few weeks early! This all new exclusive Unmasked Amazing Spider-Man figure is set to be a Disney Store exclusive later this summer, but you can order one now directly from Marvelshop! As with many past exclusive Marvel Select figures, it is expected that this Unmasked Spiderman is going to come and go from the direct market pretty quickly. This exclusive Unmasked figure comes with a masked head, as well as a head sculpt of Peter Parker (as played by Andrew Garfield in this summers blockbuster ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’). It also includes a bunch of additional alternate hands and several web accessories! The full release from DST is below-
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 recently cast its web of intrigue across the big screen, and love for the wall-crawling hero is stronger than ever around the globe! The top-grossing movie sees Spider-Man’s friends become his worst enemies and his personal life get turned inside-out, so it’s fitting that Diamond Select Toys has teamed up with MarvelShop.com to grant fans early access to an exclusive unmasked action figure!Starting today, marvelshop.com will be the only place to order the Marvel Select Unmasked Spider-Man figure, featuring an exclusive head sculpt of Peter Parker as played by Andrew Garfield. An interchangeable masked head will be included in the packaging, as well as a variety of interchangeable hands, a pair of detachable web sprays and a modular 2-foot webline! All will come packaged in the famous Marvel Select packaging, suitable for display and featuring spine artwork for easy shelf reference.After June 30, the Marvel Select Unmasked Spider-Man figure will be made available on disneystore.com, and will begin to make their way to Disney Store shelves in the U.S. and Canada.
Diamond Select Toys SDCC Exclusive Reveals
Every year, San Diego Comic Con is both a collectors greatest dream and worst nightmare- with a ton a amazing exclusive figures and no way to logistically afford to get all of them! To keep collectors on their toes and give them even more to choose from, the crew at Diamond Select Toys has just announced a ton of new SDCC exclusive offerings for the upcoming convention! Between the multiple Minimate four-packs, Vinyl Bust Banks amongst other things, it’s going to be a tough to figure out just which ones to grab! The full release of products from DST is below-
It’s almost time for Comic-Con International in San Diego, and Diamond Select Toys will be hanging out at Booth 2607, showing off some cool new products and selling some amazingly cool toys! Check out the exclusives DST and Diamond Comics, and various retailers around the show floor will be offering at the SDCC!Star Trek Battle Damaged USS Excelsior SDCC Exclusive Electronic Starship
A Diamond Select Toys Release! All hands brace for impact! The U.S. S. Excelsior has engaged the enemy, and it shows in this new battle-damaged edition of the original Excelsior-class starship! With new paint applications showing damage from the Battle of Khitomer, this limited edition of 100 ships will only be available at Comic-Con! Push a button to light up the bridge, deflector dish, impulse engines and warp nacelles, and trigger dialogue by George Takei as Captain Hikaru Sulu! Limited to 100 pieces. Packaged in a window box with try-me feature. Designed and sculpted by Art Asylum! (Only available at Booth 2607, $70.00)
World Debut: Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back Cocknocker Retro Action Figure
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Rescued from the DST warehouse and being sold for the first time anywhere, Cock-Knocker is making his debut at SDCC! Originally made in 2001 for the release of the Bluntman & Chronic movie, this 8-inch, cloth-costumed figure of Cock-Knocker was believed lost forever… until now! In scale to the other two releases in the line, Bluntman and Chronic themselves, Cock-Knocker has one giant fist and his energy sword, and is the missing piece in any Bluntfan’s retro-style figure collection! Packaged in resealable clamshell packaging with full color artwork. Designed and sculpted by EMCE Toys! (Item #FEB148248, SRP: $20.00)
Godzilla Burning Godzilla SDCC Exclusive Vinyl Bust Bank
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Godzilla is more than just a giant lizard – he’s also a walking nuclear reactor! This new, limited-edition vinyl bank of the King of All Monsters depicts him as he appeared in 1995’s Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, when his atomic heart began to overheat. With an all-new black-and-orange color scheme, this 8-inch bust bank features collectible-quailty paint applications, as well as a coin slot on his back and an access door in the base. Limited to 1000 pieces. Packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item #FEB148247, $30.00)
Walking Dead Minimates Days Gone Bye B&W SDCC Exclusive Box Set
A Diamond Select Toys Release! The Walking Dead has reached its 125th issue, and is still one of the top-selling comic books in America! DST is commemorating the anniversary with a four-pack of key characters and zombies as they appeared in the very first story arc, “Days Gone Bye.” Rick, Shane, Glenn and a zombie all appear for the first time in glorious black-and-white, just like the comic book! Each fully poseable Minimate mini-figure stands 2 inches tall and features interchangeable parts and accessories. Limited to 3,000 pieces. Packaged on a full-color blister card. Designed by Art Asylum! (Item #FEB148244, SRP: $20.00)
Marvel Minimates X-Men Days of Future Past Comic SDCC Exclusive Box Set
A Diamond Select Toys Release! The newest X-Men movie is blowing minds and setting records with its time-travel storyline, and now DST is going back in time to 1981! That’s when the original Days of Future Past story line came out in Uncanny X-Men, and this 4-pack of Minimates captures four of the storyline’s most important characters! Future Wolverine, Future Kitty Pryde, Mystique and a Future Sentinel each stand 2 inches tall and feature interchangeable parts and accessories. Limited to 3,000 pieces. Packaged in a full-color window box. Designed by Art Asylum! (Item #FEB148243, SRP: $20.00)
X-Men #23 “Days of Future Past” Minimates Cover
To celebrate Diamond Select Toys’ exclusive Minimates box set, Minimates are taking over the cover to Marvel Comics’ X-Men #23! This variant cover features Wolverine and Kitty Pryde drawn in the Minimates style, a tribute to John Byrne’s classic cover to Uncanny X-Men #141. Artwork by Barry Bradfield! (Available through various comic retailers, Item #APR148247, SRP: $3.99)
Sin City Select Bloody Marv SDCC Exclusive Action Figure
A Diamond Select Toys Release! With a new line of figures based on the groundbreaking film hitting stores soon, DST is pleased to present their limited-edition exclusive Sin City figure for SDCC: Bloody Marv! This version of Marv features a unique paint scheme, with a bright red spatter of blood standing out against his black-and-white face and clothes. Marv also comes packaged with a sculpted diorama display base and a variety of deadly accessories he’ll need on the streets of Sin City, all packaged in the famous Select display packaging, complete with spine reference artwork. Limited to 1300 pieces. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #FEB148221, SRP: $25.00)
Star Wars Spirit Yoda SDCC Exclusive Quarter Scale Vinyl Bank
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Toys, exclusives… a Jedi craves these things! DST’s 7-inch Yoda bank returns in spirit form, as a translucent blue vinyl figure exclusively available at SDCC! In scale to previously released Ultimate Quarter Scale action figures and banks, this new limited edition of the original Yoda bank includes a separate cane accessory, and has a coin slot on the back as well as an access door in the base. Limited to 1000 pieces. Packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Oluf Hartvigson! (Item #FEB148245, SRP: $23.00)
Vote for Transformers Hall of Fame
It’s that time of year again… yeah, you guessed it! It’s time to vote for who you want to see inducted into the Transformers Hall of Fame! Every year Hasbro holds an online poll for fans to decide who they will induct into the coveted Hall of Fame, with two characters making the cut each year!
This year’s nominees include Arcee, Blackarachnia (Beast Wars), Devastator, Optimus Primal (Beast Wars), and Rodimus (aka Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime). Don’t miss your chance to cast your vote top decide who will be entered into the Hall of Fame!
The votes are in, and your five nominees for the Transformers Hall of Fame class of 2014 Fans’ Choice are Arcee, Blackarachnia, Devastator, Optimus Primal and Rodimus. Vote for your favorite every day from now until Wednesday, June 18th at the link below! We’ll announce the winners at the Transformers Fan Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, June 20th.
You can go to the official Transformers Facebook page to cast your vote now!
That about does it for this weeks Toy News Tuesday! There is just so much cool new stuff coming our way this summer, especially with all these recently announced San Diego Comic Con exclusives! Are you planning on picking up any of the items we talked about this week? If so, which ones? Let us know in the comments section below! Until next week, Happy Toy Hunting!
