Hello again and welcome to 2015! We’re hoping some of you are back to follow us after a very successful run in 2014 for a whole ‘nother year of awesome Toy News Tuesdays! Just on the off chance you’re new around these parts, Toy News Tuesday is the one weekly column right here on ScienceFiction.com where we seek out all of the awesome news you need to know about any announcements and cool happenings in the toy industry and put them all in one easy to find place for you! 2014 was a great years and with all of the news already this week, 2015 is looking to be even better! Let’s dive right on into the Toy News for the week of January 6th, 2015!
No Joe?
Where oh where have our G.I.Joes gone? Well, that’s what we want to know! According to the team over at TNI, who reached out to Hasbro regarding this matter, they’re set to be M.I.A. for quite some time now. But has the G.I. Joe Brand been K.I.A.? Has Cobra finally won?
While the line has been struggling in recent years (due in no small part to the lack of product aside from the movie-lines more recently), G.I.Joe has recently been given a new Brand Manager in the form of former Transformers Brand Team member Mark Weber. When TNI reached out to Hasbro regarding the G.I. Joe brand’s presence at the upcoming New York Toy Fair in February, Hasbro’s response was that the brand would be shockingly absent!
“With Toy Fair approaching and Hasbro’s annual Entertainment Brand Preview Day scheduled for Saturday, February 14th, we wanted to reach out and clarify that G.I. Joe will not be part of Hasbro’s presence at this year’s show.”
Luckily for Joe fans, Hasbro did announce that they had something special planned for this years Joecon, which is coming up in April! This years Joecon is being held in Springfeild, Illinois on April 9-12, so while Joe will be absent from New York Toy Fair, hopefully collectors won’t have to wait too long to see some news on the line. At this point in time it’s unclear what kind of announcement they would be making at Joecon regarding the future of the brand, with many speculating that it may tie into news for the planned third film in the live-action ‘G.I.Joe’ film series, or possibly information on the long rumored 6″ scale G.I.Joe line!
Mezco Is The Law!
While they haven’t put out a whole lot of info regarding the figure itself, Mezco has recently shared a couple of teaser images of their upcoming 1:12th scale Judge Dredd figure across their social media accounts. This Judge Dredd figure is the second figure in the all new 1:12th scale line from Mezco, following Batman from ‘The Dark Knight Returns’.
Hot Toys Embraces The Power Of The Dark Side
Ever since they announced plans for a 1:6th scale ‘Star Wars’ line, fans have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the film series most iconic villain, Darth Vader. Well the wait is finally over, as Hot Toys has finally revealed their plans for a 1:6th scale Darth Vader figure!
This legendary villain will feature the characters iconic breathing sound effects as well as built in LED lighted functions! This is the first 1:6th scale Darth Vader from Hot Toys, and as such is based on his appearance in the first film of the series ‘Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope’. Aside from a light up LED powered lightsaber and a slew of additional hands to swap around, Vader also comes with a special figure stand and an Interrogator Droid!
All Hail Megatron!
Earlier this week Hasbro posted this first look at their upcoming Leader Class Megatron figure from the Transformers Generations toyline! This figure is inspired by the characters original G1 look, and borrows heavily from the comics designs seen recently in the ‘Transformers’ comics published by IDW. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Megatron will come with the optional display style of either a Decepticon OR an Autobot insignia, much like in the aforementioned IDW ‘Transformers’ Comics! Megatron is expected to hit shelves sometime later this year.
GET AWAY FROM HER YOU B***H!
With the 30th anniversary of the iconic science-fiction masterpiece ‘ALIENS’ just around the corner, everyone is prepping by releasing a ton of great new ‘ALIENS’ merchandise! The crew over at NECA is ahead of the game with their upcoming Power Loader vehicle/figure set! The set looks to contain the film series’ lead heroine, Ellen Ripley, as well as the Power Loader vehicle- if the teaser image posted to their social media pages are any inclination as to what we can expect from the release this summer!
Beat The Heat This Summer With Diamond Select Toys
This summer Diamond Select Toys is gunning to hit you where it hurts… your wallet! Check out these sweet new listings from DST’s official Website!
Batman Classic TV Series Logo Cookie Jar
A Diamond Select Toys release! Holy ginger snaps, Batman! The newest DST product inspired by the Batman Classic TV Series may be their most tantalizing yet! DST has taken the famous Batman TV logo and turned it into an approximately 12″ wide ceramic cookie jar – remove the inset lid at the top to fill it with cookies, treats or evidence! Comes packaged in a full-color box. (Item #JAN152173, SRP: $39.99)
Cthulhu Idol Vinyl Figural Bank
A Diamond Select Toys release! Save some money for the mother of all rainy days with this vinyl bank of literary and cinematic deity Cthulhu! Originating in the fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, the octopus-faced enslaver of worlds is now an 8-inch vinyl bank. Display him on your desk or shelf to signify your devotion to the Elder Gods! WARNING: Idol possesses no supernatural properties. Comes packaged in a clear polybag. Sculpted by Eli Livingston! (Item #JAN152172, SRP $22.99)
Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back Select Action Figures Series 2
A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s an all-new assortment of 7-inch action figures from the popular Kevin Smith movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back! Comedy duo Jay and Silent Bob dress up like their alter egos, Bluntman and Chronic, and face off against the villainous Cock-Knocker! Each figure comes with an energy-sword weapon and part of the Bluntcave set – collect all three to re-create the famous climactic scene of the movie! Each figure comes packaged in a display-ready Select blister card, with spine artwork for shelf reference.
Bluntman Figure (Item #JAN152166, SRP: $24.99), Chronic Figure (Item #JAN152167, SRP: $24.99), Cock-Knocker Figure (Item #JAN152168, SRP: $24.99)
Marvel Cloth Retro Wolverine Action Figure Limited Edition Box Set
A Diamond Select Toys release! The third Mego-style Marvel action figure to make a comeback is none other than… Wolverine? But Wolverine never got an action figure in the 1970s! Well, DST has re-created what a 1970s Wolverine action figure would have looked like, and built a whole box set around it! The vintage-style figure wears his classic blue-and-yellow costume, with removable mask, and you can switch it out for a more modern-style brown costume or Logan’s civilian togs, each with their own unique head sculpt! Plus, the interchangeable hands have detachable claws! The set includes a vintage-style window box, as well as a booklet about the history of Wolverine in comics and toys, all packaged in a displayable gift tray. This set is limited to 3,000 pieces. Designed and sculpted by EMCE Toys! (Item #JAN152171, SRP: $80.00)
Marvel Green Goblin Metal Bottle Opener
A Diamond Select Toys release! Unmask your beverage with this sculpted metal bottle opener of Spider-Man’s greatest foe! Measuring 3 inches tall, the Green Goblin stands atop his famous Goblin Glider, his legs forming the lever to remove the bottlecap from your bottle. And magnets on his back keep him hovering on your refrigerator until it’s time to strike! Comes packaged in a full-color slipcase. (Item #JAN152174, SRP: $18.00)
Marvel Select Avengers Age of Ultron Thor Action Figure
A Diamond Select Toys release! It’s time to put the hammer down! Thor, prince of Asgard, returns to Earth in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” and DST is revisiting their sold-out action figure from Thor: The Dark World with an all-new paint scheme and an all-new base! Standing almost 8 inches tall, this Thor figure sports 16 points of articulation and a spot-on likeness of Chris Hemsworth from the film, and comes packaged in Select-style display packaging, with spine artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant! (Item #JAN152175, SRP: $24.99)
Sin City Minimates Series 3 Big Fat Kill Box Set
A Diamond Select Toys release! Sometimes, sticking up for your friends means having to kill a whole lotta people. At least, in Sin City it does! The third storyline from the groundbreaking 2005 movie is now a four-pack of Minimates mini-figures, including Dwight, Gail, Miho and Jackie-Boy! Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation and interchangeable parts and accessories. Comes packaged on a full-color blister card. Designed by Art Asylum! (Item #JAN152170, SRP: $19.99)
View Askew Golden Mooby Vinyl Bank
A Diamond Select Toys release! Who’s a friend to the king of all the monkeys? Who’s a pal to the duck who won’t fly south? It’s Mooby the Golden Calf! We’ve turned our 10-inch vinyl bank of director Kevin Smith’s fast-food mascot and children’s entertainment fixture into a true idol! With a new, all-gold paint job, a coin slot, and an access door underneath to dispense your spare change, he truly is a Golden Calf! Comes packaged in a clear polybag. (Item #JAN152169, SRP $22.99)
And with that, we bring this week’s Toy News Tuesday to a close! What do you think about the new items announced this week? Do you plan on picking up anything we mentioned in this week’s column? Are there any lines or brands you’d like to see more coverage of? Let us know in the comments section below! Until next week, happy toy hunting!
