Hello and welcome back for a brand spanking new Toy News Tuesday! We’re 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! The Toy Industry is an ever evolving place filled wiht new announcements, series cancellations, rarities and exclusives, all of which can lead to the little habit that most of those who would read this article might know about… collecting! Sometimes there’s just too much great stuff out there, so in the meantime, here’s the Toy News for the week of April 28th, 2015!
Mark I Ultron Coming In Hot!
With ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron‘ hitting theaters all over the world this week, it seems only proper that Hot Toys debuts their latest ‘Age of Ultron’ 1:6th scale figure; Ultron Mark I! This figure features a unique design and sports built in LED lighting! It’s definitely a special and distinct piece amongst the ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ 1:6th scale figures form Hot Toys! Check out the full release below-
“You’re all puppets, tangled in strings…strings.” The much anticipated Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron will soon hit theatres worldwide, Hot Toys is excited to continue the waves of highly detailed and movie accurate collectible figures from this super blockbuster. In addition to the return of Earth’s mightiest heroes in this sequel, the titular villain Ultron has been a widely discussed character among fans!
Today, Hot Toys is thrilled to present the Artificial Intelligence that has gone rogue and threaten human existence in the latest movie – the 1/6th scale Ultron Mark I scale Collectible Figure!
The movie-accurate Collectible Figure is specially crafted based on the image of Ultron Mark I in Avengers: Age of Ultron. It features a newly developed asymmetrical body with complicated mechanical details and cable wires throughout different parts, LED light-up eyes, mouth, and chest reactor, a damaged Iron Legion as an accessory, and a specially designed figure stand!
Expand your Avengers: Age of Ultron collection with this menacing villain!
Girl Power
Almost as if to mock the ongoing frustration people seem to be having towards Marvel and their apparent lack of female characters in their advertising (like that fact that Black Widow and Gamora have been left out of more promotional images for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ this past year), WB and DC Entertainment have announced an all new sales initiative called the ‘DC Super Hero Girls’ line! This new branding will work with companies like Mattel, Lego, and Random House Children’s Books to bring a whole new generation of young girls a world of female superheroes that they can look up to, relate to, and enjoy! It’s primarily aimed at girls age 6-12 years, and will feature toys, books, television series, and more in this new brand expansion! Check out the full release below-
A New Super Hero Universe Designed Just For Girls, Slated For Fall 2015
Mattel to Launch Company’s First Action Figures for Girls
Unprecedented Initiative to Include Digital Content, TV Specials, Made-For-Videos, Publishing, Toys, Apparel and Other Products
Random House Children’s Books to be Master Publishing Partner
The LEGO Group to be Exclusive Construction PartnerBeginning in Fall 2015, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Mattel join forces to launch DC Super Hero Girls, an exciting new universe of Super Heroic storytelling that helps build character and confidence, and empowers girls to discover their true potential. Featuring DC Comics’ most powerful and diverse line-up of female characters as relatable teens, DC Super Hero Girls will play out across multiple entertainment content platforms and product categories to create an immersive world.
Developed for girls aged 6-12, DC Super Hero Girls centers on the female Super Heroes and Super-Villains of the DC Comics universe during their formative years—prior to discovering their full super power potential. Featuring a completely new artistic style and aesthetic, DC Comics’ icons such as Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, Bumble Bee, Poison Ivy, Katana and many more make their unprecedented teenaged introduction. Each character has her own storyline that explores what teen life is like as a Super Hero, including discovering her unique abilities, nurturing her remarkable powers and mastering the fundamentals of being a hero.
“DC Entertainment is home to the most iconic and well-known Super Heroes including Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl,” said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment. “DC Super Hero Girls represents the embodiment of our long-term strategy to harness the power of our diverse female characters. I am so pleased that we are able to offer relatable and strong role models in a unique way, just for girls.”
The initial launch of DC Super Hero Girls in Fall 2015 will include an immersive digital experience, original digital content and digital publishing—providing opportunities for girls to interact with characters, learn about the storylines, and engage in customizable play. TV specials, made-for-videos, toys, apparel, books and other product categories will begin to rollout in 2016.
“Developing a Super Hero franchise exclusively for girls that includes all of the key components of a comprehensive entertainment experience—from content to consumer products—is something we are excited to be doing in conjunction with our great partners,” said Brad Globe, President of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “It’s really an honor to be part of this cultural moment and to be delivering a concept so rooted in a relatable and empowered theme that the characters of DC Comics are uniquely able to present.”
As master toy licensee, Mattel is collaborating with DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Bros. Consumer Products on DC Super Hero Girls’ narrative creation, interactive digital activations and ultimately a toy line launching in 2016. Mattel category-leading firsts include a line of characters for the action figure category, an area of the industry that has been primarily developed with boys in mind, and fashion dolls featuring strong, athletic bodies that stand on their own in heroic poses.
“Partnering with the best and being the best partner is of paramount importance,” said Richard Dickson, President, Chief Operating Officer, Mattel. “Together with Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment, the DC Super Hero Girls franchise will further expand our already powerful girls portfolio. We know Super Hero is a culturally relevant theme and the DC Super Hero Girls franchise will engage and inspire girls, providing cues to explore heroic acts through play and into real life.”
The Random House Books for Young Readers imprint of Random House Children’s Books has been appointed the master publishing partner for the franchise and will be creating a portfolio of books that will bring the DC Super Hero Girls world to life, beginning in Spring 2016. Random House’s publishing program will be complemented by a series of original graphic novels from DC Entertainment. The LEGO Group will also be key to building the DC Super Hero Girls franchise, leveraging their experience and success engaging girls in creative construction play to bolster this universe through an array of LEGO® building sets designed to inspire girls’ imaginations. Additionally, consumer products partners around the world will be engaged in creating a merchandise line dedicated to DC Super Hero Girls across all key categories.
Inbound From DC Collectibles
Our friends over at DC Collectibles have released their latest solicitations for new items! Most of the items solicited should appear in the upcoming issue if ‘Previews’ from Diamond Comic Distributors, and the majority of these items will be hitting shelves this fall! Check out the full solicits below-
BATMAN ANIMATED SERIES: THE JOKER AND HARLEY QUINN MAD LOVE BOOK AND ACTION FIGURE 2-PACK
Love can make ya do crazy things—especially if you’ve already got a few screws loose! Gotham City’s resident inmates in love The Joker and Harley Quinn, bring mayhem into your home with this special 2-pack based on their appearances in BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES!
This set also includes a paperback edition of BATMAN ADVENTURES: MAD LOVE!
HARLEY QUINN – 5.6″
THE JOKER – 6″
$44.95 US • On Sale September 2015 * Allocations May OccurJUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS AND MONSTERS: BATMAN, SUPERMAN AND WONDER WOMAN ACTION FIGURES
The designs from the original animated movie of legendary animator Bruce Timm are brought to life as articulated figures ready for action! Each figure comes with multiple accessories and base!
EACH FIGURE SOLD SEPARATELY
$24.95 US • On Sale September 2015 * Allocations May Occur
BATMAN – 6″
SUPERMAN – 6″
WONDER WOMAN – 6″
RETAILERS: DC Collectibles will be continuing to number action figure packaging to increase collectibility. These numbers will be shown before the character name moving forward.DC COMICS ICONS: BATMAN, DEADMAN, GREEN ARROW AND MISTER MIRACLE ACTION FIGURES
Now you can collect action figures of your favorite DC Comics characters from any era in an all-new 6” scale. This first assortment features Batman, Deadman, Green Arrow and Mister Miracle. Each figure comes with multiple accessories!
EACH FIGURE SOLD SEPARATELY
$24.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May Occur
BATMAN: LAST RIGHTS – 6″
DEADMAN: BRIGHTEST DAY – 6″
GREEN ARROW: THE LONGBOW HUNTERS – 6″
MISTER MIRACLE: EARTH 2 – 6″DC COMICS ICONS: THE FLASH, BLUE BEETLE, BLACK ADAM AND LEX LUTHOR ACTION FIGURES
Now you can collect action figures of your favorite DC Comics characters from any era in an all-new 6” scale. This second assortment features The Flash, Blue Beetle, Black Adam and Lex Luthor. Each figure comes with multiple accessories!
EACH FIGURE SOLD SEPARATELY
THE FLASH: CHAIN LIGHTNING – 6”
BLUE BEETLE: INFINITE CRISIS – 6″
BLACK ADAM: FOREVER EVIL – 6″
LEX LUTHOR: FOREVER EVIL – 6″
$24.95 US • On Sale December 2015 * Allocations May OccurDC COMICS ICONS: GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN DELUXE ACTION FIGURE
In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape the sight of this deluxe action figure of Green Lantern Hal Jordan! Every Green Lantern fan in space sector 2814 should own this amazing figure that comes complete with dynamic power ring constructs including full flight suit that he can wear!
INCLUDES WEARABLE CONSTRUCT FLIGHT SUIT
GREEN LANTERN HAL JORDAN: DARK DAYS – 6″
$29.95 US • On Sale December 2015 * Allocations May OccurTHE ELECTROCUTIONER, DR. HARLEEN QUINZEL AND LADY SHIVA ACTION FIGURE 3-PACK
Three of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains stand ready to take down the Dark Knight with this special 3-pack action figure set based on designs from the best-selling video game Batman: Arkham Origins! Each figure comes with multiple accessories!
$69.95 US • On Sale December 2015 * Allocations May Occur
ELECTROCUTIONER – 7″
HARLEEN QUINZEL – 6.5″
LADY SHIVA – 6.5″
DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS THE JOKER AND HARLEY QUINN STATUE
DESIGNED BY ANT LUCIA
SCULPTED BY TIM MILLER
The popular Bombshells line continues with this highly detailed statue of Harley Quinn and her mad love, the Clown Prince of Crime, The Joker!
Limited Edition of 5,200
Measures Approximately 10″ Tall
$249.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May OccurDC COMICS BOMBSHELLS HOLIDAY WONDER WOMAN STATUE
SCULPTED BY TIM MILLER
Celebrate the holidays with this special Wonder Woman statue from the ever-popular Bombshells line inspired by the pin-up art of the ’40s and ’50s!
Measures Approximately 10.5″ Tall
$124.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May Occur
AUTHENTIC COLLECTIBLES DIRECT FROM THE SOURCE!SUPERMAN THE MAN OF STEEL SUPERMAN BY DARWYN COOKE STATUE
BASED ON THE ARTWORK OF DARWYN COOKE
SCULPTED BY JAMES SHOOP
The Man of Steel bursts from the pages of the bestselling graphic novel, DC: THE NEW FRONTIER, in this superbly sculpted statue based on the designs by legendary artist Darwyn Cooke!
Limited Edition of 5,200
Measures Approximately 9″ Tall
$79.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May OccurBATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE HARLEY QUINN BY PAUL DINI STATUE
DESIGNED BY PAUL DINI
SCULPTED BY STEVE KIWUS
The best-selling BATMAN: BLACK AND WHITE line of statues continues with this finely detailed statue of Arkham’s most adorably insane inmate, Harley Quinn—based on the original design for the character by co-creator Paul Dini!
Limited Edition of 5,200
Measures Approximately 7″ Tall
$79.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May OccurGOTHAM (TV) JAMES GORDON STATUE
SCULPTED BY PHIL RAMIREZ
From the mean streets of GOTHAM—the wildly popular television series—comes this wonderfully sculpted statue of GCPD’s most dedicated member, Detective James Gordon!
Measures Approximately 13″ Tall
$129.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May OccurBATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT RED HOOD STATUE
SCULPTED BY MAJID ESMAEILI
From the highly anticipated Batman: Arkham Knight video game from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Rocksteady Studios comes the next intricately detailed statue of the vigilante Red Hood.
Measures Approximately 10.5″ Tall
$124.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May OccurBATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT ARKHAM KNIGHT STATUE
SCULPTED BY DAVID GIRAUD
Who is the Arkham Knight? Play the highly anticipated Batman: Arkham Knight video game to find out. Then display this highly detailed statue of Gotham City’s mysterious new player!
Measures Approximately 10.5″ Tall
$124.95 US • On Sale November 2015 * Allocations May Occur
JUSTICE LEAGUE TAROT CARDS
ARTWORK BY SARA RICHARD
Reveal secrets and look into the future with this striking tarot card deck featuring stylized illustrations of the Justice League, which comes complete with a velvet bag.
$29.95 US • On Sale November 2015 Allocations May Occur
Strange Things Happening at Marvel Select
It looks like something Strange is going on with Diamond Select Toys’ latest Marvel Select figure… something Stephen Strange that is! The all new Marvel Select Doctor Strange figure is due out in just a few months time, so DST has released this new glamor shot of the upcoming figure. Check out the full release from DST below-
A Diamond Select Toys release! By the hoary hosts of Hoggoth! Marvel’s Secret Avenger, supernatural Defender, Sorcerer Supreme and soon-to-be cinematic superstar Dr. Stephen Strange is the newest comic-based action figure in the Marvel Select action figure line! Measuring approximately 7 inches tall with 16 points of articulation, Dr. Strange comes with a diorama display base depicting part of his Sanctum Sanctorum. Packaged in Select-style display packaging with spine artwork. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean!
(via MarvelousNews)
Diamond Select at C2E2
Out friends over at Diamond Select Toys look like they had a blast at C2E2 last weekend, and to prove it, they posted quite a few pictures from the event where they premiered and showcased quite a few new products! While we heard about some of these back at Toy Fair 2015, we certainly didn’t get to see them up close like this!
First up are an all new series of ‘ALIENS‘ Minimates! While we suspected that Series 2 would be coming soon (with Newt and Bishop no less!), what we DIDN’T see coming was the all new Minimate Deluxe figures! This looks like something new that DST is testing out, but wow do these Minimate Deluxe figures of the Alien Queen and Ripley in the Powerloader look fantastic!
Next up is a fresh new look at this years batch of Universal Monsters Select figures! This year we’re getting re-dos of The Mummy and The Wolfman, who have never looked better, and an all new original character design of Lucy Westenra from Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’!
Last but far from least, we’ve got an up close look at the all new ‘Gotham‘ Select line! Here we see the brand new Selina Kyle and Jim Gordon figures, and in front of these awesome new 7″ scale figures are the upcoming ‘Gotham’ Minimates!
Funko Forecast
Get ready for the Funko Forecast! This is where we’re going to be showcasing all of the cool new announcements and reveals from Funko! With all of the awesome that consistently seems to be flowing out of those guys, it shouldn’t be hard to keep this section alive each and every week!
Nova Rocket Dorbz
While that probably sounds like gibberish to most, it’s actually a pretty self explanatory title! Hot Topic’s latest Funko Exclusive is an all new Nova Uniform Rocket Raccoon ‘Dorbz’ figure! It should be hitting stores any day now!
(via PopVinyls)
You’d Probably Still Like Him When He’s Angry
Just when you thought you were done hunting down variant ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ POP! Vinyl figures, Funko has announced the all new ‘Angry Groot’ figure, which is exclusive to Fan Expo Dallas. The convention runs from May 29th through the 31st in Dallas, where you will hopefully be able to snag this figure at a reasonable price before his value skyrockets!
(via PopVinyls)
The Force is Strong In There POPs
‘Star Wars’ is making is big comeback and the force is stronger than ever with a ton of cool new ‘Star Wars’ collectibles coming our way from Funko!
First we’ve got an all new wave of Classic Star Wars character POP! Vinyl figures! This new wave consists of Tattooine Luke, Boushh Leia, Bib Fortuna, Unmasked Darth Vader, a Tie Fighter Pilot, and Nalan Cheel!
On top of this new wave, there are four brand new Gamestop Exclsuvie figures including Hoth Han Solo, Hoth Chewbacca, Figrin D’an, and R2B1! These figures release on May 4th, 2015!
New Funko ReAction From Time and Space
As if there weren’t enough cool new toys to talk about this week, Funko has announced new waves of both their ‘Terminator 2’ and ‘Classic Star Trek’ ReAction figure lines! The ‘Terminator 2’ wave consisting of John Connor, Sarah Connor, The T-800, and the T-1000.
Not ones to be out done, the ‘Classic Star Trek’ line being comprised of Captain Kirk, Scotty, Vina, and a Gorn!
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!
