Hello there one and all! Welcome to an all new edition of 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! This past week was a doosie! The annual Transformers fan convention ‘Bot Con 2015’ was held in Illinois, with a ton of big news for Transformers fans! Plus we got quite a few new exclusive figure announcements from some of your favorite retailers and brands! There’s just so much going on this week that it’s time to dive headfirst into the Toy News for the week of June 23rd, 2015!
Transformers News From Bot Con 2015
Every year Transformers fans all band together for the annual Transformers ‘Bot Con’ convention to celebrate one of the toy industries most beloved franchises, buy and sell tots, and find out a ton of cool news about what’s coming up in the next year! This year was no exception, as Transformers fans from all around the world excitedly learned about some of the amazing new Transformers products we will see in the second half of 2015 and early 2016! We have a ton of new Transformers Combiners coming our way from the ‘Generations: Combiner Wars’ line, with lots of updates of many fan favorite characters like Starscream, Ironhide, and Shockwave!
By way of the Generations: Combiner Wars line, I’ve split these up into scale class rather than by release date. These guys are all due out within the next year from Hasbro, so keep your eyes peeled! First up is the smaller Legends Class, with fan favorites like BuzzSaw, Wreck-Gar, Pipes, Skywarp, Shockwave, and ChopShop!
Next up are the standard Deluxe Class figures! This scale has a ton of great updated versions of your favorites like Brawl, Vortex, Swindle, Blastoff, Hound, Mirage, Trailbreaker, Ironhide, Wheeljack, and Smokescreen!
We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t tell you about the epic Voyager Class Skylynx that’s coming our way this fall!
And of course these great new Leader Class Seekers, Skywarp and Starscream! Starscream even has his coronation crown!
Just in case you were worried about the ‘Combiner’ aspect of things, here’s a peak at some of the big bad Transformers you can build with your ‘Combiner Wars’ figures! We’ve got an early look at Galvatronus, Bruticus, and Sky Reign!
We also have another new wave of figures based on the hit Transformers animated series ‘Robots In Disguise’! The new wave of “Robots In Disguise’ figures bring us two new versions of both Bumblebee and Sideswipe, as well as a new Grimlock sporting a G1 inspired look!
On top of all of that, there is an all new fourth wave of Transformers branded ‘Tiny Titans’ blindboxed minifigures! this new wave consists of fan favorite characters like Optimus Prime, Megatron, Grimlock, Galvatron, Kickback, Sideswipe, Roadbuster, Inferno, Devastator, Fracture, Clampdown, and Bulkhead!
(via AFI)
Marvel Selects Littlest Hero Reveals His Biggest Secret
Marvel Studios ‘Antman’ is heading into theaters in just a few short weeks, and fans of the titular hero are as excited as ever about the upcoming film! The icing on the cake was when our friends at Diamond Select Toys announced they were producing an Antman Marvel Select figure based on the characters appearance in the film, hut now they have gone and done something even cooler! This week, DST revealed they will be releasing a special Marvelstore.com and Disney Store Exclusive Unmasked Antman Marvel Select figure that features a special head sculpt based on the likeness of actor Paul Rudd! This thing looks fantastic and is definitely going to be one not to miss, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled at Disney Stores this summer!
(via Marvelous News)
More Marvel Villains Zombies Minimates Rise From The Grave
Marvel Comics various universes are all colliding during this year’s massive ‘Secret Wars’ event, and even Marvel Minimates aren’t safe from these collisions! This year’s annual Marvel Zombies Villains Minimates box set from DST will feature three new zombified villains and one special new guest star! This figure 4-pack will include zombie versions of Bullseye, Pyro, and The Vulture, as well as an Ultron Drone from the ‘Age of Ultron’ universe! This set will retail for $19.99 and should be hitting stores this fall!
(via Toy Ark)
“We Have To Go Back!”
Our friends over at Diamond Select Toys are bringing us back to the ‘Back To The Future’ franchise in a big way to help celebrate the films 30th anniversary! While DST has done plenty of great ‘Back To The Future’ merchandise over the years, this year’s offerings really are something special. We’re getting a brand new Minimate figure 4-pack, a new re-deco of the Delorean, and even a series of specialty drinking glasses! Check out the full releases from DST below:
Back to the Future Time Machine Bottle Opener [August 2015]
Remember that time you wanted a refreshing rink, but didn’t have a bottle opener? Well, now you can plan for the future with this sculpted 4″ metal bottle opener depicting the famous time machine from Back to the Future! It won’t travel back in time to open past drinks for you, but the magnets on the wheels will keep it mounted on your refrigerator so it will always be there, time after time. Comes packaged in a full-color slip case.Back to the Future Monopoly board game [October 2015]
Want to travel from 2015 to 1985 to 1955 to 1885 in the comfort of your own home? Well, now you can! This fully licensed Back to the Future Monopoly board game provides hours of fun as you collect locations and time-hop through the world of the BTTF trilogy! The game board features all-new properties taken straight from the films, including Cafe ’80s and Doc’s Mansion, plus you get new “Chance” and Community Chest” cards, and new die-cast metal game pieces of the time machine, Einstein the dog, the cowboy hat, the futuristic sneaker, the hoverboard and the famous Hill Valley clock! Game comes packaged in a full-color box resembling a case of plutonium.Back to the Future Iced DeLorean Collector Set [November 2015]
Is it hot? No, it’s ice cold! DST revisits their bestselling electronic 1:15 scale Time Machine from Back to the Future in a new, 30th Anniversary edition box set! Having just arrived in our time from 1985, this Version 1 Time Machine has a thin coating of “frost” over its entire surface, to replicate the effects of time travel. Plus, bonus accessories include flaming tire tracks, a license plate you can pose like it’s spinning, and a case of plutonium! (Not actual plutonium.) Set comes packaged in a full-color window box.Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Minimates Hill Valley Box Set [November 2015]
It’s time for Minimates to go back to the future! DST is revisiting their popular Back to the Future Minimates mini-figure line, with new box sets featuring never-before-made characters! First up is a brand new set from 2015, featuring three all-new characters — Griff Tannen, Marlene McFly and Marty McFly, Jr. — plus a new figure of two-tie-wearing Marty McFly, Sr.! Each Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation and interchangeable parts and accessories, including Griff’s Pit Bull hoverboard. Packaged in a full-color blister card. Designed by Art Asylum!Back to the Future Trilogy Glass Tumblers [December 2015]
Ring in the new year(s) in style with these three Back to the Future Reelware glass tumblers, featuring all-new artwork capturing the most exciting moments of the BTTF trilogy! From the first movie, Doc Brown connects the crucial power cords in 1955! From the second film, the Time Machine cruises the skyways in 2015! And from the third film, the arrival of the Time Train from 1885! Collect all three glasses to complete the trilogy – you’ll feel like you’re drinking in a different century with each one! Package in a full-color window box.
The Daughter Of the Demon Comes Home To Entertainment Earth
Entertainment Earth and Diamond Select Toys have teamed up to bring you a special new collectible from DST’S Femme Fatales line in the form of Talia Al Ghul from ‘Batman: The Animated Series’! This all new 9″ tall PVC statue is set to be released thus November for $44.99 and will be sold exclusively through Entertainment Earth!
Hot Toys Announces New Licenses
Hot Toys has had a pretty good year so far, with a ton of amazing new 1:6th scale figures from various film properties like ‘Star War’ and ‘The Avengers’, and now they are looking to do even more with an expansion into figures based on video games! In a recent catalog, Hot Toys revealed that they have acquired the licenses for hit game properties like ‘Resident Evil 6’ and ‘Metal Gear’! So far the only figures shown from either of those series are Ada Wong and Leon S. Kennedy from ‘RE6’.
Hot Toys have also announced that they recently obtained the ‘Batman V Superman’ license, so that should certainly get Hot Toys collectors collective mouths watering for more!
Hope These Don’t Hatch TOO Soon…
The crew over at NECA are as busy as ever with a ton of great stuff coming our way later this year, and this week they gave us a much closer look at one of their most highly anticipated products, a carton of ALIEN Eggs! These new ALIEN Eggs come in a 6-pack with 3 closed eggs and three open ones, with the open ones containing removable ALIEN Facehuggers! These Eggs and Facehuggers are perfectly in scale with NECA’s 7″ scale ‘ALIEN’ line, and look like they’re arguably the coolest accessory the series has seen yet! Check out the full release from NECA below-
New from Weyland-Yutani, these eggs are sourced directly from LV-426, where Xenomorphs are allowed to roam freely without being confined to cramped cages. Buy cage-free and support our efforts to study and protect this gentle, misunderstood species. Warning: see packaging for safe handling instructions. Weyland-Yutani is not responsible for any spaceship infestation or planetary destruction that may occur.”
From the terrifying Alien movie series, this set includes 6 Xenomorph eggs and 3 facehuggers with bendable tails. They make great diorama pieces, since they’re perfectly in scale with our line of 7″ figures – and for collectors, the full-color egg carton is designed to be eminently display-worthy.
It’s Time To Finish The Fight… Again… AGAIN!
McFarlane Toys has revealed images of the upcoming first wave of figures based on Microsoft’s ‘Halo 5: Guardians’! McFarlane has been carrying the ‘Halo’ franchise since back in 2007 with the launch of ‘Halo 3’ and has done an overall bangup job producing a ton of really cool collectibles for the line, so if this first wave is any inclination as to what we can expect from the full series, fans are in for a treat! This first wave is comprised of Master Chief, Spartan Locke, Spartan Athlon, Spartan Fred, Spartan Kelly, and Spartan Tanaka! These are due in stores this August and will include special exclusive in-game content for ‘Halo 5: Guardians’
(via TNI)
Cartoon Cartoon Comeback
Since the mid 1990’s, Cartoon network has been known for their amazing original animated series like ‘Dexter’s Lab’, ‘Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends’, and ‘Adventure Time’! Now the crew over at Titan merchandise are bringing us a special new series of blind-box figures based on some of Cartoon Networks biggest hits! This Cartoon Network branded blind-box series will include figures from across several generations of Cartoon Network Series, and will include figures from favorites like ‘Samurai Jack’, ‘Regular Show’, ‘Johnny Bravo’, ‘Steven Universe’ and more! Check out the full series lineup below! It’s also worth noting that Titan has revealed there will be 4 additional Chase Figures that have not been shown to the public yet, and that some figures will come packed with accessories!
(via PopVinyls)
TMNT Loyally Subjecting To Hastings
The Loyal Subjects hit TMNT vinyl minifigure series is getting two new Hastings exclusive box-sets! The first of these two sets is a figure 4-pack of the Teen Mutant Ninja Turtles themsevles, all sporting a special ‘Glow In The Dark’ look! The secondary set is a figure 2-pack of a Metallic Shredder and Foot Soldier! There is not release date currently set for these two box sets, but they are expected to hit before summers end.
(via Toy Ark)
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!
Hot Topic Exclusives
It seems like every week hot Topic is announcing some kind of cool new Funko Exclusive, and why should this week be any different? This week they have announced Quidditch Gear Harry Potter, Sword of Gryffindor Harry Potter, and Unmasked Cyclops! These are all set to hit stores any day now!
Gamestop Exclusives
Relative newcomer to the exclusive Funko POP!s game, video game retailer Gamestop is stepping things up a bit with the reveal of two all new exclusives POP! Vinyl figures!
The first exclusive is from Funko’s ‘Doctor Who’ line, a Evolving Dalek! This figure is up for pre-order at Gamestop stores and on their website with a release date scheduled for 9/30!
The second Gamestop exclusive Funko POP! Vinyl is a 6″ Mega scale POP! of the Songbird from ‘Bioshock Infinite’! This thing is huge and might be one of the most interesting looking POP! Vinyls to date! The Songbird is also up for pre-order and is set to release on 10/15!
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!
