And we’re back once again with an all 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! This week we’ve got a lot awesome new reveals coming our way for some of this summer’s biggest blockbusters like ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy vol. 2’ and ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’, plus some fantastic new reveals for some of our other favorite properties like ‘Batman’ and ‘Marvel Comics’! The year is definitely off to a solid start with the Toy News for the week of January 10th, 2017!
You’ve Got Questions, Super7 Has Got Answers
Ever since the announcement that Super7 would be taking over the ‘Masters Of The Universe’ license following the closure of Mattel’s collectors site, MattyCollector.com, fans have had a lot of questions as to what they had in store for the future of the ‘MOTU’ brand! Luckily, after a brief waiting period (considering MattyCollector has only been closed since the first of the month), Super7 has posted a FAQ guide to answer some of the questions on everyone’s minds regarding the future of ‘Masters Of The Universe’ and even Mattel’s short-lived ‘Thundercats’ line! Check out their full responses below-
Question: Where are my Masters of the Universe Ultimates and when will I get them?
As we explained before and during the pre-sale, the MOTUC Ultimates are a made to order release and due to arrive and ship in the Spring once production is completed.
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Question: Will the MOTUC Ultimates be available in the future?
The Ultimates are a made to order release. Any inventory that might remain after orders ship (from cancellations, etc.) will be made available in the Super7 webstore.===
Question: What is going on with the refunds for MOTUC Ultimates International shipping?The partial refunds for International shipping have all been issued.
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Question: Can I still pre-order or add to my existing pre-order for the MOTUC Ultimates?
No. The MOTUC Ultimates are a made to order release with production based on the orders received during the pre-order open time. Sorry.
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Question: Can I cancel my MOTUC Ultimates pre-order?
Yes, of course. Send a cancellation request to orders@super7store.com with your Order Number.
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Question: Will the Masters of the Universe Filmation and Classics lines continue?
Yes, the Classics and Filmation lines will continue. Look for an announcement soon!
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Question: Thundercats?? Thundercats!? Thundercats?!
We are working hard to secure the rights to continue the Thundercats line. We hope to have an announcement soon!
New Legends Come To Light
Thanks to various web sources like Ebay and Facebook, it looks like fans are catching hints of some new Marvel Legends products that are coming from Hasbro that haven’t even been given an official announcement yet!
Thanks to a Taiwanese Facebook page MFCT Marvel DC, we’ve got our first confirmed look at new retailer exclusive figures for both Walgreens and Walmart! Walgreens will be getting their very own 6″ scale Invisible Woman figure (with rumors running that we can expect to see the other three members of the Fantastic Four released as Walgreens exclusives over the next year or two) that even comes packed with Herbie the Robot! If the Fantastic Four aren’t your thing, be sure to keep an eye peeled for the Walmart exclusive Black Panther figure!
Additionally, we can expect a new Toys R Us exclusive Groot ‘Evolution’ figure set to go along with all of the new upcoming movie figures coming up for ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’! This new Groot set includes the entire previously released Groot build-a-figure for those who missed out on him the last time- but with a twist! This new version features a brand new smiling headsculpt! This set also includes our first ever Baby Groot and Little Groot Marvel Legends figures! From the looks of those two, they appear to be solid PVC minifigures, so don’t expect any articulation there. There is no word yet on when to expect this in stores, but it’s safe to say it should be turning up around the same time as the other new movie figures this March.
To put the real icing on the cake, collectors have also found an ebay listing for a brand new 12″ scale Marvel Legends Deadpool figure! This figure is set to include a small arsenal of weapons, two interchangeable heads, several interchangeable hands, and he even comes with Headpool! There is no release date on this figure yet either, but lets hope it’s coming soon because it looks fantastic!
This Week From Diamond Select Toys
Another week goes by and we can’t help but wonder if our friends over at Diamond Select Toys will ever slow down with the insane amount of cool stuff they release? They’re starting 2017 off strong with a few great new offerings hitting comic shops this week from brands like ‘Ghostbusters’, ‘Star Trek’, and “Justice League Unlimited’, so be sure to check out this week’s new releases below-
Batman Classic TV Series Premier Collection Batman Resin Statue
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Holy left cross, Batman! This 12-inch scale resin statue of Adam West as Batman is based on his appearance in the Batman Classic TV Series, and depicts him throwing a massive punch at one of his numerous foes or their underlings. The base for this statue even provides the “POW!!” sound effect that showed up on screen in every fight! Featuring detailed paint applications and limited to only 1,966 pieces, this statue comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box. Sculpted by Clayburn Moore! (Item #JUL162604, SRP: $149.99)
Ghostbusters Select Action Figures Series 4 Asst.
A Diamond Select Toys release! The Traveler has come! After three series of the Ghostbusters and their friends, now it’s time for a wave of their foes! This new assortment of fully poseable 7-inch scale action figures features Gozer the Gozerian, who was big in Sumeria, alongside EPA stiff Walter Peck and a slimed version of Peter Venkman featuring a new sculpt! Each figure features 16 points of articulation, and each figure comes with another piece of the rooftop diorama – collect all 15 figures to build the rooftop temple from the end of the film! Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios! (Item # SEP162532, SRP: $24.99/ea.)
Justice League Unlimited Animated Green Arrow Resin Bust
A Diamond Select Toys Release! The DC Animated Universe’s greatest archer is now part of the DCAU’s greatest bust line! Joining fellow Justice Leaguers Batman, Superman, Hawkgirl and more, this approximately 6” resin bust of Oliver Queen captures the archer as he appeared in the Justice League Unlimited animated series, taking aim with his bow and arrow atop a pedestal base styled after the JLU‘s Watchtower satellite. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, this bust comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box. Sculpted by Varner Studio. (Item #JUL162605, SRP: $59.99)
Star Trek TOS Romulan Bird of Prey Electronic Starship
A Diamond Select Toys release! For the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, DST is going back where it all began, to the original Star Trek television series, to make a brand-new ship in the Starship Legends line! With its low profile and its distinctive underbelly markings, the Romulan Bird of Prey is as menacing and mysterious as the Romulan Empire it served. Measuring 9 inches long with a wingspan of 12 inches, the Bird of Prey features dialogue and sound effects taken straight from the original television series, as well as lights that are activated with the sounds, and can also be turned on permanently. The ship is packaged in a 50th anniversary-branded, full-color window box, with a Try-Me feature that allows buyers to try out the lights and sounds. Designed by Art Asylum! (Item # MAR162255, SRP: $60.00
Be The Batman
If you’re a fan of Batman, Ben Affleck, or something sort of in between, then today is your lucky day! The team over at Quantum Mechanix has just revealed an all new 1:1 scale prop replica (for those of you who don’t follow, that means actually life sized!) of Batman’s Batarang from last years ‘Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice’! This piece will only set you back around $50.00, but it comes with it’s own unique display stand to show off in your collection (or, you know, you could probably throw it at bad guys ((although this is likely illegal and we do not recommend trying this)) ). Check out the full release from Quantum Mechanix below-
The Dark Knight never leaves home without his Batarang.
Now QMX’s gleaming, screen-accurate replica can be yours. QMx Caliber Metalworks proudly presents the Batman Batarang 1:1 Scale Replica as seen in the movies Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League.
Developed from the screen-used prop, the Batarang has the commanding look and feel of a premium collectible. Cast in a sturdy zinc alloy, this authentic replica sits atop a magnetic stand that mirrors its iconic shape.
NECA Obtains The ‘Blade Runner 2049’ License
While details are incredibly scarce right now, the team at NECA have announced that they have obtained the license to make collectibles based on the highly anticipated ‘Blade Runner’ sequel, ‘Blade Runner 2049’! NECA has said that they plan to release a full series of action figures, die case vehicles, replicas, and more throughout the year. It is expected that they will premiere many of these items next month at New York Toy Fair 2017. Definitely be sure to keep an eye out for more updates on this!
Game Not Quite Over Yet…
NECA’s incredible 7″ scale line of ‘ALIENS’ figures continues to be a successful powerhouse for the collecting community, and it is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon! In fact, the line has been going on for so long that NECA is doubling back a little bit to reissue some of the fan favorite figures from way earlier in the series so that collectors that missed out can add them to their collections! NECA has recently released new in-package images of their upcoming ‘ALIENS’ 30th Anniversary Hicks & Hudson figure 2-pack that will include alternative heads for each character, removable helmets, and lots of screen accurate accessories! This figure 2-pack is set to hit stores in just a few weeks.
The 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!
Funko Goes Playmobil
We first saw these almost a full year ago at New York Toy Fair in February, but now we’re finally getting a much closer look at Funko’s highly anticipated new Playmobil designer figures line! These figures may share the aesthetic style of the classic Playmobil figures, but they’re a much larger 6″ scale and are the first ever licensed Playmobil figures! Most figures are set to include at least one accessory, and they should all be articulated at the shoulders and wrists for some mild range of movement. So far licenses announced for this line include:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Willy Wonka
Doctor Who
Back To The Future
Ghostbusters
These figures are set to start hitting stores in March, but are already up for pre-order on Entertainment Earth! Entertainment Earth also has their own exclusive Black & White edition of Raphael from ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, so you’re definitely going to want to make them your first destination when ordering these!
More Marvel Comics
While most people are pretty happy getting a ton of POP! Vinyls based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, some collectors really wish that Funko would release more pieces based on the comic books we know and love! Well for now at least, the wait is over! Funko has revealed several new POP! Vinyls based on Marvel’s comic properties and we can expect to see them hitting retail this spring! Upcoming new releases include Blade, Black Bolt (Silver & Blue versions), Iron Fist (Classic and a special ‘Gold’ edition that will be available for Free Comic Book Day 2017), Luke Cage (Classic), and three versions of Gwenpool (regular, ToysRUs exclusive Metallic w/ Cell Phone, and Walgreens exclusive Unmasked)!
Ready To Get Hooked On A Feeling Again?
‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’ doesn’t even hit theaters until May, but man is it hard not to get excited about this movie! As one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, there is bound to be a ton of merchandise for the film, and Funko has just announced what looks like their full product line (with a few pieces to be revealed later no doubt). Here’s the full rundown of ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’ merchandise coming this spring from Funko:
Dorbz
Rock Candy
Pint Size Heroes
Keychains
POP! Vinyl
Retailer Exclusive POP! Vinyl
Go Go Power Rangers!
Another one of this year’s most anticipated films is Lionsgate’s new ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ film series reboot! This month you’ll be able to pick up POP! Vinyls based on the film, including all five Rangers and the Hot Topic exclusive Rita Repulsa!
Funko Reveals Retailer Exlcusives
As always, there are a few new retailer exclusives coming our way from Funko, meaning you’re going to have to hit some pretty specific stores if you want a chance at grabbing these!
First up are the new Specialty Series figures which are exclusive to small businesses and local shops only rather than most major retailers! The newest figures in the Funko Specialty Series are a Herry Monster POP! Vinyl from ‘Sesame Street’ and a Dorbz figure of Disney’s Jimminy Cricket! These are due to hit stores in May.
Hot Topic has announced a new exclusive Joker figure, based on the new ‘DC Bombshells’ line of POP! Vinyls! This new version is ‘The Joker with Kisses’, and there will even be an exclusive chase variant version available in Black & White! This is due to hit stores this month.
Finally, Walmart is going to have a field day with all of their fantastic looking new exclusives! From ‘Star Wars’ we have two new POP! Vinyl 3-packs, with one featuring three key characters from ‘Revenge Of The Sith’ and another featuring some of the coolest throwbacks we have seen yet! From ‘Reveng Of The Sith’ we get Unhooded Chancellor Palpatine, Tarful, and an Utapau Clone Trooper! From the classic Kenner ‘Star Wars’ toyline we’re getting newly redesigned POP! Vinyls of Greedo, Hammerhead, and ‘Walrus man’ (Ponda Baba) that look like their retro figures! Additionally we’re getting a ‘Teen Titans GO!’ Pink Raven Dorbz as well as a Beast with the Blackbird Jet Dorbz Ridez set! These are all due to hit Walmart Stores this spring!
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!
Jordan is a Toy Columnist & Staff Writer here at ScienceFiction! Journalist, Musician, Toy Collector, and Overall Awesome Guy! For more on Jordan’s thoughts, toys, and wacky adventures, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
