It’s an all-new year and we get to start it off 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! The holiday season may have come and gone, but we’re not done celebrating over here! There’s so much to be excited about as we prepare to enter the new year, and some of our favorite companies like Diamond Select Toys, NECA, and The Loyal Subjects are ready to help find reasons to feel that way with a number of new reveals! There’s just so much to see in the toy news for the week of January 2nd, 2018!
New NECA Teasers & Reveals
We’re just getting the new year started, but the team at NECA made sure to wrap up last year with some phenomenal looking new sneak peeks and announcements! All throughout Christmas Eve, NECA’s Twitter account was alive with excitement! They unleashed a bevy of new teaser images showing off new products for franchises like “Re-Animator’, ‘It’, ‘ALIENS’, ‘Friday The 13th’ and even ‘Crash Bandicoot’! Check out the full series of teaser images below!
‘Re-Animator’ Herbert West 
‘It’ Pennywise
‘ALIENS’ Scorpion Alien
‘Friday The 13th Part 2’ Ultimate Jason Voorhees Accessories
‘Crash Bandicoot’
If those teasers weren’t enough to satiate you, NECA has also finally pulled back the curtain to reveal the long-awaited mystery figure that was exclusive to members of their special ‘ALIEN Club’! For those loyal collectors who kept up their ALIEN Club membership throughout the past year, NECA has a special new purple repaint of their 7″ scale Alien Warrior figure from their ‘ALIENS’ line! While some may be slightly annoyed that the big new exclusive for club members is a repaint, it’s worth noting that this figure is a remake (or ‘tribute’) to a classic figure from the Kenner ‘ALIENS’ line; Making it one that longtime ‘ALIENS’ collectors are sure to want! Check the full release info from NECA below!
NECA Club x ALIEN exclusive figure revealed!
The classic Kenner Tribute Purple Warrior is the perfect match for the 6-piece Kenner Tribute Diorama that club members received earlier this year. Based on the card art illustration and coloration, it stands over 9” tall and features over 30 points of articulation and a bendable tail. Release date coming soon!
What’s This? New ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Selects!
Diamond Select Toys continues “making Christmas” with a new wave of their ‘Nightmare Before Christmas Select’ figures! Released this past week is Series 4 of their hit toyline based on the cult classic Tim Burton film! The new wave of ‘Nightmare Before Christmas Selects’ includes Pajama Jack, Zero, and Behemoth with Corpse Boy! Each of these 7″ scale figures is fully articulated and includes a number of character specific accessories. Jack comes with his iconic blackboard, while Zero and Behemoth with Corpse Boy come packaged with parts to build your town square diorama! Combine the parts from Zero and Behemoth to complete your town square fountain today! Series 4 of Diamond Select Toys ‘Nightmare Before Christmas Select’ line are in stores now with an expected retail price of $24.99. 
Coming Soon From Diamond Select
While the new ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ figures look amazing, we know you’re always hungry for more and so does the team at Diamond Select Toys! This week we have a number of new items they’ve begun soliciting that you’ll be able to order this month at your local comic shop with an expected June release date! new items include products from ‘Batman: The Animated Series’, ‘Kingdom Hearts’, ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, and more! Check out the full solicitations from Diamond Select Toys below!
BATMAN 1966 BATGIRL BUST BANK
A Diamond Select Release! DST’s detailed and affordable line of vinyl banks based on the Classic Batman TV Series continues with a new character – Barbara Gordon, a.k.a. Batgirl! The purple powerhouse is now a 7-inch vinyl bank, with a coin slot of the back and an access door in the base. With the authentic likeness of actress Yvonne Craig and collectible-quality sculpting and paint applications, this bank comes packaged in a clear polybag. Hand-sculpted by Jean St. Jean!In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $22.99
BATMAN TAS KILLER CROC BUST
A Diamond Select Release! This is one killer bust! One of Batman’s most ferocious, but not the brightest, villains joins his rogues gallery as part of DST’s bust line based on Batman: The Animated Series. Featuring his distinctive appearance from the show, this approximately 7-inch tall resin bust of Killer Croc is ready to pounce on a pedestal base inspired by the architecture of Gotham City. This bust is limited to only 3,000 pieces, and comes packaged in a hand-numbered, full-color box with a Certificate of Authenticity. Sculpted by Varner Studios.In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $59.99
DC COMICS VINIMATES
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Batman returns in this new assortment of Vinimates vinyl figures based on the DC Comics universe! Wearing his classic blue-and-grey costume, Batman is joined by Catwoman and Batwoman, adding to the ranks of the DCU in Vinimates form! Each 4-inch vinyl figure is sculpted in the block-figure style, striking a pose inspired by the comics. Each comes packaged in a full-color window box.
In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $9.99
FLASH CW GALLERY PVC STATUE
A Diamond Select Release! The Flash comes racing into the DC Gallery line with this sculpture of Barry Allen from the CW television series The Flash! Based on Grant Gustin’s portrayal of the character on the show, this 9-inch PVC diorama shows The Flash screeching to a halt with Speed Force energy crackling off of him. This sculpture features detailed sculpting and paint applications and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Cortes Studios!In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $45.00
KINGDOM HEARTS SELECT SERIES 2 FIGURE ASST
A Diamond Select Toys Release! It’s time to return to the Kingdom! The second series of Kingdom Hearts Select Action Figures bring fans new, beloved Disney characters as well as characters created for the Kingdom Hearts series of games! Three sets of figures arrive in Series 2, including Roxas with Donald Duck and Goofy, Pete with Chip and Dale and a Soldier, and Aqua with Goofy in his Birth By Sleep Outfit! Action figures range from 2 to 7 inches tall and feature multiple points of articulation. Each set comes packaged in the display-ready Select action figure packaging with side-panel artwork. Sculpted by Oluf W. Hartvigsen!
In Shops: N/A
SRP: $149.94
KINGDOM HEARTS SERIES 2 VINIMATES
A Diamond Select Release! The toy story continues! The Vinimates line dives deeper into the world of Kingdom Hearts with three new 4-inch vinyl figures based on the hit video game series. Organization 13 Mickey Mouse, in his black coat, is joined by his old rival Pete as well as Tron in his Tron-style outfit from Space Paranoids! Each figure is sculpted in the block-figure style, striking a pose inspired by the game with a poseable head. Each comes packaged in a full-color window box.In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $9.99
MARVEL GALLERY BLACK PANTHER MOVIE KILLMONGER PVC STATUE
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Who stalks the Panther? In the upcoming movie Marvel’s The Black Panther, T’Challa goes up against his mirror image — Killmonger! Seen here as a Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama, the black-and-gold villain is ready to do battle with the Black Panther, and measures approximately 9 inches tall atop a diorama base. Pair it with the Black Panther diorama to have them face off in combat! Packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella!
In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $45.00
MARVEL GALLERY NETFLIX PUNISHER SEASON 1 PVC STATUE
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Frank Castle is caught in the crossfire in this all-new PVC diorama from the Marvel Gallery line! Inspired by the new Punisher TV Series on Netflix, this 9-inch PVC diorama shows Frank Castle crashing backwards through a brick wall as he takes aim at multiple targets. This sculpture features the likeness of actor Jon Bernthal, as well as detailed sculpting and paint applications, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Rocco Tartamella!
In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $45.00
PACIFIC RIM 2 SELECT AF SERIES 2 ASST
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Cancel the apocalypse! Three new Jaegers are joining the fight against the kaiju menace, and each giant robot is cooler than the last! The mysterious Obsidian Fury with his twin blades, Guardian Bravo with his mace, and Titan Redeemer with his whip each measure between 7 and 8 inches tall, and each feature approximately 16 points of articulation, plus interchangeable parts that are exclusively available to the specialty market! Packaged in display-ready Select action figure packaging, with side-panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios!
In Shops: Jun 27, 2018
SRP: $24.99
More Dead Are Walking At McFarlane
The team at McFarlane Toys has added some new info and images for a couple of highly anticipated 7″ scale ‘The Walking Dead’ figures! The two newest figures to joining the line are Ezekial and ‘Prisoner’ Daryl Dixon! These are both expected to hit stores in February 2018 with an anticipated retail price of $19.99 each. Check out the full solicit information from McFarlane Toys below!
A wise and theatrical personality, Ezekiel, often referred to as ‘King Ezekiel,” is the leader of the peaceful community known as The Kingdom. Flanked by his pet tiger Shiva at his side, Ezekiel has a reluctant truce with The Saviors but makes sure to keep the security of his kingdom intact.
- Spectacular likeness of Ezekiel taken from 3D scans of actor Khary Payton
- Figure includes Ezekiel’s Shikomizue (cane staff with sword)
- Cane staff features removable sword
- Designed with 15 points of articulation for dynamic posing
- Figure features a stylized The Walking Dead® branded display base and showcased in window box packaging
After Negan executed Abraham and Glenn in front of the other survivors, he instructed the Saviors to take Daryl hostage. Taking Daryl as an insurance policy, Negan informed Rick that he would comply with Negan’s rules, or else his prisoner, Daryl, would suffer dire consequences.
- Spectacular likeness of Daryl sculpted from images of the actor Norman Reedus
- Figure is featured in the Savior prisoner outfit worn by Daryl in Season 7 of The Walking Dead®
- Figure includes mop accessory
- Designed with 15 points of articulation for dynamic posing
- Figure features a stylized The Walking Dead® branded display base and showcased in window box packaging
The Loyal Subjects Expands Their Licensing
While things were pretty quiet for a while, the team at The Loyal Subjects looks to be back in full force with a number of new product lines being solicited to start the year off strong! While the lines look pretty similar to previous products from The Loyal Subjects, these new blind-boxed articulated vinyl figures are all based on new licenses we’ve never seen from ‘The Loyal Subjects’ before! New licenses include fan favorites like “ALIENS’, ‘Mega Man’, ‘Thundercats’, and Horror figures (which are characters from a number of different horror films)! The ‘Thundercats’ wave is hitting some stores now, with others anticipated to start hitting later this year! Check out the full solicits from The Loyal Subjects below!
TLS X THUNDERCATS MINI FIG 12PC BMB DS WV1
Thunder, thunder, Thundercats, ho! These 3 1/4″ collectible Thundercats figurines feature several points of articulation, plus accessories and collector’s cards! Each figure comes individually packaged in blind box packaging to make collecting a fun surprise! In Walmart and Hot Topic Stores Now – Comic Shops in January
SRP: $13.99
TLS X ALIENS MINI FIG 12PC BMB DS WV1
In space no one can hear you scream! These 3 1/4″ collectible Aliens figurines, based on James Cameron’s film, feature several points of articulation, plus accessories and collector’s cards! Each figure comes individually packaged in blind box packaging to make collecting a fun surprise! In Shops: Feb 14, 2018
SRP: $13.99
TLS X MEGA MAN MINI FIG 12PC BMB DS WV1
These 3 1/4″ collectible figurines feature several points of articulation, plus accessories and collector’s cards! Each figure comes individually packaged in blind box packaging to make collecting a fun surprise! In Shops: Feb 21, 2018
SRP: $13.99
TLS X HORROR MINI FIG 12PC BMB DS WV1
These 3 1/4″ collectible figurines feature several points of articulation, plus accessories and collector’s cards! Each figure comes individually packaged in blind box packaging to make collecting a fun surprise! In Shops: Jan 31, 2018
SRP: $13.99
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!
New Funko Exclusives
As always, Funko has some cool new exclusives coming our way! This week we have a first look at two new POP! Vinyls that will be making their way to stores this month! ‘Ducktales’ fans should start flocking to Target stores if they want a chance to get their hands on the new Gizmo Duck POP! Vinyl, while Hellboy fans may want to hit their local comic shop for the upcoming Previous Exclusive ‘Hellboy with Sword’ POP! Vinyl! Once again, these are both set to hit the market this month, so don’t wait too long before you go out toy hunting!
“MORTY! WE’RE POP! VINYLS MORTY!”
Once again, Funko is back with more awesome new POP! Vinyls based on the hit animated series ‘Rick & Morty’! The latest figures joining the line include two new POP! Rides with Mad Max Rick with Car and Rick with Rick’s Spaceship (which is Hot Topic Exclusive), plus a number of new single release POP! Vinyls like Prison Break Rick, Warrior Summer, Hemorrage, Sentient Arm Morty (with chase variant), and Facehugger Rick (Gamestop Exclusive). These are all set to hit 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!
