Hobbit Exclusive Figures in UK and Australia!

Are you attempting to collect each and every Hobbit figure? If so, you better find friends in England and Australia! Check out these two exclusive figures: 6" Yazneg (UK Toys-R-Us exclusive) and 3 3/4" Invisible Bilbo (Australian exclusive). As of now, these will not be released in the United States, but that could change. No plans have been set according to early reports from The Bridge Direct.

Hobbit figures hit stores October 1st

The new Hobbit figures should be hitting store shelves in 2 days (October 1st)!! Here are the details:


* 3.75” Scale Action Figures – Available in Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield, Grinnah the Goblin and Legolas Greenleaf, these 3.75" scale action figures contain up to 12 points of articulation and replicate the authentic facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in painstaking detail. (For Ages 4+, SRP $7.99 each)

* 3.75” Scale Action Figure 2-Packs – These pairings of 3.75" scale action figures are available in four styles: Bilbo and Gollum, Balin and Dwalin, Kili and Fili, and Legolas Greenleaf and Tauriel, with both Balin and Tauriel being EXCLUSIVE to the 2-Packs at this scale in this series. (For Ages 4+, SRP $14.99 each)

* 3.75” Scale Figure Deluxe 2-Pack – Gandalf and Bolg prepare for battle with this set of 3.75" scale action figures pairing a key hero with a key villain. (For Ages 4+, SRP $17.99)

* 3.75” Scale Action Figure Box Set – Join Bilbo, Thorin, Kili, Fili and Dwalin, with this special box set for the avid collector. The set includes 3-5 weapons/accessories for each figure for posing and battling action. (For Ages 4+, SRP $29.99)

* 3.75” Scale Beast Pack – Every good villain needs a beast to ride into battle, and this 3.75" scale action figure beast pack has them both with Fimbul the Hunter and his Warg! Featuring authentic detail, these figures are sure to become collector's items. (For Ages 4+, SRP $19.99)

* 3.75” Scale Figure Battle Pack – One of the biggest and baddest creatures faces off with a key hero in this 3.75" scale action figure battle pack featuring the Goblin King and Thorin Oakenshield. Each figure replicates the facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in authentic detail. (For Ages 4+, SRP $29.99)

* 6” Scale Collector Figures – Available in Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield, Legolas Greenleaf and Tauriel, these 6" scale collector figures feature intricate details based on the characters. Each with up to 12 points of articulation and authentic details replicating the character’s facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories, these figures are sure to become coveted pieces of movie memorabilia. (For Ages 4+, SRP $14.99 each)

* Bilbo’s Sword, Sting – Featuring motion-activated battle sounds and a glowing light, this deluxe role-play sword will give young fans the complete character experience. (For Ages 4+, SRP $19.99)

* 6” Dwarven Battle Axe – This role-play axe replicates in authentic detail the battle axe carried by Gloin the Dwarf. Now fans can re-enact key battle scenes at home. (For Ages 4+, SRP $12.99)

New Rumble Monsters NINE

Rumble Monsters is an independent toy company in Japan that makes various limited edition (only a handful made!) kaiju toys. This is a new "Robot NINE" figure. These egg-shaped robots have a certain attractive vintage feel and feature 7 points of articulation (head, shoulders, feet, wrists). Usually Robot NINE figures are quite difficult to track down and purchase because they have immediate sell-outs in Japan, but Rotofugi in Chicago currently has the most recent release (dark green with a Chinese symbol (yes, it's Chinese, not Japanese, roughly translated the symbol means "sudden" or "to charge or dash") on sale for $89.

(above picture: previous Robot NINE figures, "09 Devil" "01 Monkey" and "I.S.F. Chaser")

Shawnimals Magma Ninja (Sept 2012 Ninja of the Month)

Magma Ninja is clearly the best Ninja that Shawn Smith has released this year! Limited to 100 made and each is individually numbered and includes a sticker and button! On sale today from www.shawnimals.com

Star Wars Celebration Europe II

Star Wars Celebration VI in Orlando just ended. Fear not Star Wars fans... there is still something to look forward to... in one year... Star Wars Celebration Europe II... July 26-28, 2013 in Messe Essen, Germany. Click here for the official announcement and website: Star Wars Celebration Europe II

Star Wars Celebration Coverage

I think most (if not all) who attended Star Wars Celebration VI would now consider it a successful, fun, entertaining, well organized event.

Please enjoy these pictures and descriptions of events...

(pics above) The dioramas/reproduction sets were simply amazing! Scattered all over the show room floor were life-size replicas of epic scenes from the Star Wars saga. Fans were allowed to stand in the sets for pictures. Thank you to the Belgian set builders who to me they shipped 2 full international shipping containers of "stuff" over a month ago by cargo boat just so fans could truly experience Star Wars! Stunning!

(pics above) The mail show room floor was well thought out, and organized. I heard rumors of 30,000+ people attended... maybe official numbers will be released soon!

(pics) above left) Disco R2-D2 was on display in the Rancho Obi-Wan exhibit, along with 300 other amazing collectibles from Steve Sansweet's collection! (pic above right) Fans parading through the convention center in epic formation: Vader, Emperor and Royal Guards!

(pics) From private collections, these were on display in the Collector's Panel Room where collectors could socialize, trade and just relax.
 

(pics) Vendors, vendors and more vendors! I loved browsing all the vendors!

Two Days left to order Mattel's Subscriptions

 
There have been many ups and downs to the Mattel Subscription service, but I admire them for listening to fans over the past month. Fans asked for pictures of the figures (we got 'em). Fans asked for better customer service from Mattel's distribution center (we got a letter of apology and promise for improvement). Fans asked for additional incentives (we got more perks, including early purchasing rights to figures in 2013). So again, I say, good job Mattel.

Don't forget there are 2 days left to purchase a subscription (Club Infinite Earths, Club Eternia, Club Black Freighter). I think I'll be getting the Club Infinite Earths! Click here to read more and purchase a subscription.

Star Wars Celebration VI Badge Set (with pictures!)

Here is the first look at the badge set from Star Wars Celebration VI. A few of these are a little goofy looking (Leia especially!) But all-in-all, these are a fun way to celebrate the convention. It is a "celebration" after-all. There are two badges not pictures: Jedi Master and Jedi Knight. These two were only available to those who purchased the Master of Knight ticket package.

Ninja of the Month - Animal Spirit Ninja by Shawnimals

 

I like this one! Coming in less than a week (Wed., Aug 1 for $30) is the new Ninja of the Month plush by Shawnimals, Animal Spirit Ninja. "Legend tells of a feral, kibble-loving ninja roaming wild just inside the dense walls of the Dark Forest. Animal Spirit howls and growls ferociously each and every night. Evil? Definitely not, yet outside of being a disciple of Sprout Ninja its animalistic intentions aren’t fully known."

Glyos "Military Type" July Release

 
Onell Design continues to expand the Glyos Universe with the upcoming release of the "United Glyan Coalition: Task Force Volkriun" figures. Releasing Sunday, July 29 at 8:30 pm,
here are the details for which figures and vinyl toys will be released (and expect a few surprises on release night!)

-Glyan Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampo) $8
-Glyan Volkriun Commando (Olive Green/Pappysoup Green/light green visors and white tampo) $8

-Deep Space Glyan Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampo) $12
-Deep Space Glyan Volkriun Commando (Olive Green/Pappysoup Green/light green visors and white tampo) $12

-Buildman Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampo) $8
-Buildman Volkriun Commando (Olive Green/Pappysoup Green/light green visors and white tampo) $8

-Phaseon Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampo) $6
-Phaseon Volkriun Commando (Olive Green/Pappysoup Green/light green visors and white tampo) $6

-Gobon Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampo) $10
-Gobon Volkriun Commando (Olive Green/Pappysoup Green/light green visors and white tampo) $10

-Commander Evireyor Volkriun Commando (Olive Green/Pappysoup Green with light green eyes) $8
-Volkriun Exellis (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green with light green eyes) $8

-Extra Set  Volkriun Commando (Olive Green with light green eyes -Pheyden head, Govurom head, Phanost head, Pheyden chest and Pheyden pelvis) $5

-Crayboth Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green with light green eyes and blaster) $4

-Hub Set Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green) $4
-Hub Set Volkriun Commando (Olive Green) $4

-Axis Joint Set Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green) $4
-Axis Joint Set Volkriun Commando (Olive Green) $4

-Phase Arm/Gobon Blaster Single Set Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green) $2
-Phase Arm/Gobon Blaster Single Set Volkriun Commando (Olive Green) $2

-Core Block Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampos) $12

-Heavy Armored Rig Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampos) $25

-Rig Runner Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampos) $20

-Armodoc Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampo) $25

-Conversion Kit (consists of 1 long Rig Arm and 1 short Rig Arm for customizing vinyl figures) Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green visors and white tampos) $12

-Tri Hub "Wedge" Single  (vinyl isosceles triangle that can be customized for connectivity with all Glyos vinyl) Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/Olive Green/light green accents) $3

-Switch Pin Single (vinyl male/male pin which can convert any vinyl female fit function into a male) Task Force Volkriun (Pappysoup Green/light green accents) $1

Star Wars Exclusive Jocasta Nu Figure

Jocasta Nu, Chief Librarian of the Jedi Library (Brian's Toys Exclusive) is now available for pre-order. This is an amazing figure that collectors have been excited about for while. It was previously intended to be a Star Wars Celebration VI exclusive, but because Hasbro isn't offering any exclusives at the convention next month (I'm very disappointed about that!!) it was switched to a Brian's Toys Exclusive. The figure includes:
- Lightsaber handle (unlit)
- Lightsaber (lit)
- bag with string closure
- Master Dooku "Lost Twenty" Bust
- Collectible boxed packaging
- Jocasta Nu proof card (an extra card-back!)

DragonCon is Coming!

DragonCon is coming in a month (Aug 31-Sept 3). Check out the official website for all the events. There are some great Fan Tracks this year including Tolkien's Middle Earth track! What better way to celebration the Hobbit release this December! Here is the description:


"The Hobbit Movie is coming!  This year’s track will deal with gearing us up for this long awaited movie with The One Ring dot net leading the way.  Join us for an insider’s look at the Hobbit movies.  We will once again have our Tolkien/Lewis panel as well.  Don’t forget about our costuming panels and join our many scholars iin their presentations on the works of JRR Tolkien.  Friday night, we have “An Evening in Bree” with music by Emeral Rose.  Don’t forget about the costume competition during the intermission at this event.  Come show off your costume for all to see." 

Star Wars Celebration Exclusive: R2-Q5

Diamond Select Toys has announced a new Star Wars Celebration VI exclusive: the popular black droid R2-Q5 bust bank (1/4th scale). This will be extremely limited to only 100 pieces at the convention! They have also held back a small amount of the red droid R2-R9 (first seen at San Diego Comic Con) to be sold at Celebration VI.

Star Wars Celebration VI Exclusive - Greedo Character Key

Star Wars Celebration VI is less than a month away! Here is a peak at the ACME Greedo Character Key that will be exclusive to the convention. It is limited to only 500 and a great cartoon depiction of the vile green alien!

SDCC 2012 Pictures

Another incredible, fun-filled, tiring, surprising, action-packed (and many other adjectives) San Diego Comic Con has come and gone. Please enjoy some of my personal favorite pictures...