Friday, July 17, 2009

Toy News: New Hot Wheels® Toys & Battle Force 5™ at SDCC



Hot Wheels® Fans!


The team at MattyCollector.com is hard at work getting ready for San Diego Comic-Con, but I wanted to take a break and tell you about the rad rides (and more) our friends at the Hot Wheels® booth will have for you, too…


  • Products available first at SDCC — Batmobile and Bat-Pod vehicles, and the Star Trek™ U.S.S. Enterprise™!
  • Battle Force 5™ series preview and freebie with purchase!
  • The real Bat-Pod from The Dark Knight film!

Want to know more? Just click on over to HotWheelsCollectors.com for the full scoop, including where to find the Hot Wheels® booths!


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Toy News: Kotobukiya offers free Shunya Yamashita poster at San Diego Comic-Con!



Kotobukiya is delighted to announces an original illustration of Marvel comics heroines has been created by master illustrator Shunya Yamashita.


Yamashita-sensei has designed many of the new statues in the Marvel X Bishoujo series, and now has captured Rogue, Black Widow, and Scarlet Witch is a new, more playful light. This image was commissioned specifically for the San Diego Comic-Con, and as a special treat for fans, the image will be featured as a free poster as the centerfold of Kotobukiya’s SDCC catalog!

The future of the Marvel X Bishoujo Statue series will be previewed with sneak peeks at two new character designs. These will be formally announced during the Marvel Presentation at the Kotobukiya booth 1pm on Friday July 24th, co-hosted by Marvel’s Jesse Falcon. All this is in addition to the already announced SDCC Exclusive Yelena Belova Black Widow, and the SDCC Debut sales for Rogue and Natasha Romanoff Black Widow Bishoujo Statues.

Please visit Booth #2601 during Comic-Con July 22~26 at the San Diego Convention Center!


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Toy News: Diamond San Diego Comic Con Panel Update!



Make sure you’re not standing in line, buying exclusives, talking to friends, standing in line, taking pictures of costumed heroes, standing in line or passed out your hotel room during these three DST panels!


Thursday - July 23
11:00-12:00 AFTimes.com Toymaker Q&A— Ever wanted to know why one character was chosen for production over another? Why your favorite character was limited or just what toy companies are thinking? Here’s your chance to ask the manufacturers about their favorite figures and statues. Panelists include David Scroggy (Dark Horse), Chuck Terceira (Diamond Select Toys), Eric “Cornboy” Mayes (4 Horsemen), Kevin Winnick (president of Toy2R USA), Joe Petrollese (Tonner Doll), Clayborne Moore (CS Moore), Corrine Robinson (McFarlane Toys), and Scott Neitlich (Mattel). Room 32AB

Friday - July 24
5:30-6:30 Like WOW! Action Figures Return to the ’80s!— The ’80s are back in a BIG way in the world of toy’s and Action Figures. This year alone has seen the return of Masters of the Universe, Ghostbusters, Marvel’s Secret Wars, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero’s 25th Anniversary, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 25th Anniversary, Transformers, Flash Gordon, and more! What is it about the properties of the ’80s that still draw collectors? Panelists include Scott Neitlich (Mattel), Dave Vonner (Hasbro), Jason Lenzi (BifBangPow!), Chuck Terceira (Diamond Select Toys), and The Four Horsemen (The Four Horsemen Studios). Moderated by Daniel “JuliusMarx” Pickett of ActionFigureInsider.com. Room 30AB

Saturday - July 25
12:00-1:00 Diamond Select: Minimates 2010 — Learn the latest about this popular and highly collectible action figure line direct from the source: Diamond Select Toys! DST’s Chuck Terceira will be on hand to answer your pressing Minimates questions, discuss new Minimate licenses and even debut an all-new Marvel Minimates box set sure to please comic book fans of all ages. Plus, free gifts! Room 2
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Comic Review: Last Resort #1 (IDW Comics) Review by Oliver C.



Last Resort #1 IDW

It’s only the beginning


Zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean long long ago, and later hit the world hard thanks to the film ‘Night of the Living Dead’. Movies, video games, storeys, and comic books have taken the mythical reanimated corpses into their own hands, and have shown the world their way of seeing these monsters. Everybody has a different theory about zombies and how they act, eat, and move, and so on. Last Resort #1 just hints as much as it can at this series being all about zombies.




The book starts off with an infected human in a raft who makes it to the shore. But the shore is the beach....and you can guess what happens from there. And in the other half of the comic it tells the story of a few different people all eventually boarding the same airplane.

This is a well drawn beautiful comic like most, and a lot of people up to proportion as well as great character development. You learn lots about the people described in the comic.

I LOVE zombies just about as much as I love comics, but when he two come together I am just filled with joy. It’s been a while since I’ve read a good zombie comic and this one isn’t all that great either, but it only tells me that the next will be better. I liked the blood and how no one was afraid of adding some swears and nudity to the comic.

I didn’t at all like some of the long speech bubbles in this book, but they have to be read for the reader to fully understand the rest of the comic, right? The comic did move a little slow, but it had to be done, lots was explained.

This comic is rated R. Boobs. Swears. Sex. And more boobs. Of course all the nudity wasn’t very necessary and neither were the swears, but in reality that would have happened. So you can blame ‘em for adding those just to make it a little more believable. Do NOT read this one to your kids.

By looking at he cover of this comic you can pretty tell what it’s about and also the title “Last Resort” helps with that too. The comic moves so with not a lot of excitement but does tell a lot. #1 Issues usually don’t have a lot happening in them, because they have to tell the story and foreshadow. You need to know what you will be expecting in the next issue. The most excitement lies in the cliff-hanger ending, that I was surprised to read.

I recommend this comic to people over the age of 18.

8 Out of 10

Review by: Oliver Copeland
Staff Reviewer
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Comic News: Abrams ComicArts at Comic-Con



Comic-Con is right around the corner—be sure to stop by booth #1216 to see what’s new at Abrams ComicArts! And follow us on Twitter for updates and giveaways @AbramsComicArts.


We’re going to have cool giveaways, raffles, and author signings this year. Here’s a taste of what’s in store:

Sneak preview of Alan Moore’s new book, 25,000 Years of Erotic Freedom. It won’t be available in stores until October, but we’ll be raffling off three copies—one per day, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Steampunk fans unite! We’re raffling off a package of Boilerplate goodies including a handmade robot.

Avatar mania will rule the show! And we’re publishing the tie-in book, The Art of Avatar. I would tell you more here, but I’d have to kill you. Stop by our booth for more information.

Kids, we didn’t forget about you! We’ll have TOON Treasury of Classic Children’s Comics posters complete with brainteasers on the back, galleys for NERDS by Michael Buckley, and Wimpy Kid bookmarks for the kid (or kid-at-heart) in your life.

Plus cool posters for Manga Kamishibai and Graffiti World. And last but not least, our very own ComicArts catalog, designed by Chip Kidd!

Friday
11:00 - 12:00 Denis Kitchen The Art of Harvey Kurtzman

2:00 – 2:30 Brom The Devil’s Rose

3:00 – 4:00 Craig Yoe Secret Identity

Saturday
11:00 – 12:00 Craig Yoe Secret Identity

3:00 – 4:00 Denis Kitchen and James Danky Underground Classics
The Art of Harvey Kurtzman

4:00 – 5:00 Lela Lee Angry Little Girls
Angry Little Girls in Love


Sunday
11:00 – 12:00 Denis Kitchen and James Danky Underground Classics
The Art of Harvey Kurtzman

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Comic News: DARK HORSE COMIC CON 2009 EVENTS



DARK HORSE COMICS (BOOTH #2615)
2009 SIGNING SCHEDULE!


WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 (Preview Night):
Domo raffle! Come to our booth to win one of our San Diego Exclusive Domo Figures!
6:00 – 7:00 Charles Vess: Drawing Down The Moon
7:00 – 8:00 Bryan Talbot: Grandville

THURSDAY, JULY 23:
*11:00 – 12:00 Sergio Aragones: Groo
12:00 - 1:00 Dean Motter: Mister X, Electropolis
1:00 – 2:00 Steven Daily: It Ate Billy On Christmas
1:00 – 2:00 Scott Allie: Solomon Kane, Exurbia
2:00 – 3:00 Eric Powell: The Goon
2:00 - 3:00 Jill Thompson: Beasts of Burden
3:00 – 4:00 The Cleaners: Mark Wheaton & Rahsan Ekedal
3:00 – 4:00 Aliens & Predator: Raymond Swanland, Mark Irwin & Chris Warner
4:00 - 5:00 Gabriel Ba & Fabio Moon: Umbrella Academy, Pixu, MySpace Dark Horse Presents, B.P.R.D.
4:00 – 5:00 Joshua Dysart: B.P.R.D., Conan
5:00 – 6:00 Dave Gibbons: Martha Washington
5:00 – 6:00 Rick Remender: Fear Agent, End League, Gigantic
6:00 – 7:00 David Lloyd: Kickback

FRIDAY, JULY 24:
10:00 - 1:00 Stan Sakai: Usagi Yojimbo
11:00 – 12:00 Applegeeks: Ananth Panagariya & Mohammad F. Haque
11:00 – 12:00 Ricardo Delgado: Age of Reptiles
12:00 - 1:00 Adam Warren: Empowered
1:00 – 2:00 Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Jane Espenson & Georges Jeanty
1:00 – 2:00 Thomas E. Sniegoski: Lobster Johnson – The Satan Factory
2:00 – 3:00 Steve Niles: Criminal Macabre
2:00 – 3:00 Matt Wagner: Grendel
3:00 – 4:00 Yasuhiro Nightow: Trigun (*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)
4:00 – 5:00 Mass Effect: Omar Francia & Mac Walters
5:00 – 6:00 Creepy: Mike Woods, Joe Harris, Neil Kleid, Jason Shawn Alexander,
Eric Powell, Dan Braun & Hilary Barta
5:00 – 6:00 Unbound Saga: Joe Linsner, Lienil Yu & Mike Kennedy
6:00 – 7:00 Umbrella Academy: Gerard Way & Gabriel Ba
(*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)
ALSO, FRIDAY, JULY 24TH IS STAR WARS DAY! STAR WARS CREATOR SIGNINGS ALL DAY:
11:00 – 12:00 Jeremy Barlow, Rick Lacy & Michael Atiyeh: Star Wars Adventures
12:00 - 1:00 Rob Chestney & Alex Sanchez: Star Wars – Old Republic
3:00 - 4:00 Colin Wilson & Tom Taylor: Star Wars - Invasion
4:00 – 5:00 Matt & Shawn Fillbach: Star Wars – Clone Wars Adventures

SATURDAY, JULY 25:
10:00 – 11:00 John Landis: Ground breaking filmmaker
11:00 – 12:00 Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Jane Espenson & Georges Jeanty
11:00 - 12:00 Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Dave Filoni, Henry Gilroy & Steven Melching
12:00 – 1:00 Bryan Talbot: Grandville
12:00 – 1:00 Star Wars: Old Republic – Rob Chestney & Alex Sanchez
1:00 – 2:00 Ricardo Delgado: Age of Reptiles
2:00 – 3:00 Dethklok Vs. The Goon: Eric Powell & Metalocaplypse Director
Jon Schnepp
Saturday afternoon celebrates Dark Horse Originals!
2:00 – 3:00 Citzen Rex: Mario & Gilbert Hernandez
3:00 Р4:00 Insomnia Caf̩: M.K. Perker
3:00 – 4:00 3 Story: Matt Kindt
3:00 – 4:00 Rick Geary: The Adventures of Blanche

3:00 – 4:00 Mike Mignola: Hellboy
(*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)
4:00 - 5:00 SUPER SECRET ANNOUNCEMENT PANEL (see Dark Horse Panel for details!) Gerard Way, Shaun Simon & Becky Cloonan
(*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)
4:00 - 5:00 Larry Marder: Beanworld
5:00 – 6:00 365 Samurai: J.P. Kalonji
5:30 – 7:00 Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog: Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, Joelle Jones
(*ticketed event: See Dark Horse employee for details)
6:00 – 7:00 Matt & Shawn Fillbach: Werewolves on the Moon: Versus Vampires

SUNDAY, JULY 26:
11:00 – 12:00 Bryan Talbot: Grandville
11:00 – 12:00 Star Wars: Invasion: Colin Wilson & Tom Taylor
12:00 – 1:00 Pixu: Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon, Becky Cloonan & Vasilis Lolos
12:00 – 1:00 Furry Water: Rafael Grampa & Daniel Pellizzari
1:00 – 2:00 Emily the Strange: Creator Rob Reger and Jessica Gruner
1:00 – 2:00 David Lloyd: Kickback
2:00 – 3:00 Tara McPherson: Lost Constellations
2:00 – 3:00 Nathan Fox: Pigeons From Hell
3:00 – 4:00 Dean Motter: Mister X, Electropolis
3:00 – 4:00 Unbound Saga: Joe Linsner, Lienil Yu, Mike Kennedy

And Check out these Dark Horse Related Panels and Events!

THURSDAY JULY 23

Action Figure Times present the Toy Maker Q&A
(featuring Dark Horse’s David Scroggy)
11:00 – 12:00 Room 32B

Free Screening: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog with Musical Commentary!
8:00pm – 10:00pm Room 6A

FRIDAY JULY 24

Comic-Con in the 80’s (featuring Dark Horse’s David Scroggy)
12:00 – 1:00 Room 2

Creepy Panel
3:30 – 4:30 Room 3

Joss Whedon Panel
4:00 – 6:00 Ballroom 20

Eric Powell’s Goon Panel
6:00 – 7:00 Room 8

SATURDAY JULY 25

Dark Horse Panel!
Dark Horse: We Love Comics, Too! Join Publisher Mike Richardson, Director of Public Relations Jeremy Atkins and Senior Managing Editor Scott Allie, along with a cast of top creators, for an exclusive preview of all that Dark Horse has to offer in the coming year. THIS IS THE BIG ONE. Dark Horse breaks the mold with a format you've never seen. Make sure you're able to say you were there when a new era in panels was ushered in. With breaking news on all of your favorite Dark Horse titles, major announcements and surprise guests, be the first to know about heroes, horror and more!
11:00 – 12:00 Room 2

Gerard Way Panel
2:15 – 3:15 Room 6DE

Hellboy Panel
4:30 – 5:30 Room 4

El Cortez Memories (Featuring Moderator David Scroggy, of Dark Horse)
5:00 – 6:00 Room 2

SUNDAY JULY 26

Emily the Strange Panel
11:00 – 12:00 Room 2

Usagi Yojimbo 25th Anniversary Panel
1:30 – 2:30 Room 8

“Grandville and the Art of Anthropomorphic Comic Tradition”
A presentation by Bryan Talbot
3:30 – 4:30 Room 3
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Comic News: Join In The Marvel Costume Contest At Comic-Con International



Are you going to Comic-Con International in San Diego? Will you be dressed as your favorite Marvel character?


Then get your friendly neighborhood, star-spangled, best-at-what-you-do self down to the Marvel Booth at Comic-Con for The Marvel Costume Contest taking place on Friday, July 24th at 4:00 PM!

If you have the heroic (or villainous) qualities to participate in this exciting contest, make sure to be at the Marvel Booth (#2429) by 3:30 PM to register! All you need to do is wear a costume of your favorite Marvel character (but keep it family friendly!) and you could win the Grand Prize of a Marvel Omnibus signed by Stan Lee! All entrants may also be featured in a gallery on Marvel.Com! The winner will be determined by you, the fans, as you vote on who you want to be crowned this year’s winner!

So, True Believer, if you’re at Comic-Con International in San Diego, don’t miss the Marvel Costume Contest!


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Toy News: Hasbro Showcases Top Entertainment Properties at San Diego Comic-Con



Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) returns to San Diego Comic-Con in 2009 with its iconic properties that have entertained fans of all ages for decades. Hasbro’s expansive portfolio of brands that have become part of the global pop-culture such as G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, and its licensed toy lines based on characters from the MARVEL and STAR WARS universes, will be on display in the Hasbro booth (#3213).


Following are the highlights of Hasbro’s Comic-Con showcase:

G.I. JOE

In 1964, the introduction of Hasbro’s G.I. JOE line created the “action figure” category. Since then, the G.I. JOE property has evolved, delivering a unique brand of action for each new generation. This summer, fans of all ages will see the G.I. JOE franchise taken to the next level with the major motion picture release of G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA, on August 7, from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro. The film focuses on an elite G.I. JOE team that uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer DESTRO and growing threat of the mysterious COBRA organization. Hasbro’s 2009 product line allows fans of all ages to capture the excitement of the movie and recreate it in their own homes. The line features dozens of action figures, vehicles and playsets that long time G.I. JOE fans and a new generation of kids will want to add to their collection. In addition to the exciting and expansive new toy line, Hasbro will have several props from G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA on display in its booth including the SNAKE EYES and STORM SHADOW movie costumes.

MARVEL

It’s been an exciting year in the Marvel Universe with Marvel and Fox’s blockbuster movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine as well as two new animated television series on Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons network – Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored Adventures. As the master toy licensee for Marvel’s incredible library of Super Hero properties, Hasbro is thrilled to display its highly anticipated toys and action figures for 2009 from its SPIDER-MAN, IRON MAN, WOLVERINE, MARVEL UNIVERSE and SUPER HERO SQUAD toy lines.

MY LITTLE PONY

Hasbro’s MY LITTLE PONY brand once again returns to Comic-Con. In 2009, the MY LITTLE PONY brand is bringing a whole new look to its core cast, and fans everywhere will be able to enjoy them through a variety of games, publishing and entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, look for the new MY LITTLE PONY DVD, Twinkle Wish Adventure, scheduled for release October 13, 2009. Collector fans will not be disappointed this year and should stop by the booth to check out a display of 18” Comic-Con and Junko Mizuno ponies. A 4.5" edition of the Comic-Con pony will be available for sale beginning at Comic-Con and later for sale at HasbroToyShop.com. And, later this year, look for a 4.5" version of the Junko Mizuno pony available for sale at HasbroToyShop.com and at specialty retailers. Bonnie Zacherle, one of the original designers of the MY LITTLE PONY brand, will be at the Hasbro booth on Saturday, July 25 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for an autograph and sketching session.

STAR WARS

The STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS™ television series continues to delight fans everywhere, and with Hasbro’s STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS toy line, those same fans can enjoy recreating their favorite scenes from the series’ many episodes. While recreating your favorite STAR WARS scenes with Hasbro action figures and vehicles is always fun, this year it will be even more exciting, because Hasbro is hosting a special STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Diorama Contest! Details will be announced at this year’s Comic-Con as well as at www.hasbro.com/starwars beginning on July 23rd.

TRANSFORMERS

This summer, the colossal battle between the AUTOBOTS and the DECEPTICONS continued when “ROBOTS IN DISGUISE” once again invaded movie theaters around the world. TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures, in association with Hasbro, continues the story from the 2007 worldwide blockbuster film that finds two warring factions of robots colliding in a major battle on planet Earth. In 2009, Hasbro continues the legacy with its new line of movie-based TRANSFORMERS toys that capture the action and excitement of the new film. An extensive showing of the new line of action figures, vehicles and roleplay items will be on display in the Hasbro booth.

Of course, what would San Diego Comic-Con be without several Hasbro exclusives? Available at the HasbroToyShop booth (#3329) will be the following:

G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA 12” BARONESS Special Edition Figure

(Adult Collectible; Approximate Retail Price: $29.99)

Just in time for the release of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, due out on August 7th from Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment, in association with Hasbro, Hasbro introduces the first and only 12” BARONESS figure. The figure, in the likeness of BARONESS actress Sienna Miller as seen in the upcoming movie, features a soft goods trench coat and body suit as well as multiple signature weapons. The figure comes with an R. Black designed “COBRA recruiting poster” featuring BARONESS and features the “COBRA Office of Propaganda” seal of approval. The figure and poster come packaged together in a premium faux-leather box with embossed foil.


G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA 3 ¾” DESTRO 2-Pack Special Edition Figures

(Ages 4 and Up; Approximate Retail Price: $24.99)

Covertly retrieved from a G.I. JOE evidence storage facility and released by the “COBRA Office of Propaganda,” this special edition 3 ¾” DESTRO 2-Pack represents James “Destro” McCullen’s personal bound tome containing the history of the Clan McCullen. Opens to reveal two fully articulated 3 ¾” carded McCullen figures with masks and accessories as seen in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, as well as a timeline highlighting the weapons supplying escapades of each McCullen generation throughout history.


INSIGHT:

(Special Edition Book; Approximate Retail Price: $29.95)

Hasbro and friends of Gianni Lopergolo, a Hasbro employee living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, are introducing Insight:, a book of Mr. Lopergolo’s stunning and unique photography of Hasbro’s G.I. JOE, MARVEL and STAR WARS action figures. Spanning Mr. Lopergolo’s eight year career at Hasbro, the book features over 90 images of action figures posed and photographed at Hasbro’s internal creative studios. Using simple props and a creative use of lighting and imagination, Mr. Lopergolo revolutionized how the toy maker photographs its beloved action figures. The high quality book features over 120 pages of images, some previously unreleased, for readers to explore and appreciate and will be available for immediate purchase at the HasbroToyShop booth at San Diego Comic-Con July 23-26 as well as online at www.HasbroToyShop.com. Sales of the book will benefit ALS Foundations and the family of the innovative artist. To learn more about Insight: visit www.hasbro.com/giannisbook.

LITTLEST PET SHOP COLLECTORS EXCLUSIVE

(Ages 4 and up; Approximate Retail Price $7.99)

This little kitty pet is showing her super hero side! Featuring comics-themed graphics plus painted-on shiny boots and a mask, this adorable friend is perfect for adding a little extra “pow!” to your LITTLEST PET SHOP pets collection. This HasbroToyShop Exclusive launches at San Diego Comic-Con 2009 and is also available at HasbroToyShop.com. Get this exclusive figure while supplies last.

MARVEL Wolverine MIGHTY MUGG

(Ages 6 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $14.99)

This Righteous Rebel with claws coming to you in exclusive foil packaging for Comic-Con. “Made from 100% Recycled AWESOME™!”, this X-Man sports a lovable sneer and retractable claws on both hands.


MARVEL Universe – 3 ¾ 70th Anniversary Box Set

(Ages 4 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $39.99)

The Invaders are here! Celebrating 70 years of rich comic history, this exclusive box set pays tribute to a classic super team and four timeless Marvel characters. Featuring all original artwork by none other than Joe Quesada, each set includes four separate single carded figures: Captain America, the Original Human Torch, Prince Namor and the Red Skull. Sealed with a commemorative 70th anniversary magnet and stuffed with 4 “top secret” War Dept. files, you won’t want to miss this one!


MY LITTLE PONY 2009 COLLECTORS EXCLUSIVE PONY

(Ages 3 and up; Approximate Retail Price: $14.99)

The popular special edition MY LITTLE PONY figure available at San Diego Comic-Con will have fans “split” in 2009. One side of the iconic MY LITTLE PONY figure features a super hero ready to “save the day” while her other half features a super villain alter ego ready to “rule the world.” This comic book inspired design comes in a very unique package intended to let both sides of this pony’s personality shine through two clear “peek-a-boo” MY LITTLE PONY silhouettes on either side of the colorful box. This HasbroToyShop Exclusive launches at San Diego Comic-Con 2009 and is also available at HasbroToyShop.com! Get this exclusive figure while supplies last.


STAR WARS LUKE SKYWALKER ACTION FIGURE

(Ages 4 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $9.99)

It was LUKE SKYWALKER’S boyhood dream to one day pilot an X-WING STARFIGHTER for the REBEL ALLIANCE – and when that day came, he was all smiles. Hasbro is offering a 3-3/4-inch “SMILING LUKE” action figure exclusively at Comic-Con 2009! Includes ladder and pilot helmet.


STAR WARS THE FORCE UNLEASHED STORMTROOPER COMMANDER ACTION FIGURE

(Ages 4 & up; Approximate Retail Price: $12.99)

Recruited from the intergalactic battle action of “The Force Unleashed” video game to the frontlines of Hasbro’s Comic-Con 2009 exclusives lineup, THE FORCE UNLEASHED STORMTROOPER COMMANDER action figure features highly detailed armor in the classic 3-3/4-inch scale.


TRANSFORMERS 25th ANNIVERSARY SOUNDWAVE Special Edition

(Ages 5 and Up; Approximate Retail Price: $49.99)

One of the most recognizable characters from the TRANSFORMERS brand lore, SOUNDWAVE is making a retro-comeback for San Diego Comic-Con in honor of the brand’s 25th Anniversary. Hasbro is re-releasing the original 1984 edition of the figure that will include four of the SOUNDWAVE character’s cassettes, two of which have not been released since the 80’s. The cassette characters include BUZZSAW, LASERBEAK, RATBAT and RAVAGE. The four figures fully convert between robot and cassette mode and fit into SOUNDWAVE when in cassette mode.



TRANSFORMERS OPTIMUS PRIME MIGHTY MUGG Special Edition

(Ages 6 and Up; Approximate Retail Price: $14.99)

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the TRANSFORMERS brand, OPTIMUS PRIME, leader of the AUTOBOTS and one of the most well known characters from the TRANSFORMERS brand lore, is getting the popular MIGHTY MUGGS line treatment for San Diego Comic-Con. This special edition OPTIMUS PRIME MIGHTY MUGG figure, which comes with a detachable cannon, shines with a metallic finish and comes in commemorative foil packaging.

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Toy News: Mattycollector.com: More details for SDCC



We answered a lot of questions about SDCC in the note thread from yesterday, but to repeat some of the information here:


PRICES AND LIMITS:

MOTUC He-R0 = $20.00 (version with SDCC stamp available only at the show)
DCUC Wonder Twins = 40.00 (Gleek is only available at the show)
TS Buzz Lightyear = $15.00 (chase version with "ANDY" on foot only available at the show)
CARS Firefighter Mater = $30.00
GB Egon with Slimer = $20.00
DCU IH 3 3/4" Anmti Monitor = $10.00 or Free at the Marketing booth with 50 points
JLU Green Lantern 3 pack = $20.00

All of these items are 6 per person per line wait. If you wait in line a second time you can get another 6 of each.

All of the items above (except the SDCC versions, such as Gleek, He-Ro with SDCC stamp and chase Buzz with "ANDY on foot) will be on MattyCollector.com on Aug 3 at 12:00 noon eastern time.

SALES

We will have a seperate booth for sales this year with 8 registers and a full staff. We will except Cash, Visa and Mastercard.

We will bring in seperate shipments each day, so if we sell out on Wed or Thursday, we will have more on Friday. We can not guarantee any of the items as we do intend to sell out of all items by Sunday. Any remaining items left from the show will be sold on Mattycollector.com. We will not be selling to any third parties or dealers.

We will have 500 copies of the MOTU Art book on Wed and 500 on Thursday. We can not guarantee we will have these books past Thursday.

Traditionally we have had plenty of every item by Friday and Saturday and the lines are MUCH shorter. While we can not guarantee we will have all items on Friday and Saturday, we can promise lines will be shorter.

If the lines get longer than the roped off area we will pass out "FAST PASS" tickets which will let you come back into line a few hours later. It will not get you to the front, but it will let you go right into line infront of anyone waiting in the wings or hallway. Honestly, we are not 100% sure how this will work as we will be working with SDCC security throughout the show and will be using the FAST PASS tickets to help managage any long lines. More information will be available at the show.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ITEMS

We will not have WWE items at this show. WWE will be revealed in the fall.

We will have a non slimed Egon figure down the road with a PKE meter, but not anytime soon. Egon is slimed in this version since he comes with Slimer and is the first figure available in the line. (Egon was chosen as the first figure simply because he was the first sculpt approved).

We will have additional items for sale such as DC Barbies, Simpsons Scene it, and some other MOTUC figures; He-Man, Beastman and Skeletor. Because we have very limited supply of MOTUC figures, they will be limited to 1 per person per liune wait. (except He-Ro, he is 6 per person).

We will also have a few DCU items from different brands (we will not have items that are not at retail yet) and we will have all the figure stands for sale.

ANTIMONITOR POINTS:

The AntiMonitor points can only be redeemed at the marketing booth, not the retail booth, at the center kiosk. You must bring ORIGINAL points, no photocopies will be accepted.

Each guest can get up to 1 free 3 3/4" figure per show. your badge will be stamped. For each additional 25 points (as well as for the first 50 points) you will get 1 raffle ticket. So 100 points gets 1 free figure and 4 tickets. Raffles will be held every day at 3:30 for the 30 inch antiMonitor. You do not need to be present to win, but you must claim your prize by the following day's raffle or it will be re-raffled off. If you want to buy additional AntiMonitors (3 3/4" scale) you may do so at the retail booth. But the point exchange for tickets and free figure is only at the marketing booth. Do not bring your Points to the retail booth as they will not be able to redeem them.

PANLES:

We will have two panels on Friday. At 11:00 is DC and Mattel, at 1:00 is Mattypalooza featuring Ghostbusters and MOTUC. New figures and lines revealed at the show will be in the booth shortly after the panels on display. But we will have some info and images at the panels only shown there. So it is well worth your time. (especially for the Q & A!)

SIGNINGS:

We will have signings from the Four Horsemen and Mattel design each day. Times will be posted each day at the booth.

FACEBOOK UPDATES

We will updates Facebook each night with the latest news and pics from the show for those fans not in attendance.

Okay! I think that covers all the major stuff. If anyone has further questions just post a comment to this note and I'll do my best to get back to everyone ASAP. Oh, and we will not be announcing any information about "how many new toys will be revealed" for any one line. You'll just have to come to the show to find out!

Matty
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Comic Review: DC Super Friends #17 (DC Comics) by Adam P.



The Super Friends Ensure Obama Isn't Wiped From Our Timeline

Bottom line on top: any young child with any interest in super heroes whatsoever should come into contact with an issue of DC Super Friends. It is made with them in mind and judging by the letters column in this issue, it is making quite an impact on their young imaginations! The DC Super Friends is based on the toy line and features Superman, Batman (Bruce Wayne), Wonder Woman, Flash (Wally West), Green Lantern (John Stewart) and Aquaman. Issues have several well-defined chapters as the mighty six heroes square off against a villain or group of baddies. DC Super Friends issues also feature word puzzles and cut outs.




DC Super Friends #17 has the team meeting a nameless President Obama in a very tasteful appearance whose impact is felt later in the issue. Upon leaving the White House, the Super Friends notice that reality has changed around them and that the villain Chronos is now king of America. After investigation they further realize that America”s entire history has been modified and set off backwards into time to right the wrongs done to their beloved land.

The tale sees the group split up to ensure that the Declaration of Independence is signed and that George Washington escapes British troops landing near New York City. Writer Sholly Fisch weaves a tale combining history and time travel that's neither too didactic nor too complex for younger readers. Although a dialogue balloon intended for Flash is mistakenly assigned to Chronos at the end of a tank sequence, the story mainly goes off without a hitch and is another classic chapter to the growing Super Friends saga.

DC Super Friends actually bears the “Approved by the Comics Code Authority” on the cover, and for good reason. Regular series are getting more violent and graphic all the time (Blackest Night, anyone?) which makes a series such as this all the more important to younger readers and their parents. There is no better way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of the DCU or enjoy some good clean superhero fun yourself, and this title simply delivers month after month.

8.5/10
Adam P.
Review Co-Editor
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Comic Review: Franklin Richards: School's Out! One-Shot (Marvel Comics) by Adam P.



Wait for the Digest...

For the last few years, Marvel has been releasing Franklin Richards one-shots about once a quarter and then collecting four issues into digest format once a year. The issues often have a seasonal theme to them, and this time, Franklin is enjoying the start of his summer vacation. For the uninitiated, Franklin is the son of Reed and Sue Richards, a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. He's been a mainstay of the Fantastic Four since his introduction in 1968. Once considered the most powerful mutant in the Marvel Universe, Franklin is bereft of any super-powers in current continuity, and this is the version we find here.




Chris Eliopoulos (Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers) has been involved in the Franklin Richards series from the get-go and currently writes and draws them. The comic is meant for young children (and the young at heart) and closely resembles the look at feel of the great Calvin & Hobbes newspaper strip, all the way down to the character design. Virtually every story focuses on Franklin attempting to use his father's inventions and his robot babysitter H.E.R.B.I.E. doing damage control.

Though this might sound like a one-trick pony, Eliopolous does a great job of keeping the stories fresh and creative and nails Franklin as a young ne'er-do-well with a twinkle in his eye and a knack for having things go terribly awry. The comedic style might not appeal to all, since the panels are large, the art is cartoonish and the dialogue is to the point. However, anyone who's been a fan of Calvin & Hobbes, the Fantastic Four, or both, should give the series a shot to see if it's up their alley. It's a whimsical look into the world of superheroes from a kid's-eye-view.

There are five “stories” in Franklin Richards: School's Out! although two of them are one-pagers and the other two don't have much of a punchline to them. Eliopoulos only brings his A-game to “Picnic Panic” where Franklin is joined by Katie Power (of Power Pack), a Lockjaw-type puppy, a humanoid squid and a classmate who is the heir apparent to the Latverian throne of Doctor Doom. The story is hilarious and entertaining.

However, a suggestion to Chris: why not introduce Franklin's younger sister Valeria into the series?

The problem with the book is the format. The art is simple enough to translate perfectly into the smaller digest format. The stories are so basic that they're over far too quickly, which again leads to an advantage in the digest format where there is more bang for the buck. Marvel prices the issue at $3.99 but the digests contain four issues for $9.99, so it makes far more sense to be a little patient. For this reason, I have to give the issue a 7.0 even though the eventual digest will probably rate an 8.5 or a 9.0.

7/10
Adam P.
Review Co-Editor
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Comic News: BOOM! STUDIOS@COMIC-CON '09 ROUND UP -- BOOTH #2543




YOU FIRST SAW THAT MARK WAID IS EVIL

YOU THEN DISCOVERED THAT MARK WAID IS IRREDEEMABLE

NOW AT THE BOOM! STUDIOS PANEL YOU WILL LEARN WHAT IS NEXT FROM MARK WAID AND BOOM!


COHEED & CAMBRIA'S CLAUDIO SANCHEZ
FARSCAPE' S ROCKNE S. O'BANNON & KEITH R.A. DECANDIDO
MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK'S ROGER LANGRIDGE
CARS: THE ROOKIE’S ALAN PORTER
EUREKA'S ANDREW COSBY & ED QUINN
FALL OF CTHULHU'S MICHAEL ALAN NELSON
WILL ALL BE SIGNING AT THE BOOM BOOTH!

COMIC-CON '09 BOOM! STUDIOS EXCLUSIVES:


KILL AUDIO PREVIEW BOOK - $5


KILL AUDIO VINYL TOY "Monotone Variant" $40


FARSCAPE Vol. 1 Limited Edition HC "Scorpius Edition" - $50


THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK HC, Limited to 250 - $50


THE INCREDIBLES: FAMILY MATTERS HC, Limited to 250 - $50


CARS: THE ROOKIE HC, Limited to 250 - $50


THE INCREDIBLES: FAMILY MATTERS #1 C,D Holofoils - $20


IRREDEEMABLE #4 Cassaday Sketch Variant - $10

COMIC-CON '09 BOOM! STUDIOS EXCLUSIVES:
• KILL AUDIO PREVIEW BOOK - $5
• KILL AUDIO VINYL TOY "Monotone Variant" $40
• FARSCAPE Vol. 1 Limited Edition HC "Scorpius Edition" - $50
• THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK HC, Limited to 250 - $50
• THE INCREDIBLES: FAMILY MATTERS HC, Limited to 250 - $50
• CARS: THE ROOKIE HC, Limited to 250 - $50
• THE INCREDIBLES: FAMILY MATTERS #1 C,D Holofoils - $20
• IRREDEEMABLE #4 Cassaday Sketch Variant - $10

SCHEDULED SIGNINGS AND PANELS:

Wednesday, July 22 - Preview Night
6:00 - 9:00 - Roger Langridge, Keith R.A. DeCandido and Michael Alan Nelson signing all day
6:00 - 7:00 - Exclusive Disney Pixar Hardcover signing w/ Langridge, Waid, Porter
7:00 - 8:00 - Mark Waid Signing

Thursday, July 23
9:30 - 7:00 - Roger Langridge, Keith R.A. DeCandido and Michael Alan Nelson signing all day
11:00 - 12:00 - Exclusive Disney Pixar Hardcover signing w/ Langridge, Waid, Porter
12:00 - 1:00 - Mark Waid Signing
12:30 - 1:30 - Indie Comics Marketing 101 Panel with Chip Mosher ROOM 4
1:30 - 2:30 - Spotlight on Jerry Robinson Moderated by Waid ROOM 4
3:30 - 4:30 - Digital Comics Now! Panel with Chip Mosher ROOM 4
4:00-5:00 - Spotlight on Gail Simone Moderated by Waid ROOM 5B
6:00 - 7:00 - Mark Waid Signing
9:00 - ?:?? - BOOM! Drink Up hosted by Mark Waid at the Manchester Hyatt Grand Lobby Bar

Friday, July 24
9:30 - 7:00 – Roger Langridge, Keith R.A. DeCandido and Michael Alan Nelson signing all day
10:15 - 11:15 - Farscape 10th Anniversary Panel ROOM 6BCF
11:00 - 12:00 - Exclusive Disney Pixar Hardcover signing w/ Langridge, Waid, Porter
1:00 - 2:00 - BOOM! Studios Panel ROOM 32AB
2:00 - 3:00 - Mark Waid Signing
2:00 - 3:00 - Farscape’s Rockne S. O’Bannon Signing
3:00 - 4:00 - Eureka’s Andrew Cosby and Ed Quinn Signing
4:00 - 5:00 - Claudio Sanchez Signing
5:00 - 6:00 - Mark Waid Signing

Saturday, July 25
9:30 - 7:00 - Roger Langridge, Keith R.A. DeCandido and Michael Alan Nelson signing all day
10:00 - 11:00 - Exclusive Disney Pixar Hardcover signing w/ Langridge, Waid, Porter
11:30 - 12:30 - Spotlight on Sheldon Moldoff Moderated by Waid ROOM 10
1:00 - 2:00 - Mark Waid Signing
2:30 - 3:30 - BOOM! Farscape Comics Panel ROOM 10
3:45 - 4:45 - Farscape’s Rockne S. O’Bannon Signing
4:00 - 5:00 - Claudio Sanchez Signing
5:00 - 6:00 - Mark Waid Signing

Sunday, July 26
9:30 - 5:00 - Roger Langridge, Keith R.A. DeCandido and Michael Alan Nelson signing all day
10:00-11:00 - BOOM! The Muppet Show Panel w/ Roger Langridge ROOM 32AB
11:30 - 12:30 - Exclusive Disney Pixar Hardcover signing w/ Langridge, Waid, Porter
2:00 - 3:00 - Mark Waid Signing
2:00 - 3:00 - Art of Pixar's Cars w/ Alan Porter ROOM 5AB
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Toy News: Like Statues? It's Bat-Manga!



After a successful suite of DC manga-themed girl statues, DC Direct brings to you an actual male character with the Batman Ame Comi Statue! While he retains the typical yellow belt and black cowl, this nifty statue also incorporates gnarly claws, a freakish pair of spines coming out of his shoulders, and some genuinely funky boots. If you're looking for a Batman like no other, the Batman Ame Comi Statue is it!

Batman Ame Comi Statue
Description:

* Batman with a little Japanese flavor!
* A dfferent interpretation of the Caped Cursader!
* You've never seen the Dark Knight like this before!

Batman gets the Ame Comi treatment! With the popularity of the Ame-Comi Heroine Series, the line extends to the Ame-Comi Hero Series to include the men of the DC Universe! Looking more menacing than ever before, Batman is the underworld's worst nightmare and Gotham City citizens' darkest savior. Packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook, this limited-edition, non-articulated PVC statue measures approximately 8 3/4-inches tall.

Like Statues? It's Bat-Manga!


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Toy News: HOT TOYS - Michael Jackson collectible figure (Thriller version)



Michael Jackson’s performance in the Thriller music video will never be forgotten in our heart. Tribute to the world’s greatest entertainer of all time, Hot Toys is proud to present - Michael Jackson -in this 1/6th scale collectible figure. This real-like collectible figure depicts the King of Pop as he appears in his Thriller music video in 1983.


This Michael Jackson - Thriller collectible features:

  • Hot Toys’ slim version TrueType body, over 32 points of articulation, stands approximately 30 cm high
  • 2 interchangeable heads – MJ head and Zombie head
  • 2 sets of costumes ( original red jacket and pants & the zombie suit)
  • 2 sets of white socks with black shoes
  • Five (5) sets of interchangeable hands and one (1) additional posing right hand
  • 12 inches figure stand with the classic Thriller title and Michael Jackson nameplate

Release date: Q3, 2009

Artist info:
- Head Sculpt by Kang In Ae
- Head Art Directed by Yulli
- Head Paint by JC. Hong








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