Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Toy News: Hasbro's IRON MAN 2 Toys Blast into Stores Prior to Launch of Marvel's Latest Highly Anticipated Movie



IRON MAN 2 rockets into theaters this spring after the fan-favorite Super Hero took the world by storm with his big screen debut two years ago. In 2010, Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) recreates the exhilarating action from the most anticipated Super Hero film of the year with its explosive IRON MAN 2 toy line.

At the end of the original IRON MAN movie, TONY STARK reveals that he is IRON MAN. As fans await the premiere of the sequel, they too can take a turn at being like IRON MAN with three new role-play items. The new IRON MAN HELMET includes mission directives from Jarvis and a "slow release" visor that slides into place. Beyond donning the helmet, IRON MAN wannabes can strap on the IRON MAN 2 3-IN-1 REPULSOR, which is outfitted with projectiles, lights and sounds to replicate the Super Hero's battles. To complete the fantasy makeover, kids can also attach the IRON MAN ARC CHEST LIGHT to their shirt.

For the first time ever, fans can control IRON MAN's moves with the new R/C WALKING IRON MAN! The remote control allows boys to send IRON MAN walking forward across the floor and fire projectiles from his hands and shoulder rockets. Pressing his chest arc reactor engages other test modes, sounds, and familiar phrases. Available in the fall, this toy is destined to be high on boys' lists for Santa.

The villain Ivan "WHIPLASH" Vanko joins both the movie series and the IRON MAN line of 3 ¾ inch action figures in 2010. The line also offers plenty of vehicles and playsets that recreate favorite moments from the movie.

Finally, ROCKET BOOST IRON MAN is designed to allow the youngest fans to participate in IRON MAN's adventures. With an appearance that mimics the popular SUPER HERO SQUAD animated series, ROCKET BOOST IRON MAN is in 10.5 inch "chunky-type" figure that is suited to young kids' hands. The toy features lights and sounds, a pop-up rocket pack as well as a flight mode and weapons mode.

A sample of Hasbro's Iron Man 2 products available in 2010

IRON MAN 2 IRON MAN HELMET

(Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Ages 5 & up; Available: Spring 2010)

In 2010, kids can slip on the IRON MAN 2 IRON MAN HELMET to hide their identity from their evil adversaries. The helmet is designed in IRON MAN's signature style and features a variety of electronic lights and sounds, including data correspondence from JARVIS, his trusty computer companion. Fans will especially enjoy the helmet's slow release visor that lends remarkable authenticity to this fun role-play toy.

IRON MAN 2 3-IN-1 REPULSOR GAUNTLET

(Approximate Retail Price: $14.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Spring 2010)

Kids can also recreate the action and excitement of the IRON MAN 2 movie with the IRON MAN 2 3-IN-1 REPULSOR gauntlet! Fans can blast adversaries by firing projectiles from the gauntlet, which features lights and sounds.

IRON MAN 2 ARC CHEST LIGHT

(Approximate Retail Price: $6.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Spring 2010)

As fans know, TONY STARK's armored suit's technology hinges on drawing its power from the one-of-a-kind arc reactor in his chest. Now, all kids can pretend to draw their IRON MAN role-playing energy from the light-up IRON MAN 2 ARC CHEST LIGHT, which features power-up sounds and easily clips onto shirts.

IRON MAN 2 RC WALKING IRON MAN

(Approximate Retail Price: $49.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Fall 2010)

An IRON MAN action figure so technologically advanced that even STARK INDUSTRIES is jealous! The IRON MAN 2 RC WALKING IRON MAN figure is nearly as mobile and action-packed as his on-screen counterpart. Operated with a handheld remote control, this figure easily navigates forward across the floor or tabletop and is loaded with electronic lights, movie sounds, and projectiles that shoot from the figure's arms and shoulder rockets!

IRON MAN 2 ROCKET BOOST IRON MAN

(Approximate Retail Price: $24.99; Ages 3 & up; Available: Spring 2010)

The IRON MAN 2 ROCKET BOOST IRON MAN is one of the largest IRON MAN figures Hasbro has introduced to date. Standing at an impressive 10 ½ inches tall and styled in a cute fashion, this kid-friendly figure is loaded with enough action-packed excitement to entertain a room full of children. With both a flight mode and weapons mode, the figure features a pop-up rocket pack, projectile-firing missiles, light-up eyes, an arc reactor chest light, and a repulsor gauntlet, all of which are sure to please any kid.

IRON MAN 2 3 ¾" MOVIE ACTION FIGURES

(Approximate Retail Price: $7.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Spring 2010)

Recreate the action and excitement of the IRON MAN 2 movie with Hasbro's all-new IRON MAN 2 3 ¾" MOVIE ACTION FIGURES. In 2010, the line will include 17 IRON MAN action figures, as well as five supporting characters and villains. And not only do the figures feature excellent articulation, they also include a display stand and collectible "Armor Cards." Each set of cards displays different parts of an IRON MAN suit - by overlaying the cards on each other, fans can create more than 46 different suits of armor!

IRON MAN 2 ROLLING BATTLE HEADQUARTERS

(Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Fall 2010)

Even IRON MAN must restock supplies and examine reconnaissance data while flying around protecting the Earth, and that is what makes the IRON MAN 2 ROLLING BATTLE HEADQUARTERS such a great addition to the toy line in 2010. The playset clamshells open to reveal a wide array of features, including electronic lights and sounds, a projectile-firing Gatling gun, and a light-up computer monitor where kids can display their collectible "Armor Cards." The vehicle comes with a figure, armor accessories and three "Armor Cards."
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Comic News: IDW and the Library of American Comics Announce L'il Abner



First comprehensive collection of groundbreaking comic series begins in April


IDW Publishing and its imprint, the Library of American Comics, are proud to announce the upcoming series, The Complete L’il Abner, collecting Al Capp’s comedy masterpiece as never before. Volume one of this new collection will feature both daily comics and previously unreprinted full-color Sunday pages from 1934 to 1936.

Debuted on August 13, 1934, L’il Abner became one of the most influential comic strips of all time during its 43-year run. Creator Al Capp developed the hillbilly character of L’il Abner, striking a nerve with Depression-era America through his social commentary, mock dialectics and hapless yet lovable Yokum family.

In The Complete L’il Abner, Volume One, the title character moves to New York to live with his rich aunt and has to dodge kidnappers and socialites, alike. Meanwhile, back home in Dogpatch, Marrying Sam works to get Abner and gorgeous Daisy Mae to the altar, while shiftless Hannibal Hoops schemes to split them apart! Then it’s a classic case of mistaken identity when Abner’s evil twin, the ruthless criminal Gat Garson, comes to town.

The Complete L’il Abner, Volume One is published by IDW under its Eisner award-winning imprint, the Library of American Comics. The Complete L’il Abner series is edited and designed by Dean Mullaney, with a biographical essay by Bruce Canwell, and an introduction by Denis Kitchen. Included in the introduction are the proto-Abner “Big Leviticus” strips that Capp created the year before Abner began when he ghosted Joe Palooka for Ham Fisher.

The Complete L’il Abner Volume One ($49.99; 288 pages; hardcover) will be available in stores in April. Diamond order code JAN10 1030; ISBN 978-1600106118.

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Comic News: BOOM! STUDIOS ANNOUNCES NEW IMPRINT!



BOOM! Studios announces a new imprint today. It's called BOOM! Town — BOOM!’s home for high quality, lit-oriented comix.

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Toy News: February Gentle Giant Solicitations



Gentle Giant has released their solicits for February 2010


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Comic News: The Last Days of American Crime #1 second printing to hit shelves alongside #2



Retailers and fans who missed The Last Days of American Crime #1 the first time around now have a second chance to pick up the newest critically acclaimed title from Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent). Radical Publishing is pleased and proud to announce that the second printing of Remender’s newest sold-out crime masterpiece, featuring series artist Greg Tocchini (Marvel 1602: New World), will be hitting shelves again alongside the highly anticipated second issue.

The Last Days of American Crime takes place in the not-too-distant future, where the U.S. government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts as a final response to terrorism and crime. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards. Graham Bricke, a career criminal never quite able to hit the big score, intends to steal one of the charging stations, skip the country and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life. But the media has leaked news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live... and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the heist of the century into the last crime in American history.

Critics and fans have raved over The Last Days of American Crime #1.
"From cover art to opening pages, Last Days hits readers with an unflinching dose of pulp noir seediness and doesn't let up." – John Geddes, USAToday.com

“…because there are no new stories, writers must perform a magic act in order to make the reader believe he is reading something new. Well, someone get Rick Remender a top hat and a wand because he accomplishes it in the down and dirty Last Days of American Crime. By infusing a classic noir heist with the tension of modern American politics, Remender gives us a great opening to a comic series – perhaps even on the level of Criminal or 100 Bullets.” – Andy Bentley, IGN Comics

“The Last Days of American Crime” #1 is a good first issue that sets up the world and the crime at hand well. If you enjoy “Criminal” and other crimes books, you’ll probably get a kick out of this.” – Chad Nevitt, Comic Book Resources

“Remender paces this first act with just enough information, bravado, and grizzled noir to keep a hungry reader satisfied.” – Noel Bartocci, Broken Frontier

“This is crime fiction at its best. Remender totally immerses you in their world, and it's a hell of a ride.” – Sebastian Piccione, Project Fanboy

Don’t miss your chance to join the heist of the century! Check out The Last Days of American Crime #1 second printing (Diamond Code: DEC098036) alongside The Last Days of American Crime #2 with covers by Alex Maleev (Diamond Code: DEC090978) and Greg Tocchini (Diamond Code: DEC090979).

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