Thursday, February 11, 2010

Toy News: Living Dead Doll Twisted Love Valentine's Day Sale



Spread the love and save on Mezco's new Twisted Love doll set.


Bring home Rose and Violet and save 20% when you order using coupon code KISS.
Just place your order on 2/12 or 2/13/2010 and type in KISS and Mezco will deduct 20% off the price of the dolls.
Follow this link to order:
http://www.mezcotoyz.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=747

Offer valid while supplies last. No rainchecks or substitutions. Cannot be used retroactively.

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Comic News: ARCHAIA GOING TO THIRD PRINTING OF ‘MOUSE GUARD VOL. 1: FALL 1152’ (Archaia)



RENEWED DEMAND FROM FANS AND RETAILERS IS IN ANTICIPATION OF NEW ‘MOUSE GUARD’ BOOKS ‘LEGENDS OF THE GUARD’ AND ‘VOL. 3: THE BLACK AXE’



As a testament to the continuing strength of the Mouse Guard brand and Archaia Entertainment’s commitment to its creators, the publisher announced today that after selling 80,000 copies of David Petersen’s Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152 hardcover since its original release in 2007, the title is going back to press. Archaia’s third printing of 10,000 copies, which are scheduled to arrive in stores in March, was expected to last over a 12-month period, but a deluge of advanced ordering due to the announcement of more Mouse Guard volumes has prompted the possibility of a fourth printing to commence in the coming months.

“Fall is an amazing story with equally incredible art, especially the tremendous coloring David puts on display on every page,” said PJ Bickett, President of Archaia Entertainment. “So, it is no surprise to me that there continues to be a demand for this book. But it was a shock to see how overwhelming the demand has become since the release of Mouse Guard [Vol. 2]: Winter [1152].”

The reinvigorated popularity of Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152 (full color, 192 pages, 8” x 8” hardcover with dust jacket, $24.95, ISBN 1-932386-57-2), the first volume in the popular all-ages series of books by Petersen, stems from newfound buzz in anticipation of three new projects coming in 2010:

• On Free Comic Book Day on May 1st, Archaia will release the Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock flip book,which will feature a new, original 11-page story by Petersen. The issue will be distributed for free at comic book shops across the country. (Visit http://www.freecomicbookday.com for more information.)

• Also in May, Archaia will launch the Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard anthology. The four-issue limited series revolves around several Mouse Guard members in a tavern, each telling a tall tale. The covers and chapter breaks will be written and drawn by Petersen, while the tall tales will be contributed by some of the most popular creators in comics, including Gene Ha, Guy Davis and Ted Naifeh.

• In September, Archaia rolls out Mouse Guard Vol. 3: The Black Axe, a six-issue limited series. Set in 1115, this prequel will reveal the backstory behind the legendary Black Axe, the most powerful member of the Mouse Guard.

“I’m thrilled that readers are continuing to enjoy my stories,” said Petersen. “Going to multiple printings only means the audience is wider than we thought. Archaia is making sure that as that audience grows,my books are accessible without ever skimping on quality. Readers are passing along copies to friends and family in order to grow the audience, and that makes me grateful. With their help, and the work of librarians and teachers who are using Mouse Guard, I now have a heavy but enjoyable task of giving the audience more of this world. I’m excited to show them ‘what happens next’!”

The new printing of Mouse Guard Vol. 1: Fall 1152 arrives in stores in March and will feature an updated trade dress.

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Comic News: SHADOWHAWK: RESURRECTION May 2010




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Toy News: Funimation Press Release awarding Shocker Toys titles like Dragon Ball Z and more



FUNimation Entertainment today announced the signing of multi-year, national licensing agreements with toy manufacturer Shocker Toys LLP, now a toy licensee for several high-profile action-adventure anime properties including Soul Eater, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Dragon Ball Z and One Piece.


Shocker Toys has the rights to develop, manufacture, market and sell designer figures called “Mallows” based on characters from the four series. Mallows is a new toy line created by Shocker Toys and comprised of 5” marshmallow themed figures. The figures feature up to 10 points of movement and up to 7 interchangeable parts. Mallows are available themed or in blank, black or white, do-it-yourself versions.

Attendees of American International Toy Fair in New York City at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, February 14-17, can see like figures on display at the Shocker Toys booth (#4924) located in the new Action Figure aisle in the lower level of the Javits Center.

The company expects to begin production on the figures this year.

“We look forward to Shocker Toys bringing these series into the homes of fans and collectors in a fun, new way,” said Adam Zehner, Director of Licensing and Acquisitions at FUNimation Entertainment. “We can’t wait to see how our characters will be translated into the unique Mallow style.”

“We are very pleased to be working with Funimation to bring their great titles into a new Funimation series Mallow toy line for their dedicated fans,” said Geoff Beckett, CEO. “Our new Mallow collectibles will have great options for playing, trading or displaying and some new features that your other toys don’t have.”
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Comic News: I Am A Secret Avenger




Don't miss the brand new Secret Avengers #1, from the superstar creative team of Ed Brubaker and Mike Deodato, this May!

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Comic Review: Muppet Show #2 (BOOM! Studios)



Boom! Kids Muppet Show Comic Book #2 will continue to entertain fans of the Muppets, but like the other books, I can't see it doing much to draw in new readers or, unfortunately, really working well for its young target demographic.




Now, this is not to say it's a bad comic; it isn't. Well drawn and wittily scripted by Roger Langridge, it continues to make good use of a variety of classic Muppet characters and sketches. Aside from a mystifying and unfunny coda involving Fozzie (who is otherwise absent) and 'symbol speech' in the text bubbles, the issue moves well and entertains. Fans of Statler and Waldorf will particularly like this issue, as the old boys in the balcony get plenty of time...and we get to see a town that is quite literally full of Statlers and Waldorfs (Waldorves?), as the Muppets take their show on the road.

My favorite sketch from this particular issue is "Pigs in Space." Unfortunately it also illustrates my earlier point about not playing well to the target demographic. Now, the Muppets always appealed to both kids and adults; no doubt the basis of their long lasting appeal is that the humor grows with you. But in this case I can't imagine many kids actually getting the jokes in this sketch, which are aimed decidedly at adults who understand certain genre-specific science fiction tropes. This is not to say the humor isn't appropriate for children, only possibly aimed a little too far over their heads. It's a fine line any Muppet comic or show or movie has to walk, of course, because the Muppets never talk down to the kids, but in this case they probably could've talked at them a little better.

So, ultimately, is Muppet Show Comic Book #2 worthy of a place on your pull list? If you love the Muppets, certainly. If you remember loving the Muppets and would like to get reacquainted, yes. Otherwise, it's probably a pass.

Dan Ford
Staff Reviewer
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Comic Review: 28 Days Later Hardcover (BOOM! Studios)



BOOM! Studios collects its 4-issue miniseries in the 28 Days Later hardcover edition. This story picks up where the film by the same name left off, and bridges the gap between that film and the sequel, 28 Weeks Later. Declan Shalvey draws the action laid down by Michael Alan Nelson’s scripts. Nelson tells a story that fits well between the two films and tells a good zombie story as well.




I picked up this book to review because I’m a fan of the films. They tell a good zombie/infection story that is as smart as it is scary and manage to keep the premise fresh. Nelson does the same thing here. Following Selena, a character from the first film who survived her ordeal at Worsley House, and a band of journalists, the story takes us on a journey back to where it all began. The story is akin to what you might expect from Walking Dead, although not quite as soul-crushing. (If you’ve read Walking Dead, you know what I mean.) The script moves quickly from dialogue to action and back at a frenetic pace, leaving the reader with a cliffhanger at the end that transitions smoothly into the 2nd film.

Declan Shalvey’s art fits very well with the story. His portrayal of the infected was thrilling, especially in one particular scene in a service elevator. You really can imagine how terrified the survivors must be with Shalvey’s bloody panels and action sequences. The hardcover also features a cover gallery with all covers from the single issues. Of note are Tim Bradstreet’s covers, which feature a stylized version of Selena.

If you’re a fan of the films or zombie stories in general, this is a great addition to your collection. It’s a fast read, but one that will stick with you for a while. Just another reason to love BOOM! Studios, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Stacey Rader
Senior Reviewer
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