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Wed 16 Jan 2008 |
In our last update on the production progress of the Ramathorr (and all of the exclusive variants) action figure, we mentioned that we were going the have our steel molds shipped to a new factory to begin production anew.
The new factory was finally able to take possession of the molds recently and inspect them in preparation for production. During their inspection they’ve noticed that some of the molds have a small amount of surface rust (pictured in the “Ramathorr Molds 1” image below) because the previous factory had left them sitting, un-oiled and uncovered for an extended period of time.
This surface rust is not enough that it will weaken the quality of the detail in the figures, but it is enough that all of the molds will need to be thoroughly cleaned and greased before they can begin running the new batch of figures.
This means that workers will need to attend to the molds with mild solvents, bead blasters, steel wool, and a little elbow grease to get the molds cleaned up enough to be usable.
This also means another unexpected a delay in production. Not much of a delay – probably only about a week or so more, but enough that we’re not going to be able to get our product shipped out to us before the factory takes its’ annual Chinese New Year break (which – if we’re not mistaken – is the first two weeks in February), as we’d originally hoped.
It now looks as if we may be able to have the product in our warehouse and be able to begin shipping everything out in mid to late March. That is if nothing else rears its’ ugly head. Please keep your fingers crossed, bear with us, and we’ll update you as often as possible with any further developments.
Now for some good news, we know for sure now that the previous factory made the necessary adjustments to the figural articulation in order to add overall stability to the figures.
If you look closely at the second mold image(“Ramathorr Mold 2”) you’ll notice that they’ve welded small detents in all of the leg joints in order to give the figures a sturdy, clicking movement. These detents have also been added to joints in the arms.
We received samples of these joints a few months ago from the original factory, but at the time we weren’t sure if it was only done in the samples we received for our approvals, or if they had actually added these to the steel molds themselves. Since we now know they’ve been added to the steel molds, production of the new, sturdier figures should go smoothly once the new production starts.
For any further updates, please check back here periodically, and keep watching the FANtastic Forums message boards at http://www.FANtasticExclusive.com
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Wed 16 Jan 2008 |
FOX, 20Q.net and Radica Team Up For A Special20Q™ The Simpsons Edition Game
BEVERLY HILLS,Calif., January 10, 2008 – “Don’t have a cow, man,” just answer the questions! Test your SIMPSONS I.Q.when you play the new 20Q™ THE SIMPSONS EDITION, challenging your knowledge of the people, places and things from the world of THE SIMPSONS historic,multi-award-winning TV series and the worldwide box office hit, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE.
Fox Licensing & Merchandising, 20Q.net Inc. and Radica USA Ltd., a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., are encouraging fans to visit http://20Q.net/simpsons to help train the new 20Q™ THE SIMPSONS EDITION.20Q™ is an artificial intelligence engine, website, company and phenomenon.Originally available only online, the artificial intelligence, based on the classic Twenty Questions word game, had players think of any object and 20Q™guessed what they were thinking in twenty questions or less. Each time an online game is played, 20Q™ “learns.”
20Q THE SIMPSONS EDITION challenges fans to stump 20Q™ by thinking of any person,place or thing, and in twenty questions or less, 20Q™ will guess what theplayer is thinking. With each game played, the A.I. “learns” a little bit more. Not even the likes of Troy McClure, Shelbyville, or the All-Syrup Squishee are safe from 20Q’sall-powerful neural-net.
This partnership of witty technology and absurd comedy, combined with the content from a pop culture phenomenon, makes for the perfect handheld game. 20Q™ dares players to stump the A.I., who has become an expert in just about everything. Visit http://20Q.net/simpsons and try to stump the newest version of 20Q™.
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Wed 16 Jan 2008 |
 Big news over at the Mego Museum!
When Mego Collector Bruce Zalkin was contacted by a former Mego employee interested in selling a collection gathered during their days at Mego it was the FIND of a lifetime. The find contained product samples from Mego’s1974 Toy Fair exhibit including original package mock-ups,factory production samples and a set of extremely rare counter display boxes. Before the collection is to be auctioned Zalkin brought it to the Mego Museum to share these Lost Treasures with Mego fans worldwide.
Click here to see this amazing discovery.
The official date has been set for what will likely be the Mego collector event of the year, all of the Mego Showroom pieces will go on the Ebay block this January 28th.
Seller Littlemarz will be offering these auction with no reserve and starting at $9.95.
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Sun 13 Jan 2008 |
Making the rounds on the net are these solict pics of the first assortment of the Hasbro toy line that ties-into the upcoming Spectacular Spider-Man animated series on Kid’s WB. Shown are Symbiote costume Spidey, Spider-Man with interchangeable Peter Parker Head, Venom, and Dr. Octopus.
Faithfully based on designs by Sean "Cheeks" Galloway, best known for his awesome Teen Titans comic covers, these figures are already dividing fans with some wanting toys more in line with Marvel Legends. But this is most definitely a kid focused line, and one that is very true to the source material so those complaints are likely to fall on deaf ears. Personally, I would have liked to see them even less articulation, as Galloway’s art lends itself to a more streamlined interpretation. But to each his own. We predict that these things will sell like wheatcakes, so be prepared for a few years worth of this style on the pegs.
And check out the character model sheet, courtesy of Galloway’s blog:
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Thu 10 Jan 2008 |
This exclusive Red Edition Grabbit is TOUMA’s latest figure from Play Imaginative and features TOUMA’s signature teethy grin. This new super red glossy version is available exclusively through Previews catalog. Grabbit comes boxed and will be limited to 300 pcs. This amazing vinyl figure comes marked with serial number, and includes a mini art print by Touma, a certificate of authenticity and removable shoes! Grabbit before it’s gone!!
 
You can use order number JAN084584 and check him out at: http://previews.diamondcomics.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=23&s=309&ai=64304&ssd=
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Thu 10 Jan 2008 |
Please check out the new site that our friend Peter Go (of AFHub.com) just launched:
Inspired a great deal by Jason Geyer’s Super Powers archive, Peter felt this great new line from Mattel and the Four Horsemen needed a definitive archive of its own. It’s still very much a work-in-progress, but there is much more to come!
This project couldn’t have been possible without the help of friends: http://www.dcuc.info/credits/
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Wed 9 Jan 2008 |
 January 8, 2008 (SEATTLE) — WizKids Inc. announces Order 66, the next scheduled release of the Star Wars™ PocketModel™ trading card game (TCG), to arrive in stores March 2008.
Chancellor Palpatine’s treachery has been revealed, and the annihilation of the Jedi rebellion is imminent with the execution of Order 66. Fight the military response with Jedi Starfighters and AT-RTs. Or outnumber the Jedi with Republic Gunships and Clone Speeders. Order 66 has more than 40 PocketModels and 60 cards to collect!
“This is the first Star Wars PocketModel TCG set to offer PocketModel decals,” said Justin Ziran, Star Wars PocketModel TCG brand manager. “The decals will allow players to customize the look of their fleets with faction-specific symbols and striping.”
With the Order 66 release, players will also be able to purchase the Star Wars PocketModelTCG theme deck, Elite Assault. The Elite Assault theme deck will contain a 30-card preconstructed deck, eight exclusive alternate-art PocketModels, a strategy guide, an Order 66 set checklist and one decal sheet. The theme deck contains everything a player needs to get started in one package.
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Tue 8 Jan 2008 |
Next in DST’s continuing line of Movie Minimates releases comes this Minimates set based on the thrilling 1991 Academy Award-winning Best Picture “The Silence of the Lambs”! Prepare to explore the darker side of humanity with this Minimates box set featuring Clarice Starling, the twisted Dr. Lecter, Buffalo Bill and the ingenious Hannibal the Cannibal!
All four Minimates feature all-new Art Asylum sculpts and accessories, including Hannibal’s removable straight jacket, Buffalo Bill’s signature Death’s Head Moth and Hannibal the Cannibal’s trademark mask and gurney!
The upcoming “The Silence of the Lambs” Minimates box set will join other MGM Movie Minimates such as “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly,” “For a Few Dollars More,” “Fistful of Dollars ,” and “Platoon” and more iconic films – all due out in 2008!
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Tue 8 Jan 2008 |
Mattel has provided us with carded images of the new heroes in The Batman line.
Shipping right now to stores are Green Lantern and Hawkman. These were mostly found at Targets and Wal-Marts around the holidays.
 
And coming right behind them are The Flash, Martian Manhunter and Superman. We were told these were coming at Comic Con last year, and much to everyone’s surprise they popped up on Ebay last week before anyone had seen official pictures. The auction pictures are small and hard to see, so we got better pictures from Mattel.
  
click on images for larger versions
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Mon 7 Jan 2008 |
Iconic Toy Maker’s 60th Year Of Engaging America’s Young And Old With A Yearlong Celebration That Includes Online Commercial Contests, Special 60th Anniversary Products And A Search For The Next Great Kid Toy Inventor
 EMERYVILLE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WHAM-O, Inc., the originator of innovative outdoor fun, is marking its 60th year of engaging kids of all ages with toys that spark the imagination through free-spirited play with a yearlong salute to the iconic company’s legendary and sometimes “zany” history. WHAM-O’s 2008 celebration plans include a 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor Contest, An Original Fun Commercial Contest, Nationwide Radio Promotions, Traveling Team WHAM-O Media Tour and will commemorate the anniversary with its iconic product line-up that includes the Hula Hoop®, Slip N Slide® Mega Shark, Frisbee® Pro Classic with U-Flex™, SuperBall® and Hacky Sack® Striker™.
In 1948, childhood friends and University of Southern California college students Arthur “Spud” Melin and Richard Knerr, founded WHAM-O as a leading designer/distributor of innovative, high-quality recreational activity products. WHAM-O initially set up shop in Knerr’s parents’ garage and introduced the Slingshot®, the original product from which the company derived its name, based on the comic book sound of a target being hit. With toys that range from zany to basic, WHAM-O has since provided endless hours of affordable, interactive amusement for all ages and skill levels.
“For over 60 years, WHAM-O’s iconic brands have given consumers innovation, quality, value, and fun, and have built WHAM-O into the globally successful, year-round seasonal products company that it is today. From off-the-wall novelty items to classic toys and sporting goods, WHAM-O’s products have sparked imaginations, engaged people with active fun, and brought endless enjoyment to backyards, beaches, parks, and playrooms the world over,” said Mojde Esfandiari, WHAM-O’s president and CEO. “Our creative team is as bright and imaginative as our celebrated products, which have come to define summertime fun and have inspired people of all ages to get outside and enjoy life for more than 60 years."
In acknowledgment of that 60-year history, WHAM-O will celebrate its iconic toy culture with two interactive contests designed to celebrate the colorful past and engage WHAM-O enthusiasts of the future. Because Melin and Knerr frequently experimented with toys in fun, wacky ways and were open to original and sometimes odd ideas, WHAM—O will entice its loyal fan base of creative, innovative boys and girls to tinker, test and create the next great WHAM-O toy through a “60th Anniversary Kid inventor contest.” Kids will be asked to submit their toy inventions for the opportunity to have their invention marketed and sold as the next great toy from WHAM-O.
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