EL SEGUNDO, Calif., August 28, 2007 - Mattel, Inc. [NYSE:MAT] announced today that the Mattel Board of Directors has authorized the company to increase its previously announced share repurchase program by an additional $500 million. Repurchases will take place from time to time, depending on market conditions.
The share repurchase program is one component of the company’s capital and investment framework, which was announced in February 2003. Under this program, Mattel has repurchased 81.4 million shares of common stock for an aggregate of $1.5 billion.
 

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The Cute Little Dead Girl gets BIG in 2008 when Dark Horse Deluxe releases an 8” vinyl figure that will surely melt little black hearts everywhere. Lenore is the brainchild of artist/magician/Eisner-nominated comics creator Roman Dirge. Named after a sonnet to a dead girl by literary luminary Edgar Allan Poe, Lenore has been celebrated as the “it’ girl for the doom generation since just before the turn of the new millennium. She has been featured in her own best-selling comics and graphic novel series (Slave Labor Graphics), and a line of merchandise, including a Zippo lighter, PVC set, journal, and stationery set all by Dark Horse Deluxe. Dark Horse is planning to release a second Lenore PVC set in spring of 2008. 

 
“I think this is the best Lenore toy ever!” Roman Dirge remarked as the prototype was displayed for the first time at the recent Comic-Con International in San Diego; “I really like it!”

 
The Lenore vinyl figure and the new Lenore PVC set will be spreading their dark cheer in retail establishments starting February 6, 2008—just in time for Valentine’s Day! Lenore comes in a full color window box with a retail price of just $24.99.  The PVC set will retail for $19.99, and will feature Lenore in her bunny suit, Taxidermy, and Spam Witch! 

 

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Mezco’s much anticipated new line of legendary modern cinematic horror figures, Cinema Of Fear, will be arriving in stores in October/ November. To celebrate their release, the devilish minds at Mezco have created some very exclusive collectibles. 5 units of each character in the Cinema Of Fear line, Jason, Freddy, Leatherface, will be created in unique colors. 5 will be cast of translucent bloodstone, 5 will be cast in ebony, 5 will be cast in bronze, and 5 will be cast in gold. Limited to 60 pieces worldwide, these uber exclusives will not be sold in stores. They will only be available through contests and competitions run by select companies that have partnered with Mezco to celebrate the release of Cinema Of Fear. These amazing variants of Jason, Freddy, and Leatherface will surely become one of the most sought after variants of 2007!

About Cinema Of Fear:

Mezco Toyz presents it’s first assortment of the highly anticipated 7" scale Cinema of Fear line, a new horror brand that puts together some of the biggest licenses in the horror genre. The first line contains the holy trilogy of horror: Friday the 13thT, A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The first assortment includes four figures, three of which have never before been released:

· Jason Voorhees – as seen in Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter; includes machete, hacksaw, axe, cleaver, alternate hand, tombstone and alternate wound head
· Freddy Krueger – as seen in A Nightmare on Elm street 3: Dream Warriors; includes Freddy skeleton, alternate head and alternate hand
· Leatherface – as seen in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre; includes chainsaw, mallet, alternate old lady mask head and alternate old lady apron
· Chop Top – as seen in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2; includes Nubbins corpse, switchblade, hanger, alternate hippie head, alternate lighter hand and radio

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August 24, 2007 (SEATTLE) — WizKids Inc. announces the successful conclusion of its “Coming of Galactus™” HeroClix® world event.  The event celebrated the fifth anniversary of HeroClix with tournaments that culminated in winners receiving the 2007 Galactus colossal figure.

“As we put together the ‘Coming of Galactus’ event, we wanted to deliver to retailers an event that would not only drive new players to stores but also bring back lapsed players,” said Mark Tuttle, HeroClix brand manager.  “The event drew an enthusiastic response from players and generated big summer revenues for even the smallest brick-and-mortar stores.”

More than 900 retailers from all over the world participated in this five-week program.  Retailers received event and prize support, including play maps, a wall scroll, participation figures for players in the first four weeks and the 2007 Galactus colossal figure for the winner of the fifth week’s tournament.

Ed Evans of All Things Fun! in West Berlin, New Jersey, said, “To say it was a success would be an understatement!  We had 45 total players, with nine in the Junior event and 36 in the adult event.  Looks like five or six new players and I’d say about a dozen lapsed players.  It was a lot of folks playing, laughing and having a good time.  We sold every last Booster of HeroClix in the house.”

“We had 21 people show up and did over $500 in 15 minutes,” said Scott Thorne of Castle Perilous in Carbondale, Illinois.  “Twenty-two people showed up here for week two.  Our attendance has been increasing by one to two each week, and we already have 10 people committed for the ‘STARRO Attacks!’ event.”

A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company (TOPP), WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination.  Its HeroClix and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today, with over 100 million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

 

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HONG KONG–Corgi International Limited (Nasdaq GM:CRGI) today announced that it has entered into a Master Toy & Collectible Replica agreement with EON Productions. The agreement for the James Bond classic movie archive runs through 2010 and includes the forthcoming James Bond Movie due for release in 2008 and subsequent movies released during the course of the term.
 
This worldwide agreement will allow Corgi International to release both mass market product ranges as well as core collectibles on innovative product lines that include, Action Figures, Vehicles, Electronic Roleplay, Die Cast, High Specification Remote Control released under the Popco brand and High end Replicas released under the world renowned Master Replicas branding, amongst other items in varying scales and formats.
 
Corgi International CEO Michael Cookson commented, "Corgi has had a long association with the James Bond license, and as a licensee for over 40 years on Die Cast, we truly believe that we have reached an agreement where we can use our expertise in both the mass and collectibles markets to release products to a fan base that is both core and aspirational, something that most people believe James Bond to be. Our product range will commence before the movie release in 2008 with classic movie product and replicas and continue with some strong and innovative mass market lines, and we are proud to continue our association with such a franchise.
 
Keith Snelgrove, SVP Global Business Strategy for EON Productions, also commented " We pride ourselves in the long-standing business relationships we have with many of our James Bond franchise partners. Corgi has been with us since the beginning, and we are excited to see the new range of both toys and prop replicas that Corgi International will bring to market in conjunction with our next film and beyond. "
 

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We just posted a new feature on Diamond Select Toy’s first wave of Battlestar Galactica Minimates.  The fine folks at DST are the only people filling the LONG void of BSG-less TV as we wait for the show to return next year. And where the heck is the DVD set of Season 3?!?!?

  You can check it out in the Features section. 

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ACTION FIGURES 

TRINITY ACTION FIGURES

THREE TIMELESS ICONS – ONE TERRIBLE FOE!

The TRINITY action figure assortment brings Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, in the birth of their legendary alliance as they face the billionaire  eco-terrorist Ra’s al Ghul! In TRINITY, witness for the first time ever the meeting of Superman and Batman with Wonder Woman! Each figure features multiple points of articulation and a base.

Advance-solicited; on sale April 9, 2008

BATMAN 6.75”

SUPERMAN 6.75”

WONDER WOMAN 6.625”

RA’S AL GHUL 6.75”

 

Retailers please note: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Ra’s al Ghul are intended for individual sale to consumers, but are sold to retailers in inner and master cases. Consult your retailer order form for packaging and pricing details. These products are being  offered simultaneously beyond the comic-book specialty market.

 

NEW GODS ACTION FIGURES

BASED ON THE ART OF JACK KIRBY

Hot from the pages of COUNTDOWN, inspired by the work of Jack Kirby comes the best-loved heroes of the Fourth World Universe: Noble New  Genesis residents Orion, Lightray and Mister Miracle, as well as the evil Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips! Each figure features multiple points of articulation and a base.

Advance-solicited; on sale April 30, 2008

MISTER MIRACLE 6.75”

LIGHTRAY 6.75”

ORION 6.75”

DARKSEID 7.125”

 

Retailers please note: Darkseid, Orion, Lightray, and Mister Miracle are intended for individual sale to consumers, but are sold to retailers in inner and master cases. Consult your Retailer Order Form for packaging and pricing details. These products are being offered simultaneously beyond the comic-book specialty market.

 

GREEN ARROW 13” DELUXE COLLECTOR FIGURE

GREEN ARROW is the newest addition to DC Direct’s line of realistically proportioned, super-heroic 1:6 scale figures! This deluxe collector figure comes clothed in one of the most intricate and authentically detailed fabric costumes of the 1:6 scale line and includes a display stand. Green Arrow includes an entire arsenal of trick arrows and a unique

collapsible bow. Includes a display stand and is packaged in a deluxe 4-color window box with a fifth panel.

Advance-solicited; on sale April 2, 2008 – Collector figure – $79.99 US

 

AME-COMI: POWER GIRL VINYL FIGURE

Designed by UDON STUDIOS

The POWER GIRL vinyl statue is a limited edition, hand-painted vinyl statue in  9” scale. This non-articulated plastic display figure comes with a base, is packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook and is manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; On sale April 16, 2008 – Vinyl Statue – $45.00 US

 

 

AME-COMI: SUPERGIRL VINYL FIGURE

Designed by UDON STUDIOS

The SUPERGIRL vinyl statue is a limited-edition, hand-painted vinyl statue in a 9” scale.  This non-articulated plastic display figure comes with a base, is packaged in a 4-color window box with J-hook and is manufactured to order.

Advance-solicited; on sale April 16, 2008 – Statue – $45.00 US

 

STATUES AND BUSTS

 

WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE SERIES 2: CHEETAH BUST

Designed by Terry Dodson

Sculpted by Jack Mathews

THE COMPANION FOE TO THE WONDER WOMAN BUST!

The popular WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE line of cold-cast porcelain busts continues with the addition of Terry Dodson’s CHEETAH BUST. Cheetah, one of Wonder Woman’s deadliest foes, joins the already solicited Wonder Woman and Starfire busts. Look for Batwoman, Wonder Girl, Catwoman and others in 2008. The CHEETAH BUST measures approximately

5.5” tall x 2.5” wide x 4” deep and is packaged in a four-color box.

Advance-solicited; on sale April 2, 2008 – Bust – $49.99 US

 

BATMAN 1:2 SCALE BUST

SCULPTED BY COLBY JUKES

PREMIERING A COLLECTIBLE LINE OF LIFELIKE 1:2 SCALE BUSTS!

Don’t miss the first in DC Direct’s new line of 1:2 scale mixed-media busts! THE BATMAN 1:2 SCALE BUST features lifelike facial details, as well as finely tailored fabric costume fitting the cold-cast porcelean body. Each bust in the series has a consistent base design and a unique logo plaque. This BATMAN 1:2 scale bust measures  approximately 13” h x 10” wide x 7” deep, includes a four-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a four-color box.

Advance-solicited; on sale April 23, 2008 • Bust • $295 US

 

MISC.

COMIC BOOK COVER PORTFOLIO #1: WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE

Art by Adam Hughes

The first in DC Direct’s new comic book cover portfolio series featuring the work of covers by fan favorite artists! Start your portfolio collection with the exquisite art of Adam Hughes, best known for his WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE bust line for DC Direct, as well as the striking covers in the DC Universe.

The portfolio consists of 12 full-color matte images on high-quality paper stock (suitable for framing), all approximately 9” x 14”, collected into twin two-color 10” x 15” custom folders which are shrink-wrapped together in one unbelievable package!

Advance-solicited; on sale April 9, 2008 – Portfolio – $49.99 US

 

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Mattel issues information to correct inaccurate reports
Mattel advises consumers to not return products to retailers

STEPS TO RETURN A MATTEL TOY THAT IS AFFECTED BY THE AUGUST RECALLS, ANNOUNCED IN COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION:
1) The first step is for consumers to determine if they have a toy that has been affected by the recall. To do so, they can visit www.service.mattel.com where they will find a complete list of each toy recalled, including color photos and toy model numbers. Consumers can locate toy model numbers on most recalled toys.

For consumers without a computer, or for those preferring phone support, they may call the following hotlines dedicated to the different product recalls: 

• “CARS” Sarge character diecast vehicle recall hotline: 1-800-916-4997
• Fisher-Price toys lead paint recall hotline: 1-800-916-4498 
• Magnet hazard recall hotline: 1-888-597-6597

2) Once consumers determine if they think they own a Mattel toy affected by the recall, they are prompted to fill out a form (online) or provide their postal address (via phone), and Mattel will send to consumers (via email or to a postal address) a color brochure with photos and toy numbers of every affected toy, as well as a pre-paid mailing label for return of the affected toys.

3) After receiving consumers’ returned, affected toys, Mattel will send vouchers to consumers for the amount of the toy(s)’ original value or a replacement part (if applicable). Vouchers may be used at most national retailers and are good toward any Mattel or Fisher-Price manufactured product.

Mattel recommends that consumers do not return products to retailers for three reasons:
1) Mattel can help consumers determine if a toy has been affected by the recall (vs. returning an unaffected toy)
2) Mattel has a program in place to provide consumers with a voucher for toys affected by the recall
3) Mattel is establishing a program to handle toys returned under the recall in an environmentally appropriate way.
Consumers do not need to have the toy’s original packaging or a receipt to return affected products to Mattel. 

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This is pretty cool.  

While I was running around Comic Con, after my first panel was over on Friday, I was approached by a nice lady by the name of Marty who told me she was writing an article for WIRED about how action figures are made and or who makes them. 

As we spoke, she decided to shift the subject of her article a bit to customizing action figures.  I gave her some information and some names of people and some websites to look at.   

She came back to my Saturday panel, after which I walked her over to the customizing panel that had just started in the other end of the building.  Since then, I’ve exchanged a couple of emails with her, and now, low and behold-  I’m quoted in an article in WIRED and they even gave a couple of great "shout outs" to AFI!   Not only that but the article showcases the work of several AFI’ers such as SpyMagician and Scott Rodgers.  

Check it out, won’t you?
http://www.wired.com/culture/art/news/2007/08/action_figures

 

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New Star Wars PocketModel Booster Pack to Add Ground Units, Including AT-AT and Spider Droid

August 16, 2007 (Bellevue, WA) — WizKids Inc., a subsidiary of Topps and the creator of runaway hit games such as HeroClix® and Pirates of the Spanish Main™, today announced it will be releasing this fall the next instalment of its Star Wars™ PocketModel™ Trading Card Game (TCG) – Ground Assault.  This new Star Wars Booster Pack enhances Star Wars PocketModels game play by adding new ground and space PocketModel units from the Star Wars movies, and a host of new playing cards.  The original Star Wars PocketModel game sets were released in mid-June and already hundreds of thousands of game packs have been sold worldwide.

With the Ground Assault Booster Pack, players can now build their Star Wars fleet with all ground units, all space units, or a mix of the two types. Each Pack features up to eight new PocketModels of both ground units and new space units, as well as six all-new game cards. The premier ground unit of the set is the AT-AT, the elite imperial fighting unit featured in the Empire Strikes Back movie.   The Ground Assault set also features a heavy battle droid theme, with the Spider droid and Tank droid units included in the selection.  The set’s new playing cards include a number of new characters, including several featuring one of the galaxies most elite fighting forces, the Ewoks, as well as new versions of favorites like Darth Vader, Yoda, and Obi-Wan.

Star Wars PocketModel TCG revolutionized the collectible trading card genre by bringing card games into the third dimension. The Star Wars PocketModel TCG lets Star Wars fans enjoy a complete Star Wars experience as they are able to collect and build Star Wars vehicles that are played in entertaining ways with cards featuring favorite characters, vehicles and scenes from the entire Star Wars Saga.    Players use the cards to control their fleets of PocketModel ships as they attempt to destroy each other’s objectives.

Like the first in the series, the Star Wars PocketModels Ground Assault Boosters Packs are a great value with a price tag of $4.99.  In each pack, players receive between four-to-eight PocketModels vehicles to punch out, build, collect and play; six random game cards; 2 micro-dice; complete rules and assembly instructions.  This fun, easy-to-learn game is simple enough for 8-year-old kids, but features enough depth of strategy to appeal to adults, making it possible for fans of all generations to share and enjoy battling for control of the galaxy! More info can be found at www.wizkidsgames.com.

A wholly owned subsidiary of the Topps Company (TOPP), WizKids is a Seattle-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating tabletop games driven by imagination.  Its HeroClix and Pirates brands are among the most successful games on the market today, with over 100 million-miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com. 

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