Hey Everybody!

Our online store now has limited quantities of our 2008 San Diego Comic Con Exclusives: MOTU Classics King Grayskull,™ DC Universe Classics Lobo, Justice League Unlimited Giganta and Lightning Storm Lightning McQueen. If you weren’t lucky enough to make it to the Con, this is your chance to get them while supplies last!

In the coming months Matty’s Store will offer unique exclusive products unavailable anywhere else – including DC Universe Classics 2-packs and Justice League Unlimited 4-packs. MattyCollector.com will also be the only place you can get Mattel’s all-new line of Masters of the Universe® Classics figures, with a new figure available every month starting with He-Man® in October!

Take some time now to register for Matty’s Newsletter so we can keep you up-to-date whenever new products are being offered and major announcements are made. In the coming months, look for dedicated pages for your favorite Mattel brands like DC Universe, Masters of the Universe Classics® and CARS die cast.

All of us at Mattel are thrilled to finally give you a first look at Matty’s website. With Matty running the show, I don’t even mind being called "Jr." Toy Guru. Keep checking back for news from both of us!

Toy Guru

Go to MattyCollector to see what Mattel has is store for fans, plus a sneak preview of the first DCUC exclusive 2-pack: Adam Strange & Starfire!

We left LA at 6:30 this morning to be the first ones in to experience every possible minute of this year’s Nerd Prom. Jump to 6 hours later. We are still in the car. Thanks charred Vons truck and SUV. Rest assured coverage has not been affected! Otter and SD Comics are at the Con making sure you get all your up to the minute news!!!

Toys Widely Available July 26, 2008 Prior to Lucasfilm Launching New Entertainment Property

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (July 22, 2008) – With the launch of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, the galaxy far, far away continues to evolve and expand — and as it has done for more than 30 years, Hasbro is on board to translate the excitement of these all-new adventures into toys. On July 26, 2008, Hasbro (NYSE:HAS) brings home all of the fun of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS to kids of all ages.  Fans may relive their favorite STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS adventures with toys such as the new STAR WARS CLONE TROOPER HELMET and the AT-TE, the ultimate clone transport.
 
Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS combines the legendary storytelling of George Lucas with an eye-popping, signature animation style.  STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS blasts off first as a worldwide theatrical release on August 15, 2008, then becomes a weekly series on Cartoon Network beginning in the fall, followed by airings on TNT.
 
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS is set in the period between Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.  The story chronicles a dramatic period when the galaxy is consumed by the Clone Wars, a massive civil war that has pitted the evil Separatists and their droid armies against the Republic and its Jedi protectors.
 
In addition to the STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS toy line, Hasbro will also launch other new STAR WARS toys on July 26, including the largest MILLENNIUM FALCON toy ever designed, as well as new characters from the STAR WARS TRANSFORMERS universe.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Toy Line

STAR WARS CLONE TROOPER VOICE CHANGER HELMET
(Approximate retail price: $29.99; Ages 5 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Join the army of clone troopers by donning an authentic CLONE TROOPER HELMET, as seen in the new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS feature film and TV series.  Includes signature phrases and awesome voice amplifier to truly disguise your identity.
 
STAR WARS AT-TE
(Approximate retail price: $99.99; Ages 4 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Star Wars fans and collectors will travel at light speed to toy stores for the chance to take this massive, six-legged Clone Wars vehicle for a spin. Measuring two feet long, the AT-TE can transport 20 clone troopers (includes 1 figure, other figures sold separately) and is packed with galactic sounds and firing features.  

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS ULTIMATE LIGHTSABER
(Approximate retail price: $34.99; Ages 6 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
The STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS ULTIMATE LIGHTSABER set allows young Padawans the opportunity to create more than a thousand different lightsaber combinations using the customization components, including signature Jedi and Sith lightsabers from the new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS series.

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS 3 ¾” BASIC FIGURES
(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages 4 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Star Wars fans can now collect action figures depicting soon-to-be-favorite characters featured in the STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.  In 2008, a total of 28 different action figures will be launched.

Additional STAR WARS Toy Launched on July 26, 2008

STAR WARS LEGACY COLLECTION MILLENNIUM FALCON
(Approximate Retail Price:  $149.99; Ages 4 & up; Available July 26, 2008)
Updating the fan-favorite MILLENNIUM FALCON toy for the first time since its inception in 1979, Hasbro is launching the largest MILLENNIUM FALCON toy to ever travel the galaxy.  The new STAR WARS MILLENNIUM FALCON is approximately 30 percent larger than the original version and includes authentic electronic lights and sounds and can accommodate up to 18 action figures (includes 2 figures, other figures sold separately).

STAR WARS 3 ¾-INCH BASIC FIGURES DROID FACTORY
(Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages 4 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Join the droid assembly line and build never-before-created droid action figures.  In July, one part of a unique droid will be packed with each action figure, so collect the figures within each wave to assemble your own one-of-a-kind droids for the ultimate addition to any Star Wars action figure collection.

STAR WARS TRANSFORMERS ASSORTMENT
(Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages 5 and up; Available: July 26, 2008)
Heroes and villains from Star Wars become toys that are MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE in the marriage between two of the universe’s most powerful properties: STAR WARS and TRANSFORMERS.  A total of 18 STAR WARS TRANSFORMERS figures will be available in 2008.


Lucasfilm, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

About HASBRO
Hasbro, Inc. is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com <http://www.hasbro.com/> . (C) 2008 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Here’s Mike’s report from the floor at Comic Con on the new product shown at the Diamond Select Toys.

DST’s Ultimate Quarter Scale Line- Shipping Winter 2008 - $79.99

• Darth Maul
• Obi Wan Kenobi (A New Hope) 
• Han Solo in Hoth Gear (The Empire Strikes Back) 
• Indiana Jones (with Fertility Idol) 

MiniMates

Secret Invasion Boxed set (with alternate Skrull heads)

• Wolverine
• Pheonix
• Beast
• Psylock

Marvel Select

• Captain Marvel (with Mar-Vel variant and green and white variant)
• Red Hulk
• Stealth Iron Man
• Movie Iron Man
• Hulk
• New Costume Captain America with Bucky Face variant
• AntiVenom (white, no photography allowed) 

This one is a little tricker because Mattel’s booth was still closed so Mike was looking at the BACK of the figures through the display so we can’t vouch 100% on this list.  But here’s what Mike thinks he saw new for the Mattel 3 3/4" DC Infinite Heroes line:

• Dr. Fate
• The Spectre
• Lex Luthor (in green Super Powers/Superman/Batman) armor
• Killer Croc
• Modern Catwoman
• Power Girl
• Star Saphire

Also there was a 3-pack with Modern Batwoman, The Question and …someone else in a suit we couldn’t identify. Clark Kent, maybe?

They also have the Target Green Lantern 6-pack shown in Toy Fare.  It looks like the Hal Jordan in that pack is more translucent than just a bright paint-job shown on the prototype. 

From the Hasbro Booth at SDCC Preview Night, new pics are up on HISSTank of the new Joes, including: 

Modern Era Wave 11
Pilot Scarlett

Specialist Trakker from M.A.S.K.
Cobra EEL
Sgt. Airborne
Zartan Swamp Squad
Cobra Flint

Modern Era 2-packs

Snake Eyes and Hard Master
Beach Head and Mainframe
Scrap Iron vs Wild Bill

Modern Era Vehicles
A.W.E. Striker with Leatherneck
Sky Hawk with Lift Ticket
Fang with Cobra Viper & C.L.A.W. with Cobra Pilot
Water Moccasin with Copperhead Python Patrol

Check it out here: http://www.hisstank.com/gi-joe-news/25th-anniversary-3/more-gi-joe-hasbro-booth-images-sdcc-2008-7507/

Preview Night hasn’t even begun yet, but once again Mike aka SDComics our "man on the inside" has give us a BUNCH of scoops of what you will see when the doors open tonight!

Marvel Legends 

WalMart Exclusive Wave- Ares Build-a-figure wave (8 figures)

• Kang (looks like it’s a re-release of the Toy Biz Figure)
• Crossbones (current version from the Captain America comic.  He’s BIG almost as big as Ares)
• F4 Human Torch (with a different paint job as a variant)
• Guardian (classic Alpha Flight version)
• Heroes Reborn Armor Iron Man
• Vision (Classic version, 70’s-ish)
• Ultimate War Machine
• Ben Riley Spider-man
  

More ML 2-packs

• Stealth Iron Man/Sharon Carter (from the pages of the current Captain America book)
• Classic 70’s Armor Iron Man/Maria Hill, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D
• DumDum Dugan/Hand Ninja

Spider-man Classics aka "Hero Movie Action Figures" 6" Scale

• Tarantula
• Iron Spider-man(clear tint) 
• Red and Blue Classic Spider-man (big eyes McFarlane-esque)
• Juggernaut (classic version and red and gold variant)
• Venom III ("classic" with a long tail)

Spectacular Spider-man (Animated Series)

• Green Goblin
• Electro

Iron Man Movie Figures

• Stealth Strike Iron Man
• Classic Iron Monger (blue)
• Atmospheric Diving Iron Man (light blue and black with clamp on flippers)
• Satellite Armor Iron Man
• Captain America Armor Iron Man
• Mark I armor Iron Man (gold version)
• Torpedo Armor Iron Man

New Super Hero Squad

• Nighthawk
• Black Panther/Storm
• Kang/Thing
• Gargoyle/Thing
• Human Torch(clear yellow)/Hulk
• Green Goblin/Sandman (comic versions)
• Winter Soldier/Crossbones
• Rachel Summers Marvel Girl/"condom head" Classic Cyclops
• Many Jane (with spider-man mask in hand)/Spider-man hanging from lamp post
• Captain America/Falcon
• Black Costume Spider-man/Doc Ock 
•  Captain America/Red Skull (with cosmic cube)
• Wolverine (brown and tan)/Magneto
• Master of Kung Fu/Sentry

Not sure how these pack out, but he also saw: Classic Ultron, Weapon X, Pyro, Ultimate Rhino and a BIG new Planet Hulk

Also a "Gamma Lab Adventure Playset with Hulk figure 

As always Mike" SDComics" Walker has evaded capture and defied the odds to bring you the very best coverage of the San Diego Comic Con International.

Check out this freaking Watchmen Owlship picture that he took!!! And then click on the pic to go to the forum thread where he spills even more beans and scoops them all. Come back tomorrow for even more con goodness from the man we call "Mike"!

 It’s only about 48 hours until Preview Night begins for San Diego Comic Con 2008, and the guys at Four Horsemen Toy Design want you to pay them a visit at the big show.

See where and when they are appearing after the jump.

(more…)

The team at AFI has put together some amazing panels for Comic Con this year, chocked full of stuff you’ve never seen ANYWHERE before.  

I don’t think I’m over selling these when I say these are going to blow your doors off!

First, on Friday is the Action Figure Insider: Behind the Plastic: The Golden Age of Marvel Toys/Toy Biz panel.  We are going to talk about everything from the first Toy Biz DC figures all the way up to what they had planned for future waves of Legendary Comic Book Heroes.  But we’re not going to just talk about it, we are going to SHOW you what was on the drawing board and what they had mocked up for future releases in an exclusive slide show of rare and never-never-before seen toys.

Then on Saturday is Action Figures Insider: Plastically Incorrect 2008 a fun, "round table" discussion of the industry, the hits and misses and a great chance for you to ask your burning questions for the people in charge of your favorite properties.

 
All that PLUS prize give-aways, exclusive looks behind the scenes,  the debut of our new "Classic" commercial and maybe even some surprise guests!  Check out all the details below and mark your calendars now:

Action Figure Insider: Behind the Plastic: The Golden Age of Marvel Toys/Toy Biz

Friday, JULY 25 4:30-5:30pm
ROOM 30AB

True innovators in the world of action figures are few and far between.  The Team at Marvel Toys/Toy Biz has been bringing articulation to American action figures in their ground breaking lines: Marvel Legends, Spiderman Classics, Lord of the Rings, Legendary Comic Book Heroes and other Marvel movie lines. such Come here the mangers of these lines talk about what might have been and their future plans for these line.   You will see NEVER BEFORE SEEN PLANS for unproduced figures from their Marvel, LCBH and other lines.

Moderated by Daniel “JuliusMarx” Pickett of ActionFigureInsider.com

Jesse Falcon- Director of Product Development, Marvel Toys

Damon Nee-  Director of Product Development, Marvel Toys

Eddie Wires- Prototype Painter

Steve Kiwus- Sculptor, Eightball Studios

Action Figures Insider: Plastically Incorrect 2008

Saturday, JULY 264:30-5:30

ROOM 30AB

What happens when toy worlds collide? What would top toy makers say to each other if given the opportunity? Be a fly on the wall in this live discussion between some of the leaders in the toy industry from companies both large and small. You will hear how things get done, the state of the industry and their tales of woe and triumph.  Ask your own burning questions and you just might walk away with a free toy!

Moderated by Daniel “JuliusMarx” Pickett of ActionFigureInsider.com

Georg Brewer- VP of Design and Retail Product Development, DC Direct

Jesse DeStasio - Sales Manager, Mezco Toyz 

Randy Falk- Director of Product Development, NECA

Jason Lenzi- Executive VP/Co-Owner BifBangPow

Scott Neitlich - Associate Brand Manager DC Universe/MOTU Classics Action Play Marketing, Mattel

Corrinne Robinson- Brand Manager, McFarlane Toys

Chuck Terceira- Director, Diamond Select Toys.