Toy Unfair? Did toy companies do right by fan sites?
As comic-cons become bigger and bigger, pop culture events one things is true: Media members like to complain about things. Nasty publicists, poor access, no Wi-Fi, crappy coffee in the press room. The same is true of the toy sphere, and at this year's Toy Fair, the toy media felt they got the short end of the pogo stick. It was definitely an odd situation. As big companies rely on fan media to get the word out about their products to the lucrative collector markets, the way they do it is being constantly reinvented.
Continue ReadingValentine’s Day special: Barbie and Ken reunite
Also in keeping with this special day of love, after a troubling seven-year stretch in which they were separated, Barbie and Ken are together again. Although they had dated steadily since their days as surfers together in Malibu in the early '60s, they gradually drifted apart over the years. After Barbie left Ken for Blaine, another, younger surfer dude, Ken entered an "experimental" period that involved Fire Island, waxing, and watching Glee. But it's been announced -- just in time for Toy Fair -- that these two dolls are really soulmates in vinyl.
Continue ReadingThe Toyetic world of Green Lantern
Wandering the halls of the 2011 Toy Fair for even a few moments, it was hard to avoid Green Lantern -- not only action figures (for both collectors and actual children) but costumes, board games, mugs, rings, and more, more, more. It's all by design as this report from Variety details. It's hard to overemphasize how important this summer's Green Lantern movie is to Warners. This is potentially their new Star Wars, with a giant universe of aliens and adventure and a wisecracking, aspirational hero at the center. The promotional push at Toy Fair and the upcoming MAGIC apparel show is huge -- but it isn't an automatic slam dunk, hence the push:
Continue ReadingMixed media: Lego Angry Birds
Despite the fact that popular apps on iPhones can read our private data and sell them to the highest bidder, we just can't get enough of such time-voids as Angry Birds. And now we can look upon them in Lego form and feel even more sated.
Continue ReadingPrepare to be skeeved: Dolls of the Cons
Jody Culkin is an artist, photographer, and teacher. Thanks to being married to PW comics maven Calvin Reid, she's also a veteran of many comics and book shows. Camera in hand, she has chronicled the activities and faces of the past seven or eight years of comic cons -- her work can often be found in PW Comics Week. But she also has a hobby.
Continue ReadingNYCC 10: Terminal Press and Elite Gudz #2883
The Cultyard pavilion of designer toys and other cool collectibles will be the a place to get your style on. Here's what's going on from TErminal Press and Elite Gudz
Continue ReadingThe Lego Printer
I know this is "not comics" but William Gibson and Douglas Coupland both tweeted it, and I am weak-minded.
Continue ReadingVideo moment: Bronte Sister Power Dolls
If I lived in a world where this was real, I'd be so happy. In truth, it is a fake commercial by Phil Lord and Chris Miller made in 1998 for a series of educational shorts about action figures based on historical figures. It was never aired. Thank god for YouTube.
Continue ReadingYou know you want it: SDCC exclusive Claire Bobble Head
Share this link on Facebook!Tweet Toy shelf space is at a premium these days, but we have to admit, this Claire Littleton Bobble Head from Bif Bang Pow!, complete with gun and a substitute baby made from animal parts, has that certain je ne sais quoi. (The hair is a little too neat, though.) It’s available [...]
Continue ReadingLego Father Ted
Share this link on Facebook!Tweet In Gaelic. Dougal is perfectly cast. [Via David O Reilly]
Continue ReadingBeat Giveaway: Hasbro’s Marvel toys — NOW CLOSED
Share this link on Facebook!TweetWelcome to what we hope is a new Beat tradition, the Getaway Giveaway! We have so much stuff that needs a good home — and many generous partners who are offering us giveaways — that we hope to make this a weekly feature. This week, in honor of Toy Fair and all [...]
Continue ReadingMighty Boosh toys DO exist!
Share this link on Facebook!Tweet The other day we were moaning that there aren’t any Mighty Boosh toys, but it turns out Pete Wilson made some which are available in England, and you can order them via StrangeCo. With Vince Noir, Howard Moon, Bollo, and Naboo the Enigma, it’s a great start but we still need [...]
Continue ReadingToy Fair 2010 in photos
Share this link on Facebook!TweetSo we wandered around Toy Fair for a bit yesterday, but missed most of the big presentations. Lego had a very early morning event showing off TOY STORY 3 Legos; we missed Hasbro’s entirely, but made the Mattel event. According to a knowledgeable observer, Hasbro and Mattel are going in slightly [...]
Continue ReadingSpotlight on: Putting things that explode near your junk
Share this link on Facebook!Tweet With underpants bombs making headline everywhere, a look at similar comics themes of groinal aggression have hit a few blogs. Comics Alliance examines a Punisher action figure from Toy Biz who is so glad to see you, he’s going to blow you to kingdom come with a giant ground to [...]
Continue ReadingSD08: Nightmare Before Christmas/ JUN planning — #402
Share this link on Facebook!Tweet Beau Smith tells us: I’m writing on behalf of Yosuke Oba and JUN Planning, to let you know that this year at the San Diego ComicCon we will have the Exclusive NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS OTHELLO JACK figure. The outfit design for the figure is from the video game THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE [...]
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