This August 21st Kidrobot has some swell Simpsons vinyl, mini-figures that they’ll be releasing. 24 characters in all, each vinyl toy stands 3 inches tall, includes a character sticker and comes blind boxed to preserve its identity. They’ll be sold separately (or can be purchased by the case) for $7.95. The Simpsons creator, Matt Groening, teamed up with Kidrobot to create these fun, little toy treats.

The mini Marge looks cute and so do Itchy and Scratchy, but if I could get all of them that’d be great. But 24 x $7.95 = $$$ I usually only buy a few blind boxes and hope that I don’t get duplicates. I know hard core fans barter and trade for their favorites to complete sets, but that can get expensive.

Marvel Legends action figure line by Hasbro has a sweet 6-inch scale series coming in September. Included in this series are Adam Warlock, Silver Savage (Silver Surfer in “Planet Hulk” gladiator gear), Spider-Man (Symbiote costume), Spiral, Union Jack, and Wolverine (Adam Kubert designed costume and classic yellow and blue variant). Buy them all, exclusively at Target, and Build-A-Figure of Red Hulk! Very Cool!

Here is some great news for fans of the Doctor Who shows:

More fun news for the San Diego Comic-Con, Underground Toys (booth 3949) will be offering exclusive 5″ action figures, which you’ll also find at the BBC Shop (booth 3635). The exclusives figures are a) Time Crash Twin Pack which includes the 5th (Peter Davison) and 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and b) 9th Doctor exclusive variant. Each figure has been specially commissioned in limited numbers (3,000?) for SDCC and each is individually numbered.

All figures are expected to sell out quickly, so be sure to not miss out! I’m really interested in the twin pack of Doctors and not so much with the Christopher Eccleston figure. Plus popular science-fiction television writer Russell T Davis and actor John Barrowman (Jack Harkness) will be at the show, making fans jump for joy.

From the latest TMNT news from NECAonline - Here’s another reason why going to the San Diego Comic-Con this year will be so awesome: The SDCC Exclusive Edition Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Black & White Box Set. As a special bonus, the set will feature a 4″ x 6″ certificate hand-signed by Peter Laird. Plus co-creator Kevin Eastman will personally be at the NECA booth to sign them. Be sure to get yours early because this exclusive edition will be limited to 500 pieces.

It’s better than getting a Happy Meal all to yourself! The first series of the McDonald’s McDonaldland action figures will be released at the San Diego Comic Con in July, with nationwide release to follow in August. Grimace, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, Captain Crook and Ronald McDonald action figures in all their classic glory. You can thank Huckleberry Toys for that.

Huckleberry Toys is pleased to announce that it will be bringing the classic McDonaldland characters to life in the form of six to eight inch retro action figures. Inspired by the initial line of action figures made by Remco 30 years ago, each figure has been updated and detailed to bring these well loved, timeless characters to life.

The exclusive blister carded variant figures will be as hot as a burger right off the grill! So what if Mayor McCheese was a ripoff of H.R. Pufnstuf. The SDCC is only a little more than a month away, I can’t wait and I’m excited! Robble, robble, robble.

A Dragonball and One Piece crossover is a phenomenal thing. When you put the collaborative work of Akira Toriyama and Eiichiro Oda together you get: Cross Epoch. I’d heard about this last year when I picked up some of the mixed manga (One Piece: Treasures Special to be exact), which celebrated the 10th anniversary of One Piece.

Well, it seems there’s an upcoming release of some super figures and Arlong Park has snapshots of these ‘Cross Epoch’ figures. Goku/Luffy and Nami/Bulma. I’m not sure when they’ll be released in the states, but I will find them and add them to my collection. (If you hear anything let me know.) I enjoy how Luffy and Goku are such titans, but they’re two of the silliest, most carefree and coolest characters around.

(via Topless Robot)

I’m always impressed with the artwork by Brandon Bird. Here are four of his new paintings: What Nat Saw, Mr. Noodle, Bam Thwop and Pax Cybertronia. They’re from the childhood-themed ‘One to Grow On’ show at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles, which has been extended through June 10th. So if you’re interested in getting a Brandon Bird original, you still have chance.

Isn’t it great to see Jack McCoy playing with the teleporting Decepticon fighter jet, Skywarp! (Insert some ‘pakew pakew’ sound effects to make it complete.)

I went by my local comic book store and picked up my comics along with the latest copy of the Comic-Con Magazine (#2). It’s not available online yet (at the time of this post) and it’s got a nice little list of exclusives we can look forward to this year. I’d seen the Hasbro Cobra Commander exclusive and thought it looked quite unique, to say the least. Here’s an early list of some of the toy exclusives you’ll find this year:

1. Action Figure Xpress: Decepticon Skywarp Bust (Limited to 400 pieces @ $60 each)
2. Diamond Select Toys: Transformers G1 Animated Optimus Prime Bust (Limited to 750 pieces @ $60 each)
3. Funko: Gold Edition Iron Man Mark 1 Armor Bobblehead (Limited to 1008 pieces @ $17 each)
4. HasbroToyShop.com: G.I. Joe Cobra Commander Figure (Black Suit) w/ protective case
5. Mattel: Masters of the Universe Classics King Grayskull w/ shield, battle axe and sword
6. Mezco Toyz: Heroes - Future Hiro 7″ Figure w/ sword and sheath (quantity TBD)
7. Peanuts: Vintage Charlie Brown Bobblehead (Limited to 600 pieces @ $15 each)
8. Sideshow Collectibles: Star Wars Aayla Secura 12″ Figure (Limited to 3,000 @ $64.99 each)
9. Top Cow Productions, Inc.: Witchblade #118 SDCC Variant - Cover by Marc Silvestri (Limited to 2,000 copies)

This list will continue to grow as the San Diego Comic-Con draws closer.

Update: The new spring issue of the Comic-Con magazine is now available online in PDF format.

Cubeecraft papercraft toys are free to download and some assembly is required. Each figure features interlocking tabs for construction so you don’t need for tape, glue or other messy adhesives. Just find the character you like, download and print on a standard piece of A4 letter paper, cut and fold. Lots of creative fun for all ages. Characters like Stormtrooper, Mr.Stay Puft, Kirby, Usagi Yojimbo, Dr.Zoidberg, Strongbad, Bender, Mega Man, 60’s Batman and lots more. With new ones weekly!

(via theBBPS)

I hope you’re ready for the show next week and I hope you have fun. If you’re like me and can’t make it, you can check out their free audio and video podcast coming from the event (April 18-20, 2008). Remember that the show is more than just comic books. It’s the East Coast’s largest pop-culture event with comic and graphic novels, anime and manga, toys and games, movies and TV, video games and art. If you’re going, don’t forget to say hi to Stan Lee, Dan Goodsell and get your Official Iron Man Toon Tumbler!

It’s also only a few months before the San Diego Comic-Con. So you better get ready!

It’s Barbecue time! This time around we’ll see General Hawk, Bazooka, Barbecue, B.A.T., Cobra Snow Serpent and Storm Shadow (black variant). Take a look at them over at Toy Bender. I’m happy to see these outstanding looking 25th Anniversary versions figures. I’m sure I’ll get these too, when I find them at the store. (Time to build up your army of 25th Anniversary version B.A.T.s and wage a plastic war.)

That’s my old Barbecue looking crestfallen next to the new and improved version. He was one of my favorite action figures and is a little worn, but still looks good. I’ll keep this new one in the package and keep him safe and sound.

They’re almost here! The G.I. Joe 25th Anniv vehicles (w/ figures) from Hasbro will be released June 2008 for about $20(USD). I still have a few of my original vehicles, including one of my first G.I. Joe favorites, the VAMP Jeep. It was first released in U.S. toy stores in 1982 and came with the straight-armed version of Clutch. These new upgraded, fan-favorite 80s vehicles include Serpentor’s Air Chariot, the Cobra “Trouble Bubble”, RAM motorcycle, Hiss Tank, Armadillo Tank and VAMP Jeep.

It’s nice getting a new G.I. Joe vehicle and putting on all the decals. There’s something therapeutic about placing “Warning: Gun is big” decals all over. You know, I’m really enjoying Hasbro’s 25th Anniversary G.I. Joe toys, but they’re hard to find. What about you? How many of these new figures have you found at your local stores? How many have you picked up and which ones are you looking for?

It looks like we’ll be seeing where G.I. Joe all began in the upcoming 2009 movie. The film is reportedly an origins story. Here’s yet another nostalgia film that I hope doesn’t disappoint. It’ll be hard to top the original 80’s cartoon that I watched so much of all those years ago, but I guess we’ll see. I wonder if Snake Eyes will stay silent throughout the movie. Ah well, I thought I’d let you know about this because… knowing is half the battle. (*The above image scan is from one of my old catalogs.)

Neat news on the comic toy front that I found over at Toy Bender. Shocker Toys is creating independent comic book characters in 6-7″ poseable figure form. The action figures of Series 1 features Rob Schrab’s Scud the disposable assassin, Terry Moore’s Katchoo of ‘Strangers in Paradise‘, Jim Valentino’s ShadowHawk, David Mack’s Kabuki and MTV’s The Maxx in 8″. You’ll find these independent comic icons in comic shops sometime by July of this year.

Even though I’ve not read their comics in ages, I’m excited about the Scud and The Maxx action figures. It’s also cool to see a ShadowHawk toy, but I’ll probably pass. Check out more about Shocker Toys or read the Toy Bender article. Thanks Paul!

The 5″ tall Putrid Pal vinyl toy figure just wants to be friends. They have matte paint, except for the gooey faces and hands. Gross! From creator Michael Fleming, they are $29-per piece and are limited to 300-pieces for each colorway. You might have seen Michael’s comics, his Flickr collection or his interview with ToysREvil!

The Putrid Pal is an undead French boy who lives under the sea. He just wants a good friend to play with, but none of the non-monster kids of Woe Beach want to have anything to do with him.

These toys are gruesomely groovy and colorfully creative. Neat stuff Michael!