Tuesday, November 20, 2007

ASK RANDY: RANDY LOOKS AT THE TOYS OF THE FUTURE!

November 20, 2007

Hey there everyone!

Well the end of Halloween/October means that the holidays are upon us… which means a great deal to collectors. Last-minute toy releases, thoughts on the best and worst of 2007 and a look into what’s coming next year….AND presents for family & friends!

With a quick shoutout to ???Man and Toygodd for helping get the LCBH Two Pack of “Body Bags” Clownface and Panda, here’s a start at what’s some companies have coming out shortly… and all the way into Fall 2008!

NECA:
With Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem due on Dec. 25th, NECA has begun to release images of the line. Series 1 includes the Alien Warrior and the Predalien Hybrid are due in December; Series two consists of the Masked Predator and the Unmasked Predator (each with unique accessories), due in February 2008.



SIDESHOW:
With its Spook-tackular 2007 event over, Sideshow announced and released details on new products and license. These included Elvira, Shaun of the Dead, Darkman as well as new items from Star Wars, Aliens Vs. Predator-Requiem and The Dead.

For Star Wars, Sideshow released a new Imperial Officer, Commander Praji… and promptly sold out of its 3000 piece run! Here’s hoping some new offerings come before the end of the year.

For the undead, we have 12” figures of the zed killers from across the Atlantic, Shaun & Ed from Shaun of the Dead

Look for these two figures (sold separately) in the 2nd Quarter of 2008

The zombie plague continues to claim victims! The Dead reveals its latest casualty: Subject 805-Tactical Containment Unit Operator.

Look for this figure to stalk the living in the 2nd Quarter of 2008.

MCFARLANE TOYS

2008 PRODUCT RELEASES
It's Going to Be a Very Big Year

SPAWN FIGURES

SPAWN Series 33 - Age of Pharaohs (due in stores March 2008)
Set in the time of the Egyptians, a new SPAWN rises to meet his destiny. Features six all new sculpts.

- SPAWN the Immortal
- Warrior Isis
- Jackal King
- Soldier of Ra
- Scarab Assassin
- The Crocodile King

SPAWN Series 34 - Neo-Classics (due in stores June 2008)
All new sculpts highlight four classic SPAWN line favorites.

- Pirate SPAWN
- Poacher
- Manga SPAWN Robot
- Wings of Redemption SPAWN

SPAWN Series 35 - ROBOTS (due in stores October 2008)
Robots rule in this all-new six-figure SPAWN line
- Six figures, TBA

McFARLANE'S MILITARY

3-INCH Military Series 1 (due in stores February 2008)
We are proud to offer our popular present day military figures in a brand new scale! The new 6 figure lineup will feature an all woodland camouflage paint scheme to collect and display.

- Navy SEAL Boarding Unit
- Army Paratrooper
- Marine Corps Recon Sniper
- Air Force Special Ops CCT
- Army Ranger
- Army Infantry (AT-4)

3-INCH Military Series 2 (due in stores April 2008)
Our second series of soldiers in 3-inch scale. Small in size, but HUGE in detail!

- Army Infantry
- Army Paratrooper
- Marine Corps Recon
- Army Sniper
- Navy SEAL Commando
- Army Ranger 2
- Marine Radioman

Military Series 7 (due in stores April 2008)
McFarlane's Military is proud to showcase our newest assortment of realistic real-world military figures.

- Army Ranger Arctic Ops
- Air Force Halo Jumper
- Air Force Fighter Pilot
- Army Special Forces Night Ops

** NEW ** Military WW II Series 1 (due in stores June 2008)
The debut of McFarlane's World War II-era 6-inch figures features four soldiers from the most pivotal battles of the greatest human conflict in history.

- Army Infantry Private: D-Day
- Army Infantry Bar Gunner: Battle of the Bulge
- Marine Corps Flamethrower: Battle of Iwo Jima
- Air Corps P-51 Pilot: Tuskegee Airman

Military WW II Series 1 Boxed Set (due in stores June 2008)
Bringing unparalleled accuracy and stunning detail to the most collectible military era our first WWII Boxed set captures the intensity of battle.

- .30 Caliber Fox Hole Gunner: Battle of the Bulge

Military WW II Series 2 (due in stores September 2008)
- Army Ranger: D-Day
- Navy Boat Gunner's Mate: Battle of the Pacific
- Army Infantry Grenadier: Battle of Monte Cassino
- Army Airborne Captain: Battle of Carentan


WARRIORS OF THE ZODIAC

** NEW ** Warriors of the Zodiac Series 1 (due in stores May 2008)
2008 is the year of the Zodiac -- 3 series featuring figures inspired by all twelve astrological signs. From Todd McFarlane - an entirely new take on zodiac mythology!

- Aries
- Taurus
- Gemini
- Cancer

Warriors of the Zodiac Series 2 (due in stores August 2008)
- Leo
- Virgo
- Libra
- Scorpio

Warriors of the Zodiac Series 3 (due in stores October 2008)
- Sagittarius
- Capricorn
- Aquarius
- Pisces

FANTASY

Dragons Series 8 (due in stores January 2008)
The last line in the popular McFarlane Dragons series features four entirely new dragon sculpts and the exciting conclusion to the Dragon story.

- Water Dragon
- Eternal Dragon
- Hunter Dragon
- Berserker Dragon

** NEW ** Legend of the Blade Hunters Series 1 (due in stores May 2008)
McFarlane announces an all-new Fantasy based line for 2008. Expanding the McFarlane aesthetic to the fantasy world with all new sculpts, this new brand will introduce creatures.

- Eternal Dragon
- Basilisk (Lake Demon)
- Tyr (Dragon rider)
- Ogre (Guard Class)

Legend of the Blade Hunters Series 1 Boxed Set (due in stores May 2008)
- King Draako

Legend of the Blade Hunters Series 2 (due in stores September 2008)
- Cursed Dragon
- Goblins (Scout Class)
- Knight (Captain Bayle)
- Cronus (Necromancer)

Legend of the Blade Hunters Series 2 Boxed Set (due in stores September 2008)
- Griffin (Warrior Class)

Legend of the Blade Hunters Series 3 (due in stores September 2008)
- Scavenger Dragon
- Rock Giant (Lava Class)
- Bright elf (Warrior Class)
- Bog Demon
- Wood Nymph (Enchantress) specialty only

Mini Dragons (due in stores July 2008)
The latest Dragon offering from McFarlane highlights 6 fire-breathing favorites in a new smaller size.

- Hunter 6
- Ice 6
- Eternal 4
- Berserker 4
- Eternal 3
- Sorcerer 1


ENTERTAINMENT PROPERTIES

THE GODFATHER 6-Inch Action Figure (due in stores January 2008)
THE GODFATHER 3-D Wall Art (due in stores January 2008)

HALO 3
Halo Series 1 (due in stores March 2008)
Master Chief must take the fight to his enemies, and finally put a stop to the Covenant's never-ending onslaught.

- Master Chief (red paint variant)
- Cortana
- Brute Chieftain
- Jackal Sniper
- Grunt
- Spartan Soldier
*SIX Different versions to re released:
Mark VI Armor (red): available at all retailers
Mark VI Armor (blue): exclusive to Wal-Mart
Mark VI Armor (white): exclusive to specialty stores
C.Q.B. Armor (blue): exclusive to Wal-Mart
E.V.A. Armor (red): available at all retailers
C.Q.B. Armor (steel): exclusive to Game Stop

Halo Series 1 vehicles (due in stores March 2008)
A completely new category of toy from McFarlane Toys. Vehicles are 4" plastic with moveable wheels and turrets.

- Brute Chopper
- Ghost
- Warthog

Halo Series 2 (due in stores June 2008)
Through the fog of war, one man stands as the last hope for victory against the might of the Covenant legions.

- Master Chief
- Brute Stalker
- ODST
- Drone
- Arbiter
- Spartan Soldier

Halo Series 2 Vehicles (due in stores June 2008)
A completely new category of toy from McFarlane Toys. Vehicles are 4" plastic with moveable wheels and turrets.

- Scarab
- Wraith
- Mongoose

Halo Series 3 (due in stores August 2008)
The major characters from HALO 3 assemble in this toy line-up to FINISH THE FIGHT!

- Master Chief
- Elite Combat
- Brute Captain
- Human Flood
- Jackal Major
- Spartan Soldier

Halo Series 3 Vehicles (due in stores August 2008)
A completely new category of toy from McFarlane Toys. Vehicles are 4" plastic with moveable wheels and turrets.

- Banshee
- Hornet
- Scorpion Tank

12-Inch Master Chief (due in stores August 2008)

Halo Series 3
Highly Stylized Poseable Figures Specialty only (due in stores October 2008)

- Master Chief
- Cheiftain Brute (Weapon Class)
- Arbiter


Elvis Gospel (due in stores May 2008)
McFarlane Toys' recaptures the greatness and emotion of "The King" as he sings in the white suit fans associate with the song.

Aloha Elvis (due in stores August 2008)
Celebrating one of Elvis' most memorable televised concerts, McFarlane Toys recaptures the King from his Aloha in Hawaii live performance.


How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - 6-inch Action Figures (due in stores September 2008)
- Two Sizes Too Small - The Grinch
- You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Santa Grinch
- Cindy Lou Who
- All I Need Is a Reindeer - The Grinch and Max

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - 3-inch Action Figures (due in stores Septemberp 2008)
- Two Sizes Too Small - The Grinch
- You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Santa Grinch
- Cindy Lou Who
- All I Need Is a Reindeer - The Grinch and Max

HOCKEY

NHL Series 17 (due in stores in January 2008)
Our NHL 17 lineup features a trio of Sports Picks debuts, the second figure for one of the league's top players, and two retro figures celebrating vintage jerseys on current players.

- Ryan Miller - Buffalo Sabres
- Evgeni Malkin - Pittsburgh Penguins
- Alexander Ovechkin 2 - Washington Capitals
- Jason Blake - Toronto Maple Leafs
- Joe Sakic 2 - Quebec Nordiques
- Trevor Linden - Vancouver Canucks (1994 black jersey)

NHL SERIES 18 (due in Canada and specialty stores in May 2008)
Our late-season series is geared toward our diehard Canadian hockey collectors, and features four players all sculpted in the new RBK EDGE uniforms, as well as two yet-to-be-named players in retro Canadian jerseys.

- Ray Emery - Ottawa Senators
- Jordan Staal - Pittsburgh Penguins
- Sheldon Souray - Edmonton Oilers
- Joe Sakic 3 - Colorado Avalanche
- Guy LaFleur - Quebec Nordiques
- Mats Sundin 2 - Quebec Nordiques

NHL 19 HYBRID (due in stores August 2008)
Our NHL 19 lineup features our first-ever mix of hockey legends alongside current players. Our second Don Cherry figure is also our first Sports Picks figure for a coach.

- Bernie Parent - Philadelphia Flyers
- Don Cherry 2 - Boston Bruins
- Ryan Smyth 2 - Colorado Avalanche
- Alexei Kovalev - Montreal Canadiens
- 2 players TBA

3-inch NHL Series 6 (due in stores September 2008)
The 3-inch NHL Series 6 lineup includes Stanley Cup-winning goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, as well as fellow netminders Cristobal Huet and Ray Emery. Jason Blake, Sheldon Souray and Ryan Smyth are all appearing in the jerseys of their new teams.

- Jean-Sebastien Giguere - Anaheim Ducks
- Ryan Smyth - Colorado Avalanche
- Jason Blake - Toronto Maple Leafs
- Ray Emery - Ottawa Senators
- Cristobal Huet - Montreal Canadiens
- Sheldon Souray - Edmonton Oilers

NHL Legends Series 7 (due in stores October 2008)
Our seventh series of NHL Legends figures features captains from the original six hockey teams. For 25 years the "Original Six" teams (Rangers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Bruins, Blackhawks and Red Wings) competed for Lord Stanley's Cup, and NHL Legends 7 offers one captain from each team's storied history.

- Maurice Richard - Montreal Canadiens
- Terry O'Reilly - Boston Bruins
- Mark Messier 3 - New York Rangers
- Doug Gilmour - Toronto Maple Leafs
- Stan Mikita - Chicago Blackhawks
- Gordie Howe 2 - Detroit Red Wings


BASKETBALL

NBA Series 14 (due in stores in March 2008)
March's NBA 14 series features the Sports Picks debut for Greg Oden, Adam Morrison, Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer, as well as all-new sculpts for Steve Nash and Kevin Garnett.

- Steve Nash 3, Phoenix Suns
- Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers
- Adam Morrison, Charlotte Bobcats
- Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons
- Kevin Garnett 3, Boston Celtics
- Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz

NBA Legends Series 4 (due in stores in September 2008)
NBA Legends take the spotlight as we offer Sports Picks for six memorable hardcourt heroes. This series offers Sports Picks debuts for four players and the sequel figures for Larry Bird and Julius Erving.

- Patrick Ewing - New York Knicks
- Spud Webb - Atlanta Hawks
- Larry Bird 2 - Boston Celtics
- George Gervin - San Antonio Spurs
- Julius Erving 2 - Philadelphia 76ers
- Elgin Baylor - Los Angeles Lakers


3-INCH NBA Series 6 (due in stores November 2008)
Steve Nash 3
Kevin Garnett
Dwight Howard
Baron Davis
Dirk Nowitzki 2
LeBron James 4

NBA Series 15 (due in stores November 2008)
- Kevin Durant
- Ben Gordon
- Josh Smith
- Desmond Mason
- Vince Carter 3
- Kobe Bryant 5

MLB LEGENDS COLLECTORS EDITION
- Mariano Rivera w/ Full Bullpen Wall

BASEBALL

MLB Cooperstown 5 (due in stores February 2008)
This lineup features the Sports Picks debuts of four baseball greats: Hank Aaron, Ryne Sandberg, Dennis Eckersley, and Ty Cobb, as well as a new sculpt for Mickey Mantle and a pinstriped uniform update for Mike Schmidt.

- Hank Aaron, Atlanta Braves
- Mickey Mantle 2, New York Yankees
- Dennis Eckersley, Oakland Athletics
- Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs
- Ty Cobb, Detroit Tigers
- Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies

3-INCH Series 6 (due in stores February 2008)
Our latest 3-inch MLB lineup includes 3-inch debuts for Ryan Howard and Jonathan Papelbon, and includes uniform updates for Barry Zito and David Wright.

- Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
- Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
- Mariano Rivera 2, New York Yankees
- Albert Pujols 3, St. Louis Cardinals
- Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants
- David Wright, New York Mets

MLB 20 (Toys R Us Exclusive Lineup)
Toys R Us is your exclusive home for the MLB 20 lineup, which offers Sports Picks debuts for four players and updated uniforms for Barry Zito and Gary Sheffield.

Chien-Ming Wang - New York Yankees
Chase Utley - Philadelphia Phillies
Barry Zito - San Francisco Giants
Paul Konerko - Chicago White Sox
Kevin Youkilis - Boston Red Sox
Gary Sheffield - Detroit Tigers

MLB Series 21 (due in stores April 2008)
MLB 21 features the Sports Picks debuts for Joe Mauer, Michael Young and Daisuke Matsuzaka, as well as different poses for Sports Picks veterans Jorge Posada, Alfonso Soriano and Nomar Garciaparra.

- Jorge Posada 2, New York Yankees
- Michael Young, Texas Rangers
- Nomar Garciaparra 4, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
- Alfonso Soriano 3, Chicago Cubs
- Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox

MLB Series 22 (due in stores in May 2008)
MLB 22 delivers the Sports Picks debuts for Vernon Wells, Carlos Lee and Jose Reyes, as well as all-new sculpts for Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki and Curt Schilling.

- Ichiro Suzuki 3, Seattle Mariners
- Carlos Lee, Houston Astros
- Derek Jeter 4, New York Yankees
- Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays
- Jose Reyes, New York Mets
- Curt Schilling 3, Boston Red Sox (or a new team if he leaves via free agency)

MLB Cooperstown Collection 2-pack (due in stores in June 2008)
This 2-pack highlights the home run chase of 1961, when Yankees teammates Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle raced each other to topple Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. It will feature both figures in uniforms never available before.

- Mickey Mantle 2 & Roger Maris

FOOTBALL

NFL Legends Series 4 (due in stores July 2008)
Our fourth series of NFL Legends offers five players making their Sports Picks debuts, and all-new sculpt for 49ers hero Joe Montana.

- Joe Montana 2, San Francisco 49ers
- Howie Long, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
- Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Warren Moon, Houston Oilers
- John Riggins, Washington Redskins
- Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings

3-INCH NFL Series 6 (due in stores June 2008)
- Troy Polamalu, Puttsburgh Steelers
- Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
- Randy Moss, New England Patriots
- Clinton Portis, Washington Red Skins
- Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
- LaDainian Tomlinson 4, San Diego Chargers

NFL Legends, Series 4 (due in stores July 2008)
- Joe Montana 2, San Francisco 49ers
- Warren Moon, Houston Oilers
- Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Howie Long, Oakland Raiders

- Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings
- John Riggins, Washington Redskins

NFL Ultimate Team Sets (due in stores August 2008)
- Green Bay Packers - Offense
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Offense
- Oakland Raiders - Offense
- New England Patriots - Offense

NFL Collector's Edition Boxed Set (due in stores August 2008)
- Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers

NFL Collector's Edition Boxed Set (due in stores August 2008)
- LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers

NFL Series 17 (due in stores August 2008)
Our NFL 17 lineup runs wild with four of the top running backs in the NFL, alongside Patriots receiver Andy Moss and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

- Willie Parker - Pittsburgh Steelers
- Thomas Jones - New York Jets
- Reggie Bush 2 - New Orleans Saints
- Randy Moss 4 - New England Patriots
- Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers
- Rudi Johnson - Cincinnati Bengals

12-INCH NFL LEGEND EXCLUSIVE (due in stores September 2008)
- Barry Sanders

NFL Series 18 (due in stores October 2008)
- Tom Brady 3
- DeMarcus Ware
- Brandon Jacobs
- Adrian Peterson
- Devin Hester
- Rookie TBD

* All release dates and figure lineups are subject to change


That's it for now.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of us in the US and the best of luck on your "Black Friday" sales!

RANDY


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