Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Venom Symbiote Claims a New Host


The best thing about living in a future where geekery is invading every facet of our lives is that your favorite characters inspire amazing artists across the globe...and we get to see it as it happens. Such is the case with photographer Adam Jay (of SuperHero Photography) who was no doubt haunted by the imagery of the virus-like Venom symbiote and sought to re-create the moment of bonding with a human host with one of the sexiest Cosplayers on the planet, Freddie Nova (destroyer of men..which really should be her full name). The result is intense, stunning, beautiful in the sheer horror of it all and at the same time, insanely drool worthy! This is a stand up and clap kind of moment. Check out some images from the shoot...

Seven Psychopaths & Hotel Transylvania Premiering at TIFF

Colin Farrell may be best known for a little outrageous behavior, a questionable sex tape and a frenzied performance as Bullseye in a little train wreck called Daredevil, but here at Idle Hands HQ, he is loved unquestionably for a film called "In Bruges". Farrell is so damn good in this movie, it makes us wonder why he would even waste his time with some of the crap parts he has had to put up with and when he'll get the amazing roles he deserves. Then along comes a movie called "Seven Psychopaths" ..and though we are unabashedly biased and will watch whatever Colin is in sight unseen...we read this cast lineup...

Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Tom Waits & Woody Harrelson

You want to read more now....don't you...

Monday, July 30, 2012

Toronto Batman Fan Club

...and as I attempted to find a spot to park my Italian ass that security wouldn't shoo me from (in the nicest possible way), along came a man in black waving a Canadian flag just over his head and whenever someone asked him a question..the answer was "MY PARENTS ARE DEAD!!" Behold the wonder and majesty of Toronto Batman at San Diego Comic-Con 2012...and 1 other place...I think...

They Live Collector's Edition Blu-ray & DVD

The truth is more than meets the eye. You’ve been listening to their speeches and watching them on TV. They influence our decisions without us knowing it. Think again and the choice is yours! On November 6, 2012, SCREAM FACTORY™ presents John Carpenter’s politically-charged science fiction thriller THEY LIVE Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and DVD. Featuring anamorphic widescreen presentation of this cult classic movie, this special collector’s edition home entertainment release of THEY LIVE boasts a bounty of special bonus content, a collectible cover featuring newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible wrap with original theatrical key art and much more! THEY LIVE Collector’s Edition Blu-ray has a suggested retail price of $29.93 and $16.50 for the DVD. Fans and collector’s can pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com and Amazon.com.

More Toys R Us NECA Action Figure Exclusives

Toys R Us must be very happy with how NECA's latest batch of exclusives are performing for them as we see more are on the way in larger packs! Often, store exclusives are the only way for die hard fans to get obscure characters or plastics capturing specific moments in a video game or movie, so we applaud whenever a retailer takes on such a burden. In this case, most exclusive packs comes with a buddy! Here's the lineup as it dropped in my lap this morning..sadly, with very few additional details...

Toys R Us Exclusive Predator Action Figure 2 Pack: with a City Hunter Predator & Jungle Hunter Predator (Battle Damaged). We got a look at the Jungle Hunter at San Diego Comic-Con 2012 but this particular City Hunter is new to me.

Silent Hill : Revelation 3D

If you are a long time reader, you'll already know I'm the worst gamer in the world..or rather...a recovered gamer. I used to spend days on a game, learning the ins and outs and exploring ever facet before completion. One day it occurred to me that this was time I would never get back, and so now when a game comes my way, it sadly sits beneath my PS3...unopened and unloved...waiting for an 8 hour block of my time I will never have free. Even though I have practically recovered fully from the siren song of new games, there are more than a couple that are close to my heart. One of them is Silent Hill.

Friday, July 27, 2012

BEHOLD... Lloyd The Conqueror


If you can only choose ONE LARPing comedy to fall in love with in the next 5 years....LET THIS BE THE ONE!

Lloyd hasn’t conquered much in his life, but he really needs that C average. Unfortunately his classical literature professor is Derek the Unholy and the extra credit he needs involves defeating his dark army of Orcs in the local LARP (live action role-playing) tournament.

Now Lloyd and his two friends must memorize spell-books, master sword play, and bring the White Wizard out of self-imposed exile if they are to save their student funding and win the girl – who fortunately happens to be an ex-cage fighter.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Skylanders: Giants Introduces SWARM

October 21st must still seem like a million years away for the little ones (and game addicted big ones) out there, so Activision thought it might be time for another taste of their new gargantuan brawlers on the block. Meet SWARM!

SWARM
Bring the Sting!
Element: AIR
Character Type: Giant
Bio: Swarm was once a prince from a proud race of mysterious insect warriors that had built their entire civilization inside a giant honeycombed pyramid. Growing up as one of the 9,000 members of the royal family, he was never permitted to leave the hive. But unlike his brethren, there was a magical quality to Swarm that caused him to grow much larger than the rest of his kind. No longer able to fit amongst the rest of his colony, the young prince broke the long standing tradition and stepped out into the open world - where his size and strength would be put to good use in the legendary battle between the Giants and the Arkeyans.

Batman The Animated Series Theme by Pomplamoose

Originality. Let's face it...the world ain't full of it at the moment...so when someone does something new and terrific with a property we love, it stands out like the Bat Signal atop a Gotham city building. Such is the case with Pomplamoose's newest video which is sure to leave you wanting more...

G.I. Joe: Renegades: The Complete First Season

YO JOE! Fans of the popular animated series G.I. JOE: RENEGADESrejoice! On September 25, 2012, G.I. JOE: RENEGADES: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Blu-ray Collection debuts on home entertainment shelves from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios. This highly anticipated 3-disc Blu-ray set collects all 26 adventure-filled episodes and an original behind-the-scenes look at G.I. JOE: RENEGADES bonus feature. Delivering exciting, action-packed storytelling and spectacular animation, this special Blu-ray collection is a must-have for fans and collectors of all ages and has a suggested retail price of $49.97.

Meet the Folks in Frankenweenie

When Tim Burton makes a stop motion animation (future) masterpiece, it isn't JUST about the main characters. Burton's canvas is filled with amusing sidekicks and rumple faced sour-pusses and all those individuals you'd meet on the street on any given day...Burtonized of course. Now Disney gives us a closer look at the cast of characters in Frankenweenie...


EDGAR “E” GORE (voiced by Atticus Shaffer)

Edgar “E” Gore is a needy misfit who doesn’t have friends but is desperate to be Victor’s partner for the science fair. In his attempts to be accepted ‘E’ tends to mess things up and often fails to think before he speaks. Even though ‘E’ promises not to tell Victor’s secret, he accidentally spills the beans.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Day 2 Diary

Titled : The Douchey Side of the Force

Since Friday was going to be a heavy day of movie related interviews and Mika was planning an epic costume for her return to SDCC 2012, I thought Thursday might be the ideal day for a comic convention experience I had yet to partake in. COSTUMING!! My first foray into building serious costumes 2 years back for Halloween produced mixed results. My Vampire Batman costume seemed to be universally loved, but it was a torturous beast from which one had to take a week to recover. The boots destroyed my feet and knees, and the bat wing styled cape and poly-urithane cowl (from Reeves FX) combo caused sheets of sweat to wash down my face...in October... at night...in the middle of New York City. Surely, this outfit was awesome...but also awesomely unwearable.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

SDCC 2012 : Ponies, Aliens and Marvels..Oh my...

As we roll around in thousands of images Team Idle shot at San Diego Comic Con 2012, we thought we'd update you on what is available for your bulging, hungry eyeballs RIGHT NOW!! Click the lead titles for a full gallery of pics for each subject.

My Little Pony: New ponies are always a welcome sight for fans across the pony lands, but at SDCC 2012, the Hasbro folks thought it was time to make some dreams come true. Hearing the cries from the masses for ponies that look more like their cartoon counterparts, Hasbro will be rolling out Mini Collectibles sets of fully sculpted, pastel colored pretties you won't be able to get enough of. On display were an Apple Family Set (with Granny Smith, Big McIntosh & Applejack), a Pony Wedding Set (with Twilight Sparkle, Princess Candace & Shining Armor), and a Cloudsdale Set (with Rainbow Dash, Gilda the Griffon and Wolder Bolts pony.) Each will retail for around $7.99 and hit August 2012.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Day 1 Diary

In recent years of SDCC attendance, I'd find Linkmyself flying into San Diego and in a frenzied 2 hour block, check into the year's designated hotel (based on who is paying), pick up badges and launch onto the con floor to show the world all the movie company displays as they are erected and give a first look at the most awesome toys in each booth. This year, I decided two weeks of pre-show coverage would be EVEN MORE AWESOME!!! Such a horrifically bad idea. Must have been great fun for those watching but my body is paying for it today. At any rate, the 2 weeks of pre-gaming distracted me from little things like packing, making a schedule or booking tickets, so to save some cash on a last minute flight, I was dropped in Burbank to meet up with Mika Tan (the hottest super geek I know) where I loaded my gear into her all terrain strike vehicle before heading to the international house of Emi in San Diego. Keep in mind my first flight required me to wake at 4am, so I decided staying awake to work on H.I.S.S. Tank pictures would be more rewarding than 2 hours of hollow sleep. Landed in Burbank at 2:30..hooked up with Mika about 3:15 and we got to SD around NINE THIRTY. Pain. You west coast people sure do love to make traffic.

FINALLY!! A Deadpool Video Game!

We here at Idle Hands are certainly not above running straight press releases. Sometimes the attached text says it all and no additional snarkiness will improve on it. Today, we run the press release for a new Deadpool video game, in its original formatting and such because the author has gone to great lengths to capture the fragile, fractured mind of one of my favorite Marvel Comics Anti-Heroes...and I can appreciate that!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Nathan Fillion Wins Comic-Con

When you see a celebrity on the show floor of San Diego Comic Con, one of three things can happen. As was the case with Don Cheadle and me, you get blanked completely. With wrestler Shane Helms at an Activision party, we talked for half an hour before I cut him loose to have fun. Other celebs will very politely do whatever they can that only takes a second..or politely decline as, if they stop, they'll have to pose for hundreds who then realize their shot at a face to face encounter. Then there is Nathan Fillion who realizes and is grateful for his many, many fans and considered a way to give them something to talk about while still able to rush to his engagements and arrive on time and un-molested. Check out his solution on the left...


Thanks to NerdBastards on facebook for the heads up!

Lance Henriksen's "To Hell You Ride"

Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce To Hell You Ride, written by horror movie icon Lance Henriksen (Millennium, Aliens, Near Dark)!

Teased during a thrilling “Drawing on Your Nightmares” panel at San Diego Comic-Con, this new horror series is written by Lance Henriksen and Joseph Maddrey (Nightmares in Red, White and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film), with art by Tom Mandrake. To Hell You Ride marks Lance Henriksen’s comics debut!

A deadly curse plagues the small town of Telluride, melting the flesh from its victims—it’s the violent revenge four warriors set in motion when their sacred burial grounds were disturbed for the sake of gold miners’ greed!

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 LIVE

**This article is stickied to the top for your continued viewing pleasure,
so be sure to scroll down for the most recent stories!**


So this year, I thought we'd try something a little different. It takes a lot to gear up and head out to the biggest Comic-Con on the planet, so why not follow me in? Below is a slideshow that will have images dropped into it as I shoot them while I make my trip, half dead, across the US, into the arms of friends on the West Coast and into SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2012!! At the moment, I am a lovable train wreck...so this should be fun! Remember to hit refresh to see new images. San Diego Comic-Con 2012 is sponsored in part by Teddy Scares & ThinkGeek! ..and caffeine...and Vodka... For more shenanigans at 140 characters or less follow me on Twitter - @nomadixxx

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Hobbit Toys Commeth

I’m thrilled to finally be able to share with you the first look at The Hobbit figure collection from The Bridge Direct, which will be on display at San Diego Comic Con (Booth #3513) later this week. The collection will be available via online presales in September and will be in stores in October…except for the SDCC Exclusive Bilbo figure – that one will ONLY be available at Comic-Con!

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two films adapting the endearingly popular masterpiece The Hobbit™. As master toy licensee for both films, The Bridge Direct will unveil a stunning collection of authentic and highly-detailed toys at retailers this October. From action figures to role play accessories, the wide-ranging toy line captures the thrill and adventure of the timeless story and will bring the fantasy to life for fans of all ages. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released beginning December 14, 2012, and the second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again™, is slated for release beginning December 13, 2013. The two films based on The Hobbit are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze Video Game

Today Mattel and Little Orbit announce that the scary cool characters of Monster High™ are racing to the Wii and Nintendo DS™ this holiday season in the brand new video game Monster High™ Skultimate Roller Maze™. Based on the brand that has become a worldwide phenomenon, players will pick a favorite Monster High™ character and assemble a team of friends and fiends to skate through the crypts of Monster High™. Gamers will collect power-ups, avoid monstrous obstacles, scream past the competition and use each character's special ability to win the race and bring home the victory!

"The Monster High universe developed by Mattel is perfect for an amazing video game experience," stated Matt Scott, president of Little Orbit. "We are very excited to be bringing the freaky-fabulous and beloved characters of Monster High to fans in a fun-filled racing game."

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Sneek Peek : Hasbro's Shockwave H.I.S.S. Tank

In two days, the doors will open and chubby people will sprint onto the convention floor with a very polite woman saying "Please, do not trample the children just to buy exclusives. Thank you." The lines will begin...and they won't stop until San Diego Comic-Con ends on Sunday...and THAT is a beautiful thing. Makes me happy to see so many people in one place buying TOYS!! Hasbro has a wide array of mind blowing products this year but one goes above and beyond to attempt to blow your mind.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Geoff Johns Previews the 3 & 3 quarter inch Green Lantern Figure Line

G4 hit the DC Entertainment offices and got a look at some upcoming collectibles while chatting about new video games and anything else they could squeeze out of their host, Geoff Johns. If you check out the vid below, at 1:43 or so you'll see the first bits of 3 and 3 quarter inch Green Lantern figures we've been teasing for a crazy long time now....and a proposed Green Lantern central power battery playset we knew nothing about!! Here's hoping we get a look at this and more at San Diego Comic-Con this week, but for now, here's a quick look...



In the vid, we also get a look at a beat up cardboard Hall of Justice display for the Just Us League of Stupid Heroes figures...so maybe they'll be making this for retail....or maybe it is just an awesome display for Comic-Con? We'll know the answer in days.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : WB's Giant Bags of Holding

Warner Bros. Entertainment will again sponsor the official bag of Comic-Con International: San Diego 2012, the Studio announced today. By joining forces with Comic-Con for the third consecutive year, Warner Bros. will give each fan attending the Con an unforgettable keepsake from the world’s leading pop culture convention.

Over 130,000 of the oversized 24”x29” bags — which have been called Comic-Con’s “ubiquitous accessory” by Entertainment Weekly and “a must have” by Deadline Hollywood — have been produced and will be provided to Comic-Con attendees as they check in to the convention.

Daryl Dixon Gets His Day in the Walking Dead Video Game

No...it's that other Walking Dead video game! The one we are about to tell you about so stop asking questions til the moderator is done talking. Please and thank you.

Special San Diego Comic-Con 2012 note: The first 100 pre-orders on site at Activision’s SDCC booth (#5344) will receive an extremely limited edition version of Daryl’s ‘walker ears’ necklace from the show. Attendees will also be able to place themselves into the horrors of The Walking Dead with a game-related photo-op.

Star Trek: The Next Generation 25th Anniversary Event Hits Cinemas

This summer, Trekkers across the country can ‘boldly go where no one has gone before’ with “Star Trek: The Next Generation 25th Anniversary Event,” a one night in-theater celebration on Monday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. local time, with an additional 10:15 p.m. showing in select theaters. Painstakingly retransferred from the original source material during its ongoing multimillion dollar restoration, this special anniversary event celebrating the debut of “Star Trek: The Next Generation – The First Season” Blu-ray on July 24 will feature two of the most popular episodes from the storied first season, “Where No One Has Gone Before” (Ep. 106) and “Datalore” (Ep. 114). The episodes were handpicked by well-known “Star Trek” experts and restoration consultants, Mike and Denise Okuda, who chose “Where No One Has Gone Before” for its beautiful space imagery and the Data-centric “Datalore” because the character played by Brent Spiner has long been a fan favorite.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Sideshow Collectibles Exclusives



Every year, just before Toy Fair, I used to wake up in a cold sweat, vaguely remembering a horrific dream where I am dropped in the middle of a sea of display cases and told I have to shoot everything in them...through scratches, dust and light reflections...waiting for people to pass...and I'm only 4 feet tall. Sideshow Collectibles (booth 1929) has stopped attending Toy Fair in recent years, making San Diego Comic Con their primary display opportunity...AND MY SHOOTING NIGHTMARE!!! Sideshow is a test of any photogs metal, but if you are just a fan with deep pockets, they are your dream come true.

Sideshow's 2012 lineup boasts 4 categories of collectible conniption including...

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Insight Editions Signings

Insight Editions is pleased to announce its presence at Comic-Con International 2012 at the San Diego Convention Center, from July 12th to July 15th at booth #1035. For over 17 years, the San Rafael, California-based independent book publisher has produced lavish and visually stimulating books on photography, film, music, and popular culture that have wowed readers with their deft interplay of word and image.

Comic-Con International is an opportunity for Insight to celebrate recent and upcoming titles such as The Dark Knight Manual, Batmobile: The Complete History, The Art of Blizzard, Fringe: September's Notebook, and The Essential Supernatural: On The Road With Sam And Dean Winchester. As a tie in to The Art of Blizzard, special guest artists from Blizzard Entertainment will be on hand to sign Diablo III Book of Cain and posters from Art of Blizzard. Comic-Con International is also the show where new projects debut. This year Insight will give fans a sneak peak at future titles Pacific Rim, Man of Steel, Spongebob, and showcase special collaborations with writer-director Guillermo del Toro.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Square Enix Batman: Arkham Asylum Exclusives

There is one topic (beyond My Little Pony, Monster High and Winx Club...who knew?) that rocks my rankings at the merest mention on new merchandise, it is THE BATMAN!! And among the Batman merch that gets the most interest is anything for Arkham Asylum or City. Yep...you sure do love playing those video games...and so it came as no surprise when Square Enix announced their two SDCC 2012 exclusives would BOTH be from Arkham Asylum.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Mega Bloks Events & Giveaways

I've been going to SDCC for 10 years now, and despite what you might think, it still doesn't take much to grab my attention. Seriously I'm like a baby with jingling keys. Among it all, though, I have the most respect for innovation and effort. You've got a signing...a hands on video game kiosk...free temporary tattoos...that is all fine and good and part of what makes this convention amazingly fun....but if you had a giant Mega Bloks Power Rangers MEGA Mural people could add blocks too....well then you'd be thinking outside the box! Here's a run down of MEGA's show activities...

If you’ve been to a Mega Bloks booth before, you’ve participated in our free building tables and walked away with a ton cool stuff!

Sub Zero Mortal Kombat Life Size Bust Premiering at Comic-Con

Pop Culture Shock Collectibles are pleased to announce an agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to bring life size busts of characters from the most brutal fighting game of all time, the legendary Mortal Kombat, to die-hard collectors’ homes this year.

Pop Culture Shock Collectibles' first life size bust for their Mortal Kombat line will be SUB ZERO, a collectible so realistic, you can almost hear him say, "THIS FIGHT WILL BE YOUR LAST!" SUB ZERO makes his debut wearing his costume from the latest Mortal Kombat video game, developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Sneak Peek : Dark Knight Rises Movie Masters Batman

The Avengers beat our fragile minds into submission with enough amazing to satisfy even the most discriminating forum troll...for at least a week. The Amazing Spider-Man brought us the near perfect comic superhero we've been begging for since we were children. In a short couple of weeks, The Dark Knight will return and attempt full on brain explodey. I'm positive Warner Brothers will accept nothing less. As those of us with money to burn (or shelves full of Ramen Noodles to replace the meals we are forgoing) head off to San Diego Comic-Con, we prepare for the piles of Dark Knight Rises merchandise that will surely greet us at the vendor booths and among companies with exclusives to push. Mattel is one such company, but their Dark Knight will not be cast aside like some common plush toy. OH NO! This is something special...

The Hobbit Comic-Con Teaser Poster

Those playful scamps. You just know Guillermo del Torro and Peter Jackson were on their cell phones in front of their keyboards going...OK...3...2...1!! Then laughed maniacally as they launched posters for their new films, sending the world of geeks spinning wildly off its axis. Boys, you should never release such awesome at the same time. It throws off the balance of things. Now we'll have 10 more years of Snookie. Thanks lots.

Peter Jackson just dropped The Hobbit Comic-Con poster via his FaceBook page...as that is how the world communicates now and I love it because it drops everything in my lap. FACEBOOK IS THE GREAT EQUALIZER!!! He had this to say...

The Pacific Rim Comic-Con Teaser Poster



The Pacific Rim Facebook page had dropped a major tease, sending us drooling for giant robot action..and when we say GIANT..we mean these bots can crumple up a Decepticon like a tin foil ball.

For those of you who will be attending San Diego Comic-Con this year, be sure to join director Guillermo del Toro and stars Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day, Rinko Kikuchi and Ron Perlman for a special look at the upcoming film on Saturday, July 14th, in Hall H at 2:30pm: http://bit.ly/LMIUSb. Hope to see you there!

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : October Toys Exclusives & Giveaways

In the realm of art toys, the term DIY is nothing new, and saying the artists are fueled by the punk rock is an understatement....but this movement has a crew I applaud at every turn and epitomize the spirit of creating awesome collectibles (with love) while supporting the rest of their brothers and sisters. That crew is October Toys (booth 4838). Zombie obsessed, crowd sourced and snappy dressing mofos all describe these champions of DIY plastics. Now we get a look at their purpletastic array of SDCC 2012 exclusives...

Star Trek Kre-O Sets Premiering at Comic-Con

At Comic-Con, the KRE-O brand from Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) boldly goes where no one has gone before. Based on the upcoming STAR TREK sequel from Paramount Pictures and directed by J.J. Abrams, the KRE-O STAR TREK line, under license from CBS Consumer Products, features a variety of vehicles from the movie along with fun KREON figures based on iconic STAR TREK characters. Fans will be able to see the KRE-O STAR TREK U.S.S. ENTERPRISE set and KIRK, SPOCK and BONES KREON figures for the first time in person at the Hasbro Comic-Con booth (#3213) beginning on Preview Night, July 11.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Sneak Peek : Mattel's Monster High Scarah Screams

When I first saw those quickie YouTube vids of Mattel's newest creation, I really didn't know what to think. Was this a test to see if people would dig it? If so, it was a daring experiment and one I did not expect from the keepers of Barbie. Years later, Monster High enjoys mega global popularity and proves the public is ready for original ideas that aren't so squeaky clean. I've applauded every second of this ride..if not those spent staring at empty shelves at retail.

Now, as we squeak ever closer to the opening bells of San Diego Comic-Con 2012, we are granted a sneak preview of Mattel's newest Monster High member; Scarah Screams, and her partner, Hoodude Voodoo!

Friday, July 6, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : The Essentials

We've been loading you up with Exclusives news and promises of limited edition free stuffs and an endless parade of programming for San Diego Comic-Con. We've even provided some tips to make this year's show a better experience. Now we'll take a look at some items that caught our attention and could make your trip better than it ever was before!

When I have the urge to treat myself with a new gadget I never knew existed and now, upon its reveal, I can not live without, I'm usually browsing the pages of ThinkGeek. Here you will find everything from Electric Guitar T Shirts to covert, highly annoying Christmas ornaments and the legendary Tauntaun Sleeping Bag. After a little digging, you'll also find quite a few items that will make you feel like a moderate budget Tony Stark as you run across the floor of your favorite conventions. Here are our favorites...

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : The WB "EXTRA at Comic-Con" Lineup

“Warner Bros. has three priority words in our vocabulary when it comes to Comic-Con: FANS, FREE and FUN. We encourage everyone to check out the ‘Extra at Comic-Con’ stage this year,” said Lisa Gregorian, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Bros. Television Group. “We have some EXTRA special Con legends, must-see musical acts, free outdoor movie screenings sponsored by Flixster, your favorite casts Q&As, fan-centric comedy, live table reads … ALL topped off Saturday night with Bacon — as in The Bacon Brothers!”

Amazing Spider-Man Action Figures Do BATTLE!

Right now, on screens across the globe, The Amazing Spider-Man is getting his ass handed to him by The Lizard...for our viewing pleasure of course. Meanwhile, Diamond Select Toys and Hasbro have cranked out quality collectibles to commemorate the moment and give you ample opportunity to make pew pew noises as you re-enact your favorite battle scenes.

As it is just before San Diego Comic-Con, our time is limited, so we will narrow our focus on a trio of action figures you are sure to be gunning for among the piles released.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Teddy Scares Exclusive

Applehead Factory announces their 2012 San Diego Comic Con Exclusive!

It's that time of year again, and Applehead Factory is pleased to announce details of their San Diego Comic Con exclusive, the Zombie Hester Mini and Journal set, a tie in with their popular line of adorably terrifying teddy bears known as Teddy Scares. What's cool about this Hester Mini-Journal set is that it's actually two exclusives in one. Each set includes an 8” Zombie Hester Golem doll and an Edwin Morose “Friends for Never” Journal that will only be available at Applehead Factory's Booth.

What The ?!*$@! is Marvel NOW?!

Don't call it a Re-Boot...or a re-imagining..or any of the words Marvel obviously finds dirty. Marvel would never stoop to such cheap gimicks. So..if it isn't a hard re-set like DC Comic's NEW52...what the hell is it? Let's find out...

The most popular characters. The most acclaimed creators. The most ambitious stories. This is Marvel NOW!

This Fall, the Marvel Universe heads in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes-- Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more-- to deliver all-new ongoing series, each beginning with issue #1! Marvel NOW! is the culmination of Marvel ReEvolution, the groundbreaking new initiative to evolve the comic book experience through innovation.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Get the Gringo & More at FOX

Get the Gringo, the latest action-comedy starring Mel Gibson, will be making its debut on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download July 17, 2012

Before the film comes home, it will be making an appearance at SDCC at Fox Booth #4313, where attendees can pre-order the film and participate in numerous activities. Fans will also be treated to loads of cool swag, including an exclusive mini-poster where fans are tasked to find the 'Gringo's'.

VIZ Kids Debuts Winx Club Graphic Novel Series

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, presents Winx Club, a brand new graphic novel series inspired by the hit international animated TV series currently airing on Nickelodeon. WINX CLUB Volumes 1 and 2 will be published under the VIZ Kids imprint, and are available now in stores; Volume 3 will be available on September 4th. Each volume is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and will carry an MSRP of $6.99 U.S. / $7.99 CAN.

The WINX CLUB graphic novels follow the magical adventures of five best friends— Bloom, Stella, Musa, Tecna and Flora — at Alfea, a school for fairies in the amazing dimension of Magix. With powers of sunlight, science, music, nature, and flame, the girls learn together even as they regularly battle their rivals, a trio of witches known as The Trix.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Huckleberry + Toddland's Exclusives & Signings

Huckleberry (booth# 3449) has partnered up with their friends at Toddland to put together an amazing array of exclusive goods, meet & greets and FUN for the San Diego Comic Con 2012!

ParaNorman

First up from Huckleberry is the unveiling of their line of figures from upcoming Focus Features / LAIKA film ParaNorman, which hits theaters August 17, 2012. The eight figure line encompasses all of the core characters and a number of spooky zombies. As an advance preview, Huckleberry will be releasing four limited edition ParaNorman San Diego Comic Con exclusives:

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Shout Factory Events & Exclusives

Shout! Factory makes its mark at San Diego Comic-Con International 2012 with a dynamic line-up, featuring an exclusive panel event, a showcase of upcoming home entertainment juggernauts, Comic-Con exclusive items, daily prize sweepstakes, collectible giveaways, surprise star appearances, and interactive fan activities at the Shout! Factory booth (#3849 on the main convention floor). Fan favorite stars scheduled to attend at this time include: Tom Kenny (Marvel’s The Super Hero Squad Show, Rocko’s Modern Life, SpongeBob SquarePants), Sumalee Montano (TRANSFORMERS PRIME, ER), Josh Keaton (TRANSFORMERS PRIME, GreenLantern: The Animated Series), Tania Gunadi (TRANSFORMERS PRIME, Aaron Stone), Paul Schrier (Power Rangers), among other notables.

Amazing Spider-Man Movie Minimates In Action

Now that every damn one of you has gone out and seen The Amazing Spider-Man ( I assume this, because any good geek would), we'd like to celebrate the fantastic plastics made for the film. This has to be a quickie since we are knee deep in San Diego Comic-Con prep, but that doesn't mean we shirked our responsibilities while shooting away.

Check out Diamond Select's Amazing Spider-Man Minimates! Boasting the widest array of characters from the film, Diamond Select's boxy little figures allow you to recreate every scene from the film on your desk at work while you wait for those TPS reports to print out. Minimates are jam packed with posability, allowing for the most eerie emoting from a figure of that scale. It always amazes me how much a little tilt of a head can do to a character's body language in a shot.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

VS : Heroes Face a Horrific Twist

Dreadcentral.com just tipped me off on a new project from Jason Trost (the madman behind The FP aka that clip we ran where futuristic folks played dance dance revolution in battle) called VS. The project cashes in on our love for those men and women in tights but the plot looks to be pure, fantastic anarchy...

Four Super Heroes find themselves abducted by their Arch Nemesis and are forced to compete in a series of challenges in order to save an abandoned town full of kidnapped innocent civilians.

James Gunn messed with the chemistry of the typical super hero story in his film Super and if you think hard enough, you can trace it all back to Toxic Avenger as one of the first super hero films to break the standard, fairly family safe mold. Most recently, Max Landis gave us Chronicle; in which teenagers find themselves with powers a little beyond their control. This is a trend I'll applaud until my hands are red and swollen! Moooooore please. We'll be watching for screening dates for VS as they surface, but for now, dig the trailer...

Zach Vs Monsuno

When a company says they want to send me a toy line, I think long and hard if my audience wants to see it, how long it will take to do the shoot and what my absolute deadline for people caring looks like. When the line is super kid friendly...I call Zach. Zach is my 7 yr old nephew. He enjoys Family Guy, Adventure Time, Regular Show, smashing things together, conning folks into playing Mario Cart so he can beat them, the beach and fried Mozzarella Sticks. We are a lot alike.

When I dumped the Monsuno box in Zach's lap..well..let's just say the face in the picture isn't far from the one he made. "CAN I KEEP IT?!" was the first question and it soon became clear he was interested in the total package and perhaps far more impressed with the box than the contents. He is a detail oriented man. I told him first we work...then it is all his. He is used to this as when Uncle Paulie comes around with new toys, there is always a stipulation before we split the booty. In this case, I wanted to see how quickly Zach would pick up the game play, operate the figures, etc. He recognized the cards from his experience with Pokemon and immediately identified the shiny ones as being more special. The cores were another thing all together.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Dark Horse Exclusives



The largest and most highly anticipated pop culture event of the year is right around the corner, and Dark Horse is bringing you the latest and greatest in exclusive products from Dark Horse Deluxe!



2" Pirate Domo Qee : Limited Edition of 1,500 - These popular 2" Qee figures have continually sold out, appearing in stores and galleries worldwide. Who wouldn’t want a Pirate Domo Qee? Get one while they last!

The Walking Dead #100 Limited Edition Box Set

As if there weren't enough reasons to celebrate the Walking Dead's success, now the comic book that started it all is nearing 100 issues and Skybound is taking every opportunity to blow it up!

In honor of The Walking Dead #100, Skybound is releasing a limited edition custom made TWD 100 box set.

The box set includes:

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Winx Club Pixie Swarms Comic-Con

The Winx Club is taking over Comic-Con 2012! Fans of all ages can take photos with Winx Club costume characters at the Nickelodeon Booth (#4113) on Sunday, July 15 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm! Exclusive Gold Edition Bloom dolls will be given away to lucky fans at the Nickelodeon booth at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm every day! Additionally, Limited Silver Edition Bloom dolls will be on sale at the Nickelodeon Booth daily, while supplies last (only 500 available).

The hot new Nickelodeon show, “Winx Club,” is an animated modern fantasy adventure series that follows six best friends – Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna and Aisha – as they attend Alfea College, the finest fairy school in all the realms. When trouble arises, the Winx Club transform into beautiful fairies and use their unique magical powers to fight villains and save the world from evil. Fans of the series can soon collect each fairy and relive their magical adventures with the new line of dolls, play sets and role-play items.

San Diego Comic-Con Tip #2 : Clean Up Your Act!

There's no bones about it...some of us stink more than others. As an Italian, I can certainly relate as I sweat if I walk 10 feet. That is why God invented Right Guard Total Defense 5 Power Gel. That said, I would implore you to make the San Diego Comic-Con show floor as pleasant as possible by double and triple checking your stankiest of body parts before you leave your hotel room to tackle the nerdling hordes. Soap is your best friend. Shampoo is your savior. Deodorant is your +6 Flaming Vorpal Sword. When in doubt, give a sniff. Ask a friend if you smell fresh as a daisy. Stank-check buddies are the best buddies to have! If we all work together, we can rid the world 0f what we have come to call "The Stench" ie; that creeping, sentient mass of odor that takes over the show floor mid-day on Saturday that reminds one of a super low budget petting zoo off the highway you may have visited as a child. No human being should smell like that. Let's be squeaky clean out there folks!

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Toynami Exclusives


Remember how I keep saying any day now a mountain of exclusives and events news is going to drop on my head? IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET!! Honestly, the suspense is braking my cranium in two...but I'm kept busy by the steady flow of what is actually coming in...which includes Toynami's exclusives today! Toynami always have a wide array of licenses to pluck exclusives from and this year, they seemed to have gone with squishy over plasticy...but there is one action figure hiding in there. Sadly, it isn't from Futurama, as we had speculated the Shogun Warrior Bender might be this year's piece. Sorry Ramafans! Here's what is on tap...