Deathstroke gets a new bust to go along with his upcoming comic series

July 2, 2014, 11:30 am

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DC Collectibles will producing a New 52 Deathstroke bust, possibly to commemorate Deathstroke's upcoming self-title comic series. Although no price has been specified, previous busts of this kind have been listed for US$50. He's slated for a January release.

While I'm not a huge fan of Deathstroke's New 52 design, I like the battle-hardened look of the scraped paint on those armored bits. They add a neat level of detail to the bust.

Deathstroke gets a new bust to go along with his upcoming comic series screenshot

OG Impala MINIs – Ivory

July 2, 2014, 11:30 am

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≪ Previous: Deathstroke gets a new bust to go along with his upcoming comic series

Arik Ehle recently launched a series of OG Impala MINI 1/3rd scale resin sculptures. These are based on some of Arik's much larger, full-sized pieces. The first colorway to get its release is Ivory. (Look for a GID exclusive for SDCC and Onyx in August). Measuring about 9" tall x 5" wide x 7" deep, each […]

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Squid Kids Ink Mega-Bit Kickstarter Campaign

July 2, 2014, 12:47 pm

≫ Next: Hail to the (Alien) Queen, baby!

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Squid Kids Ink is super excited to announce their newest So Analog figure, the Mega-Bit. This release is officially licensed from Sega and they want to celebrate 25 years with an awesome toy! They’ve created a Kickstarter Campaign to get these moving along and hopefully very soon into your collections!...

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Hail to the (Alien) Queen, baby!

July 2, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: New Images of Rollbar Out of Package Transformers Age of Extinction Figure

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To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the scifi classic Aliens, NECA has announced plans to release a massive Alien Queen in scale with the company's other Xenomorph-themed offerings. She's available for pre-order now.

NECA's Alien Queen is billed as measuring 15-inches tall and over 30-inches in length (to the tip of her tail), making her one of largest figures NECA has ever produced. To top it off, the royal terror will feature 30 points of articulation, two interchangeable inner mouth pieces, and a display stand. In short, she's pretty awesome.

NECA's Alien Queen has a US$95 list price and is slated for a November release. While I may have been perfectly happy to buy NECA's Spider Gremlin, I think may pass on the Alien Queen since I'm not as fond of the Alien franchise and she's a good deal more expensive.

[ Pre-order at Entertainment Earth ]

Hail to the (Alien) Queen, baby! screenshot

New Images of Rollbar Out of Package Transformers Age of Extinction Figure

July 2, 2014, 1:09 pm

≫ Next: LeapFrog Appoints Steve Youngwood to Board of Directors

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Ebay seller lena81822 we has posted an auction with new images of the Transformers Age of Extinction Breakout Battle Rollbar figure out of the package. Following the reveal at BotCon last month, we have some images of the figure out the package shown in robot mode, jet mode, and with accessories. Read on to see all the Transformers Age of Extinction Rollbar images.

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LeapFrog Appoints Steve Youngwood to Board of Directors

July 2, 2014, 1:12 pm

≫ Next: SDCC 2014 - In-Hand Images Knights of Unicron Optimus Prime, Jazz, Soundwave Transformers Exclusives

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[PR Newswire] - EMERYVILLE, Calif., July 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (LF) announced today that Steve Youngwood has joined the company's board of directors. Mr. Youngwood is a senior global media industry executive who most recently served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Entertainment Products at Nickelodeon. "Steve is a proven and well-respected leader in the digital media industry," said LeapFrog Chairman Bill Chiasson. "His experience in building leading entertainment media will benefit LeapFrog as we significantly invest in growing our content portfolio and diversifying our business with new media delivery platforms such as our educational, active video game system just for kids – LeapTV - that will be in stores later this year."

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SDCC 2014 - In-Hand Images Knights of Unicron Optimus Prime, Jazz, Soundwave Transformers Exclusives

July 2, 2014, 1:14 pm

≫ Next: AMC Regal Cinemas Exclusive IMAX 3D July 4th Posters for Transformers Age of Extinction

≪ Previous: LeapFrog Appoints Steve Youngwood to Board of Directors

Ebay seller lena81822 has posted an auction with the new SDCC 2014 in-hand Images Knights of Unicron Optimus Prime, Jazz, and Soundwave Transformers exclusive figures out of the package. Following the reveal at BotCon last month, we have some looks of these figure out the package shown in robot and alternate modes as well as lots of HAIR! Read on to see all three, sorry no Megatron, Transformers SDCC 2014 Knights of Unicron exclusives.

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AMC Regal Cinemas Exclusive IMAX 3D July 4th Posters for Transformers Age of Extinction

July 2, 2014, 1:40 pm

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Paramount Pictures and AMC Regal Cinemas have teamed up to offer some Exclusive IMAX Posters for the Transformers Age of Extinction movie to fans who see the film the Jluy 4, 2014 weekend. The limited edition prints will be given away at participating theaters offering the movie in IMAX 3D. What's a bit ironic is theses are the maintstream posters that have seen already only they been posterized (no pun) to flat and less detailed as art works, I guess? Read on to see the official details and images.

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Video Review Generations Roadbuster Voyager Class Figure

July 2, 2014, 1:46 pm

≫ Next: Gary Ham Scott Tolleson x Pobber Toys Sylvan Ivy Lee SDCC Release

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Thanks to Pax Cybertron have posted a video following the images we reported previously of the Transformers Generations Roadbuster figure that is just making its way to stores along with the much anticipated Sky Byte figure. Get a look at this homage to the Mugen / G1 figure that is a remake of the Springer figure. Read on to see the video review for more details on this toy.

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Gary Ham Scott Tolleson x Pobber Toys Sylvan Ivy Lee SDCC Release

July 2, 2014, 1:53 pm

≫ Next: Batman: The Complete Television Series Details Coming To SDCC

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Here are a couple teaser/sample shots of what Pobber Toys has got going on for this years SDCC! First is the Sylvan figure by Gary Ham, which looks to have had a few additions since we’ve seen him last year at SDCC (HERE). There is also going to be the...

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Batman: The Complete Television Series Details Coming To SDCC

July 2, 2014, 2:04 pm

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New 52 Deathstroke Bust From DC Collectibles

July 2, 2014, 2:17 pm

≫ Next: 2014 SDCC Exclusive She-Ra Filmation Sword of Protection Letter Opener

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2014 SDCC Exclusive She-Ra Filmation Sword of Protection Letter Opener

July 2, 2014, 2:21 pm

≫ Next: Care To Take A Tour Of Margarete Steiff's Historic Birth House?

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Care To Take A Tour Of Margarete Steiff's Historic Birth House?

July 2, 2014, 2:28 pm

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Welcome home! There are no warmer words in any language for sure. And Steiffgal just had the most wonderful homecoming, of sorts, when she had the absolute pleasure of touring the birth house of Margarete Steiff, the founder of Margarete Steiff GmbH - or the Steiff Company as we better know it. This important historical building is pictured above. The house is located just a stone's throw from the factory in Giengen, Germany and is open to the public. It can be explored with a docent or via a self guided tour - or in this case - online! Come along as we check out the highlights of this most interesting period residence.

The house itself is located on a side street about a five minute's walk from the central factory campus. The street has houses, apartments, and a few small shops. On the birth house is the plaque pictured above. When you walk into the building, there is a small reception area with lockers to store your bags, coats, or parcels. There you can request the printed self guided tour from the guard; it is available in English and German. The cover of brochure reads in part...

"Dear visitor, a warm welcome to the house where Margarete Steiff, the founder of the world famous company Margarete Steiff GmbH, was born. Margarete was born on 24 July 1847 in this house, which was built back in the middle of the 17th century, and lived here until 1889.

In 2003 the house was lovingly restored and furnished in places with items from the Biedermeier period. It now reflects the character of the 1880 period. In that year, Margarete laid the foundations of a worldwide company with the first stuffed toy, an elephant made from felt."

The first major stop on the tour is Margarete's workroom, which is located up a narrow flight of stairs from the reception area. It is a large, open, sunny space. According to the self guided tour in part...

"This work room was created specifically for his daughter by Margarete Steiff's father, and master builder, in 1874."

(You can see many early white felt elephants in this picture, along with lots of colorful, thick felt material. The scissors on the right are huge and heavy, it is hard to imagine the hand strength it would take to use them!)

"In the foreground, you will see one of Margarete's wheelchairs. The picture above it shows a photograph of Margarete on a walk with her nephew Paul Steiff, one of her brother's sons."

(It is very interesting to note that the wheels on this wheelchair almost look like "snow tires" with their extremely raised and bumpy surfaces. Perhaps for better traction on cobbled streets and in bad weather?)

"The sewing machine on the left in front of the window was owned by Margarete Steiff. Looking out of this window, for which her father had to ask special permission from the city of Giengen, Margarete often gazed out over the hustle and bustle of the Lederstrasse."

("Lederstrasse" means "Leather Street," the address of the house. Seeing this sewing machine was quite meaningful as a Steiff collector and enthusiast. The Steiff's were the first family in Giengen to own a sewing machine.)

The next room on the tour is Margarete's tiny bedroom which is literally nuzzled into a small space in the house. When you look out of her bedroom window, all you can see is the wall to the house next door, which is practically touching her house. According to the self guided brochure...

"Here in the bedroom, you can see quite clearly how close together the houses were built. The two dresses are the property if Eva Koepff, Margarete Steiff's favorite niece. Right next-door you will find the bathroom."

(This room is literally the size of the bed, plus just enough floor footprint to move around a bit and get in and out of bed.)

Adjacent to Margarete's bedroom is her washroom, which is also quite tiny and basic. According to the self guided brochure...

"This room looks nothing like the bathrooms were used to today. In simple households, there was no bathtub. Instead, they used washbowls."

(On the other wall is a hanging rack with some towels. But is is not clear if this room had, or ever had, a toilet as we think of bathrooms having them today.)

Next up on the tour is the family's living room. This room is quite elegant compared to the others in the house, and a bit more formal as well. According to the self guided brochure...

"In the living room, you'll find an absolutely wonderful table with chairs, and in front of an oven made of cast iron is the matching cushioned bench."

(You can see the tall thin black oven in the upper left hand corner of the photo, it is almost like a chimney. The table is absolutely gorgeous and made from wood that looks textured, but feels smooth.)

"Cupboards and a desk round off the ensemble."

(The desk is solid, heavy, and important looking. The cupboard holds special occasion looking china and glasses. There are several pieces of art on the walls, including a painting of a man, and an illustration of a bible verse.)

The next room on the tour, and on the same floor as the rooms just discussed, is the kitchen. This room is quite small and dark, and full of period cooking and baking accessories. According in part to the self guided tour...

"This stove is the type that Margarete's mother, Maria Steiff, used to prepare the family meals."

(On the top of the black stove, right next to the round pot, is a "built in" waffle maker made from iron. The recipe for the waffles is cast onto the top.)

"Ceramic molds, milk churn, pans, bowls, etc. complete the picture of a kitchen from the middle of the 19th century."

(The home originally had these beige and black floor tiles in the kitchen and in the hall corridor; in some places they are still original and in others they have been replicated and laid by craftsmen during renovations.)

Just around the corner from the kitchen is a porch which has access to a garden with flowers and vegetables. On the tour, you can pause and take a rest on a bench which is just outside the door of the porch. You must go down a few stairs to get to this garden. Here you can see a partial view of the garden from the porch. Unfortunately, the day we were visiting it was raining quite hard so we chose not to go outside to see this garden up close and personal.

Now the tour takes us up a narrow flight of stairs to the attic or top floor of the house. Here there are a few small rooms, but the most important living space is Margarete's parent's bedroom. According to the self guided tour...

"On the right you'll see the room in which Margarete Steiff was born - her parents bedroom."

(Like Margarete's bedroom, this living space is also quite compact. The black item on the night table is probably a hatbox from a regional haberdashery or department store.)

"An extremely beautiful rustic dresser dating from 1849, two beds, and night tables complete the bedroom picture."

(This is a lovely, hand painted dresser that really is the focal point of the room and measures floor to ceiling.)

The last home space in this house museum was the attic area, which was extensive and quite high. It appears to run the length of the house, but only a small portion is open to the public for exploration. According to the self guided brochure...

"Going right, through the door, you will now come to the historic and listed-status roof-truss."

(This appears like it would be a great place for storage but probably quite cold in the winter as no insulation is evident.)

"Here, inside, you can still see the beautiful old half timbered construction."

(Check out the underside of the tiles that make up the home's great tiled roof. According to their marks, they were made in nearby Stuttgart, Germany.)

After visitors tour the open living spaces of the house, they are invited to view a small collection of very vintage Steiff items and important Steiff related paperwork and ephemera. These precious items are located on the first floor of the house. According to the self guided tour...

"This exhibition of early start animals, made from felt and velvet, is intended to enrich your impression of the life of our company founder even further."

Here are some outstanding highlights from this display!

Here we have three documents relating to the company's founding and intellectual property, including their status in the United States.

Also featured are numerous wildlife drawings and sketches by Richard Steiff, Margarete's creative nephew who invented the jointed Teddy bear in 1902.

This is a lovely, early, and delicate felt swan pram toy, which hangs from an elastic cord and is detailed with a bell and pink woolen pom poms. This item was produced in this size only from 1897 through 1918.

This charming turn of last century striped velvet cat glides along on four metal wheels. This pattern was produced overall in 14, 17, and 22 cm from 1901 through 1927.

And finally, the birth house exhibit featured many wonderful and interesting early felt Steiff dolls. This early "throw style" baby girl was Steifgal's favorite! This simplified doll toy designed for play was produced in various colors of felt, as well as mohair, in 30 cm from 1908 through 1921 overall.

Steiffgal hopes this virtual tour of Margarete Steiff's birth house truly confirms, "There's no place like home!"

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

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PAtrick Wong – SP1200 Resin

July 2, 2014, 2:30 pm

≫ Next: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014 Movie April O'Neil Video Review & Images

≪ Previous: Care To Take A Tour Of Margarete Steiff's Historic Birth House?

Patrick Wong has released a 3" limited edition resin toy entitled SP1200 (after the legendary sampling drum machine of the same name). The SP1200 resin toy is the second release in the "Beats" series. Like the MPC60 (previously announced), the SP1200 was known for it's distinctive lo-fi 12-bit aesthetic and made popular by producers such as Pete […]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014 Movie April O'Neil Video Review & Images

July 2, 2014, 3:13 pm

≫ Next: Super7 SDCC Releases Update Preview #2

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Super7 SDCC Releases Update Preview #2

July 2, 2014, 3:30 pm

≫ Next: Joe Ledbetter x Munky King SDCC Exclusive Good Morning Sunshine Lava Edition

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Alright folks! We’ve got another Super7 SDCC update for you all! First up is the full reveal of their collaborative ReAction release with Funk (Teased HERE). What are you looking at is the Alien Egg Chamber ReAction Set, which is limited to 250 pieces and numbered for $100. There is...

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Joe Ledbetter x Munky King SDCC Exclusive Good Morning Sunshine Lava Edition

July 2, 2014, 4:10 pm

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Joe Ledbetter’s “Good Morning Sunshine” figure with Munky King will be making its debut release at this years SDCC! The Lava Edition will be an exclusive of only 100 pieces and will be available at the Munky King booth #4851 for $120. Joe will be at the booth signing and...