Disney is RUMORED to Buy Hasbro…

Last week, Disney and George Lucas shocked everyone by announcing that Lucas had sold LucasFilm, the rights to the Star Wars films and its characters to Disney for approximately $4 billion. This week, rumors are flying that Disney may possibly buy Hasbro! Disney would then become somewhat of a monopoly of gigantic proportions to entertainment (theme parks and movies) and its merchandising of products (toys and games)!

The Lucasfilm acquisition has been reported as taking only 6 months to complete, so these discussions with Hasbro are probably pretty serious. This can definitely impact the entertainment industry in a big way. Disney would get the rights to the Transformers, G.I. Joe, My Little Pony, Dungeons and Dragons and several other tv/movie/game/toy franchises. It would definitely broaden their audience and also bring back some franchises back to Disney to be under one roof.

It seemed for a time that Disney was losing its grip on their audience until it acquired Pixar. There seemed to be too many “princess” movies and not enough movies that boys would like. Marvel and Star Wars have definitely changed that picture. Will prices for Disney-owned merchandise go up significantly as well? Hopefully not, but only time will tell.

If all this does come to pass, what happens to The Hub (and other shows) and the comics with IDW and Dark Horse? Do they all go away? Or will Disney incorporated everything? There are still a lot of questions to be answered here. Hopefully, most entities will stay in place in some way. Overall, it’s good for Disney, hopefully it will be good for fans as well.

Star Wars Celebration VI Exhibitor List and Floor Plan

Exhibitor	Booth #
740 The Game On Air	109
A Wrinkle in Time	116
Acme Archives Ltd	747
Action Figure Authority, AFA	308
Advanced Graphics	1014
Andrea Swabb	TAT21
Asylum	TAT02
Atomic Age Collectibles	312
Austin Browncoats	1205
B&D Star Wars	105
Barnes & Noble	129
Brass Monkey Tattoo	TAT09
Brian’s Toys	1102
Brick Envy	206
Bricks & Boards, LLC	1202
CMI Toys	1103
Camp Planner Industrial (CPI)	223
Cantina Collectibles	1223
Cartamundi USA	320
Chris 51 Tattoos	TAT29
Collectors Rebellion	1120
Comic Images	402
Completist Publications	1306
Cool Cat Collectibles	1021
Custom Art by Jeremiah	TAT10
DC Area Star Wars Collecting Club	548
DK Publishing Inc	813
Dark Horse Comics Inc	839
Diamond Select Toys	632
Digital Source Marketing, LLC	1226
Disney Theme Park Merchandise	341
Disney Theme Park Merchandise	331
Draven’s City Limits Collectibles	1140
Drew Baker	1038
eFX Inc.	921
Earloomz	811
Jedi Council Forums & FanForce	554
Fantasy Flight Games	739
Forcepowered Collectibles	202
Fox Valley Tattoo	TAT20
Full Sail University	229
Galerie, USA	933
Gentle Giant LTD	521
Star Wars Super Collector’s Wish Book	1224
Glitch Gaming Apparel	121
Glitch Gaming Apparel	1039
Hallmark Cards Inc	803
HASBRO	721
Her Universe	915
Hollywood Heroes	212
Hornby America, Inc	431
Howling Wolf Enterprises	1125
HYP Hats	433
iAM Enterprises, LLC (iAM3DStore.com)	1033
Imagez Photography	445
Imperial Class Tattoo, LLC	TAT16
Imperial Quartermaster & Dimension Decals	1111
Intergalactic Trading Co Inc	1213
J&J Collectibles	1122
Japan Star Wars Modeling Alliance	552
Jason Palmer Studios	941
Joe Corroney & Jan Duursema
Joe Corroney & Jan Duursema	1040
Jolie Rogue Tattoo	TAT17
Josh Bodwell Tattoos	TAT28
Jumpin Jammerz	1010
Juniors Comics & Cards	215
KE Toys & Games	207
KIF’S	1032
Kotobukiya	903
Krypton Comics Inc	1211
Lego Systems Inc	321
Legendary Costume Works	1106
Limited Edition Collectibles	203
Lost in a Vacuum	106
Matt Busch / Planetmatt Entertainment	220
Mega Star Wars	1203
Michael Bianco	TAT26
WeLoveFine.com	512
Mikes Comics & Collectibles	435
Mikes Comics & Collectibles	536
Mimoco	313
Mississippi Mandalorians	551
Museum Replicas	530
Nappy Artist	TAT15
Nerdist Industries	1240
Neutral Zone, LLC	113
Norwich Star Wars Club, UK	550
NVIDIA	833
Ohio Star Wars Collectors Club	453
Orlando Science Center	309
PSA, Professional Sports Authenticator	1110
Pain & Wonder	TAT04
P Novelties	122
Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society	451
Phil’s Toys	1220
Tattoos By Chris Jones	TAT27
TAT-TWIN Skin art by Piero Bockos	TAT19
Pitt Stop Cards	304
Plush Gallery Tattoo	TAT24
Rancorhill Collectibles	1204
Random House – Del Rey	910
Rebel Base Comics & Toys	1112
Red Rocket Tattoo	TAT13
Red Rocket Tattoo – Vinny Romanelli	TAT23
Reynolds Advanced Materials	441
Dave Dorman	939
Rubie’s Costume Co Inc	403
Russell Walks Illustration	408
Scholastic Book Fairs	533
Scion	1239
Scott Blair	TAT08
Scott Bohrer	TAT07
Shadows on the Wall	221
Sistine Skin – Jerry Watelski	TAT06
Sistine Skin, LLC	TAT03
tuff city	TAT01
Sorry! No Subtitles	120
Star Pix Collectibles	1127
Star Wars Vegetable Carving and Jedi Order of Japan	455
Star Wars Grand Florida Alliance	449
Starbase Atlanta	1003
Stylin Online	549
Stylin Online	541
Stylin Online	927
Suchiu Art	1041
Super7	315
SWAG 77	448
Tattoos by Brian Stringer	TAT14
Tattoos by Thomas Kersnowsky	TAT11
The Contact Lens Company	1105
The Dark Empire	650
The Force United	450
The Saber Guild	349
Maverick Arts/The Art of Monte Moore	225
The Art of Ralph McQuarrie	1141
Spencer Brinkerhoff III	1138
The Art of Tsuneo Sanda	1139
The DAVE School	1133
The Jedi Assembly	452
The Midsummer Knights Dream	110
Outer Rim Toys and Collectibles	1107
Prop Store	1026
The Toy Cave	1121
The Toy Federation	1114
ThinkGeek	303
Through and Through Tattoo	TAT18
Time Machine Collectibles	112
Times Forgotten	302
Topps, USA	413
Toy Chamber Collectibles	1322
Toy Dump	102
James Gallo Toy Heaven-Coining A Galaxy	1221
Toynk.com	1011
Tribbletoys.com / GIANTmicrobes	108
Trinity Tattoo Co – Steve Roberts	TAT22
Trinity Tattoo Company – Earl Funk	TAT12
Uptown Tattoos	TAT05
Utilikilts LLC	213
Wookieepedia	351
Workman Publishing Co	911
SiriusXM Satellite Radio	907

Dark Horse Comics Schedule at Star Wars Celebration VI

Dark Horse Comics Editor Randy Stradley posted information of what fans can expect from Dark Horse at Star Wars Celebration VI.

• Get exclusive Star Wars Celebration VI “GALACTIC PASSPORT” and collect one-of-a-kind stamps from us and Star Wars publishers DK, Workman, Del Rey, and Scholastic.
• Check our schedule for SIGNINGS, PANELS, and SPECIAL EVENTS.
• Spin the Dark Horse PRIZE WHEEL for a chance to win an Alex Ross Star Wars print, a Dawn of the Jedi patch, an exclusive Celebration VI button pack, or Star Wars comics—either in print or digital.
• Take your PICTURE with some of our Star Wars cosplayer friends and in front of our awesome Star Wars art! Send a twitpic to @darkhorsecomics or post it on http://www.facebook.com/darkhorsecomics!
• Check out our STORMTROOPER HELMET illustrated by Chris Scalf. We’ll be auctioning it off on eBay for the Make-a-Wish Foundation in honor of the 501st Legion.
• Check out Star Wars comics in the DARK HORSE STORE, brought to you by TATE’S COMICS of Lauderhill, Florida!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

1:30—2:30 p.m. Dark Horse Comics Looks Ahead: 2013, Behind the Scenes Stage (W414 ABCD)
See what’s on the Star Wars horizon at Dark Horse with John Jackson Miller, Jan Duursema, Doug Wheatley, Dave Marshall, and Randy Stradley. Hosted by Pablo Hidalgo.

Canceled – 2:00—3:00 p.m. Signing with artist Chris Scalf – FREE Star Wars: Blood Ties—Boba Fett Is Dead mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

3:00—4:00 p.m. Signing with Dave Filoni, Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

5:00—6:00 p.m. Drawing Aliens with Doug Wheatley, Family Room

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 2012

11:30 a.m.—Noon Signing with artist Dave Dorman – FREE Darth Maul: Death Sentence mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

Noon—1:00 p.m. Signing with writer Brian Wood – FREE Alex Ross Star Wars print featuring the premier cover of Star Wars, a series which will take place during the three-year span between Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

1:00—2:00 p.m. Signing with writer Randy Stradley and artist Doug Wheatley – FREE Star Wars: Dark Times mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

3:00—5:00 p.m. Celebration VI Costume Masquerade, Celebration Stage (Chapin Theater)
Costuming is an art form, and quite possibly no group takes that art form higher than Star Wars fans. With judge Randy Stradley, long-time Star Wars comics writer, editor, and Pith Lord!

4:00—5:00 p.m. Signing with artist Jan Duursema – FREE Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

5:00—6:00 p.m. Signing with writer John Jackson Miller and letterer Michael Heisler—FREE Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

7:00—8:00 p.m. One Writer’s Approach to Star Wars, Star Wars University (W300)
Brian Wood talks about how he’s finding a new take on the core characters of the Original Trilogy Era in the upcoming series from Dark Horse Comics.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2012

11:00 am—Noon Signing with writer Randy Stradley and artist Doug Wheatley – FREE Star Wars: Dark Times mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

Noon—1:00 p.m. Signing with artist Chris Scalf – FREE Star Wars: Blood Ties—Boba Fett Is Dead mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

1:30—2:30 p.m. Signing with writer Brian Wood – FREE Alex Ross Star Wars print featuring the premier cover of Star Wars, a series which will take place during the three-year span between Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

3:00—5:00 p.m. Celebration VI Costume Masquerade, Celebration Stage (Chapin Theater)
Costuming is an art form, and quite possibly no group takes that art form higher than Star Wars fans. With judge Randy Stradley, long-time Star Wars comics writer, editor, and Pith Lord!

4:00—5:00 p.m. Signing with Jeffrey Brown, author and illustrator of Darth Vader and Son published by Chronicle Books

5:00—6:00 p.m. Drawing with Jan Duursema, Family Room

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2012

10:30—11:30 a.m. Creating Comics for the Star Wars Galaxy—Writers and Editors Roundtable Discussion, Star Wars University (W300)
A Writers’ Roundtable Discussion with John Jackson Miller, Jan Duursema, Dave Marshall, and Randy Stradley of Dark Horse Comics.

11:30 am – 1:30 pm Celebration VI Star Wars Tattoo Show, Digital Stage (W415 A)
It just wouldn’t be Celebration without the Star Wars tattoo show and competition, a tradition since 2005. Be amazed by the best Star Wars tattoos in different categories, and see how your ratings compare with the judges, one of whom is Dark Horse Comics’ very own Pith Lord Randy Stradley.

12:30 – 1:30 pm Signing with artist Jan Duursema – FREE Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

2:30 – 3:30 pm Signing with writer John Jackson Miller—FREE Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith mini-print (while supplies last), Dark Horse Comics (Booth 839)

via Dark Horse Press Release

The Avengers: 1/6th-Scale Hulk Limited Edition Collectible Figurine by Hot Toys!

Hot Toys is proud to present the highly expected 1/6th-Scale Hulk Limited Edition Collectible Figurine from the smash hit The Avengers. The movie-accurate collectible is specially crafted based on the image of the giant green-skinned angered monster Hulk in the movie.

The 1/6th-Scale Hulk Limited Edition Collectible Figurine features:

• Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Hulk in The Avengers movie
• Approximately 42 cm / 16.5 inches tall
• One (1) newly developed head sculpt with separate rolling eyeballs
• Movie-accurate facial expression featuring his angered gesture with detailed wrinkles and skin texture
• Detailed hair sculpture
• Giant green-skinned muscular body featuring detailed skin texture and tendons, with over 20 points of articulations with built-in joints in neck and arms which allow flexible movement
• Two (2) pairs of interchangeable palms including:
• One (1) pair of relaxed palms
• One (1) pair of forceful fists
• Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted

Costume:

• One (1) pair of ragged grey shorts

Artists:

• Head Sculpted by Kim Hyun
• Head Painted by JC Hong
• Head Art Directed by Kojun
• Body Sculpted & Painted by Joseph Tsang

**Prototype shown is not final, pending licensor approval

Release date: Q1, 2013

TM & © 2012 Marvel & Subs.
© 2012 Hot Toys Limited. All Rights Reserved.
via Hot Toys Press Release

Syfy Premieres COLLECTION INTERVENTION Tuesday, August 14 at 10PM ET/PT

The six-episode series follows Elyse Luray as she “helps couples, families and individuals whose pop-culture memorabilia collections have become damaging obsessions.”

In Syfy‘s newest reality series, Collection Intervention, premiering Tuesday, August 14 at 10PM (ET/PT), former Head of Special Collections at Christie’s, Elyse Luray helps couples, families and individuals whose pop-culture memorabilia collections – from Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica to Catwoman and Barbie – have become damaging obsessions, creating financial strife and a huge strain on their lives.

In each of the six hour-long episodes, Elyse will create a strategy that helps these collectors curate and showcase their collection by assessing where the true value lies and then allow them to decide what’s worth keeping and what they can sell. These massive collections include dining rooms stuffed with 30,000 comic books, a garage filled to the rafters with Catwoman memorabilia, and an almost uninhabitable house filled with Transformers. For each collector, parting with some of their collection may free up some much needed space in their home, provide a cash windfall to get out of debt, or even just allow a couple to become more focused on their relationship.

In the premiere episode titled “A Disturbance in the Force,” what started out as a single room dedicated to Star Wars has grown to take over the entire Concord, California home of Garet and Consetta. When Elyse quickly realizes the Star Wars collection has intense emotional meaning to Consetta, she fears that Consetta may not be able to part with a single item. If Elyse is going to help this couple take back their house, she’s going to have to use The Force to break through to them.

Also in the episode, disgruntled Los Angeles housewife Lolly calls Elyse to see if she can help her husband Mark let go of some of his extensive Catwoman collection so they can start to pay some bills. When Elyse sees the collection, which has overtaken their garage, she is stunned by the poor manner in which Mark has stored the collectibles he says he loves. Nonetheless, to save their relationship and pay down their debt, Elyse helps Mark identify what in his collection is truly important to him while pushing him to let go of what is not.

Collection Intervention is produced by High Noon Entertainment with executive producers Pam Healey, Jim Berger and Elizabeth Grizzle Voorhees.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

via Syfy Press Release

Hot Toys’ Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong Event Pre-Order Items

The Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong event is going on NOW!

This year, the Hot Toys booth is again decorated as the Hot Toys Theatre featuring the classic superhero thematic scenes and showcasing the specially designed dioramas of The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers with the latest figures series unveiled!

Three Special Edition Collectible Figures will be first available for pre-order at the Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong event starting tomorrow, where fans can get a complimentary exclusive bonus accessory upon pre-ordering there!

• For pre-order of The Avengers: 1/6th scale Mark VII Limited Edition Collectible Figurine, fans can get a bonus Holographic Mark VII collectible (approximately 3 inches tall)

• For pre-order of The Dark Knight Rises: 1/4th scale Batman Collectible Figure, fans can obtain a complimentary 1/4th scale Batman mask

• For pre-order of The Terminator: 1/4th scale Endoskeleton Collectible Figure, fans can get an additional 1/4th scale Plasma Rifle

Fans can visit the Hot Toys booth at booth number F18!

via Hot Toys Press Release

Get in Line Now! IDW Announces Comic-Con 2012 Exclusives!

Besides being America’s biggest comic convention, Comic-Con International: San Diego has become ground zero for publishers to premiere special, exclusive editions of their products to legions of dedicated fans. Without further ado, here are the offerings that will be available from IDW Publishing!

Some of the titles below will be available for pre-order from IDW’s Web store beginning June 22nd. Fans who preorder will be able to pick up their books from the IDW booth at Comic-Con.

A limited edition of the hotly anticipated Daredevil: Born Again Artist’s Edition will be on hand. Packaged in a deluxe slipcase, signed, numbered, and featuring a variant cover of David Mazzucchelli’s historic artwork, this edition will be limited to 250 copies and priced at $200. It will be available for pre-order from IDW’s Web store.

Speaking of Artist’s Editions, an exclusive version of Sergio Aragonés’ Groo The Wanderer: Artist’s Edition will be premiered at Comic-Con as well! Signed, numbered, and limited to 250 copies, this edition will feature a variant cover and be priced at $150. This title will be available for pre-order from IDW’s Web store.

Continuing the late creator’s legendary legacy, IDW will have an exclusive edition of Dave Stevens: Covers and Stories on hand. The convention-exclusive edition will have a variant cover, limited to 250 copies, of which only 100 will be available at Comic-Con, priced at $60, only available at the IDW booth!

A special convention-exclusive edition of Parker: The Score by Darwyn Cooke will also be available, featuring a variant dust jacket and numbered signature plate that is signed and numbered by Darwyn! This edition is limited to just 175 copies, priced at $60, and will only be available at IDW’s booth.

For Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans, IDW has a special surprise! For this convention only, IDW is producing a very special set of TMNT Ultimate Collection Volumes 1-3 Deluxe Slipcase. The three volumes will come in a deluxe, full-color slipcase. Priced at $200, there will only be 40 of the black-and-white-cover convention-exclusive editions! These sets will be available for preorder through IDW’s Web store.

An exclusive hardcover edition of Locke & Key Volume 5: Clockworks will be available as well. This full-color hardcover will be priced at $30 and limited to 300 copies available only at IDW’s booth.

For the hardcore LOCKE & KEY fans, IDW will also have limited quantities of new, high-quality pewter key replicas! 200 “Legacy Edition” OMEGA KEYS and GHOST KEYS and 50 copies of the WHISPERING IRON will be available for $25 each, only at IDW’s booth.

Ashley Wood and his incredible robotic concern ThreeA will be a part of IDW’s booth with exclusives in tow! Ash and company will be bringing along the first-ever ZOMB toy, a zombified departure from his famous robots, but in his inimitable style! The ZOMB toy will be blind-boxed, meaning which ZOMB is in the box is a mystery! The ZOMBS will be priced at $100, limited to 250 pieces, and available for pre-order through the exclusive ZOMB pre-order site!

In conjunction with Ash’s presence in the IDW booth, two deluxe hardcover collections will be available as well! Limited to 500 copies each and priced at $75 and $50 respectively, the complete LORE and ZOMBIES VS. ROBOTS will be available for pre-order through IDW’s Web store.

Joe Jusko fans, pay attention! A special convention-exclusive variant edition of THE ART OF JOE JUSKO will be available at the IDW booth! Limited to just 100 copies and signed and numbered with a variant cover, this edition will be priced at $100 and only available at the show.

Fans of powerhouse creator Amanda Conner can also rejoice, as there will be an exclusive variant edition of THE ART OF AMANDA CONNER priced at $60 and available for pre-order from IDW’s Web store. Additionally, Amanda will be signing at the IDW booth throughout the show! It’s a perfect opportunity for fans to get their new exclusive book signed.

For the many sketch-seekers at Comic-Con, this year IDW will have their very own branded sketchbooks! Priced at $20, these hardcover books are full of high-quality art paper that fans will treasure for years once they’ve been filled with drawings by their favorite artists. Additionally, each fan that purchases a sketchbook will be entered to win a mystery sketchbook with a selection of drawings from several of the artists that will be at the IDW booth during the show!

IDW will also be bringing along some exclusive single-issue comics priced at $5 each:

• TMNT #11 will be available with a full-color cover by TMNT creator Kevin Eastman!
• THE CROW #1 will be available with an eye-catching exclusive cover by series artist Kevin Colden!
• THE CAPE: 1969 #1 will be available with an exclusive variant by series artist Nelson Daniel!
• LOVE AND CAPES: WHAT TO EXPECT #1 will be available with an exclusive variant cover by series mastermind Thom Zahler!
• G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #180 will be on hand with a special variant cover featuring Vietnam-era Snake Eyes!

In addition to the surprises in store for fans at IDW’s many convention panels, these exclusives should go a long way toward cementing another excellent year at San Diego Comic-Con in IDW’s history!

• THE ART OF AMANDA CONNER (VARIANT)- $60
• THE ART OF JOE JUSKO (VARIANT)- $100
• DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN ARTIST’S EDITION – $200 – Available for pre-order
• DAVE STEVENS: COVERS AND STORIES (VARIANT) – $60
• G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #180 (VARIANT)- $5
• IDW SKETCHBOOK- $20
• LOCKE & KEY VOLUME 5: CLOCKWORKSHC – $30
• LOCKE & KEY: OMEGA, GHOST, and WHISPERING IRON KEYS- $25
• THE COMPLETE LORE HC- $75
• LOVE AND CAPES: WHAT TO EXPECT #1 (VARIANT)- $5
• PARKER: THE SCORE (VARIANT)- $60
• SERGIO ARAGONÉS’ GROO THE WANDERER: ARTIST’S EDITION – $150 – Available for pre-order
• TMNT #11 (VARIANT)- $5
• TMNT ULTIMATE COLLECTIONS 1-3 Set- $200 – Available for pre-order
• THE CROW #1 (VARIANT)- $5
• THE CAPE: 1969 #1 (VARIANT)- $5
• ZOMB Toy by ASHLEY WOOD- $100 – Available for pre-order
• THE COMPLETE ZOMBIES VS. ROBOTS HC – $50

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. IDW can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/#!/idwpublishing and http://tumblr.idwpublishing.com/ and on Twitter at @idwpublishing.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; and the Eisner-Award winning Locke & Key series, created by best-selling author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, and Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.

IDW’s critically and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot, while Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film.

via IDW Press Release

Sony Pictures Animation Drives TONKA Trucks To The Big Screen

TONKA, the Hasbro brand that for 65 years has stood for its line of toy trucks for children, will bring its TONKA toughness to the big screen in a fully animated motion picture to be produced by Sony Pictures Animation, Hasbro and Happy Madison Productions. The announcement was made today by Bob Osher, president, Sony Pictures Digital Productions, Michelle Raimo-Kouyate, president of Production for Sony Pictures Animation and Brian Goldner , president and CEO of Hasbro. The film will also be produced and developed by Goldner and Hasbro’s senior vice president and managing director of motion pictures, Bennett Schneir and will be written by Fred Wolf.

The new TONKA project strengthens the growing ties between Sony Pictures and Hasbro, following the announcements that Sony Pictures is developing motion pictures based on Hasbro’s RISK and CANDY LAND brands. CANDY LAND is also a Happy Madison project.

Commenting on the announcement, Osher said, “In its 65 years, TONKA has become more than a toy or a brand — TONKA trucks are a rite of passage for kids all around the world. Time spent with these toys creates memories that last a lifetime as kids are inspired to play using the boundaries of their imagination. We look forward to creating a family friendly motion picture that brings the Tonka experience to life.”

Raimo-Kouyate added, “Fred and our friends at Happy Madison and Hasbro have a truly inventive take on what it means to be ‘TONKA tough’ that will translate the multi-generational appeal of this world-renowned brand into a fun animated adventure for the whole family.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Bob, Michelle, and the amazing team of artists and storytellers at Sony Pictures Animation,” said Schneir. “Together with Happy Madison, we’re excited to bring TONKA trucks to life in a terrific story for audiences around the world.”

One of the most recognized brands in Hasbro’s portfolio, TONKA has been the bestselling toy truck globally since 1947. Giving children real-life, relatable experiences, TONKA trucks help kids learn the confidence to get the job done.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 159 countries. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/

About Sony Pictures Animation
Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world. The studio is following its worldwide comedy hits-the 2011 hybrid live action/animated family blockbuster, The Smurfs (3D) and the 2009 mouth-watering Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (3D) with the family comedy Hotel Transylvania (3D) in September 2012 and The Smurfs 2 (3D) in July 2013. Sony Pictures Animation, in conjunction with Aardman Animations, has produced two feature films: the critically acclaimed, CG-animated family comedy Arthur Christmas (3D); and the stop-frame animated high-seas adventure, The Pirates! Band of Misfits (3D), in U.S. theaters April 27, 2012. In 2007, Surf’s Up received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. The division, whose first feature film Open Season led to a very successful movie franchise, is turning 10 this year. Sony Pictures Animation is an operating unit of Sony Pictures Digital.

Website: http://www.sonypicturesanimation.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SONYPicturesAnimation
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sonyanimation
Tumblr: http://sonyanimation.tumblr.com/

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative, well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. Programming in the U.S. is distributed on The Hub TV Network, a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Through the Company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.” Learn more at www.hasbro.com.

via Hasbro Press Release

Action Figure Xpress (AFX) San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives

Action Figure Xpress (AFX) has put up their San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) exclusives for sale in their store. So far, they have put up most of the Diamond Select Toys exclusives for sale. The only addition besides those items is the SDCC 2012 Exclusive Batman Be@rbrick by Medicom Toy. The Batman Be@rbrick will cost $14.99 and can be pre-ordered now but ships in August. Stay tuned for any additional items that may be available!

Medicom and Diamond Comic Distributors have teamed for a San Diego Comic Con exclusive that no toy collector or comics fan will want to miss — the DC Be@rbrick Batman Mini-Figure! One of the world’s most famous superheroes will strike fear into a cowardly and superstitious lot as a 2″ tall bat-clad bear! This limited edition figure, sure to be a highly-sought-after collectible, comes packaged on its own individual blister pack, with artwork modeled after Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez’s classic DC Style Guide designs.

Hasbro Reveals Their Largest Exclusive EVER for Comic-Con — S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Super Hellicarrier!

Hasbro is bringing the Super Helicarrier to Comic-Con 2012! This is going to be the largest exclusive that will be bumping you on the exhibit floor. This special edition of Marvel’s flying fortress from S.H.I.E.L.D. will definitely fly off their shelves! Even at the BIG price tag of $129.99, supplies will definitely deplete rather quickly.

The Super Helicarrier will be sold at the Hasbro’s booth (Booth #3329). It is a foot longer than the retail version which is 3 feet long. The box will have artwork from Joe Quesada which is exclusive to this version. This special edition will also include two exclusive action figures — Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill.

Do you have room for this in your collection? If so, head over to the Hasbro booth during Comic-Con for your very own flying fortress!