Monopoly might be one of the most popular board games in the world, but to play it all the time in the same manner for decades could get a little monotonous. LeetLady, a huge fan of Tron, the 1982 movie decided to give Monopoly a face-lift and created this amazing board which combines the coolness of TRON and Monopoly both, and she calls it the “Tronopoly”.

Arguably Star Trek’s most popular character, Mr. Spock made his debut on Star Trek in 1966. Over 40 years later, Spock is once again featured in 2009′S new Star Trek film. This classic kit has been out of release for over 30 years. Tooling will be restored to its original configuration to bring this kit back in all its vintage glory. Offered in 2 versions: Commemorative release in vintage-style cardboard packaging and Limited Edition in an embossed tin, also featuring vintage artwork. Molded in white, this kit features 35 parts. Some assembly required.

“One of the most anticipated Batman collectibles of all times is just a few weeks from release.”

People have been waiting for a lot when it comes to the classic Batman TV show from 1966. Some fans want replicas of the Batmobiles. Some fans want action figures of the cast. MOST fans just want the show released on DVD! All of these things have been tied up in rights disputes (from studios, actors, etc) since the 1970s.. But Mattel has cut through some of that red tape and has found a way to bring us a piece of that gem from our childhoods. The Batmobile!

Word started leaking out around August of last year that Mattel was close to a deal with George Barris, the designer of the 1966 Batmobile, so that they could make different scales of Hot Wheels based on that classic TV car. When asked about it the answers were vague. Lots of “maybes” and “we’ll see” with some “nothing yet” and “no comments” thrown in for good measure. Then at 2006 Comic Con International there was a BIG teaser at the Hot Wheels booth, in the form of a red phone under glass along with the words “coming soon”

This news was mind blowing and the excitement crossed over from comic fans, action figure collectors, TV memorabilia collectors, die-cast collectors, and just plane ole’ folks that were fans of the classic show that have been waiting twenty-odd years for some officially licensed product.

There have been some officially licensed versions of the 66 Batmobile, most notably the products that Corgi put out in the late 1960 and early 1970s, and it is some great product, but now most of it is prohibitively expensive to the casual fan and the advances in toy manufacturing technology have made enough strides to give us incredible detailed scale replicas of arguably the coolest car on TV.

Bat fans are fortunate that the VP in charge of the Hot Wheels brand is our old friend “Walker Texas Ranger” who is himself a HUGE Batman and comics fan and has made it a personal project to make sure that this product is done right. There were several Batmobiles used in the filming of the show and the feature film and there are countless replicas that now tour the country and all have slight differences that the hardcore fans know all about. Sticker/decal placement, the pin striping and dashboard are ALL sticking points for the hardcore fans online. Check out this interview with Barris himself as he talks about how close he is working with the line manager for Hot Wheels, including paying a visit to to the Peterson Museum in Los Angeles to scan the original “number one” Batmobile.

There has been a lot of unlicensed product of the 66 Batmobile over the years. I’ve seen some amazing recreations of this Batmobile in my years of collecting, but they are also “1 (or 2) offs” and really expensive. Now fans won’t have to break the bank to get a piece of the action.

The 1/64 scale Hot Wheels hits next month, and then in the Fall we will be treated to 1/18 and 1/43 scale versions as well. From what I’ve been hearing the 1/18 scale version is the one that will blow everyone’s mind. I’m hoping these other versions will be shown next month at Toy Fair.

Here are the detailed shots I’ve been promising for the past week:

Let’s look at the 66 Batmobile along-side a few others. This first shot included the Mattel Batmobile redesign from 2004. This was the first 1/64th scale Hot Wheels Batmobile made after Mattel wrenched the Batman license away from Hasbro.

This next Batmobile is from the Super Friends animated series and was manufactured by DC Direct and included in the Super Friends 2-pack boxed set that contained Robin and the Riddler. While it is roughly the same scale it is not a proper “Hot Wheel” because the wheels are molded to the body and don’t turn.

The animated Batmobile in the center of the back row is from a 1999 Jack-In-The-Box kids meal program. It’s actually a little larger than the rest, and it’s got a pull-back feature (plus an opening canopy), but I had it around the office while taking these pictures so I thought I’d include it.

Last week a couple of people from Bust Magazine attended a My Little Pony party at the Chelsea Art Museum.  All of Hasbro’s My Little Ponies were in one room with the wine and food, so that was the first stop on the party train.  In another room were the ‘25 Ponies for 25 Years‘ - ponies created by pop culture celebs to be auctioned off by CharityFolks.com in support of Give Kids The World Village.  Check out some of my favorite designs:

Designers:

1. Toki Doki

2.Kimora Lee Simmons

3. Catalina Estrada

4. Claw Money

5. Junko Mizuno

6. Junie Moon

It’s hard to believe that GUND has been around for over a century!  Since 1898, GUND has been creating unique, high quality teddy bears and other plush animals.  GUND is the leading soft toy manufacturer in the U.S.  

German immigrant Adolf Gund founded the company in 1898 in Norwalk, Connecticut, and GUND was one of the first companies to design and produce teddy bears in the early 1900’s.

GUND’s trademarked under-stuffing technique makes their plushes extra soft and huggable.  GUND has always been committed to product safety, and the company set an important industry standard by devising a way to attach eyes securely to plush animals, preventing them from being pulled out by small children.

In the 1980’s the famous GOTTA GETTA GUND advertising campaign led to the company’s recognition as a leading consumer brand.  Today the company makes all kinds of unique characters and licensed plush under the GUND and GUNDbaby brands.

Wondering how you can clean your GUND stuffed plush?  The company has provided detailed Cleaning Instructions to ensure that your GUND always looks its best. 

For the past couple of days I’ve been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my newest favorite plush toys - Plaja Pets!  Jason from Small World Toys was kind enough to send me a bunch of the mini versions and two of the large versions to review.  I didn’t know what to expect, as I wasn’t sure what toy I was going to receive to review from Small World Toys.  So I was more than just a bit surprised to open the box and see plush animals with detached heads and tails!

The award-winning Plaja Pets are the newest addition to the Small World Toys collection. Plaja Pets are plush toys with play value. Not only can they be mixed and matched, but you can stick a head or a tail on the refrigerator door or anything else magnetic.   

I should have known what to expect when I left my boyfriend alone for five minutes with the new toys:

He just couldn’t resist, and proceeded to create all sorts of cute-crazy creatures by tearing off the heads and tails of these furry cuties.  Plaja Pets are designed with detachable heads and tails (using embedded magnets) so that kids (and grown-up kids) can mix and match as they please.

Plaja Pets were voted as one of the “Most Unique Toys of 2007” on About.com, and the company was the iParenting Media Award Winner in 2007.

Each Plaja Pet has a unique name and story that tells about their life on the Plaja Islands. Kids love to read these little stories about their new unique toy. Visit www.plajapets.com to mix and match your own electronically or see photos of the Plaja Pets all around the world!

Plaja Pets come in a large (8”) and miniature (4”) size and are great for anyone over the age of 3 (the magnetic tails are a choking hazard).  I’m also seeing the possibility of another use for adults - a stress reliever!  Just rip off a head or a tail!  I’m sure it’ll make you feel better (even if you immediately feel bad and put it back, like I did).

You can read more about Plaja Pets and their creators in the story published by Amanda Reinarts of MSU, “The Peddlers of Plush”.

Here are a few pictures of my Plaja Pets:

Mini Plaja Pets:

 
Large Plaja Pets:

Vappu the Goldfish

Dermot the Rabbit

Which Plaja Pet is your favorite?

Join the Fashion Angels as they travel around the world! These magnetic playsets are perfect for fun for kids ages 4+ on the go.  Each collectible magnetic tin comes with 80 magnetic fashions, 4 scenes and a storage pouch, so your child can spend hours creating fashionable ensembles without losing pieces along the way.

On October 23, 1958 the Smurfs made their first appearance in a story of Johan & Peewit in “Le Journal de Spirou”. Their creator Peyo had worked previously at a number of drawing jobs. But the introduction of the Smurfs into Spirou would change his life. 

At first, the Smurfs were just secondary characters. But they soon became stars in their own right. After a few mini-albums, their tales began to appear as full albums. Then the film “The Smurfs and the Magic Flute” appeared, with music by Michel Legrand (he also sang in the chorus !).

Music provided the next big step also, when the Dutch singer Vader Abraham released the first Smurf single. It was a massive hit in Belgium and Holland, followed by the rest of the world. Soon, figurines, plushes, toys, (hit) records and above all the TV shows brought them right around the world. In 1981, the celebrated cartoon duo Hanna & Barbera (who created Tom & Jerry and later the Flinstones and Yogi Bear) started work on a TV series for the NBC network in the USA. No fewer than 256 episodes were produced, which are currently showing in roughly 30 countries.

Although their creator Pierre Culliford - better known as Peyo - is no longer with us since Christmas 1992, the Smurfs have never been so popular. Over 10 million copies of Smurf CDs have been sold in the last 3 years alone. The books, activity books, figurines and toys are amongst the most popular in the world. The TV series is regularly re-issued as video collections in dozens of languages, as well as CD-i and in storybook form.

And with the new style and the increasing range of Smurfimedia coming out, the little blue men are sure to have plenty of surprises for fans in the years to come.                                       -Smurfs.com

Celebrate the Smurfs’ birthday this year by buying your favorite Smurf figurine!

Judo Smurf Figurine     

Blue Cottage Figurine