First of two parts
NEW YORK — The biggest surprise at this year’s American International Toy Fair was not Hasbro’s dominating lineup, nor the continuous stream of “Star Wars” collectibles but the weather.
Ice, cold and snow were replaced with a few balmy days during the weeklong event giving buyers plenty of reason to visit the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and off-site showrooms around the Big Apple.
Leading off the fun, Hasbro held its annual Fan-Collector Media Event at the Time Center auditorium for those who review and write about licensed toy and action figures.
Giddy brand managers took their turns to speak and through multimedia presentations and banter, which most humans might quantify as geek speak, detailed toy minutiae for such properties as “Transformers,” Marvel, G.I. Joe and “Star Wars.”
The company threatens to dominate sales this year with one of the strongest action-figure and toy license lineups I have ever seen.
So let’s start my two-week roundup with Hasbro’s best and continue on to other companies that have plenty to offer the lover of items based on comic books, cartoons and movies.
Hasbro
• Biggest surprise was the 14-inch-tall online exclusive figure devoted to the latest illusive beast currently destroying the Big Apple.
Yes, a superarticulated version of the Cloverfield Monster ($99.99) comes complete with 70 points of movement, a Statue of Liberty head and some of its pesky parasites. It arrives later this year (preorders are now being taken at www.hasbrotoyshop.com).
• George Lucas just can’t stop feeding the “Star Wars” frenzy for fans and collectors, so he is now offering a theatrical release of his new Clone Wars cartoon (Aug. 15) followed by the weekly series on Cartoon Network and TNT.
Hasbro is the place for all “Star Wars” toys, and just on the new property alone, I want to present a couple of slick items coming soon.
Specifically, youngsters will want to wear the new Clone Trooper Helmet ($29.99) complete with a voice amplifier while they load up to 20 of their action figures into 2-foot-long, six-legged AT-TE ($99.99) offering sounds and firing features.
Of course, let’s notforget the continuous waves of 3-inch figures devoted to all six live-action movies, comic books and video games comingduring the year. For example, a new series called Droid Factory ($7.99 each) offers 30 figures, each with a robot part, to be used to build a total of seven droids.
• Paramount Pictures’ “Iron Man” hits theaters in May, but a 12-inch Repulsor-Power Iron Man ($19.99) hits shelves in March. The action figure takes its design from the Mark III armor suit seen in the film and features electronic lights and sounds.
• George Lucas also has “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in theaters on May 22, and Hasbro has amazingly grabbed that license. Expect 3-inch action figures ($6.99) devoted to all four of the films as well as a Sound FX Whip ($19.99) and Mr. Potato Head: Taters of the Lost Arc ($14.99). The spud dresses up as Indy and plays the classic John Williams’ “Raiders March.”
• And, “The Incredible Hulk” is in theaters on June 13. Hasbro, as part of its mega Marvel Entertainment license, takes plenty of license with the mighty gamma-fueled star. The best of the green-skinned bunch is the Hulkey Pokey Hulk ($29.99), a 14-inch-tall plush figure that not only sings the “Hokey Pokey” but dances and spins 30 degrees — take that, Elmo.
Lego
• The Danish brick building legend continues its association with the “Star Wars” license and taps into the Clone Wars saga with new constructible vehicles and play sets. A few of the hottest available in August include the Magnaguard Starfighter with two minifigures of General Grievous’ hench bots ($44.99, 421 pieces) and a massive Republic Gunship with minifigures of four clone troopers, Obi-Wan, Plo-Koon and Sith assassin Asajj Ventress ($119.99, 1,034 pieces).
• Next, Speed Racer becomes a live-action movie this year (May 9), and children can build an entire speedway based on the film in the Grand Prix set ($59.99, 595 pieces). It includes Speed’s Mach 5, the Gray Ghost’s and Cannonball Taylor’s vehicles and even a minifigure of Chim-Chim.
• Also, Lego supports the Batman movie sequel “The Dark Knight” (releasing in July) with The Tumbler: The Joker’s Ice Cream Surprise set ($49.99, 449 pieces). It comes with the movie’s Batmobile, an ice cream truck and figures of the Caped Crusader and the Clown Prince of Crime.
Gentle Giant Ltd.
A company often used to create three-dimensional digital scans of actors for movie special effects also produces collections of lifelike action figures and statues.
• First look for some gruesome, 7-inch-tall multiarticulated gems devoted to the film and comic book 30 Days of Night this July ($22 each).
• And let’s not forget the high-end “Star Wars” stuff. I was really impressed with the 14-inch-tall full body statue of the famed Sith Count Dooku, which is joined by the sultry Jedi hunter Asajj Ventress ($229.99). Additionally, the Giant has created a 65-inch-tall version of the animated Princess Leia for anyone with $800 burning a hole in his or her wallet.
Next week: Dr. Who, Batman, Borg and a Bakugan.
Anyone interested in seeing something besides “Star Wars” photographs (I am so sorry, I got caught up, again, in a galaxy far, far away) need only look to Zadzooks video blog coverage of Toy Fair 2008 (https://video1.washingtontimes.com/zadzooks).
Zadzooks! wants to know you exist. Call 202/636-3016; fax 202/269-1853; e-mail jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com or write to Joseph Szadkowski, The Washington Times, 3600 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002.
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