Due to launch in late April, just in time for the film, the line of Avengers minimates will feature special exclusives to Toys R Us and Specialty/Comic Book stores respectively. Here’s a brief breakdown of where you can find each one.

Marvel Minimates – The Avengers Movie (Toys “R” Us/toysrus.com)
- Captain America & Thor
- Iron Man MK7 & Hulk
- Hawkeye & Black Widow (exclusive)
- Loki & Nick Fury (exclusive)

Marvel Minimates Wave 45 (Specialty stores/comic shops)
- Captain America & Thor
- Iron Man MK7 & Hulk

So, as you can see, Geoffrey will initially get the lion’s share of the exclusives, being able to sell the entire line. But you can bet that most comic book stores will simply go to TRU and pick them up and then mark them up as collectibles for their clients. Either way, they look rather cool.

Directed by Joss Whedon, The Avengers stars Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson (yum), Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. It’ll be premiering May 4th.

Hat Tip – Action Figure Insider

Big Bad Toy Store has the Dark Knight – Mister Potato Head style. The Dark Knight Spud, which is made under license by PPW in Los Angeles, has Mr. Potato Head putting on the cowl and cape and making his voice sound like a he just swallowed a frog. It comes with cowl and cape, batarang, utility belt, and the trademarked Dark Knight black suit and boots.

No other details are known about the Dark Spud – whether he’ll have a Tumbler or SpudPod, but you can imagine the kitchy play on words with it. We do know that it’s available on Preorder for $17.99 for a June 2012 delivery. And if you pony up another $2, you can get a “collector’s grade” edition. Whatever that means. Sounds like an opportunity to just get another few bucks from you for a special box worth a quarter.

I rather like these special Spuds, but I just wish they’d come up with just the pieces to add to it as the last thing I need is a closet full of potatohead torsos. Coruse, I remember when you used REAL potatoes for dressing up! Good times.

Hat Tip – TNI

“Inspired by sci-fi, world history, mythology and everyday life, the LEGO minifigures collection continues with Series 6! Each unique and colorful character comes with special accessories, a display stand and a collector’s leaflet, and is packed inside a sealed “mystery” bag, so you never know which minifigure you’ll get. Collection includes: Roman Soldier, Highland Battler, Minotaur, Bandit, Classic Alien, Genie, Leprechaun, Intergalactic Girl, Butcher, Mechanic, Skater Girl, Surgeon, Sleepyhead, Clockwork Robot, Lady Liberty and Flamenco Dancer.”

Series 7 is right around the corner and will have the following: Punk Rocker, Aztec Warrior, Scottish Bag-Piper, Space Marine, Hippie, Black Knight, Little Red Riding Hood, Poseidon – god of the seas, Office Guy, Wedding Bride, Stunt Driver, Female Viking (cue Wagner, please). Tarzan Guy, Bunny-Suit Guy, Female Swimmer, and Tennis Player.

No word on when Series 7 is out yet, but for Series 6, if you’re looking to create a MiniFig movie on YouTube that pits scifi Little Green Men against a legion or Roman Centurions, now’s the time to get cracking on that minifigure code so you can collect enough Romans and Aliens to wage a cinematic battle!

Toy Stores should be getting stock to cover the following toy lines starting this week …. a re-release of Darth Maul-style double-sided lightsaber from Star Wars, Star Wars Return of the Jedi action figures including Princess Leia and Lando Calrissian (this one is really interesting because it’s based on a deleted sandstorm scene). Additionally, Hasbro is releasing a new action figure line called Star Wars Movie Heroes which will include firing projectiles, ziplines, slashing action, and even light-up lightsabers. Star Wars Battle Pods will be able to Spin, Launch, or Roll in battle, with over 100 Star Wars fighter pods figures from all six Star Wars films and The Clone Wars to collect. There will also be “Discover the Force” figures, a set of 12 different characters in multi-packs with two creature/vehicles in special 3D packaging and including a pair of 3D glasses just in time for the release of Star Wars in 3D.

But Star Wars isn’t the only toy line coming back in 2012, there’s also Marvel Universe action figures including the rebooted design for Spiderman, Captain America’s World War II costume with shield, and also other members of the Avengers including Iron Man, Black Widow and the Hawk.

Hat Tip – Rebel Scum

To get started, just head over to the Image3D website. You’ll have the choice between the personal (celebrate) and the professional (business) options. Click and select “Build a Reel” from the menu bar. You’ll need to register (it’s free) and name your reel. Then upload your images. You have enough room for 7 images, plus a center image. Once loaded, you can click on each image to edit them, add text, background, crop and reposition. Then drag and drop them into the frame. Once you have them done, you can load the virtual Viewmaster and preview the reel.

Once you’re happy with your disc, you’re ready to order. The cost for the first set is $29.95 but that also includes Reels: a reel with 7 of your photos with 3D captions & customized center of reel, a ViewMaster style Viewer style in your choice of Red, Black, Blue or White; and a glossy gift white box. Additional sets costs $15.00 a set, with price breaks at each multiple of 25. If you just want the reel itself, that’s $22 for the first and $12.50 for each additional one.

For more information, check out image3d.com.

Hat Tip – GizMag

This minifigure has an entirely black leg piece, and the torso piece is also primarily black. Grey printing is used on the front and back of the torso, which has the same design scheme as the printing on a normal The Clone Wars Clone Trooper’s torso piece. The Shadow ARF Trooper’s head is the same as a normal Clone Trooper, and the helmet is of the same mould as a normal ARF Trooper’s. However, the helmet is black, with silver printing for the visor, and with sand blue and grey printing around the bottom of the helmet and the mouth area. This trooper comes armed with a blaster. – Brickapedia

This Shadow ARF Trooper Minifig is going for $25 on eBay ...

The Shadow ARF Trooper Minifigs are pretty rare and collectible, going for over $25 a piece on eBay. It was given away as a part of the “May the 4th” promotion held by Shop@home. On thing though, it’s a bit “expanded universe,” as there are no references in the Star Wars universe to a Shadow ARF Trooper, and there are no known ARF Troopers with black armour. Still, to get one after buying what you’re going to buy anyway – and have it be worth $25 right off the bat, is a great deal. To qualify for the free Shadow ARF Trooper Minifig giveaway, all you need to do is purchase $75 at LEGO Shop @Home and use the code “BARK”, if you’re from the United States, and “WOOF,” if you’re buying from Canada.

And if you’re buying over $99 in bricks, you can also qualify for FREE shipping.

Hat Tip – Toys n Bricks

The Marines have been collecting Toys for Tots since 1947. Semper Fi!

And it’s grown far beyond and extra curricular activity for off duty Marines. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved making the annual Toys for Tots drive an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. Over the last 62 years, the US Marine Corps Reserve have distributed over 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation has added to the toy collections by purchasing nearly a half billion dollars in toys to insure that no child gets left behind at Christmas.

And this year, as with any year, the campaign needs your help. You know the mission – pick up an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and look for one of those dashing jarheads sitting next to a collection box near the entrance to the store. Or, you can Swing by http://www.toysfortots.org/ to make a cash donation to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. While at the site, you can find more information on a toy collecting center in your area.

Semper Fi and Merry Christmas!

Who will you choose?

Star Wars Insider and Hasbro have joined forces to give you the chance to vote for a character to be made into an action figure! Who’s next is entirely up to you!

Jedi Bastila Shan was last year's winner. She'll be out in 2012

Who will you choose? Leave a comment below.

Hat Tip – Star Wars Blog

Looks like Series 7 is continuing the mythical theme with several cool looking offers including a Viking Lady (Wagner would be proud), what looks like Tarzan & Cheetah, Little Red Riding Hood, a menacing Aztec warrior, the Greek god Poseidon (or, Neptune if you prefer the Roman Pantheon), and even a magical necromancer. Every day minifigs include a nerd/geek, blushing bride, Scottish bagpipe musician, guy in a bunny suit, groovy hippie/flower child, glam rock guitarist, and a cop or military man from the future. Sports related minis include an extreme stunts guy who looks a lot like Evil Knievil, and Olympic swimmer.

These aren’t the official names, mind you, just what we’re calling them until we get more accurate descriptions based on this one image. But it looks like a fantastic collection. We also have more details on Series 6 minifigs, including what looks like The Shadow (which would be royally cool), a fun old school windup robot, a Roman soldier (which makes me wonder who would win in a cage match, the Roman or the Aztec), and the others we recently highlighted in the linked post above. Series 6 comes out in January, with Series 7 to be released “sometime in 2012.” I’m betting late Spring.

Hat Tip – Brothers Brick

“although we were ready to support a (Ghostbusters) subscription in 2012, sales were lower than we expected. We regret to announce that we have to cancel the 2012 Club Ecto-1 subscription.

With poor sales showing that the 30 year franchise is perhaps a bit long in the tooth, Mattel has decided to cut it’s losses and cancel the collector’s club. They will be returning all subscription sales, but they are also planning to send a special consolation prize to fans of Venkman, Stanz, and Spengler. In addition, the cancellation only pertains to next year’s collection line. All 2011 toys will still be sent as planned. Mattel is also showing a commitment to the Ghostbusters line by still planning to release Ready to Believe You Peter with Taxi Cab Ghost, The Rookie, Dana as Zuul, and a fourth figure to be named later this Fall.

Some would think the timing couldn’t be worse since recently Dan Ackroyd announced that they’ve finally come up with a great script idea for GhostBusters 3, which will have the original Ghostbusters passing the unlicensed nuclear accelerator to a new generation. The cast rumored includes the return of most the original Ghostbusters (Bill Murray may not return), plus Eliza Dushku (DollHouse, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) , Alyisa Milano, and perhaps Matthew Gray Gubler from ‘Criminal Minds’.

So that leaves CT to speculate that due to poor collection sales, Mattel is using the opportunity to clear the board before next year, and with an upcoming sale planned for Halloween on all Ghostbusters toys, it only makes sense so they can gear up for a whole new Next Generation line. Question is though … will fans embrace it?

Hat Tip – Action Figure Blues