ToyFare #149: On sale now!

Two covers for you this month: Mattel’s Avatar (featuring a FREE augmented reality I-Tag for you to try with your webcam) or Hasbro’s Iron Man 2 (image but not final cover glimpsed above. It’s gorgeous).

And inside those covers? I thought you’d never ask…

• Hasbro talks about their plans for Iron Man 2, Marvel Universe, Marvel Legends and more in 2010 and beyond!

• An interview with Avatar producer Jon Landau on the movie, the toys and taking technology to the next level.

Just a quick housekeeping note before you run out to buy your issue: Wizard is in the process of transferring all of our editorial content online rom wizarduniverse.com to wizardworld.com. That means that, sometime in the future, this blog will disappear. Rest assured we will be starting one up at wizardworld.com. So if you suddenly find yourself FarePlay-less, head over to wizardworld.com and see if the new blog has started up yet. Thanks, guys. You’re the best.

ToyFare #148: On sale 10/14

Quite a different cover for us, eh? Stunning, though! Whether or not you’re a fan of Twilight (or Tonner’s very, very pretty character figures), there’s tons of stuff for you to enjoy in the new issue of ToyFare!

•I’m really friggin’ excited about the new Twisted ToyFare Theatre storyline that kicks off in this issue. When Dr. Strange pisses off the Ancient One, he decides to train a new Sorcerer Supreme. A man by the name of…Victor Von Doom! All you Mego Doom fans are going to be pleased with this one…

• The long-awaited new Star Wars Fan Choice Poll kicks off in this issue! See the nominees in this issue, then check out wizarduniverse.com tomorrow to cast your vote!

• Find out how Tonner’s Character Figures are made, and check out our Guy’s Guide to Twilight so you can be conversant on the phenomenon!

• Horror fans, check out our horror movie preview and our retro feature on the horrific ’80s toy line, the Inhumanoids!

• We catch up with our Robot Chicken buds Matt Senreich and Tom Root about their new Adult Swim show, Titan Maximum!

• Plus, new DC Direct statues, Incoming, newly expanded Big Shots and much more!

ToyFare # 147: On sale 9/10!

So new comics come out on Thursday instead of Wednesday this week. But never fear, beloved readers. We used that extra day to make ToyFare #147 THAT MUCH more awesome for you! Here’s what you’ll find beneath that amazing Mattel Batman cover (amazing covers being the new trend for us)…

• With Batman on the cover, Incoming goes DC Universe Classics CRAZY! Incoming kicks off with five pages of DCUC coverage, including the WORLD PREMIERE of Wave 12! That’s right. If that weren’t enough, we’re also world-debuting a new toy line from DC Direct! It’s a good month to be a DC toy fan (and ToyFare reader).

• Speaking of Batman, we take a look at the awesome character designs of the villains in the new Arkham Asylum video game and talk to the man who gives voice to Batman in that, the new animated film Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and just about everything else that’s awesome: Kevin Conroy! Want to know what Kevin thinks of Christian Bales’ Bat-growl? Find out here!

• Speaking of Arkham, we’re blowing out our video game coverage this month, with a look at NECA’s eagerly anticipated Bioshock toys and a run-down of the hottest games coming out this season (plus their toy tie-ins, of course)! Plus, what toys would video game visionary (and Brutal Legend creator) Tim Schafer like to see made of his characters? And what video games would we like to see made of classic toy lines?

• In Twisted ToyFare Theatre, our G.I. Joe/Transformers crossover wraps up with a road trip, a wedding and a death. Who makes a love connection, and who kicks the bucket?

• All this, plus our usual columns, price guide, the world’s best editor’s letter and more more more!

ToyFare # 146: On sale 8/12!

Star Wars is Forever! So said the poster that used to hang on my bedroom wall, and that poster has proven to be incredibly prescient! Now, in a non-movie year, ToyFare checks in with the folks who make the Star Wars collectibles you love to find out what’s coming next. Plus, the chance to affect what’s coming next for yourself… Read on!

• Our amazing cover features the new Quarter Scale Darth Vader by Diamond Select Toys. Inside, find out how DST put this amazing new line together!

• The great Star Wars fan poll! Vote on upcoming collectibles from Hasbro, DST, FunKo, Kotobukiya and Gentle Giant!

• An exclusive preview of DK’s new Lego Star Wars Visual Dictionary!

• We chat with Lucas Licensing’s Chris Spitale and Star Wars collector Steve Sansweet to find out how these products get made, and what the craziest products ever have been!

• Behind the scenes of the new Clone Wars: Republic Commandos video game – we find out how Lucasarts works with the other branches to create a unified product!

• The latest Star Wars products fro Hasbro, Uncle Milton, Revell, Medicom, Sideshow and more!

Plus, totally non-Star Wars-related stuff!

• Retro feature: Exo-Squad. Whatever became of this beloved early-’90s toy line and cartoon?

• Twisted ToyFare Theatre: At long last…G.I. Joe Vs. Transformers. Or at least, some Joes and Cobras and Transformers Vs. other oes and Cobras and Transformers. Check it out for yourself!

• Plus, Incoming, Big Shots, Hot Plate and all the other usual goodies you know, love and crave on a monthly basis!

This weekend: WIZARD WORLD PHILLY!

It’s Wizard World Philadelphia this Friday-Sunday, and ToyFare is all over it like a motherlover!!!

Philly is our big toy show, so ToyFare is going to be running programming all weekend long (like the Hall of Fame Awards, seen above!). Me and my new semi-smart QWERTY phone are going to be Tweeting all the news and panels, all weekend long, so make sure to follow me for all the updates.

Here are the panels we’ll be involved in:

Friday

1pm – 2pm
Toys: Room 201C
The Four Horsemen: What’s Up With The Four Horsemen?
Join the sculptors extraordinaire as they take a journey through their amazing work for Mattel and on their own Fantastic Exclusives line, give hints to aspiring sculptors and debut brand-new toy images for the first time!

2pm – 3pm
Toys: Room 201C
Ask Diamond Select Toys – Live!
Join the company behind Ultimate Quarter-Scale Star Wars figures, classic Trek toys and a bevy of MiniMates, from Marvel to the Godfather, to see what they’ve got coming down the pike! Join DST’s Chuck Terceira as he answers your questions and shows off upcoming products.

3pm – 4pm
Toys: Room 201C
How a NECA Figure is Made
Join the sculpting team behind toys like Cult Classics, Street Fighter IV and Twilight as they share tips and tricks for turning clay into works of art!
Showcase: Room 202B
Tom Savini Q&A
Learn the secrets of Special Effects from the King of Splatter! (Hosted by my man TJ Dietsch!)

4pm – 5pm
Toys: Room 201C
A Look Ahead w/ Tonner
Join the makers of the incredible Tonner Character Figures as they share the latest news on their exciting lines, from the DC Stars collection to Doctor Who and Torchwood, and beyond!

5pm – 6pm
Toys: Room 201C
Big Toy Industry Panel
Got a question about anything going on right now in the toy industry? These guys have all the answers! Join nearly every toy industry guest who’s going to be at Wizard World Philly, from Jesse Falcon to the Four Horsemen, as they appear onstage together to talk shop and answer your questions!
Moderated by Justin Aclin

Saturday

11am – 12pm
Toys: Room 201C
How to Sculpt w/ Tonner
Join world-renowned sculptor Robert Tonner, CEO of Tonner Inc., for his “Sculpting from Clay to the Finished Product” panel. Learn how the process works from beginning to end, get sculpting tips and tricks, and learn about the artistry he puts into each Tonner Character Figure. Participate in a Q&A with the sculptor himself and, of course, there will be giveaways at the end!

12pm – 1pm
Toys: Room 201C
NECA – A Look Ahead
Makers of some of the finest movie and video game toys in existence, join NECA’s Director of Product Development Randy Falk and the NECA team as they share some secrets about what’s next for the exciting company!

1pm – 2pm
Toys: Room 201C
Marvel Toys: Legends and Beyond!
Join Marvel Legends mastermind Jesse Falcon as he takes a look back at the legendary Marvel Legends line, including some figures that never made it to store shelves. Jesse, Legends sculptor Phil Ramirez, and David Vonner and Scott George from Hasbro’s Marvel team will be on hand to take your questions about your favorite Marvel figures!

2pm – 3pm
Toys: Room 201C
How to Sculpt w/ Tim Bruckner
Take advantage of this unique experience to learn about toy and statue sculpting from one of the masters of the form – this year’s ToyFare Hall of Fame inductee Tim Bruckner, the man behind many of your favorite DC Direct collectibles and more!

3pm – 4pm
Toys: Room 201C
Toy Customizing 101
The hit ToyFare magazine section comes to life on stage! Whether you’re new to the world of customizing action figures or you’re a seasoned pro looking for expert knowledge, our panel of noted customizers and toy industry pros will be able to shed some light on this fast-growing hobby. Stick around afterward for the custom toy contest!
Featuring Justin Aclin (ToyFare Magazine), T.J. Dietsch (ToyFare Magazine), Matt “Iron Cow” Cauley (DST’s MiniMates), Robert Torres (Art Asylum) and Pierre “Airmax” Kalenzaga.

4pm – 5pm
Toys: Room 201C
Custom Toy Contest
Presented by ToyFare magazine! Think you’ve got what it takes to be an award winning action figure customizer? Enter your figures in the 3.75-5 inch, 6-7 inch, and 8-12-inch cloth costumed categories for a chance to win prizes, including custom figures that have been featured in ToyFare, and a chance for your figure to appear in the magazine!
For more info on our contest rules and submission guidelines, please check the Contests Page.

5pm – 6pm
Toys: Room 201C
Second Annual ToyFare Hall of Fame Awards
It’s like the Kennedy Center Honors, but with more build-a-figures! Join the ToyFare staff and toy industry luminaries as we salute this year’s inductees: Jesse Falcon (Marvel Legends), Tim Bruckner (DC Direct), Randy Bowen (Bowen Designs) and Hasbro’s Transformers (represented by product manager Aaron Archer). Randy Bowen will have a special video acceptance, and the rest of the honorees will be on hand to be presented with this year’s amazing statuettes, designed by the dream team of the Four Horsemen and Clayburn Moore!

Sunday

12pm – 1pm
Toys: Room 201C
Twisted ToyFare Theatre: Behind the Stupidity
Join the creative team behind ToyFare Magazine’s award-winning satirical comic strip Twisted ToyFare Theatre to find out what sort of magic they employ to produce their patented brand of satirical goodness (hint: it’s voodoo!). Get an exclusive peek at the next Twisted ToyFare strip, and answer TTT trivia to win crap! In this case, crap refers to TTT collected editions.

1pm – 2pm
Toys: Room 201C
Shocker Toys – What’s To Come
Come meet the crew of Shocker Toys and find out what they have in store for you this year!

3pm – 4pm
Comics: Room 204A
Humor in Superhero Comics
Join ToyFare’s own Justin Aclin as he explores the ways that comics make you laugh. Not all comics are 100% dark and serious, there’s a reason why they’re called “Funny Books”.
Hosted by Justin Aclin with awesome guest panelists Kevin Maguire, Dan Slott, Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente!

ToyFare # 143: On sale 5/13!

Okay, first off I just realized that there hasn’t been a blog post since the LAST time we were hyping an issue, and that’s lame. I apologize. In addition to our regular duties we’ve been wrapping up a new Twisted ToyFare volume (on sale in July!) and a few other cool projects, and that’s been keeping us mega-busy. I’m hoping that we’ll resume a more normal blog schedule very soon.

But back to the subject at hand, which is, of course, hyping an issue.

ToyFare #143 hits stores tomorrow, and we once again have two covers for you to agonize over choosing between. On the one hand there’s the terrifying new Megatron figure from the upcoming film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. On the other hand we have our President (Barack Obama, in case you didn’t know), talking to a hologram coming out of a robot. Decisions!

And here’s what you’ll find lurking beneath the covers:

• An interview with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen screenwriters (and Trek and Fringe writers) Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci! How much did fanboy feedback affect their script? Why are they stepping away from the franchise after this film? Who’s got more Transformer toys?

• An interview with Hasbro’s Transformers brand team about the new movie toys.

• Twisted ToyFare Theatre: What menace will the Megos face this month? Behold, the coming of…Bizarrobama!

• We interview comedy mega-legend Mel Brooks and put ideas in his head about toys!

• We interview DVD legends Shout Factory! about their upcoming Transformers G1 releases!

• The rise and fall (and subsequent re-rise) of Mego toys, as told by the man who started it all, Marty Abrams!

• Ever wonder what would have become of MV Studios’ He-Man comic or Devil’s Due’s G.I. Joe if they hadn’t stop publishing? Wonder no more, because we’ve got a feature all about it!

• Plus, your first look at Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Classics Webstor figure and tons more toys in Incoming, Big Shots, the results of TWO of our recent fan’s choice polls and tons more.

Yes, my friends…it’s a good-ass issue.

ToyFare # 142: On sale 4/8!

Hey, guys. ToyFare #142 is out this week, and with it we are proud to unleash on the world the most exciting new character of 2009:

Golden Age Spider-Man!!!

Who is he? How does he come into Mego Spidey’s life? What kind of archaic slang does he use? You can only find out in this month’s Twisted ToyFare Theatre!

Also in this issue:

• Confused by the continuities of all those Terminator movies and shows? Our timeline will set you straight, while our interview with Terminator Salvation director McG will set you salivating! And not just because his name sounds like a fast food restaurant!

• If you’re one of the bazillions of World of Warcraft players worldwide, check out our special feature on all the cool-ass merch you can score to show off your love! Special bonus: We interview my college roommate! (No, it’s cool…he’s an expert on the subject.)

• We interview the biggest box office star of all time…Frank Welker! Yes, the voice of Megatron (and Scooby Doo, and Nibbler, and Dr. Claw, and…)

• Get a beginner’s guide to the ever-popular (but occasionally impenetrable) designer/vinyl toys movement. It art-tastic!

• ROM Spaceknight. Nuff said! …What? Not Nuff said? Well, we cast a retro eye back at this ground-breaking toy, and speak to ROM co-creator Bing McCoy. Bing!

• Plus Big Shots, buttloads of Star Wars toys, and our back page ad featuring the product that lets you worship Kali AND save on your heating bill…plus much, much more!

Pick. It. Up.